Knowing the Enemy

Spiritual Warfare - Knowing the enemy

D.P. Weary

August 2009

1. Satan, king of the armies of hell

Satan is nothing more than a fallen angel. His name was Lucifer - the worshipper, a very high ranking and powerful angel probably on the order of Michael. His name was changed to Satan after he rebelled (Is. 14:12-14). Satan wanted to be and still seeks to be God and receive the worship due only to God. He is pride and presumption personified. Satan is the commander of the enemies of God.

Satan is called the destroyer or Abaddon in Rev. 9:11; accuser of our brethren, Rev. 12:10; adversary, 1 Pet. 5:8; angel of the bottomless pit, Rev. 9:11; Apollyon, Rev. 9:11; Beelzebub, Matt. 12:24; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15; Belial, 2 Cor. 6:15; the devil, Matt. 4:1; Luke 4:2,6; Rev. 20:2; enemy, Matt. 13:39; evil spirit, 1 Sam. 16:14; father of lies, John 8:44; gates of hell, Matt. 16:18; great red dragon, Rev. 12:3; liar, John 8:44; lying spirit, 1 Kin. 22:22; murderer, John 8:44; old serpent, Rev. 12:9; 20:2; power of darkness, Col. 1:13; prince of this world, John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; of devils, Matt. 12:24; of the power of the air, Eph. 2:2; ruler of the darkness of this world, Eph. 6:12; Satan, 1 Chr. 21:1; Job 1:6; John 13:27; Acts 5:3; 26:18; Rom. 16:20; serpent, Gen. 3:4,14; 2 Cor. 11:3; spirit that worketh in the children of disobedience, Eph. 2:2; tempter, Matt. 4:3; 1 Thes. 3:5; the god of this world, 2 Cor. 4:4; unclean spirit, Matt. 12:43; wicked one, Matt. 13:19,38.

Satan is not omnipresent and is not omniscient. He cannot hover around us nor does he know everything about us. Satan can only be at one place at one time and he does not know everything. He does have a very large army of other fallen angels, demons and fallen humans. He rules and reigns over his kingdom with fear, lies, deceptions and terror. He is intelligent, persuasive, subtle and crafty and he rules over others by there own consent (i.e. in one way or another they give him permission to rule).

He rules with absolute authority in his kingdom and his chief interest is in might and power. He is the ultimate example of pride and presumption and seeks to be worshipped as God. Throughout the Bible he is ever seeking to destroy the plans of God, to cause the prophecies to not come to pass and to destroy God’s Kingdom.

2. Fallen angels and demons

When Satan rebelled one third of the angels of heaven followed him (Rev. 12:4). They operated in a hierarchy and some have territorial assignments (Dan 10:13-20). Gen. 6:1-4, Jude 1:6 and 2 Pet. 2:4 along with the book of Enoch (which Jude and Peter refer to and which is included in the Ethiopian Bible) give us some understanding of the devil’s forces. Fallen angels (angels have bodies and can be “entertained without knowing it” even to this day – Heb 13:2) impregnated human females producing the Nephilim or giants, beings that were half human and half fallen angels. These existed before and after the flood, and there were ancestors (humans with some degree of dna contamination from the fallen angels) of these giants recorded even to David’s day. The spirits of these hybrid humans and the females that bore them are the disembodied spirits we call demons today. Satan’s hierarchy includes fallen angels, demons, humans contaminated with the dna or “seed” of fallen angels, and humans who are controlled and manipulated by fallen angels and demons.

Eph 6:12 gives us some insight into this hierarchy.

Eph 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, [fn] against spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places].

There are rulers or principalities (archai).

Archai:

1) beginning, origin

2) the person or thing that commences, the first person or thing in a series, the leader

3) that by which anything begins to be, the origin, the active cause

4) the extremity of a thing

a) of the corners of a sail

5) the first place, principality, rule, magistracy

a) of angels and demons

"beginning, government, rule," is used of supramundane beings who exercise rule, called "principalities;"

(a) of holy angels, Eph 3:10, the Church in its formation being to them the great expression of "the manifold (or "much-varied") wisdom of God;" Col 1:16;

(b) of evil angels, Rom 8:38; Col 2:15, some would put this under (a), but see SPOIL, B. No. 4; (a) and (b) are indicated in Col 2:10. In Eph 1:21, the RV renders it "rule" (AV, "principality") and in Tts 3:1, "rulers" (AV, "principalities"). In Jud 1:6, RV, it signifies, not the first estate of fallen angels (as AV), but their authoritative power, "their own" indicating that which had been assigned to them by God, which they left, aspiring to prohibited conditions.
These are the first ones or preeminent ones, Satan and his highest-level satanic princes.

