Why is there a military in heaven? Why is Yahweh over angel armies? Recently a former Director of National Intelligence commented on a news show that a report will be coming out shortly regarding sitings of objects seen by pilots and satellite imagery “that engage in actions that are difficult to explain, movements that are hard to replicate, that we do not have the technology for, traveling at speeds that exceed the sound barrier without a sonic boom.” He also stated “there are instances where we don’t have good explanations for some of the things that we have seen.” The news show host asked where things have been seen to which the former DNI stated “all over the world.” He also commented “it is not just a pilot, or just a satellite, or some intelligence collection, usually we have multiple sensors that are picking up these things and so again some of this is just unexplained phenomenon and there is quite a few more than has been made public.” In short, we are not alone. We can see that our technology on earth has reached a level that can detect and monitor things that we don’t understand. Fortunately, we have the answers in an ancient book. Yahweh is the Lord of Hosts, Yahweh Sabaōth. Hosts are stratia, military. We also find out that the hosts or stratia are innumerable.
The words translated “host” as in “Lord of Hosts” and “host of heaven”, are not the same word. Yahweh Sabaōth means “Yahweh of the armies”. Some translations record Yahweh as the “Elohim of the angel armies”. The armies themselves are stratia, or military.
Isaiah 54:5 G3754 For G2962 the lord, G3588 the one G4160 making G1473 you, G2962 the lord G4519 of Hosts G3686 is his name; G1473 G2532 and G3588 the one G4506 rescuing G1473 you, G1473 he is G3588 the G2316 God G* of Israel. G2316 [2God G3956 3of all G3588 4the G1093 5earth G2564 1He shall be called].
4519 LSJ Gloss:σαβαώθ hosts, armies
Dodson:σαβαώθ hosts, armies.
TBESG:σαβαώθ of Hosts
H:N
σαβαώθ indecl.,
[in LXX for צָבָא, chiefly in Isaiah (in other places, the phrase is also rendered by κύριος παντοκράτωρ, κ. τῶν δυνάμεων; see DB, iii, 137 f.) ;]
Sabaoth, i.e. hosts or armies (see DB, l.with): Rom.9:29 (LXX), Ja 54.†
(AS)
Thayer:
1) "Lord of Sabaoth"
1a) Lord of the armies of Israel, as those who are under the leadership and protection of Jehovah maintain his cause in war
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
Sabaoth
[ 1,,G4519, sabaoth ]
is the transliteration of a Hebrew word which denotes hosts" or "armies," Romans 9:29; James 5:4. While the word "hosts" probably had special reference to angels, the title "the Lord of hosts" became used to designate Him as the One who is supreme over all the innumerable hosts of spiritual agencies, or of what are described as "the armies of heaven." Eventually it was used as equivalent to "the Lord all-sovereign." In the prophetical books of the OT the Sept. sometimes has Kurios Sabaoth as the equivalent of "the LORD of hosts," sometimes Kurios Pantokrator, in Job, it uses Pantokrator to render the Hebrew Divine title Shadday (See ALMIGHTY).
σαβαώθ
sabaōth sab-ah-owth' Of Hebrew origin ([H6635] in feminine plural); armies; sabaoth (that is, tsebaoth), a military epithet of God KJV Usage: sabaoth.
H6635
צבאה צבא
tsâbâ' tsebâ'âh
tsaw-baw', tseb-aw-aw'
From H6633; a mass of persons (or figurative things), especially regularly organized for war (an army); by implication a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically hardship, worship)
KJV Usage: appointed time, (+) army, (+) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war (-fare).
Brown-Driver-Briggs' Hebrew Definitions
צבאה צבא
1. that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host
a. army, host
1. host (of organised army)
2. host (of angels)
3. of sun, moon, and stars
4. of whole creation
b. war, warfare, service, go out to war
c. service
Origin: from H6633
TWOT: 1865a,1865b
Parts of Speech: Noun Masculine
In this instance the Greek word was created from the Hebrew word. Tsâbâ in Hebrew became Sabaōth in Greek. The Greeks did not have a word for the “Lord of the armies of heaven” so they modified the Hebrew word. This was done in the temple of Nehemiah under the direction of the High Priest. The creation of this word from Hebrew to Greek is important. Notice what David said to Goliath.
