Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
Acts 1:6
During my masters degree programme in the University of Lagos, Nigeria, I was once one hour and forty minutes late for an exam because I thought the 10 am to 12 noon paper was actually 12 noon to 2pm. It’s amazing how much our minds can be so fixed on a thought that we could miss the real thing. In Acts 1:6, the disciples grapple with a common misconception about the purpose of Jesus’ ministry on earth. They asked Him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” This had been their expectation of Jesus as the Messiah all along; that He would lead a political revolution to overthrow Roman occupation and establish Israel as a sovereign nation.
However, Jesus’ response redirects their focus and reveals a deeper truth about the nature of their struggle. He tells them, “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.” In other words, Jesus is saying that their concern should not be about political kingdoms and earthly powers, but about the spiritual kingdom and the defeat of the true enemy.
Like the disciples, we often find ourselves fighting the wrong battles as well and focusing on the wrong enemies. We may become consumed with political, social, or personal struggles, overlooking the spiritual warfare that is raging around us. But Jesus reminds us that our real enemy is not flesh and blood, but the spiritual forces of darkness (Ephesians 6:12).
Satan is our true enemy, seeking to deceive, divide, and destroy God’s people. He tempts us with sin, traps us in bondage, and seeks to thwart God’s plans for our lives. Yet, Jesus came to defeat the power of sin and Satan through His death and resurrection, offering us freedom and victory in Him.
As we navigate the challenges of life, let us remember to keep our focus on the true enemy and the spiritual battle that rages around us. Let us put on the full armour of God (Ephesians 6:13-18), and stand firm in the truth of God’s Word. May we seek God’s wisdom and discernment to recognize the schemes of the enemy and walk in victory through Christ.
Heavenly Father, thank You for revealing to us the truth about the spiritual battles we face. Help us to recognize the true enemy and to stand firm against his schemes. Equip us with Your armour and empower us with Your Spirit to overcome every obstacle and temptation. Keep our focus fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, and lead us in the paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake. In Jesus’ name.
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