Unprecedented Unrest has increased, and More is Coming!

This past week I read a prophetic word that confirmed to me what I believe the Lord showed me regarding the relationship between what is taking place in our nation, the nations of the world and Psalm 64.

For those who follow my posts, that is why I encouraged you, as well as any new readers, to go to livingwordsofencouragement.com and read my post entitled The A.R.R.O.W. Of God.

I would like to revisit the theme of ‘unprecedented unrest’.

As the Lord had said to me, we have witnessed over the past couple of years a significant rise in ‘unprecedented unrest’.

Most of this ‘unrest’ has been caused by “principalities”, “powers”, and “the rulers of darkness of this age” , and the “spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places“. (Ephesians 6:12b, NKJV)

Many believe that we are wrestling against people in general. I do not disagree with that; however, Ephesians 6:12a (NKJV) says, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood” but against those forces that I just mentioned.

In the Study Bible that I use, the New Spirit Filled Life Bible, the notes on Ephesians 6:12 (pg. 1654) makes this comment.

“Not…against flesh and blood: One of the church’s greatest demands is to discern between the spiritual struggle and other social, personal, and political difficulties. Otherwise, individual believers and groups become too easily detoured, “wrestling” with human adversaries instead of prayerfully warring against the invisible works of hell behind the scenes.”

Today in our nation, we are being besieged by the “works of hell behind the scenes” and many in the church are not aware of it.

The notes continue defining ‘heavenly places’. “Heavenly places recalls earlier references to 1) spiritual resources available to the church (Ephesians 1:3); 2) Christ’s authority over evil (Ephesians 1:21); 3) the church’s being seated together with her ascended Lord (Ephesians 2:6); 4) the Father’s will to display His wisdom through the church to the confounding of evil powers (Ephesians 3:10). On these grounds this passage announces the church’s corporate assignment to prayer warfare, in order that evil will be driven back and the will of God advanced.”

The good news is that a large body of Christian’s are engaged in prayerful warfare on a daily basis.

The concern of many is that that same impetus to participate in spiritual warfare is lacking in many individual churches and the corporate church in general.

I am praying Psalm 64 for our nation. I encourage you to do the same.

As I read Psalm 64, I personalize the words to speak to the Lord about our situation as a nation.

David used these words to speak to His Lord about what he was personally experiencing.

I believe the Lord has shown me how this applies to our nation, now.

In the context of Ephesians 6:12-18, what does Paul instruct us to do?

He says, “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand, therefore, having girded….” (Ephesians 6:13-14a NKJV) , Paul instructs us to put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:14-18).

I will leave that reading and study to you.

Question: Are you withstanding as you stand, girded in the armor of God? (emphasis mine)

In my study Bible, in a section entitled Word Wealth,” 6:13 withstand, anthistemi (anth-is-tay-mee); Strong’s #436″, the following is written:

“Compare “antihistamine”. ” From anti, “against,” and from histerni “to cause to stand.” The verb suggests vigorously opposing, bravely resisting, standing face to face against an adversary, standing your ground. (As I read this I thought of David going eye-ball to eye-ball against Goliath.) Just as antihistamine puts a block on histamine, anthistemi tells us that with the authority and spiritual weapons granted to us we can withstand evil forces.” (insert mine)

II Corinthians 10:3-6 (NKJV), the Apostle Paul writes, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (margin: not of the flesh) but mighty in God for pulling down of strongholds (those mentioned in Ephesians 6:12), casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” (inserts mine)

Quoting “Word Wealth (in my Study Bible), 10:5 obedience, hupakoe (hoop-ak-oh-ay); Strongs #5218: From hupo, “under,” and akouo, “to hear.” The word signifies attentive hearing, to listen with compliant submission, assent and agreement. It is used for obedience in general, for obedience to God’s commands, and for Christ’s obedience.”

Summarizing “pulling down of strongholds”, the study Bible says, “DELIVERANCE….Behind a stronghold…is a lie-a place of personal bondage where God’s Word has been subjugated to any unscriptural idea or personally confused belief that is held to be true. Behind every lie is a fear, and behind every fear is an idol. Idols are established wherever there exists a failure to trust in the provisions of God that are ours through Jesus Christ. Some of the weapons that pull down these strongholds are: God’s Word (Hebrew 4:12-13); the blood of the Cross (Revelation 12:11); and the name of Jesus (Mark 16;17). Strongholds are pulled down and confronted bondage is broken as these spiritual weapons of our warfare are employed (see Ephesians 6:13-18).”

I want to tell you. We as a nation are facing evil forces. We are a national in spiritual bondage.

In what way?

We are a nation that is in spiritual bondage to words. We are a Nation of P.O.W.’s–we are Prisoners of Words. This is what has taken place at least over the past decade.

This is not conjecture or hype.

The Ekklesia, the Church of the Living God, the Body of Christ needs to pray daily for this nation; especially as we head into our presidential election in November.

There will be a lot of rhetorical verbiage. This is seen in Psalms 64.

The Church needs to remember their prayers are to be centered against the spiritual forces of evil. Their prayers are not to be centered on getting the candidate of their choice elected.

We need to remember Romans 13:1 (NKJV), Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God”.

Looking at the Study Bible notes it says, “Paul does not suggest that God approves a corrupt government, ungodly officials, or unjust legislation. Sometimes, however, in punishment for the sins of a people or for other reasons known to Him, God allows evil rulers to have authority for a time, as the OT (Old Testament) prophets frequently testify. Ideally, God grants authority to serve good ends (Romans 13:3-4). How authority is exercised will be the accounting of each to whom it has been given.” (inserts mine)

I believe this is what we are experiencing in our nation now. You may think that that is unrealistic; however, I personally do not think so. What is the strength of my resolve? Psalm 64. I believe we will see the fulfillment of the words spoken in Psalms 64 in this election cycle and beyond. (Again, I suggest that you read my post, The A.R.R.O.W. Of God.)

I believe God, the Father, has shot His arrow. (Psalm 64:7). There will be a revealing of Adonai’s Righteous Revelation Of Wrong-doing.

I am asking the Father this question. Will Your ARROW, too, cause ‘unprecedented unrest’ in our nation and throughout humanity in the world for good?

I have said that we are living in and experiencing now the effects of evil in our nation.

Romans 5:20b, (NKJV) outlines this principle, “But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.”

I am asking. Father, where sin has abounded and done many evil things in this nation causing ‘unprecedented unrest’; will Your grace that much more abounds cause ‘unprecedented unrest’ for the good of humanity as a result of the ARROW that You have shot?

What kind of ‘unrest’ happens when You, in Your Sovereignty, and Providence manifest Your works in our nation and the nations of the world?

Psalms 64 tells us.

The reality is that the works of His glorious majesty are indeed happening throughout the world and in this nation, now.

Unfortunately, many believers and churches are unaware of what is taking place by God’s grace.

It is here; and it is coming!

a brother in Christ, deo

P.S. I recommend the CBN, Christian Broadcasting Network, app as a place to begin see and reading what God is doing around the world and in our nation.

tbc