Revelation 12:7  And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

 Demons have rank and file in their army

            Paul speaks of varying rank and position in the enemy’s host (Eph 6:12) where he mentions principalities rulers (magistrates),  powers (authorities), rulers (worldwide or far reaching) of darkness, shadiness, obscurity; spiritual wickedness in high places – spiritual, religious, in heavenly arenas – over reaching wickedness. These spiritual beings have authority over the influences in this age because the devil is the god of this age and influences all by the fashions, styles and worldly things that capture humans -- saved and unsaved – to conform everyone to his plans and purposes. It appears that the rank or position in authority that they hold whether they are fallen or not are all subject to the other’s authority (Jude 9; Dan 10:12-13, 20-21; Matt 17:18-21). Jesus alluded tothis when He cast out a demon in a boy and then told His disciples that this particular kind goes out only by prayer and fasting. The demon was apparently if higher authority that the rank and file (principalities).

Hebrews 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

 Creation of angels

            God created them before He created the world (Job 38:4-7). The fallen angels sinned sometime after creation and probably before Adam and Eve (Eze 28:13-15); many rebelled against God but we do not know exactly how many (Rev 12:3-4). Fallen angels we call demons while satan is called “devil” (Matt 4:1 – diabolos; Matt 9:32 – daimonizomai

            Satan is the leader of the fallen angels (Matt12:24, 26) and he apparently has a throne (Isa 14:13). The devil works to deceive us thru various ways – lies (Jn 8:44); possession (Matt 12:22); false doctrine that appeals to people as real light (2 Cor 11:14); physical limitations (Lu 13:16); entrapment (1 Tim 3:7; 2 Tim 2:26); fear & force (1 Pet 5:8).

            The devil will use God’s deliverance to entrap people into false doctrine and worship (Col 2:18) causing people to think wrongly about God’s messengers. People do not become angels when they die (Matt

1 Chronicles 12:38  All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king. 

After the death of Saul, David reigned over one tribe, Judah, for seven and one-half years. Ishbosheth was made king over Israel by Abner and there was war between David’s men and Abner. Finally, the other eleven tribes were of one heart to unite with David making him king over all twelve tribes. This united kingdom would last thru the remaining of David’s reign and Solomon’s reign.

            The text speaks of men of war who came to David to make him king. These individuals had certain physical characteristics that can be spiritually applied to us today.

Ready armed:

            1 Chron 12:23 tells us they came ready armed for war – to do battle if necessary. Paul tells us to be prepared for battle (Eph 6:10, 11, 13) so we are not taken by surprise. Our strength is in our Commander and not our own because we are not warring with flesh and blood, but

Isaiah 42:9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.

  What will the New Year hold? What awaits us in the days and months ahead? As we enter another New Year I would like to suggest several way of looking at it.

Looking backwards

            Looking backwards may bring sorrow or joy over situations, circumstances in life

There may have been family problems, disease, death, disappointments, and discouraging events; there could be good health, family gathering, a marriage or a birth. But looking back often puts things into perspective.

What would we do over? What would be our priorities? Few of us can claim a faultless year, but we should not allow this to keep us from hoping for fewer faults this year. We should keep on in spite of past mistakes. A musician strives to do better; the artist’s best work is the next one. Failure is final only if we lose hope of improving.

Looking forward

            Is future ahead of us or behind us? The American Indians & Hebrews see it different. The word for future is “backward” – we cannot see

Genesis 3:3-6; 13-16, 20

3  But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

4  And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

5  For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

6  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

13  And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

14  And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of

Matthew 2:16  Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

Christmas is emotional:

            The Christmas season brings many emotions to our lives; it is a highly charged time. There is the excitement of children (and some adults), the busy schedules, challenges, interpersonal exchanged and of course the fatigue tat goes with everything else. Add to that mixture the nostalgia of former Christmas celebrations – we often try to hold onto those past events and redo the past traditions.. Then as your family increase and children get marries, they want to establish their own traditions, their own memories – and so the challenges are present. Grandchildren come into the picture and our lives are rudely shaken. Along with all these we have the death of older family members and our “traditional” celebration had been overturned and we have to change and alter our celebrations.

Our attitudes:

What will our attitudes be? Are they

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

 Very useful verse:

            This verse has much truth put into a few words and has been used of the Holy Spirit to bring numerous people to the awakening of their conscience to their need of salvation thru Christ.  It presents this gospel very succinctly and plan for all to understand. The key to this may be the use of the small word “but” showing the sharp contrast between being lost and saved.

Wages versus Gift:

            Wages are something that must be earned; the wages of employment follow directly from having performed the work. We expect to be paid for the work we perform for an employer and often seek to receive the highest wages possible for the work performed. The passage says the wages of sin is death and can be related to the pronouncement upon Adam and Eve in the garden – “the day you sin you will surely die”. This death that came upon mankind involved spiritual death first, then physical death and ultimately eternal death. (Gen 3:19; Eph 2:1; Rev 20:14

Zechariah 2:5  For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.

