Today, Christians face a spiritual battle that is fought on many fronts. What I mean by that statement is that a battle is being fought in the spiritual realm that we cannot see with our physical eyes; but should be evident to those who love God and have a desire to serve Him.
The apostle Paul describes this spiritual battle in the Scriptures. We can learn much about this battle by following Paul through his journeys in the Book of Acts.
In his third missionary journey, Paul arrives at Ephesus where he stayed for 3 years (Acts 20:31) probably from the fall of 54 AD to the fall of 57 AD. He meets disciples of John the Baptist. He preached in the synagogue for 3 months (Acts 19:8). He disputed daily in the school of Tyrannus for 2 years (Acts 19:9-10), so that all that dwelt in Asia heard the Word.
Paul sent Timothy and Erastus ahead into Macedonia, but stayed in Asia for a season (Acts 19:22). He writes 1 Corinthians near the end of this stay in Ephesus (1 Corinthians 16:8,19), probably in 57 AD. It was not written with Timothy, who Paul had sent ahead into Macedonia (Acts 19:22). Paul foresaw his route of travel for the next four or so years in Acts 19:21-22. This is his plan that we read in 1 Corinthians 16:1, 3, 5, 8-10. Notice how the "great door" opened to Paul and "many adversaries" in verse 9 compares with the events in the Ephesian amphitheater in Acts 19:23-41. In 1 Corinthians 3:6, Paul says "Apollos watered". This refers to Apollos teaching in Corinth when Paul was at Ephesus (Acts 19:1).
He rejoined Timothy when Second Corinthians was written (2 Corinthians 1:1). Paul had come to Troas and continued to Macedonia (2 Corinthians 2:12-13 and 7:5), where he was joined by Titus (2 Corinthians 7:6 & 13), which seems to correspond to Acts 20:1. He also writes of a third visit to Corinth in 2 Corinthians 13:1 and 12:14. So Second Corinthians was most likely written in the fall of 57 AD from somewhere in Macedonia (northern Greece), possibly at Philippi.
In 2 Corinthians 12:1-4, Paul says 14 years ago I ascended into heaven. From 57, going back 14 years to 43 AD, this puts us back before Paul's first journey, probably when he was at Antioch in Syria. After going through Macedonia (northern Greece), Paul came to Achaia (southern Greece) where he stayed 3 months (Acts 20:2-3), making his third visit to Corinth. This is where he spent the winter of 57-58 AD (1 Corinthians 16:5-8). The book of Romans was written at this time (Rom 15:23-26 and 1 Corinthians 16:1-3). Going back to Macedonia (Acts 20:1), they were at Philippi (northeastern Greece) in spring of 58 AD in the "days of unleavened bread" (Acts 20:6). Then they sailed to Troas, where a young man fell out of a window, and Paul raises him from the dead (Acts 20:7-12).Then he travels to Assos, Mitylene, Chios, Samos, Trogylium, and Miletus (now in southwestern Turkey). From here, Paul addresses the Ephesian elders whom he had called to meet him (Acts 20:17-38) in the spring of 58 AD (Acts 20:16).Sailing to Coos, Rhodes, Patara, and passing on the south side of Cyprus, they came to Tyre (which is now in Lebanon) where they stayed one week. Then they went south to Ptolemais and to Caesarea where they stayed many days (Acts 21:10). Then Paul goes to Jerusalem, where the third journey ends.
Paul spends 2 years in his own hired house (Acts 28:30) as a prisoner in Rome from 61-63 AD. During this time he writes Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. In about 62 AD, Paul wrote Ephesians before Timothy came to him (Ephesians 1:1) while in prison in Rome (Ephesians 3:1, 4:1, and 6:20). Also in about 62 AD, Paul wrote Philippians from prison (Philippians 1:7) in Rome (4:23) with Timothy (1:1). Paul wrote Colossians from prison (Colossians 4:18) in Rome in about 62 AD with Timothy (1:1) and fellow prisoner, Aristarchus (4:10). Paul, with Timothy, wrote Philemon from prison in 63 AD (Philemon 1:1).
The apostle understood the fierce opposition to the gospel which was fought in the spiritual realm but manifested in the day to day activity of being a minister and ambassador for Jesus Christ. With this in mind, Paul would write in Ephesians 6:12,"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."
So this is the battle I am alluding to that wars against our flesh. The fronts this war is fought are all manifest in our daily lives. Are you facing a health problem that is absorbing your thoughts and fears? This is a spiritual battle being fought to keep you from thinking and meditating upon God's Word and affecting your ability to minister the gospel.
Perhaps you are facing financial hardship where worry over finances is zapping your energies to pray without ceasing. Some of you may be enamored with all the world has to offer. The enemy of our souls has successfully and subtly turned you over to idol worship. All of these examples and more are taking place in our physical world and if Christians are not careful to watch for the schemes of the devil, they can be enticed into ignoring God's voice and call for their lives to be witnesses for Him.
When any of these physical battles begin to take place in your life, know that this struggle is against spiritual forces of wickedness. Rely upon the promises of God in His Word. Take the advice of Jesus who says, "All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.…
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