Scripture: Revelation 12 v 7 - 10: "And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night."
The final words of Jesus before His ascension, included, "When the Holy Ghost has come upon you, you shall have power....."
The declaration made by Satan in Isaiah 14 v 12 - 14: "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High." It's all about power.
Jesus has given us His authority over Satan, not because He was unable to defeat him, He did that in the fullest measure, even in Abraham's Bosom, after His death, He confronted Satan in his own domain and made a show of him openly. In modern lingo, He rubbed Satan's nose in it. In front of his demons. Jesus took back the keys of Hell and death. The enemy has lost his grip on power. We have authority over Satan and his demons if we have a personal relationship with Him.
Not like the 7 unsaved Sons of Sceva in Acts 19 whose father was an exorcist. They saw Paul casting out demons so they found a man with many demons in him and shouted we cast these demons out in the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches. The demon spoke out of the man's mouth - Jesus I know and Paul I have heard of but who are you lot? And the man leapt upon them and wounded them that they fled bleeding and terrified.
So the ultimate power conman who refuses to accept defeat, and right now we are seeing the powers that be of the world, manifesting it in a war zones. Russia against Ukraine. Russia wants the power of Ukraine's oil, gas and nuclear. The nuclear power stations were a target from the get go.
Right now Putin is in trouble with rumblings of a civil uprising. He has put his security group the FSB in charge of Russian security. Many generals have been killed in Moscow.
This is an insane war of attrition but the Ukrainian drones are hitting precise targets inside Russia, including Moscow and far off munitions factories. They target oil refineries and war supplies very successfully. The Putin news mill of how they are winning the war is no longer sustainable. His troops target civilians and power stations in order to freeze people in winter. They demolish blocks of flats looking to take out the so-called Nazis left over from Hitler's war. The reality is that Putin wants a sea port outside of the Arctic Circle such as Crimea. And whatever land he can take as a buffer zone against NATO. A power war that's all. Will Putin flee like those exorcists, wounded and bleeding or will be survive at all?
There is however, a greater power for good that makes Satan tremble. Jesus is coming back to Earth soon!! Satan has but a short time and great wrath to gather support. We are his ammunition unless we are born again and citizens of Heaven already. If our names are in the Lamb's Book of Life, that's our passport. That's all the authority we nedd. Satan knows whose names are in that Book.
This is why we need to be warriors in God's army. This is not a mere suggestion. We were recruited the day we got saved. The trouble is Christians think they are Romans fighting Asterix and Obelix, and are hiding under their beds to avoid being sent into battle. Asterisk and Obelix are comic personalities and have super powers that ensures victory.
What many Christians don't seem to grasp is that we are the ones with extraordinary powers since the Holy Ghost came upon us. The Ark of the Covenant is not some missing wonder that won every battle for the Jews. It is right here inside us, Jesus in our hearts.
He defeated Satan and He taught His disciples showing them over and over how to do it themselves. Luke 10 v 17 - 20: "And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven."
These are the words of Jesus giving us power over the enemy. All power. Nothing can by any means hurt us. But even this was of lesser importance than our names being written in Heaven! In the Lamb's Book of Life. There is nothing believers need to fear.
We will have been Raptured and part of Him when Jesus returns for the Battle of Armageddon, which He wins hands down. The most mighty power of the whole world marching on Israel, 200 million strong, are defeated in moments by the Sword in the mouth of King Jesus. Two thirds dead and the remnant fleeing every which way. It is written...
So the back of the Bible says we win. No ifs, buts or maybes. No doubt at all. If we are taken Home before the Rapture we will be back for Armageddon. Every believer will rejoice in the total victory of that day. We all have choices, Our God forces nobody. Those who fight against Israel are touching the Apple of His eye. It will cost them eternity in Heaven.
Let us stay focussed on being a warrior and make sure our lives are clean of any demonic activity. Then when the log is out of our own eyes we go remove the splinters out of other's eyes. It's what we have to do to defeat the enemy and possess the spiritual high ground. Occupy till I come says Jesus. He gave us His power because we must overcome the enemy in our own right.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we pledge allegiance to our King who is over all nations. We will submit to His will and use His authority to conquer the area given to us to occupy. This power war will continue but our faith will withstand Satan, our armour will confuse him, our love will defeat him. In Jesus' name. Amen.