Intro: This article is an attachment to prior articles on the Kingdom of God. You may want to read those articles first.
After the Lord ascended to heaven, the church was given the responsibility to finish the work of Jesus. We are indeed ‘the body of Christ’. As mentioned in previous articles, the church has been seated with Christ and now has the authority and power to defeat Satan and bring in the Lords reign on earth. (Ephesians 2:6, Ephesians 1:3, Matt. 24:14, Rev. 12:7-11-See Kingdom of God site map).
Periodically, there have been courageous movements in the church to proclaim His truth and His Spirit has responded with power-bringing ‘pockets’ of revival to various parts of the world. Sadly however, after the persecution ended for the church (around the 4thcentury-during the reign of Constantine) it became closely affiliated with the government and a ‘political’ church evolved. For the most part, the Holy Spirit of God was replaced with ‘traditions of men’ (Mk: 7:8). One such stage in church history was so politically corrupt; it was correctly labeled ‘the dark ages’. Two millenniums have passed and Satan has continued his illegitimate rule over the earthly kingdoms (Col.2:15, 2 Cor. 4:4, Ephesians 2:1-2). As a whole, the church has failed to accomplish the Lords purpose-His greatest truth-to bring His glorious reign to a world He desires to be set free from the ruler of sin (Matt 24:12, Rev. 12: 7-11, Rev. 20:2-3). To be fair to the Lords bride however, I have to mention my errors. Some of the false teachings the church has followed I too have pursued. One by one the Lord had to correct me to understand His true purpose. Through His Word He had to show me how Satan uses false doctrines to maintain his rule and authority over earthly kingdoms.
Satan is profoundly evil and his dark wisdom can deceive all who are not humbly dwelling in the Lords light (Prov. 1:7, John 1:1-18, 2 Cor. 4:4, 1 Peter 5:8). He attacks Gods truths on many levels. His strategy to a church that by the Lords standards is ‘dead’ (no living Holy Spirit Rev. 3:1) is to corrupt the very foundations of God’s Word. With the ‘evangelical’ church, he will attempt to ‘misguide’ them with key doctrinal errors. Satan’s most important task is to maintain his illegitimate position of authority and ruler ship over the kingdoms of the world. Once this is taken away, his appointment into the torment of hell is a breath away (Rev. 12:12, Matt. 8:29, Rev. 20:2-3). This article is focused on bringing to light important errors that are prevalent in many evangelical churches. These false teachings are vital for Satan to maintain his reign of death Heb. 2:12 (Part Two of this article). Again, I want to emphasize my shortcomings. I was deceived in all three teachings mentioned in this report. Many of you will say that what I am claiming to be an enormous teaching error is what you currently believe. The only real solution to being joined in truth is to humbly pray and ask God to show us the one true light in His Word (Prov. 1:7, Ephesians 4:13, see-Why We Disagree-General Theology-Site Map).
Our Mission
When Christ was seated at the Fathers throne, He had the authority and power to dethrone Satan and immediately cast him into the abyss (Rev. 20:2-3). The responsibility to defeat Satan’s armies however was left to the church.
There seems to be a least 2 reasons why the Lord has given the church the responsibility to bring in the Kingdom of Heaven
1) The heavens are the Lords, and the earth He has given to man..Ps 115:16
2) The church shares in His inheritance, we also share in His work Eph 5:30, Eph 4:12 (see-It’s About the Power-2, Kingdom of God).
Another reason scripture says the Lord waited to accomplish His victory was because He wanted to give the church time to fulfill her mission. He wants all of His children have the opportunity to receive Him and enter their eternal heavenly home with Him (2 Peter 3:8-9, Jn. 14:2). Indeed, if the church started and ended with the first Apostles, we would have never had the opportunity to believe and spend eternity experiencing the glorious love and righteousness He has for us. Praise God!
Satan’s Strategy
In Colossians 1:16, the Word says the Lord created all things and mentions the ruling levels of authority.
COL 1:16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
Below is the breakdown of this verse with key words in the original Greek text.
1) Thrones (thrones-Greek ) The highest level under the Lord is thrones. (Rev. 11:16, 20:4). It is possible these thrones originated with angelic beings and because of Lucifer’s fall, the Lord has compassionately given them to ‘His Sons’ ( Ish. 14:12-16, Gal. 4:6-7, Heb. 1:14)
2) Powers (Kuriotes-Greek)-the term for Lordship, or areas of dominions that the Lord placed over territories.
3) Rulers ( Acrhe-Greek) the English term for elementary or beginning.
4) Authorities (Exousia-Greek)-the term for authority or jurisdiction. Governing bodies that possibly have authority of a certain task or tasks.
From an ‘earthly’ perspective we see this ‘pyramid’ strategy of governing is copied by all military commands and almost all corporate entities. It is highly efficient in function and power. A decision from a higher lever can be passed downward simply, immediately and with minimal level of error. Many of us reading can verify personally how this type of command can achieve unity in purpose among many ‘groups’ (thousands of people) in the matter of a few ‘levels’ of communications or meetings.