There are authorities (exousia) or powers.

Exousia: the power of authority (influence) and of right (privilege)

4) the power of rule or government (the power of him whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed)

a) universally

1) authority over mankind

b) specifically

1) the power of judicial decisions

2) of authority to manage domestic affairs

c) metonymically

1) a thing subject to authority or rule

a) jurisdiction

2) one who possesses authority

a) a ruler, a human magistrate

b) the leading and more powerful among created beings superior to man, spiritual potentates.

Exousia denotes "authority" (from the impersonal verb exesti, "it is lawful"). From the meaning of "leave or permission," or liberty of doing as one pleases, it passed to that of "the ability or strength with which one is endued," then to that of the "power of authority," the right to exercise power, e.g., Mat 9:6; 21:23; 2Cr 10:8; or "the power of rule or government," the power of one whose will and commands must be obeyed by others, e.g., Mat 28:18; Jhn 17:2; Jud 1:25; Rev 12:10; 17:13; more specifically of apostolic "authority," 2Cr 10:8; 13:10; the "power" of judicial decision, Jhn 19:10; of "managing domestic affairs," Mar 13:34. By metonymy, or name-change (the substitution of a suggestive word for the name of the thing meant), it stands for "that which is subject to authority or rule," Luk 4:6 (RV, "authority," for the AV "power"); or, as with the English "authority," "one who possesses authority, a ruler, magistrate," Rom 13:1-3; Luk 12:11; Tts 3:1; or "a spiritual potentate," e.g., Eph 3:10; 6:12; Col 1:16; 2:10, 15; 1Pe 3:22. The RV usually translates it "authority."

Angelic beings are called exousia or "powers" in Eph 3:10 (cp. 1:21); 6:12; Col 1:6; 2:15 (cp. 2:10).

These seem to be the fallen angels that are assigned to work within the power of rule or government. They are set over nations and geographical regions. Areas defined by boundaries and borders.

These are the supernatural forces behind human governmental structures. Unrighteous laws invite them in. Righteous laws provide protection for the people of a nation.

There are rulers (kosmokratōr) of this darkness of this age.

Kosmokrator denotes "a ruler of this world" (contrast pantokrator, "almighty"). In Greek literature, in Orphic hymns, etc., and in Rabbinic writings, it signifies a "ruler" of the whole world, a world-lord. In the NT it is used in Eph 6:12, "the world-rulers (of this darkness)," RV, AV, "the rulers (of the darkness) of this world." The context ("not against flesh and blood") shows that not earthly potentates are indicated, but spirit powers, who, under the permissive will of God, and in consequence of human sin, exercise Satanic and therefore antagonistic authority over the world in its present condition of spiritual darkness and alienation from God. The suggested rendering "the rulers of this dark world" is ambiguous and not phraseologically requisite. Cp. Jhn 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; 2Cr 4:4.

These seem to be the master spirits who are world-rulers of darkness of this age. These have no geographical boundaries. They are fallen angels and demons that have been given a charge or assigned a pervading evil influence. They work under a principality. Jezebel is a ruler or power as is the spirit of antichrist and the spirit of death.

Spiritual forces of wickedness or evil (ponēria) in the heavenly places. These are the many types of evil spirits that afflict people through lust, rebellion, fear, infirmity, deception, divination, etc. These are the ones we deal with during deliverance sessions. Even here there is a hierarchy and some are easier to cast out than others.

Poneria:

