We are not always keenly aware of the spiritual realm and
the violence that takes place in it. As we saw last week, Enoch showed us the ioanit stations of light, which are
God’s favored regiments. Mimicking the favored ones, Paul tells us of the
spiritual beings we war against. We have to ask ourselves, why are there
regiments, rulers, and governing beings in the unseen heavens? Enoch lists the beings he saw: 1 archangels;
2 incorporeal forces; 3 dominions; 4 orders; 5 governments; 6 cherubim; 7
seraphim; 8 thrones; 9 many eyed ones. Paul lists principalities, powers/authorities,
mights, rulers, spiritual wickedness, thrones, dominions, authorities. What are
they all doing?
Daniel gives us some insight as to what is going on,
let’s examine this. Daniel had a vision but was struggling with the meaning of
what he saw. As he prayed and fasted, and awaited an answer, something was
going on in the heavens around him. Daniel gives no indication that he knew
there was a spiritual battle taking place but apparently there was.
Dan 10:12-14 Then he said to me, Fear not, Daniel, for
from the first day that you set your mind and heart to understand and to humble
yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come as a
consequence of [and in response to] your words. 13 But the prince [8269] of the
kingdom [4438] of Persia withstood [5975 & 5048] me for twenty-one days.
Then Michael, one of the chief [7223] [of the celestial] princes [8269], came
to help [5826] me, for I remained there with the kings [4428] of Persia. 14 Now
I have come to make you understand what is to befall your people in the latter
days, for the vision is for [many] days yet to come. AMP
OT:8269 sar (sar); from OT:8323; a head person (of any
rank or class): KJV - captain (that had rule), chief (captain), general,
governor, keeper, lord, ([-taskmaster, prince (-ipal), ruler, steward.
(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded
Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and
International Bible Translators, Inc.)
OT:4438 malkuwth (mal-kooth'); or malkuth (mal-kooth');
or (in plural) malkuyah (mal-koo-yah'); from OT:4427; a rule; concretely, a
dominion: KJV - empire, kingdom, realm, reign, royal.(Biblesoft's New
Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew
Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International
Bible Translators, Inc.)
OT:4427 malak (maw-lak'); a
primitive root; to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to
induct into royalty; hence (by implication) to take counsel: KJV -
consult, indeed, be (make, set a, set
up) king, be (make) queen, (begin to, make to) reign (-ing), rule, surely.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's
Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright ©
1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
OT:5975 `amad (aw-mad'); a primitive root; to stand, in
various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive): KJV -
abide (behind), appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed,
endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be [over], place, (be) present (self),
raise up, remain, repair, serve, set
(forth, over, -tle, up), (make to, make to be at a, with-) stand (by, fast,
firm, still, up), (be at a) stay (up), tarry.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive
Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary.
Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible
Translators, Inc.)
OT:5048 neged (neh'-ghed); from OT:5046; a front, i.e.
part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial,
especially with preposition) over against or before: KJV - about, (over)
against, aloof, far (off),
from, over, presence, other side,
sight, to view.(Biblesoft's New
Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew
Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International
Bible Translators, Inc.)
OT:5046 nagad (naw-gad'); a
primitive root; properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by
implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by
word of mouth to one present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain,
praise: KJV - bewray, certainly,
certify, declare (-ing), denounce, expound,
fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth),
speak, (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with
Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc.
and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
OT:7223 ri'shown (ree-shone'); or ri'shon (ree-shone');
from OT:7221; first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun): KJV -
ancestor, (that were) before (-time), beginning, eldest, firstfore, [-father]
(-most), former (thing), of old time, past.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's
Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright ©
1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
OT:5826 `azar (aw-zar'); a primitive root; to surround,
i.e. protect or aid: KJV - help, succour.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's
Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright ©
1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
OT:4428 melek (meh'-lek); from OT:4427; a king: KJV -
king, royal.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with
Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc.
and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Here we see the head of a dominion, stand in front of,
and thereby blocking, the passage of the angelic messenger. Michael, who is
head in rank and the chief prince of Israel, came to aid the messenger who was
with the king of Persia. Has anyone ever seen anything like this happening
around them? Not with our physical eyes we haven’t, but it may be that some
have perceived this with their spiritual eyes. Sometimes we feel like there is
something dark and mysterious going on around us, but we don’t know what it is.
Here, Daniel was concerned about a vision and he needed an answer. His answer
took a long time in coming; three weeks, because the messenger was blocked from
bringing the answer. Let’s go on.