In Eph. 6:12 Satan copied the same structure. He is the ruler of the Darkness of this age
(Rev. 2:13, Eph. 2:2, Jn. 12:31, 2 Corth. 4:4 )
EPH 6:12 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.
The parallels are striking.
Satan’s hierarchy of authority in this verse starts from the bottom ‘base’ and works upward.
1) Rulers (Arche-Greek)-beginning or elementary powers. Possibly demons with a different nature than angels of darkness. This would explain all the demonic creatures the world has witnessed and documented in various cultures. Many believe Satan had a rule over a ‘type’ of civilization before his fall (Ish. 14:12-16, Ezek. 28:12-19). I personally hold this view.
2) Authorities (Excousia-Greek)-authorities over the Arche –they are in charge of certain domains and areas of operation.
3) Powers (Kosmokdrator-Greek)-rulers of the English word Cosmos-or space above the world.
4) Wickedness in High Places (Epouranios-Greek) These seem to be the large ‘warrior’ angles that many in occults have observed. Michael is one of the Lords holy angels who is also in this category. (Rev. 12: 7-11).
If you substitute the thrones the Lord graciously established for His elect with spiritual forces in high places, we see Satan uses the same operational system. A pyramid with a large ‘ground support’ accomplishing the directives of those above them. The greatest difference however between these two ruling authorities is their purpose. The Lords’ is established from the love in His heart for man; with Satan-pure hate based in a selfish desire. Hitler governed under this form of satanic rule-power without love is a ruthless and tragic.
Satan’s Downfall
Now that we have a concept of how Satin operates, let’s see how he falls. We know that the Lord is the only being that in is omnipotent-all powerful and eternally self sustaining (Ps. 29, Heb. 1:3). His creation however becomes powerful by ‘corporation’ or hierarchy.
Many have commented on ‘great’ men of power over the centuries. Some examples are-Stalin, Hitler, Alexander the Great, Pompey and Genghis Khan. Are these men ‘powerful’ in their own strength. The answer is obviously no! They are powerful by the resources (men and weapons) that they have authority over. In other words, they are as ‘powerful’ as the combined weapons and kingdoms they have authority over. This old saying is true for all but the Lord
‘Absolute power corrupts absolutely’
The more kingdoms, warriors and weapons they have authority over, the ‘mightier’ they become. Their goal was world domination, to be the greatest-the original sin (Is. 14:13-14).
In Satan’s case-the more kingdoms, warriors and weapons he has authority over, the greater-more powerful he becomes. His goal however is not just to ‘defeat’ man, but to Increase Their Wickedness! This makes him more powerful! Isolated acts violence or wickedness bring him minimal power, unified ‘corporate’ acts of wickedness bring maximum power. We know from His Word, the same principle can be applied to attain power by the Lords acts of righteousness. Let’s look.
1) Angelic spiritual powers (righteous or evil) are greater than human physical powers
2 Peter 2:11 yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not bring slanderous accusations against such beings in the presence of the Lord.
2) Righteousness increases spiritual power
James 5:16 …The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
Righteousness brings in the power of the Almighty God.
3) Wickedness increases spiritual power
-Matt 24:12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,
An increase of wickedness in the end times brings a spiritual coldness that takes away human love, only Gods love from above will survive.
– Satan fights the Lord at the Nova of his power, when evil is at its highest peak since the creation of man. Satan knows that if he can get the armies of the world gathered for battle- advancing from the plain of Armageddon -the violence and bloodshed (increase in wickedness) will be tragically beyond anything the world has ever experienced (Matt 24: 21:22)! This will be the greatest battle mankind has ever engaged in! The increase in wickedness from violence and hatred will reach its zenith and Satan’s power will be at his greatest. Satan will be empowered as never before and that is when he will be at his highest confidence to battle the Lord!
REV 19:19-20:2, Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army (The Lord). (also-Rev. 16:16)
REV 16:16 Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.
Now, let’s go back to the pyramid of power. Divided countries stop the ‘upward’ process of authority and power. The Satanic goal toward a ‘New World Order’ has an evil purpose behind it (Rev. 13). It brings all authorities, powers and dominions under one evil empire. As mentioned from the prior scriptures, we must realize spiritual forces (powers) are mightier than physical powers (2 Cor. 10:4). So combining powers in the spiritual realm is the only solution to advancing righteousness or evil.
This next Biblical concept is critically important! Satan’s desire to unite all earthly kingdoms AND have reign over them in high places-the pyramid –Eph. 6:12– not only maximizes his evil power and efficiency, but divides the kingdom of Gods power base! As stated in the above scriptures (Col. 1:16, Eph. 6:12) they both have the same system of operation. CHURCH, PLEASE UNDERSTAND!! Since Satan is still ruling and operating his armies from above (and below), he is continually throwing the church into a constant mode of ‘short circuit’! Not a complete collapse-God is in control-but in a state of disarray. The Lord is constantly trying to have His body (army) to unite and act as one; to unite the churches power base. Sadly, Satan understands how to build and disrupt spiritual power better than most Christians. Below are verses that mention what Jesus desires through unity and how Satan has disrupted the function of the church by his hierarchy of power.
