THEME : THE BATTLE FOR ETERNITY PART 1
BIBLE TEXT : Proverb 8 vs 22-30
Memory Verse: Isaiah 57 vs 15
INTRODUCTION :
There is this battle that everyone has started fighting since the birth of man. A known and continuous battle called the battle for Eternity .The word Eternity is a time without end, an endless time that we all aspire to live after this time. This is a template that keep men on the battle on where they really want to spend their everlasting time.
Proverb 8 vs 22-25 " The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way. Before His works of old. I have been established from everlasting, From the beginning before there was ever an earth. When there was no depths I was brought forth. When there were no foundations abounding with water. Before the hills, I was brought forth." . The battle for Eternity is battle for every child of God to live in an everlasting life through the eternal life. The race to inherit has a price taq for has a many that has the zeal to run the race.
A thousand years from to-night we shall be somewhere. Ten thousand years from to-night. Increase the multiple and you only increase the truth. How can a man speak a word that takes in the ages of time and all beyond it. ETERNITY! The old cobbler sat day after day on his little bench, hammering away at the shoes, and before him was an old-fashione clock. After a while he thought that the pendulum of the clock was speaking to him and he heard it say as it swung one way, – Eternity, and when it went the other way, – Where? And the old clock became a preacher and he heard it speaking like this: “Eternity, where? Eternity, where?” The question is a solemn one. Eternity, where?
The Battle of Eternity is a question of when did the battle start?. Where are the fighters?, where is the domain and battle ground. The battle for Eternity with Jesus has started once child is given birth to in Life. He chooses the right path way or wrong pathway that usher him or her into the gate of where he choose to spend eternity . The battle has started and the bible says the Kingdom of God sufferet violence since the day of John the Baptist and those that take it take it by force . We are in a season where many are battling what they shouldn't battle for in this Kingdom. We have men that battle for material wealth, battling for the survival of life but many have left the battle for eternity because it seem invisible to them. The gross intake of the Kingdom of darkness is getting too much and until we take our stand to walk in line with God to to fight this battle many are going to pass the wrong way out .
The efficiency of the battle for Eternity came when our Lord Jesus Christ came as a sacrifice for eternal life for as many that wish to dwell in this eternal life. He has submitted himself totally to the call and assignment given by God to bestow unto us Eternal life. A very big reason that made the book of John to say for as many that receive him shall have everlasting life. You don't battle in this Kingdom when you don't have a life and the life you need is imbedded in Christ Jesus for you and I. It is a battle that last you your lifetime and beyond your life time. Submit to the Cross and begin your battle from the cross. The Savior of the World has eased the battle for us by revealing unto us the main requirement for this battle. The question now is are you in for the Battle?. Our Lord Jesus Christ has helped to the apex point where you can easily win this battle for Eternity, it depend on you to do your part.
Isaiah 57 vs 15 " For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones ". Our God has being in Eternity from time past, he is in currently in Eternity an forever will be in Eternity. The World is path way to Eternity and not the Eternity we expect to come. Many has stop pressing for the Eternity because they have already conformed this world to be their own Eternity . A timeless season is coming when we all reign with Christ in glory and behold the marvelous light .
The quest for the battle is not physical, it is a spiritual battle that entails a life in us to sustain us in the journey. An Athlete can press more for a race and battle when there is a life that reside inside him. A battle that you fight with the world daily as you journey your way into an everlasting place with God. There is way that lead to every battle, a way that seemeth right just for those that can see it. The battle for eternity start once you know the road that lead to eternity. Show me the man that know the road to Eternity and I show the man that is ready for the battle.
Mattew 7 vs 13-14 " Enter by the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction , and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life and there are few who find it ". Our Lord Jesus Christ made a firm statement here by saying there is Gate and a Way for every Journey. The battle is now which of the way will I take to win the battle. There is a gate that is wide and the way seem to be broad but yet lead to destruction. This succumb a context that destination of the battle and the victory of the battle depend on the gate and way such battle passed. The battle has been won on the cross but if you don't hold the cross very well one may likely slip off from the connection to eternity. The endless race for the battle start once a man knows the track of Eternity . It is in this Kingdom many have sowed much into the battle for prosperity and walfare. It is battle anyway and still weapons of the walfare are not canal. It is on this context that some battle are spiritual , and it has been won even before the start of the battle.
