God enables the fruit of the Spirit to blossom when His “storehouse” is filled with the Holy Spirit.

Malachi 3:11-12

Click for a description of the mark of the beast.
Click for a description of the image of the beast.

 “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” says the Lord of hosts; “And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land,” says the Lord of hosts.” Malachi 3:11-12

Ultimately, Satan is referred to as the “devourer,” as it is written, “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) Satan aims to devour our belief in God, our faith in Jesus Christ who atones for sin, and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Consequently, Satan wreaks havoc on many lives, incites conflict and chaos, and revels in human ruin, death, and despair. However, God has rebuked Satan, the devourer, by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, who brings light, salvation, and life. As stated, “For the Son of Man came not to destroy lives but to save them.” (Luke 9:56) Our Lord Jesus is the Light that brings life.

There is an entity in this world that is a tool of Satan, the devourer. This atheistic entity has power over physiology to give people what to think, feel, say, and do. This entity thrives on devouring the fruit of our Salvation, belief in God, faith in Jesus Christ, and the fruit of the Holy Spirit. By replacing the human spirit and conscience, it enlivens the image of the beast to live and speak through people. Today’s culture is groomed to the mark of the beast by what they are given to say and do.

The Holy Spirit within us serves as our assurance of salvation. As Ephesians 1:13-14 states, “…having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance…” God ensures that Satan cannot destroy the fruits of our Salvation, as affirmed by the Lord of hosts: “[Satan] will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” says the Lord of hosts…” Moreover, God sustains the fruits of the Holy Spirit within us, ensuring that love does not turn to hate, kindness to cruelty, goodwill to ill intentions, peace to conflict, gentleness to harshness, humility to arrogance, faith to despair, goodness to evil, joy to sadism, self-control to rashness, patience to quick-tempered, and perseverance to defeat.

Belief in God through Jesus Christ assures us of an eternal homeland, as stated, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Everlasting life in the New Jerusalem is revealed as a delightful place in Ezekiel chapters 40 through 48 and also in Revelations chapter 21 and chapter 22. We are indeed blessed of all nations.

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11