Image if God’s protection:

      God is not only our Savior but He is also our protector. The song writer says, A wall of fir about me, I’ve nothing now to fear. God does not save us and make us a part of His family and then let us alone to face the evils and dangers of this life and world. Zechariah says that God will be a wall of fire about Jerusalem and He also protection for us. The safest place for anyone to be is in the will of God – for there we can rest in peace and assurance of God’s protection (Psa 34:7). God is like a fortress mountain about His children (Psa 125:2). In Rev 21:24 we are told of the New Jerusalem and the high walls about her that symbolize protection from adversaries as well as evil. Isaiah probably is speaking of this time in Isa 26:1.

When the enemy came after Elisha God was seen as horses and chariots

1 Thessalonians 5:18  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

            Giving thanks is difficult for many today because we have been conditioned to think of giving thanks in the area of “good things” and not all things.  We all have good and bad things hgappen in our life. Some people seem to have more bad things happen to them and others more good. This, however, is a matter of perspective because the one who sees the other having more good may be looking at him and saying he has more good. Our interpretation of “good” is key in this matter. We need to see God’s hand in all events. Even in Job’s situation, God’s hand was evident even though it was the devil who was actually causing the problems – God only permitted it to happen.  When we see God as sovereign in the world and in our life, we can more easily give thanks in all things.

Tribulations:

            Paul made an interesting statement in Rom 5:3 Romans 5:3  we glory in tribulations. How many of us can glory in tribulations? Only those who view them

2 Peter 3:18  But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

 Growing in grace:

      Peter admonishes Christians to grow in grace and knowledge. In 1 Pet 2:2 Peter urges young Christians to feed on the milk of the word in order to grow in grace. The word is our spiritual food to enable us to grow spiritually. The milk of the word is the first principles of doctrine Heb 5:12-6:2 when we become Christian. The writer of Hebrews urges believers to go beyond these into a deeper walk and perfection (completion) of knowledge and understanding. It is unfortunate that many believers do not get beyond the childish stage of Christianity and this is the reason there are so many church splits, squabbles and divisions (1 Cor 3:1-3); many believers want evangelistic preaching most or all the time thinking about people being saved, but it is not the way Jesus taught not the Bible confirms it is to be taught (Isa 28:10; Eze 44:23). The Scripture says that when Jesus was come to the Mount of Olives He sat

2 Peter 3:1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

It is extremely important in these last days to be diligent in active awareness of our Christian responsibilities. In chapter three, Peter relates four characteristics of “being” Christian.

Four characteristics:

Be mindful (vs 1-2) -- 

When Peter tells us to be mindful of the words of the prophets, he is saying more than just reading or memorizing. When you are mindful of something or someone, you are aware of their presence. So, if we are to be mindful of the words of the prophets then we are to recognize that they have written or instructed about areas that we wrestle and struggle with in life. In this chapter Peter is particularly addressing the second coming of the Lord and the consummation of all things. He would be telling us to be aware of what is happening around us in the world and people and remember that God has spoken to these issues through the prophets in the past -- Romans 15:4   For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that

Matthew 16:18-19   And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

19  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

The rock of foundation:

            Many people thru the years have accepted the teaching that the church was founded upon Peter and this erroneous belief led to the Roman Church and the many fallacies and atrocities performed by men through the years. Jesus asked the disciples who others were thinking He (Jesus) was and is. They told Him Elias, John the Baptist, Jeremiah or one of the other prophets (Deut. 18:18). After they gave Jesus all the other names, He asked them who they thought He was and Peter said, “Thou art the Christi, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus told Peter that God had revealed this to him. Then He told the disciples that He would build His church upon that rock. Many mistakenly thought Jesus

2 Peter 3:18  But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

 Growing in grace:

          Peter admonishes Christians to grow in grace and knowledge. In 1 Pet 2:2 Peter urge young Christians to feed on the milk of the word in order to grow in grace. The word is our spiritual food to enable us to grow spiritually. The milk of the word is the first principles of doctrine Heb 5:12-6:2 when we become Christian. The writer of Hebrews urges believers to go beyond these into a deeper walk and perfection (completion) of knowledge and understanding. It is unfortunate that many believers do not get beyond the childish stage of Christianity. This is the reason there are so many church splits, squabbles and divisions (1 Cor 3:1-3); many believers want evangelistic preaching most or all the time thinking about people being saved, but it is not the way Jesus taught or the Bible confirms it is to be taught (Isa 28:10; Eze 44:23). The Scripture says that when Jesus was come to the Mount of Olives He sat

2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Withstand and stand:

      Paul tells us when we engage in battle against the enemy of our soul we are to withstand and then stand. We are not to run from the enemy in the battles Paul is speaking of but stand against him in the power of God and with His armor upon us. Then after we have withstood the assault then we are to remain in the position of victory. However, there are certain things that Paul and others urge us to flee from; perhaps they are so fearful and deadly that it would be foolish to face them. The only recourse is then to flee.