2 Peter 1 vs 10-11 " Therefore , brethren be even more diligent to make our calling and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble. For so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jes Christ. The partakers of this battle should be vigilant even though the battle has been won. The victory is in our hands through our Lord Jesus Christ. The eternal life that Christ came with is the validatory into the everlasting Kingdom of the Most High . The battle for Eternity look invisible because the major part of it has been won by our Lord Jesus Christ. Saved souls are the witness to this battle and there is a need for the spread to completely won this battle at all territory.
The ernest battle for eternity is a battle for the endless time for those that still doesn't see eternity in view. The pathway to Eternity is that differs in destination. The battle start from this Kingdom and end in destinations depending on where to spend Eternity.
1. Eternity in Heaven
2. Eternity in Hell
1. Eternity in Heaven :
The battle for Eternity for any child of God is a journey that lead one into Heaven. Where do you want to spend eternity?. It is a question you need to ask yourself now and find a befitting answer to it as your regard. The major goal of eternity is to Reign with Christ after His second coming. The heaven is the place of eternity for those that choose to have the eternal Christ came to give us. The battle for this has started and it start when you choose your destination for eternity. The devil know this destination and he knows He is not going there, he has created a battle line to see who choose this destination a their eternity.
1 Thessalonians 4 vs 16-17 "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. ". Our Lord Jesus went to Eternity to get the destination set for those that choose o inherit the destination through this pathway. It is a place of boundle time that started without a time an the victory of this battle is ready to be given to those that choose to follow the protocol . The winners of this battle dont battle by contending for the way ,they battle for eternity by choosing the way and the gate . The primary battle for eternity has finished by the works of Our Lord Jesus Christ for has many that choose to follow His way. The battle start when you know your way to heaven and your way to eternity with Jesus.
Mattew 6 vs 19-20 " Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal." Those that battle for Eternity are not fighting for a place here on earth, its neither a battle of walfare here on earth but a battle to store up treasures for Eternity. The battle for eternity gives a man a chance to store up treasures in Heaven for time being, a pedestal that license men to have access to the store house of heaven. Show me a Man that has started storing treasures in Heaven and I show you a man that started the battle of Eternity. The cost for this battle requires the daily standing on men on the solid rock an way they have chosen to follow.
2 Timothy 4:17-18 " Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.". The battle for eternity an heaven need a divine standing from the kingdom of Heaven for men to face the reality of the battle. The World system renew in strength everyday to capture as many people that has lost focus on the battle for eternity. The battle for Eternity is a battle that has been intiniated from God to find expression in Christ , and the Holy Spirit to let the continuation in Us. We need the whole armor of God for us that call ourselve the representative of the battle. The gospel we preach is a battle tool that we use to save as many people into eternity with Jesus. Where are those that need to battle in this great journey to eternity. The battle for eternity is an assignment for every one of us need to carry out . There are so many attachers of the Word ready to face as many people that come to prech the good news and the way to heaven. We go through this way into eternity as a conqueuor through the cross.
Mattew 10 vs 27-28 " Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housestops. And do not fear those who kill the bohd but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy the soul and body in hell". The battle for eternity and heaven is neither a battle of the body but rather the battle odbghe soul. You don't complain in this battle when your body is destroyed but its a great risk when the soul is destroyed. An attach on your soul is an attach on your eternity with Jesus. Fear a man that come to battle with your soul for he is coming indirectly to battle with your heaven. Show me a man that is up to save his soul for eternity with Christ and I show you a man that cannot be defeated on this battle line. Eternity in Heaven has started here on earth because there a passage here on earth that lead you into your eternity , your soul can testify where you stay on the battle field.
2. Eternity in Hell :
Its not a biq deal that all will spend eternity but the destination of our eternity that really matters. The devil itself is the number candidate confirmed to spend eternity in hell with eternal destruction. He is making all means to light up the battle with an exchange he makes with people souls. The battle for eternity is a battle the serpent initiated from beginning to make sure Gods image too fall into that category. Eternity in Hell has a great connection with the things of the world, the gadgets are in this world yo quickly lure men into it.
