PROPHETS and APOSTLES identify the enemy

 

1 Peter 5:9

King James Version

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, 

knowing that the same afflictions 

are accomplished in your brethren 

that are in the world.

We are being given an arsenal of truth.

The born again has one, specific enemy.

JESUS identifies this enemy in the previous post.

Now, the prophets and apostles do the same.

In accordance with GOD's laws.

Here's what GOD's faithful have to say about the enemy:

Isaiah 14:12-17

King James Version

12 How art thou fallen from heaven, 

O Lucifer, son of the morning! 

how art thou cut down to the ground, 

which didst weaken the nations!

13 For thou hast said in thine heart, 

I will ascend into heaven, 

I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: 

I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, 

in the sides of the north:

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; 

I will be like the most High.

15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, 

to the sides of the pit.

16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, 

and consider thee, saying, 

Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, 

that did shake kingdoms;

17 That made the world as a wilderness, 

and destroyed the cities thereof; 

that opened not the house of his prisoners?

2 Corinthians 4:4

King James Version

4 In whom the god of this world 

hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, 

lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, 

who is the image of God, 

should shine unto them.

Galatians 5:16-18

King James Version

16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, 

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, 

and the Spirit against the flesh: 

and these are contrary the one to the other:

 so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, 

ye are not under the law.

Galatians 5:19-21

King James Version

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, 

which are these; 

Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, 

emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, 

drunkenness, revellings, and such like: 

of the which I tell you before, 

as I have also told you in time past, 

that they which do such things 

shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Ephesians 2:2-3

King James Version

2 Wherein in time past ye walked 

according to the course of this world, 

according to the prince of the power of the air, 

the spirit that now worketh 

in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation 

in times past in the lusts of our flesh, 

fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; 

and were by nature the children of wrath, 

even as others.

Ephesians 6:12

King James Version

12 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.

Colossians 2:8-9

King James Version

8 Beware lest any man spoil you 

through philosophy and vain deceit, 

after the tradition of men, 

after the rudiments of the world, 

and not after Christ.

9 For in him dwelleth 

all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

1 Timothy 4:1

King James Version

4 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, 

that in the latter times 

some shall depart from the faith, 

giving heed to seducing spirits, 

and doctrines of devils;

2 Timothy 3:1-7

King James Version

3 This know also, that in the last days 

perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, 

covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, 

disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, 

false accusers, incontinent, fierce, 

despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, 

lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, 

but denying the power thereof: 

from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, 

and lead captive silly women laden with sins, 

led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning, 

and never able to come 

to the knowledge of the truth.

James 4:4

King James Version

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, 

know ye not that the friendship of the world 

is enmity with God? 

whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world 

is the enemy of God.

1 Peter 5:8

King James Version

8 Be sober, be vigilant; 

because your adversary the devil, 

as a roaring lion, walketh about, 

seeking whom he may devour:

Revelation 12:12-13

King James Version

12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, 

and ye that dwell in them. 

Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! 

for the devil is come down unto you, 

having great wrath, because he knoweth 

that he hath but a short time.

13 And when the dragon saw 

that he was cast unto the earth, 

he persecuted the woman 

which brought forth the man child.

Related material:

JESUS identifies the enemy

The SAFE house

Image: Clipart Library

JESUS identifies the enemy

 

Job 1:6-7

King James Version

6 Now there was a day when the sons of God 

came to present themselves before the Lord, 

and Satan came also among them.

7 And the Lord said unto Satan, 

Whence comest thou? 

Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, 

From going to and fro in the earth, 

and from walking up and down in it.

The battles we fight are never that simple.

Unless we are born again, we can't determine who we're really fighting.

Much less know the spirit behind all battles.

Neither would we know how to conquer the battle.

JESUS commands we be born again.

John 3:5-8

King James Version

5 Jesus answered, 

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, 

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, 

he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; 

and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, 

Ye must be born again.

8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, 

and thou hearest the sound thereof, 

but canst not tell whence it cometh, 

and whither it goeth: 

so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Being born again gives us accurate discernment.

1 Corinthians 2:14

King James Version

14 But the natural man receiveth not 

the things of the Spirit of God: 

for they are foolishness unto him: 

neither can he know them, 

because they are spiritually discerned.

A true born again believes in the WORD.

And that WORD is CHRIST.

I trust in CHRIST alone.

Herein, the LORD identifies the enemy:

Matthew 6:24

King James Version

24 No man can serve two masters: 

for either he will hate the one, and love the other; 

or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. 

Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Matthew 16:23

King James Version

23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, 

Get thee behind me, Satan: 

thou art an offence unto me: 

for thou savourest not the things that be of God, 

but those that be of men.

Mark 1:23-26

King James Version

23 And there was in their synagogue 

a man with an unclean spirit; 

and he cried out,

24 Saying, Let us alone; 

what have we to do with thee, 

thou Jesus of Nazareth? 

art thou come to destroy us? 

I know thee who thou art, 

the Holy One of God.

25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, 

Hold thy peace, and come out of him.

26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, 

and cried with a loud voice, 

he came out of him.

Luke 16:15

King James Version

15 And he said unto them, 

Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; 

but God knoweth your hearts: 

for that which is highly esteemed among men 

is abomination in the sight of God.

John 8:44-45

King James Version

44 Ye are of your father the devil, 

and the lusts of your father ye will do. 

He was a murderer from the beginning, 

and abode not in the truth, 

because there is no truth in him. 

When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: 

for he is a liar, and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth, 

ye believe me not.

John 15:18-19

King James Version

18 If the world hate you, 

ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world, 

the world would love his own: 

but because ye are not of the world, 

but I have chosen you out of the world, 

therefore the world hateth you.

John 16:7-11

King James Version

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; 

It is expedient for you that I go away: 

for if I go not away, the Comforter 

will not come unto you; 

but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come, 

he will reprove the world of sin, 

and of righteousness, 

and of judgment:

9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, 

and ye see me no more;

11 Of judgment, 

because the prince of this world 

is judged.

Revelation 2:12-13

King James Version

12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; 

These things saith he which hath 

the sharp sword with two edges;

13 I know thy works, 

and where thou dwellest, 

even where Satan's seat is: 

and thou holdest fast my name, 

and hast not denied my faith, 

even in those days wherein Antipas 

was my faithful martyr, 

who was slain among you, 

where Satan dwelleth.

Revelation 2:14-15

King James Version

14 But I have a few things against thee, 

because thou hast there them 

that hold the doctrine of Balaam, 

who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock 

before the children of Israel, 

to eat things sacrificed unto idols, 

and to commit fornication.

15 So hast thou also them 

that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, 

which thing I hate.

The LORD's apostles warns us about this same enemy.

Head over to the next post.

Here's your arsenal of truth:

JESUS the WORD

JESUS on the WORD of GOD

On Knowing the Enemy of Christ

JESUS and Satan

The HOLY SPIRIT

The devil's DEVICES

Satan's SECRET weapon

spirit behind wars

being free of the spirit of war

SPIRIT of INFIRMITY

KNOW the world

The HOLY SPIRIT's REPROOF

WARRIOR of the SPIRIT

Sin AWARENESS

HOLINESS

Related material:

The SAFE house

Image: Clipart Library

The WATCHMAN ministry

 

JESUS tells all of us:

Mark 13:37

King James Version

37 And what I say unto you 

I say unto all, 

Watch.

I had no idea it was going to be my work.

To be a watchman.

Even as all early indications pointed in that direction.

As a child, I would observe anything, everything, and everyone.

Not as a voyeur, but merely out of a love for learning.

And because of that, I'd study a lot.

I'd read every interesting book I can get hold of.

I'd listen to every interesting person who had something to teach.

I'd take note of everything that makes sense.

As an adult, I sold books I've read.

That I may buy more books.

Until such time, there was no more book to buy.

The worm reached the end of her leaf.

Nothing completed my research.

There was always something missing.

Until GOD made me born again.

And the very book I avoided, His book, became it.

My ONE, TRUE SOURCE.

Of course, GOD saved the best for last.

He wanted me to exhaust all research.

And yet, never finding absolute truth.

ABSOLUTE truth was His.

Reserved for those who care to know.

And this tenacious child of His wanted to know.

But first, a life experience.

Wherein she got her share of hits, and misses.

Of success, and failure.

Of pride, and being humbled.

Of cycles of boom, and bust.

Would that have made her an effective watchman?

Well, only GOD can determine that.

All in all, she was aware something was going on.

What, she initially couldn't put a finger on it.

Till GOD made her born again over four years ago.

That's when she found her career.

Rather, when GOD pointed out her career.

After 97 blogs, and 22 books on spiritual warfare, that seems established.

And now, this blog you're reading now.

A need for fortification.

If ruin occurs, a need to rebuild.

And definitely, a need to be on the lookout.

To have watchmen on the wall.

