Spiritual Warfare Series

Spiritual Warfare 101                                                                - 11/2004 - Article

Spiritual Warfare 102 - Revelation To Relationship              - 11/2004 - Article

Spiritual Warfare 103 - Divine Focus                                      - 11/2004 - Article

Spiritual Warfare 204 - Combat In The Higher Realms        - 11/2004 - Article

Spiritual Warfare 305 - The Pathway To Victory                   - 12/2004 - Article

Spiritual Warfare 444 - The Steps Of The Conqueror           - 12/2004 - Article

Spiritual Warfare Final Lesson - The Warrior In His Spirit   - 12/2004 - Article

 

Spiritual Warfare 101

Bob Neumann, 11/20/2004

For the last few hours I should have been watching some really anticipated college football games. Instead I stayed in my place and waited. All I “got” was that the “SO CALLED SAINTS” have no real knowledge of “WARFARE IN HIS SPIRIT”. TWO things should jump out at whoever reads this.... “SO CALLED SAINTS”.... “WARFARE IN HIS SPIRIT”.

Let's take the first one... “SO CALLED SAINTS” which means that there are people out there who think they are SAINTS...those who have separated from the world and “are of THE LORD”.... but are not. These are obviously the GOATS who will cry out “BUT LORD, LORD” and will be told by THE KING... “I NEVER KNEW YOU”.

The second is obviously an overflow of #1. People who are in warfare but not in THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT. Which means the battles “they choose” is not THE LORDS... and what empowers them is not HOLY.

With all the experts out there writing books and giving seminars, and all the peoples who have gotten into “it”.... why is the church in such a mess... why are so many “Saints” messed up and struggling all the time.

Now what I was given concerning this was just an old song.... real old....

Psalm 18

1 I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.

2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.

5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.

6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.

SPIRITUAL WARFARE 101 is simple... it starts with I WILL LOVE THEE, O LORD. Awesome ain't it. And it only gets better... they acknowledge that THE LORD ONLY is MY STRENGTH. So peoples out there who are perpetual victims are those who still want to do things there own way. Why did THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT just give me the term “perpetual victims”? It is because GOD'S PEOPLE are supposed to be OVERCOMERS. Obviously they never got to verse

2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

If you are not looking to THE LORD in all these images you become vulnerable. If you do not live each and every day in verse 2, you will not find verse

3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

Now David had his troubles and they are shared with us in the next verses

4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.

5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.

David only had three areas of trouble.... DEATH, UNGODLY MEN, and HELL. They would be sufficient to make anyone realize that he David, THE LORD'S ANOINTED needed GOD. So we have verse

6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.

The only ONE who could SAVE was DAVID'S GOD. So you have to ask... the “so called saints”... who or what is “their god”? Who or what do the worship?

I do not even want to touch this, but I have to. THE LAMB OF GOD taught us a person cannot SERVE TWO MASTERS. THE SAINTS cannot be double minded, in anything. Granted we are all “works in progress”, but the times and seasons have changed and so do HIS SERVANTS. Because they wait upon HIM and HIM ALONE.

This is just the first lesson...

Selah

Old Dog

 

 

 

Spiritual Warfare 102 - Revelation To Relationship

Bob Neumann, November 2004

(Dear Joe and Stephen, THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT says that there is an unadressed
need within the "body of believers". So here goes..… Two days ago THE LORD gave me a vivid set of images about WARFARE and the situations presently facing the WPA. I guess no one really is having any problems, or are upset by anything in the World around them. The fact that THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT adressed the issues of "SO CALLED SAINTS", "warfare in HIS SPIRIT", and "perpetual victims" you would think that there would be more of a response than your's Joe. Someone adressed the issue of Joel's Army. Several years ago i asked which of Joel's armies "you" thought you belonged to. Joel speaks of 3, possibly 4, seperate armies. It all depends where you see yourself.)

The story of King David's life is a text book example of SPIRITUAL WARFARE. David's survival is spelled out in THE REVELATION he was given of his GOD. The reason why so many “so called saints” are in continuous turmoil in their lives is that there is no revelation. Without REVELATION there is no relationship. Without relationship there certain is no covenant. David expresses his knowledge of just who his GOD is in Psalm 18 verse 2.

