The Battle

Everyone who accepts Christ and is reborn spiritually becomes part of  the Body of Christ the Kingdom of God which will be an eternal Kingdom in heaven. When this happens a person is rescued from the Kingdom of darkness, Colossians 1:13-14 “For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.” The commander of the kingdom of darkness is satan, Ephesians 2:2 “You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.” It explains in God’s Word who satan is in Ezekiel 28:12-19 and why he was cast out from the mountain of God. This is what happened that day Revelation 12:7-12 “Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels. Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last—salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them before our God day and night. And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens! And you who live in the heavens, rejoice! But terror will come on the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing that he has little time.”  Satan was cast down to earth and is angry with God and wants to destroy any work of God and His church the Body of Christ. When a person becomes a son of God they are an enemy of satan and become part of this battle.

 

God created everything we see and cannot see. Heaven, earth and every living being, God created satan. The Lord has many names in the bible and one of them is Yahweh Sabaoth, the Lord of Hosts or God of Armies. This name is mentioned around 290 times in the bible and our Lord is referred  to as a warrior. Exodus 15:3 The Lord is a warrior; Yahweh is his name! Isaiah 42:13 “The LORD will march forth like a mighty hero; he will come out like a warrior, full of fury. He will shout his battle cry and crush all his enemies.” The commander of the Lord’s army the Body of Christ and the church is Jesus. Jesus came to earth as God in the flesh and came not only to save, redeem and restore but also to destroy the works of the devil.  Hebrews 2:14-15 “Because God's children are human beings--made of flesh and blood--the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.” Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.” Jesus came as the lamb of God and he will come back as the Lion of Judah.  Jesus is God and He is meek and humble and He is also a mighty Warrior the commander of heavens armies.

 

There are three scriptures that come to mind. Joshua 5:13-15 “When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and demanded, “Are you friend or foe?” “Neither one,” he replied. “I am the commander of the Lord’s army.” At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. “I am at your command,” Joshua said. “What do you want your servant to do?” The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did as he was told.” Joshua was getting ready to enter the promise land and would have to fight many battles of the enemy. Jesus was waiting with His sword drawn ready to fight for His people. Joshua showed Him deep reverence and Jesus told him to take off his sandals because it is Holy ground.  We have to have deep fear and reverence for our Lord and understand that when we become part of this kingdom and battle that the Lord is Holy and pure. We have to protect our mind, heart and body from sin to fight in this battle against the enemy and be effective.

 

Matthew 10:32-40 “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword.” Jesus came to bring a peace that comes from knowing Him to all who accept Him.  Jesus died for us and loves us and we have eternal life from Him but there is no middle ground. You have to choose if you deny Him He says He will deny you before God in heaven. Jesus demands our complete loyalty to Him over everyone and everything in this world.

 

Revelation 19:11-21 “Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords. Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, shouting to the vultures flying high in the sky: “Come! Gather together for the great banquet God has prepared. Come and eat the flesh of kings, generals, and strong warriors; of horses and their riders; and of all humanity, both free and slave, small and great.”  Then I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army.  And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast—miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the one riding the white horse. And the vultures all gorged themselves on the dead bodies.”

Satan is evil and dwells in darkness God is light and is true, holy, and pure and because of what Jesus did for us we can be part of His kingdom. John 1:4-5 “The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” Jesus came to bring this light to the world and defeated satan so we can be free from this darkness and know the Lord and have eternal life. There is a battle for souls and we have free will and must all make this choice. The two forces will be at work against each other, Genesis 3:15 And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel."  until Jesus comes back for His church and completely destroy satan forever. Revelation 20:10 “Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. “

Jesus is not a passive warrior and He pursued the enemy with authority. We who believe have Jesus inside us and we take on all His characteristics. Jesus gave us His authority over the enemy and we must not be passive when it comes to this enemy the deceiver. Luke 10:17-20 “When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!” “Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.” When we become a son of God we are given much and many promises and armor from God to protect us in this battle. The greatest weapon we have to protect us is Jesus and it is our faith in Him that allows us to overcome and be victorious. 1 John 5:4-5 “For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.  And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.”  John 14:30 “I don't have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me.” 1 John 4:4 “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.