John 17:22-23 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one:
I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
Matt 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (also Eph. 4:13)
Love and unity when pursuing the kingdom of God will increase the Lords presence (and power) on earth, ultimately resulting in the devils downfall.
1 Thess 2:18 For we wanted to come to you–certainly I, Paul, did, again and again–but Satan stopped us. Also Rev. 13:10
Daniel 10:12-13 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.
But the prince of the Persian kingdom (the evil army of Satan Eph. 6:12) resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me. (Notice- Michael is ‘one of the chief princes’-or he is one of many who fight Satan by a hierarchy of leadership over territories….the pyramid of power-also Rev. 2:13, Rev. 12:10).
Even though Satan’s ‘throne’ is illegal, he uses it to bring chaos and disruption to the church.
Let’s simplify this process with an example. The first strikes in the US coalition against Iraq were to take out communications and air support. Once this happened, they would be able to send in ground forces without a coordinated effort against them. The forces from above were also completely eliminated. They still had the task however of seizing the ground forces one territory at a time.
Now we will intensify the situation in the spiritual realm. Not only does Satan have forces ‘in the air’ but that is where he abides with a command center (Eph. 2:2, Eph. 6:12, Rev.2:13). As stated above, spiritual powers are far greater than physical powers (or planes in the air). Satan desires not only to unite his kingdoms and increase their wickedness for the sake of gaining spiritual power, he also knows it this is the greatest way to disrupt the churches operating system (mission) (1 Thess. 2:18, Dan. 10:12-13, Rev. 2:13, 12:10, 13:10). The victor between the two spiritual ‘pyramids’ or operations is the one who can eliminated air command, hinder communication and seize all the ground forces!
Beloved, you are now ‘putting this together’. If you have read the previous articles on the kingdom of God this is exactly what scripture says the Lord commands us to do!
1) The Word of God identifies the number one purpose (mission objective) for the church is to advance the Kingdom of God (in heaven and earth!)
Matt 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matt 6:9-10 “This, then, is how you should pray: ” `Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Matt 11:12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.
2) Realize what objectives are and are not yet accomplished
a. What the Lord has accomplished through Christ
-The victorious outcome of the war is already determined
COL 2:15 And (Jesus) having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
REV 20:1-2 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.
-Our authority, weapons and powers we have In Christ are greater than our enemies
Ephesians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Ephesians 1:19-21That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,
far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
2 Cor. 10:4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds (also Heb. 4:12).
-the methods of combat are explained to us
Matt 18:18-20 “I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven…
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
When we bind and loosen ground forces the Lords armies will start to fight the pyramid powers in high places. When combined with ‘praying in unity’ Jesus (who is the light of the world) will fight the darkness and sin in the ‘middle’ of Christians battling darkness. This is the Lords army’s method to seize ground forces while heavenly angels fight the forces in the air-see below. (Jn.8:12, see Harvest-Part 2, Kingdom of God).
b. Objectives the church has not accomplished
-unifying an righteous army to fight evil forces by the word of God
Matt 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Also Jn. 8:12
-Implementing the task of seizing the forces on the ground and having our allies in heaven (the heavenly angels air force-love it!) seize the evil air forces.
Matt 16:19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” A detailed description of this is given in Rev. 12:7-12
Final Comment
When the church finally realizes its purpose and becomes unified to dethrone Satan, a dramatic spiritual breakthrough happens.
REV 12:10 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 Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.
Gods hierarchy of reign (His pyramid operating power system) is restored for the first time since before Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden (above vs. Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ.) When Satan is hurled to earth he is furious and still obtains his ‘base of power’ for a season Rev. 12:12, however-the churches power and connection with our Lord ‘SKYROCKETS!!’ The previous evil barrier between the Lord and earth is gone. This explains why so many scriptures teach about supernatural events in the end time.
-Acts 2:17 ” `In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
–REV 11:3-5 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”
These are the two olive trees and the two lamp stands that stand before the Lord of the earth.
If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies.
False believers will have enough power to use the Lords name and perform miracles.
Matt 7:22-23 Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
The darkness of Satan that has blinded the eyes of our loved ones can now invade them with the glory of God…it is the only way to see His truth
2 Cor. 4:4-6 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God….
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
Note: We need to be in constant prayer now however so the Gods glory will invade their lives and not be associated with the deception the Lord allows in the end times, or the deception the devil gives to those who are not of Gods elect (2 Thes. 2:11, Rev. 13:14, Matt. 24:24)
Part two will explain 3 major theological errors that Satin has promoted to delay his inevitable defeat.
Please be in prayer about the future of this our mission for the Lord. God bless you as you seek His truth.