Dan 10:20-21 Then he said, Do you know why I have come to
you? And now I will return to fight [3898] with the [hostile] prince [8269] of
Persia; and when I have gone, behold, the [hostile] prince [8269] of Greece
will come. 21 But I will tell you what is inscribed in the writing of truth or
the Book of Truth. There is no one who holds [2388] with me and strengthens
himself against these [hostile spirit forces] except Michael, your prince
[8269] [national guardian angel]. AMP
OT:3898 lacham (law-kham'); a primitive root; to feed on;
figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction): KJV -
devour, eat, ever, fight (-ing),
overcome, prevail, (make) war (-ring).(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's
Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright ©
1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
OT:2388 chazaq (khaw-zak'); a primitive root; to fasten
upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively
strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain,
conquer: KJV - aid, amend, calker, catch,
cleave, confirm, be constant, constrain, continue, be of good (take) courage
(-ous, -ly), encourage (self), be established, fasten, force, fortify, make
hard, harden, help, (lay) hold (fast), lean, maintain, play the man, mend,
become (wax) mighty, prevail, be recovered, repair, retain, seize, be (wax)
sore, strengthen (self), be stout, be (make, shew, wax) strong (-er), be sure,
take (hold), be urgent, behaveself valiantly, withstand.(Biblesoft's New
Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew
Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International
Bible Translators, Inc.)
The messenger explains that he will return to seize the Prince
of Persia, but then the prince of Greece will come. We know from a look back at
history that the Jews were taken into captivity and were held captive. Yet as
the seventy years of exile were just about up, Persia let the captives go back
to Israel and build a temple. However, Israel was still under Persian control
until the Greeks conquered the region. The Greeks were then the dominant rulers
until the Romans came. The messenger says there is no one who seizes or
conquerors with him except Michael. What exactly is going on here? If we take a
quick look backward in time, we see a rather humorous story regarding Elisha.
Syria was at war with Israel, and every time Syria did something, Elisha told the
king of Israel, Jehoram, what Syria was doing. Elisha knew this information
spiritually, so the King of Syria, Ben Hadad, sent horses and chariots to
Dothan to capture Elisha.
2 Kings 6:14-17 Therefore sent he thither horses, and
chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city
about.15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone
forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And
his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?16 And he answered,
Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.17 And
Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And
the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the
mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. KJV
Spiritually, the servant of Elisha’s eyes were opened and
he saw the armies of angels protecting Elisha. What is funny is that Ben Hadad
was searching for Elisha so he could capture him; Elisha prayed for the
soldiers to become blind. Elisha then led them into the middle of Samaria so
that the Syrians were surrounded. Elisha told Jehoram to prepare a feast for
them, and then let them go. Later the Syrians besieged Samaria, but the Lord
made a sound of a great many chariots and the Syrians thought other armies hired
by Israel were going to attack them, so the Syrians left in a hurry, leaving
behind all their belongings and supplies. The Samarians walked over and took it
all.
So what is this all about; the noises of chariots or
chariots of fire surrounding the prophet? Something is happening around us but
we don’t see it. When we look at the interaction between spiritual beings we
recognize there is a violence in the heavens that is mimicked on the earth.
Whatever seems to be going on among the spiritual class of beings, seems to
bleed over onto earth and humanity. We know that when some of the spiritual
beings were unclothed from their spiritual bodies and took bodies like ours,
they took earth women for themselves. That is an obvious problem as it seems
the women had no choice. That alone
suggests domination, and possibly intimidation and manipulation, which are
indications of witchcraft.
Gen 6:1-4 Now after the population of human beings had
increased throughout the earth, and daughters had been born to them, 2 some
divine beings noticed how attractive human women were, so they took wives for
themselves from a selection that pleased them. 3 So the Lord said, “My Spirit
won’t remain with human beings forever, because they’re truly mortal. Their
lifespan will be 120 years.”4 The Nephilim were on the earth at that time (and
also immediately afterward), when those divine beings were having sexual
relations with those human women, who gave birth to children for them. These
children became the heroes and legendary figures of ancient times. ISV
There is a suggestion that this happened again after the
flood (verse 4) as we see very large beings resembling humans, with a few
distinctions. Goliath and his brothers had six fingers, Og was very large, and
then there were the Canaanites. Generally speaking, these progeny of the
spiritual beings that disrobed from their spiritual bodies and procreated with
the daughters of Adam were called Nephilim. Later there were Rephaim, Anakim, Emim, and Zuzim,
which were all descendants of Nephilim.
