THE COURTS OF HEAVEN
MESSAGE SERIES:
By H. Pitts Evans
PART V:
“WE WRESTLE NOT WITH FLESH AND BLOOD”
1
INTRODUCTION:
DR. TOM HAWKINS
WHAT AUTHORITY HAS JESUS GIVEN TO US…NOW?
1. We have been given authority to cast out demons. (Mk
3:15, Luke 10:19-20)
2. Demons sometimes have strong leaders. (Mk 5:1-19)
3. Casting out some demons requires additional authority
that can only be gained by prayer and fasting. (Mk
9:29)
Story:
The Templars and Charleston’s Gate Keeper
THERE IS STILL A WAR WITH EVIL TAKING PLACE ON EARTH.
2 Cor 10:3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war
as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the
weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to
demolish strongholds. NIV
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to
stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. KJV
UNTIL THE END, GOD WILL NOT TOTALLY SUBDUE ALL ENEMIES.
1 Cor 15:24 Then the end will come; Christ will overcome all
spiritual rulers, authorities, and powers, and will hand over the
Kingdom to God the Father. 25 For Christ must rule UNTIL God
defeats all enemies and puts them under his feet. TEV
Ps 110:1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand,
UNTIL I make thine enemies thy footstool. KJV
2
I.
GOD’S ANGELS AND OTHER HEAVENLY BEINGS
1) CHERUBS / CHERUBIM
Ex 25:19 And make one cherub on the one end, and the other
cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the
cherubims on the two ends thereof. 20 And the cherubims shall
stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their
wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy
seat shall the faces of the cherubims be. KJV
Ezek 1:5 Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four
living creatures (Cherubims, Eze 10). And this was their
appearance; they had the likeness of a man. 6 And every one had
four faces, and every one had four wings. 7 And their feet were
straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's
foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass. 8 And
they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides;
and they four had their faces and their wings. 9 Their wings were
joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went
every one straight forward. 10 As for the likeness of their faces,
they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the
right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they
four also had the face of an eagle. KJV
2) SERAPHS / SERAPHIM
Isa 6:1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting
upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 2
Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain
he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with
twain he did fly. KJV
3
3) PRINCES OVER NATIONS / ARCHANGELS
Dan 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great
prince which standeth for the children of thy people: KJV
Dan 10:13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me
one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes,
came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.. 20
Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now
will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am
gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come. 21b and there is
none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your
prince. KJV
Jude 9 Yet Michael the archangel, KJV
4) BEINGS WHO HAVE CHARGE OF CITIES
Ezek 9:1 He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying,
Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even
every man with his destroying weapon in his hand. 2 And, behold,
six men came…KJV
5) BEINGS WITH POWER TO EFFECT THE WHOLE EARTH
Zech 6:1 I looked up again — and there before me were four
chariots coming out from between two mountains — mountains of
bronze! 2 The first chariot had red horses, the second black, 3 the
third white, and the fourth dappled — all of them powerful. 4 I
asked the angel who was speaking to me, "What are these, my
lord?" 5 The angel answered me, "These are the four spirits of
heaven, going out from standing in the presence of the Lord of
the whole world….7 When the powerful horses went out, they
were straining to go throughout the earth. And he said, "Go
throughout the earth!" So they went throughout the earth. 8 Then
he called to me, "Look, those going toward the north country
have given my Spirit rest in the land of the north." NIV
4
II.
WHAT WAS THE ORIGEN OF OUR OPPONENTS?
Ezek 28:13a You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every
precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and
diamond, Beryl, onyx, and jasper, Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald
with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes Was
prepared for you on the day you were created. 14 "You were the
anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the
holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of
fiery stones. 15 You were perfect in your ways from the day you
were created, Till iniquity was found in you. 16 "By the
abundance of your trading You became filled with violence within,
And you sinned; Therefore I cast you as a profane thing; Out of
the mountain of God; And I destroyed you, O covering cherub,
From the midst of the fiery stones. 17 "Your heart was lifted up
because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake
of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before
kings, That they might gaze at you. NKJV
Isa 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the
morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst
weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will
ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of
God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the
sides of the north : 14 I will ascend above the heights of the
clouds; I will be like the most High. 15 Yet thou shalt be
brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. 16 They that see thee
shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the
man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; 17
That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities
thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners? KJV
Luke 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning
fall from heaven. KJV
Rev 12:10 For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them
before our God day and night, has been hurled down. NIV
5
Rev 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and
behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and
seven crowns upon his heads. 4 And his tail drew the third part of
the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth:…7 And
there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against
the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed
not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And
the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil,
and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into
the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.KJV
III.
SATAN CURRENTLY RULES A VAST KINGDOM.
Luke 11:18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall
his kingdom stand? KJV
PAUL GIVES MANY CLUES ABOUT THE KINGDOM OF DARKNESS.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to
stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. KJV
“[But against principalities] Like good angels, they were
regarded as divided into ranks and orders, and were supposed to
be under the control of one mighty leader. It is probable that the
allusion here is to the ranks and orders which they sustained
before their fall, something like which they may still retain.”
Barnes' Notes
Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven,
and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be
thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: KJV
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PAUL’S PARTIAL LIST OF CELESTIAL/ HIGHER BEINGS
Principalities
Powers
Dominions
Authorities
Rulers
Thrones
Wicked Spirits
Chief Angels / Arch angels
NOTE: THERE
ARE STILL POWERFUL SATANIC BEINGS/ANGELS
WHO WE CONTEND WITH AND THEY CAN BE RESISTED, BUT THEY
STILL MUST BE DEFEATED IN THE FUTURE.
Story:
IV.
Wade’s Lifetime Battle
WHAT ARE THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT?