1 Samuel 17:45 G2532 And G2036 David said G* G4314 to G3588 the G246 Philistine, G1473 You G2064 come G4314 to G1473 me G1722 with G4501 a broadsword, G2532 and G1722 with G1393.2 a spear, G2532 and G1722 with G785 a shield. G1473 But I G1161 G4198 come G4314 to G1473 you G1722 in G3686 the name G2962 of the lord G2316 God G4519 of hosts, G2316 the God G3904.3 of the battle array G* of Israel, G3739 whom G3679 you berate G4594 today
David invoked the name “Yahweh Elohim Sabaōth, Lord God of the angel armies”. Isaiah used the title “Yahweh Sabaōth” more than anyone which tells us that he understood the military of heaven.
Zephaniah lived during the time of Josiah and was a descendant of Hezekiah. He has a sharp rebuke for Judah. It seems that Judah had begun doing what the northern kingdom had done, which was worshipping the host of heaven.
Zephaniah 1:5 G2532 even G3588 the ones G4352 doing obeisance G1909 upon G3588 the G1430 roofs G3588 to the G4756 military G3588 of the G3772 heaven, G2532 and G3588 the ones G4352 doing obeisance G2532 and G3588 the ones G3660 swearing by an oath G2596 also according to G3588 the G2962 lord; G2532 and G3588 the ones G3660 swearing an oath G2596 according to G3588 G935 their king; G1473
4756 Dodson:στρατιά an army, host of angels
an army; met: a host of angels, the hosts of heaven (i.e. the stars).
Strong’s:στρατιά from the base of G4766, as encamped); camp-likeness, i.e. an army, i.e. (figuratively) the angels, the celestial luminaries
Derivation: feminine of a derivative of στρατός (an army;
KJV Usage: host.
TBESG:στρατιά army
G:N-F
στρατιά, -ᾶς, ἡ
[in LXX chiefly for צָבָא ;]
__1. = στρατός, an army, a host: of angels (
Refs3Ki.22:19, al.), Luk.2:13; of the stars of heaven (
RefsJer.8:2, 2Ch.33:3), Act.7:42.
__2. As sometimes in cl. (poët.), = στρατεία: 2Co.10:4, T (WH, RV, στρατεία).†
(AS)
Thayer:
1) an army, band of soldiers
2) in the NT, the hosts of heaven
2a) troops of angels
2b) the heavenly bodies, stars of heaven (so called on account of their number and their order)
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
Host (of angels, etc.)
[ 1,,G4756, stratia ]
an army," is used of angels, Luke 2:13; of stars, Acts 7:42; some mss. have it instead of strateia, in 2 Corinthians 10:4 ("warfare"). Cp. strateuma, "an army."
Warfare
[ 1,,G4756, strateia[-tia] ]
primarily a host or army," came to denote "a warfare," and is used of spritual "conflict" in 2 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Timothy 1:18.
στρατία
stratia strat-ee'-ah Feminine of a derivative of στρατός stratos (an army; from the base of G4766, as encamped); camp likeness, that is, an army, that is, (figuratively) the angels, the celestial luminaries KJV Usage: host.
Stratia is a Greek feminine noun. It does not mean that the gender of the host are feminine, it denotes that there are others over these stratia. Stratēgos (G-N-M) are the captains or commanders over the stratia. A similar hierarchy as to when we studied archōn and archē.
The celestial luminaries are the heavenly military or the military host. Some translations use the word luminaries instead of lights. Angels are also known as stars. We have previously studied that the stars bow and prostrate before Yahweh. Enoch helps us here.
The Secrets of Enoch.
XX. Name and Functions of the Seven Archangels.
XX:1 And these are the names of the holy angels who watch. 2. Uriel, one of the holy angels, who is over the world and over Tartarus. 3. Raphael, one of the holy angels, who is over the spirits of men. 4. Raguel, one of the holy angels who †takes vengeance on† the world of the luminaries. 5. Michael, one of the holy angels, to wit, he that is set over the best part of mankind ⌈⌈and⌉⌉ over chaos. 6. Saraqâêl, one of the holy angels, who is set over the spirits, who sin in the spirit. 7. Gabriel, one of the holy angels, who is over Paradise and the serpents and the Cherubim. 8. Remiel, one of the holy angels, whom God set over those who rise.
One of the archangels, Raguel, is the one who takes vengeance on the world of the luminaries. At the time of Enoch’s writing, Raguel is waging vengeance against the fallen angel armies. Michael is over Israel. Gabriel spoke to Daniel. Uriel is over the world and the deepest hell, tartarus. We see that the stratia are the luminaries who are not the highest, but the ones who encamp; while the archaggelos, archangels, are over them, specifically Raguel.
