To understand the spiritual atmosphere we are dealing with
today we need to have a closer look at biblical accounts. There we will catch a
true glimpse of what we are dealing with.
As we have seen, there are many incidents of spiritual clashes
for territory resulting in natural manifestations. Earthquakes, storms and
shaking, even the dead coming out their graves, all were visible indications
when a spiritual conflict was taking place, Jesus on His way to break the power
of territorial demons possessing a man in Gedara; Jesus on the cross saw huge
ruptures in the natural course of events; and then we saw last time, the
shaking of the building when they prayed against the persecution of the
apostles.
Jesus said in Matt 24:34 that these signs will happen all at once in a generation,
before the end will come. Scientific analysis and research is proving that although we have always had tumultuous weather and tragic incidents, what is happening today is an escalation of these things in our time. Put that together with a very clear plan, not to be introduced, or formulated, but now to implement, a Luciferic plan of control, to introduce the kingdom of darkness on the earth and into mankind, his culture and communities, in a great measure, it needs to be understood this is about territory, and the most important being the souls of men, yours and mine and those around us.
before the end will come. Scientific analysis and research is proving that although we have always had tumultuous weather and tragic incidents, what is happening today is an escalation of these things in our time. Put that together with a very clear plan, not to be introduced, or formulated, but now to implement, a Luciferic plan of control, to introduce the kingdom of darkness on the earth and into mankind, his culture and communities, in a great measure, it needs to be understood this is about territory, and the most important being the souls of men, yours and mine and those around us.
Now my intention is not to point out all the negative
situations we are experiencing and facing, but to bring a conscious awareness
of the source of these things. You see, if we are not cognisant of the true
source of the natural conflicts, the motivations of leaders and governments,
the reasons for the break down of values and morals, the influence of nations,
continents and cultures, we will never know who and what the real enemy is and
how to fight it or them. If we are not ‘fully persuaded’ that the real fight is
NOT with flesh and blood, if we are not consciously convinced of the source and
the reason, we will and are easily deluded and seduced, becoming complacent and
indifferent, (2 Cor 11:2) we most willingly accept ignorance, and the
intimidation and manipulation that comes with such influence and these destructive
spiritual forces. (Ephesians 6:12)
I would like to share another incident with you before we
move on.
Act 16:16-18
And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed
with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by
soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are
the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And
this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit,
I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out
the same hour.
Paul and his team are in Phillipi and they begin ministering
to some people there. While there, this incident takes place that triggers a
whole sequence of events. What we need to understand is this spirit of
divination must have had strong influence in this modern Roman city. So much
so, that when Paul casts this spirit out, the whole city is in an uproar.
Act 16:19-24 And when
her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and
Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, And brought
them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble
our city, And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to
observe, being Romans. And the multitude rose up together against them: and the
magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when
they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison,
charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge,
thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
The masters with their spirit controlled servant girl must
have exerted tremendous control in this place. On their cue, the whole mob
becomes involved, and then the magistrates or leaders of the town, as well.
If we can, as believers, as the church, understand that
these things we experience in our towns, cities, cultures and nations are not
just whimsical happenings that came about by chance, but are strong influences
from satan’s rank and file of his kingdom. What we think is just society
sucking our children into a lifestyle that is not Godly, the acceptance of
boundaries and values that are not glorifying to the God of heaven, the standards
of morality that are attacked and are diluted every day while sit by and watch,
is a diabolical ‘wile’ of the enemy’s kingdom.
Eph 6:11-13
“Wiles” is translated in the NIV as schemes. It is defined
as methodeia: to work by method, the following or pursuing of an orderly and
technical procedure in the handling of a subject, a device, art, artificial
method, or craft.
In Eph 4:14 it is described as deceitful scheming, shifting
form of trickery, unprincipled cunning, experts in the craft.
Satan’s kingdom is on a definite clear, precise,
well-thought-out, and implemented plan of action.
When Paul, the apostle, and his team entered that territory, it was sure to be a clash that
would take place. The controlling spirit recognised them immediately and walked
after them declaring who they were, obviously totally threatened by their
presence. It was when Paul knew in his spirit it was time to ‘deal’ with this territorial
demon that conflict really began.
In the heavenlies, the spiritual realm, the apostles presence
had been noted and something of a wrestle had begun in the spiritual
atmosphere. When Jesus’ kingdom comes on the scene, we know there is going to be
a shaking and a moving.
