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Biblically speaking there is always a spiritual dimension to the earthly. One is not inconsistent with the other, as one cannot exist without the other. In other words, while America's Lawmakers were fighting a spiritual war with Iraq with carnal weapons and under the influence of principalities - the Saints who make up the "Army of God" were fighting the same spiritual battle with the "Spiritual Weapons" of Ephesians 6:12-19. We are to use these spiritual weapons that are mighty through God to the pulling down of the strongholds of the enemy - 2 Corinthians 10:3-6. All the terms in 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 and Ephesians 12 are "Military Terms." Ephesians 6:12 reveals we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. and 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 reveals 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; After every power, rule, authority, principality, demon and Satan himself has "completely fallen" under the feet of Jesus and made inoperative - then "The End Cometh" 1 Corinthians 15:24-28 Given that Satan doesn't want the end to come then it stands to reason why Satan doesn't want the Church to believe that he really exists or to understand the authority we have over him in the Name of Jesus - because when every power, rule, authority, principality, demon and Satan himself has "completely fallen" and made inoperative - in other words put under the feet of Jesus - then "The End Cometh" 1 Corinthians 15:24-28 Therefore, it would stand to reason why Satan tries to remain hidden. Man's Spiritual Enemy & the Law of Double Reference: While the earthly is "visible" - the spiritual is "invisible" and Satan has attempted to remain hidden all throughout the ages. All throughout the Bible we find a Biblical principle that came to be known as the "Law of Double Reference." For example, in many passages of the Bible the LORD addresses a "Visible" creature while at the same time He addresses an "Invisible" creature who is using the "Visible" creature as a tool. In other words two creatures are involved in the same passage - one visible - the other invisible. For example, the account of the temptation of Adam and Eve, Satan (the invisible) used the serpent (the visible) as a tool to hide behind. And, for that reason there is a spiritual nature of the serpent that we should be aware of. Not only is the serpent man’s natural enemy – the serpent also represents man’s “Spiritual Enemy." Needless to say, it is significant that both the animal and Satan were two dominant entities in the Adamic dispensation and for that reason the spiritual connection or relationship between Satan and animals is of importance. For example, animals in the Bible are often used figuratively to describe the nature of a human being as well as Satan, the demonic and principalities. When a human being was compared to an animal it was because they both shared the same traits. For example, a fox is used figuratively of the antichrist or false prophet. A fox is cunning, selfish and destructive and it was because of the fox’s attributes that Jesus compared Herod to a fox. Luke 13 31 The
same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out,
and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. 32 And He said unto
them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures
today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. (KJV) Another example of "double reference" is when Jesus Christ addressed Peter as Satan - Matthew 16:23. Satan "IS" the World Power: And, we still see Satan (the invisible) using things in the natural realm (the visible) as his tools. For example, we often hear America (the visible) described as a "World Power" meaning that America is powerful enough to affect the entire world by its influence or actions. Well, while that may be true, it is only a partial truth. In other words, there is an invisible world power behind America's visible world power. According to John 12:31 Satan (the invisible) is the "Ruler of this world." In other words, according to Scripture Satan (the invisible) is behind "all visible" world powers - and these visible world powers are nothing more than tools of Satan. Biblically speaking, "all world powers" are under the influence of Satan to one degree or another to further his agenda. More to the point "Satan IS The World Power." But like all world powers who rise to power only to fall - Satan's world power is limited as well and Satan's power of influence is over "unbelievers"- not Believers at least Believers who are not in willful sin. 1 John 5:18-19 reveals that the whole world (of unbelievers) lies in the power of the evil one - meaning the unbeliever is easily influenced by Satan to do his will - to follow Satan's agenda. On the other hand verse 18 reveals that the wicked one does not touch those born of God and who do not sin. Again, John 12:31 reveals that Satan is the "ruler of this world" and 2 Corinthians 4:4 reveals that Satan is god of this world - meaning Satan has a kingdom. Hence, Satan is