Jude 6 And the angels which kept not their first estate
[746], but left their own habitation [3613], he hath reserved in everlasting
chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. KJV
NT:746 arche (ar-khay'); from NT:756; (properly abstract)
a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time,
place, or rank): KJV - beginning, corner, (at the, the) first (estate),
magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive
Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright
© 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
NT:3613 oiketerion (oy-kay-tay'-ree-on); neuter of a
presumed derivative of NT:3611 (equivalent to NT:3612); a residence (literally
or figuratively): KJV - habitation, house.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's
Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright ©
1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Jude explains that the chief angels, the arche, left their residence or house.
The only other time this Greek word oikerterion
is used is when Paul tells us we groan, desiring to be clothed with our house
from heaven, see 2 Corinthians 5:2. We want to have a new body, a body that is
like Jesus’ resurrected body, which defies the dimensions we understand, and
yet the angels left the body they started with. The punishment was severe and
that may have kept other angels from disrobing and procreating with humans. If
we think this is farfetched, we have to remember Jesus’ words, that in the
resurrection we will be like the angels, Matthew 22:30 and Mark 12:25. Between
the falling of angels and the thoughts of man’s heart being evil continually
(Genesis 6:5) we have a violent existence on earth.
Gen 6:11-13 By this time, the earth had become ruined in
God’s opinion and filled with violence. 12 God looked at the earth, observing
how corrupt its population had become, because the entire human race had
corrupted itself. 13 So God announced to Noah, “I’ve decided to destroy every
living thing on earth, because it has become filled with violence due to them.
Look! I’m about to annihilate them, along with the earth. ISV
Violence and corruption is not symptomatic of humans only,
there was violence before humans came along. We know that because Lucifer was
filled with violence.
Ezek 28:15-16 You were blameless in your behavior from
the day you were created until wickedness was discovered in you. 16 Since your
vast business dealings filled you with violent intent from top to bottom, you
sinned, so I cast you away as defiled from the mountain of God. I destroyed
you, you guardian cherub, from the midst of the fiery stones. ISV
Arrogance and lust filled Lucifer, so much so that he
used others for gain in business dealings and he defiled his sanctuaries as
well. Most believe that the planet Rahab, which the Bible speaks of, was where
Lucifer exploited others. Rahab was broken into pieces, probably where our
asteroid belt is today, and we now see the dwarf planet Ceres between Mars and
Jupiter, Psalm 89:10, Isaiah 51:9.
When we see humanity becoming violent and harming each
other, we have to remember that we are only a small part of what is happening
in the heavens. While we don’t understand what types of things are going on, we
can surmise this: whatever beings were in conspiracy with Lucifer, and
merchandising other spiritual beings, conspired with Lucifer, and are now
influencing the events on earth. The devil tempted Eve with the idea that they
would be like the Elohim, knowing good and evil, if they disobeyed and ate from
the tree of knowledge. Humans were not meant to know good and evil, although
God knew in His foreknowledge that Adam and Eve would fall. We were not meant
to know about the battles around us, we were not meant to become like the
devil, who is a manipulator and a slave driver, who uses others for personal
gain. Humans were to be above the fallen
ones, which is what Adam was to do; to tend and to keep, or to guard the garden
of God. That gave him status above Lucifer. The same pattern that Lucifer used
once before is now repeating on Earth. We are the victims of the spiritual war
around us and we hardly understand it.
The other group of angels who left their spiritual bodies,
took on the form of humans, and procreated with earthlings, are another group
of problem sons of the Elohim. Humans are an easy target because of our spiritual
blindness since the fall. But God did not forsake humanity, but instead seems
to be using our story to bring a finality to the rebellious sons of God. Part
of our story rests in the breaking of the powers of spiritual beings that fell
with Lucifer. We know from Revelation 12 that the accuser is accusing us before
the throne day and night. We can’t do anything wrong without the devil being a
tattletale against us. He uses our personal fallibilities as leverage to harm
us. Paul tells us we are not fighting people, even though we only see other
humans attacking us, we are in fact fighting the same spiritual beings that set
themselves in allegiance with Lucifer.
Eph 6:10-19 Finally, be strong in the Lord, relying on
his mighty strength. 11 Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able
to stand firm against the devil’s strategies. 12 For our struggle is not
against human opponents, but against rulers, authorities, cosmic powers in the
darkness around us, and evil spiritual forces in the heavenly realm. 13 For
this reason, take up the whole armor of God so that you may be able to take a
stand whenever evil comes. And when you have done everything you could, you
will be able to stand firm. 14 Stand firm, therefore, having fastened the belt
of truth around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and being firm-footed in the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to having
clothed yourselves with these things, having taken up the shield of faith, with
which you will be able to put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one, 17
also take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the
word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times with every kind of prayer and
request. Likewise, be alert with your most diligent efforts and pray for all
the saints. ISV
When the number of people coming into the kingdom of God
is fulfilled, then the first skirmish will occure among the heavenly beings.