2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Count them, there are seven declarations here. If you look at this seven part PATTERN it is the CLASSIC MENORAH. The LAMPSTAND of the TABERNACLE which is referred to AS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. Following this pattern we can see that David's LORD was his ROCK, his FORTRESS, his DELIVERER.... and then DAVID SAYS HIS LORD IS HIS GOD........... now DAVID'S LORD is THE STRENGTH IN WHOM DAVID TRUSTS.... then DAVID'S LORD is HIS BUCKLER/SHIELD and the HORN/SOURCE of SALVATION. And Last, DAVID'S LORD is HIS HIGH TOWER..... the PLACE WHERE THE RIGHTEOUS RUN TO.

THE MOST HIGH GOD had revealed HIMSELF unto DAVID. How has THE MOST HIGH REVEALED himself to any of you?

Now that may not seem an important issue. Especially to those “so called saints” secure and safe within their personal deception. They may say this “stuff” is all over the Bible. The problem is that it is not. Not as David puts it. Nor is there anything like what follows after DAVID called out in his DISTRESS.... and HIS LORD... HIS GOD... HEARD HIM

7 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.

8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.

9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet.

10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.

11 He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.

12 At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire.

13 The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.

14 Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.

15 Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.

Psalm 18 is repeated in 2 Samuel 22. What David accounts here is quite dramatic. More so because no one else were given anything near the level and clarity of vision. So the reason that GOD speaks of DAVID as being a man after HIS OWN HEART is this awesome level of revelation that births a relationship unprecedented.

Now David was not perfect. He just repented when faced with his sins. In Psalm 51 he begs that THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT not be taken from him. The COMFORTER that JESUS promised HIS FOLLOWERS was no stranger to DAVID. The last thing David wanted to happen was a loss of relationship..... of FELLOWSHIP with THE LORD HIS GOD.

Paul tells us to “put on the whole armor of GOD”. FIRST THERE IS TRUTH.... FOLLOWED BY RIGHTEOUSNESS...Then comes the PREPARATION of THE GOSPEL of PEACE.... THEN COMES FAITH, SALVATION, and THE WORD OF GOD. All require revelation to understand and to utilize... IF.... IF.... IF.... you are to survive THE EVIL DAY.

Do you really know THE GOD DAVID SAW IN VERSES 7-15? THE GOD DAVID LOVED?

So what relationship do you really have.

Are you a VICTIM....or an OVERCOMER?

Do you really know?

Selah

Dog

 

 

 

Spiritual Warfare 103 - Divine Focus

Bob Neumann, 11/2004

Someone asked how relationship with GOD has anything to do with what is called SPIRITUAL WARFARE. The fact that someone need to ask the question made me realize that maybe I was barking up the wrong tree. In Ephesians 6 Paul gives an explicit account of who our opposition is. 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. Just the concept of “SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS” should make you look at this from outside the prospective of the natural. Likewise to assume that what Paul writes of was something new on this planet as the disciple went forth to preach the GOSPEL of THE KINGDOM is facetious. What we call the public ministry of JESUS was warfare against the “SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS” wherever HE TRAVELED. So if you are honest you have to admit that David's battles were not just in the natural.

4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.

Verse 4 speaks of Sorrows of Death and Floods of ungodly men. Now you can try and take it literally and say that David was afraid of natural death at the hands of human men. But verse 5 takes it out of the natural plain.

5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.

Here David speaks of DEATH a second time. And the TERM “SECOND DEATH” should be familiar to the student of the BOOK of REVELATION. In the Letter to the church in Smyrna we are introduced to a new concept, “the synagogue of SATAN”. JESUS HIMSELF has the answer on how to deal with this situation.

10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Death in the natural is anticipated, but the “overcomer” shall not be hurt by THE SECOND DEATH. David was fighting in the natural realm where his own courage and skill was a great asset. But when HELL and DEATH come together as they do in verse 5 and in Rev 6:8 we are dealing with something very Supernatural. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. So David needed someone far greater than himself to call out to. How did he figure out WHO he needed? James 4 gives us some valuable information.

6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Now David did not start Psalm 18 with a declaration of “submission”, it was a declaration of LOVE. David was well into the drawing nigh. “I LOVE YOU” is a lot more emotional than “I submit to your authority”. James is giving his readers a crisp scourging by addressing them as sinners and double minded sinners at that.

We all know that David too sinned, yet HIS GOD heard his call and acted. Once again we have a pattern.

16 He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.

17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.

18 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.

Verses 16-18 addresses David's rescue from the flood of “ungodly men”. The “waters” stirred up to destroy David were “many” but useless when compared to David's GOD. In verse 17 David acknowledges both the strength and hatred of those that sought to kill the shepherd boy. Verse 18 reinforces his dependence on his GOD. And it is here that things change.

