A Warning Against Aggressive "Spiritual Warfare" Prayers

Some believe that spiritual warfare is praying aggressive prayers of punishment and judgment against evil spirits and principalities. For a while, years ago, I dabbled in prayers like this written by a minister until he was exposed by people involved in his ministry for engaging in witchcraft. Since then, the Lord showed me from His word that spiritual warfare is something else entirely and those who make a habit of praying aggressive, anti-demonic prayers have gone astray from God's ways.

This article is a warning to Christians who engage in this practice. You need to stop. I'm going to show from the Scriptures why it is wrong and what spiritual warfare really is.

Following are a couple excerpts of aggressive "spiritual warfare" prayers. The first prayer comes from someone who posts end-times prophecies on a website and video channel, and the second is from the aforementioned minister. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THESE PRAYERS:

Example 1: 

"I break you, all evil spirits and ask for the Holy Spirit to destroy you by fire and bring you to ashes. Every power declaring dominion over me, you are a LIAR! Break and be brought to ashes in Yahushua's mighty name. Serpent of death and every strong man, break and be brought to ashes in Yahushua's mighty name."

Example 2: 

"I pray that every human spirit, fallen angelic spirit, or otherwise malevolent spirit attempting to come against me or my household would be apprehended by your heavenly hosts, such that they cannot so much as set foot upon this property. I pray that they would be escorted out to wherever the Lord Jesus sends them, pierced through with many arrows, and discomfited by Your lightning in the process, that they would know that Jesus is Lord."    

God's Protection is Automatic When We Abide in Him

People may pray these prayers because they think they have to in order to be protected from all the evil in the world. But look at what Psalm 91 says about God's protection:

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.'" - Psalm 91:1-2

When we dwell in the secret place with Him (draw near to Him, hear and respond to His voice) and trust that He is our fortress, God protects us automatically. He protects us from everything - terror, arrows, pestilence, plague, etc. We don't have to constantly pray elaborate protection prayers that attack every evil spirit and name every form of evil that might present itself. God's protection is complete. We can rest in that.

Moreover, what motivates people to pray these elaborate, aggressive prayers? Is it simple faith in God that He will protect us according to His word, or is it a desire to control everything in our life and circumstance? The fleshly desire for control is the root of witchcraft. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 lists various forms of witchcraft: Passing a child through the fire, divination, charming, consulting familiar spirits, observing times, wizardry, necromancy. (For more details, see Spiritual Warfare Is Not Just AttackingDemons in the Spiritual Realm.) Witchcraft is an attempt to gain favorable outcomes by spiritual powers other than the Holy Spirit. I have noticed that people who engage in aggressive spiritual warfare prayers tend to fall into witchcraft, especially divination and consulting familiar spirits, although they may be fooled into thinking the spirit they are communing with is God's Spirit. God does not contradict his own written word, though. That is an important test.

We must also remember that suffering and tribulation are part of following in the footsteps of Christ. We can pray the enemy cannot touch us beyond His will for us, but we need to be okay with suffering too. God intends it for our spiritual growth and for glorifying God. "He who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin."  - 1 Peter 4:1

Spiritual Warfare Is Practicing the Christian Fundamentals

According to Ephesians 6 and 2 Corinthians 10, spiritual warfare is practicing the Christian fundamentals:

"This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word. Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints." - Ephesians 6:13-18, Holman

"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." - 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

Ephesians 6 says spiritual warfare is seeking and loving the truth, walking in God's righteousness, standing on the gospel of peace, having faith and hope, actively using God's word and praying at all times, especially intercessory prayer for the saints. Notice it does not say railing against demonic powers; it emphasizes praying for people - intercessory prayer. 2 Corinthians adds the practice of challenging people with the truth. You want to tear down demonic strongholds? Preach the truth!

Growing in these practices enables us to stand against evil in this world and have victories over the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms. This is how we become effective agents of Christ.

Sadly, for some, acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with our God (Micah 6:8) is not enough. They want something more exciting, more advanced, that makes them feel powerful and elite. So they turn to supercharged, anti-demon, anti-fallen angel warfare prayers. And where does that take them? The Scriptures say it leads to ruin.

