June 12, 2004

Dear Friends and Loved Ones,

            This past week I sent a letter to a remnant group of about thirty of the elders of the Church of Omaha. I identified two of the “beasts” that represent the principalities or powers over the city with which I have struggled for years.  One of the men responded, “What are the rules of engagement?”  As I began formulating the answer, it seemed good to send it to a wider audience as a general newsletter.

For all of us, but especially for the elders, unity is a huge consideration. God’s ultimate strategy is to unite all things in heaven and earth in Christ, while Satan’s strategy is to divide and conquer. Our army consists of every man woman and child in whom Jesus Christ lives. The commanders and officers in this army must remain clear on this crucial issue, and not allow the will of Satan (divide and conquer) to continue to emasculate the forces of God.

We are at war. Warfare is not optional for any of us. We do fight at different locations and in different battles. Our military configurations and skirmishes vary according to our assignments in God. But, we are ALL in this life and death struggle, or battle, or contest that Paul refers to as wrestling. Wrestling is a grueling sport that requires superb conditioning and discipline. Wrestling is hand to hand. There are no other sporting battles with more disgusting bodily contact than wrestling. For us the reality of Jesus victory is our hope and confidence. On the cross, Jesus met every one of the slime beings which attack us, and He not only triumphed over them, but He made a public display of them. (Col. 2:15)

Satan is a defeated foe. HOWEVER, he still prowls around and devours everyone he can. He still kills. He still steals. He still destroys. He still accuses us before our Father, but when he is cast out of heaven, it appears there will be an even more horrific battle for three and a half years. (Rev. 13:5-7; and Daniel 7:21, 25.) Meanwhile, at any and every time the RULES OF ENGAGEMENT are recorded for us in Revelation 12:11:

“They overcame him (the accuser of our brothers)

            (1)  by the blood of the Lamb and

            (2)  by the word of their testimony;

            (3)  they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”

The blood of the Lamb. His blood be upon us and our children. His blood cover our sins. His blood be upon our houses and families like the blood of the paschal lamb which pictures Jesus. We are washed in the blood of the Lamb once and for all. Every accusation against us is countered by and actually destroyed by the blood of the Lamb.

The word of our testimony. Who am I? What is my testimony? Am I an old sinner saved by grace struggling along until I get whisked out of this life by death or rapture? Or, am I a new creation in Christ, complete and whole and righteous and washed and clean? Right here and now I can be what I am – a living stone, a part of God’s temple, a representative of Christ, an ambassador or spokesman for God and His Kingdom, a literal part of Christ’s very body on the earth.

            If I try to enter the battle as a “sinner,” I am doomed. The helmet of salvation is that I am saved. The breastplate of righteousness is that I am righteous in Christ, and I face the evil one as a righteous son of God. The belt that holds the my weapons is truth and I am truthful. He who is truth lives in me and I also speak the truth and don’t lie lest all my weapons fall on the ground. My feet are covered with the preparation of the good news of peace in Jesus. Jesus is my peace, and I am not ashamed of Him, or of the fact that He is being formed in me. Each day I am to be more conformed to His image. The shield of faith is the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me. It is the measure of faith that the Spirit has given me. The sword of the Spirit is the word. The word became flesh and dwelt among us. He has now become flesh again as He lives in me and I become more like Him. The Bible, the God-breathed book about the word, is a wonderful manual about sword fighting.

Did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. “I don’t really want to fight, I just want to live my life and leave the enemy alone. I hope he leaves me alone.” You lose. You’re dead.

            “It’s already all done in Christ. It is finished, I’ll just live in His rest.” That’s true. Salvation is finished, now work it out with fear and trembling. Part of working it out is resisting the devil, drawing near to God, fighting the good fight, putting on the armor, prophesying, interceding, overcoming in Him, not growing weary in well-doing, and loving one another as He has loved us.

            Glory to God, saints. It won’t be long now.

Love in Christ,