For the enemy prowls constantly.

1 Peter 5:8

King James Version

8 Be sober, be vigilant; 

because your adversary the devil, 

as a roaring lion, walketh about, 

seeking whom he may devour:

JESUS warned us -- "the kingdom of God is at hand":

Mark 1:15

King James Version

15 And saying, 

The time is fulfilled, 

and the kingdom of God is at hand: 

repent ye, 

and believe the gospel.

So, why should we dilly dally?

Why should we be complacent?

Why should we not be watchmen?

So, this child watches, writes, waits, and worships.

And warns you all the time.

Not because I'm a prophet.

Hardly.

I'm merely a Berean workman.

Faithful to the WORD of GOD.

JESUS tasked me to tell you about the Rapture.

Which could occur any moment.

If our hearts are not right with GOD, how can we meet JESUS in the air?

Even a child could understand a simple thing like that.

And if you had a childlike heart, your next question would be:

"How do I get right with GOD?"

We must be holy before GOD.

Our bodies will be changed, when the Rapture happens.

Incorruption, in place of corruption.

We need to be born again, of the SPIRIT.

That we may know, understand, and accept the non-negotiable gospel of CHRIST.

Unless we walk with SPIRIT, we walk with the devil.

As workman, and watchman, I can't not write about the devil's devices.

That's like telling me to please stop breathing.

Or to play dead, deaf, dumb, blind, and mute.

Won't happen.

Satan's finger is in every pie.

He's that greedy, vindictive, and desperate.

His influence encompasses everything in the world.

How can it not?

He is the god of this world:

2 Corinthians 4:4

King James Version

4 In whom the god of this world 

hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, 

lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, 

who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Now you see why we need to believe in JESUS.

Now you see why we need to know Scripture.

Now you see why we need the full armor of GOD.

That's the fortification we speak of.

How did the prophets of old warn people?

How did they perform their job as watchmen?

The next post tells us more.

Related material:

The BOOKLOVER's TESTIMONY

The GOSPEL of JESUS CHRIST

PROTECTORS of SCRIPTURE

BEWARE false doctrines

BREAKING strongholds

Being a WATCHMAN

The devil's DEVICES

Sin AWARENESS

SPIRIT of GOD

HOLINESS

Image: Mike Goad

The COMPROMISED castle

 

Ezekiel 12:20

King James Version

20 And the cities that are inhabited 

shall be laid waste, 

and the land shall be desolate; 

and ye shall know that I am the Lord.

Ever been to a castle?

What is it for?

How are its walls?

Is it still inhabited?

If not, why was it abandoned?

I've been to one in Europe, and it's of stone.

I marveled at the solidity of its structure.

Bare, and bereft, it spoke of times past.

But what is a castle?

"A castle is a type of fortified structure built during the Middle Ages predominantly by the nobility or royalty and by military orders. Scholars usually consider a castle to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble."

   -- Wikipedia

What causes castles to fall apart?

Age.

Time.

Battles.

Neglect.

Looting.

If castles have been stormed into, it's because of dispute.

Battles from encroachers.

Outside enemies.

Worse still, from infighting.

Wherein kings and queens are toppled.

From once-trusted advisors.

Who merely bade their time.

And made alliances with the enemies.

Further strengthening their resolve, and attack.

After victory, more battles occur.

The cycle keeps going.

How many castles, and fortresses, can sustain such battles?

The Bible attests wars to this:

James 4:1-3

King James Version

4 From whence come wars 

and fightings among you? 

come they not hence, even of your lusts 

that war in your members?

2 Ye lust, and have not: 

ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: 

ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, 

that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

How is the castle of your heart?

Is it strong?

Fortified?

Pure?

Safe?

Or are you hit on all fronts?

As born again, I'm hit on all fronts.

All the time.

The devil makes sure of that.

The enemy waits, in ambush.

Looking for any sign of weakness.

Looking for any compromised walls, windows, doors, gates, roof, foundation.

How he hates fortified, impenetrable structures.

All the more he wants to tear it down.

So he may mock GOD with it.

In my case, JESUS is the main occupier.

He is King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords.

The ONLY occupier.

Mark 1:22

King James Version

22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: 

for he taught them as one that had authority, 

and not as the scribes.

How the enemies TREMBLE at His presence!

Mark 1:23-26

King James Version

23 And there was in their synagogue 

a man with an unclean spirit; 

and he cried out,

24 Saying, Let us alone; 

what have we to do with thee, 

thou Jesus of Nazareth? 

art thou come to destroy us? 