1) depravity, iniquity, wickedness

2) malice

3) evil purposes and desires

Demons are worshipped, Lev. 17:7; Deut. 32:17; 2 Chr. 11:15; Ps. 106:37; Matt. 4:9; Luke 4:7; 1 Cor. 10:20,21; 1 Tim. 4:1; Rev. 13:4. But worship of them is strictly forbidden, Lev. 17:7; Zech. 13:2; Rev. 9:20. Men have been possessed or demonized by them: Saul, 1 Sam. 16:14-23; 1 Sam. 18:10,11; 19:9,10. Two men of the Gergesenes, Matt. 8:28-34; Mark 5:2-20. The dumb man, Matt. 9:32,33. The blind and dumb man, Matt. 12:22; Luke 11:14. The daughter of the Syrophenician, Matt. 15:22-29; Mark 7:25-30. The lunatic child, Matt. 17:14-18; Mark 9:17-27; Luke 9:37-42. The man in the synagogue, Mark 1:23-26; Luke 4:33-35. Mary Magdalene, Mark 16:9; Luke 8:2,3. The herd of swine, Matt. 8:30-32. Jesus cast them out, Matt. 4:24; 8:16; Mark 3:22; Luke 4:41. The disciples were given power over them, Matt. 10:1; Mark 6:7; 16:17. They were cast out by the disciples, Mark 9:38; Luke 10:17; by Peter, Acts 5:16; by Paul, Acts 16:16-18; 19:12; by Philip, Acts 8:7. The disciples could not expel some, Mark 9:18,28,29. Sceva's sons exorcised them, Acts 19:13-16. After being driven out they can return, Matt. 12:43-45. Jesus was falsely accused of being possessed of, Mark 3:22-30; John 7:20; 8:48; 10:20. They testified to the divinity of Jesus, Matt. 8:29; Mark 1:23,24; 3:11; 5:7; Luke 8:28; Acts 19:15. They are adversaries of men, Matt. 12:45. They were sent to foment trouble between Abimelech and the Shechemites - Judges 9:23. They give messages to false prophets, 1 Kin. 22:21-23. They believe and tremble, Jas. 2:19. They are to be judged at the general judgment, Matt. 8:29, with 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6. And they will be punished, Matt. 8:29; 25:41; Luke 8:28; 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6; Rev. 12:7-9. The shaft of the abyss and the lake of fire were created as places of confinement for them (Rev. 20:10, 14, 15; Lk. 8:31; Rev. 9:1, 2, 11; 20:1, 3).

Fallen mankind.

John 8:44 “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies”.

All of mankind not accepting the love of God in Jesus and being redeemed by the work of Jesus are servants of Satan (Lk. 11:23). He is their father. They serve him, some openly and actively, some without knowing it. But all unredeemed mankind are sinners and have gone astray (Rom. 3:12, 23). Natural man loves sin (Jn. 3:19, 20, 43). Natural man is double mined, spiritually blind and ignorant, full of pride, and self-righteousness. Unredeemed mankind is the servants of Satan and is used to carry out his plans. Some are used in active roles, others are just prisoners, held in pitiful bondage as subjects of Satan’s kingdom. They are all subject to his wrath. Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. His servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve (2 Corinthians 11:14-15).

Satan seeks to steal, kill and destroy (Jn. 10:10) and in the end this is the fate of unredeemed mankind: the fruits of serving Satan.

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. We are warned that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21). All unredeemed mankind are idol worshippers in some way or another and are under the judgments and penalties there of.

The devil’s hierarchy includes humans who are manipulated and controlled by evil to do the devil’s bidding. There may even be humans that carry the dna of fallen angels.

Today we find ourselves in a great spiritual battle. The very souls of men are at stake. Many people are deceived, tormented, and in bondage because of the works of the devil and his evil forces. God has given us, the true Church, the job of enforcing His victory on the cross to destroy the works of the enemy, to preach the Kingdom of God, to make disciples of all men, and to complete the tasks of Isa 61:1-2.

{Isa 61:1 NASB} - The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners;

{Isa 61:2 NASB} - To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn,

To do this we must know our enemy and his tactics, know who we are in the Lord, know our authority and the power He gives us through the Holy Spirit, and take our place in the battle line as our Lord brings this battle to a close with His coming as King of Kings and Lord of Lords! We need to be people who know the times and know what to do!

{Eph 6:10 NASB} - Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

{Eph 6:11 NASB} - Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

{Eph 6:12 NASB} - For our 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.}

{Eph 6:13 NASB} - Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

{Eph 6:14 NASB} - Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,

{Eph 6:15 NASB} - and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;

{Eph 6:16 NASB} - in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil {one.}

{Eph 6:17 NASB} - And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

{Eph 6:18 NASB} - With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

Changing Our World View

Changing Our World View
D.P. Weary


True Christians all over the world are facing a huge personal challenge. This is especially true in the western world. The issue we are dealing is one of citizenship. In the natural, people are citizens of one country or another. For us in the USA, many of us are fiercely patriotic and appreciate the blessing it is to live in the USA. The idea of giving up the life we have as citizens of the USA is frightening and abhorring. We cling to this life with great tenacity. But, this can lead to a problem for true Christians. If our love of the kingdom of the USA (really for the world and the things in it) and the life we live because we are citizens of the USA is greater than our love of the Kingdom of God, we can easily find ourselves praying and working against God’s plans for His coming Kingdom.