Israel fell into worshipping the stratia, the military of heaven, as Zephaniah told us. One prophet, Micaiah, saw the military of heaven. Ahab was king over the northern tribes and Jehoshaphat was king over Judah. Ramoth Gilead had been taken by Ben-hadad of Syria and Ahab wanted it back so he called on Jehoshaphat for help. Jehoshaphat asked Ahab to enquire with the Lord. Ahab called 400 prophets who all said to “go to battle”. Jehoshaphat asked if there was a prophet from the Yahweh that they could ask, but Ahab didn’t like Micaiah. First Micaiah says to go into battle, go and prosper. Yahweh wanted Ahab to go into battle, and not because he would win, but because he would die. Yahweh sent a lying spirit to the mouths of the prophets.
1 Kings 22:19 G2532 And G2036 Micaiah said, G* G1223 On account of this G3778 G191 hear G3588 the G3056 word G2962 of the lord! G1492 I saw G2962 the lord G2316 God G* of Israel G2521 sitting G1909 upon G2362 his throne, G1473 G2532 and G3956 all G3588 the G4756 military G3588 of the G3772 heaven G2476 standing G4012 about G1473 him G1537 at G1188 his right, G1473 G2532 and G1537 at G710 his left. G1473
Micaiah was put in prison, but he was correct. He saw Yahweh Elohim sitting on a throne with the military of heaven standing around him. Chronicles records this with one changed word. Instead of military of heaven Chronicles says force, or dunamis of heaven.
2 Chronicles 18:18 G2532 And G2036 Michaiah said, G* G3756 It is not G3779 so. G191 Hear G3056 the word G2962 of the lord! G1492 I beheld G3588 the G2962 lord G2521 sitting G1909 upon G2362 his throne, G1473 G2532 and G3956 all G1411 the force G3588 of the G3772 heaven G3936 stood beside G1537 at G1188 his right G1473 G2532 and G1537 at G710 his left
We will see this word dunamis used once in a while for the word stratia. This tells us that some people saw the military of heaven as the “dunamis of heaven”, or the “forces of heaven”. They are similar in meaning, but stratia denotes military while dunamis denotes the type of power.
When Israel (the ten northern tribes) went into captivity under king Hoshea, they had built high places, made images in groves, burnt incense, and served idols. But they refused to listen to Yahweh and the prophets that he sent. They rejected everything that Yahweh had told them. They were also worshipping the military of heaven.
2 Kings 17:16 G2532 And G1459 they abandoned G3588 the G1785 commandments G2962 of the lord G2316 their God, G1473 G2532 and G4160 they made G1438 for themselves G5560.8 molten castings G1417 of two G1151 heifers, G2532 and G4160 they made G251.1 a sacred grove, G2532 and G4352 did obeisance to G3956 all G3588 the G4756 military G3588 of the G3772 heaven, G2532 and G3000 they served G3588 to G* Baal.
17 G2532 And G1236 they led G3588 G5207 their sons G1473 G2532 and G3588 G2364 their daughters G1473 G1722 through G4442 fire. G2532 And G3132 they used oracles G3131.1 of divinations, G2532 and G3634.3 they foretold. G2532 And G4097 they were sold G3588 G4160 to do G3588 the G4190 wicked thing G1722 in G3788 the eyes G2962 of the lord, G3588 G3949 to provoke him to anger. G1473
Isaiah lived during the reign of Hezekiah and we see him use this idea when prophesying about the judgment of the nations on the Day of Yahweh.
Isaiah 34:4 G2532 And G5080 [6shall melt away G3956 1all G3588 2the G1411 3powers G3588 4of the G3772 5heavens]. G2532 And G1667 [3shall coil up G3588 1the G3772 2heaven] G5613 as G975 a scroll, G2532 and G3956 all G3588 the G798 stars G4098 shall fall G5613 as G5444 leaves G1537 fall from G288 a grapevine, G2532 and G5613 as G4098 [2fall G5444 1leaves] G575 from G4808 a fig-tree.
All the powers or forces of heaven will melt away and the stars will prostrate before Yahweh. John told us the same thing in the Book of Revelation, and Jesus was recorded in the Gospels as saying the same. While the angels may be warring amongst themselves today, in the future they all will bow when Jesus comes.
When Manasseh became king in Judah he participated in and encouraged others to do the same things that the northern kingdom did, which was to worship the military of heaven.
