10. War in the heavens.

‘And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and the dragon and his angels fought back.’ (Revelation 12:7) There is a battle being waged above our heads that we aren’t aware of but we experience the everday effects of this struggle as we live our lives on earth. ‘For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm.’ ( Ephesians 6:12)

Two parallel histories seem to occur simultaneously: one on earth and the other in heaven. However the Bible views them together. The ‘Revelation’ (Greek : Apokalypsis meaning ‘uncovering’ ) or parting of the curtain, allowed John to have a quick look behind the scenes and to witness for himself, the war in the heavens and its impact on earth. Little did Daniel know what was involved, when he started to pray until the Angel told him: ‘Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding … your words were heard and I came in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty one days. Then Michael, one of the princes came to help me because I was detained there with the king of Persia … soon I will return to fight the prince of Persia and when I go, the prince of Greece will come … I took my stand to support and protect Michael. ” ( Daniel 10:12- 11:1) These comments by the angelic messenger hint of heavenly warfare, human beings know little about. As we fight the good fight of faith against evil on earth, the supernatural universe seems to be simultaneously at war and sometimes it can break out into actual violence on earth. Isn’t it unusual for a war to end in six days and for a nation to capture enemy territory thrice its own size? But it did happen in June 1967 when Egypt, Jordan and Syria declared war against the nation of Israel. (Iraq later joined the Arab coalition). But the war was over in a matter of days after Israel seized control of Gaza, West Bank (including east Jerusalem), Sinai peninsula and Golan heights. Strangely, it was reported that people saw visions of angels descending on earth and undoubtedly, it affected the outcome of the war. (Promised Land, 2005, by Derek prince)

A war is being waged on this planet between good and evil, a war that reflects a larger struggle in the whole universe. But no matter where it is fought, God is in control. Events are marching onward to a definite climax as each player unwittingly ends up fulfilling God’s plan and purpose. But what is the mission of the Church, in this battle? The mission of the Church is to establish God’s Kingdom on earth. So we were taught to pray : ‘Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth (by men) as it is done in heaven (by angels)’. We are not called to a physical combat with the forces of darkness but to fight the good fight of faith. Hence,‘the weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, we have divine power to demolish strongholds.’ ( 2 Corinthians 10:4) Therefore ‘put on the full armour of God … the belt of truth buckled around your waist … the breastplate of righteousness in place … feet fitted with the boots of peace … take up the shield of faith… helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit… and pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayer and request. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:13-18) May God open our eyes to see that ‘those who are with us is more than those who are with them’, just as he opened Elisha’s servant’s eyes : ‘… he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.’ (2Kings 6:16-17) Amen.