In the natural world, our governments and to a great extent our leadership is rapidly declining into a state of rebellion against God and chaos. We feel despair, anger, hopelessness, and sadness as we watch our nations turn from “in God we trust”, to “in us we trust”. But, should it be so? The Bible tells us that we are not citizens of the world, but are citizens of the Kingdom of God. The course of this world is clearly spelled out in the Word and we are watching it happen all around us. As citizens of God’s Kingdom, we are seeing the events that are all a part of establishing God’s Kingdom on earth. So, should we be downcast and depressed, or excited and full of expectation and hope? It all depends on how we look at things, our “worldview”.

We need a “renewing of the mind”.

Rom 12:1 NASB - Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, {which is} your spiritual service of worship.
Rom 12:2 NASB - And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

This article by Heidi Swander is an excellent commentary on this issue. While it is directed at America, I think that it is appropriate for most the nations of the world.







A Word on Citizenship
by Heidi Swander


It's been many years since I've been able to sing The Star Spangled Banner without choking up. Given the opportunity to do it today, I doubt I could actually enunciate the words for weeping.

America is sinking fast. Chuck Missler, in his new DVD, Twilight's Last Gleaming, says, "America is in moral freefall. We are victims of spiritual warfare." Only too true.

How did this happen? For that answer, I refer you to Jan's recent radio program with Brannon Howse (you simply must hear this broadcast!!!), where they discuss cultural and political Marxism and how it snuck into our country many years ago. It explains a lot. Brannon also points to a period in Israel's history when the sins of the nation became so abhorrent to God that He told the prophet Jeremiah, "Therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them, nor make intercession to Me; for I will not hear you" (Jer. 7:16). Has America become this abhorrent to Almighty God?

We cannot know the mind of God, but Romans 1:18-32 shows a series of judgments that God will bring to a society that forsakes Him. John MacArthur expertly clarifies this passage in his sermon, When God Abandons a Nation. A glance at your favorite news source these days will confirm that our country is well down this path of destruction. We are not only in moral decline, but headed toward political, financial, and social ruin.

Our founding fathers, though saddened by this turn of events, would have gravely nodded their heads at what is taking place in America today. Thomas Jefferson once wrote, "God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are a gift from God? That they are not to be violated, but with His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, and that His justice cannot sleep forever."

Jack Kelley, founder of www.gracethrufaith.com, recently wrote an excellent article about this very thing. The title of the article stings a bit, but the truth in the text is beyond question. In it Jack says: "According to no less an authority than our President (and he's right) America is not a Christian nation. The only connection between God and America today is that a bunch of us who believe in Him happen to live here. . . . America is a secular gentile nation that will soon be no more comfortable a home for the church than pre-war Germany was for the Jews."

When I think of my beloved America, I grieve. But God has recently made poignant to me this truth: I am not a citizen of this country. I am an ambassador to this country and a citizen of another. So are you if you are a child of God by faith in Jesus Christ! Paul told the Philippians, "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Phil. 3:20).

Can you, today, get your mind around that concept? If you can, it will make a world of difference in how you view the news, how you respond to the dangers of our world, and how you look to the future.

We are actually commanded to set our mind on things above (Col. 3:1-3; but also Matt. 6:33), not on things on the earth. Now would be a very good time to recognize and obey this command!

Thinking of myself as an ambassador does three things for me.

First of all, it gives perspective to the freefall that America is in. I am still saddened, because I've lived here a long time and America has been a wonderful place to reside. But America isn't really home, so I find that I'm often looking at all that is going on with a kind of emotional/spiritual detachment.

Secondly, it reminds me that I have a job to do and that I may not have much longer to get it done! Our "special and temporary diplomatic assignment" (from Webster's definition of "ambassador") is to introduce as many people to the Lord Jesus Christ as possible (II Cor. 5:20).

Lastly, as I see all that is happening around me, I anticipate being recalled to my Home Country! There are many reasons for an ambassador to be recalled, not the least of which is the anticipation of a declaration of war. One day -- perhaps very soon -- war will be declared on this earth (Rev. 6:4ff), but before that takes place, the Lord's ambassadors will be recalled to Heaven!

So what do we do with all the horrible events that are swirling around us which seem to spell the demise of our beloved America? We pray (Eph. 6:18), we witness to others of the love of God in sending his Son (Matt. 28:18-20), we encourage one another (Heb. 10:24-25), and we look forward to going Home to the City God has prepared for us (Heb. 11:16; Rev. 21:2, and 21:9 -- 22:3). We have no idea how great it's going to be to be Home (I Cor. 2:9)! Even so, come, Lord Jesus!





