Tag Archive: spiritual warfare


THE BRIDE OF CHRIST REVEALED

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September 22, 2009

THE BRIDE OF CHRIST REVEALED

The preparation of the bride and her work is the essence of the vision God reviled to me (see: Inside-the-Bride-of-Christ). At this point in time I believe that it would be good to present some additional information about who the bride is. The bride is the cumulative body of Christ, formed of the redeemed of the Lord:

But, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ; from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love (Ephesians 4:15 – 16).

The body of Christ

The body of Christ

The bride is pure and holy. She is a gift to God, perfect in every way:

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the Word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:25 – 27).

Jesus spoke to His disciples about the bride in the following passage:

In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know. Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:2 – 6).

In this passage Jesus states that He will come again and take His disciples into Himself. Therefore, the two become one and this is in essence the same as marriage. In addition, Jesus proclaims to be the Tabernacle in stating that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life (see my previous post on this subject Jesus-is-the-Way-the-Truth-and-the-Life).

The Glory Cloud Covers the Tabernacle

The Glory Cloud Covers the Tabernacle

The Tabernacle is the place where God dwells with His people on earth. Jesus also talks about many mansions which are buildings that are often found in a city of many people. This presents the concept of the bride being a great city of people, even the holy Jerusalem, which is clarified in this scripture:

Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me saying, ”Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God (Revelation 21:9 – 10).

the bride of christ

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Preparing the Bride of Christ for Jesus

Filed under: Bride of Christ, Covenant, Jesus, Jesus is the Most Holy Place, Jesus is the Most Holy Place, Jesus the Holy Place, Jesus the Tabernacle, Jesus the Tabernacle Courtyard, Ministry, Spirituality, spirtual warfare — 4 Comments
September 20, 2009

Preparing the Bride of Christ for Jesus

We introduced the Bride of Christ in a previous post (The-Bride-of-Christ-Revealed) and now attempt to expand on this subject a bit. Our understanding of the bride is critical because Jesus is coming back for His bride and therefore, we should do all that we can to prepare for this event. To this end an understanding who the bride is and knowledge of how to prepare for the second coming of Jesus is of primary importance to those of us who are truly seeking Jesus.

The New Jerusalem - The Bride of Christ

The New Jerusalem - The Bride of Christ

We as Christians must all seek to be a part of the bride of Christ. Doing so means that we all become a part of something much bigger that ourselves. We become a part of the collective body of all the saints who followed and worshiped Jesus. By becoming a part of this body we become eligible to also become one in marriage to Jesus and to live forever in His care. This is the ultimate goal of regaining the garden and dwelling there with God in the cool of the day.

But are we ready? Are we even members of the bride? If so, are we ready for the marriage feast? Has the pathway for our Lords return been made straight? Is the bride of whom we are a member matured and ready for this most scared union with God?

On an individual basis we must examine our lives to determine if we have done the things that Jesus did when He walked the earth? Did we say the things that He did? Have we emulated His life in everything that we do? Have we achieved the individual purity and holiness required to being a part of the bride?

In doing these things the body of Christ (which is the bride in waiting) grows and matures. Jesus has sent us to prepare a way for His return. He has put us in charge of His ministry and He wants us to finish the work that He started. It is in the completion of this work that the bride is matured. Only when the bride has sufficiently matured will the bridegroom come for His bride.

Now let’s take a look at a scripture that foresees the coming of the bride and the bridegroom:

Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 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.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” (Revelation 21:2-5)

The New Jerusalem is the bride of Christ in this passage. Firstly, she is adorned as a bride and is seen coming down from heaven. She therefore is the body of all the saints of Jesus. As Jerusalem is a city comprised of many people, so the New Jerusalem (the bride) is comprised of God’s saints.