19 He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me. It seems that DAVID'S GOD was mighty fond of DAVID. GOD must have a reason.

20 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.

Look back at James' words. David's hands were clean... in GOD'S EYES. For which DAVID WAS REWARDED.... GOD saved and delivered him from all his foes... natural and spiritual. And it goes farther....

21 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.

22 For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me.

23 I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.

24 Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.

Once again we have the clean hands, but what preceded it was clearly a single mindedness that I find worth emulating.

KEEP THE WAYS OF THE LORD! CLING TO GOD AND FLEE WICKEDNESS! BE AWARE OF HIS JUDGMENTS AND FOLLOW HIS STATUTES! WALK UPRIGHT BEFORE GOD ALWAYS! STAY FAR AWAY FROM INIQUITY!

All of this sounds sensible, even prudent. So why is this thing called “SPIRITUAL WARFARE” such a “BIG DEAL” in so many places?

Just maybe there are a whole bunch of “so called saints” whose hands GOD sees...and GOD does not delight in them as HE DID DAVID?

Selah

Dog

 

 

 

Spiritual Warfare 204 - Combat In The Higher Realms

Bob Neumann, 11/2004

At this point, if you have been following David's Song, the concept that people have of "SPIRITUAL WARFARE" should be altered. David's whole position is based on his relationship with his GOD. It is based on revelation knowledge, there were no do it yourself books or charismatic conferences for David to "pick up" on. David learned it in the fields with THE SHEEP. He lived it with lions, bears, and giants. Then he wound up in the CAVES. There he began to grow into what he would become. A Captain of MEN OF VALOR....and KING of JUDAH and all ISRAEL. Personal valor and ability in Military Skills does not teach a shepherd boy to be a KING. But revelation knowledge can. So back to Psalm 18.....

25 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright;

For years we have been taught that Christianity is based upon a "personal relationship" with JESUS...GOD...sometimes throw in THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT. Seldom does man expound upon where you go from there. The overall assumption is that if you hang around with GOD everything is "O-K". But Paul teaches about changing from our corruptible reference into DIVINE PERFECTION. JESUS made it simple. PICK up your cross and to follow HIM. Paul says we are crucified...reread Galatians and actually study what Paul tries to teach. Few teach it today.

David declares that GOD shows mercy to those who give it. David was a WARRIOR KING...killed Philistines...and that is as far as it goes for most church goers. To bad they forget where David started...in the fields. Taking care of helpless LAMBS teaches a young man responsibility...and compassion. The aspects of MERCY can be manifest to one's understanding. Now David knew what upright meant, two verses earlier we saw it. Did he "get" it from reading Deuteronomy or Leviticus? Or did he pick it up from the family examples he had...great-Grandpa Boaz...and the pagan wife he redeemed. Or maybe Grandpa Obed who understood the "public shame" his Dad accepted at doing his duty.

Never heard about any of this? Shame on your pastors, preachers, and teachers.

David knew what being upright required.

26 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.

So David understood HOLINESS to a degree....PURE... and he addresses the "froward". In the KJV it is the same term. In Hebrew it is actually two. The FIRST is 6141(ik-kashe') which means to be "distorted", "false", "crooked", "forward", and "perverse". Basically the opposite of being upright. So it makes sense not to ascribe unto a HOLY GOD such "attributes".

So when David speaks of GOD he uses a completely different term, 6617(paw-thal').

Dr Strong say it means "to stuggle", "to twine", "to be (morally) tortuous, "to be unsavory" ..."to wrestle". GOD will STRUGGLE against perverse men.

Imagine a "perverse and distorted" man trying to sing Psalm 34....and the taste of PRAISE and WORSHIP in TRUTH has in his mouth.

27 For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.

Again revelation knowledge. The afflicted will cry out....what if it is THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT afflicting sinners with CONVICTION? Publicans walk away with forgiveness. The Arrogant...the Proud...the Pharisee...walks away unchanged. His reward is in this world and he is happy with that. But he has no revelation so desires no relationship with GOD. He is a Pharisee...RELIGIOUSLY ASTUTE. In utter darkness, but will never know because of his spiritual blindness.

28 For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.

David knows where THE LIGHT COMES FROM....and because of that he changes from kid with the sheep and outlaw hiding in the caves to....

29 For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.

A MIGHTY MAN OF VALOR. In GOD'S STRENGTH David can go beyond the limits of flesh and blood. All the GABOREM had it to some degree...Caleb and the GIANTS,

Shamgar and 600 Philistines… Sampson... before he wallowed into sin... so much for the LIE about ONCE SAVED, ALWAYS SAVED.

30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

Gee David, you were just getting good at how GOD used you. Why stop telling about your great victories...because David "KNEW" that it had nothing to do with David… anointed and beloved....IT WAS GOD...IS GOD...AND ALWAYS WILL BE GOD.

David knew it, so few church goers have ever "got" it. So look at verse 30 again.

30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

One verse, but three separate phrases and each one is revelatory. HIS WAY IS PERFECT....John 14

5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

Here we are at the LAST SUPPER. Except for ol' Pete none of the boys had any revelation knowledge of who they had spent 3 years with. Now Pete was with

James and John at THE MOUNT OF TRANSFIGURATION. Yet nothing sank in.

James and John still were jockeying for places in HIS KINGDOM...and Pete was about to cut off an ear and then betray his Rebbe...his TEACHER... the MIRACLE WORKING MESSIAH....even with RHEMA...Pete was still struggling till the THIRD DAY....

THE WORD OF THE LORD IS TRIED....Psalm 12

5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.

6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

John 1

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

John 5

23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

There is absolutely nothing i can add to what JESUS HIMSELF SAID.... HE IS A BUCKLER/SHIELD for all who put their TRUST/FAITH in HIM...

Ephesians 6

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

And once again we find ourselves in Ephesians 6. Simple...GOD'S ways are all

Straight and FIT TOGETHER....because in HIS KINGDOM everything has PURPOSE.

So David is walking in REVELATION KNOWLEDGE. IS a man after GOD'S OWN HEART.

All that means is that he is a sinner saved by grace...and knows it...lives it.

So David can sing...

31 For who is God save the LORD? Or who is a rock save our God?

Honest question. Solid declaration.

32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

David knew that it is nothing to do with the kid watching the SHEEP or the kid killing GOLIATH the SON of ANAK. Gr-Gr-Gr-Gr-Gr----grandpappy/granduncle Caleb chased them out of HEBRON so David could impress fallen KING SAUL and THE ARMY OF ISRAEL....

In his own strength and skill, David was no match for a full grown lion, or bear, or GIANT. David knew it and acted BECAUSE of his relationship with SOMEONE WHO COULD DO IT...and infinitely more.

So here we see the GIANT KILLER....who knows the only way to struggle with GIANTS is to HAVE OUTSIDE HELP.

For years the cult of spiritual warfare has been out there. People writing books about someone else in some other part of the world. How that person HEARD GOD... GOT DIVINE DIRECTIONS...and WON GREAT BATTLES. How many times have we heard about APPROPRIATING and UTILIZING "stuff" under the guise of "SPIRITUAL WARFARE", but never hear about foundational relationship with ABBA, or THE LAMB. Granted, it is all assumed....anyone who goes to see some "big gun" in the "spiritual warfare" camp has been called by GOD to do so. Or did they just go with friends because they were bored. Or maybe they liked the companionship of the men/women in their congregation that were the top of the pecking order. Or where they "pecked" into it?

Now there has been a battle "in the heavenlies" for centuries. It started in Genesis 3.

It ends in Rev 19. Now Paul tells us what we are up against...

12 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.

But Paul had to deal with some issues before he could get to the nitty gritty.

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;

3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

These first 4 verses deal with our relationships in our own households.

Our parents and our children....to live as GOD desires for us there are promises... blessings.... coming our way. Study Deuteronomy 28 very seriously.

But after verse 5 it changes to a spiritual realm. Most never see it because they think Paul was teaching the EPHESIANS of the FIRST CENTURY.... people who lived when and where slavery was an acceptable practice and being a "servant" was as butler, cook, gardener, upstairs maid.... It is easy to ignore the RED LETTERS of Matthew 18 if you enjoy being served.

5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;

Simple...be obedient to "natural" authority. Be single-minded to your boss or supervisor as you would unto CHRIST HIMSELF....

Now comes the shift....

6 Not with eye service, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; Paul is saying not to just go through the motions in order to "please" humans...he wants us to be "real"...in all aspects of our existence.

Somehow Paul sees that how our hearts are towards our GOD is how we will be seen....both by GOD and by THE WORLD. That is our daily WITNESS of THE GOOD NEWS OF THE KINGDOM.

7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Whatsoever you do to the least of these....really means something to JESUS.

So what can be seen as all natural works/service/action has a definitively SPIRITUAL BEARING.