The challenge for us as individuals and especially for leaders in the true Church is how to really get the mind set that we truly are citizens of the Kingdom of God and not citizens of this world? Obviously it must first be preached and taught.
Are we teaching the truth about this present world? Consider these scriptures.

Book Description Context
NKJV Mt 13:22Chapter 13 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.The cares of this world choke out the Word of God. Worldy issues and concerns fight against God.
NKJV Lk 16:8Chapter 16 8 So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light. The shrewdness of this world is not a good thing.
NKJV Jn 8:23Chapter 8 23 And He said to them, "You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. Jesus is not of this world.
NKJV Jn 12:31Chapter 12 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. The world is to be judged and the ruler of this world (Satan) will be cast out (sent to Gehenna, then into the Lake of Fire)
NKJV Jn 14:30Chapter 14 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. Satan is the ruler of this world.
NKJV Jn 18:36Chapter 18 36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here." God’s Kingdom is not of this world.
NKJV 1Co 1:20Chapter 1 20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? This wisdom of this world is foolishness.
NKJV 1Co 7:31Chapter 7 31 and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away. This world is temporary and is passing away.
NKJV Eph 2:2Chapter 2 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, Those that walk according to the course of this world are walking according to the devil (Satan).
NKJV Rev 11:15Chapter 11 15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" The kingdoms of this world will one day all become the kingdoms of our Lord (the Kingdom of God).

The truth is that all the kingdoms and people of this world are under the rule of Satan, they are to be judged, they are passing away, they will one day all become the Kingdoms of Jesus, and worldly wisdom is foolishness.

Book Description Context
NKJV 1Jn 2:15Chapter 2 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. We are not to love the world or the things in the world.
NKJV 1Jn 2:16Chapter 2 16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. All that is in the world is not of the Father but is of the world (of the devil).
NKJV 1Jn 4:3Chapter 4 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. The spirit of the Antichrist is already in the world.
NKJV 1Jn 4:4Chapter 4 4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. The Holy spirit that is in us is greater than Satan, the ruler of the world.

NKJV Jn 15:19Chapter 15 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. The world hates true believers because we have been chosen out of the world (we are not of the world).
NKJV Jn 17:14Chapter 17 14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

Book Description Context
NKJV Jn 9:39Chapter 9 39 And Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind." Jesus came into this world for judgment.
NKJV Jn 12:25Chapter 12 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. We are admonished to hate life in this world not love it.
NKJV Ro 12:2Chapter 12 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Do not be conformed to this world. If we are we can’t prove the will of God.
NKJV 1Ti 6:7Chapter 6 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. Nothing material of ours in this world will go with us into the Kingdom of God.
NKJV 1Jn 4:17Chapter 4 17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. We are to be in this world, but not of it.
NKJV Mt 10:34Chapter 10 34 "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. Jesus came to bring a sword into this world.

Book Description Context
NKJV 1Pe 2:9Chapter 2 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; We are chosen ones, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. We have been called out of the darkness of this world and into His Kingdom.

Book Description Context
NKJV Eph 2:19Chapter 2 19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, We are citizens of God’s Kingdom and members of the household of God.

True believers are not of this world. We are told not to love the world and even to hate it and the things in it like lust and pride. We are warned that the world will hate us because the Lord chose us out of the world and we are not of the world. We are told the spirit of the Antichrist is in the world, but that the Holy Spirit in us is greater that Satan who is in the world.

Jesus came into the world for judgment and to bring a sword. We are not to be conformed to this world. This current world is basically evil and controlled by the evil one (Satan). It is destined for judgment and destruction. Is this what we are preaching and teaching in our churches today?

Once we are convinced that we are really citizens of God’s Kingdom and not citizens of this present world, then we need to know what that means in our daily lives. To understand current events from a Kingdom mindset, we must know the prophecies concerning the events preceding God’s Kingdom coming to earth physically. In order to partner with God in this process, we need to know the “plan”. Each member of the Kingdom has a role to play in these days. To know the role requires that we know the plan. Are we preaching and teaching God’s plan for the days we are living in?

