by Pastor Joseph Cortes Being on the battlefield, standing on the front lines, is where the greatest intensity of opposition is found. It is there that the unseen spiritual enemy directs the most focused and persistent attacks. Satan, demons, and wicked spirits do not waste effort on those who pose no threat. Their attention is drawn to believers who are actively engaged in the cause of Christ, those who advance truth, confront darkness, and refuse to retreat. The closer one moves toward the front lines, the more frequently and forcefully the enemy strikes. The purpose of these attacks is not subtle. The enemy’s goal is to drive believers backward, to discourage participation, and ultimately to remove them from the fight altogether. He does not want soldiers of Jesus Christ pressing forward, storming the gates of hell, and reclaiming ground from his kingdom. He resists every effort that advances the gospel, exposes deception, or calls people into the kingdom of God. Wherever progress is being made, resistance follows. As this age draws to a close, the intensity of spiritual conflict increases. Scripture and history alike reveal that opposition grows stronger, more aggressive, and more relentless. Attacks come more quickly, often with less warning, and with greater pressure to compromise, withdraw, or grow weary. Unfortunately, many believers are unprepared for this reality. They are not equipped to withstand sustained spiritual assault, nor have they been taught what perseverance on the battlefield truly requires. The enemy and his forces are always seeking opportunities to interrupt a believer’s participation in the work of Christ. They look for weaknesses to exploit, distractions to introduce, and discouragements to magnify. Their objective is sabotage—disrupting faithfulness, undermining resolve, and, if possible, permanently sidelining those who stand on the front lines. History, both biblical and modern, demonstrates that many are unwilling to endure what is necessary to stand firm under such pressure.