God is Winning, The Devil is Losing...Get Ready

I know that you have discernment. And so this is gonna be a confirmation for many of you. You can sense that the spiritual tides are turning. Light is winning. The gospel is advancing. The kingdom is expanding. This is the church's greatest hour. I wanna share with you a message of inspiration, encouragement, and perspective. I pray that we begin to see things through the eyes of faith. I pray that we truly have discernment to see what is happening in the realm of the Spirit. There's this idea that the church generally has embraced. I'm not saying every aspect of the church, but generally speaking, much of the church has embraced this idea of retreat. In that we believe that we just should throw up our hands, we should worry, we should fret, and we should call for the Lord Jesus to come and get us out of here. Now, I believe in looking forward to the return of Jesus. I believe that yes, one day Jesus is returning and we don't know the day or the hour. But while we are here, we are not victims. While we are here, We are victorious. And so I want us to be broken from this mindset of fear and retreat, because that mindset based on fear and retreat comes from a lack of an understanding of the kingdom of God. It comes from a lack of an understanding of the authority that Christ ultimately has. Again, yes, we're looking to the Lord's return. Yes, we're looking forward to being raptured into his presence. Amen. But there is work to be done. And the church is marching forward victoriously. Now, a side note for our younger audience joining us, maybe you're just graduating high school. Maybe you're looking forward to one day getting married, having children. If you're not careful, you can embrace certain doctrines. And I've seen this happen, and it's done a lot of damage in the lives of many believers. you embrace this doctrine of retreat. And in embracing that doctrine of retreat, you give up hope of your future in Christ. You give up hope for the calling that he's placed on your life. You don't exercise any wisdom or build a foundation for the future, because in your mind, what's the point? Everything's falling apart anyway. I call this eschatological nihilism, where we just believe that ultimately everything ends in defeat and despair. So what's the point of even pursuing the call? What's the point of even trying to build a ministry or a family? Do what God has called you to do. Yes, the Lord can return at any time, but you have a responsibility to this generation and the next, should the Lord tarry, to do as you're called to do. So don't be hopeless about the future. The gates of hell shall not prevail. The Great Commission will not fail. The gospel will not lose its power. The church is advancing. Light will overcome darkness, for this gospel shall be preached to the ends of the earth, and then the end will come. Revival, not retreat. Victory, not defeat, will be the posture of the church in these last days? Well, just ask yourself, who reigns? Who rules over all? Who is in control? Who is ultimately in charge? Who holds all of the power? It's the Lord. In Philippians 2:9-11, we read, Therefore God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, That at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. In Acts 2:32 and onward, we read, God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. Now, not then, Not in the future, not some point later down the line. Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven at God's right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. Now, how did he achieve this victory? The scripture makes it plain. Colossians 2. 14 and 15. I love this right here. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. I love that. He shamed them publicly. He put the devil to shame. He embarrassed Satan on a global, eternal scale. Now Revelation shows us something quite interesting. Look at this in Revelation chapter 5, I'll read verses 4 through 6. Revelation 5:4-6. Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. But one of the 24 elders said to me, stop weeping, look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah. That's important, pay attention here, look at this. He says, look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David's throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its 7 seals. Now, this is interesting, look at verse 6. Then I saw a Lamb, In other words, look, a lion. He turns and sees a lamb. Then I saw a lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the 4 living beings and among the 24 elders. He had 7 horns and 7 eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out to every part of the earth. How did he become the conquering lion? Jesus became the conquering lion by suffering as a lamb. So it was through his sacrifice, through his death upon the cross, through his resurrection, that he shamed the powers of darkness, that he gained, he attained the seat of highest honor. Through Christ, the kingdom of God was established. Matthew 12. Verses 27 through 29 say this, and if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has arrived among you. For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strongman and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger, someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house. The kingdom of God has arrived among you. Say that in the comment section, the kingdom is now. The kingdom is now. The kingdom of God has arrived among you. He has bound Satan in the sense that the gospel can now advance and the plundering of hell has already begun. We are snatching souls from the powers of darkness. This is a rescue mission. And as we advance the gospel, we are smashing the locks of the cages of the bound. As we advance the gospel, darkness is losing its grip on a generation. Satan still works in a general sense. Yes, he has some jobs to do. Yes, he has some influence here and there, but overall, Christ is the one who reigns. There's still work to be done, of course, as the kingdom expands. So the kingdom was established through Christ and it is now ever expanding. Watch this, Matthew 6:9-10, pray like this. Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Look at Matthew 13:31-33. Here is another illustration Jesus used. The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants. It grows into a tree and birds come and make nests in its branches. Jesus also used this illustration. The kingdom of heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in 3 measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough. In other words, The kingdom of God begins as seemingly small and insignificant, but then is ever expanding. So the kingdom is here and now, the kingdom is expanding, the kingdom is forever, the kingdom belongs to the Lord Jesus. So we see that the gospel seeds have been planted. And when Christ died upon the cross and rose again from the dead, that the kingdom was established. And now as agents of that kingdom, as representatives of heaven, we see that work expanding. We're ambassadors of the kingdom of God. And so the kingdom of God, yes, has been established, but that doesn't mean there's no work to do. We have to help that seed to grow. We have to help that expansion along because God has chosen us to do it here within the earth. So Christ reigns now, And the kingdom is expanding. Until when? Acts chapter 1, excuse me, Psalm 110:1-2. Psalm chapter 110:1-2. I'll tell you why I said Acts 1:8 in a moment. Psalm 110 reminds me of Acts 1:8. See if you can see the similarity. The Lord said to my Lord, sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet. Before we read verse 2, so now you're sitting at my right hand, I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet. So, so you sit at my right hand until I humble your enemies. So watch this now in verse 2. The Lord will extend your powerful kingdom from Jerusalem. You will rule over your enemies. Well, wait a minute. Where did the gospel begin expansion from? Read Acts 1:8. So it began somewhere local, then it went regional, then it went global. Look at Psalm 2:7-9. The king proclaims the Lord's decree. The Lord said to me, you are my Son. Today I have become your Father. Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession. You will break them with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots. Well, this is the Lord. So, so here, We see that the rule of Christ is final. It's ultimate. And he receives the nations as his inheritance. 1 Corinthians 15:24-26. After that, the end will come when he will turn the kingdom over to God the Father. When is this? Having destroyed every ruler, And authority and power. For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet. And the last enemy to be destroyed is death. So this is not a fight to gain the upper hand. This is not a struggle to gain the advantage over the enemy. As the church of the living God, We have the advantage. We have the upper hand. We have the high ground. We have the momentum on our side. And so this victory continues on and on and on until the last enemy is finally conquered. And that is death. So he continues to reign over all and will put all enemies under his feet. His kingdom is eternal, and he is already upon the throne. Daniel 7:13-14. As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world. So that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. Let me say that again. He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal and it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed. So the kingdom has been established, the kingdom is expanding, and the kingdom is eternal. Now, again, this doesn't mean we have no work to do. I simply share this with you so you recognize that we have the upper hand, that we are seeing God winning. Now, in a moment, we're gonna dig into some of the ideas that have caused believers to think in terms of victimhood or think in terms of retreat. We'll get there in a moment. Matthew 28:18-20, watch this. Jesus came and told his disciples, I have been given, this is past tense, I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations. Now wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute. Leave this up here, we're gonna read this again, but let's really break this down here. The condition that was set forth therefore is Christ having been given all authority in heaven and on earth. So the premise is, I've been given all authority in heaven and on earth. So Christ possesses ultimate power. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations. In other words, Because I have ultimate power and authority, you have been empowered to go and make disciples. Because I rule above all, you will be effective in the charge that I give you. You will be effective in this commission I have given. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations. The Lord Jesus is talking about the spreading of the gospel globally. That the nations would become disciples of Christ, not small pockets of influence here and there, but that nations would come to Christ. Baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this, I am with you always, even until the end of the age. I reign, so here's what you should do. Now, doesn't Satan rule this world? Some might think. Isn't he called the prince of the power of the air? Well, let's take a closer look at Satan's influence here. 2 Corinthians 4:4. Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the good news. