Confession and Declaration 5
Revelation 12:7-9 Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels went forth to battle with the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought. 8 But they were defeated, and there was no room found for them in heaven any longer. 9 And the huge dragon was cast down and out—that age-old serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, he who is the seducer (deceiver) of all humanity the world over; he was forced out and down to the earth, and his angels were flung out along with him.
A war broke out in Heaven because Jesus crucified, resurrected and ascended had entered Heaven’s Courts with His sacrificial blood. That is such a powerful statement. Once Jesus enters into take dominion – war breaks out. Jesus told His disciples: Nor will people say, Look! Here [it is]! or, See, [it is] there! For behold, the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you]. Luke 17:21
If the Kingdom of God, or Heaven is inside of you, and war broke out in God’s Heaven, then you can rest assured a war has broke out in you also. The Good News? Satan is defeated – cast down and out! He is forced out and flung to the earth! Satan the adversary, who opposes, withstands, “lying in ambush” to attack. Yet, Jesus has turned the ambush of the cross, into a weapon of war to bludgeon our enemy into submission through the shout of His resurrection. This is no ordinary child, nor Son of Man. No, He is a conquering Warrior King dressed for battle.
Joshua 5:13-15 states: When Joshua was by Jericho, he looked up, and behold, a Man stood near him with His drawn sword in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, Are you for us or for our adversaries? 14 And He said, No [neither], but as Prince of the Lord’s host have I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, What says my Lord to His servant? 15 And the Prince of the Lord’s host said to Joshua, Loose your shoes from off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy. And Joshua did so.
Most scholars recognize this Prince of the Lord’s Host as none other than the pre-incarnate Jesus. When Joshua asks, Are you for us or for our adversaries? Jesus redirects Joshua’s attention away from the battle to God. How did Joshua respond? He worshipped! Worship in the midst of battle? That’s the Kingdom way.
Another encouraging picture is discovered in Isaiah 59:16-20 And He saw that there was no man and wondered that there was no intercessor [no one to intervene on behalf of truth and right]; therefore His own arm brought Him victory, and His own righteousness [having the Spirit without measure] sustained Him. 17 For [the Lord] put on righteousness as a breastplate or coat of mail, and salvation as a helmet upon His head; He put on garments of vengeance for clothing and was clad with zeal [and furious divine jealousy] as a cloak. 18 According as their deeds deserve, so will He repay wrath to His adversaries, recompense to His enemies; on the foreign islands and coastlands He will make compensation.19 So [as the result of the Messiah’s intervention] they shall [reverently] fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him and put him to flight [for He will come like a rushing stream which the breath of the Lord drives]. 20 He shall come as a Redeemer to Zion and to those in Jacob (Israel) who turn from transgression, says the Lord.
Our Lord is known as the Lord of Hosts. I remember there was a time I simply read right over that phrase assuming that I understood its meaning. I was completely surprised to learn it means, Lord of Angelic Armies. Our Savior, and God is a Warrior. Don’t forget it.Yet, if He’s a Warrior, then we are children of war. Unfortunately, most believers resemble the eagle who was raised in captivity. The story goes that when the eagle was very small, he fell from the safety of his nest. A chicken farmer found discovered the hatchling taking him to his farm to raise him among his many chickens. The eagle matured doing what chickens do. Living as a chicken, he eventually accepted the idea that he was a chicken. A park ranger came to the chicken farm to see if the story of the eagle turned chicken was actually true. He knew that an eagle is king of the sky. But to his surprise and astonishment he saw the eagle strutting around the coop, pecking at the ground, as if it were a chicken. The farmer explained to the ranger that the bird was no longer an eagle but a chicken. The ranger knew there was more to this great bird than his actions showed. He was born with the heart of an eagle and nothing could change that. Taking the eagle out of the coop, the ranger gently lifted him to the edge of the fence. The ranger spoke: “Eagle, stretch forth your wings and fly.” The eagle moved slightly, only to glance at the ranger and peer back at the chicken coop. With one leap he jumped from the fence to resume pecking and scratching at the ground. The farmer remarked, “I told you it was a chicken.” But the ranger would not be deterred. Returning the next day he convinced the farmer to allow him another attempt. Taking the eagle to the top of the farmhouse he said: “Eagle, you belong in the sky and not the earth. Stretch forth your wings and fly!” This time the eagle jumped from the man’s arm onto the roof of the farmhouse refusing to go any farther.
Exasperated the ranger convinced the farmer to allow him to return for a final attempt. Returning the next morning he carried the eagle to the foot of a high mountain. Here the eagle could not see the farm, nor the chicken coop. Holding the eagle aloft on his arm the ranger directed the eagle’s gaze towards the sky, and the bright sun beckoning above. And he said: “Eagle, you belong in the sky. Stretch forth your wings and fly.” This time the eagle stared skyward into the bright sun, as something within his heart stirred. Something wild and wonderful tugged on his heart. It was as if he were awakening from a dream. Oddly he felt the urge to begin flapping his wings, hopping up and down on the rangers arm. Just then a steady breeze blew into his face the fresh smell of the meadow below, and the rocky crags above, causing him to stretch forth his massive wings. Never had he felt so alive, wild and free. As his heart began to pump faster with exhilaration his wings moved in unison. Slowly at first, then surely and powerfully, his wings flapped in the breeze. Suddenly, a surprising and unexpected, urge bubbled up from deep inside calling out from the depths of his being screeching to the sun above and the valley below. A longing rose from deep within his being to reach for the heavens and he did. With one mighty swoop he sprung from the rangers arm, screeching and calling, rising higher and higher into the warmth of the suns ray. His heart leapt with delight as he felt the updraft of a heated thermal carry him higher and higher. Soaring, circling and ascending he flew until he appeared to be only a speck to the ranger on the ground. Shedding the barnyard below, the heart of the chicken had now been replaced with that of an eagle.
The moral of this story? You were made a warrior, with an eagle’s heart. Rise up and catch the wave of God’s Spirit as you declare His Triumph and Victory!
Day 5, Declaration 5: Lord of Angelic Armies, Prince of the Armies of Heaven, I report for duty. Dressed in robes of righteousness I begin my day centering myself in Jesus, the Truth. Grant me grace, placing around the center of my life your truth, honesty and integrity. Lift the breastplate of righteousness in place over my heart, and soul. Touch my feet with the Gospel of Peace, calling me to ascend the Hill of the Lord. The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk – not standing still in terror, but walking onward, and ascending higher. I progress upon the high places of my trouble, suffering, and responsibility as Jesus places them under my feet! I lift the shield of faith to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. I pick up the helmet of salvation, strapping it firmly in place. I lift high the Sword of God’s Spirit and Word as I proclaim, Jesus Is Lord of All! Hallelujah, satan, my adversary is defeated. Jesus has won the Victory. I worship at Your feet in the midst of the fray for the battle is Your’s. Thank You Jesus – this warrior is Your child.