2 Kings 21:3 G2532 And G1994 he returned G2532 and G3618 built G3588 the G5308 high places G3739 which G2686.2 [3tore down G* 1Hezekiah G3588 G3962 2his father]. G1473 G2532 And G450 he reestablished G2379 an altar G3588 G* to Baal, G2532 and G4160 made G3588 the G251.1 sacred groves G2531 as G4160 did G* Ahab G935 king G* of Israel; G2532 and G4352 did obeisance to G3956 all G3588 the G4756 military G3588 of the G3772 heaven, G2532 and G1398 he served G1473 to them.
4 G2532 And G3618 he built G2379 an altar G1722 in G3624 the house G2962 of the lord, G1722 in G3779 which G2036 he said, G1722 In G* Jerusalem G5087 I will establish G3588 G3686 my name. G1473
5 G2532 And G3618 he built G2379 altars G3956 to all G3588 the G4756 military G3588 of the G3772 heaven G1722 in G3588 the G1417 two G833 courtyards G3624 of the house G2962 of the lord .
Manasseh not only worshipped the military of heaven, he made altars to the stratia of heaven. When Josiah came along he tore down and incinerated the altars of the host of heaven.
2 Kings 23:4 G2532 And G1781 [3gave charge G3588 1the G935 2king] G3588 to G* Hilkiah G3588 the G2409 [2priest G3588 G3173 1great], G2532 and G3588 to the G2409 priests G3588 G1206.1 being second, G2532 and G3588 to the ones G5442 guarding G3588 the G4712.4 doorpost, G3588 G1806 to bring out G1537 from G3588 the G3485 temple G2962 of the lord G3956 all G3588 the G4632 items G3739 which G4160 they made G3588 to G* Baal, G2532 and G3588 to the G251.1 sacred grove, G2532 and G3956 all G3588 the G4756 military G3588 of the G3772 heaven. G2532 And G2618 he incinerated G1473 them G1854 outside G* Jerusalem G1722 in G4523.1 the plain G* of Kidron, G2532 and G2983 he took G3588 G5522 their dust G1473 G1519 into G* Beth-el.
5 G2532 And G2618 he incinerated G3588 the G5560.2 idolatrous priests, G3739 of whom G2525 [4appointed G3588 1the G935 2kings G* 3of Judah] G3588 G2370 to burn incense G1722 in G3588 the G5308 high places, G2532 and G1722 in G3588 the G4172 cities G* of Judah, G2532 and G3588 in the G4033.1 surroundings G* of Jerusalem, G2532 and G3588 the ones G2370 burning incense G3588 G* to Baal, G2532 and G3588 to the G2246 sun, G2532 and G3588 to the G4582 moon, G2532 and G3588 to the G3099.2 Mazuroth, G2532 and G3956 to all G3588 the G4756 military G3588 of the G3772 heaven.
Josiah incinerated the altars made to the military of heaven and he incinerated the priests who worshipped these things. This is the only way to turn the nation around. This idolatry kills nations.
Just before the last captivity of Judah, Jeremiah warned the people to turn back to Yahweh. He tells us what they were doing in Judah in the streets of Jerusalem.
Jeremiah 7:18 G3588 G5207 Their sons G1473 G4816 collect together G3586 wood, G2532 and G3588 G3962 their fathers G1473 G2545 kindle G4442 a fire, G2532 and G3588 G1135 their women G1473 G5147.1 knead G4712.5 dough G3588 G4160 to make G5490.1 cakes G3588 to the G4756 military G3588 of the G3772 heaven; G2532 and G4689 they offered G4700.2 libations G2316 to strange gods, G245 G2443 that G3949 they should provoke me to anger. G1473
The progression here is that first the people of Israel worshipped the military of heaven, then they made altars for the military of heaven. Now they are baking cakes to the military of heaven. We see Judah has fallen so far that they loved the military of heaven. This is Judah’s punishment.
Jeremiah 8:1 G1722 In G3588 G2540 that time, G1565 G3004 says G2962 the lord, G1627 They shall bring forth G3588 the G3747 bones G3588 of the G935 kings G* of Judah, G2532 and G3588 the G3747 bones G3588 G758 of its rulers, G1473 G2532 and G3588 the G3747 bones G3588 of the G2409 priests, G2532 and G3588 the G3747 bones G3588 G4396 of their prophets, G1473 G2532 and G3588 the G3747 bones G3588 of the ones G2730 dwelling G1722 in G* Jerusalem, G1537 from out of G3588 G5028 their burying-places. G1473
2 G2532 And G5594 they shall freshen G1473 them G4314 to G3588 the G2246 sun, G2532 and G4314 to G3588 the G4582 moon, G2532 and G4314 to G3956 all G3588 the G792 stars, G2532 and G4314 to G3956 all G3588 the G4756 military G3588 of the G3772 heaven, G3739 which G25 they loved, G2532 and G3739 which G1398 they served, G2532 and G3739 whom G4198 they went G3694 after G1473 them, G2532 and G3739 whom G472 they held to, G2532 and G3739 to whom G4352 they did obeisance to G1473 them. G3756 They shall not be lamented, G2875 G2532 and G3756 they shall not G2290 be entombed. G2532 And G1510.8.6 they will be G1519 for G3855.2 an example G1909 on G4383 the face G3588 of the G1093 earth.
