In these End Times, it becomes especially important that we understand our spiritual warfare and its weapons. It is deception to believe that the enormous problems facing the world today, or in our individual lives, can have political, economic, or social solutions. While the world relies upon these remedies, the church should understand differently. Scripture tells us:
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 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; and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. Do ye look on things after the outward appearance?..." 2 Cor. 10:3-7
First of all, the battle begins in our own minds and understanding. Our minds have to be conformed not to what we see, but to God's word, the knowledge of God. Warfare begins in our own thoughts. Do they line up with the word? Scripture tells us to renew our minds with the washing of His Word (Rom. 12:2, Eph. 5:26). The Word of God that we know changes how we think. Our own obedience to spiritual truths in the Word makes the difference between victory and defeat. This is the warfare, but what are the weapons appointed by God for us to use in the battle?
Psalm 20, written by David, begins in this manner:
"The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee....in the name of our God, we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfill all thy petitions....Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen and stand upright." (excerpt)
The phrase "day of trouble" used in the above Psalm, not only refers to any day in which we are desperately struggling, but t is also an expression used to mean the end times (Zeph. 1:14-18). In any case, one of our greatest spiritual weapons is the power of the name of the LORD in the mouth of the faithful. One of the greatest confrontations in scripture illustrated this power.
The Philistine army drew near to fight the army of Israel under King Saul. David, a young man, went to visit his older brothers, who were in the army of Israel. While there, he witnessed the challenge from Goliath (meaning splendor, an exile, a denuded captive), the champion of the Philistines, as he demanded a showdown with a warrior from Israel. All the army of Israel were fearful and ran from this giant's challenge. According to his name, outwardly, Goliath looked to have impressive splendor, but in truth, he was already a defeated foe, humiliated, shamefully revealed and cast out.
When David heard about the rewards the king was offering for anyone who would go against Goliath, he stirred himself up against this enemy and said, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?"
His older brothers mocked David, and Saul feared for David and tried to outfit David in his own armor, including his own sword. However, David found the armor awkward, refused it, and said he would rely instead on his own proven weapons. Goliath mocked the seemingly humble weapons of staff and sling that David carried, but David declared what he was about to do to Goliath, and said to him, "Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied." (1 Sam. 17:21-45). We all know how that encounter ended. Even the giants are subject to the name of the LORD!
Our battles, large and small, individual or worldwide, belong to the LORD On the occasion of a great battle between Judah and an overwhelming enemy army, the LORD prophesied:
"...Be not afraid, nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours but God's....Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah, and Jerusalem: fear not...for the LORD will be with you." 2 Chron. 20:15-17
The king of Judah sent the choir out before the army, and instructed them to sing and praise the beauty of holiness. With this spiritual weapon of praise, the LORD defeated the armies of three enemy nations that had come against His people (v. 21-23).
Moses and the Israelites, who found themselves in a seemingly hopeless position, were also able to witness the destruction of the Egyptian army in this same manner. Moses declared to the people:
"Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will shew you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." Ex. 14:13-14
In both of these cases, the LORD saved His people by His salvation, "yeshua", who was the person of Jesus, the greatest of spiritual weapons in warfare.
Finally, the prophet Joel, describing a coming day of terrible destruction, accompanied by fearsome signs and wonders in the earth and the heavens, urged the people of that time to gather together, to fast, to repent, to weep in intercession, to call upon the LORD.
The LORD will hear their prayers, and receive their repentance, Joel prophesied. He will turn mourning and destruction into rejoicing and restoration. He will pour out His Spirit upon all of His people in a miraculous way. He also promises:
"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in Mt. Zion, and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call." Joel 2:32
This is the warfare, and these are the spiritual weapons that the LORD has placed into the hands of His people.
