What You need To Know In 2013 - The Darkest Hour

We are still looking at what we need to know in 2013.

On this post we will look at a number of occasions where we can see the clash of the spiritual forces in the supernatural realm. As I stated in the MP3 audio’s on the same topic, that unless we are aware of what takes place in the spiritual realm,
we will never effectively be able to take our place as watchman on the walls. If we limit ourselves to what we see and experience in the natural realm, and not be aware and sensitive to what is in the spiritual realm, we cannot engage in effective spiritual warfare.

Matthew 27: 45

From the sixth hour darkness came over all the land.

Darkness: is in the Greek skotos

Which denotes the infernal spirits as opposite of Christ.

In the hour before Jesus was to be crucified, which of course was the biggest of all clashes in the spirit realm, the Bible tells us that over all the land demonic forces were released. This cataclysmic clash was about the redemption of all mankind. God in the flesh was to be the ultimate sacrifice for the redemption of men. Every demonic force of hell that could be mustered on the earth was released over the land. There was an intense anticipation of this battle between the forces of God and the forces of Satan, the forces of light and the forces of darkness. Satan’s hordes of darkness did not want men purchased and rescued from his tyranny and his ownership.

Luke 22:53

Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour –when darkness reigns.

The word reigns is the word exousia, which means to have permission or right or authority.

Jesus in this passage says to the rulers and the officers of the temple guard and elders who had come for him, that this was their moment, the time, and the reason they had this time, was because darkness and all these demonic forces had been released to wage war. Satan knew that his authority and his ability was going to be taken, he just didn’t know how. So, in his anticipation, he thought that if he could kill the Son of God, he could stop the plan. He thought that in this hour that was given to him, where he could release the infernal spirits of darkness, he could actually stop the redemption of men, could actually stop the plan of God. 

1 Corinthians 2:8 says that none of the rulers of this age understood God secret wisdom for if they had they would not have crucified Lord Glory.

Although he did not understand God’s secret wisdom that had been hidden for the ages, which was to be Christ in us the hope of glory, because of Christ’s sacrifice for our redemption, he knew that this was an hour that he had to destroy this Man.

The result being in Matthew 27, we see that as Jesus cries out with a loud voice and gives up his spirit, that the temple curtain is torn in two; that the earth shakes and the rocks split; that the tombs break open; that the dead come out of the tombs and appear to many people. In fact, when the Centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified and exclaimed surely he was the Son of God.

A huge clash at just taken place, or was taking place, as Jesus died on the cross. As a clash takes place in the heavenlies, there is a manifestation in the natural. The Son of God, the Anointed One, Christ Jesus, is laying down his spirit and his life for us. In this hour, Satan believes he has won the battle, as God turned his back on his only begotten Son because he became sin with our sin, and so His Father rejects Him.

That’s why we see in Matthew 26 that Jesus spends an intense time of prayer before his Father. He says that His soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death and he asks that Peter and James and John would keep watch and endure in prayer with him. He also says that they should watch and pray that they will not fall into temptation. He said: Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Jesus went into battle in prayer before the event. In the place of prayer was where he had to submit His will to the plan and purpose of God. That was Jesus greatest battle. Jesus anticipated and knew that the hour was coming when darkness would reign. He knew the hour was coming when Satan’s hordes would try and swamp the land, and stop the purpose and plan of God. His praying in this case was not just try and stop the demons of darkness ruling over the land, but to submit his will to the father’s will for the fulfilment of the plan of redemption.

You must understand, that spiritual warfare is not just about binding and loosing, but also taking control of our mind, and our will, and our emotions, and our words. Hindering Satan’s plan in the land, is not just about trying to stop the kosmokratos (rulers of the darkness of this world – Eph 6) plans, or interfering with the Luciferic initiative for the nations, but also stopping his influence in our own personal lives. God wants to use us as his vessels and ambassadors in the earth to establish His kingdom authority, Hiss kingdom rule and reign.

• Have you submitted your will to your Father’s will?
• Are you purpose with His purpose?
• Are you prepared to live out God’s will where you are?
• Are you ready to submitted so you can see the will, purpose and plan of God to its outcome even though you may have to go through some dark hours?

I have seen the dark hour for my own life. But I had to press through. I spent time in the word and pray trusting my Father to bring me through. It was such a crazy hour. An hour I could not have anticipated, ever. Even though I felt I would die and never recover, I yielded my heart and life to the Lord over and over, and I stayed in obedience to the Word of God. Boy! Did I ever see earthquakes in my own life and ministry. It seemed that every conviction, every value, every belief and every message I ever preached was challenged and shaken. And I could only hold onto what I knew. The hour lasted longer than I wanted, probably more because of my own fault, rather than God’s process. But I made it! I learnt so much and God is restoring piece by piece.

You too may be going through your darkest hour. But like Jesus watch and pray. Submit your will. Seek the Father’s will. Know that He will not abandon you even though you feel swamped and overwhelmed.

For the joy set before Him, Jesus endured the cross…

Don’t give up. Stay your course! And finish the race.

But it is important to see how the sample prey in the Garden of Gethsemane began a cataclysmic clash in the heavenlies that was very evident in the Earth as well.

Today, the nations are facing some of the darkest hours in their history. And don't be fooled by the 'voices' that proclaim: "Peace, Peace".

Take your stand as a watchman on the wall for your nation, your community, and your family.