8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

Storing up your TREASURES in HEAVEN ignores one's background, one's diplomas or references. All is EQUAL OPPORTUNITY in HIS KINGDOM.

9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

Here we have "the rub" as Shakespeare called it. How can anyone "dead" in CHRIST desire to be served? How can anyone with any level of relationship with GOD/ DIETY/ HIS PRESENCE dare to LORD OVER anyone else...manipulate, coerce, control, exploit any one else. Especially SHEEP, CHILDREN, and SERVANTS?

That is a conundrum...

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Paul says...my brethren...my brothers and sisters...those united with him in SERVICE to CHRIST JESUS. But to whom are we to be strong in THE LORD and in THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT?

Verse 12 of course.

But there is someone/something else out there. First shows up in Genesis 3:14… the SEED OF THE SERPENT....

Galatians 2

3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:

4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

Matthew 23

29 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous.

30 And you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.'

31 So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets.

32 Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your forefathers!

33 "You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?

34 Therefore I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town.

The Matthew 23 i took from the NIV...in KJV it is basically the same...look at v33:

33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

Brood...Generation...Seed...of THE SERPENT. They are the ones going to make war on THE TRUE SAINTS...THE TRUE BRETHREN.

And THE CHURCH will be targeted....and a lot of "so called saints" have not taken any of the warnings seriously. In fact, they have been taught false gospels and lies that tickle their ears and make them feel """SO GOOD""".... call it collateral damage...

selah

old dog

 

 

 

Spiritual Warfare 305 - The Pathway To Victory

Bob Neumann, 12/2004

To comprehend the level of attacks that will befall the TRUE SAINTS OF GOD in these END TIMES/LAST DAYS all we need to do is look at David.

Psalm 18 speaks of a two way relationship between David and HIS LORD. It speaks of David's revelatory knowledge of GOD. It also speaks of what HIS GOD does for him... and through him.

You have to remember that King Saul was the KING after the People's HEART. When the people went to THE PROPHET SAMUEL and demanded a king like the pagans had, Samuel thought they were rejecting his work. Only GOD corrected Samuel and explained that what ISRAEL was rejecting was GOD'S PLAN. David was the man GOD intended to bring ISRAEL to the level they failed to reach under Joshua and THE JUDGES. King Saul started with an anointing and prophesied. When Saul decided when and where to ignore GOD'S WILL, he fell and was given a SPIRIT to torment him.

Now GOD "sent" that spirit unto Saul. David's music held it at bay, until Saul started taking David's popularity personally. And we all know how Saul ended.

So back to Psalm 18 and the next turn it takes.....

33 He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.

The "hind" is an archaic term for deer. David is given swiftness and sureness of foot. Attributes quite useful in close combat. But then he speaks of BEING SET on THE HIGH PLACES. Here we have a classic double image. THE HIGH PLACES were a major place of idol worship. Of ASTROLOGY and DIVINATION. Of unholy rituals and debauchery to appease the "other gods" YHVH ADONAI had warned Moses and the children of Israel while still in the desert. It was this "worship of other gods" that brought trouble and misery to GOD'S COVENANT PEOPLE. In Rev 13 we are told that the FALSE PROPHET that "looked like a lamb" but had "the voice of the dragon" will strive to get the WHOLE WORLD to worship THE BEAST.

Here David is set upon THESE HIGH PLACES....you may ask why?

The HIGH GROUND is the choice to fight a battle. Forces the enemy to attack running uphill. Places David in the superior position in several ways.

34 He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.

All of this is so David could make war...against GOD'S enemies. Both in the natural world and the world of the SPIRIT. The terminology of "teacheth my hands to war" is most interesting. Easily you can take it that David was "taught" how to handle weapons. Sling, sword, bow and arrow were ancient weapons David would use. Yet the image of "to war" speaks of strategy... of command leadership...which brought David to a place people recognized. Yes, David was a great warrior, killing his thousands and ten thousands.

Yet in the caves men came to him out of their own troubles and became the core by which the ARMY OF ISRAEL was established. The ARMY that David led to victory, that was the foundation that Solomon used to expand THE KINGDOM. No earthly army wanted to fight it, so they married their daughters to Solomon and established agreements for peace and trade. In the second part of verse 34 we have the aspect of supernatural strength to go with speed and maneuverability. Now these alone should have sufficed to assure David victory. Only David knew better.

35 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.

Long before Paul penned his letter to Ephesus David understood the images Paul passed down to us...and added to it.

