Spiritual Warfare

Dear beloved: As we move into a new year and decade, we are moving into a transition period when everything in the spirit will intensify and separate for the purpose of preparing the bride of Christ( the church) for the coming day of the Lord. This year in the Hebrew calendar is 5770. Seven is the number of completion in the Bible, so seventy (10 x7) is a measure of completion accepted or rejected. So you can see 700 is an even greater measure (100 x 7) of fullness of completion for the purpose of accepting or rejecting. What does this all mean in spiritual terms as we walk out our life on a daily basis? It means God is bringing about the separation of all people between the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of light, and he will bring about swift judgment on those who vacillate between two opinions. God will be very close to those who seek Him, and the Holy Spirit will be very close and present help for all who call on Him, but for those who are in the kingdom of darkness, it will be very dangerous for them to tread in that territory. I can already feel the difference as we have moved into the new year, partially because of the 40 day fast, but also because God is now taking us by the hand and taking us through this transition, and many events including the Haitian earthquake, and several earthquakes here in the America, are heralding the transition. Can't you also feel an anticipation and exhilaration in the spirit, of the closeness of God each and every day?

Paul tells us about the kingdom of darkness in several passages in the New Testament, and while it is not good to focus too much energy on the enemy, the devil and his kingdom, it is good to know what is the nature and plans and strategies he utilizes. So to study the tactics of the enemy is good to do, soley for the purpose of learning how to defeat him. We don't want to get focused on bad news or in any way glorify the works of the devil, just understand how he operates. Paul says in Ephesians 6:10 finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. v11 Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. v12 For our battle (struggle) is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places....So we can see from this that there is a network or heirarchy of the demonic realm that is set in place by the devil to tear us away from the kingdom of light, and Paul tells us it is a battle and a struggle, as if we didn't know it already! In Ephesians 2:1 Paul tells the Epesians more about the nature of the battle. v1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, v2 in which you formerly walked accouding to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. v3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of the flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind (thoughts), and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

Peter adds to the picture in 1 Peter 5:8 when he says, Be of sober spirit, be on the alert, for your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. v9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of your suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. v10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. ...So we have the promise of God that no matter what happens in the battle, that God will strenghthen and establish us, we will be able to stand and stand firm! Tomorrow we'll take a closer look at the demonic realm as we prepare to put on the armor and go into battle. Gird yourself up for battle, beloved, that is the calling of God upon our life. God bless you as you pray this day, in Christ, Jim