POWER AND DOMINION

Looking out over the city from his perch on the mountain above, General Palu Sleinad, dark warrior of Tirzah unfurled his broad leathery wings.  He was an imposing figure who stretched a full eight feet into the night sky.  Draped in a dark tunic with a gold fastening and girded in leather and body-fitting armor, he was powerful, stronger than most and more cunning than those who had come before him.  With a long, crooked nose, protruding lips and deep scars on his cheeks and across his forehead, his countenance was fierce, his fetid breath short and smelling of brimstone.  The medallion hanging from his neck gave evidence to his position in the army of Lucifer.  At his side he bore a long, curved blade and two daggers that had seen many battles throughout time.  He knew that the struggle had not yet reached its climax and unlike his predecessors, he had no delusions about the strength of his enemy.  His foes had conquered before but that was before he had risen to power.

 

Considering his options, he knew that time was drawing short.  There were preparations to be made and missions to be accomplished before plans could be consummated.  Soon there would be a gathering such as even he had never seen before.  The Overlord was coming and if all went well, the Prince of Darkness would not be far behind.  In his memory the prince had never ventured into this region in order to personally direct his legion.  That day was now coming and there would be no excuse for failure.

 

He had been brought here for a purpose, a reason that few were privy to and even fewer still would fully comprehend.  He had been chosen for this assignment because of his special talents and abilities, abilities that had withstood the test of time.  He had provoked war, initiated famine, fanned pestilence and encouraged anarchy during his entire existence and now, as a result, he had won the favor of his lord.  This was his opportunity to secure not only his position but the position of his master for the battle to come.  It was to be a battle for the heart and soul of man.  It would be a battle for power and dominion.

Fact or Fiction?

When you read the excerpt above, what comes to mind?  Perhaps it is simply the beginning of another Christian novel that provides imagery of unseen forces; maybe it is the preface to a tale calculated to grab your attention so that you will pick it up and deposit money at a retail counter.  On the other hand, it might be an illustration of someone’s idea about the beginning of a spiritual battle.

In today’s world there are many television shows, movies and books that depict man’s conflict with the demonic realm.  It really doesn’t take very long to find something on the Discovery Channel that deals with the end times and the concept of a final battle between good and evil.  In fact the word “Armageddon” has become synonymous with the final battle between these opposing forces.  This particular term is now used not only to describe this battle, it also is used as a name for any event which could prove to be the end of all mankind. 

Several years ago there was a movie by this name which starred Bruce Willis and the central theme of the movie was that the destruction of earth was certain due to an impending collision with an asteroid.  Once sighted and mapped, this particular asteroid was described as a “global killer” that was twice the size of Texas.  This particular movie was a blockbuster at theaters around the world and continues to play to audiences on television.  The good news is that it was a fictional account and no “global killer” has struck the earth, at least in modern times.  The additional good news, despite what you might read in the newspaper about our attempted mapping of near-earth objects, is that no “global killer” is going to strike the earth.  How do I know this?  I know this because God has ordained that while a “mountain” will be thrown into the sea, the earth will not be destroyed during the Tribulation period.  Likewise, while a “star” will fall from the sky, it will not destroy the earth but instead, will turn all of the fresh water bitter.

Revelation 8:8-11

** New International Version

King James Version

8 The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood, 9 a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.  10 The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water- 11 the name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter.

 

8 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; 9 And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed. 10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; 11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

 

According to Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary, the word “Armageddon” refers to the mountain of Megiddo which is the site of the final battle of this age when God intervenes to destroy the armies of Satan and to cast Satan into the bottomless pit.  “Scholars disagree about the exact location of this place, but the most likely possibility is the valley between Mount Carmel and the city of Jezreel.  This valley (known as the Valley of Jezreel and sometimes referred to as the Plain of Esdraelon) was the crossroads of two ancient trade routes and thus was a strategic military site. Armageddon is the Greek word for this area, which was the scene of many ancient battles.”  This battle will take place at the end of the Great Tribulation and will signal the end of Satan’s influence until the end of the Millennial Kingdom, i.e. the 1000 year reign of Christ on earth.

Revelation 16:13-16

** New International Version

King James Version

13 Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty.  15 "Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed."  16 Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.

 

13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. 16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

 

In that day the rulers of the world will band together with the express purpose of defeating God in one final battle.  These rulers will not band together of their own accord but will be brought together by demonic forces, specifically by those demons birthed by “the dragon, the beast and the false prophet.”  Like our illustration at the beginning of this article, there will be a gathering such as the world has never seen before.

The demonic realm has been widely depicted on film and by written illustration.  While no one truly knows what these fallen beings really look like, we assume that they are grotesque.  We imagine that angels are amazing and beautiful to behold so we also imagine that fallen angels must be the opposite.  The portrayal of these beings in the above-referenced passage certainly lends credence to this assumption.

At the end of this age there will be a mighty battle.  Its result has been foretold and yet, we seem to be marching down the road ultimately leading to Armageddon.  For several thousand years man has been warned about what must transpire before Jesus Christ comes again to establish His throne upon the earth.  And while many have said in times past that the end must be near, this generation truly appears to be the one that very well may witness the culmination of history.  Armed with a Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other, it is amazing to seemingly see prophecy unfold before our very eyes. 