I know thee who thou art, 

the Holy One of God.

25 And Jesus rebuked him, 

saying, 

Hold thy peace, 

and come out of him.

26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, 

and cried with a loud voice, 

he came out of him.

Matthew 8:28-29

King James Version

28 And when he was come to the other side 

into the country of the Gergesenes, 

there met him two possessed with devils, 

coming out of the tombs, 

exceeding fierce, 

so that no man might pass by that way.

29 And, behold, they cried out, 

saying, 

What have we to do with thee, 

Jesus, thou Son of God? 

art thou come hither 

to torment us before the time?

James 2:19

King James Version

19 Thou believest that there is one God; 

thou doest well: 

the devils also believe, 

and tremble.

James 4:7

King James Version

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. 

Resist the devil, 

and he will flee from you.

A perfectly-fortified castle has JESUS in it.

Only He can keep evil at bay.

Only His WORD rules us.

By His WORD, enemies tremble.

A born again knows how to keep defenses up.

We must have the right dose of awareness.

And of humility.

We know our potential weakness.

We secure ourselves from it.

For it's usually from within.

A letting down of guard.

Literally, and figuratively.

That's what we guard against.

Carelessness.

Indifference.

Ignorance.

Pride.

Complacency.

And everything else the enemy has cooked up.

But we have our Scripture to live from

We have our LORD to protect us.

By our faith, we stand.

Acts 4:12

King James Version

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: 

for there is none other name under heaven 

given among men, whereby we must be saved.

More articles here.

Related material:

JESUS

POWER of JESUS

JESUS and Satan

The devil's DEVICES

cause of wars

Sin AWARENESS

CHRIST's soldier

WARRIOR of the SPIRIT 

The PURPOSE of the HOLY SPIRIT

Image: Pxhere

IMAGINE this CITY

 

Revelation 21:10

King James Version

10 And he carried me away in the spirit 

to a great and high mountain, 

and shewed me that great city, 

the holy Jerusalem, 

descending out of heaven from God,

Ever seen a magnificent city?

A closely-guarded city?

Where people are safe?

Free to roam?

With GOD in their midst?

Such a city has been prophesied:

Revelation 21:11-27

King James Version

11 Having the glory of God: 

and her light was like unto a stone most precious, 

even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

12 And had a wall great and high, 

and had twelve gates, 

and at the gates twelve angels, 

and names written thereon, 

which are the names of the twelve tribes 

of the children of Israel:

13 On the east three gates; 

on the north three gates; 

on the south three gates; 

and on the west three gates.

14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, 

and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

15 And he that talked with me 

had a golden reed to measure the city, 

and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.

16 And the city lieth foursquare, 

and the length is as large as the breadth: 

and he measured the city with the reed, 

twelve thousand furlongs. 

The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.

17 And he measured the wall thereof, 

an hundred and forty and four cubits, 

according to the measure of a man, 

that is, of the angel.

18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: 

and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

19 And the foundations of the wall of the city 

were garnished with all manner of precious stones. 

The first foundation was jasper; 

the second, sapphire; 

the third, a chalcedony; 

the fourth, an emerald;

20 The fifth, sardonyx; 

the sixth, sardius; 

the seventh, chrysolyte; 

the eighth, beryl; 

the ninth, a topaz; 

the tenth, a chrysoprasus; 

the eleventh, a jacinth; 

the twelfth, an amethyst.

21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: 

every several gate was of one pearl: 

and the street of the city was pure gold, 

as it were transparent glass.

22 And I saw no temple therein: 

for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb 

are the temple of it.

23 And the city had no need of the sun, 

neither of the moon, to shine in it: 

for the glory of God did lighten it, 

and the Lamb is the light thereof.

24 And the nations of them which are saved 

shall walk in the light of it: 

and the kings of the earth 

do bring their glory and honour into it.

25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: 

for there shall be no night there.

26 And they shall bring the glory and honour 

of the nations into it.

27 And there shall in no wise enter into it 

any thing that defileth, 

neither whatsoever worketh abomination, 

or maketh a lie: 

but they which are written 

in the Lamb's book of life.

True believers look forward to the NEW JERUSALEM.

We all long for such a city.

Safe, and free from evil.

We await that day.

As it is, our cities are laid to waste.

We have godless societies.

SPIRIT led me to one particular city.

Related material:

GOD's Tabernacle

The NEW JERUSALEM

The FUTURE city of GOD's GLORY

Image: Wallpaper Access