The Missing Weapons of Our Warfare*

Recent events have created a discussion about weaponry: nuclear weapons that are being developed by nations, and other weapons needed to fight or defend current wars such as in the Ukraine, but there are also spiritual weapons that are necessary here and now for use by believers in the spiritual warfare that is all around us. We are not using the right weapons in our spiritual warfare, and we are therefore not being effective. As Jesus described the condition of the kingdom of God that would be found before His return, He commented that only half of those who were supposed to attend the wedding of the Bridegroom were prepared, having oil for their lamps. He called this half, "wise", and the unprepared, He called "foolish". All of them, however, were found to be asleep when the moment of the Bridegroom's arrival came (Mt. 25:1-5). In our warfare, we are often reacting to situations that have already occurred, like trying to close the barn door after the horses have already gotten loose. Paul also saw the problem of spiritual slumber in the Church writing: "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light..." (Rom. 13:11-12). We are now even closer to the moment of Christ's return than Paul was at the time he wrote this. We need to make a change. Paul refers to Isaiah in telling the Church: "...Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." (Eph. 5:14-17). Again there is a call to the Church to wake up, even from being dead. Paul also described the weapons of warfare that we may be neglecting: "Speaking to yourselves in songs and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Giving thanks always for all things unto God..." (v. 19-20). Praise is a powerful weapon in the hands of the believer. Scripture says that God is enthroned, or inhabits, the praises of His people. (Ps. 22:3). How often, rather than giving thanks to God in the middle of trying circumstances, we begin complaining instead? God has given us promises that make provision for us through every trial, and we should be remembering those promises before God with thanks. The Israelites continually murmured and complained in the wilderness despite the miraculous provision and deliverance of God. We have those great promises combined with thanksgiving to Him as part of the weapons of our warfare, but are we using them? Paul told us to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might, but often, we rely upon our own strength and understanding instead. Paul wrote that each believer has access to powerful spiritual armor, but we must put it on. This armor is the only thing that can keep us standing in the evil day, such as exists today. It is necessary to put on this spiritual armor because our enemies are not flesh and blood, but they are principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places (Eph. 6:10-13). This armor consists of having our loins girded about with truth, against this age of lies and even the father of lies, the devil; having on the breastplate of righteousness at a time when all, especially those in political, religious and business leadership, have been found unrighteous; having our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace when peace in this world is so rare; taking up the shield of faith which quenches the fiery darts of the enemy, especially when faith and the name of Jesus are mocked as they are now; the helmet of salvation, the hope and assurance of which sustains us through every threat and trouble; and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, which is the truth that never fails us (v. 14-17). Putting on this armor, Paul wrote that we are to be praying always in the Spirit, and watching - not sleeping and unprepared (v. 18). Paul again refers to the armor of God in the warfare of the believer, whom he says are "the children of light" (1 Thess. 5:5-8). He again wrote "...let us not sleep as do others; but let us watch and be sober." All of these things are given to us by God because "He hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ..." (v. 9). Paul wrote, "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." (v. 16-21). He said that we were to abstain from all appearance of evil (v. 22), and to flee evil things, and rather to follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness (1 Tim. 6:11). These things are all part of "fighting the good fight" and laying hold of eternal life (v. 12). The Apostle James also wrote of the great value of prayer in all things, including spiritual warfare: "Is any among you afflicted (meaning to suffer evils, hardships, and troubles)? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:13-16). As a ministry, we have always prayed for those who have made requests, and we have sent prayer cloths to minister to those who were at a distance. We have received many miracle testimonies as a result of this. The church and believers in general, however, have been using the wrong weapons in warfare. Our warfare is not won by anger, or through political powers, but we and our nation are healed by prayer, waking from spiritual slumber, watching, pursuing righteousness and godliness. The LORD promised: "If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (2 Chron. 7:13-14). *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 5/1/2022 message to the church. To contact us, submit a prayer request, give a praise report, or to support this ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and endtimeschool.com.

Ready or Not!*

 

The signs of the End Times are lining up very rapidly, and it is both dangerous and foolish to ignore them. Recently, we have seen that Iran, or Persia as it was called by the prophets, has been engaged in aggressive activities. Ezekiel 38 foretold of the nations, including Persia, that would be brought into conflict in the Last Days. Jesus warned against not being prepared as we see the signs. He told a parable of ten virgins, shown above, five of whom were wise because they were prepared for the coming of the bridegroom, and five who were foolish because they had failed to properly prepare. All ten fell asleep, however, which is the condition of the Church today. Wake Up, Church! The Bridegroom is coming. It is not only time to wake up, but it is time to make sure that we are prepared for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. His Bride is clothed in the pure white linen of righteousness, and it is without spot or wrinkle, without blemish (Rev. 19:7-8).

Jesus said that His return would be similar to the conditions that were present in the days of Noah, as the flood judgment was about to be released (Mt. 24:36-44). No one knows the exact day or hour of its coming, only the heavenly Father knows. While Noah was faithfully preparing the ark of deliverance for the coming unknown day and hour, those around him were still engaging in everyday worldly behavior: eating, drinking, marrying. Noah's preparation of the ark was a testimony and witness to them, a sign, which they ignored. Our preparation as believers is also a testimony and a sign to the world to "get ready". The world looks and thinks, "If the Church is not preparing, why should we?"

Our position as believers should automatically differentiate us from the world's view. Paul wrote:

"If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantegeth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we die. Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not: for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame."   1 Cor. 15:32-34

Because we have knowledge of God, because we have received the good news of the resurrection of Christ, we should not be sharing the world's attitude of business as usual.

Jesus told the parable of a rich man who stored up his wealth, and said to himself:

"...take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry." Unfortunately for this man in the parable, his soul was to be required that very night. God told him that he was a fool. He had not prepared properly in those things that would have made a difference to his eternity. Jesus concluded: "So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God."

                                                                                                             Lk. 12:19-21

Is the Church being rich towards God, or towards itself and to the enjoyments and requirements of the world? Now is not the time, when we see the signs, to take our ease, to put our feet up.

The prophet Isaiah revealed a similar word to the people of God:

"And in that day did the LORD God of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth: And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we shall die. And it was revealed in mine ears by the LORD of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, saith the LORD God of hosts."   Isa. 22:12-14

As the prophet wrote, God is calling His people to repentance and serious prayer, but His people are not heeding the call. They are investing themselves in enjoyments and feasting, as if they have no knowledge that there is an eternity ahead for which to prepare themselves. Especially during these fall feast days, it is a time to turn to Him. The signs are warning us that the time grows short.

Paul reminded the Church that the day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night, without warning. It is therefore necessary to know "the times and the seasons". Sudden destruction will come when many believe that there is peace and safety. However, that day is not to come upon God's people like those who sleep at night, who are drunken and oblivious at night, but upon a people awake and prepared:

"Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep, as do others, but let us watch and be sober...let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord, Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him."   1 Thess. 5:1-10.

Paul also exhorts for us to esteem very highly those who labor at spiritual work for us in these matters, those who are over us to guide us (v. 12-13).

Jesus told His disciples the various signs of the End Times, a revelation that was opened to them by the offering of a poor widow giving all that she had. The signs that Jesus prophesied included deceptions of false prophets, and false Christs, commotions, wars among kingdoms, nations (ethnicities and races), earthquakes, famines, pestilences, fearful sights, signs in the heavens, persecutions: "and it shall turn to you for a testimony". We will have to testify by what the Holy Spirit places in our mouths to speak in that hour. Have you sought this infilling presence of the Holy Spirit, who is promised and available to all believers in Christ? Even in persecution to the death, yet Jesus says, "but there shall not a hair of your head perish." (Lk. 21:1-19). We taste but the shadow of the valley of death because of Him. We are not destroyed by death, nor captives of Hell.

As Jesus continued His description of the signs to come in these End Times, He concluded:

"Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape (Grk: ekpheugo: flee out of, safety in flight, to be saved by flight, to vanish) all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."  (v. 36).

"Escape" is not guaranteed. Jesus says that to attain that escape, we must remain in a state of watchful, praying readiness.

 

*The above is based upon the 9/22/19 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson. 


To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH-White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling", and to help us get out the message:

Dr. Kenneth Stevenson
P.O. Box 154221
Waco, TX  76705

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

http://endtimeschool.com/

To watch/hear Dr. Stevenson's complete message:

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

https://everlastingcovenant.sermon.net/main/main/21320220
 

Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.

 

Dr. Stevenson's newest book is now available:
  

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