I can imagine that King David would be quite angry with the direction that Judah had gone. Yahweh tells Jeremiah what he is going to do because Jerusalem had forsaken Yahweh and defiled the nations.
Jeremiah 19:13 G2532 And G3588 the G3624 houses G* of Jerusalem, G2532 and G3588 the G3624 houses G935 of the kings G* of Judah G1510.8.6 will be G2531 as G3588 G5117 a place G3588 G1276.3 having fallen into ruin G575 because of G3588 the G167 uncleannesses G1722 in G3956 all G3588 the G3614 houses G1722 in G3739 which G2370 they burned incense G1909 upon G3588 the G1430 roofs G3956 to all G3588 the G4756 military G3588 of the G3772 heaven, G2532 and G4689 offered G4700.2 libations G2316 to strange gods. G245
Yahweh tells Jeremiah that because of David and his promise to David, that his covenant would not be broken. Then Yahweh gives us some additional insight when he says that the military of heaven cannot be numbered.
Jeremiah 33:22 G5618 As if G3756 [4shall not be counted G705 G3588 1the G4756 2military G3588 G3772 3of heaven], G2532 and G3756 [5shall not be measured G3354 G3588 1the G285 2sand G3588 3of the G2281 4sea], G3779 thus G4129 I shall multiply G3588 the G4690 seed G3588 G* of David G3588 G1149.1 my firebrand, G1473 G2532 and G3588 of the G* Levites G3588 G3011 of my ministration. G1473
“Just as the stratia of heaven not counted…”
Now we know that the numbers of the military in heaven cannot be counted. It seems interesting that in our time we have almost no clue that there are military in heaven and what they are doing. What we know is that there are military, so there must be fighting. The archōn of Persia hindered someone that looked like the son of man, and Michael was called on to take over. There are archōn and stratia or luminaries. We are told that we battle against the archē. We are also told that if the archōn had known the things that are now revealed, then they would have never crucified Jesus our Messiah. However, it also seems that battalions or regiments show up here on the earth. It is possible that we do not see them, but it seems that the military of heaven showed up on the earth for Elisha. Elisha seems to have known who was with him.
The Syrian army led by Ben-hadad found out that Elisha had been receiving revelation as to where the Syrian army was moving to and sending that revelation to the king Joram of Israel. The king of Syria sent a regiment of his military force to kidnap Elisha. When Elisha’s servant woke up and saw the city surrounded he was afraid.
2 Kings 6:15 G2532 And G3719 [7early G3588 1the G3011 2minister G3588 3of the G444 4man G3588 G2316 5of God G450 6rose up], G2532 and G1831 went forth. G2532 And G2400 behold, G1411 the force G2944 was encircling G3588 the G4172 city, G2532 and G2462 with horses G2532 and G716 chariots. G2532 And G2036 [2said G3588 G3808 1his servant] G1473 G4314 to G1473 him, G5599 O G2962 master, G5100 what G4160 shall we do?
16 G2532 And G2036 Elisha said, G* G3361 Do not G5399 fear, G3754 for G4183 many G3588 are the ones G3326 with G1473 us G5228 over G3588 the ones G3326 with G1473 them.
“And spoke Elisha ‘Not fear because many among us above among them’”
What Elisha’s servant didn’t see was an army that was with Elisha. That seems odd as we have been studying heavenly warfare but now we see the heavenly army on horses and a vehicle of fire surrounding Elisha.
2 Kings 6:17 G2532 And G4336 Elisha prayed, G* G2532 and G2036 said, G2962 O lord, G455 open G3588 G3788 his eyes, G1473 G2532 and G1492 let him see! G2532 And G1272 the lord opened wide G2962 G3588 the G3788 eyes G3588 of the G3808 young man, G2532 and G1492 he saw. G2532 And G2400 behold, G3588 the G3735 mountain G4134 was full G2462 of horses, G2532 and G716 a chariot G4442 of fire G4033.1 surrounding G* Elisha.