We are all given the SHIELD of GOD'S SALVATION... but DAVID acknowledges it is GOD'S RIGHT HAND...HIS MESSIAH...that holds him up. How did David see that a thousand years before the CHILD WAS BORN and THE SON GIVEN? Simple...RHEMA.

Now Verse 35 ends on a different note...YOUR GENTLENESS has made me great.

David's revelation of the GREAT AND TERRIBLE GOD is also a revelation of THE SHEPHERD and THE FRIEND....of THE ONE WHO CARES FOR DAVID....in spite of his sins and failings.

36 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.

First impression is this is sort of where we started....hind's feet....only it is not. Steps here is not where David places his feet...but on WHAT... STEPS are the means of climbing... going up.... Add to that David says that it was done so that his feet would not slip makes this important because it places David going UP. As in "LET US GO UP TO...." ....which is always the GOAL David desires, dreams of, sings about...THE HOUSE OF HIS GOD. Which is a strange way to end this section. Or maybe it is not. It all depends on what our purpose and reason for our belief systems is derived.

What we desire to be....in HIS TIME.

selah

old dog

 

 

 

Spiritual Warfare 444 - The Steps Of The Conqueror

Bob Neumann, 12/2004

For years the AMERICAN ANTI-CHURCH has made big money on their game of SPIRITUAL WARFARE. They have peddled their wares far and wide for years. Tens of thousands of people have taken courses and attended conferences. Yet after all that has happened the state of THE SPIRTUAL STATUS of the AMERICAN NATION is abysmal. Crime is still endemic, Violence is everywhere, Drug use expands, and IMMORALITY is everywhere.

Now TAKE THE CHURCH. Half is liberal humanist... Half is some type of moderate/ conservative. In either half UNCLEAN and FAMILIAR spirits abide and prosper in either OPEN/BLATANT false doctrines and teachings, or HIDDEN/COVERT manipulation, control and seduction.

All of these crimes the ANTI-CHURCH and the AMERICAN SOCIETY in which it sprang up has been INDICTED shall now stand before THE JUDGE OF ETERNITY. IN HIS COURT THERE ARE NO PLEAS FOR LENIENCY BECAUSE HE JUDGES AND MAKES WAR IN RIGHTIOUSNESS.

Five times we have turned to Psalm 18 to understand how we, DAVID'S SEED can journey in his footsteps. Now this sixth lesson is actually the POST GRADUATE course of the curriculum. It is putting the first five lessons learned to actual use.

So we start with the next image in DAVID'S LIFE....

37 I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.

David came to a point where he left the caves and ATTACKED ISRAEL'S ENEMIES. Here he speaks of PURSUING his enemies...chasing them down, hunting them out. No longer is he "hiding" no longer is he in the defensive position. Simply withstanding the plots and attacks are enough. Now he is HUNTING DOWN...running down his enemies and eating them.... "till they were consumed".… DEVOURED.

38 I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.

Here is an interesting image. David's foes were so badly wounded they lay helpless on the ground. Neither in verse 37 or verse 38 DOES DAVID SAY I SLEW MY ENEMIES ....KILLED 'EM ALL....WHIPED THEM ALL OUT. MAYBE IT WAS BECAUSE HE HAD ENEMIES THAT COULD NOT BE KILLED....because they were SPIRIT...and not FLESH AND BLOOD.

39 For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.

Once again we see DAVID acknowledging HIS STRENGTH is HIS GOD and not himself. He declares that THE GOD IN WHOM HE HAS PERSONAL REVELATION AND RELATIONSHIP subdued those who were a danger to DAVID.

40 Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me. Imagine your enemy at your feet, neck exposed, awaiting the execution richly deserved. David found his enemies just that way. SO...they cried for mercy...

41 They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.

At this point DAVID had OVERCOME his FOES. He had complete victory. HE HAD CONQUERED. All because he had put HIS TRUST IN HIS GOD. Even "the fallen" called out to DAVID'S GOD...and GOD does not answer. "BUT LORD...LORD...."

42 Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets. BEATEN BADLY AND CAST OUT...sound familiar...

26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The WICKED SERVANT gets the same treatment DAVID gave his ENEMIES.... SELAH....AMEN

43 Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me.

Now David speaks of the strivings with the people. Here David is talking of the NATURAL WORLD... David had defeated his foes in both THE NATURAL and the SPIRIT...because HIS GOD gave him the victory. EVERY KNEE BOWED TO DAVID...and HIS SEED.

