The idea of submission doesn’t usually cross our mind when it comes to winning a battle. However it seems that there is something important for us to understand regarding submission to Yahweh. When we think of David, we recognize that he didn’t accept defeat. He fought hard against all the mixed tribes of the evil heirs of the Nephilim. David had a few tricks up his sleeve when he fought, but he had one overwhelming secret that made him successful. We have a war to win. We fight for the faith every day. The ideas of freedom, the sanctity of life and morality are Christian ideas. The sharing of faith, the heart of love, and charity for the poor, are also Christian ideas. We have an enemy who is an anti, or an opposite. Everything that Yahweh instituted, the enemy pushes the opposite. We have the power and authority to trample on demons and the devil, as well as snakes and scorpions. We see that our lives are contending for the prize of eternity. We fight as if we are in a beautiful contest. Also, we pray as if we are in a contest.
1 Peter 5:8 G3525 Be sober! G1127 Be vigilant! G3588 G476 Your opponent G1473 G1228 the devil G5613 [2as G3023 4lion G5612 3a roaring G4043 1walks] G2212 seeking G5100 whom G2666 he should swallow down.
476 LSJ Gloss:ἀντίδικος an opponent in a suit, defendant
Dodson:ἀντίδικος an opponent, adversary an opponent (at law), an adversary.
Thayer:
1) opponent
1a) an opponent in a suit of law
1b) an adversary, enemy
ἀντίδικος
antidikos an-tid'-ee-kos From G473 and G1349; an opponent (in a lawsuit); specifically Satan (as the arch enemy) KJV Usage: adversary.
473 LSJ Gloss:ἀντί over against, opposite. c. gen.
ἀντί
anti an-tee' A primary particle; opposite, that is, instead or because of (rarely in addition to) KJV Usage: for, in the room of. Often used in composition to denote contrast, requital, substitution, correspondence, etc.
1349 LSJ Gloss:δίκη custom, usage
δίκη
dikē dee'-kay Probably from G1166; right (as self evident), that is, justice (the principle, a decision, or its execution) KJV Usage: judgment, punish, vengeance.
“Drink no wine, keep awake; your opponent, diabolos, walk about roaring
like as lion searching for any one swallow.”
Diablos is searching to swallow people. He is an antidikos, an opponent. The idea here in this compound word is that he is anti or opposite of customs, justice, and what is right. This then makes it clear what our opponent is doing, he is pushing the opposite of everything that Yahweh implemented. Yahweh’s commands for our dispensation are to love Yahweh Elohim with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourself. Diablos pushes the opposite, which is to love ourselves above all others, to not love the Elohim, and to love diabolos instead.
Deu 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
Mar 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
Mar 12:31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
The devil is an opposer, or an opponent. He pushes for the opposite. He was created to do this; he was created to sport with the angels. He was created to prick and to goad, and to infiltrate others. What is interesting is the realization that the devil’s main purpose was to oppose or bring the opposite to the sons of God so that they could choose. It shows how much Yahweh loves us to allow us to decide for ourselves. Yahweh is not possessive and controlling, he gives us freedom to search Him out.
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2019/01/sporting-with-devil-not-victims-but.html
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2019/02/opposites-matrix-standing-in-gap.html
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2019/07/unsuccessful-testing-trials-sport.html
Job 41:24 (Brenton) There is nothing upon the earth like to him, formed to be sported with by my angels.
Job 41:33 There is not G3756 G1510.2.3 anything G3762 upon G1909 the G3588 earth G1093 likened G3664 to him, G1473 being made, G4160 to be mocked at G1460.1 by G5259 G3588 my angels. G32 G1473
The idea of being sported with or mocked is to be pricked or goaded. The devil himself wants to indwell us, but we resist. He pricks and goads, but we mock him. We are living in a chess game, our opponent knows the moves, we have to learn to compete. Then we keep playing until we finish.
Job 40:14 (Brenton) This is the chief of the creation of the Lord; made to be played with by his angels.