In deed we can pray, but how do we pray? If we are not careful we can find ourselves praying against God’s plan and for our own interests, desires, and fears. We can encourage one another, but with what words? The Word gives us the answer, but we must know the Word. 1 Thess. 4:13 – 1 Thess. 5:11 specifically addresses these issues, but how often is it preached or taught? Do we adequately teach and preach about our “hope of Glory”, heaven, and our ultimate destiny? We are actually commanded to set our mind on things above (Col. 3:1-3; and also Matt. 6:33), not on things on the earth. But do we preach and teach on “the things above”? And, are we trying with all our heart, soul and energies to “rescue” people out of the world and into God’s Kingdom by preaching and teaching Jesus and the good news of eternal life through His death and resurrection (II Cor. 5:20, Matt. 28:18-20)?

We are citizens of the Kingdom of God and members of the household of God. We are in the world, but not of it. Our love and loyalties now should lie with God and His Kingdom. We are in reality Ambassadors of the Kingdom of God here on earth. From Webster’s definition, an ambassador is “an official envoy ; especially : a diplomatic agent of the highest rank accredited to a foreign government or sovereign as the resident representative of his or her own government or sovereign or appointed for a special and often temporary diplomatic assignment.”
Is this the “mind set” or worldview of those professing to be Christians today? Getting, then preaching, teaching, and modeling this worldview is the challenge of the leaders in the true Christian communities today.

We all need a renewing of our minds!
Rom 12:1 NASB - Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, {which is} your spiritual service of worship.
Rom 12:2 NASB - And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Hope in the Midst of Chaos

Hope in the Midst of Chaos – Promises to all who belong to Jesus – The Hope of Glory

D.P. Weary

June 2009

When we look around at the current events occurring all around the world, it is not a pretty picture. What does the future hold for citizen of planet earth? Things in the natural do not look good and they are getting worse daily. In the midst of the chaos is there message of hope? There is such a great need for hope in this hour and true Christians have that message. It is a message that needs to be proclaimed “from the housetops”! The message is found in Jesus and the promises He gave to all who believe and trust in Him.

First of all we need to recognize that true, born again believers in Jesus are citizens of Eternity, not of this earth. Our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20-21). Jesus himself will come for us to take us to be with Him (John 14:1-3), so we are not to let our hearts be troubled. He comes not to earth, but "IN THE AIR" to snatch us up to meet Him in the clouds. He comes suddenly and secretly for all of us who believe in Him, and in an instant, we are caught up with Him and will return with Him to His Father's House where He has prepared a place for us (1 Corinthians 15:51-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

To natural man, all history - all existence - is just a grand mystery. Philosophers and historians alike can only speculate as to the meaning of life. Many scientists claim it is only a grand cosmic accident. “Eat and be merry for tomorrow you die” (Isaiah 22:13; 1 Corinthians 15:32) is the philosophy of the natural man, at best. Often it is more the despair expressed in Ecclesiastes 1 and 2: “all is vanity, all is futility”.

To the Christian, the center of all history is Calvary and the man called the Messiah, Jesus. He is the staring point of all history. He made all things (Col 1:17; John 1:3), and He regulates the universe (Heb 1:1-3). But the eternal question is why? Was there a purpose for the creation of mankind?

1 Corinthians 3:21-23 tells us that all things belong to the Church and are for her benefit. Romans 8:28 tells us that all things (the cosmos) are for the good of them that love God (the Church), who are called according to His purpose. The universe was created solely for the human race, mankind, created in the image of God, to ultimately provide an eternal companion for God the Son. Romance is the heart of the universe; God providing His Son an eternal companion, a Bride, the Lamb's wife (Revelation 21:9), one to share His Throne (Revelation 3:21). All things serve and are for the Church, the climatic goal of all history, and the purpose of existence. The finished product of the ages is the Bride of Christ, the Church, the key and explanation of all history (Revelation 19:6,9; 21:7,9,10; Acts 17:26).

The Church is also the beginning of God's eternal enterprise.

It is His pleasure (purpose) to give you the Kingdom (to be made a king), (Luke 12:32).

The Church is to sit with Him upon His throne, to be invested with His authority (Revelation 3:21).

It is to judge the world and angels (1 Corinthians 6:2-3). It is to share His Glory (John 17:22).

The Church is to be a joint heir of all things (Romans 8:17).

The beginning of God's ultimate and supreme enterprise for all eternity is the Marriage of the Lamb. All history, the entire universe, was created, and is being manipulated and controlled by God for one purpose, to prepare and train the Bride. When she is on the throne with her divine Lover and Lord, then begins a new and ultimate journey where first she will rule and reign with Him upon the earth for a thousand years, then rule with Him over the new heavens and a new earth for all eternity; a new adventure, the ultimate and supreme enterprise (Revelation 21:1).