The scripture above also communicates that the Bride is adorned for her husband and therefore she has prepared herself for the wedding feast. On an individual basis this adornment is initiated as we are cleansed in the Blood of our Lamb Jesus on the cross (Jesus-is-the-Way).  It is completed by the washing in the water of His word (Jesus-the-Brazen-Laver), which matures us as we seek to become like our Lord (Becoming-like-Jesus-the-Way). Finally, our adornment comes by being victorious in the spiritual warfare of Jesus (Jesus-is-the-Golden-Altar-of-Incense). In achieving this we enter a closer relationship with God where as we are empowered to know our mission and pathway, as we develop a familial relationship with the Father and as we bring down the evil strongholds of the devil with our prayers (The-Victory-of-Jesus-Empowers-Us). Once we have entered into this relationship of empowerment we can stand before the Lord adorned with the good works done in the name of Jesus His Son. It is at this time that we become ready to move on to the next level of relationship with God, a relationship of covenant (Jesus-is-the-Ark-of-the-New-Covenant). It is in the covenant relationship that the bride and the bridegroom can become one.

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INSIDE THE BRIDE OF CHRIST

Filed under: Bride of Christ, Jesus, Ministry, New Jerusalem, Spirituality, the morning star — 1 Comment
September 16, 2009

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The Morning Star Rising on the First Day

INSIDE THE BRIDE OF CHRIST

One day, church friends of ours introduced us to a prayer group that they knew about. It was being hosted by another couple who attended our church. During this meeting, I had the experience of hearing a series of phrases over and over again in my mind. I wanted to memorize these words and the repetition helped me do this. In also experienced thoughts and memories that were not mine. Somehow I knew that these thoughts were from the mind of the bride of Christ. It was as if I lived inside her mind. The following passages describe this experience to the best of my ability. I have also inserted relevant scripture to help in understanding this passage:

The New Jerusalem - The Bride of Christ

The New Jerusalem - The Bride of Christ

We were alone in a beautiful room. It was a quiet time; a time of preparedness, for there was to be a great event of which none can compare. There was joy and happiness. There was anticipation, for we are the source of celebration. We are the focus of attention. There is no sound in the room, just the song of rustling linen.

And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints (Revelation 19:8).

The quiet is good for reflection upon the images of the old world. There were trials, tribulations, and threats of war. In looking back, there were wars, earthquakes, storms, floods, disease, famine, pestilence, and sin. The earth was fouled. There was war with Satan, and then the victory of souls. Eventually, confrontation came with the beast and the final victory—the deliverance and unity of the saved.

Violence in Heaven

Violence in Heaven

We are a new creation! We are the culmination of saved Souls.

but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ; from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love (Ephesians 4:15-16).

We are one being comprised of many in the perfect image and likeness of God, assembled like the atoms of the bodies we once knew.

For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12).

There is great unity and power in the new creation.

Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal (Revelation 21:9-11).

There is ecstasy in the bride. Every soul that exists in the bride shouts with joy, for we all know that we confessed Him. We all know that we changed our sinful ways for Him. We all obeyed His commandments, and we all loved Him. We are so united when we think of Him.

How many times did He forgive us? How many times did He heal us? How many times did He save us from evil or keep us from harm? How endless is His love? Truly, this is our hour. The preparation is complete.

Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready (Revelation 19:7).

Someone knocks at the door. It is the Father, and He is beaming. He holds out His arm, we take it and walk arm in arm. We enter the great hall where the floor is as a single dark green emerald.

And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardis stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald (Revelation 4:3).

In this room, the pews are crystal,

Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal (Revelation 4:6),

the walls are gold, and there is no ceiling, just the sky. The seats are filled with the winged angels, dressed in white. They are all gazing at us while singing the wedding song in seven-part harmony. We look for Him, but the aisle is too long to see the end. We walk, and we walk.

We see Him! JOY! JOY! He is very handsome as He smiles a big smile, and we see heaven in His eyes. We keep walking, and then we are there. The Father presents the bride. Jesus holds out His hand. Our heart sings as we take His hand. The angel, Gabrielle, conducts the ceremony, but we can think of nothing but Him. We say, “I do.” We hear, “You may kiss the bride.” Anticipation! He comes closer, facing us. He lifts the veil, draws closer and embraces us.