Job 40:19 This is G5123 the beginning G746 of the thing shaped G4110 by the LORD; G2962 being made G4160 to be mocked G1460.1 by G5259 G3588 his angels. G32 G1473
Again, the angels mock the devil, and so can we. This is how we oppose him. Stand against the pricking and the goading. Stand against the one who wants to get under our skin. Push back and say, “not today, and tomorrow isn’t looking good either”
1 Peter 5:9 G3739 To whom G436 oppose G4731 solid G3588 in the G4102 belief! G1492 knowing G3588 the G1473 same G3588 G3804 sufferings G3588 to the one G1722 in G2889 the world G1473 [2by your G81 3brotherhood G2005 1are being completed].
436 LSJ Gloss:ἀνθίστημι to set against
Dodson:ἀνθίστημι I take a stand against, oppose, resist I set against; I withstand, resist, oppose.
Thayer:
1) to set one's self against, to withstand, resist, oppose
2) to set against
ἀνθίστημι
anthistēmi anth-is'-tay-mee From G473 and G2476; to stand against, that is, oppose KJV Usage: resist, withstand.
“That take a stand against steadfast the faith seeing your calamity the in cosmos, your brotherhood undergo.”
We are to stand against, or oppose what? Oppose diablos, the anti-justice opponent, antidikos. The word anthistēmi is a compound word using anti and histēmi, “stand”. We are to take an anti-stand against the anti-right.
Even today we see pastors trying to play the middle. They try to smooth over situations rather than take a stand against injustice, or anti-justice. We have seen pastors taking a middle road regarding stealing. We see pastors taking a middle road regarding sacrificial killing. We see pastors taking a middle road regarding destroying. We know that these people are hirelings. Instead of standing against injustice, they fear the loss of half their congregation. Instead of being spineless, Peter says to oppose the opponent. Fight to win.
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2020/11/learn-to-hear-hired-servants-thief.html
Here is how we oppose the opponent. If the next city over was like Sodom, where they had unjust judges, mass rape, murder, drugs, and wife swapping parties, then we oppose or speak against these practices. We organize people to reach out to those in that city, and share the Love of God with them. We do not make friends with them and preach on compromising our morality to be nice to the city of Sodom. We speak against abortion and idolatry, and explain eternity. If we take the middle of the road, we are consenting to their anti-right behavior. We may not be able to oppose all people, such as a communist takeover, but we can oppose as much as we can while we still have breath.
Another example that we can look at is Christians in China. Because the government runs all religion, people are only allowed to attend government approved churches. Those churches have changed the gospel message. Instead of the ten commandments they now have the ten sayings of Xi. They are not allowed to meet in homes for Bible study either. Because the Christians are healthier than the average population, they are also first on China’s forced organ harvesting program. We have many pastors who would still take the middle of the road and allow the government to dictate what can be spoken from the pulpit. Yet we can stand against this, we can oppose government intervention in religion. We can oppose the devil trying to hide the word of God from us.
It is rather embarrassing to see just how many hirelings we have hired without realizing it. Those taking the middle road on abortion or issues of heaven and hell are not helping anyone into heaven. James gives us another clue. Submission.
James 4:7 G5293 Be submitted G3767 then G3588 G2316 to God! G436 Oppose G3588 the G1228 devil, G2532 and G5343 he will flee G575 from G1473 you!
5293 LSJ Gloss:ὑποτάσσω to place
Dodson:ὑποτάσσω I place under, subject to I place under, subject to; mid, pass: I submit, put myself into subjection.
Thayer:
1) to arrange under, to subordinate
2) to subject, put in subjection
3) to subject one's self, obey
4) to submit to one's control
5) to yield to one's admonition or advice
6) to obey, be subject
ὑποτάσσω
hupotassō hoop-ot-as'-so From G5259 and G5021; to subordinate; reflexively to obey
KJV Usage: be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be, make) subject (to, unto), be (put) in subjection (to, under), submit self unto.
“At all events subordinate the Elohim, take a stand against diabolos and take flight away from you.”
We are to submit or under arrange ourselves to the Elohim. No matter what is going on, we are to put ourselves underneath the Elohim or find out what the Elohim wants us to do instead of doing what we want to do. We have to understand that the devil will use people to distract us from putting ourselves under the Elohim, but if we will submit ourselves then the devil will have no place to attack us.
