• Matt 28:18-20 is the great commissioning of disciples. What were the first things the Lord told them to do? What was His priority?
• Matt 10:1. Mark 6:7 Luke 9:1 They were given authority for the work that the Holy Spirit leads them to do.
• Luke 10:1 + 17-20 they were given all authority over all the power of the evil one.
• Luke 10:21 Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit because He saw that His disciples had seen their victory over the devil and his demons.
• Matt 12:24-28 A third of Jesus ministry was revealing the work of the evil one through the Holy Spirit.
• Mark 16:17 A command to all believers.
• Acts 8:6-8 They were obedient to the command.

What are we fighting? Things that have power - demons.

• John 12:31 The prince of this world
• Luke 4:3-7 Satan's rule of this world
• Eph 6:11-13 A strategic army of evil to captivate the people of the world
• Hab 1:15-17 A network of evil. Many different kinds. eg New age, Occultism, Freemasonry, Psychic
• Rev 18:23 Nations ensnared by sorcery (Nahum 3:4 Mistress of sorcery sells nations)
• Rom 6:12-16 Do not let sin reign in your body, or land
• Gen 4:7 Personality of sin
• 2 Cor 4:3-4 The devil blinds the eyes of the people
• Deut 7:25-26 Objects of worship. Cause bondage. Snare
• Deut 18:10-13 Many bad effects from touching evil powers
• Isa 8:19-22 Depression. Suicide. Despair etc
• Isa 47: 9-14 The effects of astrology etc.

We certainly have need to fight the evil one.
• Eph 5:11 Have nothing to do with him. Expose him.

Strategy

• Luke 12:31 Seek first the Kingdom of God. The task ahead is to overcome the realm of darkness in our lives.
• Isa 49:24-26 God is at work for us
• Mark 3:27 Binding the strongman
• Matt 16:19 Keys have been given through our authority in Christ Jesus
• Matt 12:28 Fight by the Spirit of God
• Mark 3:15 Disciples given specific authority to deal with spirits
• Mark 3:11 The demons recognise this authority
• Luke 8:24-25 Even the elements obeyed Jesus
• John 18:36 A fight in the realm of the spirit.
• Exod 17:11-13 We have to support one another in the battle.
• Neh 4:16-20 Ezra 3 Neh 4. Dan 10 Eph 6:10-18 Rev 12:10-11 2 Cor 10:3-6 There will opposition and hindrances so we have to put on the armour and know how to use our weapons

Often repentance is in order before the battle can begin.
Standing in the gap for those who do not understand.
Without repentance there is no forgiveness of sin.

Intercession with Prophetic Action

Speaking out what God has given.
Bringing the prophecy into being by acting out God's word.
Putting my body & soul into what my spirit has received.

Why do we enter the Spiritual Battle?

To show to the people of the world that He is who He is -
Grace & Justice
Mercy & Wrath
Love and hater of sin - because of what it does to us.

• Rev 15:4 "For thy righteous acts have been revealed"

• Ezek 36:22-31 To prove that He is Holy in the sight of mankind.
As He is drawing His people the Jews back home to Israel,
so He desires that all should come to Him that He might take them to be with Him.
Same principle in our hearts to prove His will. It is the only thing we have to prove.
Thy will be done.
What can we do? We can prepare for His coming. Us first.
Holy Spirit preparing us.
We can prepare for His presence to be made known.

• Matt 16:1-4 To prepare His way. Look at the signs. Discerning the times. Look at the sky.
The sign of Jonah, Nineveh, go tell them. If not who will tell them.

• Isa 35:1-10 A highway of Holiness. The Way.

• Isa 62:10 Go through the gates. Clear a way for the people.
Build up the highway. Remove the stones. Raise the standard over the people.