The word for mountain here is oros meaning “to rise” or “rear”, which can mean the hindmost part of an army. The rear was abounding in horses and a vehicle of fire surrounding Elisha. What the servant saw was the end part of the army, or the backs of the army that were encircling Elisha. Elisha was talking face to face with his servant, and when Elisha prayed, the servant saw Elisha surrounded by an army with horses and a vehicle of fire. Elisha knew that there was a military force surrounding him. Elisha then prayed for that regiment of the Syrian army to be blinded and Elisha led them to king Joram in Samaria. Elisha was involved again with the armies of heaven on the earth a short time later when Ben-hadad brought his whole army to surround Samaria.
There were four men with leprosy outside the city of Samaria. Ben-hadad’s military was surrounding Samaria and causing a famine inside the city. Elisha prophesied that there would be food and so then one of Joram’s governors mocked him. Meanwhile the four men with leprosy decided that they might as well see if they can get some food from the Syrians. They determined that they might be captured, but at least they had a chance of not starving. They found that when they went into the outer camp of the Syrian military, all of the tents were deserted.
2 Kings 7:6 G2532 For G2962 the lord G190.8 [2audible G4160 1made] G3925 in the camp G* of Syria G5456 a sound G716 of chariots, G2532 and G5456 a sound G2462 of horses, G2532 and G5456 a sound G1411 [2force G3173 1of a great]. G2532 And G2036 [2said G435 1 each man] G4314 to G3588 G4139 his neighbor, G1473 G2400 Behold, G3409 [4has hired G1909 5against G1473 6us G3588 1the G935 2king G* 3of Israel] G3588 the G935 kings G3588 of the G* Hittites, G2532 and G3588 the G935 kings G* of Egypt, G3588 G2064 to come G1909 against G1473 us.
7 G2532 And G450 they rose up, G2532 and G590.2 ran away G1722 in G3588 the G4655 darkness. G2532 And G1459 they abandoned G3588 G4633 their tents, G1473 G2532 and G3588 G2462 their horses, G1473 G2532 and G3588 G3688 their donkeys, G1473 G5613 as G1510.7.6 was G1722 in G3588 the G3925 camp; G2532 and G5343 they fled G2596 for G3588 G5590 their lives.
The Syrian army thought that Israel had hired the Hittites and the Egyptians to fight for them because they heard the sound of horses and the sound of a mega-dunamis, a great force or host. This is why the Syrian army ran away in the middle of the night. The sound of the host was not from an earthly place, it was the sound of the host of heaven. The host that had been surrounding Elisha was still surrounding him when Joram’s governor threatened Elisha. When this governor mocked Elisha’s prophecy, Elisha also prophesied that the governor would not see the food, and he didn’t, instead he was trampled by hungry people. Israel then spoiled the tents of the Syrian military and Elisha’s prophecy was correct.
I’m pretty sure that if there were any true prophets putting themselves on the front lines of saving their nation for Yahweh that the military of heaven would respond. Elisha stood strong in a nation that was worshipping the host of heaven. It seems that the people saw the power of the heavenly military and decided they should worship them instead of the Yahweh Sabaōth, the Lord of the angel armies. But Stephen recounts that they were worshipping the military of heaven as they wandered for forty years in the wilderness.
Acts 7:42 G4762 [3turned G1161 1And G3588 G2316 2God] G2532 and G3860 delivered them up G1473 G3000 to serve G3588 the G4756 military G3588 of the G3772 heaven; G2531 as G1125 it has been written G1722 in G976 the book G3588 of the G4396 prophets, G3361 Did you not G4968 [3victims for slaughter G2532 4and G2378 5sacrifices G4374 1offer G1473 2to me] G2094 [2years G5062 1 for forty] G1722 in G3588 the G2048 wilderness, G3624 O house G* of Israel?
It seems that the people wandering in the desert for forty years should not have been worshipping the military of heaven, but they were. It was a known understanding in their time that there were armies and battles going on in the heavens. This is why.
Secrets of Enoch XXXI.
ADAM has life on earth, and I created a garden in Eden in the east, that he should observe the testament and keep the command.
2 I made the heavens open to him, that he should see the angels singing the song of victory, and the gloomless light.
3 And he was continuously in paradise, and the devil understood that I wanted to create another world, because Adam was lord on earth, to rule and control it.
4 The devil is the evil spirit of the lower places, as a fugitive he made Sotona from the heavens as his name was Satanail, thus he became different from the angels, but his nature did not change his intelligence as far as his understanding of righteous and sinful things.
