2002-01-01
Good Morning Faithful Ones,
This morning I am led to look at the question: Exactly what and who are we fighting against when we do battle in spiritual warfare? The most obvious answer begins with our negative interactions with people who are led by the adversary. However, we need to look at the forces behind their actions. We all know that people like Osama bin Laden and Mullah Mohammed Omar lead a group of people who are totally deceived by the devil and committed to terrorism. They have fooled themselves into believing that their unrighteousness is a necessary part of Islamic jihad (holy war) that must be fought against all people who disagree with their beliefs. This is a lie, one perpetrated by the devil, himself. Even mainstream believers in Islam find this philosophy unacceptable. Today, we need to look underneath the surface of this evil to find its true origin. Let's begin with EPH 6: 12, a verse definitely worth repeating. "For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic power of this dark age."
Does that sound like the stuff of fairy tales to you? Please believe it isn't! Mature Christians know that God has revealed to us in several places in the Scriptures that unseen warfare goes on. IS 14: 11-15, "King of Babylon, bright morning star, you have fallen from heaven! In the past you conquered nations, but now you have been thrown to the ground. You were determined to climb up to heaven and to place your throne above the highest stars. You thought you would sit like a king on that mountain in the north where the gods assemble. You said you would climb to the tops of the clouds and be like the Almighty. But instead, you have been brought down to the deepest part of the world of the dead." Of course, this is the description of how God's most favored and adored angel, once in charge of worship in heaven, who tried to assume God's position in pride and was cast out of heaven along with one third of the heavenly host, his evil angelic followers. Isaiah was not in the habit of telling us fairy tales, not by a long shot. I printed the words "like the Almighty" in boldface, because they highlight the awful lie that Satan repeats so often. Satan would like us to think that he should be worshipped, just like he tempted Christ to worship him in MT 4: 8. He is the counterfeit god, without any of God's authority to rule over the universe. It is he who will send the counterfeit Christ, the antichrist, that is seen in REV 6: 1-2, the rider on a white horse. It is he who will try to take over man's minds by sending the counterfeit Holy Spirit, known as the earth beast in REV 13: 11-the false prophet.
The unholy trinity (Satan, the antichrist, and the false prophet) are not the only forces of evil unleashed on believers to challenge their faith. Remember that one third of the heavenly host followed Lucifer, soon to be called Satan, and were cast with him out of heaven. DN 10: 12-13 gives us a glimpse of the unseen battle being waged with one of them, the evil prince of Persia. Daniel had been mourning for the souls of the Jewish people and in intense intercessory prayer for them for three weeks (21 days). "Then he [the angel Gabriel] said, 'Daniel, do not be afraid. God has heard your prayers ever since the first day you decided to humble yourself in order to gain understanding. I have come in answer to your prayer. The angel prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for 21 days. Then, Michael, one of the chief angels came to help me, because I had been left there alone in Persia." It is well known that the archangel Michael is the guardian angel of Israel-one of God's good guys. Gabriel is the chief messenger angel for God, also one of God's good guys.
In EZK 28: 14-17, Ezekiel gives a prophecy against the evil king of Tyre. Many competent theologians feel that this message may be speaking about not only a human king of Tyre, but about the devil himself. In a later message I will go into this in more detail and present evidence for this position. For now, let's look at how this describes Satan. [God speaking] "I put a terrifying angel there to guard you. You lived on My holy mountain and walked among sparkling gems. Your conduct was perfect from the day you were created until you began to do evil. You were busy buying and selling, and this led you to violence and sin. So I forced you to leave My holy mountain, and the angels who guarded you drove you away from the sparkling gems. You were proud of being handsome, and your fame made you act like a fool. Because of the I hurled you to the ground and left you as a warning to other kings." In the face of all of this evil, we must remember EPH 6: 11, "Put on all the armor that God gives you, so you will be able to stand up against the devil's evil tricks" EPH 6: 13, "...Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy's attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground."
PRAYER: O Lord, it is never pleasant to have to look at who the enemy really is, but You give us this combat intelligence because You know we must be prepared for spiritual warfare battles. We can't be that unless we know who is the enemy is and can have the discernment to see through his tricks. You also know that it is necessary for us to take this battle seriously, knowing that we are equipped by You to win it. Denial and un-preparedness simply won't do! You have given us these tools to use in a fight to victory through Christ: 1) truth; 2) righteousness; 3) readiness to announce the Good News of peace; 4) faith; 5) salvation; 6) Your word; 7) the power of prayer; 8) the ability to ask the Holy Spirit to fill us; 9) instruction to speak boldly witnessing to the Gospel's secret. You gave us our faith, and You have also given us the ability to have courage in it. We should and will seek You out frequently for guidance, direction, encouragement, and courage in our battle. It is comforting to know that if we are obedient and place our trust in You, You will see us to victory by means of the Son. You never lie or deceive those who are faithful, those whom You call Your children. We are reminded in RO 8: 1 that "there is no condemnation now for those who live in union with Christ Jesus." In RO 8: 28, we are told, "We know that in all things God words for good with those who love Him, those whom He has called according to His purpose." We are blessed to be among that number. Today and every day, we humbly place before Your altar our adoration, worship, confession, trust, obedience, honor, glory, loyalty, diligence, praise, and utmost thanksgiving. In Christ's name, amen.
Tomorrow, I am led to write about how paganism and Christianity don't mix. Idolatry is the sin God hates the most. It takes many forms. This will help us to lead into an analysis of the example of spiritual warfare that we find in AC 19. All of what is revealed in this is God's way of showing His enormous love for us by giving us combat intelligence. We may have to suffer or even physically die as a part of spiritual warfare, but we never have to feel alone or abandoned. Our loving Abba is always there for us and will never allow those who are humble, trusting, obedient, and faithful suffer spiritual death. Instead, because of His love, we can look forward to joy, peace, and fellowship with Him for eternity. Neato! Peter and I send you our love too.
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn