The Son Of God Has Defeated The Devil: Let’s Live In That Victory
There is no question but that Satan is a defeated foe.
His powers are helpless against the glorious victory of Christ’s death. Jesus stated as He approached the cross that, “Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.” (John 14:30) Satan was totally helpless as he and his entire army of spirits watched the Son of God utterly strip away their powers. When we walk in the power of the Holy Ghost, Satan is absolutely defeated. In our flesh we are helpless and he is making mincemeat out of millions.
The physical world is a natural system limited to the power of flesh and the earthly. The physical can only do those things, which are in the physical system. Natural limitations control everything operating in the physical realm. That is unless and until those individuals surrender to a higher system, which is in the spiritual world. The two systems co-exist. Our world is both natural and supernatural and those two systems can be merged. In fact they will be merged totally in the eternities of the “Lord’s Kingdom” soon to appear.
Our Enemy is Formidable, But Defeatable
One of the most important facts about this world system is that evil has invaded the system and Satan has established an opposing kingdom. His kingdom operates between the two worlds of the natural and the supernatural. Any person with Biblical knowledge will immediately agree with this truth. Satan is not just natural, but neither is he supernatural. Satan’s kingdom is paranormal, above the physical, but under the supernatural. He has to lie and deceive to get anything done in his kingdom. Satan has no place because he left his first estate and God threw him out. Then Jesus came and totally defeated him at Calvary. Now, Satan is a vagabond, going about seeking some foolish soul whom he can deceive. Apostle Paul clearly taught us to make no room for Satan to manifest his works. He said, “Neither give place to the devil.” (Ephesians 4:27)
Satan has a host of fallen angels; they are spirits that operate under his mass organization of spiritual darkness. This entire evil multitude is religious and was first created to do nothing but serve and glorify the Heavenly Father. It is natural for them to be religious, but it is now a twisted form of a mix of religious and evil activities. That is why Satan is so effective. He and his minions do almost everything they do with a religious edge that leaves the victim feeling completely satisfied that they are right and okay. His entire kingdom operates in a “spiritual” maze that created great deception. The Bible calls it “spiritual wickedness.” A sinner that knows he is a sinner is better off than a religious person who is also a sinner.
If we can understand this great truth the battle for spiritual victory can begin to take shape. This war we are in with Satan’s kingdom is not a flesh and blood battle. It is not fought with physical powers. Let’s be very careful to note the words of the Holy Spirit spoken to the Christians at Ephesus and all of us, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” (Ephesians 6:10-18)
The battle is between the mighty powers of God and the trickery of Satan. We are in the middle, but not unguarded or defenseless if we are totally dependent on the triumph of the Lord. The above Scripture settles the issue of Satan’s kingdom being below the supernatural, but above the natural. We must renounce all of our own ability or strength in this war. We must repent of our many schemes for taking the kingdom for God and return to the Biblical concepts. David said it best when facing Goliath, the Israel defying giant. “And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands.” (I Samuel 17:47)
Israel’s army trembled in their physical strength before the giant of the Philistines. This giant was not of equal strength with Israel, but was a super normal creature, probably in the same class as the Nephilim of Genesis six. David approached him in the power of His God and the giant was gloriously defeated.
Spiritual Warfare and the Total Defeat of Flesh
The first victory that God’s church must experience is the defeat of their own flesh. When David numbered Israel and even considered the strength of his army, he was immediately judged of God. Joab, the captain of David’s host, spoke wisely to the king in answer to his proposal to number Israel. Read carefully! “And Joab said unto the king, Now the LORD thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?” (II Samuel 24:3)
David’s repentance reveals the sin of trusting flesh, “And David’s heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.” (II Samuel 24:10)
Confidence in flesh has never so dominated the church as it does in this generation. Spiritual warfare has been reduced to men claiming themselves “little gods” and promoting the most arrogant things imaginable. It is all a game of “Dungeons and Dragons” except it is being done in the name of the Lord. God is about to judge this insanity with a great hand of finality. While preparing to judge this nonsense, He is searching for men and women whose hearts are perfect towards Him. To them He says, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” (II Chronicles 16:9a)
“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.” (Jeremiah 17:5) It is not just foolish; it is an act against God to trust in your own flesh. The Lord said, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18) One of the gravest sins of human flesh is pride and no pride is greater than that which thinks it can build God’s kingdom for Him. It is His kingdom and His church and we are laborers together with Him. He needs us, but can only use us when flesh has been crucified. Apostle Paul said it well, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
Spiritual Warfare and the Lord of Sabaoth
The Lord of Sabaoth (Lord of a Host), and He alone, leads His church to victory. This following quote from the book of Isaiah and quoted by Paul in the letter to the Romans is the basis of all spiritual victory in the Lord’s church. Listen to the Spirit speaking, “For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.” (Romans 9:28-29)
Jesus Christ is the “Lord of Saboath” or the “Lord of a Host.” The Father has placed in His Son’s command all powers, authorities, and principalities. Nothing has to do with the Father’s kingdom, but it has been placed under His authority. “Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.” (I Peter 3:22)
Church history is replete with His Sovereign visitation among His remnant. Whenever one, a few, or a fairly large group have humbled themselves, denounced all fleshly powers and purified the church of human design, and waited in heartbreaking hunger; He has come down like rain on the mown grass. Are we sick and exhausted with human programs, human music, and human façade? Sight, sound, and sensation have come to describe the so-called revivals of this generation. Once again, He is saying to those who claim His name as He spoke to Israel. These verses precede the very quote from Isaiah concerning the Lord of Sabaoth (host). “Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah. To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil.” (Isaiah 1:10-16)
The Lord of the church is always ready when He has a trusting, obeying seed. The Godhead; the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and His Heavenly host are ready to go forth like an invincible army. First, He must perform this victory in the prayer closets of the saints. Then, they will be possessed of His faith and tender to His words and He will lead to victory. Full of the Holy Ghost and led by the Lord of Sabaoth, no power shall stand in the way to hinder. It is time for a new move of God’s sovereign powers.
The Enemies Army Imitates
Look at the false anointing sweeping the world. It is an imitation and its power is in our defeat. The charismatic hierarchy claims that they command angels to go get wealth and bring it to them. Where are all the Hagins, Copelands, Hinns, etc. getting their wealth? Right out of the churches of Bible believing Christians. How can it be? “Their victory is our defeat” when it should be “our victory is their defeat.” While we have backed off and forgotten to pray, while the Lord of Sabaoth has been hindered by our unbelief and fear, the enemy has robbed the church blind.
Evil angels indeed serve the false church, but holy angels under the command of our Lord serve Christ’s church. It is time we prayed, fasted, and purified His church until the Lord of Sabaoth sent His host (multitude) into the harvest and defended us against the false. He is ready, has always been ready, but He must have a praying and believing people. It is not enough to have little prayer meetings with a wimpy crowd of saints. The voice of God’s people must grow into a hurricane of people sobbing, broken, and passionate for His glory. Remember, how the Lord told the angels to mark those that “sign and cry for all the abominations” in the House of God. Listen to these words, “And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity. Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house” (Ezekiel 9:4-6)
The Lord of Sabaoth
The Lord Jesus Christ is Head of the church and He is also Head of all principalities. He wants us to be acquainted with the Heavenly Host at His command and to believe Him for all the powers available by His mighty host. Apostle Paul spoke about His desire for us to know and be acquainted with their ministry, “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God.” (Ephesians 3:10)
Those words used, “principalities and powers in heavenly places” indicates a great Heavenly Host. Principalities mean “chief in rank” or “first in powers among the angels.” Powers is a word for those in particular jurisdiction or delegated to certain tasks. His angels are an organized multitude. There are angels appointed to the children (Matthew 18:10) and angels that minister for the saints. (Hebrews 1:14). Twenty times they are named in the Book of Acts. An angel entered the prison for Apostle Peter, unlocked shackles, and led him out through unlocked doors and gates as they departed. (Peter gave the credit to the Lord.)
I am personally bothered that so little interest has been shown concerning the ministry of angels. Often, the interest you do hear about is New Age instead of Biblically sound. Let’s open our hearts and minds to the miracles associated with His Heavenly Host. Be careful that everything we entertain is Biblical and sensible.
Eliminate wasted time in front of television sets seeking to be entertained. If you will fall in love with prayer and the Holy Word, spending maximum time in fellowship with the Lord, your joy could well become the Heavenly Host performing great signs and wonders for the glory of the Lord.
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