The Demonisation of the West: Part 2
The purpose of this article is to alert the church to the importance of the spiritual battle, it does not attempt to give practical instruction in spiritual warfare. I leave that to others of greater experience.
Jesus Returns us to the Heavenlies
It is the presence of the reality of Jesus that opens up the heavenly world to us. In his own life he was conscious of his heavenly origin (John 6:38), of ascending and descending from heaven (John 3:13), he heard the Father’s voice through an open heaven (Luke 3:21- 22), he drew inspiration from heaven (Matt 14:19), he spoke of his authority as encompassing heaven and earth (Matt 28:18) and so on.
The apostles recognise that through his resurrection and ascension Jesus is in a heavenly position above all other spiritual powers, good or evil[1]. His return from heaven is a part of the gospel[2]. The passing of Jesus “through the heavens” (Heb 4:14) symbolises his absolute authority over all other spiritual powers.
Whilst fallen humanity seeks to reconceptualise the universe according to its own image, eventually God will fill the whole cosmos with his glory that is in Jesus[3]. When the “restoration of all things” takes place[4], all of God’s creation will be fully humanized through the powerful presence of Christ’s humanity in the Spirit of God.
This omnipresence of Jesus humanness is only possible because of the destruction of the powers of evil through the work of the cross. We are told Satan is “cast out” (John 12:31), “destroyed” (Heb 2:14) and “thrown down to the earth” (Rev 12:9) by the power of Jesus’ death. “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in it (the cross)” (Col 2:15).
How does the cross do this? Whilst there are many dimensions of the work of the cross, the one that is most relevant to the purpose of this article is the ignorance of Jesus in his suffering. The more fallen human beings are embedded in sin the more they claim knowledge of God apart from God[5]. When however Christ is embedded in our sin[6] he confesses his ignorance of the things of God, ““My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”” (Mark 15:34). Jesus does not presume any knowledge of God apart from the immediate presence of God (which in his atoning suffering has been removed). He is not ashamed to admit that he is in the dark concerning the things of God apart from the revelation of God.
Having done this for us, he breaks the stronghold[7] of intellectual and spiritual presumption; he shatters the pride that has held humanity captive to the powers of darkness from the beginning[8]. These powers only have influence and authority where men and women take their darkness to be light[9], Jesus possesses none of this presumption in the darkness of cross. In Christ this need to profess spiritual understanding has been taken away. The result is that the human heart has been opened to the illumination of the Spirit of God, so that seated with Christ[10], the church can see what is the strategy of the principalities and powers beneath us.
Humility Brings Clarity
Because we have evacuated God from the beliefs that are foundational to our primary spheres of life[11], we assume that we can run governments, families, business enterprises, education, medicine, morality etc. (and sometimes churches) without prayer for divine provision and wisdom. These spheres do not become any less “spiritual” because of this neglect, (they are always spiritual because we are still part of God’s creation) they simply become more open to evil spiritual forces. This is why relationally and morally our society, and often the church, is coming unstuck. Nothing less than a total turning to God in all the spheres of culture and church can reverse this and bring about a “restoration of all things” (Acts 3:21).
There is only one way ahead; the outstanding attribute that is foundational to success in the spiritual battle is humility[12]. Whenever we exercise lowliness in spiritual matters[13], confessing our inability and Christ’s ability, we will have insight into the real spiritual struggle and find favour and authority to win the conflict. If the Satan –inspired quest for wisdom was the source of humanity’s fall into sin[14], the fear of God is the Spirit – inspired remedy[15]. I am hearing the Spirit saying to the church, “Fear the Lord in holy array.” This means that Jesus is calling his bride into an atmosphere of genuine awe[16]. This is my prayer to God, “Increase my fear, Increase my wisdom.”
The sign of breakthrough into heavenly authority will be saturation prayer: prayer on streets, prayer in government buildings, prayer in offices, prayer cells in schools, sports clubs, homes, halls, churches and in every sphere of society. With this turning to God there will be a revival of true Christian community, for only a community of love can conquer evil.
This biblical truth[17] was graphically conveyed to me in a recent dream. In the dream there was an enormous python, representing evil. The head of the serpent was however withdrawn from view. It needed a team of people to pick up this snake; this team was working together in love as the monster was far too huge and powerful to be dealt with by any individual. Somehow, as this team worked together, the promise was conveyed that the head of the serpent would be exposed, and when evil is exposed it is surely defeated. (As indicated above, only where the fear of God is present will there be that unity that is needed for victory[18].)
The Spirit is saying to the church, “Seek the Lord in holy display.” This refers to a corporate seeking after God. One pattern for this is the summons to a “solemn assembly” in Joel that was called because of a desperate lack of rain[19]. The physical drought was a sign of the spiritual drought, and the ultimate outcome of corporate seeking the Lord was the promised outpouring of the Holy Spirit[20].
Conclusion
We have it within ourselves (with God’s help) to seek the fear of the Lord, manifest holy unity and be part of a corporate turning to God, but only Jesus can pour out his Spirit. With the outpouring of the Spirit on a humbled church, all the spiritual discernment and authority that is needed for overcoming the works of the devil is assured.[21]
Optional Epilogue: What about Jezebel?