a "World Power." "Ruler of this world" and "god of this world" are not just frivolous titles - they reveal that to some degree the Lord has given Satan the capability and authority to rule over all nations - that Satan is able to influence the mindset of the majority of people. I say "to some degree" because the LORD is still sovereign and Satan can only operate within the boundaries set by the LORD. For example, while Scripture such as Ephesians 2:2; 2 Timothy 2:26 and 1 John 5:19 reveals that unbelievers are under the influence of Satan: - Colossians 1:13 reveals that Believers are no longer under the rule of Satan. In fact, the LORD has given Believers the authority to rule over Satan (Luke 10). But, just as Satan hid behind the serpent in the Garden of Eden, Satan still prefers to remain hidden (invisible). For example, Satan is the only world power whose main strategy is to influence people through deception, including the Church that he nor the Kingdom of Darkness really exist. And, Luke 10 is one of the Scriptures that can shed light as to "why" Satan wants to remain "invisible" - because if the Church believes he really does exist then they will take authority over him and his followers which would weaken his kingdom of darkness. On the other hand if he can deceive Believers that he doesn't really exist then no one will take authority over him or be a threat to his kingdom. And, I believe that the teaching of the 70 that Jesus sent out in Luke 10:17-24 is among those teachings that are important to the advancement of God’s Kingdom. For those of us who are led by the Holy Spirit we know very well that we have the same adversary that Adam and Eve had and if we do not take authority over our adversary in the Name of Jesus - then to some degree or other he will come to kill, steal and destroy within our households. Acts 7:25 reveals that Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them. Likewise, it still holds true today that the brethren often do not understand the anointing and call on the lives of other individuals. And because of that our identity must abide in the Lord alone. Luke 10:17-24 reveals that there are those of us, like the 70, who are called to a specific type of Spiritual Warfare yet not everyone will understand us. Verse 21 reveals that the truths of Luke 10:1-24 were not revealed to everyone and sadly we see this in the Body of Christ itself and I believe that it is due to the arrogance, mixture and compromise that we see in, not all, but many Churches. Therefore, as long as the Lord understands my walk with Him, it is not necessary for others to understand where the LORD has called me to walk. Notice that in verse 1 that it was only those that Jesus “appointed” that were sent two by two ahead of Him to every town and place where He was about to go. In other words not everyone was/is “appointed” for this particular “calling." Furthermore, we know that the Holy Spirit gives gifts to the Body of Christ as He wills - and one of the gifts is the "Distinguishing of Spirit" 1 Corinthians 12:1-11. And, this particular gift enables us to distinguish whether or not someone is a false teacher, or when someone is speaking in their flesh; or when someone is under the influence of a demonic spirit - all areas where discernment is especially needed. This particular gift enables us to distinguish outward appearances from inward realities - to discern the true motives of someone's heart. In other words, this particular gifting enables us to distinguish between (1) the Spirit of God, (2) the spirit of man (3) and the spirit of evil. And, those Believers who discern and understand the spiritual behind the natural are very sensitive to this gifting. When someone has this particular gift "they instinctively react to any demonic activity in the spiritual realm" - "they react to the invisible behind the visible." Nor did Jesus rebuke the 70 (or 72 depending on the translation) when they returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy Name (17). Rather, in verse 18 Jesus responds by stating that He had beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven indicating that because the devils were subject to the 70 in the Name of Jesus that the war in the heavenlies was suffering defeat (Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (According to Strong's - the Hebrew meaning of the word "high" means "heavenly" or "in heaven" - and that is why other translations including the NKJ reads "heavenly places") This is only one of the aspects of the war in the heavenlies that Ephesians 6 speaks of. In verse 19 not only does Jesus give unto those appointed to this type of warfare power to tread on serpents and scorpions, He also gives them power “over all the power of the enemy." Over all the power of the enemy means just that: over all the power of the enemy is not limited power. Jesus goes on further rejoicing in spirit and thanking the
Father that this type of second heaven warfare was not revealed to everyone. In verse 23 Jesus turned to His disciples and said
privately, Blessed are the eyes
