Thursday, November 6, 2014

Mission: Save_Protect_Destroy

In September I introduced a new series Battle Ready.  I apologize for the lag time between introduction and launch.  Without further delay....let's begin.

The purpose of this series is to heighten our awareness, preparedness, alertness and defenses for Spiritual battles.

Every Nation/Country has a Governmental led Military designed to defend and protect their territory and people. Some have several branches with distinct overall missions.  

In the Unites States for example, the Military comprises of the Army, Navy and Air Force. Each branch and affiliated sub-branches have a distinct operational mission as it pertains to defending and protecting the Country's territory and people.  The general mission of the United States Army is "to fight and win our Nation’s wars by providing prompt, sustained land dominance across the full range of military operations and spectrum of conflict in support of combatant commanders."

It is also important to note that all military forces worldwide have an organized hierarchy which includes a rank assigned to each member.  This rank order ensures mission orders are accomplished efficiently.

In other words, the rank system maintains order, establishes Levels of Responsibility, the Continuation of Command, the opportunity to be Promoted and the Prestige of Rank.

The highest rank in the US army is a General. An Army General typically has more than 30 years of experience and service. They command all operations that fall within their geographical area.

Spiritual Military Armies

Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Please note that there are two spiritual forces armies. Dark vs. Light/Good vs. Evil.

The Devil is obviously the General of the Dark/Evil Army. It is important to realize that the Dark Army is well organized and has a full functional hierarchy and ranking system. The text even points them out as authorities and rulers, which we can associate to Lieutenants, Colonels, Privates etc. Let us not be deceived to believe that the enemy is disorganized and has no order or structure or mission.

The Mission of the Evil/Dark Army is to Steel, Kill and Destroy God's Children and to prevent us from inheriting our blood bought salvation with the promise of living eternally with God in Paradise/Heaven, sin free.

Oh, be encouraged, The Light/Good Army is led by a General as well, the bible calls Him Michael the Archangel (click on link to learn more about Michael). Michael is Jesus himself (read the above link that includes bible references). The Good/Light Army is well organized with Angels that have various assigned titles, roles and responsibilities.

The Mission of the Good/Light Army is to SAVE God's Children from eternal death as a result of sin. The first part of this mission was accomplished when God sent his Son to be scarified and shed His blood to cover our sins.

Spiritual Operation: SALVATION

John 10:10-11(NKJV) The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that [you] may have life, and that [you] may have it more abundantly. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

Romans 6:23(KJV) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

John 3:17(NKJV) For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

1Peter 1:19-20(CEB) Instead, you were liberated by the precious blood of Christ, like that of a flawless, spotless lamb.  Christ was chosen before the creation of the world, but was only revealed at the end of time. This was done for you,

The Second Mission of the Good/Light Army is  Provide, Protect and Defend all who believe  in Jesus Christ and in His sacrificial gift (death, burial and resurrection) for our sins.

Our Spiritual Defense: Believe
 John 3:18-21(NKJV)  “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

Mark 16:15-16 (NKJV) And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.  He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

Rewards of Belief:  Provision and Protection

PROVISION

Philippians 4:19 (KJV)  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Psalm 23 (KJV)  The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want...

Luke 6:38 (NKJV) Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Malachi 3:10 (NLT) Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!

PROTECTION

Psalms 91:11 (NLT) For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.

Psalm 34:7 (ISV) The angel of the LORD surrounds those who fear him, and he delivers them.

Psalm 23:4 (AMP) Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me. 

Psalms 27
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
When the wicked came against me
To eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.
 Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident...


The third mission is also to eventually destroy the tempter devil and all his followers including those who deny Christ as well as all remnants (death, sorrow, evil) of sin.

DESTRUCTION

Revelation 21:4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.

Isaiah 3:11(CEB) Doom to the wicked; they are evil. What they have done will be done to them.

Isaiah59-20-22 (CEB) Doom to those who call evil good and good evil, who present darkness as light and light as darkness, who make bitterness sweet and sweetness bitter.
 

Luke 17:26-30 And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man:  They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.
 
Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built;  but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.  Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.

Let us keep Believing God, His promises are sure. He will never leave us nor forsake us.

2 Chronicles 32:7-8 (KJV)
Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:

8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles...


 2 Kings 6:14-18 (NIV)
14 Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.

15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.

16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

17 And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

When the Lord opened Elisha's servants spiritual eyes, he was able to see God's Army of Angels in place ready to battle for them. Read the full account in the text.  

 In conclusion, The God of Angel Armies is always on our side. Let us let our light shine for Jesus and continue to pray that our eyes will be opened to see that God is with us

 Whom Shall I Fear/God of Angel Armies
 
 Chris Tomlin


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