We are to stand against diabolos. If we stand against him then he will leave us for a while; not necessarily forever, but for a time. Therefore we are to oppose the devil. Notice this song that David wrote. David explains this concept and gives us the key that we need. We are to chain ourselves to Yahweh.
Psalms 91:0 G136 A praise G5603 of an ode G3588 to G* David.
This is a song of praise from David.
Psalms 91:1 G3588 The G2730 one dwelling G1722 in G996 the help G3588 of the G5310 highest, G1722 [2in G4629.2 3 the protection G3588 4of the G2316 5God G3588 6of the G3772 7of heaven G835 1shall lodge].
The person who dwells in the aid or help of the Supreme God will spend the night in the courtyard, in the covering of the Elohim of Heaven. The word help is the word boētheia meaning “aid” or “a rope or a chain” for frapping a vessel. The boētheia is the rope or chain, the thing that helps. All of us truly want to be chained to the Supreme God. It comes from the word boēthos meaning “someone to call on from God”. Eve is called a boēthos.
The picture that David is painting here is that people can be living in the courts of the Elohim, moored and covered. There is walled protection in the courts of Yahweh. Who would come to attack us if we are in the courts of Yahweh and are chained to him?
Psalms 91:2 G2046 He shall say G3588 to the G2962 lord, G483.1 [2shielder G1473 1You are my], G1510.2.2 G2532 and G2707.1 my refuge; G1473 G3588 G2316 my God, G1473 G2532 and G1679 I will hope G1909 upon G1473 him.
The moored and covered person calls Yahweh his perceiver and a downward escape. He sees us and he provides a refuge from heaven. It is a downward, from heaven to earth, refuge. The refuge does not come from us or our abilities, it comes from Yahweh. We hope on our Elohim.
Psalms 91:3 G3754 For G1473 he G4506 shall rescue G1473 you G1537 from out of G3803 the snare G2339.2 of hunters, G575 from G3056 [2matter G5017.1 1a disturbing].
He delivers us out from the trap of the predators and from out of turbulent logos. The predators set traps, they could use turbulent words. This could be yelling, spiritual curses, or it could be manipulative words. The words are a trap. Robo-calls are a trap. Physical mail telling us that our car’s extended warranty is expiring is a trap. They are hunting for us all the time.
Psalms 91:4 G1722 With G3588 G3346.1 his upper back G1473 G1982 he shall overshadow G1473 you, G2532 and G5259 under G3588 G4420 his wings G1473 G1679 you shall hope. G3696 [3 with the shield G2944 1He shall encircle G1473 2you] G3588 G225 of his truth. G1473
David gives us the picture that Yahweh bends over us and spreads out his wings around us; this is our hope. He surrounds us with a shield of truth.
Psalms 91:5 G3756 You shall not G5399 be afraid G575 from G5401 fear G3563.1 by night, G575 nor from G956 an arrow G4072 flying G2250 by day,
We shouldn’t be terrified with fear at night or from weapons flying in the day. Think of David, how courageous he always was. He was the first to fight. It is amazing that he fought as long and as hard as he did. He defeated the enemy. He saved Israel.
Psalms 91:6 G575 nor from G4229 a thing G1722 [2in G4655 3darkness G1279 1going], G575 nor from G4850.4 an adverse incident, G2532 and G1140 the demon G3314.1 at midday.
We shouldn’t be afraid of deeds passing in darkness or of symptoms of demons during the day. Whoever wants to do evil against us will not prosper. Even demons who try to attack us will not prosper.
Psalms 91:7 G4098 [2shall fall G1537 3at G3588 G2827.1 4your side G1473 G5505 1A thousand], G2532 and G3461 myriads G1537 at G1188 your right hand; G1473 G4314 [3unto G1473 4you G1161 1but G3756 2it shall not approach]. G1448
One thousand enemies will fall at our side and ten thousand at our right, and enemies will not come near us.
