War In Heaven'
War In Heaven
Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. (Revelation 12:7)
The Lord Jesus advised us to pray, "Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven."
Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)
The problem is, God's will has not been done in Heaven, or I should say "in the heavenlies," for there are at least three "heavens." We know that because the Apostle Paul was caught up to the third "heaven."
It appears to me that we saints have a role to play in cleansing the heavens of the rebellion and sin that originated there. Our problems in the earth will continue until the problems are solved in the heavenlies.
"Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 18:18)
My impression is that Paul was caught up to where God, Christ, the saints, holy angels and so forth, reside in resplendent Glory.
It may be true that Satan and his followers were dismissed from the highest area of Divine Glory, and forced down into the second heaven, and accuse the saints from this "heaven."
For all I know, Satan may still be in the third Heaven, though I doubt this. But it is evident that he in some manner has access to access to God and the saints because he continually is accusing the saints and wars against them.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. (Revelation 12:10)
Sin began in Heaven around the Throne of God. It appears Satan was one of the two cherubim whose wings overshadowed the "Seat of Reconciliation," the golden lid on the Ark of the Covenant.
Sin, which is disobedience to God, began at the highest, holiest place of the third, supreme Heaven. It involved Satan and the angels of God who followed him.
At that point God conceived in His mind a plan to put an eternal end to all sin and rebellion. That plan includes a Kingdom of peace, governed by the Lord Jesus Christ, that will increase forever.
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:7)
If we would understand what takes place in the Christian redemption, or salvation, we must understand clearly that every event occurs as part of the war against evil, against the works of Satan. The Scripture informs us plainly that there shall be an end of the struggle, in which God is totally successful.
Seventy "sevens" are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place. (Daniel 9:24)
To put an end to sin!
In the present hour, we probably are about halfway through the struggle against evil.
Generally speaking, the program of redemption has been revealed in stages. The seven feasts of the Lord portray symbolically the stages of redemption that have unfolded throughout the history of the Christian Church.
Passover
Unleavened Bread
Firstfruits
Pentecost
The Day of Atonement
Tabernacles
Remember, the purpose of the program of redemption is to put an end to sin. We Christians have corrupted the Divine program by setting the purpose of salvation as eternal residence in Heaven.
The purpose of being saved is not to reside in Heaven. The purpose of being saved is to be free of the guilt and power of sin. This includes being formed in the image of Christ, residing peacefully in the center of God's Person and will, and being filled with the fullness of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit of God. We are conformed to the image of Christ by numerous little deaths and resurrections.
You can see from this statement of purpose that when we are forgiven, born again, and baptized with the Spirit of God, in the spiritual fulfillment of the Jewish feast of Pentecost, we are only halfway toward the goal of redemption.
We may wonder what comes next? What is the platform of redemption available to us now? The twentieth century might be termed the "Pentecostal Century," in that so many people were baptized with the Spirit of God during that period.
What is the Divine intervention that will characterize the twenty-first century?
To answer this question, we consider the three feasts that come after the fourth feast, Pentecost, realizing that the second half of salvation is accomplished by their spiritual fulfillment.
The concluding three observances are: The Blowing of Trumpets; the Day of Atonement; and the feast of Tabernacles.
If our thinking is correct, they will accomplish the following goals:
Freedom from the guilt and power of sin.
Being formed in the image of Christ in our character and outward appearance.
Residing peacefully in the center of God's Person and will.
Being filled with the fullness of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit of God.
If it were not for the fact that sin originated among the angelic creatures, and were they not active at the present time in the heavenlies, ceaselessly endeavoring to influence our thinking, words, and actions, we could learn Christian principles of behavior and attempt to reform our adamic nature in line with God's moral Character.
God's moral Character is portrayed in Matthew, Chapters Five through Seven. We might set ourselves to conform to these principles. And many Christians do just that!
But we are not struggling only against our sinful nature but against highly placed lords of spiritual darkness.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12)
Also we have a self-willed original nature that seeks always to do what it desires without reference to God's will.
Our original nature must be crucified. This is accomplished as we carry our cross patiently while following the Lord Jesus.
For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—(Romans 6:6)
In addition we have spiritual forces dwelling in our flesh, such as fornication, wrath, and covetousness that cry out continually for satisfaction.
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)
So if we are to be "saved" according to the standard I have mentioned, we must overcome Satan and his conspirators; our self-willed original nature; and the sinful forces that live in our flesh.
We understand, then, that our commendable desire to obey Christian principles, and thus attain to the image of Christ, is not at all possible to the most disciplined individual.
We may have participated in the Passover blood of protection; in the forgiveness of the guilt of our sins in the blood atonement; in sincere repentance, turning away from the thinking and behavior of the world; Christ may have been born in us; and we may have been baptized with the Spirit of God.
These are our responses to the Divine interventions that are part of the program of redemption. You can see readily that these interventions accomplish what our determined efforts to obey Christian principles apart from the interventions, can never do.
Having participated in these primary aspects of redemption, we now are to look at the phases of redemption that remain to be accomplished, and consider them in terms of the final three feasts of the Lord. Remember we will be opposed viciously by the fallen lords of darkness as well as by our own sinful personality.