God’s Purpose for the Church - Supreme Rank

Man: created in the image of God; separated from God by disobedience; redeemed by means of a divinely conceived genetic process (the new birth); legally enabled by God who took on Himself the seed of Abraham (Heb 2:16) by becoming a man called Jesus, the Messiah, the savior, the redeemer.

God could not have become incarnate in angels in that they are created, not generated, and are not in the "image" of God (i.e. not of His kind). Only the death of a real man, and a sinless man who owed no debt due to sin, could atone for - or pay - the legal debt all the rest of mankind owe. We are guilty and legally bound to pay the penalty for our sins that is death. Satan's legal right to accuse you and me of sin and demand our death as the just and legal penalty was broken when, by taking Jesus' life "illegally", he allowed Jesus to pay our penalty for us: Thus Jesus forever broke the power of sin and death over our lives, if we will just believe.

So, just what are we? What is redeemed regenerated mankind?

Redeemed, regenerated mankind:

· The sons of God (Romans 8:14; Galatians 3:26; 1 John 3:1).

· We shall be like Him (1 John 3: 2).

· Of one origin with Him (Hebrews 2:11).

· His brothers and sisters and mother (Matthew 12:48-50).

· One with the Son and with the Father (John 17:21-23).

· His Body (Ephesians 1:22-23).

· Flesh of His Flesh (Ephesians 5:30).

· Joined to the Lord in one spirit, an organic relationship of personalities (1 Corinthians 6:17).

· Members of the original cosmic family (Eph 3:15).

· Generated sons of God (1 John 3:2).

· Partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).

· The "seed" of God, next of kin to the Godhead (1 John 5:1, 18; 1 Pet 1:3, 23).

· Destined to rule, judge and govern the world, and judge and reward angels (1 Corinthians 6:2-3).

· God's own family; a genetic family, incorporating His own seed or genes, or heredity. Born not of man, but of God (John 1:12-13).

· His very own (Ephesians 1:4-5; 5:25-27, 32).

· Creation plus redemption, a divine plan to bring "many sons to glory" (Hebrews 2:10).

· The Son first, with many brothers (Romans 8:29).

· Power given to become the sons of God, born of the will of God (John 1:12-13).

· Princes of the Realm of God, sharing His glory, blood brothers of the Son (John 17:22; 1 John 3:2).

· The New Man (Eph 2:15): A new, unique, exclusive order of beings. The aristocracy of the universe, a new royalty of kings and priests (1 Pet 2:9). The Bride of the Son, the Lamb's Wife, co-ruler, co-sovereign, co-administrator, a judicially equal partner to the throne by virtue of redemption and wedlock to The King of Kings, Jesus.

· Declared to be only a little lower than God (Psalm 8:4-5).

· Accepted into the bosom of the Father (John 1:18; 17:23; Ephesians 1:6).

And even knowing these things, eye has not seen, ear heard, nor has man ever imagined the things God has prepared for them that love Him.

1 Corinthians 2:9 (NKJV) But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."

What is this current age, this earthly life all about? It is the gathering and training of The Bride of Christ, The Church! It is learning to love, please and serve our Lord. It is learning to "overcome", to "rule and reign" with Christ, practical, on-the-job training for our ultimate destiny. It is developing God's character in us.

Promises to the Church:

• We will eat of the fruit of the tree of life, in the Paradise of God (Revelation 2:7).
• We will not be injured by the second death (Revelation 2:11).
• We will eat of the manna that is hidden, and He will give us a new name (Revelation 2:17).
• He will give authority and power over the nations; we shall rule them with a scepter of iron like that which Jesus received from the Father (Revelation 2:26-27).
• We shall be clad in white garments, and our names not erased out from the Book of Life and Jesus will confess our names openly before His Father and His angels (Revelation 3:5).
• He will keep us safe from the hour of trial (testing) that is coming to try those who dwell upon the earth (Revelation 3:10).
• He will make us a pillar in the sanctuary of His God and He will write on us the name of His God, the name of the city of God, the New Jerusalem, which descends from His God out of heaven, and His own NEW NAME (Revelation 3:12).
• He will grant us to sit beside Him on HIS THRONE, as He sat down beside the Father on His Throne (Revelation 3:21).
• We are to be His Bride! (Revelation 19:7-10).

The Rapture – The Hope of the Church

· Our hope, our joy, our crown of rejoicing is that we are in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming (1 Thessalonians 2:19).

