And he [the false prophet] makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed (Revelation 13:12).

God rescued Isabella* from a homosexual and destructive lifestyle. Looking back, she realized how even the music she had listened to glorified corruption. The lyrics honored what God calls evil and drew her deeper into darkness. She was literally worshiping the enemy of her soul by singing along with his mantra.

Worship is exactly what Satan has always desired. He wanted to be like the Most High God (Isaiah 14:14). He sought to get Jesus to worship him during His wilderness temptations (Matthew 4:9). Even today, he continually seeks to be worshipped.

God alone is worthy of worship. He rules the universe from His heavenly throne (Revelation 4). God shines forth brilliance and beauty and is surrounded by a rainbow of mercy (v. 3). Light and power emanate from His throne, and the four living creatures continually worship around it. The twenty-four elders fall down before the throne. Heaven vibrates with the worship of God.

This is the worship war. Satan longs to receive the praise that God alone deserves. Currently, the war rages in the heavenlies and in individual hearts, like Isabella’s.

God created us to worship Him (Isaiah 43:21). Yet Satan is always tempting us to honor things or people rather than God. Who has your heart in this worship war? There is no middle ground; we are either in God’s camp or the enemy’s. Whose priorities do we follow? Whose songs do we sing? Who is winning the war in our hearts?

One day, that war will explode onto the earth. Satan will empower his false prophet to make the earth worship him (Revelation 13:12). Once his worldwide worship is established,
Satan will demand worship by death threats and economic pressure (vv. 15-17).

Don’t panic! I have good news. Jesus has already triumphed over Satan at the cross (Colossians 2:15). God will pour out His wrath upon Satan and his minions, ridding the earth of his evil forever (Revelation 14-19).

Finally, the war will be over! We will no longer struggle to keep God first in our hearts. God will dwell among the people He loves, wiping away our tears (Revelation 21). Forever, we will sing our uninhibited worship to Him. I look forward to that day!

Come, Lord Jesus, come!

*Name has been changed.