Cheers and celebrations! We turn to face the assembly. We walk down the aisle. The angels are delirious. They sing, they fly, and they cause great explosions in the sky. A new, larger sun rises over the altar behind us.

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:16 -17)

Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega

Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega

A new world awaits us.

During the prayer circle, I prayed these words out loud. These are the thoughts and words that I received from God and spoke in prayer at the meeting that day. Despite having spoken these words, I had no previous knowledge of their foundation. I did not know anything about the bride of Christ. I had no idea what I was doing or experiencing.

When it came my time to pray, I had simply repeated the words that God had given me just moments before. I also thought that they were special enough that I wrote them down when I got home. Not immediately, but over the course of several years I began to see how all the pieces of the puzzle fit together.

To learn more about what happened after this check out my book entitled “Possess the Vision.” It can be found at Amazon.com by simply entering the book title.

Read the truly amazing life story about how the forces of good and evil battle over a man and the vision that God gives him. Joseph W. Gordon’s Possess the Vision (Xulon Press, $12.95, 140 pages, ISBN 1-59781-205-6) tells about the mysterious spiritual experiences that occur throughout his lifetime.

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Jesus Follows you into Ministry

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September 13, 2009

The Morning Star Rising on the First Day

Read my story by ordering my book, “Possess the Vision”

Jesus Follows you into Ministry

It is very interesting that when Jesus sent 70 of His disciples into ministry (see Jesus-Provides-All-that-we-Need), that He sent them to the places that He would latter visit in His ministry.

Jesus is the Light of the Wordl

Jesus is the Light of the Wordl

From this we should understand a couple of things. First, that our ministry is the ministry of Jesus. Our entering into ministry should be in the direction that He sends us. Secondly, we should understand that when Jesus sends us then He will follow and support the effort.

It is only after we have stepped out in faith that the Holy Spirit comes to empower us and enable us to be victorious over the forces of evil.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

His support is necessary to accomplishment all that He has asked us to do.

When this happens others will see that the accomplishments are impossible without God. It is in this manner that God gets the glory that He desires and truly deserves. So, our faith is necessary to take action, but the power of the Lord is necessary for success. After all, we know that without God we can do nothing. Remember the verse about the true vine?:

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

The key point here is that ministry must be about Jesus and not about us. It is not our ministry but His. We are simply His agents designated to finish the work that He started. Our ministry and our lives therefore become a focus on Him. Our part in ministry is to step out in faith and to live as purely as we can. His part is to reinforce our efforts with signs and wonders through the power of His Holy Spirit.

Read my story by ordering my book, “Possess the Vision”


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Possess the Perfect Faith of Jesus

Filed under: Faith, Jesus, Ministry, Spirituality, spirtual warfare — 1 Comment
September 10, 2009

Possess the Perfect Faith of Jesus

We as Christians certainly know that with God all things are possible. We can win every battle, and defeat every enemy because there is nothing that is impossible with God.

The Walls of Jerico fall Befor the Ark

The Walls of Jerico fall Befor the Ark

In addition, God has placed a dream in everyone’s heart that relates to their mission and or purpose on this earth. Follow this dream by overcoming the reasons that it cannot be achieved. It is not your capability that matters, but God’s. Ensure that your have been prepared just as Jesus prepared the seventy, and then step out in faith, not being concerned about what you do not have or cannot do, but rather rejoicing, knowing full well that through Jesus you are empowered to do the impossible.

All He needs is your perfect faith, prayer, and courage that preclude doubt.

The Power of Prayer

The Power of Prayer

Your faith must be so strong that it has been converted to knowing, and as a result eliminate even the entertainment of fear. Do not doubt or be afraid because these are indications of a lack of faith. To reinforce this statement, remember that Peter was able to walk upon the water until he considered the winds and the waves that rose up around him.