2 Peter 2:4 " For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment; ". One of the key feature of hell is that, it is a place full of darkness and outright eternal destruction. At this point reader you should know that eternity is real but now depends on where you choose to spend it. The devil is aware of this from the beginning even before the creation of man , and this moved him to draw as many candidate to himself. Eternity is a choice on the path an place you choose to spend it. The bible says God did not spare even angels when they sinned but cast them into hell. The hell itself is a temporary abode for eternal destruction because the second death is when hell itself it thrown into the lake of fire. The battle of eternity is a battle to withdraw from the path of hell that devil has been trying to lure many into. The devil at the beginning didn't tempt man to disobey God so that they can leave the garden , but he was towards driving men too into eternal destruction. Our Lord Jesus Christ came to swallow death in Victory, and so therefore death of the mortal is not the real challenge to enter into eternity but the battle of the soul not going for the second death. The battle is in your court , its has been won by Christ just for your sake the decision is for to take up the battle won in victory and let the world know you have the victory.
Matthew 23:33 You serpents, you brood of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell?. Our Lord Jesus Christ thrown out a question to the serpent in a challenge if the serpent can ever escape eternity in hell. Eternity in hell has registered an entity and that's devil and it's agent. May it not be heard that after working for Christ here on earth , then later I finally become a candidate of hell. The escape route has been shut for devil and its agent but there is an escape route for those that has eternal life through Christ. He has come to reveal himself as the only way to eternity with the Father . The battle is stalked on where you choose to fight for it, where are the men that are ready to pass through the escape route to reign with Christ. The battle line rest upon the route you like to take to reach eternity. Show me a ma that gas mastered the escape route that Christ came to show us and I show you a man that is working towards Eternity with God.
2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 " dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power," . Most times men don't choose to spend eternity in hell even both sinners and saints wish to go to heaven with the father. Its a legislature and desire of God that all men are saved from this eternal destruction. It is a pity for those who do not know God an adhere to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ because men that do not choose him has already lost the battle of eternity. The battle of eternity is either won or lost in this Kingdom. The winners are those that choose eternal life with Jesus while losers are those that choose eternal destruction. The penalty of this battle is not only that they are going to be a loser alone but also will rot in hell. Hear this reader, may it not be heard that after serving God here on earth and still find yourself in hell, and that will never be your portion.
The biq question now is, what are the tools that initiate your sustainability for Eternity. You don't measure your time for eternity because it comes any time from now, have your checked your tools and requirement that eternity requires. Eternity demands three requirements from you
1. Soul
2. Spirit
3. Works
1. Soul :
The soul of a man is what eternity ultimately requires, and its a battle of the soul for those that contend for eternity in this Kingdom. What attract your soul attract you to eternity in this kingdom. It is a requirement that all men need to make sure they don't loose to the world and its system. Its as easy to loose eternity when a man has lost his soul just for the assets of this world. May it not be heard that I loose my souls for a perishable assets that the world will want to offer me.The fight battle come straight to the soul,if found saved then the battle returns.
James 5:20 " let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins." The recovery of any man on his way to destruction is when his soul has been saved. A ma has to phantom that his soul is saved because this is a biq perquisite for eternity itself. The mortal body ends the journey here on earth and majoly many seem to feed their body more than their soul. A sinner is saved from Kingdom error when his soul is ultimately saved. The battle for eternity find expression in the soul of a man , it is a compendium that set many up for Kingdom values. The man that lives in eternity is the soul and without this Soul been saved eternity might a loss for such man.
Mark 8:35-36 " For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?. The battle for Eternity in the context of the soul was fully expressed by Christ in this verse. In the economy of battle is either you gain or lose and in return something must have been substituted with for the outcome. Our Lord Jesus made an affirmation here that winners in this kingdom are those that are ready to forsake all including their lives for Christ sake and the gospel. The battle for eternity is not of profit to any man that try to gain the whole world and lose his own soul. On this context, its very possible for a man to loose the soul while here on the earth seeking wordly values. Any man that can victorious in winning the soul for the sake of Christ last in eternity. The survival of the battle for eternity rest on the pedestal on how well the person has gained his soul for Eternity with Christ.
