Prepared and made ready.

Today, the battle line has been drawn, and the troops are assembled. Today, the assembly of the heavenly host and the sons of God are aligned in anticipation of the battle ahead. Hearts beat strongly and fearlessly, resolute and filled with faith, as they come to this moment in time for which they have been prepared and made ready— a time of stripping bare, hearts being rendered, and reaching the end of their self-effort and self-righteousness.

And now, with the armour forged in heaven, with the weapons entrusted to them by the Great Quartermaster, and with hearts ablaze, ready to surge against the enemy, they stand united. They face the chaos, hear the screams of the foe, feel the earth tremble, see the hordes of hell before them, smell the stench of death and decay, taste the foulness in the air, yet their hearts do not melt within them; they do not let fear take hold because they know who they are — the children of promise — and they know who their Commander is, their Commander in Chief, the King of Glory, mighty to save. They know their ranks are secure, they trust in the support they possess, they understand how to wield their weapons, and they are clear about their purpose.

They are already.

Now hear the call to arms, hear the trumpet blast, hear a cry for the Lord ascend as “The victory in the Lord’s” is proclaimed. See the banner raised, the standard lifted up; hear the thunder of heaven and feel the earth shake as the mighty ones move into position. Sense the togetherness, the oneness, the collective intent. Grasp the magnitude of the battle array and the force on display. See the mighty angelic hosts, the warrior angels in the ranks.

Experience this moment in time, the time when the Saints rise up and take their place, when we come together and stand firm, when we form up, assume our position, hold our weapons, and face the enemy.

Now, hear the second trumpet blast and advance towards your enemy. Now is the time—now is the time for battle, says the Lord your Commander-in-Chief.