And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:28 – 31)

Jesus Pulls Peter From the Water

Jesus Pulls Peter From the Water

Do not pay any heed to the circumstances that blow around you because I say to you that the devil will most certainly build a storm around you just to break your faith. Know that these things are a part of your testing. Therefore, look for the impossible to be accomplished and know that your joy is not far away, for surly He will provide everything that is needed just as the night looks the darkest just before dawn. Believe perfectly and know that you will see the glory of God. Remember the words that Jesus spoke to Martha when Lazarus had been in the grave four days and his body was rapidly decomposing:

Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.” (John 11:39-44)

Jesus Raises Lazarus From The Grave

Jesus Raises Lazarus From The Grave

Jesus said, “Did I not say to you that if you would only believe that you would see the glory of God?” These words are applicable to every one of us today. I say to you, do not doubt, but only believe. Believe what God has put into your heart and step out in your faith knowing that your prayers will be answered!  Here is a promise from Jesus to every Christian:

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” (Mark 11:22-26)

Have perfect faith and show mercy to others and what you ask for in prayer will be given. Fear displays a lack of faith in God and is a fundamental tactic of the devil in separating you from your faith. The devil will make the wind and the waves of your life roar to dislodge you from your faith, just as he did to Peter when he walked on the water. Be determined to eliminate fear because it is only disruptive to your faith. So therefore, be bold in your expectations knowing that the impossible will be delivered to you.

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Jesus Provides All That We Need

Filed under: Jesus, Jesus the Golden Altar, Jesus the Holy Place, Jesus the Tabernacle, Prayer, Spirituality, spirtual warfare — 2 Comments
September 8, 2009

Jesus Provides All That We Need

Jesus empowers the Disciples that He sends out into ministry.

Saint Peter Healing the Cripple - Raising Tabitha - Masolino

Saint Peter Healing the Cripple - Raising Tabitha - Masolino

The following scripture presents an example of this:

After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither He himself would come. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. (Luke 10:1-9)

The interesting part of this scripture is that Jesus sends His disciples out without basic necessities. In essence, He is teaching them to depend on God to empower them for the task at hand. The results of this lesson is evident when we look at the scripture that documents the return of the 70:

And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (Luke 10:17-19)

Violence in Heaven

Violence in Heaven

This is what spiritual warfare is all about; knocking down the strongholds of the devil through the ministry of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. When we knock down the strongholds of the devil we set people free from the bondage of the devil. The consequence of such action is that we build and mature the body of Christ (the Bride of Christ). By the words of Jesus we are empowered and have dominion over everything evil, and our prayers have power over the devil.

The Power of Prayer

The Power of Prayer

In other words, our prayers in the spirit before the Golden Altar of Incense (of which Jesus is the fulfillment of) bring results in spiritual warfare. It is here at the Altar that we are empowered by God so that we become the aggressor seeking the fight and bring down evil. We go to the places of battle based on the leading of the Holy Spirit and we tear down the strong holds of the enemy. We fully understand that our action in ministry will result in our securing a place in heaven:

Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. (Luke 10:20)

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The Last Temptation of Jesus

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September 3, 2009

The Last Temptation of Jesus

Today we will address the last temptation of Jesus and will hopefully help to dispel a popular belief that the last temptation was Mary Magdalene.

Jesu and the Adulterous Woman

Jesu and the Adulterous Woman

In this post we will continue our series of presentations addressing the temptations of Jesus. Remember that our aim here is to gain insight into the realm of spiritual warfare and our goal is to help you to adequately prepare for the battles that surly will come your way.