To Contact/Submit Prayer Requests/To Give To The Ministry:
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
http://endtimeschool.com/
PayPal Available
To hear/watch the entire message from Dr. Stevenson:
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior:
Jesus, I want to know You as my Lord, and as my Savior, who covers my sins, and cleanses my heart. Come into my heart, and also fill me with the Holy Spirit, who will lead me into all truth, and will teach me how to follow You. I believe that You are the Son of God, the Messiah, that You were crucified for me, and rose from the dead to give me everlasting life. I believe that You are coming again. Lord Jesus, in Your name I believe, pray, and receive all of these things. Amen.
Psalm 20, written by David, begins in this manner:
"The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee....in the name of our God, we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfill all thy petitions....Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen and stand upright." (excerpt)
The phrase "day of trouble" used in the above Psalm, not only refers to any day in which we are desperately struggling, but t is also an expression used to mean the end times (Zeph. 1:14-18). In any case, one of our greatest spiritual weapons is the power of the name of the LORD in the mouth of the faithful. One of the greatest confrontations in scripture illustrated this power.
The Philistine army drew near to fight the army of Israel under King Saul. David, a young man, went to visit his older brothers, who were in the army of Israel. While there, he witnessed the challenge from Goliath (meaning splendor, an exile, a denuded captive), the champion of the Philistines, as he demanded a showdown with a warrior from Israel. All the army of Israel were fearful and ran from this giant's challenge. According to his name, outwardly, Goliath looked to have impressive splendor, but in truth, he was already a defeated foe, humiliated, shamefully revealed and cast out.
When David heard about the rewards the king was offering for anyone who would go against Goliath, he stirred himself up against this enemy and said, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?"
His older brothers mocked David, and Saul feared for David and tried to outfit David in his own armor, including his own sword. However, David found the armor awkward, refused it, and said he would rely instead on his own proven weapons. Goliath mocked the seemingly humble weapons of staff and sling that David carried, but David declared what he was about to do to Goliath, and said to him, "Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied." (1 Sam. 17:21-45). We all know how that encounter ended. Even the giants are subject to the name of the LORD!
Our battles, large and small, individual or worldwide, belong to the LORD On the occasion of a great battle between Judah and an overwhelming enemy army, the LORD prophesied:
"...Be not afraid, nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours but God's....Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah, and Jerusalem: fear not...for the LORD will be with you." 2 Chron. 20:15-17
The king of Judah sent the choir out before the army, and instructed them to sing and praise the beauty of holiness. With this spiritual weapon of praise, the LORD defeated the armies of three enemy nations that had come against His people (v. 21-23).
Moses and the Israelites, who found themselves in a seemingly hopeless position, were also able to witness the destruction of the Egyptian army in this same manner. Moses declared to the people:
"Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will shew you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." Ex. 14:13-14
In both of these cases, the LORD saved His people by His salvation, "yeshua", who was the person of Jesus, the greatest of spiritual weapons in warfare.
Finally, the prophet Joel, describing a coming day of terrible destruction, accompanied by fearsome signs and wonders in the earth and the heavens, urged the people of that time to gather together, to fast, to repent, to weep in intercession, to call upon the LORD.
The LORD will hear their prayers, and receive their repentance, Joel prophesied. He will turn mourning and destruction into rejoicing and restoration. He will pour out His Spirit upon all of His people in a miraculous way. He also promises:
"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in Mt. Zion, and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call." Joel 2:32
This is the warfare, and these are the spiritual weapons that the LORD has placed into the hands of His people.
To Contact/Submit Prayer Requests/To Give To The Ministry:
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
http://endtimeschool.com/
PayPal Available
To hear/watch the entire message from Dr. Stevenson:
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior:
Jesus, I want to know You as my Lord, and as my Savior, who covers my sins, and cleanses my heart. Come into my heart, and also fill me with the Holy Spirit, who will lead me into all truth, and will teach me how to follow You. I believe that You are the Son of God, the Messiah, that You were crucified for me, and rose from the dead to give me everlasting life. I believe that You are coming again. Lord Jesus, in Your name I believe, pray, and receive all of these things. Amen.
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