A Hierarchy of Forces

The table above shows that the spiritual warfare involves two armies organized in a hierarchy of forces at different levels. Key to waging war in the heavenlies is to understand the importance of differentiating the different levels.

The Natural World is a reflection of The Spiritual World, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:46: The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. So, just as it is foolish to attempt to wage warfare against ballistic missiles with bows and arrows, so it is futile to attempt spiritual warfare in the heavenlies without understanding the levels involved.

Some writers argue the order of Satan's forces is the reverse of the table above in Paul's list in Ephesians 6:12. But the details of the order are not important. Indeed, we are not to concentrate on the enemy, but rather know the reality of 1 John 4:4 He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Ephesians 2:1-10  We are Seated in Christ in the Heavenly Realms 

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

Different Strategies for Different Levels of Warfare

Just as you don't fight intercontinental ballistic missiles with rocket-propelled grenades, so it is foolish to attempt to fight against principalities and powers of the enemy with the kind of warfare that defeats demonic spirits.

Jude 1:5-10 remind us of the need for wisdom in the way we approach the warfare at strategic global levels.

Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire. In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings. But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct—as irrational animals do—will destroy them.

As the seven sons of Scaeva discovered in Acts 19:11-20 trying to use the name of Jesus without having the power of the Holy Spirit is dangerous. 

As a general rule, the use of simple prayer against the demonic is futile when confronting principalities and powers of the enemy at community and global levels. Prayer walking in local communities is useful for identifying enemy strongholds against which to target corporate prayer and discover ways of opposing in the natural.

The work of men like Ed Silvoso in Argentina and other missionary organisations has shown the value of prayer to identify the territorial spirits associated with particular localities, prior to missionary outreach and rallies.

World Prayer for The 10/40 Window & The Challenge for Global Missions

One of the reasons for the current miraculous conversions of thousands of Muslims worldwide is almost certainly the result not just of the work of individuals but the worldwide prayer for what came to be known as The 10/40 Window covering the Muslim world. This was recently reported in A Wind In The House Of Islam: How God Is Drawing Muslims Around The World To Faith In Jesus.

It should not be forgotten that another historically powerful strategy for the spreading of the Good News has been the reality of persecution, which sadly is increasingly true in the twenty-first century, especially where totalitarian regimes are in power.

Satan's Use of Persecution against the Church

The Challenge of Totalitarianism for Global Missions

Christ as The Rider on the White Horse in Revelation 19:11-16      Adobe Stock

Christ Rides To The Rescue

In Revelation 19:11-16 the Apostle John has a vision of Christ, as the Rider on the White Horse at the head of heaven's armies, riding to the rescue of his Chosen People to defeat The Beast and all the forces of the nations gathered against them.

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. [Note: The reference to his robe dipped in blood is reminiscent of Isaiah 63:1-6.]

The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations.“He will rule them with an iron sceptre.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:

     King of kings and LORD of lords.

And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and the mighty, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, great and small.”

The Clock Is Ticking

The Latest Scientific Prediction of World Catastrophe                      The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists 2025

What Time Is It?

In Matthew 24 Jesus warned the disciples that God will eventually bring the war for world domination to a climax with a final gathering of the nations opposed to his Chosen People Israel at the Plain of Megiddo and the Battle of Armageddon. And Jesus warned them not to be fooled by those who try to predict when it will happen, because he said it will come like a thief in the night when no one is expecting it.

In spite of Jesus' warnings, scientists, as well as self-proclaimed prophets of doom, have made pronouncements and given exact predictions as to when things will come to a catastrophic end as a result of global warming or total annihilation in World War III.

Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives where Jesus will return             Photo: Lightstock

How Should Christians Live?

In 2 Peter 3:3-18  the apostle Peter addresses the challenge of the situation for Christians living in the end times.

"Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”

But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. 

Do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

The Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
   
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.   

So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. 

Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever!  Amen.

Signs of The End Times

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 Release International logo     Open Doors Map of Levels of World Persecution of Christians in 2025

The Warfare at The Natural & Supernatural Levels

Major challenges confront Christians living in countries where there is state-organised physical persecution by imprisonment, torture and execution of Christian pastors, the destruction of churches, and deportation of individual Christians and their families to slave labour camps. 

The Challenge of Global Warfare for Christians   2 Corinthians 1:8-11; 1 Peter 2:11-25

1. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
2. Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.
3. If you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

A Christian Response to Tyranny

In Luke 13:1 some folk came to Jesus and told him about the massacre Pilate’s troops had perpetrated against some Galileans, who were only trying to worship God. The people were hoping Jesus really was God’s promised Messiah and would rid them of Roman tyranny. But Jesus disappointed them by his response. Below is a summary of what he said.
1. The Real Cause of Suffering In The World Is Human Sin
We all sin and need God’s forgiveness, including Pilate. When we are hurt by others, we find it difficult to forgive them or realize we need to be forgiven as well. It’s not what happens to you but how you respond is the issue. If you do not repent of your sin, you too will perish like the Samaritans.
2. The Answer To Injustice Should Not Be Anger But Grace
Anger and hatred simply multiply the destructive nature of sin. Instead, when we remember God’s mercy in forgiving our sin, we realize love and mercy are healing in the face of injustice.
3. God Is The Ultimate Judge Of Injustice & Will Judge Justly
God gives sinners time to repent but will punish the sinner who refuses to acknowledge we all need his forgiveness. We need to endure the injustice in the knowledge that one day there will be a reckoning.
4. Jesus Did Not Challenge Pilate’s Authority Or Resist By Force
He pointed out to Pilate that his authority came from above and one day he would be answerable. God is sovereign over the whole world. Disciples of Jesus are governed by a higher authority to whom they are answerable. Suffering for doing the right thing has to be endured.
5. Standing Up For The Truth Of The Gospel Is Costly
Sometimes non-violent confrontation against tyranny will cost our lives as it did Jesus. But death is not the end. If we die with him, we shall be raised with him, Paul reminds us in 2 Timothy 2:11. [Based on an article by Elias Ghazal Confronting Tyranny The Jesus Way https://abtslebanon.org]

The Challenge of the Battle for Truth

The enemy's ultimate tactic is the same as he used with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, when he questioned what God had said: "Did God say?" This is his major tactic for trying to prevent the message of the Gospel from being shared to the ends of the world. He is doing this by both the physical/natural means of totalitarian state persecution, including control of the media, and in the supernatural realm as the ruler of the cosmos through lies and misinformation in cyberspace and the jamming of the Gospel by sophisticated cyber technology.

Outline of End Time Events