Freedom from the guilt and power of sin.
Being formed in the image of Christ in our character, and outward appearance (the resurrection).
Residing peacefully in the center of God's Person and will.
Being filled with the fullness of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit of God.
The fourth Levitical observance, the Blowing of Trumpets, represents the coming of Christ to us in the spirit realm. He declares war against His enemies that are seeking to prevent our entering the rest of God, that is, the place in God where we are living every day in stern obedience to Christ.
God determined our destiny in the beginning of the world. Now the Spirit of God is ready to lead us into that destiny, into the rest of God.
Satan and his angels will do everything in their power to prevent our obeying God to this extent. But Christ broke the back of their power by means of His obedient death on the cross. Now the wicked spirits have to overcome us, not by power but by deceiving us so that we do not obey Christ in all details.
The battle is joined after our baptism with the Holy Spirit. Now we see that we are saved in order to serve in the Kingdom of God, primarily on the earth, which is why our body will be changed from death to life (resurrected).
We understand that our God is the God of the whole earth, not just of Heaven.
Following the Blowing of Trumpets is the Day of Atonement, the Day of Reconciliation. Formerly we have been reconciled to God legally, through the blood of the cross. Now we are to be reconciled to God in our thinking, speaking, and behavior. We are to become a new creation, in which all things are of God.
As the Spirit of God points out to us something in our personality, in thought, speech, or behavior, we are to confess it vigorously to the Lord. We are to denounce it, renounce it, and promise the Lord Jesus that as He helps us we never, never again for eternity will engage in that behavior.
It is an eternal judgment on Satan. It is the beginning of the removing of sin from the creation.
If our sin were a matter of bad habits, we might transform ourselves by obeying Christian principles. But because our sinning originates in the heavenlies, it must be resolved in the heavenlies.
For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. (Romans 8:13,14)
The Holy Spirit always is leading the sons of God to put to death all of the actions of their body that do not please the Father.
It is my personal opinion that the spiritual fulfillment of the Day of Atonement is being emphasized at this time and will continue for eternity. For I believe that even though the wicked creatures of the heavens have been confined in the Lake of Fire, there always will be a need for people newly born in the coming ages to be reconciled to God in one manner or another.
We have arrived now at the climactic celebration--that of the festival of Tabernacles.
The feast of Tabernacles represents the original desire of God that His new creation, mankind, be His house, his resting place, and His Throne. The members of the Royal Priesthood will experience the fulfillment of God's desire to an extent greater than the remainder of God's saved creatures, according to my understanding at the present time.
Obviously, we must experience the feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement in order to prepare us to be the resting place of the Godhead.
The thrones of wickedness that reside in the air above us must be shaken and torn down if sin finally is to come to an end. Can you see the sense of this?
The beginning of the destruction of Satan's thrones in the air above us is beginning now, as we enter the spiritual fulfillment of the Blowing of Trumpets. Indeed, the conflict of the ages is upon us!
As Revelation points out, the victory commences with a remnant of Christians who overcome the accuser by the blood of the Lamb; by the word of their testimony; and by loving not their life to the death.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. (Revelation 12:10,11)
There are believers in our day, and you can be one of them if you choose to do so, who are overcoming Satan by the forgiving and life-giving authority and power of the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ; by holding fast resolutely to the unchanging faithfulness of God; and, most importantly, who offer their bodies as a whole sacrifice to God until they pass from the earth.
It is by His death to His will in Gethsemane that the Lord Jesus Christ broke the back of Satan's authority and power. It will be by the death to our will that the Father will be able to empower Michael to completely demolish the ability of the wicked spirits to maintain their positions in the heavenlies, in the air above us.
The throne in the air will be cleansed by the godly remnant, God's firstfruits. They will overcome Satan and he will be cast down from his place in the air, as we mentioned previously.
The Christians who have lived in victory shall experience resurrection when Christ appears. This godly remnant will be caught up together into the air, into the place held formerly by the lords of darkness.
If we truly are a Christian we already have been raised with Christ, and are seated with Him far above all of the wicked spirits.
We shall appear with our Lord when He returns to earth.
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)
But before Christ returns, God will permit Antichrist to reach into the third Heaven and tear down some of the Christians who are located there. This is why the Book of Revelation warns us that our crown can be stolen from us if we are not totally committed to the Lord Jesus.
I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. (Revelation 3:11)
Out of one of them came another horn, which started small but grew in power to the south and to the east and toward the Beautiful Land. It grew until it reached the host of the heavens, and it threw some of the starry host down to the earth and trampled on them. It set itself up to be as great as the commander of the army of the Lord; it took away the daily sacrifice from the Lord, and his sanctuary was thrown down. Because of rebellion, the Lord's people and the daily sacrifice were given over to it. It prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown to the ground. (Daniel 8:9-12)
The crucial thought here is that some of the Lord's people who have been in Christ in the heavens will be given over to Antichrist because of the rebellion remaining in their personality.