Psalms 91:8 G4133 Only G3588 with G3788 your eyes G1473 G2657 you shall contemplate; G2532 and G469 [2 the recompense G268 3of sinners G3708 1you shall see].
With our eyes we understand and see the reward of the sinful. We will see their defeat.
Psalms 91:9 G3754 For G1473 you, G2962 O lord, G3588 the one G1680 of my hope; G1473 G3588 [2the G5310 3highest G5087 1you made] G2707.1 your refuge. G1473
Yahweh is our hope and we are to make the Supreme God our downward escape. Chaining ourselves to Him does’t sound like a bad idea.
Psalms 91:10 G3756 There shall not G4334 come near G4314 to G1473 you G2556 bad things; G2532 and G3148 the whip G3756 shall not G1448 approach G1722 in G3588 G4638 your tent. G1473
Evil won’t come near us and we will not be whipped in our dwelling. The idea of being whipped in our home really is speaking of anyone who would want to harm us in our home.
Psalms 91:11 G3754 For G3588 to G32 his angels G1473 G1781 he gives charge G4012 concerning G1473 you, G3588 G1314 to guard G1473 you G1722 in G3956 all G3588 G3598 your ways. G1473
Yahweh gives orders to his angels about us, to watch us, guard us and protect us in all our journeys. This is an advantage to our submission and chaining ourselves to Him.
Psalms 91:12 G1909 By G5495 hands G142 they will lift G1473 you, G3379 lest at any time G4350 you should stumble G4314 [2against G3037 3a stone G3588 G4228 1your foot]. G1473
The angels will raise us up by our hands if at any time we stumble forward with our feet. Isn’t this why we will judge angels? They are suppose to help us if we are tied onto Yahweh.
Psalms 91:13 G1909 [2upon G785 3 the asp G2532 4and G937.1 5cobra G1910 1You shall set foot]; G2532 and G2662 you shall trample on G3023 the lion G2532 and G1404 dragon.
We can step on a snake or a demon, or trample lions or the dragon. This is how the angels are supposed to protect us. The word translated cobra is actually βασιλίσκον, meaning “demon”. The word dragon is drakōn, or “draco”, speaking specifically of the devil. Notice how David encompasses the physical, such as snakes and lions, and the spiritual, such as demons and the devil. Angels are supposed to be helping us step on and trample demons and the devil. This is how we resist. We do not necessarily resist alone, because we hope in Yahweh. If we are tied to Yahweh, and Yahweh’s angels are helping, isn’t it then possible to trample demons and the devil?
Psalms 91:14 G3754 For G1909 [2upon G1473 3me G1679 1he hoped], G2532 and G4506 I shall rescue G1473 him. G4628.1 I will shelter G1473 him, G3754 for G1097 he knew G3588 G3686 my name. G1473
Yahweh says that because we hope on him, then he will rescue us and cover us because we know His name. When we are in trouble we call to him. We know Yahweh. Buddha can’t rescue us, Mary can’t rescue us, and Zeus can’t rescue us. Only Yahweh can rescue and shelter us.
Psalms 91:15 G2896 He shall cry out G4314 to G1473 me, G2532 and G1873 I shall heed G1473 him. G3326 [2with G1473 3him G1510.2.1 1I am] G1722 in G2347 affliction. G1807 I will rescue G1473 him G2532 and G1392 glorify G1473 him.
When we cry out to Yahweh he hears us and he is with us in persecution. He will remove us from the persecution and esteem us. Again the context is being chained to Yahweh. Do not expect Yahweh to rescue us if we are not chained to him. He will let us do stupid things when we live apart from Him and he may not rescue us.
Psalms 91:16 G3117.1 [3with duration G2250 4of days G1705 1I will fill G1473 2him], G2532 and G1166 I will show G1473 to him G3588 G4992 my deliverance. G1473
Yahweh will fill up our length of days and show his defense. If we are connected to Him we will live a long life with his defenses around us. This is the benefit of verse one. We dwell in Him. When we do, then we can ask this:
Psa 35:1 A Psalm of David. Judge thou, O Lord, them that injure me, fight against them that fight against me.