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. And then even in the book of Ephesians, when Satan is referenced as the prince of the power of the air, that power that he has works, as Ephesians says, in the children of disobedience. In other words, Satan can still deceive those and work in those and have influence in those who reject the gospel. But this doesn't mean he can stop the gospel from spreading. This doesn't mean that he has ultimate power in the earth. It's like this. The influence of Christ is so absolute, so dominant that you can liken it unto a thunderstorm, rain and thunder and lightning. And that rain is covering the earth. Now, Satan may be able to give a few people some umbrellas here or there so that they're not directly receiving that those raindrops. However, this doesn't mean that Christ doesn't still have the ultimate influence. So Satan has these little pockets of influence in certain deceived people, and maybe even certain pockets of influence in people who are high-ranking, like high-ranking government officials and celebrities and, you know, famous singers and actors and so forth. But that doesn't mean that Satan has defeated Christ. No, Christ has defeated Satan. The scripture tells us plainly, he put to shame. The powers and the authorities of darkness. So then Satan gives to people these umbrellas of influence, these umbrellas of disobedience, so that he has these pockets and spheres of influence. But again, Satan can still deceive those who don't believe the gospel. That's where he has his power, in disobedience. Outside of that, Christ reigns. So Satan has these subdomains, so to speak. Now, Doesn't the Bible teach that things will just get worse and worse and worse? Isn't that what we've been told over and over again? We're gonna take a look at a few of those verses, and I'm gonna explain why that isn't a biblical view. But first, if you're receiving this, this is confirming something, this is encouraging you, this is inspiring you, and you want other believers to be inspired and encouraged, then I want you to help me out by leaving a like on this stream. You can leave a like on the live or the replay version of this. Either way helps us out. Yes, you're actually making a big difference when you leave that like. It takes just a split second of your time. Also, if you'd like to continue to receive encouraging messages like this, then make sure that you subscribe to my channel and do click that notification bell when you subscribe. It's very important so you don't miss anything. I release teachings on the Holy Spirit, Prayer and spiritual warfare. I also show footage of the power of the Holy Spirit in action at events that we do around the world. So if you love the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit, you love rich teaching from the word of God, this is the channel for you. Make sure you subscribe now. Okay, what about this view that we ultimately will experience defeat, but then, you know, we'll get our revenge in the afterlife? Well, let's take a look at this. But first, remember that as you look at the timeline of human history, you'll notice that there are, there's an ebb and flow, there's a back and forth, there's an up and down, there are cycles and seasons. So you may notice an intensification of darkness advancing, and then victory and revival in the advancement of light. And ultimately that advancement of light not only undoes everything that the darkness attempted to do, but it advances the kingdom of God even further. And so this continues and will continue all throughout human history, where darkness will seem to advance, then the Lord sweeps in, takes it all down, and establishes a new level of influence for his kingdom. Now, ultimately, we will be on the last cycle, and we will experience the last of these patterns And that will be the final days. That will be the end times where Christ returns, establishes the kingdom in permanence, and there is no more ebb and flow of this type of back and forth influence. But I believe that we are on, or we're just coming out of that advancement of darkness. Now I'm not saying this is a prophetic word. I'm not saying this is a thus saith the Lord. This is just my own observation and what I believe I see in scripture and studying it and comparing it to what we're in the world today. I think that we've been seeing this hopelessness, this advancement of darkness, and we've been maybe frustrated by that, saying, why isn't anything changing? What is going on? Why does it seem like no matter how hard we try, that this evil just permeates every sphere of society? Why does it seem like darkness has such an advantage? And now we are seeing a turning of the tide. We are seeing light now beginning to regain ground. Now, this is not necessarily a natural thing. This is a supernatural thing. I'm not talking just about the affairs of this world. I'm talking about the dynamics of the spirit realm. So let he who has an eye to see, see, let he who has an ear to hear, hear. Talking about these ebbs and flows. So persecution and trials, they come. Yes, the church faces a lot of backlash. Yes, the church faces and historically has faced much persecution, but ultimately victory comes. It's kind of like the real estate market. You know, the real estate market does have dips, but if you look at the chart from the real estate values since the beginning of them tracking it, you notice that overall there's a climb in real estate prices, even though you have those pockets of descent. Now, 2 Timothy, Chapter 3, verses 1 through 9. You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days, there'll be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving. They will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, and they will reject the power that can make them godly. Stay away from people like that. They are the kind who work their way into people's homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires. Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth. Verse 8, these teachers oppose the truth, just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith. So there we see often that portion of scripture quoted, and they usually stop right around verse 8 or 9. They read the first 7 verses there of 2 Timothy chapter 3, And they use that to say, well, this just means that there's nothing we can do. Darkness is just gonna win. We might as well just get out of here. But read the final, or read verse 9, not the final verse, but read verse 9 here. But they won't get away with this for long. Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres. Now, wait a minute. We see the advancement of evil. We see all of the descriptions commonly attached to the end times. Yes, of course, that's a part of it, but they're not going to get away with that for long. There will be justice. Light will win. The church will conquer through love and through the spreading of the gospel. So they'll try, evil systems of the day will try, but they're not going to have much victory in the end. Similarly, look at Matthew chapter 24. Another very famous portion of scripture. Jesus told them, don't let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name claiming I am the Messiah. They will deceive many, and you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don't panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won't follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And that's usually again, where we stop reading. But look at verse 14. And the good news about the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world so that all nations will hear it. And then the end will come. In the last days, there'll be famine and war, but Jesus said, the end is not yet. People will turn on each other. You'll be persecuted, but the end is not yet. Ah, but when the gospel is preached, when the kingdom advances, then the end will come. Suffering, people of God, is not how we lose, it's how we win. Well, look at the history of the church. Anytime that the blood of the martyrs was sown into the soil of a land, that land would later experience great revival. Persecution and rejection and conflict. That is how the church sows its seeds. The seeds of persecution bear the fruit of revival. Let me say that again. The seeds of persecution bear the fruit of revival. If history has taught us anything, if Scripture teaches us anything, it's that when you think something is buried and done, eventually it bears much fruit. So when we talk about persecution, when we talk about the resisting of the gospel, when we talk about the powers coming against the church, what does it matter? All they're doing is spreading the seed. All they're doing is sowing into the ground. So where the saints have suffered, awakenings are birthed. Now I'm not saying that the song of the last days doesn't have low notes. I'm saying that the melody resolves on a high note. We're winning, so we need to get to work. Acts 1:9-11. After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching. And they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, 2 white-robed men suddenly stood among them. Men of Galilee, they said, why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go. So we're looking to his coming, yes. Now watch Matthew 7:13-14. You can enter God's kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is narrow, and the road is difficult, and only few ever find it. Now, a couple of things about this statement. One, this is before the cross. Two, the road is narrow. Yes, that means there's a very specific way to get to heaven. That's only through Christ. But remember that he's speaking to a very specific stubborn audience. Look at what Jesus says in just the next chapter, Matthew 8:11, and I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world, from the East and the West, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast of the kingdom of heaven. So while we understand verses like Matthew 7:13-14, where Jesus talks about the narrow gate, we have to be sure to interpret these scriptures Through the backdrop of the entire New Testament and all of the concepts therein. So again, I'm not saying that the way isn't narrow. Yes, the way is narrow. Yes, the way is specific. Yes, the way is difficult. But what I am saying is that the Lord also told us that many would come. This isn't a contradiction. He's describing 2 different possibilities to do, to 2 different types of listeners, one stubborn and resistant to the gospel, one willing. one open to the gospel. In fact, we read in 2 Peter 3:9, the Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness, but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. In Matthew 9:35-38, Jesus tells us that the harvest is great, but the laborers are few. Will the gospel fail? Will the Great Commission lose its steam? No way. There's no better time to preach the gospel than now. Yes, tribulation will come, but John 1:5 declares, the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. Listen to me now. This is the church's finest hour. Lord Jesus, I pray for that one receiving this by faith now. And I ask you, Lord, to stir them and inspire them and give them boldness. Thank you, Lord, that you are inspiring them concerning their calling again, concerning what you've given them to do on this side of eternity. Lord, we rejoice that you have ultimate power. We rejoice in your kingdom expanding. We rejoice in you having a name that is above every name. Now help us as your servants to do our jobs, to spread your kingdom, your gospel throughout the nations of the world. Lord, we thank you and we declare by faith, darkness is losing. Light is advancing. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray. And I want you to type it real big in the comments if you agree, type a big amen. Now, before you turn off this video, I know it's tempting sometimes to leave the video as soon as the lesson is done, but let me challenge you here. Help our ministry with kingdom expansion. If you've been blessed by this ministry in any way, it's time for you to get involved and do your part. It's an exciting journey we're on. Join our mission today. Join the thousands of believers from around the world who support this ministry. Help us continue to release new content. Help us continue to host events around the world. Help us continue to train believers in the Word of God and in ministry and in the ways of the Holy Spirit. Become a monthly ministry supporter today by going to davidhernandezministries.com/partner. Think of all the things you give to on a monthly basis. Why not add this ministry to them? You can begin your partnership for as little as $15 a month. And if you're not yet ready to partner with us, or maybe you are a partner, but you wanna give an extra gift, you can go to davidhernandezministries.com/donate. Everything large or small makes a difference. One more time, davidhernandezministries.com/partner to become a monthly supporter/donate. to give a single gift. Go and do that now as we expand the kingdom. It's working. We're winning. Light is advancing. Souls are being saved. Believers are being empowered. Join the cause today. Thank you for your support. And until next time, remember, nothing is impossible with God. Amen.