44 As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me.

45 The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places. They hear and obey. They accept DAVID'S AUTHORITY over them. They are submitted to HIM as GOD'S SOVEREIGN. Even strangers who have fled out of the land FEAR his dominion.

I wonder how fearful of THE ANTI-CHURCH are the POWERS OF DARKNESS? Do PRINCIPALITIES tremble when NICOLAOTIN OVERLORDS try to shout them down?

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

VICTORY IN JESUS...TO OVERCOME...is wonderful.

BUT IS IT ALL WE ARE CALLED TO DO?

Each SHEEP and each CHILD and each servant must choose for themselves.

selah

dog

 

 

 

Spiritual Warfare Final Lesson - The Warrior In His Spirit

Bob Neumann, 12/2004

For years the AMERICAN CHURCH has been replacing GOD in the hearts and minds of the FLOCK. That is why there are really few sheep out there roaming around grazing freely. Oh yes, there are lots of sheep out there. It's just that they are all safely locked into pens controlled by businessmen who know where there profit margins lies. They know exactly when to fleece the flock, and when to slaughter the best quality lamb or mutton.

From the sheepdog point of view, neither is very supportive of individuals.

The AMERICAN CHURCH has found the crux of the issue and taken full advantage of it. The GOSPEL of the KINGDOM is not a tool for salvation alone. It is a template of REBIRTH, MATURATION, and eventual CONQUEST. A planned progression of events that would lead a sinner doomed to ETERNAL FIERY JUDGMENT to the paths of SALVATION, SURVIVAL and VICTORY. The KEY is they all start with "FOLLOW ME". We all started with THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT bringing us...knowingly or not even aware...to the point of awareness of personal culpability. Culpability simply means that whatever we have done wrong to ourselves and others is our own fault, and we will be held responsible ...accountable for what we have done.

So we are all brought to the same point. We are all rotten, dirty, sinners deserving of GOD'S WRATH. Now many men say "we weren't that bad"...or "it was not your fault".... Those are LIES. PLAIN...SIMPLE...LIES... THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT says you are guilty...MAN says no you are not. WHO DO YOU BELIEVE?

Now if we are all guilty and doomed to eternal punishment we are in desperate need of a SAVIOR...a REDEEMER...a FRIEND who will take our BURDEN and lead us out of our PERSONAL PIT. The only problem is we have to be aware of our PIT and our coming PUNISHMENT.

So all BELIEVERS have been pulled out of their pits. No one any better or worse than any other. MAN likes self-help books and strategies which tells you how to save and help yourself. TOO BAD they tend to leave JESUS behind.

JESUS said MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE and THEY FOLLOW ME. Sheep that are told the LIE that all they have to do is sit there and listen to, submit to, and give undying devotion to man...will never leave that PIT to follow THEIR SAVIOR.

So all we have are a few scruffy sheep that got loose from their SLAUGHTER PENS and follow hard on HIS HEELS. It is here where the first transformation takes place. The SHEEP who heard HIS VOICE begin to recognize individual WORDS. And "suddenly" HIS SHEEP become LITTLE CHILDREN. Children that listen...learn ... and obey. In the SPIRITUAL as it is in THE NATURAL Children grow up and make decisions. The CHILDREN are given a CHOICE...do THEY SERVE THE GOD WHO GAVE THEM SALVATION, LED THEM THROUGH the WILDERNESS and HAS CLOTHED AND FED THEM IN HIS WORD...or do THEY SERVE THEMSELVES?

They can become HIS SERVANTS...or fall away. Angry, despondent, and quite often vindictive. Spoiled children either grow up and accept responsibility and accountability...or become psychopaths...sociopaths that CALL "GOOD EVIL and EVIL GOOD".

Like the Disciples, all servants can be called FRIEND at some point in their journey. It takes time and lots of healing as we go from GLORY TO GLORY. But when we do this we find others have walked before us. One of The First Was DAVID. And Psalm 18 is his story...his song...of DAVID and HIS GOD, together.

46 The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.

DAVID'S LORD is THE LIVING GOD...THE GOD "I AM"... WHO WAS, IS, and will ALWAYS BE.

DAVID BLESSES THE ROCK...that HE STANDS ON...is able TO BUILD ON...THAT SPRINGS FORTH LIVING WATER that gives DAVID LIFE ETERNAL.

Then DAVID EXALTS THIS GOD WHO SAVED HIM.... no big deal...GOD SAVED ME...SO I LOVE HIM...ADORE HIM ...OBEY HIM...FOLLOW HIM FOREVER… SINGING FOREVER.

