A Spiritual War

At weaker moments, I am sometimes overwhelmed by the evil and darkness in our world. What does the future hold for our children and our grandchildren? At times I travel dangerously close to the darkness and despair of a world where many cannot see the light. As a candle drives away the darkness, God gives me hope that drives away despair. The battle lines have been drawn. A spiritual war is raging. It is a battle for the heart and for the mind. But thanks be to God, who fights for us. I have the certainty that His light has overcome the darkness and victory is assured.

Calling in the reinforcements! - With the threat of an attack from Edom in 2 Chronicles, Chapter 20 - Jehoshaphat calls for national prayer and fasting to seek God's guidance. In his prayer he acknowledges: (a) God's sovereighty, (b) God's covenant promise, (c) God's presence, (d) God's goodness, and (e) most importantly - their utter dependence on God. God delivers them from the attack saying, "Do not be afraid. The battle is not yours, but God's!

Officers in God's army - In Chapter 19 Jehoshaphat appoints "Judges" throughout all of Judah. They are to judge on God's behalf with: (a) courage, (b) loyal hearts, (c) no partiality, (d) no acceptance of bribes, and (d) no injustice. Jehoshaphat was well aware of the "internal enemy" - the sin that is in everyone's heart as well as the "external enemy" - that old serpent, who is the prince of this world and commander of a vast army of darkness.

Questioning our Commander's judgement? - In Revelation, Chapter 8 the trumpets annouce God's impending judgements. The first four trumpets sound out warnings concerning the destruction of one third of the earth's ecology. Some parts of His battle plan do not make sense to the rank and file but appear to be an essential strategy for softening the hardness of heart that prevents many from enlisting in God's army. There is no conscription, no compulsory service as a soldier of salt and light. God respects the free-will of every person.

God's Strategic Battle Plan - In Chapter 4 of Zechariah we are priviledged to enter the "Situation Room" were God's battle plan is revealed. Much of His strategy was "encoded" in case it fell into enemy hands. With the support of special forces, Joshua and Zerubbabel will overcome the great mountain of sin and death by bringing forth the capstone - the weapon of mass-salvation to be deployed in an massive explosion of grace and love that will shatter the forces of darkness (See Battle Plan document below marked Zechariah, Chapter 4).

In the attached sketch I have taken some artistic license by not showing two olives trees. Instead, I have drawn only one tree with the two branches referred to in Verse 12. Jesus (God-the-Son) is the Father's weapon of mass-salvation. In Jesus we find both a priest and a prince who becomes the "Lamb of God and the "Lion of Judah". He is revealed to both Jew and Gentile through the law and the gospel, the old and the new testaments, Joshua and Zerubbabel, Moses and Elijah. The buring olive oil represents the light, warmth, and fire of the Holy Spirit whose seven flames burn brightly within the heart of the body of Christ - which is the Church.

Descension in the Ranks - In John, Chapter 7 it is surprising to find descension and lack of faith among Jesus' own family. His brothers, along with many of His followers, were expecting a warrior Messiah who would crush the occupying Roman army and throw off the yoke of oppression. Initially there were many deserters from the ranks. They could not support a "love-your-enemy" Messiah who advocated "turning-the-other-cheek" rather than striking with the sword. It was not until after the secret weapon was revealed (the resurrected Christ) that his brothers, along with many who had fallen away, put their trust and faith in Jesus.