which see the things ye see: 24:For I tell you, that
many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and
have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not
heard them. Again, not everyone is called to spiritual warfare nor will everyone in the Body of Christ understand this type of warfare; however, blessed are those that have been appointed and who do understand what God has called them to. Taking no credit themselves, the Disciples were astonished that even the devils were subject to them through the Name of Jesus. Verse 18: Jesus replied: "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven": In other words Jesus directed their attention to the "spiritual realm" making them aware of a much larger picture of the satanic world. Interestingly, Satan's fall is compared to lightening that is quick, dazzling and destructive. On Earth as in Heaven: While the disciples were taking authority over the devils here on earth and casting out Satan's subject - Jesus was saying that it affected the spiritual realm - Jesus saw Satan himself fall! Even though Satan and his angels had already fallen - Ephesians 6:12 reveals that there is still a battle going on in the heavenlies. Jesus was explaining to them that there is a spiritual aspect of what they were doing. Casting out demons was more than just casting out demons. Jesus pointed out how their success affected the Kingdom of Darkness - Jesus pointed out how devils being cast out affected Satan. Every time a Christian takes authority over Satan and every time a principality is dislodged and every time the Church casts out a demon from someone who is being vexed or bound - and every time an unbeliever's soul is rescued from the demonic and comes into the Kingdom - Satan is being driven out (John 12:3) and comes closer to being cast into the lake of fire and brimstone! (Revelation 20:10). Every time a Christian takes authority over Satan - he continues to fall. All throughout the ages, beginning with the fall of man when the LORD let it be known that the seed of the woman would bruise Satan's head, when Elijah took authority over the Baals, when Isaiah proclaimed how art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, when John the Baptist was crying out in the desert to make a way for the LORD, and continuing throughout the Church age - Satan is ever falling! And, Revelation 12:7-9 describes the last battle in the heavenlies to take place between Michael and his angels and Satan and his angels. And it is at this time that Satan and the principalities are cast out of the heavenlies - this is his final fall. But until then, Satan and his angels are still in the process of falling. Every time a Christian takes authority over Satan and every time a principality is dislodged and every time the Church casts out a demon from someone who is being vexed or bound - and every time an unbeliever's soul is rescued from the demonic and comes into the Kingdom - Satan is being driven out (John 12:3) and comes closer to being cast into the lake of fire and brimstone! (Revelation 20:10). Every time a Christian takes authority over Satan - he continues to fall. All throughout the Church age - Satan is ever falling! Just as it was with the 70, Jesus Christ still takes a personal interest in our walk with Him and He is still aware of the on-going victories each generation has in taking authority over the enemy. On earth as it is in heaven: Jesus revealed to them that as they were taking authority over the devils, that He was aware of the progressive decline of Satan’s kingdom and as Satan was losing ground his power was diminishing. When Saddam Hussein was
captured to the hour, day and month, that the Taunt to the king of Babylon
was spoken into the spiritual realm, the LORD was confirming that Satan's
kingdom was affected - that Satan was continuing to fall. Just as the LORD wanted the 70 to know, the
LORD wanted us to know that as we take authority over the devils in His Name
- that Satan continues to fall. Daniel 10 13
But the prince of the kingdom of
Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I
remained there with the kings of fight with the prince of Persia: and
when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia
shall come. (KJV,
emphasis added) Daniel 10, verses 13 and 20, reveal that all wars lost or won on earth are the results of wars lost or won in the heavenlies. They also reveal that the Prince of Persia, the Kings of Persia and the prince of Grecia is a reference to more than just one principality over the same geographical area. In other words, even though one or more of the principalities operating behind Saddam Hussein were weakened when Hussein was captured - and lost their place in the heavenlies when Saddam Hussein was executed - there are other principalities still within this stronghold that have not been dislodged from the heavenlies. But eventually they too will be dislodged. Finally, after every power,
rule, authority, principality, demon and Satan himself has "completely
fallen" under the feet of Jesus and made inoperative - then "The
End Cometh" 1 Corinthians 15:24-28 |