The headlines cry out that we are near the end and that the center of world conflict is in the Middle East.  Even those who do not consider themselves religious are now looking at world events and starting to believe that we are nearing the end of our existence.  Otherwise, why would such a large segment of our society be concerned about the happenings in the Middle East?

A very small, nondescript country that has no virtually no natural resources remains on the front page of virtually every major newspaper in the civilized world.  Since the reorganization of the Jewish state in 1948, Israel has continued to capture the attention of the world.  Why?  While no rational person would deny the historicity of the Holocaust and attempted genocide of the Jewish people by a man who was evil incarnate, genocide continues to exist in other parts of the world and scarcely a cry is muttered.    Why would a nation like Israel draw the attention of major powers such as the United States, China and Russia in modern times?  Why would Arab states such as Iran, Syria and Lebanon be obsessed with Israel’s destruction?  The answer is that this conflict has been in play since the virtual dawn of time commencing with Jacob and Esau.  It is a religious and, if you will, racial hatred that has never abated and will never die.  Further, Israel’s role in the final world conflict has been prophesied since the apostle John was exiled on the Isle of Patmos.  His apocalyptic vision, largely ignored by many organized denominations until recently, now captures the attention of the masses and not just because it happens to be the central theme of a very popular book series; there are many who view it as a roadmap of things to come.

For those of us who are classified as “Baby Boomers” and remember things such as the Cold War, the Cuban missile crisis, the Kennedy assassinations, Vietnam, Kent State, the oil embargo and the beginning of drug experimentation in America, tragedy and frightening world situations are nothing new.  However, there are many who now firmly believe that the world situation has never been this precarious before.  MAD a/k/a Mutually Assured Destruction was actually a notion that gave some comfort to the idea that while major world powers such as the United States and Russia could destroy each other, they wouldn’t because of the certainty of their own destruction.  Now, it seems that the President of Iran not only wants to arm terrorists who are bent on destroying the “Great Satan” along with its ally, Israel, he welcomes the concept of nuclear confrontation and obliteration so long as he can usher the 12th Imam into existence and assure the world-wide spread of Islam (coupled with the ultimate death and destruction of any who stand in the way of such a goal).  And the world continues to debate its next move as Iran marches down the road of nuclear proliferation and planned annihilation.  It is no wonder that many throughout the world now think that our time is growing short.

John witnessed visions more terrifying than the one sought by Adminajihad.  He saw the rise of the antichrist, the Tribulation, the Great Tribulation and the pouring out of God’s wrath upon the earth.  God, once again, will call for His creation to turn back to Him and although many will, there are many who will not.  The final conflict will see a battle between the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and one created for service in the heavenly realm but who fell from grace due to his own pride and arrogance.  Demonic forces will be fully aligned against the heavenly host on that day and yet, despite the strongly held beliefs of Satan and his minions, the outcome will never be in doubt.

Revelation 19:11-21

** New International Version

King James Version

11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war.   12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:

 

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

 

17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, "Come, gather together for the great supper of God, 18 so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and mighty men, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great."  19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. 20 But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.   21 The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.

 

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written,

 

 KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

 

17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. 19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

 

It will be a horrible and catastrophic event such as the world has never seen before.  Blood will run as deep as the bridles on horses in a seemingly never-ending torrent (Rev. 14:20).  Millions will die and be forever lost.  Finally, the ultimate wrath and judgment of Almighty God will be poured out on those who have rebelled and cursed the name of the only One worthy of honor and praise.  It is an event that will be witnessed by the faithful; yet, none of them will have to lift a finger in this battle.  It is already decided – God wins, Satan loses along with his followers.

It is good to know that the final outcome is already pre-ordained but living in this world is still a painful struggle.  We fight a spiritual battle each and every day against beings just as vile and insidious as the one depicted in the opening paragraphs of this article.  That battle is more real than any battle we might see or read about in the newspaper or on the Internet.

Ephesians 6:12

** New International Version

King James Version

12 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 realms.

 

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.

 

 

People are not only wounded each and every day during this struggle, many are actually killed.  The losses mount and still we cannot surrender.  This is truly a situation where no quarter is asked and no quarter will be given.  Satan will be satisfied with nothing less than the death and destruction of the elect; in his mind, this is spiritual genocide.  If you think that it is not real and that this is just the ramblings of a delusional mind, you are sorely mistaken.  We are at war and there will be no truce between the forces of darkness and the army of God.  With that reality and the knowledge that each day we will enter again onto the battlefield, we are given specific instructions for our own survival.

Ephesians 6:10-11, 13-18

** New International Version

King James Version

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. * * * 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

 

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. * * * 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

 

 

Make no mistake about it.  This is not a battle for land or earthly wealth.  It is a battle for the hearts and souls of men.  It is a daily, never-ending battle for power and dominion.

 

** A modern language quote is provided for readability together with the accompanying KJV version.