Battle Vision, Part 1

In April, as I was in prayer for the intercessors of Messianic Vision, I received a vision from God. I began to see the vast army of God surrounded by darkness. This army was enthusiastic, cheering and shouting, getting ready for battle. But some of the larger weapons of the army were just wooden swords. The owners were brandishing these swords over their heads, as if they were the real thing, because that was all they had. That is how they had practiced.

Then it was time to go into the battle, and the scene shifted. The Lord of Hosts, dressed in red, was riding at the head of this army. He was not like an earthly king, who would have been riding at the rear, protected by his army. Instead, He was leading from the very front of the army, on the leading edge of battle. A sword of the Spirit came out from His mouth, and with it He mowed down the enemy. No one could withstand this sword.

Then He communicated to my heart that He wanted to replace all the wooden swords in His army with the same kind of powerful sword that proceeded from His mouth. He said that He wanted to give each person in His army a share in the battle, giving them the privilege of sharing the joy of victory with Him. He Himself could defeat all the enemy alone, but He preferred for every member of His army to participate with Him.

What could this mean for us as MV intercessors? Are we just “playing” at spiritual warfare now? Are we doing the best we can with what we’ve got, having zeal but lacking power in our prayer? If so, all that is about to change. The Lord of Hosts is coming to lead His army from the front, leading us into a battle wherein the enemy will be trampled like grass under us, leaving none standing. And this is the right position for the enemies of God, because the Father has put all the Son’s enemies under His feet (Acts 2:34-5, Romans 16:20).

The wooden swords could represent our receiving good teaching on spiritual warfare without effectively utilizing that teaching—not operating in manifested authority to fight the real battles. The weapons of our warfare are mighty through God. God, the Son, wants to replace our “practice” gear with weaponry He gives in a sovereign act. In His time, His plans and purposes require the kind of warfare that completely treads down the enemy.

It will be part of the execution of the judgments of God on the enemies of God. In this we are not fighting flesh and blood, but rather the army of the kingdom of darkness—wicked spirits. By doing so, we bring the light of Heaven and extend that light into the earth, spreading the manifested Kingdom of God.

To be continued…

Scripture marked NKJV taken from the New King James Version. Copyright ©1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Emphasis added.
Scripture marked NASB taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. Emphasis added.