5 And he understood his condemnation and the sin which he had sinned before, therefore he conceived thought against Adam, in such form he entered and seduced Eva, but did not touch Adam.
6 But I cursed ignorance, but what I had blessed previously, those I did not curse, I cursed not man, nor the earth, nor other creatures, but man's evil fruit, and his works.
The adam saw the angels singing of victory. Victory over what? Over the new creation that Yahweh had made. The adam saw everything in the heavens, but Drakōn (aka Diabolos) did not want the adam to be lord and rule over earth. Drakōn and Satanail (aka Satanas) hatched a plan to steal lordship of the earth from the adam.
The number of military in the heavens are innumerable, but we know what percentage of that military mutinied; 33.33% or one third.
Revelation 12:3 G2532 And G3708 appeared G243 another G4592 sign G1722 in G3588 the G3772 heaven. G2532 And G2400 behold, G1404 [3dragon G3173 1 there was a great G4450 2fiery] G2192 having G2776 [2heads G2033 1seven], G2532 and G2768 [2horns G1176 1ten]; G2532 and G1909 upon G3588 G2776 his heads G1473 G2033 seven G1238 diadems.
4 G2532 And G3588 G3769 his tail G1473 G4951 drags G3588 the G5154 third G3588 of the G792 stars G3588 of the G3772 heaven, G2532 and G906 he casts G1473 them G1519 to G3588 the G1093 earth.
Mega-red Drakōn has control over seven rulers and ten regiments. His tail forces away a third part of the stars out of the heaven and throws them to earth. Remember, stars is another word for “angels”. Physical stars do not prostrate, but physical angels who work in the heavens do. The idea here is that he takes the angels out of the heavens who have been goaded to reject Yahweh and he throws them to earth, this is their judgment. This will be a crazy time on the earth during the tribulation. Then Drakōn and Satanas will both be thrown out of the heavens along with their angels.
Revelation 12:7 G2532 And G1096 there was G4171 war G1722 in G3588 the G3772 heaven; G3588 G* Michael G2532 and G3588 G32 his angels G1473 G3588 G4170 to wage war G3326 with G3588 the G1404 dragon, G2532 and G3588 the G1404 dragon G4170 waged war G2532 and G3588 G32 his angels; G1473
8 G2532 and G3756 it did not G2480 prevail, G3777 nor G5117 was a place G2147 found G1473 for him G2089 any longer G1722 in G3588 the G3772 heaven.
“And came to be warfare in the heavens, Michael and his angels battle with Drakōn and Drakōn battle and his angels and not have power neither place find them also in heaven.”
Michael the archaggelos, a chief angel, along with his angels, battle Drakōn and his angels. This is not Yahweh battling Drakōn, this is not the Elohim battling Drakōn, it is a ruler of angels and his regiment who throw out the archaios ophis, the “primeval serpent”. The same dragon which Yahweh had explained to Job was created to sport with his angels. The same dragon that was created to be a prick or a goad. This is the time that this dragon, the chief, archē, of the creation, who opposes Yahweh, is thrown out of heaven onto earth.
Revelation 12:9 G2532 And G906 [4was cast out G3588 1the G1404 3dragon G3588 G3173 2great], G3588 the G3789 [2serpent G3588 G744 1ancient], G3588 the one G2564 being called G1228 the devil G2532 and G4567 Satan; G3588 the one G4105 misleading G3588 the G3611 [2inhabitable world G3650 1entire] G906 was cast G1519 unto G3588 the G1093 earth, G2532 and G3588 G32 his angels G1473 G3326 [2with G1473 3him G906 1were cast].
“And thrown out the mega Drakōn (archaios ophis) primeval serpent named Diabolos. And Satanas lead astray whole habitation thrown out into the earth and his angels among him thrown out.”
Who threw Drakōn and Satanas out? Michael and his regiment. Satanas has angels under him as well. How do we know that this is still to occur in the future? We are still being accused before the throne day and night. We take our trials to the courts of heaven.
Revelation 12:10 G2532 And G191 I heard G5456 [2voice G3173 1a great] G1722 in G3588 the G3772 heaven, G3004 saying, G737 Now G1096 is come G3588 the G4991 deliverance, G2532 and G3588 the G1411 power, G2532 and G3588 the G932 kingdom G3588 G2316 of our God, G1473 G2532 and G3588 the G1849 authority G3588 G5547 of his Christ; G3754 for G2598 [4was cast down G3588 1the G2725 2accuser G3588 G80 3of our brethren], G1473 G3588 the one G2723 accusing G1473 them G1799 before G3588 G2316 our God G1473 G2250 day G2532 and G3571 night.