As David just told us, we can trample demons and the devil. Ask for Yahweh to judge those who injure us. Ask Yahweh to fight against them. David didn’t retreat. David didn’t surrender to the Philistines. There were plenty of people who didn’t like David, but David didn’t bother with them. He battled because he had one goal, to save the nation of Israel. David threw off the Philistines who had been Israel’s oppressor since they entered the land. David finished what Joshua started. He fought the oppressors, it was a long game with many small battles. David set up the kingdom for Solomon.
Paul tells us that by using our armor we can oppose the enemy. We oppose him with the word of God and the sword of the Spirit. We oppose all spiritual beings this way.
Ephesians 6:12 G3754 For G3756 [3is not G1510.2.3 G1473 4to us G3588 1the G3823 2wrestling] G4314 against G129 blood G2532 and G4561 flesh, G235 but G4314 against G3588 the G746 sovereignties, G4314 against G3588 the G1849 authorities, G4314 against G3588 the G2888 world rulers G3588 of the G4655 darkness G3588 G165 of this eon, G3778 G4314 against G3588 the G4152 spirituals G3588 of the G4189 wickedness G1722 in G3588 the G2032 heavenlies.
“Because our wrestling is not towards blood and flesh however towards the rulers towards the authorities towards the world ruler the darkness this eon towards the non-carnal depravity in the above the sky.”
The satan is the kosmokratōr of the darkness of this age, the world ruler of darkness. He and the devil caused spiritual depravity in the heavens. There are dark spiritual rulers and dark spiritual authorities under the kosmokratōr. Our struggles are not against humans, even if humans are being used by the satan. Here is what we do.
Ephesians 6:13 G1223 On account of G3778 this G353 take up G3588 the G3833 full armor G3588 G2316 of God! G2443 that G1410 you should be able G436 to oppose G1722 in G3588 the G2250 [2day G3588 G4190 1wicked], G2532 and G537 all things G2716 being worked out, G2476 to stand
“Through this receive up the complete armor the Elohim in order that to be capable oppose in the evil wicked day and all accomplish stand.”
The complete armor helps us to oppose the evil wicked days and times. The complete armor helps us to stand. Solomon explains the armor from Yahweh.
Wis 5:15 But the righteous live for evermore; their reward also is with the Lord, and the care of them is with the most High.
Wis 5:16 Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the Lord's hand: for with his right hand shall he cover them, and with his arm shall he protect them.
Solomon is writing the same thing that David told us. Yahweh covers us and protects us. Yahweh’s jealousy is our complete armor. Creatures become a weapon for Yahweh’s revenge.
Wis 5:17 He shall take to him his jealousy for complete armour, and make the creature his weapon for the revenge of his enemies.
Wis 5:18 He shall put on righteousness as a breastplate, and true judgment instead of an helmet.
Wis 5:19 He shall take holiness for an invincible shield.
Holiness is an invincible shield. Holiness, or Living uprightly. We cannot be chained to Yahweh with sin.
Wis 5:20 His severe wrath shall he sharpen for a sword, and the world shall fight with him against the unwise.
Even the world will fight against the unwise, meaning the earth which is groaning and travailing will fight the enemy. We see this clearly in the seven trumpet judgments. Look what happens.
Wis 5:21 Then shall the right aiming thunderbolts go abroad; and from the clouds, as from a well drawn bow, shall they fly to the mark.
Wis 5:22 And hailstones full of wrath shall be cast as out of a stone bow, and the water of the sea shall rage against them, and the floods shall cruelly drown them.
Wis 5:23 Yea, a mighty wind shall stand up against them, and like a storm shall blow them away: thus iniquity shall lay waste the whole earth, and ill dealing shall overthrow the thrones of the mighty.
Sin is what caused the earth to fight against the unrighteous. The earth will fight back and the wicked will be terminated. We see this as a past, a present, and a future event.
Paul tells Timothy to fight the good fight of faith. Faith is moral conviction. Yahweh gave us guidelines for society. He also gave us guidelines for us to pursue after. Paul lists them for Timothy.