Ezekiel 18:3-4 " As I live, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel. Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die." All souls are for the Lord be the Father or the son to showcase that the custodian of the battle for Eternity is still God Almighty. The battle of the soul is on how the soul lives above sin and with this eternity can be of gain to us. Many are battling for the survival of what they will eat and drink putting their soul at a biq risk. The devil is aware of your perishable body that can't go into eternity but majorly concerned about your soul that lives on. Show me a man that really fight for the survival of His soul through his dwelling in Christ and I show you man that's leading in the battle for eternity.
Mark 8 vs 36 “For what shall it profit a man , if he shall gain the whole world, but lose his soul?". This is the biqqest question for any man battling for eternity; that what shal it profit a man after this battle and still loose his own soul?. If you're loosing anything during the battle for eternity, it's wise enough not loose your soul because that's the pedestal by which eternity rest upon. The whole world can't be used as substitute during the chase for eternity. It is equivalent to a bribe when the world come in exchange for your soul. Never for any reason during the battle surrender your soul for the physical assets of this world.
2. Spirit :
The biq question is which spirit resides inside you. Men that carry the spirit of the Holy One are not losers in this Kingdom. We visible by the Spirit of God that serve as our stamina in this realm. Satan doesn't have the intent to destroy the spirit , but all he does is to create a gap that make men disconnect from the spirit of God. Your connection with the spirit of God shows your position on the lane you have choosed to battle for eternity. The battle requires God Ultimate support and this was given through Christ to be with us at all time. Its a spiritual battle and not a battle of the flesh for has many that want to be victorious. After stepping into eternity , then your spirit will be taken away from you because its from God and must go back to the Eternal God. The dexterity of how a man survive is how much he has allowed the Spirit of God inside him be directed to God himself.
Act 7 vs 58-59 " And thy cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God, saying , "Lord Jesus , receive my spirit ". Stephen the Martyr battled eternity till the point of death after he was stoned by the prosecutors. It was a serious battle for him because he has won them all even at the point of death. He went on to finalize his battle by saying More Jesus Christ receive my spirit, he didn't say receive my works not that receive my body but just the spirit. How can a man be so confident at the end of this battle here on earth and all he could say is that Lord receive my spirit. We should count it all Joy when our body is stoned and not our Spirit, because eternity will require your Spirit and not stoned terrestrial body.
Ecclesiastes 12:7 " then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it ". It is very important to know as far eternity requires the spirit of man, the body itself also find means of survival because its destination stops here on earth. Those that battle doesn't battle because of what that seem perishable but for their spirit to find a place in eternity with Jesus. The bible concern the fact that the dust will return to the earth and the spirit will return to who gave it. This has given us a clear prove that the most essential part of man that God to requires is the spirit which he has given us from the beginning through his breathe of Life on us.
The battle for eternity is accountable to how well you've not placed your life on the body that get condemned on this earth or but on the spirit that get back to the almighty God after our Journey here on earth. Wastelss it is for a man that guide his physical life at the expenses of His spiritual life . If you must be a winner in the his Kingdom you must follow all Kingdom protocols to make sure your spiit return back to the Lord God peacifully .
1 Thessalonians 5:23 " Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ". There is a stage in this battle where you don't ompete neither seek fr survival but all you seek is the preservation of Spirit and soul without blame for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Men that can both their spirit and soul preserved are winners in this Kingdom. The battle for eternity requires signal of heavenly touch that validate your steps into eternity with Jesus. The battle you cannot fight for the sake of the Spirit is not a yet a battle for eternity Learn to be a soliditior for eternity with Christ because that's where most of our benefit come from as a child of God.
3. The works of Men:
Eternity demands everyone works while here on earth . The kingdom have a high demand on the work with all do here on earth. Brethren, if you don't battle for anything here on earth , at least battle to have good works as a requisite to live in eternity.
1 Corinthians 3:12-15 " Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.". We are not only seekers to be winners of this Kingdom but to make our works accountable with the Father. The scripture clearly made it known to us to that every man work shall pass through fire. Just imagine the works you currently hold for daily gathering. Which type of work are you gathering daily for test of Eternity when the fire comes.