Speaking Evil of Angelic Authorities Brings Ruin

The book of Jude is a warning about ungodly people and apostasy. This passage focuses on their practice of speaking evil of angelic authorities:

"Nevertheless, these dreamers likewise defile their flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme glorious ones. Yet Michael the archangel, when he was disputing with the Devil in a debate about Moses’ body, did not dare bring an abusive condemnation against him but said, 'The Lord rebuke you!' But these people blaspheme anything they don’t understand. What they know by instinct like unreasoning animals—they destroy themselves with these things." - Jude 1:8-10, Holman

Where it says "blaspheme glorious ones," it's talking about angelic beings and their authorities and principalities. Other Bible translations say "heap abuse on celestial beings" (NIV), "revile angelic majesties" (NASB), and "speak evil of dignities" (KJV).

The positive example is Michael the archangel, who in a dispute with Satan simply said, "The Lord rebuke you." Michael did not say, "Satan, you are a liar and a thief! Be destroyed by fire and brought to ashes!" He did not say, "Be judged right now, pierced through with arrows and discomfited by lightning!"

If Satan is the enemy of our souls, why must we be careful how we speak to him or any other fallen angelic being? Because God has established the authorities and principalities of the angels, even the fallen ones. These authorities still exist until judgment day when God will remove them. God has appointed a specific time for this, and the saints will even participate in that judgment. But it is not our right to judge and condemn angels before the appointed time or to disrespect the authorities God has established.

If someone does speak evil of angelic authorities, what is the consequence? The passage says it will bring destruction on the person. Other translations say they will "corrupt themselves." In other words, it will bring ruin.

After Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness, Satan showed up and tempted Him three times. Each time, Jesus countered Satan with a verse from the Bible. This is the account of the last temptation:

"Again, the Devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. And he said to Him, 'I will give You all these things if You will fall down and worship me.' Then Jesus told him, 'Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him.' Then the Devil left Him, and immediately angels came and began to serve Him." - Matthew 4:8-11

Jesus responded with a verse and said, "Go away!" And Satan left. Notice what Jesus did not do. He did not accuse, rail against or condemn Satan. He did not bind him or discomfit him with lightning or cast him into the abyss. Jesus certainly could have, but He understood that would be outside the will of the Father. If you have read the book of Revelation, you know Satan will be bound and locked in the abyss for 1,000 years during Jesus' reign on earth.  After that, he will be cast into the lake of fire for eternity. Satan's reckoning is coming! However, Jesus respected the Father's timing for judgment and Satan's current dominion. He simply told him to leave.

Now look at the account when Jesus encountered the two demon-possessed men:

"When He had come to the other side, to the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met Him as they came out of the tombs. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. Suddenly they shouted, 'What do You have to do with us, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?' Now a long way off from them, a large herd of pigs was feeding. 'If You drive us out,' the demons begged Him, 'send us into the herd of pigs.' 'Go!' He told them. So when they had come out, they entered the pigs. And suddenly the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the water." - Matthew 8:28-32

Demons are the spirit of deceased Nephilim. Since they were born of the earth, God condemned them to wander the earth until judgment day. They are evil, just like Satan is evil. The demons clearly understood their judgment day is coming, which is why they asked Jesus if He was going to torment them before the appointed time. In a way, it was a temptation because Jesus could have done something to torment them. They deserved it. However, He knew that would be against the Father's will. Jesus only told them to go. That's all. I even wonder if He showed mercy by allowing them to go into the pigs. I'm not sure - it's possible.

Do you see the picture here? If the Son of God does not dare judge and condemn evil spirits before their time, then who are you, O mortal son of Adam, to do such a thing?

Yes, Jesus did say we have power over the enemy:

"Look, I have given you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy; nothing will ever harm you." - Luke 10:19

He spoke that in the context of the disciples casting out demons. We certainly have Jesus' authority to cast out demons and require them to leave - even Satan himself. Anything beyond that, though, be sure you are not railing against evil spirits or judging and condemning them before the appointed day.

After the person published the first warfare prayer quoted above and encouraged people to pray it, some months later her daughter was tragically burned over a portion of her body in a campfire accident that required surgery and a hospital stay. That's horrible and I'm sorry that happened. We don't always know why bad things happen, but the question needs to be asked: Are those events connected?

The Scriptures say speaking evil of angelic majesties will bring ruin upon us. We should not be doing it. If we are, repent and ask Jesus' for forgiveness.