Mat 10:7-8 And as ye
go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse
the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely
give.
Jesus said that when as disciples we go places, we are to
preach and demonstrate the kingdom of God, and the result would always be
CONFLICT.
Mat 10:16-18 Behold,
I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as
serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you
up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall
be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them
and the Gentiles.
But again, this conflict is NOT with men, but with the
spiritual forces in the heavenlies.
Luk 10:17-20 And the
seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto
us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall
from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions,
and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding
in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice,
because your names are written in heaven.
It has always been a conflict of spiritual proportions and
always will be.
You and I as believers, as disciples, have all authority
over all the ability of the enemy. But in this we do not rejoice but in the
fact we are eternally saved by the power and authority of Jesus Christ.
Now, Paul and Silas are dragged before the leaders who
command them to be beaten severely and put into the local jail. Paul, knew what
he was dealing with (hey, he wrote the letter to the Ephesians) and he knew
what it required, and with Silas began to worship and praise God in that
situation where satan and his hordes thought they could quiet them after they
had broken the control and influence he had in that city. They didn’t do this
in secret or quietly so no one would be embarrassed, but loud enough for the
whole prison to hear. More than that, something had been happening in the
heavenly atmosphere of that town that had stirred up the people, the mob and
the leaders, so much so that now we see
the kingdom of God ‘break in’ on the normal course of events.
Act 16:25-26 And at
midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners
heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations
of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every
one's bands were loosed.
Not only did an earthquake of supernatural proportions take
place, not only a supernatural shaking , but the doors open and their chains
are loosed.
I don’t read how they protested or demanded their rights. I don’t
read they appealed to the local politician or complained of their unfair
treatment, but they went to ‘war’ with spiritual weapons, fully aware that God
and His kingdom were already in conflict with the kingdom of darkness that had
ruled with its ability in that town for such a long time. These ‘weapons’
produced the results – a supernatural intervention in the normal course of
nature due to a spiritual conflict that had been taking place.
The result was the jailer and his whole family were saved,
the governing leaders had to come and apologise and give these representatives
of the Kingdom of God an official escort from the city.
Is it not then conceivable that much of what we are unhappy
about taking place in our nations and communities could be that there is no
resistance to the plan and purpose of the devils schemes?
Do we just sit back and say, “Well I suppose it’s going to
happen anyway”?
Is it possible we are already so influenced that we cannot
recognise the schemes of the enemy’s plans and the outcomes he seeks?
Have we left our ‘watchmen’ post and not taken up our
struggle to see the authority and presence of God’s kingdom being released into
the spiritual atmosphere of our worlds?
Is that possibly why we do not ‘see’ the natural consequences
we as the church would so love to see, the happenings of God, the supernatural
interventions in the normal course of nature?
Or are we just content to go our merry way without any
thought to the scripture that says:
Ephesians 6:10-18
J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)
Be forewarned and forearmed in your spiritual conflict
10-18 In conclusion be strong—not in
yourselves but in the Lord, in the power of his boundless resource. Put on
God’s complete armour so that you can successfully resist all the devil’s
methods of attack. For our fight is not against any physical enemy: it is
against organisations and powers that are spiritual. We are up against the
unseen power that controls this dark world, and spiritual agents from the very
headquarters of evil. Therefore you must wear the whole armour of God that you
may be able to resist evil in its day of power, and that even when you have
fought to a standstill you may still stand your ground. Take your stand then
with truth as your belt, righteousness your breastplate, the Gospel of peace
firmly on your feet, salvation as your helmet and in your hand the sword of the
Spirit, the Word of God. Above all be sure you take faith as your shield, for
it can quench every burning missile the enemy hurls at you. Pray at all times
with every kind of spiritual prayer, keeping alert and persistent as you pray
for all Christ’s men and women.
19-20 And pray for me, too, that I
may be able to speak freely here to make known the secret of that Gospel for
which I am, so to speak, an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may speak out
about it as my plain and obvious duty.
No! I am convinced of this, there are many who are given to
know, understand, take their place, and prevail in this conflict to bring God’s
kingdom and gospel to the nations, to see communities shaken, to overthrow the
ruling spirits and be the ambassadors that the Lord can use to dispel darkness,
interrupt the plans of the principalities, powers, rulers and the darkness of
this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places, and influence many with
God’s kingdom and the freedom and wholeness it brings.
May you and I be one of these.
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