1 Timothy 6:11 G1473 But you, G1161 G3739 O G444 man G3588 G2316 of God, G3778 flee these things! G5343 G1377 And pursue G1161 G1343 righteousness, G2150 piety, G4102 belief, G26 love, G5281 endurance, G4236 gentleness!
Paul tells Timothy to run after:
Dikaiosunē “righteousness” or “justification”.
Eusebeia “piety” or “godliness”.
Pistis “moral conviction” “trust” “faith”
Agapē “love” “benevolence”
Hupomonē “cheerful endurance” “steadfastness”
Praotēs “gentleness” “humility”
1 Timothy 6:12 G75 Struggle G3588 the G2570 good G73 struggle G3588 of the G4102 belief! G1949 Take hold G3588 of the G166 eternal G2222 life! G1519 in G3739 which G2532 also G2564 you were called, G2532 and G3670 acknowledged G3588 the G2570 good G3671 acknowledgment offering G1799 before G4183 many G3144 witnesses.
75 LSJ Gloss:ἀγωνίζομαι to contend for a prize
Dodson:ἀγωνίζομαι I strive, contend I am struggling, striving (as in an athletic contest or warfare); I contend, as with an adversary.
Thayer:
1) to enter a contest: contend in the gymnastic games
2) to contend with adversaries, fight
3) metaph. to contend, struggle, with difficulties and dangers
4) to endeavour with strenuous zeal, strive: to obtain something
ἀγωνίζομαι
agōnizomai ag-o-nid'-zom-ahee From G73; to struggle, literally (to compete for a prize), figuratively (to contend with an adversary), or generally (to endeavor to accomplish something)
KJV Usage: fight, labor fervently, strive.
“Contend for the prize the beautiful contest the moral conviction seize the unending life into this called and speak together the beautiful profession before the face of many witnesses.”
Paul uses words to illustrate that we are in a competition. Sporting with the devil is a competition. Therefore, contend for the prize. We fight to the finish in this beautiful contest of moral conviction. When we run a marathon we don’t stop, we run until we reach the finish line. When we play chess or monopoly, we play until the end, we finish the game. That is the understanding that we need to have. We play until we are finished, we run until we are finished, we sport until we are finished. There is no stopping until we cross the finish line. We have to set our mind on the long game. Meaning, we don’t win a skirmish and then go home. We play though to the end.
Moral conviction, faith, is something we fight for. If we do not fight, then we will end up in living in Sodom. When we fight, we seize eternal life which is what all humans are called to, but not all choose. Then we are to speak together about our moral convictions in the face of many people.
Jesus told us the narrow gate is a contest as well.
Luke 13:24 G75 Struggle G1525 to enter G1223 through G3588 the G4728 narrow G4439 gate, G3754 for G4183 many, G3004 I say G1473 to you, G2212 will seek G1525 to enter, G2532 and G3756 will not G2480 be able.
The context is the kingdom of God. Many people will desire to enter the narrow gate and even search for it. They will try to enter into it, but will not prevail. Entering the kingdom of God is only via a narrow doorway and it is a contest. It is a competition to throw down the opponents and seek to find the way into the kingdom of heaven. The opponent is trying to block the way. Fight for the way into the kingdom.
Paul shows us a great example in Epaphras.
Colossians 4:12 G782 [2greets G1473 3you G* 1Epaphras], G3588 the one G1537 from G1473 you, G1401 a bondman G5547 of Christ, G3842 at all times G75 struggling G5228 for G1473 you G1722 in G3588 the G4335 prayers, G2443 that G2476 you should stand G5046 perfect, G2532 and G4137 being filled G1722 in G3956 every G2307 will G3588 G2316 of God.
Epaphras is a sold out servant of Christ who contends and strives like in a contest when he prays. He fights for others to stand in full completion, completely filled in every will of the Elohiim. We pray as if we are fighting to win against our opponent. Bland powerless prayers have no place here. Detailed emboldened prayers that demand our authority be carried out are prayers for the long game.
2 Timothy 4:7 G3588 The G73 [2struggle G3588 G2570 1good] G75 I have struggled; G3588 the G1408 race G5055 I have finished; G3588 the G4102 belief G5083 I have kept.