Conclusion

This aggressive, unscriptural form of spiritual warfare is really a trap of the enemy. Satan would love it if we railed against him like that, then he can watch us fall by the wayside and no longer be a threat.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to defeat the forces of evil. We just have to do it God's way. Do you want to actually fight the enemy in battle? Then walk in faith and righteousness and pray you are found worthy to escape all the things coming upon the world (Luke 21:36) and to join Jesus Christ for the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19). Then you will ride on a horse in His heavenly army for the battle of Armageddon. The King of kings will be victorious that day!

"The Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever! Amen." - 2 Timothy 4:18

Incredible Bible Prophecies about Israel and the Jews

The nation of Israel has a big role in Bible prophecy. Recently I felt motivated to look in-depth specifically at Israel and the Jews in end-times prophecy. I saw things in the Scriptures that I had not seen before, and even something I have never heard anyone talk about, which I will share with you here. I don't take the credit for these insights. The Holy Spirit leads us into all truth.

Traditional Israel and Spiritual Israel

Israel is God's called-out nation, a people He calls his own:

"You are a holy people belonging to the Lord your God. The Lord has chosen you to be His own possession out of all the peoples on the face of the earth." - Deuteronomy 14:2, Holman

The book of Genesis defined Israel as the people descended from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The genealogy runs from Abraham to his son Isaac, to his son Jacob, and then to Jacob's 12 sons who were the progenitors of the 12 tribes of Israel: 

1. Reuben
2. Simeon
3. Levi
4. Judah
5. Issachar
6. Zebulun
7. Dan
8. Naphtali
9. Gad
10. Asher
11. Joseph
12. Benjamin

The tribe of Joseph split into two "half-tribes," named after his sons Ephraim and Manasseh. People descended from those 12 tribes are Israel according to a definition that we'll label traditional Israel.

Excluded from Israel were descendants of Abraham's son Ishmael, the sons from his second wife Keturah who he married after Sarah died, as well as Isaac's other son Esau who sold his birthright for a bowl of lentil stew. The Gentile nations (Hebrew goyim, meaning foreign, non-Hebrew nations) were obviously not part of Israel either.

However, foreigners could join Israel if they were willing to practice Israel's faith in the Lord God - that is, be converted. So membership in Israel was never just about ancestral pedigree: 

"But if a stranger sojourns with you, and celebrates the Passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near to celebrate it; and he shall be like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised person may eat of it." - Exodus 12:18

Ancestry was also not enough to maintain Israel's status as God's holy people. Obedience to God and walking in His righteousness was and is at the core of this relationship. Obedience brings blessing; disobedience brings judgment:

"'Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil, learn to do good; Seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together,' says the Lord, 'Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool. If you consent and obey, you will eat the best of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.'" - Isaiah 1:16-20, NASB

Furthermore, the prophet Hosea spoke of a future time when Israel and Judah would be reunited and Gentile nations would join them as sons of God:

"Yet the number of the sons of Israel will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered; And in the place where it is said to them, 'You are not My people,' it will be said to them, 'You are the sons of the living God.'  And the sons of Judah and the sons of Israel will be gathered together, and they will appoint for themselves one leader, and they will go up from the land, for great will be the day of Jezreel." - Hosea 1:10-11

In Romans 9, the Apostle Paul confirmed this passage is referring to the Gentile nations where it says: "And in the place where it is said to them, 'You are not My people,' it will be said to them, 'You are the sons of the living God.'" This is astonishing because it foretells a time when the sons of Judah, the sons of Israel and believing Gentiles will be united under one King, who is the Messiah Jesus Christ.

It is also amazing in light of the current state of affairs of the 12 tribes of Israel. Hosea was a prophet during the time when Israel was split into the northern kingdom of Israel (Samaria) and southern kingdom of Judah. This situation arose out of a civil conflict after the reign of King Solomon. Later, Israel and Judah rebelled against God to such a degree that both were destroyed in judgment by foreign nations. Assyria destroyed the northern kingdom of Israel and sent its inhabitants into exile, and 130 years later Babylon did the same to Judah.