This happens at the midpoint of the tribulation when Jesus is coronated as King of kings and Lord of lords, and when the kingdoms of the world become the kingdoms of our Lord and Christ who shall reign forever. This has something to do with whatever the ten thunders say which John was not allowed to write. Jesus told the disciples what would then happen on the Day of the Yahweh.
Matthew 24:29 G2112 And immediately G1161 G3326 after G3588 the G2347 affliction G3588 G2250 of those days, G1565 G3588 the G2246 sun G4654 shall be darkened, G2532 and G3588 the G4582 moon G3756 shall not G1325 give G3588 G5338 its brightness, G1473 G2532 and G3588 the G792 stars G4098 shall fall G575 from G3588 the G3772 heaven, G2532 and G3588 the G1411 forces G3588 of the G3772 heavens G4531 shall be shaken.
30 G2532 And G5119 then G5316 shall appear G3588 the G4592 sign G3588 of the G5207 son G3588 G444 of man G1722 in G3588 the G3772 heaven. G2532 And G5119 then G2875 [6shall beat their chest G3956 1all G3588 2the G5443 3tribes G3588 4of the G1093 5earth]. G2532 And G3708 they shall see G3588 the G5207 son G3588 G444 of man G2064 coming G1909 upon G3588 the G3507 clouds G3588 of the G3772 heaven G3326 with G1411 power G2532 and G1391 [2glory G4183 1great].
The stars fall, they alight or prostrate piptō petō, away from heaven. And the dunamis of heaven, the forces of heaven, shake. Why? What are they afraid of? The Son of Man coming with dunamis, forces, and mega glory. On the Day of the Lord, the Lord comes with his military, the saints.
Revelation 19:19 G2532 And G1492 I saw G3588 the G2342 beast, G2532 and G3588 the G935 kings G3588 of the G1093 earth, G2532 and G3588 G4753 their militaries G1473 G4863 being gathered together G4160 to make G4171 war G3326 with G3588 the one G2521 sitting G1909 upon G3588 the G2462 horse, G2532 and G3326 with G3588 G4753 his military. G1473
Eventually the war in the heavens and earth is finished. The Lord comes with his military and removes the beast and the false prophet, and then He establishes his millennial reign on the earth. Drakōn and Satanas are thrown into the abyss. Remember, Michael the archangel and his military throw Drakōn and Satanas out of heaven midway through the tribulation. An angel who has the keys to the abyss throws them into the abyss. This is interesting. The war is not between the Elohim and Drakōn and Satanas. The war in not between Yahweh Sabaōth and Drakōn and Satanas. The war is between the archangels and Drakōn and Satanas. The war is over the rulership of earth. When Yahweh comes on the ‘Day of Yahweh’, every knee bows, and every tongue confesses. Without this perspective we might not understand Ezra’s prayer.
Nehemiah 9:6 G2532 And G2036 Ezra said, G* G1473 You G1510.2.2 are G1473 he, G2962 the lord G3441 alone. G1473 You G4160 made G3588 the G3772 heaven G2532 and G3588 the G3772 heaven G3588 of the G3772 heaven, G2532 and G3956 all G3588 G1411 their positions; G1473 G3588 the G1093 earth G2532 and G3956 all G3745 as much as G1510.2.3 is G1722 in G1473 it; G3588 the G2281 seas G2532 and G3956 all G3588 the things G1722 in G1473 them. G2532 And G1473 you G2227 restore to life G3588 G3956 all things; G2532 and G1473 to you G4352 [5do obeisance G3588 1the G4756 2militaries G3588 3of the G3772 4heavens].
All the militaries of the heavens worship Yahweh. Obeisance means to “go down on the knees, to crouch or fawn”. All the militaries of heaven prostrate, all the stars of heaven prostrate. They fall before Yahweh. Fallen angels do not fight against Yahweh, they cannot. The angels battling in the heavens all worship Yahweh, they fear and respect him. They thought that they would take over rulership of the earth with Drakōn and Satanas. They thought they could subvert the adam and rule and reign against humans. They did. But their time is almost up. Angels sinned.
We don’t need the pentagon to tell us that there are unidentified flying objects in our skies. We know there are. We know that we are not alone. We know that there are other sons of Elohim. The heavenly military protected Elisha. The heavenly military that align with Yahweh Sabaōth are two thirds of the innumerable stratia of heaven.