Reading a few pages of the Hebrew Prophets will reveal how widespread was the rebellion of the Israelites against their Lord.
I am afraid the same is true today of numerous Christian people. It is no wonder they do not obey the Lord Jesus, because they are being taught that the grace of God hides their sins from God's sight.
I never have heard anyone preach the above passage. It is telling us that in the last days God will give Antichrist the power to reach into the heavenlies, even into the third Heaven, and throw down some of the Christian people who have been abiding there.
God is determined to rid His creation of rebellion against His will!
Even though Christians are "dead" and their life is hidden with Christ in God, their will still is present in their soul on the earth.
If they refuse to give Christ their will while living on the earth, this rebellion will be reflected in their spirit nature which is with Christ at the right hand of God, and thus they can be torn down by Antichrist.
One of the prevalent errors of our day is the doctrine of "once saved, always saved." Many passages of the New Testament reveal that this doctrine is in error. It is a fact that someone can take our crown of life and righteousness if we are not on our guard at all times.
Also, Antichrist will be able, from his vantage point in the heavens, to block the prayers of God's people. People will not be able to "accept Christ" in those days, unless they go into the wilderness place in which the true Christians are hiding.
The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent's reach. (Revelation 12;14)
And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, even among the survivors whom the Lord calls. (Joel 2:32)
Even though the Christian Church is hidden in the wilderness she still is Mount Zion and Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22,23). When Antichrist has made it impossible for people to serve Christ in the cities of the world, there still will be power in the Christian Church to deliver people from the oppression of Satan.
You may maintain that such a scenario is not possible. Christian people can not be torn down from God's right hand.
Yesterday I watched a video recording of Charismatic people who were screaming and waving their hands in an abandoned fashion as their so-called prophets were telling them how wonderfully Christ is going to bless them; how unprecedented revival is coming to Israel and the United States.
They are deceived. This is the False Prophet that will support Antichrist and his monetary plans.
Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon. (Revelation 13:11)
This was a fairly large auditorium packed with "worshipers."
This is a movement in the United States characterized by an emphasis on prophecy.
How will we detect such false prophets? What will characterize them?
They will be seeking the double portion of power, the two horns of the Lamb.
They will speak with the voice of the dragon: "I will. I will. I will."
They will not be obeying Christ but their own lust for power and Divine Glory.
If you know Jesus at all, and are abiding in Him in cross-carrying meekness of spirit, the outlandish cavortings of these "prophetic people" is repulsive.
I myself am accustomed to some of the emotional exhibitions that can characterize Pentecostal services, although not so much lately, and have participated in them.
But these modern exhibitions of unrestrained emotionalism go far beyond anything I ever saw in Pentecostal services.
So, yes. According to God's Word, Antichrist will be able to reach into where the saints are abiding and tear down the rebellious. I think this already is beginning. I believe the False Prophet already is being revealed. I never thought I would live long enough to see it.
When the Lord Jesus returns, He shall catch up His army to himself. Then He and they, and the army of angels, shall descend to the earth and the battle of Har Magedon shall be fought.
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. (Revelation 19:11)
The result of this battle will be that Antichrist and the False Prophet shall be thrown into the Lake of Fire and Satan into the Bottomless Pit.
After this the army of saints and angels shall go through the earth, destroying all of the Antichrist institutions and removing from the earth all remaining wicked people. This is in preparation for the Kingdom Age, the thousand-year rule of Christ and His saints over the surviving people of the nations of the earth.
Before them fire devours, behind them a flame blazes. Before them the land is like the garden of Eden, behind them, a desert waste—nothing escapes them. (Joel 2:3)
Now the only sin that remains in God's creation is the self-will of the people on the earth; the self-will of those who are governing them; the self-will in the people in the spirit realm, including the members of the Royal Priesthood who are being brought to perfection in the heavenly Zion.
Thus the Day of Atonement, of Reconciliation shall continue until every one of God's children has been reconciled perfectly to Himself.
This is a true vision, and the zeal of the Lord shall bring it to pass in every detail.
Great things currently are afoot in the Kingdom. The ministry of the two witnesses (Christ and His saints) is near at hand. The full power of the spring rain will be greater than any previous outpouring of God's Spirit.
Before a great revival occurs there may be a false movement of some kind. Such is taking place now. The current "revivals," in which cross-carrying obedience is not enjoined upon the believers, is not of God, although it may be attended by numerous miracles. It actually is the False Prophet, concerning whom the Bible warns us.
We ought to be able to perceive that men and women are vaunting themselves, claiming to be apostles and prophets! This is not the way of God, the way of Christ!
The Spirit of God is calling today for the confession of our sins and repentance. Judgment has fallen upon the household of God. Today is not a time of empowering the believers but of purifying them. The power will come in God's time!
Walk humbly before the Lord. It is not loud demonstrations of emotional people that will bring the victory in the heavenlies that must precede victory in the earth. It is our trust in the blood of the Lamb; our steadfast testimony to the faithfulness of our Lord; and our willingness to place our treasures in Heaven and deny ourselves in every area that Christ indicates.
You and I can do this, if we really want God's best.
God's ways never change.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)