This has become a very popular topic in some Christian circles and was raised with me recently. I do not want to enter into a full discussion on the matter, but pass on a few comments that may be relevant to the sub – culture where such talk is used. The issue has personal dimensions, as I have personally been accused of being under the influence of the Jezebel spirit.
- I believe it is unhelpful to use unbiblical language, especially of other Christians. To say such- and – such “has the spirit of Jezebel/Absolom/Saul etc.” is not only unbiblical but can only be heard as accusing. One suspects that the whole Jezebel phenomenon is a double take, an operation of the “accuser of the brothers”[22] to sow discord among true believers.
- For every Jezebel there must be an Ahab. Since most church leaders are male, it is to be expected that unresolved issues to do with women (controlling or otherwise) will be projected onto congregations[23]. The real problem in Israel was that king Ahab allowed himself to be influenced by his foreign wife (1 Ki 16 ff.). The foundational issue in the church of Thyatira is that (a likely male) leadership was tolerating a false prophetess (Rev 2:20, 22).
- As in counselling, the presenting problem is never the real problem. We are very foolish if we think that the Western church with its current spiritual anaemia can see clearly enough to discern its problems with control by designating them as a “Jezebel spirit”. I would like to suggest an alternative approach.
- An evangelist asked me recently, “What is Asherah/Ashtaroth?”[24] Broadly, this female deity is the counterpart to Baal. The cults associated with Baal and his wife/consort were fertility religions. Ritual sacred prostitution on earth stimulated Baal to have sexual intercourse with his partner in the heavens; the desired result was the thunder and rain needed for agricultural productivity[25].
- Baal represents male sexual initiative, the emission of seed (semen) and multiplication. The feminine counterpart (Asherah/Ashtaroth) represents receptivity, womb, growth.
- If we must think in terms of spiritual types[26], it would be more helpful to see the dominant pastor figures in some sorts of churches propagating the seed of their word and multiplying their personal vision in a Baal like manner. In this image, the congregation is expected to be passive and receive this word and allow it to bear fruit in their lives, in an Asherah/Ashtaroth manner.
- Let me use a historical analogy. In the Victorian era, Christian women were encouraged to “lie back and think of England” so that through sex there be progeny for the British Empire. Similarly, in some circles today believers are exhorted to passively submit[28] in order that the pastor’s vision may grow[29].
- I think the above pattern underlines much of the resort by church leaders to accusing people of having the “spirit of Jezebel” in the church today[30]. We would do well as the church in WA to stop speaking this way.
[1] “according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.” (Eph1:19 – 21) Compare Eph4:10; Phil2:10- 11; Col1:16)
[2] Acts1:11;3:21; Phil 3:20; 1 Thess1:10;4:16; 2 Thess 1:7.
[3] “And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.” (Rev 21:23). See also Ephesians1:22- 23;4:10.
[4] Acts3:21; Matt19:28
[5] This is the theme of Romans1:21- 23, “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.”. In our society we can see idolatry operative not only in false religions but trust in science, technology, philosophy, social sciences etc.
[6] “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin” (2 Cor5:21).
[7] “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.” (2 Cor 10:3- 6)
[8] “Beginning” in the sense of John8:44, “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
[9] “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” (Isa5:20); “If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” (Matt6:23).
[10]“raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” (Eph 2:6)
[11] The concept of “plausibility structures” is used by sociologists to refer to things that a community immediately believes without question. Our dominant “plausibility structures” in Western society do not include the things of God.
[12] “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (James 4:6- 10); “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Pet 5:6- 8)
[13] The level of self- confidence in some Western Christian leaders is a sign and cause of spiritual suffocation. Note how God’s purpose in reducing Nebuchadnezzar to a beast was to humble him, “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” (Dan 4:37).
[14] “But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.” (Gen 3:4- 7).
[15] “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” (Prov 9:10)
[16] “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.” (Heb12:28 -29)
[17] Ultimately founded on the community of love that is the trinity, see, for example, Jesus’ prayer in John 17.
[18] Compare Romans 16:17, 20, “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. …20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.”
[19] “Blow the trumpet in Zion; consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly; 16 gather the people. Consecrate the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children, even nursing infants. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber.17 Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep and say, “Spare your people, O Lord, and make not your heritage a reproach,
a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples,
‘Where is their God?’”” (Joel2:15- 17)
[20] ““And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;…” (Joel 2:28)
[21] “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8)
[22]“And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.” (Rev 12:9- 10)
[23] This is unintentional.
[24] There is some debate amongst scholars concerning the identity and place of Asherah = Ashtaroth? in the Canaanite group of gods. The exact details and identities of these deities are secondary to the principles and purpose of this paper.
[25] Hence the significance of Yahweh bringing drought (1 Ki 17:1), this proved he was the God of rain.
[26] Rather than “spirits”, this means that some people have character traits like biblical personalities, idols, gods etc. The latter are projections of human needs and desires generated under the influence of evil spiritual powers.
[29] This reveals itself in language like, “I had to submit my vision to x’s vision” (where x = senior leader). What is missing here is the language and centrality of the cross; it is Jesus to whom we must all submit, as he submitted to the Father. Jesus’ kingdom is meant to destroy all our empires.
[30] If I wanted to sound “spiritual”, I could speak of the “spirit of Baal” and the “spirit of Asherah”. This is however foolish, unnecessary and endlessly opens doors of speculation. It is important that we keep to the language of scripture as far as possible.