War!

“Yahweh is a man of war: Yahweh is His Name.” (Exo. 15:3).  In the beginning, “there was war in heaven:  Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.  And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the devil, and satan, which deceives the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Rev. 12:7-9.  This same war that was started in heaven is now being continued on earth. “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of Yahweh, and have the testimony of Yahshua Ha Mashiach.” Rev.12:17).  In the above verses the dragon is satan, and the woman is Yahweh’s people, 2 Corinthians 11:2 and Jeremiah. 6:2.

We would all like to think of heaven as a place of only peace and harmony.  But yet, even in that sublime environment, conflict erupted and a war took place.  One of Yahweh’s trusted beings rebelled against Him and tried to take over Yahweh’s place of supreme authority. Yeshayah (Isa.) 14:12-13 says, speaking of satan, “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Heylel (Lucifer) son of the morning!  How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thy heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of El: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north.”  In order to maintain the authority of His laws, Yahweh had to go to war with satan and his followers and cast them out of their heavenly abode. Thus we see that war is sometimes necessary to maintain the long-term peace of a society.

Satan continues on earth the same war that he started with Yahweh in heaven.  We, as Yahweh’s servants, are all in a war with the enemy of mankind (satan). The apostle Peter warns us to “be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8).  Mankind is only in disfavor with Yahweh whenever they sin, and sin is the transgression of the Torah (Law) Leviticus 4:22, 1 John 3:4. So satan is constantly seeking to tempt man to transgress the Torah of Yahweh.  In any major war there will be many smaller battles, maybe one side will lose a battle or two but still win the overall war. So it is with our war with satan and his evil angels.  Satan might defeat a man in many battles, but a man can still win the overall war.  Satan might defeat a man in many battles, whenever he persuades us to knowingly break one of Yahweh’s direct commands. Maybe someone has lost many battles with sin in his/her life. Satan will tempt that one to think that it is useless to try to obey Yahweh’s Commandments. But Yahweh counsels us to “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto Yahweh, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our Elohim, for He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:7).

King David said, “Blessed be Yahweh my strength, which teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight,” Psalms 144:1.  In this world, one must learn to fight, if he wishes to overcome in the battle with sin; but we do not fight in and of our own strength alone, but in the strength and power that Yahweh gives.  Through the mercy and power of Yahweh, man can be cleansed of his past sins and strengthened to walk in obedience to the Torah of Yahweh. The apostle Yacob (James) counsels us to “Submit yourselves therefore to Yahweh.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  Draw nigh to Yahweh, and he will draw nigh to you.  Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.  Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.  Humble yourselves in the sight of Yahweh, and he shall lift you up.” Yacob 4:7-10.

In the battles we fight in the war with satan, we are assured of victory; the apostle Yochanan (John) stated, “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, ‘now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our Elohim, and the power of His Mashiach: for the accuser of our brethren is cut down, which accused them before our Elohim day and night.’ And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the Word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto death.” Revelation 12:10-11.