We start with what might be a startling revelation to many people. You will not get help in the times of your testing. Why do I say this? Because even Jesus was alone when He hung on the cross:

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46)

The Crucifixion of Jesus

The Crucifixion of Jesus

This passage clearly demonstrates that Jesus was alone on the cross as He took the punishment of us all upon Himself. It is here on the cross that the final temptation came to Him. Let’s look at the scripture:

Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left. And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.'” Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing. Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left. (Matthew 27:38 – 44)

This was in fact the last temptation of Christ; to come down from the cross, to deny His identity and mission. The last temptation of Christ proposed that He give up on the forgiveness of our sin and our destiny in the kingdom of heaven. The last temptation of Christ was to ignore what the Father told Him about who He was and what He was to do. It taunted Jesus to give up on us as it was more trickery by the devil to defeat the mission of Jesus and to keep us in bondage.

In looking at this last temptation of Christ we must ask, what have we learned? First of all, we are responsible for not giving in to the temptation of the devil. In addition, we learned that we will be all alone when tested and that we are responsible for our choices. After all, how will God know that He can trust us if we do not make the choices that demonstrate the truth that Jesus has placed in us? Jesus had to be obedient to the Father even unto death. In being faithful to the Father Jesus proved that He was obedient and worthy to go on to the next level (to sit at the right hand of the Father).

The Ascension of Jesus

The Ascension of Jesus

Remember, resist the devil and he will depart from you.

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The Second Temptation of Jesus

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September 1, 2009

The Second Temptation of Jesus

In this post we continue with our presentations addressing the temptations of Jesus. Remember that our aim here is to gain insight into the realm of spiritual warfare and our goal is to help you to adequately prepare for the battles that surly will come your way. Today we will address the second temptation of Jesus in the wilderness.

jesus-tempted-on-the-mountain

We will start by looking at a writing of Luke:

And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Luke 4:9-11

Again, this is more cunning trickery from the devil, who is not above using the Word of God to deceive Jesus into aborting His life as well as His identity and purpose. One key thing to remember is that God has always given us the freedom to choose. This is because love requires choice. God know that we can love Him only if we have choice. Everything else would be slavery. It was for this very reason that God gave us choice in the Garden of Eden. Unfortunately, we were decieved and our poor choice led to our seperation from God and our loss of our domain in the Garden. In the above scripture the devil was hoping that a poor choice by Jesus would result in His defeat as well.

So if the above scripture is true then what did Jesus have to lose by complying. First of all, it is never a good idea to do anything at the suggestion of the devil as he seeks to destroy you. Jesus came to the earth as a man with the intention of regaining what was lost in the Garden.

Adam and Eve in the Garden

Adam and Eve in the Garden

Since the dominion of man was lost by a man it would require a victory by a man to restore what was lost. The assistance of angels would not prove that man could resist the temptation of the devil and therin defeat him in spiritual warfare. Therefore, angels could not fight for Jesus. Jesus had to win the victory on His own initiative.

This axiom applies to us as well. When we are tested we will be totally alone also. There will be no help from angels, God or anywhere else. Think about it, If you’re not alone then who is being tested? How will God know that you are ready to go to the next level or not? Also consider that the angels only came to the support Jesus after His temptation, not during it. Jesus came to the earth as a man to defeat the devil. This battle was not one that could be won by angels but only by Jesus the man. Do not choose the trickery of the devil but rather, choose the truth of the word of God. This is exactly what Jesus did when He answered:

And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from Him for a season. Luke 4:12-13

It is up to us to defeat the devil and pass the test. Ever wonder why all of us are still here on earth if in fact, Jesus redeemed us from our sin? The answer is that we still have to choose. We have to choose between God and the devil, our own interests or the welfare of others, to love or to hate, life or death, light or darkness, and between good or evil. These are choices that we make everyday. Do not be fooled, stay the course to the end. The good news is that Jesus gave us power over all the evil of the enemy.

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Jesus is our Model for Victory in Spiritual Warfare

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August 27, 2009

Jesus is our Model for Victory in Spiritual Warfare

For those of us seeking to conform our lives to Jesus, it is imperative that we know who we are and what our mission is. This concept is reinforced by looking at the life of Jesus and discovering that He definitely knew the answers to these questions. In fact, Jesus so believed in them that He even went to His death rather than deny them.