47 It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.

David removes himself from hard feelings for his foes, his enemies, the wicked types that plotted and planned his destruction...WHY? It is not natural for man to want to get even...pay back... Of course it isn't if all you see is you against them. One of THE FIRST THINGS GOD REVEALED to David was that David was not ALONE. That HE had a GOD that was very close and personal. AND DAVID SAW EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO MEN WHO HAD TO GET TO HIM THROUGH HIS GOD. SELAH PEOPLE...SELAH LONG and HARD. TO GO AFTER DAVID....you had to go THROUGH HIS GOD. NEVER HAPPENED... and THE PRICE YOU PAID WAS ENORMOUS... GOD PUT DAVID'S FOOT ON YOUR NECK...again and again.

WHO IN THEIR DOUBLEMINDED INSANITY wants THE LIVING GOD wanting HIS VENGENCE ON YOU?

Again SELAH.

48 He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.

David does not hide the fact that it WAS GOD who delivered him, pulled him out of bad situation after bad situation. But he also tells us that it is GOD that LIFTED HIM UP as in "out of the pit"...the trap enemies both natural and spiritual built to destroy him. David ends this by distinguishing it is from VIOLENT MEN that GOD has saved him from . Men like NIMROD...ESSAU... GOLIATH...even ABSALAM...his own son.

Who has set traps for you that GOD has saved YOU FROM?

49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.

ONCE AGAIN DAVID uses all of this to stand up and sing...to sing his THANKS for THE DEEDS GOD HAS DONE FOR HIM...ever try it yourself? NO? ....pity... Now DAVID says that he does his singing "among the heathen". DAVID does not worship in the CHOIR LOFT... he goes out where there are goats who have no inkling how GREAT HIS GOD IS....except that DAVID IS STILL STANDING AND SINGING...and all THE VIOLENT MEN LAY SLAUGHTERED all around.

So imagine DAVID standing and singing...I SING PRAISES TO YOUR NAME, OH GOD, PRAISES TO YOUR NAME, OH LORD...FOR YOUR NAME IS GREAT...AND WORTHY OF ALL PRAISE.

That is THE SECRET OF REVELATION KNOWLEDGE... GOD REVEALS HIS NAME TO YOU...AND THEN SHOWS YOU WHAT IT MEANS...IN EXTREME DETAIL...UP CLOSE… AND VERY PERSONAL.

Anyone getting this?

Regretfully i doubt it... because the final verse is a WOWSER...

50 Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.

VERSE 50 is MESSIANIC PROPHECY.

THE "HE" HERE is DAVID'S GOD...who gives unto HIS KING....GREAT DELIVERANCE... Isaiah 9 says THAT A CHILD WOULD BE BORN... BUT A SON GIVEN...ON WHOSE AUTHORITY is our SALVATION. OUR SAVIOR...and our KING.. THIS KING IS GOD'S ANOINTED ONE...MESSIAH...WHO HOLDS GOD'S MERCY...unto DAVID and his "seed" """"FOR EVERMORE"""… ETERNAL COVENANT.

DAVID KNEW THAT THIS WAS WORTH SINGING ABOUT. THE PROMISE OF GOD...UNTO DAVID...AND DAVID ALONE... because DAVID LOVED GOD...and GOD LOVED DAVID.

From Jesse's pasture where THE PROPHET found him with THE SHEEP...to the THRONE over JERUSALEM...was a long hard JOURNEY. IT WAS NEVER INTENDED TO BE ANYTHING ELSE... the MAN or WOMAN that FOLLOWS THE ANOINTED ONE FROM PIT TO ETERNITY must be of THE SAME STUFF that was in DAVID.

Willing to LOVE and to WORSHIP with all HIS HEART, HIS SOUL, HIS MIND, and HIS STRENGTH...

David may have fought numerous battles and won many campaigns. BUT he knew GOD WAS HIS SOURCE OF VICTORY.

SALVATION...SURVIVAL...VICTORY...DOMINION... a simple path for a simple shepherd boy...because it was never the shepherd boy...it was ADONAI ELOHIM ELYON.

ALWAYS WAS...ALWAYS WILL BE.

THAT IS HOW 'we' BATTLE.

THAT IS HOW 'we' WIN.

WE FEW...WE BAND OF BROTHERS...

WARRIORS in HIS STRENGTH and HIS SPIRIT.

DEAD MEN...one and all.

Who SING PRAISES TO HIS NAME...

baruch ha ba BASHEM ADONAI...

selah

dog