Wrath of God Matt 3:7

      John came preaching and baptizing and along with his message of repentance was a warning to the religious leaders to flee from the wrath to come. John said that the wrath of God abides on all those who do not believe in Jesus (Jn 3:36). In the book of Revelation, it says that men and women hid

Proverbs 9:1

 The Foundation:

      The foundation of the house of wisdom is “the fear of the Lord . . . the beginning of wisdom” (Prov 9:10). A person does not finally reach the Lord thru much study and the acquisition of much wisdom. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Without a reverential trust in the God of creation and redemption, there can be no true wisdom. Paul said Christ is the foundation (1 Cor 3:11).No other foundation can be laid other than Christ. Many try to lay a foundation with Christ in it but not as THE foundation. To the many pseudo-religions, Jesus is only a part of it as a prophet, teacher or great personality – to them He is not the very foundation of faith and belief.

      The writer says that upon this foundation and supporting the superstructure of the house of wisdom are seven mighty pillars or columns. But what are these pillars? The answer may be found in the New Testament book of wisdom (Jam 1:5; 3:13).James lists seven things that may be considered the seven pillars of the house of wisdom.

The

Luke 22:31-34

 Christians are often defeated by something they do – Peter stood too close to the enemies of Christ’s fire to be warmed and it all went downhill after that. Many, however, are defeated due to lack of things they fail to do or keep.

 Lack of making/keeping Him Lord Acts 2:36

 Jesus is our Savior; He died to pay the penalty for our sin. Scripture says that He is the propitiation for our sin. This means that His sacrificial death was satisfying to God. In order for a sacrifice to be accepted of God it had to be without spot or blemish. Jesus lived the perfect life that we all wish we could live but cannot and do not. We often use that expression when we do something wrong, “Well, I’m not perfect.” Or “Nobody’s perfect.” But Jesus was perfect otherwise His death would not and could not have been acceptable to God for the penalty of our sins and the sins of the whole world.

But Jesus is also our Lord. This term “Lord” means owner, ruler, proprietor, etc. You have heard the expression, Lord of lords because He is Lord of all lords. He is

Jeremiah 42:16  Then it shall come to pass, that the sword, which ye feared, shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt, and the famine, whereof ye were afraid, shall follow close after you there in Egypt; and there ye shall die.

One of the ways God works to wake up people to their need and sin is thru a famine. God uses any and all means to awake people to their sinful conditions and bring them back to Him .People thru history have recognized the hand of God in nature and natural disasters. Those in Bible times and even up to the 19th century people groups such as the American Indians have recognized God controls natural events and disasters. The American Indians would perform dancing and sacrifices to appease the Great Spirit god so they would be healthy, safe etc. They had many gods even as those in Bible times. When Paul was bitten by the snake the native people saw this as retribution by God (Acts 28:4), but when Paul had no bad effects from the snake they believed him to be a god.

In Abraham’s day there was a severe famine in the land and

2 Timothy 1:7   For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

 Paul tells us that God gives us not a spirit of fear but one of power and love and a sound mind. Power is strength and ability to think and reason rationally and properly. Love is the agape love of God and sound is a disciplined and a mind under control. This is what God gives to us. If we are experiencing a spirit of fear it is nor from God but from the enemy. We are in troublesome times today that started back in 2020 by a group of elites that desire to subjugate all people under their control and authority. There are many people also involved who are innocently following or deceptively involved in their scheme. America’s mental state is very poor right now.

In the Old Testament Israel had a see-saw relationship with God that depended upon their economy. When they prospered they forgot  God and moved in the direction of idols and sensuality. God would send problems in the form of invaders (terrorists) or oppressive leaders. They would return to God and

Proverbs 25:11  A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

            Timely advice is compared to apples of gold in pictures of silver – the best advice we can have. However, when those words are following a “made-up” plandemic and are designed to hold people captive to a virus that has a survival rate of over 99% for most all ages. Those words they speak and they feel are like apples of gold are: “TIL IT IS SAFE”. In other words keep hunkered down and locked down until it is safe to mingle among other people. Shut your business down, close the restaurants, shutter the churches and stay away from everyone – until it is safe. Who will say when it is safe? This is obvious – those who are propagating the lie of the dangerousness of this virus, those who urge anti-Christ policies of distancing and mask wearing.

            Forget the fact that millions are out of work and small businesses have had to close and may never re-open. Forget the fact that many have lost their fortunes and livelihood – just keep away – until it is safe.

            We have been

Habakkuk 3:5   Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet.

            There seems to be no rhyme or reason to the COVID-19 plandemic we are in and have been in the past three years. You hear numerous reports of research and false reports, etc. You hear that the virus is subsiding then reports of a “monkey pox” outbreak and then a fresh start of COVID. As we near the fall election we will hear of more cases and the need to “hunker” down again and stay inside, do not go out to vote etc. There is a virus out there but according to statistics (even from WHO and CDC) COVID is less fatal than the regular flu virus. What has happened and continues is a satanic infection – an infection of lies for the devil is the father of lies. And he has his followers and children out there propagating and spreading these lies to those innocent and deluded that keep falling in line with him.

            The Club of Rome was the result of “The Conference on Conditions of World Order” held on June 12-19, 1965, on Rockefeller’s Estate in