After 70 years of captivity, Judah returned and rebuilt Jerusalem. However, it was only the tribe of Judah, plus Benjamin whose territorial allotment was part of Judah, and a remnant of Levites who were designated priests in Israel and did not have a territory, but were scattered among all tribes. The other 10 tribes - Asher, Dan, Ephraim, Gad, Issachar, Manasseh, Naphtali, Reuben, Simeon and Zebulun - were and are still considered lost. They were dispersed and assimilated among other nations.

This history is critical for understanding Bible prophecy. The word for Jew in the New Testament - the Greek word Ioudaios - means Judean or someone from Judah. Today we typically think of Jews as the descendants of Israel - and they are - but they are not all the descendants of Israel. The phrase Jews or Jewish people excludes the lost 10 tribes. The Basic Laws of the modern state of Israel declare that it is the nation-state of the Jewish people (only). The Law of Return in Israel gives Jews from other nations the right to live in Israel and gain citizenship, but they are not looking for or accepting the lost 10 tribes. The prophecy above in Hosea and others in Isaiah and Ezekiel envision a restored Israel with all 12 tribes. So there is a major discrepancy between what is happening in Israel today and what the Bible ultimately predicts for it. More on this later.

The New Testament introduced the idea of spiritual Israel, which includes all people, both Israelite and Gentile, who believe in and follow Jesus Christ, the Messiah King. The Bible also calls this the church or body of Christ. Spiritual Israel excludes everyone who does not believe in Jesus, whether Israelite or Gentile.

John 8:30-37 records a dialog between Jesus and some religious Jews. To the ones who believed in Him, He said, “If you continue in my word, you really are My disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Other Jews who heard objected and claimed they were descendants of Abraham and had never been enslaved. In other words, they claimed to be children of God and members of Israel by their ancestry, apart from Christ. Jesus acknowledged they were descendants of Abraham, but disputed who their true spiritual father was:

“Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love Me, because I came from God and I am here. For I didn’t come on My own, but He sent Me. Why don’t you understand what I say? Because you cannot listen to My word. You are of your father the Devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires.” – John 8:42-44

Like the Pharisees in Jesus' time, rabbinic Judaism today views inclusion in Israel primarily through the lens of ancestry. However, Paul likewise affirmed that membership in spiritual Israel does not come by ancestry, but by faith in Christ:

“For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Neither are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants. On the contrary, ‘In Isaac your seed will be called.’ That is, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but the children of the promise are considered seed.” – Romans 9:6-8

The promise mentioned is God’s promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed in him, and he and his descendants would inherit the world as spiritual Israel:

“Just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness, so understand that those who have faith are Abraham’s sons. Now the Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and foretold the good news to Abraham, saying, ‘All nations will be blessed in you.’ So those who have faith are blessed with Abraham, who had faith.” – Galatians 3:6-9

The New Testament also uses the term Israel in the traditional sense, such here when Paul declared his own ancestry:

"I ask, then, has God rejected His people? Absolutely not! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin.” – Romans 11:1

Depending on the context, Israel in the New Testament could refer to traditional or spiritual Israel.

Some Christians adhere to a view called replacement theology which says the church (believers in Jesus Christ) completely replaces traditional Israel in God's plans for the end times. This is not true. The Scriptures paint a more nuanced picture. In these end times, God is bringing Gentiles and a small portion of Jews into spiritual Israel. The Bible also foretells a time at the very end of this age when Jews in Israel embrace Jesus Christ as a nation after going through tremendous suffering and loss of life. Ultimately, in the age to come and after Jesus returns, spiritual Israel will prevail and traditional Israel will be an anachronism, something that belonged to a bygone era, like how Christians view temple building and animal sacrifices today. The ideal of unity and oneness in Christ will then be fully realized:

"There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to the promise." - Romans 3:28-29

In the meantime, God is building his kingdom, spiritual Israel, while fulfilling prophecies for traditional Israel. 

A Remnant of Israel Will be Saved

"So that you will not be conceited, brothers, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery: A partial hardening has come to Israel until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written: The Liberator will come from Zion; He will turn away godlessness from Jacob. And this will be My covenant with them when I take away their sins." - Romans 11:35-27

Paul wrote about a partial hardening of hearts in Israel which created an opportunity for Gentiles to be saved. We are in that time of the Gentiles right now. After the full measure of Gentiles has come in, then "all Israel will be saved." In the verses preceding that statement, Paul clarified he was talking about a remnant of Israel, i.e. a remainder or small portion:

"In the same way, then, there is also at the present time a remnant chosen by grace." - Romans 11:5 

"But Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: 'Though the number of Israel’s sons is like the sand of the sea, only the remnant will be saved.'" - Romans 9:27

In context, the verse stated that all the remnant of Israel will be saved.