· With the trump of God, we who are alive shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air (1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

· He has not appointed His Church to wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9). The Great Tribulation is defined as the time of the wrath of God, beginning with the breaking of the sixth of the seven seals in the book of Revelations (Revelation 6:12-17). Also we see the church gathered out of every nation before the throne and before the Lamb in the seventh chapter of Revelation (Revelation. 7:9).

· He shall keep us from the hour of trial that is to come upon the whole earth (Revelation 3:10).

· The Lord Himself will come for the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17), but angels will gather the Elect, or Remnant of Israel at the coming of the Lord (Matthew 24:30-44).

· Other indications supporting the rapture of the Church:

· The Church is mentioned 19 times in the first 3 chapters of Revelation. From chapter 4 to 19, there is not one mention of the Church. From 19 on the Church is described as participating in the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, and as being the Bride of Christ, with Him in heaven.

· God has not appointed the Church to wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:10).

· The Man of Lawlessness, Antichrist, cannot be revealed until He who restrains is taken out of the way (2 Thessalonians 2:1-9). The true satanic nature of the antichrist is revealed when he seats himself in the Temple of God, claiming to be God and demanding to be worshiped. This restraining is related to "our gathering together unto Him" (vs. 1) and the "He" is the Church (the body of Christ, the one new man) functioning as the restrainer of lawlessness (John 16:8-11). Thus the Church must be removed before Antichrist can be revealed.

· Jesus taught the rapture of the Church. Jesus said, "Whoever believes in Me, although he may die, yet shall he live. And whoever continues to live (to the time of my coming) and believe on Me shall never die at all (John 11:25-26).

· Paul taught that: 1) Not all Christians will die. 2) Before those who are alive are raptured, Christ will raise the dead in Christ up into incorruptible new bodies. 3) It will be an instantaneous event. 4) The rapture will occur at the blowing of the last trumpet (Rosh haShanah). 5) All believers will be changed, their mortal earthly bodies changed into incorruptible, immortal bodies. (1 Corinthians 15:51-54).

· Old Testament promises of protection in the Day of Trouble or Wrath: Psalms 27:5; 91:8; Noah, Gen 6; Zephaniah 2:3; Isaiah 26:20; Lot, Gen 19:15-16.

Jesus did not promise the Church freedom from trouble and tribulation in this current age. In fact He warned us that in this present world we would have tribulation.

{Matthew 24:9 NASB} - "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.

{Romans 5:3 NASB} - And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;

{Romans 8:35 NASB} - Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

{Romans 12:12 NASB} - rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,

{1 Thessalonians 1:6 NASB} - You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit,

{Revelation 1:9 NASB} - I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance {which are} in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

{Revelation 2:9 NASB} - 'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

{Revelation 2:10 NASB} - 'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

What He did promise us is that He would always be with us, and that in the end, all things would be restored, all sicknesses healed, and all trouble ended.

{Matthew 28:20 NASB} - teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

{John 16:33 NASB} - "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."

{Rom 8:18 NASB} - For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

{Rom 8:37 NASB} - But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

{Rom 8:38 NASB} - For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,

{Rom 8:39 NASB} - nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Jesus also gave us the Holy Spirit to indwell us, as a down payment of our complete salvation with will be a new and imperishable body.

{Romans 8:23 NASB} - And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for {our} adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.

{1 Corinthians 15:42 NASB} - So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable {body,} it is raised an imperishable {body;}

{1 Corinthians 15:53 NASB} - For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.

{1 Corinthians 15:54 NASB} - But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory.

Through His Holy Spirit dwelling within us, He also gave us the authority and the power to deal with the world that we are currently living in.

{John 20:21 NASB} - So Jesus said to them again, "Peace {be} with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you."

{John 20:22 NASB} - And when He had said this, He breathed on them and *said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

{John 20:23 NASB} - "If you forgive the sins of any, {their sins} have been forgiven them; if you retain the {sins} of any, they have been retained."

{Act 1:8 NASB} - but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

{Luke 9:1 NASB} - And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases.

{2Cr 10:3 NASB} - For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh,

{2Cr 10:4 NASB} - for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.

{2Cr 10:5 NASB} - {We are} destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and {we are} taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,

Our hope is indeed in Jesus. He has given us promises for the future, authority and power to deal with the present world, and His own Holy Spirit to be with us as we journey towards our ultimate home, Heaven and the New Jerusalem, our destiny, our Hope of Glory!

Every day, current events are telling us that we are drawing ever closer to the great day of the Lord’s return for His church. This is the good news!

{Luk 21:28 NASB} - "But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."