In the Gospel of John, Jesus said concerning the work of the devil and Jesus’ own work: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10 NASB)

This contrast is more clear now in these latter days, just prior to the rapture of the church, than even before! The violence and confusion the world is witnessing in Ferguson Missouri is another important sign of what Jesus predicted for the last days.

For those of you who have read the Bible with any attention to details, you can easily match up the unfolding of events in Ferguson with so many that are recorded in the Scriptures that speak of death, confusion, riots, hurt and hatred.

What is happening in Ferguson is very similar to what we are witnessing in so many other parts of the world today. Let there be no doubt that the real enemy in these recent days and nights of violent unrest, hurt, heartbreak, anger and hatred is Satan himself. Satan is the invisible enemy of mankind’s peace. The devil, as the robber and murderer that he is, has brought death and loss to an already hurting town. But death and thievery is Satan’s stock and trade!

We should not be surprised that he has brought these events to pass in Ferguson, but we do not have to be perpetual victims of the devil’s deception. There is power far greater than his, and that is the infinite power of the Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ there is power to overthrow the spirit of anger and animosity that has entered through the horrible event of an as of yet unexplained shooting of a young man by a Ferguson police officer.

Jesus specifically stated to His disciples that there would be certain characteristics that will appear in the end times. Among these will be a horrible hatred that will arise between people and even between family members: “At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.” (Matthew 24:10-12, NIV)

Because America has become such a godless nation through much glaring sin and wickedness of all imaginable kinds, Satan has gained much ground in this land to cause people to hate each other.

His chief success is that he has deceived people into thinking he does not exist.  His desire is to cause as much chaos as he possibly can to divert people from truly thinking about the Lord Jesus Christ and to keep them from serving Him and watching for His coming.  Satan is now at work in the minds of those who are not serving the Lord Jesus Christ.  He is blinding them to truth and provoking them to do Satan’s work for him, such as robbing, fighting, shooting, using drugs, and stirring unrest and discontentedness. (2 Corinthians 4:4) Remember that Satan is the evil spirit behind, prejudice, drug use, robbery, murder, riots, and rebellion against authority.

There are important prophetic warnings given by the Lord Jesus that satanically motivated events, activities and attitudes will arise in the latter days.  These will serve to destabilize society so as to create a global outcry for a new leader who will bring justice and peace.  This new global leader will be the Antichrist. (Revelation 13)

False prophets will suddenly and strategically show up on the scenes of unrest, such as we are certainly seeing in Ferguson and many other places of rising violence around the world.  They will speak bold words that will serve only to cause people to be further stirred to make wrong decisions and draw wrong conclusions!  The false prophets will only increase confusion over what is right and what is wrong.  Only confusion and destruction can come from their false doctrines!  The false prophets can be political leaders, or social activists.

Satan works strategically.  Remember that the devil cannot be in all places at all times.  He is a spirit being that uses billions of demons to do his work for him.  He has these demon forces ranked in descending order as “powers, principalities, forces of the darkness of this world, spiritual wickedness in high places.” (6:12)  People would do well to realize that sudden and simmering hatred, desire to do evil such as rob, do drugs, have illicit sex, murder or harm people, etc. are caused by demonic activity.  Yes, we choose to do these things, but we can often be motivated and temped by Satan or his demons to carry these things out.  Pay close attention to sudden changes in mood or thoughts that bring depression, despair or that draw you to commit sin.  These could well be indications of demonic activity!

Demons are very active in these current events in Ferguson.  They are also active in other strategic locations globally.  For example, demonic activity is now apparent causing people to seek the destruction of Israel through Hamas and Iran.  Demons are active in the diabolical Islamic savages in Iraq seeking the annihilation of Christians and all who are different from them.  We must face the reality that there is no other explanation of global events, much less of those happening in Ferguson, than that Satan is at work.

Satan works strategically in his efforts in these latter days to take peace from the earth. Jesus predicted through John in the book of Revelation: “And another, a red horse, (a demon) went out; and to him who sat on it, it was granted to take peace from the earth, and that men would slay one another; and a great sword was given to him.” (Revelation 6:4) 

The devil wants the death of young people, and the ruination of reputable law enforcement officers and of political leaders who otherwise desire the best for their constituents.

But the answer is for Christians to pray for all concerned in Ferguson.  There is no doubt in my mind that God can use even these events to advance His purpose in the world, especially if Christians will walk and witness in a faithful way in these dark and challenging times.  While we know that Satan is a real, ruthless and deceptive enemy, we also know that “those who do know their God will  do exploits.  (Daniel 11:32)   These are the days about which the Bible especially tells us to watch for the coming of the Lord to rapture away His church.  While we watch for Him, may we walk in holiness, and be active and dynamic witnesses for s Christ.  In this way, through our testimony, and in spite of Satan’s most diabolical efforts, the world might know Jesus’ peace, power and  promise of eternal life through faith in His name:   “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)