How will this come to pass? Zechariah 12-14 describes how it will happen for Judah and Jerusalem in the end:

"Look, I will make Jerusalem a cup that causes staggering for the peoples who surround the city. The siege against Jerusalem will also involve Judah. On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who try to lift it will injure themselves severely when all the nations of the earth gather against her."  - Zechariah 12:2-3

The nations of the earth will assemble for a great battle against Jerusalem but will not completely destroy it because:

"The Lord will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem." (Zechariah 12:8)

However, the residents of Judah and Jerusalem will suffer greatly:

"The city will be captured, the houses looted, and the women raped. Half the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be removed from the city." - Zechariah 14:2

"In the whole land—this is the Lord’s declaration—two-thirds will be cut off and die, but a third will be left in it." - Zechariah 13:8

Then Jesus Christ will intervene personally to defend Jerusalem.

"Then the Lord will go out to fight against those nations as He fights on a day of battle. On that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east." - Zechariah 14:3-4

I believe this battle is the same one as Armageddon in Revelation 16 and the King of kings and Lord of lord leading the armies of heaven in Revelation 20. According to Zechariah, God will redeem those in Judah who survive:

"I will put this third through the fire; I will refine them as silver is refined and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say: They are My people, and they will say: Yahweh is our God." - Zechariah 13:9

"Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the house of David and the residents of Jerusalem, and they will look at Me whom they pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child and weep bitterly for Him as one weeps for a firstborn." - Zechariah 12:10

The surviving Jews will mourn and repent for the One they pierced at Calvary, Jesus Christ, and as a nation receive Him as their Messiah. They rejected Him the first time He came, but will receive Him when He comes again! And so all the remnant of Judah and Jerusalem will be saved.

It is interesting to note that Zechariah 12:12-14 mentions the houses of specific families mourning by themselves: David's house, Nathan's house, Levi's house, Shimei's house. David and Nathan are from the tribe of Judah, and Levi and Shimei are from the tribe of Levi. Only Jews (Judeans) are listed among those saved. This corresponds to the modern state of Israel's focus on being a Jewish homeland.

What about the lost 10 tribes of Israel: Asher, Dan, Ephraim, Gad, Issachar, Manasseh, Naphtali, Reuben, Simeon and Zebulun? The remnant of those tribes will be saved in the nations where they live. How do we know? Because Jesus Christ himself will call them home after He returns.

The Messiah King Will Restore All 12 Tribes to the Land of Israel

Prophecies in the Scriptures clearly state that God intends to restore all 12 tribes, the whole house of Israel, to the land of Israel:

"So this is what the Lord God says: Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob and have compassion on the whole house of Israel, and I will be jealous for My holy name... They will know that I am Yahweh their God when I regather them to their own land after having exiled them among the nations. I will leave none of them behind." - Ezekiel 39:25,28 

"My servant David will be king over them, and there will be one shepherd for all of them." - Ezekiel 37:24

Ezekiel wrote that prophecy several centuries after King David's reign, so he could not have literally meant David would be king over the restored house of Israel. He meant a King from the house of David, because God had made a covenant with David that his house, kingdom and throne would endure forever. That King is Jesus Christ.

The prophet Jeremiah wrote a similar prophecy about uniting Israel under one King:

"This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: 'Write down on a scroll all the words that I have spoken to you, for the days are certainly coming'—this is the Lord’s declaration—'when I will restore the fortunes of My people Israel and Judah'—the Lord’s declaration. 'I will restore them to the land I gave to their ancestors and they will possess it.'... They will serve the Lord their God and I will raise up David their king for them." - Jeremiah 30:2-3

Ezekiel's prophecy of the two sticks also demonstrated how Judah and Ephraim will be joined together again. Ephraim and Joseph represent the 10 tribes of the Northern Kingdom:

 "The word of the Lord came to me: 'Son of man, take a single stick and write on it: Belonging to Judah and the Israelites associated with him. Then take another stick and write on it: Belonging to Joseph—the stick of Ephraim—and all the house of Israel associated with him. Then join them together into a single stick so that they become one in your hand. When your people ask you, "Won’t you explain to us what you mean by these things?" — tell them: This is what the Lord God says: I am going to take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel associated with him, and put them together with the stick of Judah. I will make them into a single stick so that they become one in My hand.'" - Ezekiel 37:15-19

When will this reunification happen? The prophet Isaiah had the answer:

"On that day the root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples. The nations will seek Him, and His resting place will be glorious. On that day the Lord will extend His hand a second time to recover—from Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and the coasts and islands of the west—the remnant of His people who survive. He will lift up a banner for the nations and gather the dispersed of Israel; He will collect the scattered of Judah from the four corners of the earth. Ephraim’s envy will cease; Judah’s harassment will end. Ephraim will no longer be envious of Judah, and Judah will not harass Ephraim." - Isaiah 11:10-13

Just before this passage, Isaiah prophecies about the coming Messiah who will bring peace to earth, calling him a "shoot that grows from the stump of Jesse," who is King David's father. The phrase "root of Jesse" refers to Jesus Christ. In other words, Isaiah said that Jesus Christ would call the whole house of Israel to the promise land. The great return of the 12 tribes will happen after Jesus returns! 

The House of Israel Will Return from among the Living and the Dead

If that's not amazing enough, the Scriptures say that God will call the house of Israel back from not only the land of the living, but from the graves of the dead! In Ezekiel's famous prophecy of the valley of dry bones, the Lord told Ezekiel to prophecy to the dry bones and tell them to come alive again. They grew flesh and skin and came back to life! Then God said to Ezekiel:

"'Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Look how they say, "Our bones are dried up, and our hope has perished; we are cut off." Therefore, prophesy and say to them: This is what the Lord God says: I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them, My people, and lead you into the land of Israel. You will know that I am Yahweh, My people, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put My Spirit in you, and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I am Yahweh. I have spoken, and I will do it.' This is the declaration of the Lord." - Ezekiel 37:11-14

Notice the bones represent the whole of Israel and when they are resurrected, God will settle them in their own land! This really isn't a surprise because it happened before. After Jesus died on the cross in Jerusalem:

"The tombs also were opened and many bodies of the saints who had gone to their rest were raised. And they came out of the tombs after His resurrection, entered the holy city, and appeared to many." - Matthew 27:52

The scene in the valley of dry bones is actually part of the coming resurrection of the saints: 

"Listen! I am telling you a mystery: We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound,
and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed." - 1 Corinthians 15:51-51 

Conclusion

Hold on to your seats because God has incredible plans for redeeming and restoring the house of Israel and for uniting all saints, both Hebrew and Gentile, in the kingdom of God in Christ. It's coming soon and it's happening on earth!

Note: For the first half of this article, read Is It God's Will for Christians to Support the State of Israel?

Is It God's Will For Christians to Support the State of Israel?

In some circles there is a belief that Christians should support the state of Israel because Bible prophecies say Jews will return to the promise land in the end times and God will save them.

This is some truth in that belief but also some important fallacies to point out. More on that later.

However, the Bible also says that during the coming great tribulation, Jerusalem will be as corrupt and evil as Sodom and Egypt:

"When they [the two witnesses] finish their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, conquer them, and kill them. Their dead bodies will lie in the public square of the great city, which prophetically is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified." - Revelation 11:7-8, Holman

In the Bible, Sodom and Egypt represent the most corrupt and pagan of nations. Why will Jerusalem, the city where the Lord was crucified, be so evil? Because Jerusalem will be religious capital of the New World Order, the beast system in the book of Revelation. The Catholic Church, rabbinic/Talmudic Judaism and Islam have all staked their claims there. They will unite as a one-world religion under the second beast, a.k.a. the false prophet:

"Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; he had two horns like a lamb, but he sounded like a dragon. He exercises all the authority of the first beast on his behalf and compels the earth and those who live on it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. He also performs great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in front of people." - Revelation 13:11-13

Two horns like a lamb, alluding to the Lamb of God, means the second beast will appear like Jesus Christ, but sounding like a dragon means his words will come from Satan. Don't be deceived!