Jesus on the Cross Sheds His Blood

This was not an act of faith on His part but rather a resounding knowing that came from hearing the words of the Father. Therefore, it is imperative that we hear the Fathers voice and that we live and act on it in accord to what we hear.

As we have discussed in our prior postings, Jesus was immediately led into confrontation with the devil (spiritual warfare) after His baptism in the Jordan by John the Baptist, where He heard the Father proclaim Him to be His beloved Son.

And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew  3:17)

John Baptizes Jesus in the Jordan River

John Baptizes Jesus in the Jordan River

In a like manner we must also be ready to enter into the battle that will erupt when we initiate our God given purpose and mission.

Since Jesus used scripture in defeating the devil it is critical that we also know the scriptures and can leverage them in response to any attack against us. For most people this requires a substantial investment of time. It also requires time in prayer to find the answers to the questions: “Who did God create me to be and what does He want me to accomplish in my life time?” While the details will vary from person to person, the answers will fall inside the following two general categories: Firstly, you are a son or daughter of God. Secondly, your mission is the mission of Jesus.

Through out the ministry of Jesus which started with His baptism in the Holy Spirit, and completed with His crucifixion on the cross, the devil continually tried to trick Jesus into denying that He was the Son of God and therein, defeat His mission on this earth. Why should we think that it will be any different with us?

Here is a scripture that presents the last temptation of Christ, the one that occurred as he hung on the cross:

And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’“ Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing.  (Matthew 27:39-44)

Sounds like more of the same temptations from the devil to me. Deny who you are and give up the reason you came and we will believe you. Right!

In fact, isn’t this exactly what the crucifixion was all about? If Jesus would only change His mind about who He said He was, then everything would have been fine. I suspect that at any point on His way to crucifixion that the Jews may have relented, if He would have only lied and said, “I am not the Son of God.”

But Jesus would not deny the truth about who He was and He would not abort what the Father had given Him to accomplish. The crucifixion was all about getting Jesus, the Savior of the World, to give in to the pressures of crucifixion.

Jesus Nailed to the Cross

Jesus Nailed to the Cross

Those who crucified Him tried everything to get Him to recant but they failed. They could not trick it out of Him by way of integration and false witnesses.

Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.'”  And the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?”  But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!”  Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Matthew 26:59 -64)

They could not beat it out of Him with forty lashes with a Cat of Nine Tales.

Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified. (Matthew 27:26)

They could not embarrass it out of Him by dressing Him up in royal clothing and mocking Him as a false God. They could not shame it out of Him by having a legion of men spit into His open wounds.

And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head,  and began to salute Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they worshiped Him. And when they had mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him. (Mark15:17 – 20)

They could not exhaust it out of Him by forcing Him to carrying His cross until total exhaustion.

Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus. (Luke23:26)

Via Dolorosa Station 5 - Roman soldiers instruct Simon of Cyrene to carry the Cross

Via Dolorosa Station 5 - Roman soldiers instruct Simon of Cyrene to carry the Cross

They could not disgrace it out of Him by nailing Him to His cross, or by taking His close or by hanging Him openly with criminals.

Jesus laid down His life for us.

Jesus laid down His life for us.

They could not get Him to change His mind about who He was or His mission on earth even under the threat of death on the cross. For Jesus knew the scripture. He knew what the Father said about Him and He knew why He came to earth. Nothing, not even death, humiliation or suffering was going to overcome that, and nothing did.

What does all of this teach us who seek to conform ourselves to the life model that Jesus left us? Know who you are in God and what He wants you to accomplish on this earth (be like Jesus) and never compromise it, no matter what testing comes your way. This blog is designed to help you get insight into these things but I will tell you that the answers to this question are already inside of you. You were born with them. God created you with a purpose in mind. Learn to hear the voice of God through the Holy Spirit and be obedient to His voice and never compromise.