PAUL WAS ACTIVELY HINDERED BY SATAN OR HIS FORCES.
1 Thess 2:18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I
Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. KJV
PAUL WAS “BUFFETED” BY A “MESSENGER” OF SATAN.
2 Cor 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the
abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the
flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be
exalted above measure. KJV
ARE WARNED NOT “SLANDER” OR
POWERFUL EVIL CELESTIAL BEINGS.
WE
“INSULT” CERTAIN
VERY
Jude 8 In the very same way, these dreamers pollute their own
bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings (glorious
ones). 9 But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing
with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a
slanderous accusation against him, but said, "The Lord rebuke
you!" NIV
7
2 Peter 2:10b Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to
slander celestial beings; 11 yet even angels, although they are
stronger and more powerful, do not bring slanderous accusations
against such beings in the presence of the Lord. NIV
V.
PAUL SAYS WE ARE NOW SEATED WITH CHRIST
IN HEAVENLY REALMS OR HEAVENLY PLACES.
“heavenly realms;” “NT:2032 epouranios, epouranion in or
above heaven, the heavenly regions, i. e. heaven itself, the
abode of God and angels:” Thayer's Greek Lexicon
Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places
(heavenly realms) in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in
him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and
without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto
the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to
the good pleasure of his will, ..9 Having made known unto us the
mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath
purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of
times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both
which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: KJV
Eph 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to
usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty
power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from
the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places
(heavenly realms), 21 Far above all principality, and power, and
might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in
this world, but also in that which is to come: KJV
8
Eph 2:6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with
him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in
the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his
grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. NIV
Eph 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the
mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in
God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:10 To the intent that
now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places
(heavenly realms) might be known by the church the manifold
wisdom of God, KJV
NOTICE: WE ALSO HAVE ENEMIES IN HIGH PLACES.
Eph 6:12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood
[contending only with physical opponents], but against the
despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who
are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit
forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere
(heavenly realms). AMP
VI.
Spiritual Warfare in the Courts of Heaven
2 Cor 10:3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war
as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the
weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to
demolish strongholds. NIV
NOTE: We have been given authority to cast out demons, but we
may have different rules for our battle with Satan & his
“higher celestial powers.”
9
Zech 3:1 THEN [the guiding angel] showed me Joshua the high
priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at
Joshua's right hand to be his adversary and to accuse him. 2 And
the Lord said to Satan, The Lord rebuke you, O Satan! Even
the Lord, Who [now and habitually] chooses Jerusalem,
rebuke you! Is not this [returned captive Joshua] a brand plucked
out of the fire? [Jude 9.]..7 Thus says the Lord of hosts: If you
will walk in My ways and keep My charge, then also you shall
rule My house and have charge of My courts, and I will give
you access [to My presence] and places to walk among these who
stand here. 8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your
colleagues who [usually] sit before you — for they are men who
are a sign or omen [types of what is to come] — for behold, I
will bring forth My servant the Branch. AMP
1. The real enemy here is Satan.
2. God renders a verdict for Joshua, the High Priest.
3. The Angel of the Lord (not Joshua or Zechariah)
confronts Satan and says, “The LORD rebuke you.”
4. Men are given the promise of access to these courts.
5. This scene is symbolic of events in the New Covenant.
6. The men seated before Joshua are Priests, symbolic of
the New Covenant Priesthood of all Believers.
7. The men have symbolically been given access to the
Courts of Heaven because of the future work of the
Branch/Jesus the Messiah.
VII.
OUR DELEGATED AUTHORITY IN CHRIST JESUS
JESUS CAME TO DESTROY POWER OF THE DEVIL.
1 John 3:8b For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that
he might destroy the works of the devil. KJV
Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In
my name shall they cast out devils; KJV
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IF JESUS IS OUR LORD, WE SHOULD NEVER FEAR EVIL BEINGS.
1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome
them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the
world. KJV
JESUS IS THE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS; INCLUDING THE ENEMY.
Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven,
and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be
thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things
were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all
things, and by him all things consist. KJV
JESUS WON ETERNAL VICTORY OVER EVERY ENEMY AT THE CROSS.
Col 2:13b Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was
against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way,
nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and
powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them
in it. KJV
JESUS HAS GIVEN US GREAT POWER TO FIGHT THE ENEMY.
Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents
and scorpions , and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing
shall by any means hurt you. KJV
WE CAN NEVER BE SEPARATED FROM GOD’S LOVE OR
SALVATION BY EVIL BEINGS; NO MATTER WHAT THEY ARE.
IN JESUS,
Rom 8:38 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. KJV
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GOD’S PURPOSE IN ALLOWING US TO FIGHT, IS TO DEMONSTRATE
HIS GREAT WISDOM TO ALL POWERFUL SPIRITUAL BEINGS.
Eph 3:10 [The purpose is] that through the church the
complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety
and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic
rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly
sphere. AMP
CONCLUSION: THE BATTLE IS WON, BUT STILL ONGOING
Story:
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Suicide Victim
There are still powerful evil beings that fight us.
All good & evil beings were created by God.
Jesus is more powerful than any created being.
The Lord has ALL authority over the “higher celestial
beings”, but we do not.
What Authority Has Jesus Given to Us…Now?
1.
2.
3.
4.
We have been given authority to cast out demon spirits.
We can “resist” or “wrestle” with all higher evil forces.
The basis for our warfare is the Bible, the Word of God.
We can fight evil beings with the Word while seated in
the Courts of Heaven with Jesus Christ.
5. We can appeal to the Lord when they oppose what is
written in Scripture and ask Him to intervene.
6. We call on the Lord to rebuke them based on His Word.
7. We still have much to learn, but with help of God’s
Holy Spirit, we will overcome every evil force.
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