Jerusalem and the state of Israel are well on their way to becoming Sodom. Israel was the first country in the world to legalize abortion in the third trimester - signed into law by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Abortions in Israel are subsidized by the government and free of charge in most cases. Tel Aviv was named the #1 hotspot destination for gay tourism by a survey of gay travelers. Officials estimate 25% of the city is homosexual. Netanyahu's government paid the homosexual community to bring Tel Aviv's gay pride parade to Jerusalem and promised security, because even the gays were reluctant to do it there.

We should also mention Israel's horrible treatment of the Palestinians. The secret reality of the Palestinians in the West Bank is that the majority are crypto-Jews descended from the Jews scattered in the countryside after the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD. In its early days, the government of Israel reached out to them with Talmudic Judaism, but they rejected it because most are Muslims or Christians. Now they are forced to live in segregated territories under a state of harsh martial law and denied the rights of regular Israeli citizens. 

Another rarely discussed reality is that Messianic Jews in Israel face serious persecution for their faith. The government of Israel is okay with Christian tourism, but they don't want their own citizens to believe Jesus is the Messiah. There is a law in Israel called the Law of Return which gives Jews from other nations the right to live in Israel and gain citizenship. However, the Supreme Court of Israel determined it does not apply to Jews who had converted to Christianity and become Messianic Jews. There is also a group in Israel called Yad L’Achim that actively persecutes Messianic Jews, even to the point of breaking laws, but police and government organizations look away because they tacitly support Yad L'Achim's mission.

Sodom and Egypt indeed.

So should Christians support Sodom? The Scriptures have a clear answer: 

"Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? What agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? And what agreement does God’s sanctuary have with idols? For we are the sanctuary of the living God, as God said: I will dwell among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people. Therefore, come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord; do not touch any unclean thing, and I will welcome you." - 2 Corinthians 6:14-17

We should support our brothers in Christ, the Messianic Jews, and reach out to the broader Jewish community with the gospel. However, the government of Israel is aligned with the "rulers of the darkness of this world," not the kingdom of God.

Furthermore, the idea of "Judeo-Christian values" and the supposed fraternity of Judaism and Christianity are a myth. Christianity and Judaism are like oil and water. The Talmud and Zohar (Jewish religious texts) have nothing to do with the gospel of Jesus Christ or the righteousness of God. Nobody gave Jesus more trouble in his day than the Pharisees, and today's rabbinic/Talmudic Jews are direct spiritual descendants of the Pharisees. They exert enormous influence in Israel. The Sanhedrin council which condemned Jesus Christ to death has been re-established in Israel. Jewish religious leaders are promoting the so-called Noahide laws for Gentiles in nations around the world and through the UN:

United the United Nations through Seven Noahide Laws

These laws forbid idolatry, and rabbinic Judaism defines worshiping Jesus Christ as idolatry. The penalty for idolatry under Noahide laws is death by beheading - see section VI, article 16 in:

The Noahide Dinim Sub-Laws 

It's all a set-up to persecute Christians, just like they persecuted Christ.

So, from the perspective of Bible prophecy, what is true about Israel and the Jews? Read the second half of this article, Incredible Bible Prophecies about Israel and the Jews.

Don't Be a Rapture Grinch!

There are some Christians who preach against the idea of a "rapture" or miraculous rescue of the saints before the end of the Great Tribulation. Their messages goes something like this:

Don't think we're getting raptured out of the Great Tribulation. We're going all the way through! All the trumpets and bowls of wrath. Then Jesus will come at the very end. So be ready, we're all going through tribulation!

I agree the rapture is a difficult subject and people have different points of view. Personally, I am convinced the Bible describes a rapture or miraculous rescue of the saints and it will happen at the beginning of the Great Tribulation. This doesn't mean Christians will escape all persecution and tribulation. In fact, we will see the opening of the first six seals in Revelation 6. But saints who are accounted worthy will escape the worst of tribulation - God's wrath on earth during the Great Tribulation. Please see the articles listed under RESOURCES below.

The problem I see is that those who preach we must all go through the Great Tribulation tend to have a grinch-like attitude about it. It's as if the idea that God would be merciful enough to spare us from the worst tribulation is disdainful to them. How dare anyone teach mid-tribulation! There are plenty of Bible verses to support it though. It makes me wonder if their view of God's mercy will become a self-fulfilling prophecy. If they don't believe Jesus is coming to rescue them, maybe He will oblige them.