Rev 12:7-9 Then a war broke out in heaven. Michael and
his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon and its angels fought back. 8
But it was not strong enough, and there was no longer any place for them in
heaven. 9 The huge dragon was hurled down. That ancient serpent, called the
Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world, was hurled down to the earth,
along with its angels. ISV
We know this hasn’t happened yet because the devil still
has access to accuse us day and night. We know that when it does happen, an
announcement will be made:
Rev 12:10-12 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say,
“Now the salvation, the power, the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his
Messiah have come. For the one who accuses our brothers, who accuses them day
and night in the presence of our God, has been thrown out.11 Our brothers
conquered him by the blood of the lamb and by the word of their testimony, for
they did not cling to their lives even in the face of death.12 So be glad,
heavens, and those who live in them! How terrible it is for the earth and the
sea, because the Devil has come down to you, filled with rage, knowing that his
time is short!” ISV
The devil must have a lot of anxiety knowing that this is
coming and he cannot do anything about it. Michael, the prince of Israel, will
fight in the heavens and throw out all the beings that have a military regiment
aligned with the devil. They will no longer have access to the upper heavens,
and will be bound to earth. The Body of Christ will be in heaven in preparation
for the next round of warfare rather than being on earth. If we think the earth
is violent now, imagine what it will be like when satan and his armies are
bound to earth. We know that satan is cast out about midway through the
tribulation, after Jesus is crowned and the announcement is made that the kingdoms
of the world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and Christ. Knowing the
timing of these events gives us insight into our day and time.
Today, we should pursue the kingdom of heaven. We
ourselves have to take it with violence while the kingdom is violently
advancing. If we were to think of this in physical terms, picture an army
marching toward a city. The army cannot be stopped, but there are hindrances
along the way, spies who cause distractions and news media who do not report about
the oncoming army. The people of the city are enslaved, oppressed, and broken;
they have no hope. Yet an entire kingdom approaches to rescue the captives.
Matt 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until
now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence [971], and the violent
[973] take it by force. KJV
NT:971 biazo (bee-ad'-zo); from NT:979; to force, i.e.
(reflexively) to crowd oneself (into), or (passively) to be seized: KJV -
press, suffer violence. (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and
Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006
Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
NT:973 biastes (bee-as-tace'); from NT:971; a forcer,
i.e. (figuratively) energetic: KJV - violent.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive
Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary.
Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible
Translators, Inc.)
Here is the same subject in Luke.
Luke 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John:
since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth [971]
into it. KJV
Something changed at the time Jesus came to earth. Let’s
read these two verses in the ISV.
Matt 11:12 “From the days of John the Baptist until the
present, the kingdom from heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people
have been attacking it, ISV
Luke 16:16 “The Law and the Prophets remained until John.
Since then, the good news about the kingdom of God has been proclaimed, and
everyone entering it is under attack. ISV
These verses read differently than the King James.
Violent people are attacking the kingdom; that is true. Going back to our
picture of the kingdom advancing toward our city, it seems the enemy, the
oppressor of men, has sent out some spirit beings to try and hold back the army
of heaven. So while the people of the city continue living their enslaved
lives, not knowing there is an army coming to set them free, the one who knows
the army is coming is trying to hinder its arrival. Now what happens if the
people of the city find out help is on the way. They would rise up in revolt
against the oppressive ruler and his spiritual henchmen, and start a migration
out of the city just like the exodus. But when people start to leave the city,
the oppressive ruler sends in spiritual beings working through people to attack
the ones leaving. The people could now either stay in the city, in misery, or
fight to leave. This is our call. We are not fighting people but spiritual
wickedness in high places. The Kingdom of Heaven is advancing, surrounded in
violence, but the violent ones, the ones willing to fight for it, take it.
If we understood the spiritual war around us, we would all
truly take sides. Some would take the side of satan, and some would take the
side of Elohim. Today, the believers in Christ have the Holy Spirit residing
within them so that we do not have to wait for a messenger to cross battle
lines when we need answers. The spiritual realm is in a violent battle and will
be until Jesus is crowned King; until that time we who have changed our
citizenship to the Kingdom of God are being attacked. Sometimes we are attacked
by people influenced by evil spiritual beings. What would happen if we teamed
up with the sons of God who fight for Elohim? What would the world look like if
we did what Paul suggested, putting on our armor and praying in the Spirit,
being alert to pray against the strategies of the devil? We are not alone in
our battle, there is a noisy, violent, confrontation going on all around us in
the heavens.