Secondly, know that the devil is here to defeat us. He hates us and wants to have dominion over us forever. His weapons are lying and deceiving. He will try to trick you into denying your true identity in God and your true purpose. Never let the lies and trickery of the devil deceive you into denying your true destiny. Choose the calling of the Holy Spirit and reject the call of the world.

If you seek to model your life after Jesus you should know that the devil will pull out all the stops in getting you to deny your identity, purpose and mission. In addition, the devil will use the things of this world to attract you away form the leading of the Spirit. To defeat the devil you will have to turn you back on money, power, fame, recognition, influence, appetites, adultery and the lust for all the things of the world. Those that can will recieve the victory of Jesus.

The Resurrection

The Resurrection

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Jesus and the Ultimate Temptation

Filed under: Jesus, Ministry, Spirituality, spirtual warfare — 6 Comments
August 24, 2009

Jesus and the Ultimate Temptation

In our previous posting we presented how Jesus was tested prior to entering His ministry.

 

Jesus Tempted in the Wilderness by the Devil

Jesus Tempted in the Wilderness by the Devil

 

We looked at how the devil attempted to trick Jesus into denying His purpose in this world and to forfeit His identity as the Son of God. We then provided a high level summary that communicated how the devil had previously been successful in deceiving Adam into forfeiting his purpose (of having dominion over the earth) and his identity (as the son of God). We concluded that with the serious consequences associated with our choices that we must be on guard for similar trickery by the devil who wants us to also give up our identity (sons and daughters of the living God) and our purpose in life.

 In today’s posting we will continue to look at the testing of Jesus that occurred just prior to His entering into ministry. In that regard we are picking up where we left off, with more trickery by the devil. Satan was now going to attempt to bribe Jesus with everything he had; all the kingdoms of the world in a moment in time. Here is the scripture for your review:

Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.” And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’“ (Luke 4:5-8 KJV) 

 

For Jesus to defeat the devil He had to remain free from sin and therefore, free from all lust for the things of the world. After all, Adam’s desire for the fruit of the Tree of Good and Evil exposed man’s desire to know evil since everything good was already available in the Garden of Eden. This desire to know evil was the opening needed for the demonic attack which was capitalized upon by the devil. But Jesus had no desire for the things of this world. He was victorious over the temptation and His victory defeated all the evil in our world. He took dominion of the earth back from the devil. His victory is that He never once disobeyed the Father and He continuously challenged the evil of this world with the truth that only comes from the Father.

 It is interesting to note that in the above scripture that the devil admits that the entire world had been delivered to him. This is a direct substantiation of his victory over Adam. Man had made his choice for evil in the Garden and as a result became mortal, having to live under the domination of the devil. He therefore would know and do evil. As a result, man’s destiny was that he would die in sin and suffer the bondage of the devil in hell. It is from this fate that Jesus came to save us. His victory in spiritual warfare is to save us from the devils grip. Prior to Jesus every person who died went to hell and suffered the torment of Satan. The fact that Jesus descended into Hell is communicated in the following verse:

Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” (Now this, “He ascended”; what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) (Ephesians 4:8-10)

 Jesus came to earth to set the captives free by being the price of our salvation. By setting the captives free we mean that all the righteous people who had died prior to Jesus were previously held in Hell by the devil.

 

Jesus descended into Hell and was victorious over Satan and set these people free. That meant that David, Daniel, Samuel, Isaiah and all the profits of the Bible who lived prior to Jesus died and went to hell and were only released after the victory of Jesus on the cross.

The Crucifixion of Jesus

The Crucifixion of Jesus

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;  and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. (Matthew 27:50-53) 

Jesus rebuked the devil after he had offered Him the entire world and everything in it. If the devil had been successful then Jesus would have forfeited His God given identity, His mission on earth, and the world of mankind would have been lost. This is exactly what the devil wants from you. To rob you of your God given identity, your mission on this earth and the impact God wants you to have on the world.

In our next posting we will discuss how to prepare for spiritual warfare and the testing of the devil.

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