I'm thinking of the parable of the talents in Matthew 25. The man who hid his talent in the ground believed his master was a "hard man" who reaped where he hadn't sown. In other words, he thought God was exacting and unmerciful. In the end, he was thrown out into the darkness, while the others who were faithful received great rewards and shared in their master's joy.

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." - Hebrews 11:6, Berean Study Bible

God is a rewarder of faith and faithfulness. While I certainly want to complete the work God has for me on earth, it also makes me very hopeful and excited to think I won't have to be here during the Great Tribulation!

To those who are disdainful of God's mercy, I would say: Be careful, check yourself and don't be a rapture grinch!

RESOURCES


The Great Rescue Is Coming - Let Us Persevere to the End!

PREVIEW: What Comes Next for Us? The Exodus out of Egypt

This Is the Rapture!

This Is the Rapture - Bible Verses

Harvest for the Kingdom, Rapture, Zombie Apocalypse and Return of the King - The Message of Daniel 9:27

The Rapture Will Happen During the Period of Judgment on America

Parable of the Virgins - The Bridegroom Comes Quickly!

Isaiah 26 - The Rapture and the Day of the Lord

Three Days of Darkness

Three Days of Darkness

I have been seeing the "three days of darkness" come up frequently and more urgently in prophetic words lately. I think it's for real. 

Just as the Israelites experienced three days of darkness in Egypt before being delivered by God's parting of the Red Sea, so we will experience three days of darkness before being gathered to the Lord - i.e. the rapture. 

Just as Jonah was three days in the belly of the fish before being vomited onto dry land, so we will experience three days of darkness before seeing the light.

Just as Jesus Christ was in the grave for three days before resurrecting into a glorified body, so we will be three days in darkness and before our transformation into glorified, immortal bodies.

Just as Christ witnessed to many for 40 days after his resurrection and then was taken up into heaven, so we will follow in his steps and witness to many for a short time in our transformed bodies before going up to heaven.

When Jesus comes to gather the elect, "the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not shed its light; the starts will fall from the sky, and the celestial powers will be shaken." The three days of darkness!

It makes sense, really. You can see the prophetic words and visions below for details and confirmation. Several prophecies say it will be caused by Nibiru/Planet X passing between the earth and the sun, creating a massive, three-day eclipse. The gravitational pull of this planet may tilt the earth, which to us would look like the stars are falling.

Just before it occurs, the skies will show spectacular colors, such as pink/red. This is when you know it's time to hide inside your home. The earth will also tremble and cause earthquakes in some places. 

Stay in your home for the three days. Cover the windows and lock the doors. Don't open the door for anyone and don't look outside. Use plain candles for light. And know that Jesus is coming soon!

278pikelk:

https://lighthascome.com/2018/05/29/prophetic-warning-3-days-of-darkness-278pikelk/

Linda Courtney:

https://lighthascome.com/2019/04/02/urgent-details-on-three-days-and-nights-of-darkness-linda-courtney/

Linda Hasche:

https://believeacts2harvest.wordpress.com/2019/04/03/4-3-19-word-from-the-lord-jesus-im-coming-back-in-the-darkness/

Kerry-Ann Gidden:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU89yuMoQV8

Byron Searle:

https://byronsearle.blogspot.com/2018/02/day-of-lord.html

https://byronsearle.blogspot.com/2018/05/darkness.html

https://byronsearle.blogspot.com/2019/03/darkness-approaches.html

"Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Stretch out your hand toward heaven, and there will be darkness over the land of Egypt, a darkness that can be felt.' So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was thick darkness throughout the land of Egypt for three days. One person could not see another, and for THREE DAYS they did not move from where they were. Yet all the Israelites had light where they lived." - Exodus 10:21-23

"Then I saw Him open the sixth seal. A violent earthquake occurred; the sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair; the entire moon became like blood; the stars of heaven fell to the earth as a fig tree drops its unripe figs when shaken by a high wind; the sky separated like a scroll being rolled up; and every mountain and island was moved from its place. Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the military commanders, the rich, the powerful, and every slave and free person hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. And they said to the mountains and to the rocks, 'Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, because the great day of Their wrath has come! And who is able to stand?'" - Revelation 6:12-17