Literally, the work of any man here on earth must be channeled for the purpose of Kingdom enlargement and to glorify Gods name. For the work of a man who to pass through fire is one of the hardest gradging system that master he works of men. The battle of eternity swings in your favor when your wok find Kingdom value when been tested by fire. Consider yourself on the safer side when all live and work for is for the sake of eternity with Christ. Show me a man that has placed a value system on his work and I show you a man that is already winning for Eternity.
John 5 vs 17 "But Jesus answered them, My Father has been working until now, and now and I have been working " . The battle of eternity itself is a work on his own. It is a battle that HQ several linkages t other works. The work of the Father which Our Lord Jesus Christ has committed into ur hands to go yea into the world and preach the gospel across the Whole world. The is already a battle for you and is directed to the Works that Christ has given into your hands. Reader if am to ask you , where is your position on this side of battle that dictate your works?. It accumulate to larger percentage of the works that would through fire at eternity. Its time to take this work as daily work because its a task we need to add to our routine in battling for eternity.
There is a legacy you put into your work that command pace for you in the battle for eternity. Where are the men that wish to put their work up front for the work load they seem to have done. Eternity demands your works because it can serve as an equivalent of who we truly represent during our period here on earth.
John 9:4 " We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. ". Our Lord Jesus Christ made it a compulsory routine for us that we must work the works of who sent Him. No matter how big and small you're in this Kingdom, you will be asked questions on the work that you do . Eternity demands the works of the Father committed into your hands , it's not of your own will to deny this works and the approach at which you do it. The devil would want to make you sure you don't have good path to ways for you to lay down this works; He is aware that this work also create a crown for those that diligent carry it out. The battle for you is not for the devil is to die, its not yours to pray . The battle for eternity also rest on gaining grounds for the the works of Christ to find expression here on Earth.
The battle is committed to those that can forsake their personal work just for the works of the Father to take place . Its on this pedestal that one tend to live for eternrity and all what it takes to live for it. The subjection to the works of Christ is not yours to do, its a compulsory curriculum for every child of God because indirectly through this we battle for eternity. We are not just going to be tested on the time phrase but also on the work phrase of the Christ we poclaim. In the battle cabinet of so many Christ has empty works done, what are you now doing with the Christ you proclaim?. The branch that bear more fruit shall abide while those that didn't bear fruit shall be cut off. Where do you stay in this cardinal?. Jesus would announce some for Eternity with the Father and still denounce some calling them workers of inquity.
CONCLUSION :
Our Lord Jesus went to cross to hand unto us Keys of the battle for a many that accept Him as their Lord. The battle for Eternity has ended on the cross for has many that hold on to the Cross. The significance of the battle won can come into reality when we conform ourselves to the sacrifice made on the cross. The very point where Christ where Jesus went into the battle field was on the cross and its was up there that the victory for eternity has started. There is an identity of the battle that Christ has given anyone that can come behind the cross and for the world to see Christ before you. Your irresistible act to hold on to the cross is what makes you overcome the battle for eternity because the devil itself is finding means to distract many .
John 19:30, “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”. The battle for eternity won't have started if the lamb wasn't slain for the purpose of mankind. There was a neccesity that something must intitate and create a pathway for as many that choose life for eternity. The Kingdom formular for Our Lord Jesus to die for the sins of the World was just a mistake cooked up from heaven. The Appearance of Living Logos, the son of Man among men was to Save the World as a Messiah, bring eternal life for mankind for the purpose of eternity. If you don't battle for money and material wealth, please do your best to battle for eternal life .
John 14:3 “ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also " . The battle for eternity is not really ours but we remain stewards and key holders of this battle till Christ come in glory and power. He has given us a key and free gift of life to continue to win the battle for eternity till He come to take the to place He has prepared for us. It is only those that hold on to this battle till the end that would be welcomed into this glorious house. The secret of this battle is what our Lorr Jesus Christ has come to give us that for as many that receive him will not perish on the battlefield but will have everlasting life .
Make up your mind to always be the winner of the battle of eternity that you stand for. Don't try to be moved and fall during the battle because the suffering of the present time is no compared to the glory that would be revealed to us. The Battle has been settled but have you settled in for the battle?. Ask yourself this, and I pray we would never be a cast away on the day of presentation.
ARASI KEHINDE ABIOLA
SHAKES DR'
