Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Repent, America - Day of Prayer

You know of archangels like Gabriel and Michael. Satan also has his archangels, one of which is called “the prince of Persia” whom Gabriel and Michael defeated in order to provide Daniel an answer to his prayers (Daniel 10). Thus we know at least one of Satan's archangels is geographically based. Persia is now called Iran. It was Iran's leader Khomeini who first called America “the Great Satan” in 1979. Later, Iranians called Israel “the little Satan”. Though throughout Christian history, several nations have acknowledged God as their King; recently, it is Israel and the U.S.A. which are most noted for doing so.
I believe the “great eagle” of America fulfilled Revelation 12:14-17, protecting Jews from 1650-2000. Then God's hand of protection left our country. New York City holds the greatest population of Jews outside of Israel, and continues to be in the crosshairs. But all of the United States is open to enemy attack. America is also inviting God's judgment through its national abandonment of Israel and Christianity. It is fitting that our national day of prayer is focused on repentance, for we surely need to do so whether “allowed” by judges or hosted by presidents or not. Before Daniel received his prophetic visions of the Messiah, he repented for the sins of his nation.
“Repent you: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2)

Scroll of 7 seals is NOT deed to earth

It has often been taught that the scroll with the seven seals is the deed to the earth which was trasferred to Satan when Adam and Eve sinned. This is not true since the physical earth and heavens are the LORD's (Ex. 9:29 and Deut. 10:14), including all they contain and all those physical beings who dwell there.
“The earth is the LORD's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” (Psalm 24:1)
Nor does Satan control the boundaries of the world's kingdoms and who rules them, for “Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changes the times and the seasons: he removes kings, and sets up kings: he gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: (Daniel 2:20-21).”
Satan offered Jesus the power and glory of the kingdoms which had been “delivered” or betrayed unto him.
“And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, showed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to him, All this power (exousia) will I give you, and the glory (doxa) of them: for that is delivered (paradidomai) to me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.” (Luke 4:5-6)
“. . . according to the prince of the power (exousia) of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience: (Eph. 2:2)”
Because Adam and Eve rejected the LORD's reign in their lives, they betrayed themselves into the reign of Satan in their lives; bound to sin. The LORD later rescued the Hebrews from Egypt and restored Himself as King over them, but they eventually rejected His reign again and asked for a human king (1 Samuel 8:4-8). Satan was offering Jesus a way to become the King and Savior of the world without having to endure the cross (but then sin and death would remain).
Instead, Jesus chose to give those who believed in Him the resurrection power (kratos) to overcome Satan's power (exousia).
“And what is the exceeding greatness of his power (dunamis) to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty (ischus) power (kratos), Which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places (epouranios), Far above all principality (arche), and power (exousia), and might (dunamis), and dominion (kuriotes), and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:” (Eph. 1:19-21)
“Finally, my brothers, be strong (endunamoo) in the Lord, and in the power (kratos) of his might (ischus). Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities (arche), against powers (exousia), against the rulers (kosmokrator-singular, referring to the devil) of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (epouranios).” (Eph. 6:10-12)
It is a spiritual battle which we fight together through prayer and the preaching of the gospel; and our honest, righteous living through faith in the Word of God. May we continue to do so until the King of kings returns to establish His Kingdom on earth.