The dragon symbolizes the Devil & Satan. He is that serpent of old. What does that mean? In the Garden of Eden it was the serpent who whispered lies to Eve and deceived her - she fell into temptation and ate the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil. By doing so, sin entered the human race, spiritually separating them from God. Adam & Eve submitted themselves to the god of this world - Satan - who was given permission to deceive the whole world.
In this series so far, we have revealed what the Bible says about who lives in the invisible realm and how these beings - good and bad - influence human beings on the earth. When we were last together I asked, "Why isn't the Church teaching the followers of Christ over and over and over again, that the invisible spiritual realm is real -- that God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, angels, Satan and demons are real -- and that we in the earthly realm are influenced by these 'very real beings' who live in the invisible realm?"
The Church leadership in the mainstream denominations have become dependent on psychologists, psychiatrists, and counselors, rather than the gifts of the Holy Spirit to resolve issues in the life of a Christ follower...I Corinthians chapters 12-14. Regarding the Body of Christ, the Apostle Paul said that Jesus...gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers...Eph. 4:11. Why would Jesus do this?
The Apostle Paul answered...till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but speaking truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ...Eph 4:13-15.
I was watching a Christian television program the other day where a viewer wrote about their daughter, describing acts of violence, insults, vengeful promises and threats to kill - asking if these symptoms could be demonic? The host quickly answered, "No - while demons are real, your description doesn't reveal that. You daughter needs a good psychiatrist and some medication."
Why did Jesus send the Holy Spirit to the earth with spiritual gifts? To equip His Church to have victory over the powers of darkness that would assail us. But these things must be taught daily to the followers of Christ, so they can mature spiritually. The war that is going on in the invisible spiritual realm for our souls, must become so vivid, we will finally rise up and do exploits -- turn the world upside down - as did the early Church giving all glory to God...Acts. 17:6.
While we have a few powerful churches in strategic places on the planet, we need every church that claims that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses them from sin, and reconciles them to their Father in Heaven, to daily teach their congregation the reality of the invisible realm, so they can mature in their knowledge of the Son of God and how He has equipped us spiritually to overcome the Prince of Darkness -- Satan.
The Apostle Paul clearly explained the realities of the invisible realm. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might...put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil...Eph. 6:10-11. Devil! If there is no devil, why is Paul telling us to arm ourselves so we can stand against him? What in the world are wiles?
The word wiles in the original Greek language is methodeia meaning: travelling over; travesty, trickery; lie in wait. Have you ever heard someone say, "I have a method to my madness?" Well, the devil has a method to his madness -- it is to walk all over us and defeat us. He is invisible; he is real and he will defeat us - unless we wake up and take charge of our own spiritual life! Do you have a Bible? Everything you need to know about the invisible realm is in there -- so open it and read. If you don't, you will become fodder for the devil
The Apostle Paul went on to explain about the invisible realm...for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places...Eph 6:12. Paul is explaining that our warfare is not with flesh & blood - human beings - but rather with rulers of the darkness in the invisible realm. So why are human beings fighting each other every moment of everyday somewhere in the world? The Church has neglected to teach them that their enemy - the devil - lives in the invisible spiritual realm.
Did God leave us defenseless against these mighty wicked powers in the invisible realm? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
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