COSMIC CONFLICT

I am sure we are all aware of the many conflicts currently going on around the world. Some of them point directly to those Jesus said would accompany the end times, prior to the return of Jesus to the earth. A prime example is the war raging in the Middle East involving the State of Israel and the terrorist organizations which have attacked the Jewish State. This war should capture the attention of every follower of Jesus as well as those who know anything about Bible Prophecy! It is sad that so many born again believers are silent about this conflict. Every eye should be intently on the Eastern Sky regarding Jesus' return as we purposefully focus on the events surrounding Israel.

However, there is another major conflict going on that many are unaware of, choose to ignore or think insignificant. This is the "Conflict in the Cosmos"! A simple meaning of "Cosmos" is the Universe. This Cosmic Conflict can also be identified as Spiritual Warfare! It originates in the "heavenlies" rather than on earth. It is unseen by the human eye and is only detected by spiritual wisdom, insight, Biblical truth, teaching and concerted prayer!

O.S. Hawkins, author of THE PRAYER CODE makes the following statement: "There is an unseen world all around us. Most believers live oblivious to it." We are too occupied with life, jobs, careers, the daily grind, families, finances, sports, events, parties, and "storing up for ourselves treasures on the earth, rather than in heaven" as Jesus warned. Hawkins goes on to say: "in this unseen world around us is a great cosmic confrontation between the forces of Satan and the forces of God." When was the last time you heard preaching or teaching on spiritual warfare, that intensifies in the end times? Unfortunately, my strong guess is that it has been a long time in most of our churches. I Corinthians 14:8 tells us: "For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?"

Cosmic Conflict is very real! The Bible teaches this truth. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:12 - KJV) That says it all, does it not? As followers of Jesus, we are all subject to spiritual warfare, whether we like it or not and whether or not we are aware of it. Our involvement in it may either be consciously or unconsciously. Let's look seriously at this verse in Scripture.

1) We do wrestle! This means we earnestly fight, struggle, grapple, do combat, fiercely contend with an adversary.

2) We do not battle against flesh and blood! Our enemy is not human or earthly. It is not a phyiscal battle, though the physical can be affected. It has nothing necessarily to do with problems, trials, unwelcome circumstances or adversity in life, although again, these can be involved.

3) Our battle is solely spiritual in nature, scope and purpose! We are engaged in spiritual warfare against satanic, evil angelic beings, invisible to the human eye, untouchable and unfathomable by our own humanistic resources. These evil beings rule with power, deception and lies. They are demonic hosts, exerting power and authority. However, they are truly limited by the Presence, Power and Authority of God! The Word of God (the Bible) describes these evil beings as characterized by "principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places." "High Places" are profoundly associated with pagan (unholy) worship, intense evil practices, extreme wickedness, witchcraft, the sacrificng of humans including children, spiritual adultery, or unfaithfulness to God, His Word, His commandments, etc. and are truly of serious offense to Him, provoking God to exercising judgment. This all describes our enemy in spiritual warfare or cosmic conflict!

The Prophet Daniel described his own cosmic conflict, experienced while he was seriously entreating God in prayer and fasting for a period of 21 days. An angel from God appeared to Daniel with this message: ". . .Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and humbling yourself before your God, your words (prayers) were heard, and I have come in response to your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes (angel of God) came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia." (Daniel 10:12-13) Daniel was opposed by a high-ranking demon assigned to the nation of Persia to represent the devil's kingdom and fight against God's kingdom. This messenger who had come to Daniel had been engaging in angelic warfare in the heavenlies (not earthly realms). In fact, the power of this demonic prince of Persia was so great that Michael was dispatched to the angel's aid. By virtue of Michael's incredible strength, the angel prevailed and reached Daniel. The angel announced he had to return at once to again fight the prince of Persia. Demons of satan's kingdom are always at war against God's kingdom and servants. It's this kind of warfare that we can't see - the conflict in the spiritual realm - that we must be prepared to fight (Ephesians 6:10-18)

Cosmic war is also identified in the Book of Revelation, chapter 12, verses 7-9. It reads: "Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon (satan) and the dragon and his angels fought back, and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him."

"In that day the LORD will punish the powers in the heavens above and the kings on the earth below." (Isaiah 24:21)

Before proceding to the spiritual weapons we as Jesus' followers have to wage combat with the evil forces of satan, I want to talk about detecting the characteristics of spiritual warfare we may be engaged by. Here are some, though not exhaustive. When we experience any of the following, we need to do a spiritual check-up to determine the extent of spiritual warfare present in our lives: Extreme feelings of discouragement, depression, despair or defeat; utter hopelessness; overwhelming anxiety or worry; troubling, disturbing and negative thoughts; fear of the present or future; deep loss of spiritual desire and dryness; serious lack of prayer and reading the Bible; doubting God's goodness and purposes; resurfacing of emotional wounds, hurts and painful memories from the past; excessive feelings of shame, guilt and condemnation; a heightened sense of rejection, worthlessness, lonliness and lack of belonging; unbelief; serious thoughts about returning to one's old life-style; relentless temptation to mistrust God and His grace; overwhelming temptation to sin and rebel against God and His Word; extreme physical and emotional fatigue; careless insensitivity to God's will, direction and guidance; willful disobedience to God's commands; definite oppression in our prayer and devotional life.

We can certainly be victorious in this Cosmic Conflict; right here and right now, extending to eternity when there will be no more war! How? The Apostle Paul gave us the answer in Ephesians 6:10-18! "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm (be victorious) against the schemes of the devil. . . .Therefore, take up the full armor of God. . . . Stand firm, therefore, having the BELT OF TRUTH, the BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, the SHOES OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE, the SHIELD OF FAITH, HELMET OF SALVATION and the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, which is the WORD OF GOD." And "PRAY IN THE SPIRIT." Here are seven effective pieces of spiritual armor designed and equipping for Spiritual Conquest! Six pieces of armor are for defense and the Word of God is for offense. No contest has been won on defense alone; it takes offense to be victorious! Let's arm ourselves with both the defensive and offensive weaponry necessary for winning the war!

"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (fleshly), but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds." They are not of the flesh, but have divine power to destroy cosmic strongholds.

(II Corinthians 10:4) "In all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us." (Romans 8:37)

Take Heed! In warfare, there is no draw or tie! Rather, there is only a loser and a winner. So, it is true in Cosmic Conflict! I want and intend to win, don't you?

A SAMPLE PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE!

Lord, God, strengthen my faith. Forgive me for my failures, shortcomings, lack of trust and sins. I want to be clean in Your Righteousness. Help me to be brave; I will put on the full armor of God, so I can stand and fight the spiritual battles in my life and in this culture. Give your wisdom and discernment so I won't be caught off guard. I want to know where spiritual battle takes place and who my real enemy is. While evil still roams, the power of Your name and Your blood rises up to defeat every foe and bring me to victory against every evil planned against me. While malicious actions may disturb me, I choose to use the full armor of God You have given me to stand firm. I remain in Your presence, aligned with Your purposes, and I look to You as my Supreme Commander and Protector. Help me to avoid temptation and deliver me from evil. Lord, You are the Mighty One, the ONE who brings all evil into subjection to Yourself. I am promised in You to be victorious in Cosmic Conflict. In Jesus' strong Name, Amen!