“The contest good contend for a prize the running accomplished the moral conviction guard”
Paul’s summary is wonderful. The contest is good. We contend for the prize. Paul’s running is accomplished. He has guarded his moral conviction. We run until there is no where else to run, but that infers the end of our life, not simply taking a break. Paul goes on to say that he has a crown waiting for him, just as Solomon told us in Wisdom 5:16.
Paul became a believer on the way to kill Christians in Damascus. Damascus was the place of the Damascus Community, people who were Nazarenes, Essenes, Therapeutaes, and prophets. This is the same order that Jesus and John the Baptist were from. Paul wanted to kill off the people who knew Jesus and believed that Jesus was Messiah. These were people who opposed the Pharisees in their present day. They left Jerusalem at the time when Jonathan Apphus (aka Maccabee) was appointed high priest, even though he did not have Aaronic lineage. On the way, Jesus stopped Paul. A prophet named Ananias prayed for Paul. Paul’s journey to fight the good fight started at that time. He thought he was fighting for the right thing before Jesus stopped him. Think about this. The people of Damascus heard Paul was coming to harm them. They chained themselves to Jesus, they prayed as if they were in a contest, and Paul didn’t harm anyone. Instead he became a Christian.
Jesus sent out the seventy disciples to preach the gospel of the kingdom to the cities that he was going to. Jesus tells them that he is sending them out as lambs among wolves. But when the seventy came back they were joyful and excited, not beaten or eaten.
Luke 10:17 G5290 [4returned G1161 1And G3588 2the G1440 3seventy] G3326 with G5479 joy, G3004 saying, G2962 O Lord, G2532 even G3588 the G1140 demons G5293 are submitted G1473 to us G1722 in G3588 G3686 your name. G1473
They were so excited that the demons were submitted to them via Jesus’ name. Imagine how much damage they did to the satan’s world. In fact, they did so much damage that the satan left the heavens (where he accuses us before the throne day and night) to organize his rulers.
Luke 10:18 G2036 And he said G1161 G1473 to them, G2334 I viewed G3588 G4567 Satan G5613 as G796 lightning G1537 [2from out of G3588 3the G3772 4heaven G4098 1falling].
The satan was not defeated, but his army was a mess. The demons and the fallen spiritual beings didn’t know what to do while the seventy were using Jesus’ name. The satan had to come back down to earth to fix the situation that his armies were in. Just by using Jesus’ name, the people were healed, the demons afflicting them were cast out, and the principalities lost their hold on the region. Jesus then says something fascinating.
Luke 10:19 G2400 Behold, G1325 I give G1473 to you G3588 the G1849 authority G3588 G3961 to tread G1883 upon G3789 serpents G2532 and G4651 scorpions, G2532 and G1909 upon G3956 all G3588 the G1411 power G3588 of the G2190 enemy; G2532 and G3762 nothing G1473 [3you G3766.2 1in any way G91 2shall injure].
“Look I give the exousia, authority, to trample upon the top serpents and scorpions and on all the dunamis, miraculous power, the hateful enemy and not even one no way do wrong you.”
Jesus now explains why the satan fell from heaven. The exousia and the dunamis that the people have been given wrecks the kingdom of the satan. The only people who had spiritual power before Jesus came were the prophets. At this point Jesus gave them this power to prepare for Jesus visiting the cities. Today, the Holy Spirit resides in us, and Christ is in us, which means we have the exousia and the dunamis, the authority and the miracle power, to trample snakes, scorpions, demons, and the dragon. We have everything we need. We can keep the satan on the run if we truly use our authority and power.
We are to oppose our opponent. We are to chain ourselves to Yahweh. We should ask for judgment against our opponent. We can ask Yahweh to fight against our opponent. We suit up in our armor. We enter the marathon. We run to find the narrow entrance to the kingdom. We pray like we are competing, bold authoritative prayers. We head toward the crown. We use our exousia and dunamis to trample the spiritual enemy along the way to the prize. We do not retreat. We do not surrender to our enemy.
