In our Lord’s prayer model for disciples, He instructs us to pray, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10 KJV). Both as the kingdom of God forming in human hearts and praying for the fulfillment of Bible prophecy for His soon return to earth, Jesus considers this the primary need for His children. He instructs us our conduct on earth should imitate heaven, which also supernaturally gives us insight on what is going on in the heavenlies.
Spiritual Warfare
Praying for the Fulfillment of Prophecy
In Scripture, where can we see the necessity of praying for the fulfillment of prophecy? In the Babylonian Captivity, Daniel interceded for Israel to be allowed to return after 70 years (Daniel 9:2-3), just as promised by Jehovah (Jeremiah 29:10). If prophecy will be fulfilled because God promised it, why do we still need to pray? “I the LORD have spoken it, and I will do it. Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them” (Ezekiel 36:36-37 KJV). In spiritual warfare, prayer is commanded, but it most importantly draws us to God, as well as extends His supernatural influence in this world. May Thy kingdom come, and Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Amen.
Prayer and Fasting
Diogenes looked for an honest man, but can one be found without the baggage of past sins? Jesus diagnosed His disciples’ failure to cast out a demon. “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:29 KJV). Forgotten wrongs by family members, church members, community members, or members of a nation, must be acknowledged, confessed, repented of, forgiveness given (if being withheld), and restitution made (where possible), before God can bless. “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:6 KJV).
Sins of the Parents
Does God punish us for our parents’ sins? Yes, if we do as they did. “Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation” (Exodus 34:7 KJV). Why? Wickedness teaches wickedness to succeeding generations, and God judges each accordingly. Though we may not be legally responsible for the sins of our descendants, they will morally pay the price for our irresponsibility of not teaching them proper character.
When Faith Fails
The disciples failed to cast out a demon from an apparently epileptic boy. Jesus intervened. “All things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23 KJV). The distraught father cried out, “Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief” (9:24). The faith of both the father and the disciples failed them. After healing the boy, Jesus diagnosed the solution. “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting” (9:29). The sins of the parents are visited upon the “children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation” (Exodus 34:7 KJV). Deliverance is possible only through Spirit directed searching, confession, repentance, and forgiveness of sins by means of prayer and fasting.
David Beats Goliath
David beating Goliath has become an expression for an underdog beating a much stronger opponent. How did David beat the Nephilim Goliath? He won because the LORD fought his battle. “And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and He will give you [Goliath] into our hands” (1Samuel 17:47 KJV).
Looking for the Promise
A promise from God guarantees its outcome. In Scripture, we are always looking for God’s promised outcome. For example, with the end of this age, we are “looking for and hastening [we are making come quicker] the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:12-13 NASB).
Concept of Delay
The concept of delay in spiritual warfare is more important in understanding Bible prophecy than it’s simple name would indicate. For whatever reason the Sovereign Lord deems appropriate, He may delay the return of the Messiah. Though delay puts off the ultimate defeat and subsequent judgment of Satan, the LORD gains by the additional opportunity for humanity to switch their allegiance to Yahweh. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2Peter 3:9 KJV).
Canary in the Coal Mine
Just as canaries warned of dangerous levels of carbon monoxide gas in coal mines, antisemitism on American college campuses in support of Hamas and condemning Israel in the wake of the 2023 attacks against Israel from Gaza predict a future hatred for Christianity. Jews were initially targeted in Nazi Germany, but next Christians such as Dietrich Bonhoeffer were silenced, too. “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:3 KJV).
Majority of One
Hezekiah encouraged his people against the massive onslaught of Sennacherib. Good advice for overcoming our own overwhelming circumstances. “Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah” (2Chronicles 32:7-8 KJV).
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