"The Lord of Armies"

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BREAKING CHRISTIAN NEWS Christians Again Influence Election Outcome, This Time In Ukraine Assist News Service December 16, 2004: Crosswalk.com reports that the pastor of a 26,000-member Ukrainian church at the center of that nation's election fight has just wrapped up a trip to the United States, encouraging American Christians to pray for his country -- just as they did for the U.S. during the American presidential elections. "...Ukraine has its first opportunity to choose our own free way of life. More than 80 percent of the population is supporting opposition leader, Viktor Yushchenko, who is democratic, pro-West and a Christian. He is a committed believer who is serious about his faith, and is influenced by God and the Bible," Pastor Adelaja said. Another run-off election will be held December 26. http://www.crosswalk.com/news/religiontoday/1301640.html

December 20, 2004

"The Lord of Armies"
by Francis Frangipane
www.frangipane.org
comments@frangipane.org
 

THE WAR WE MUST FIGHT

Dear friends, we are at a new beginning in our war against evil, especially since moral values played such a big role in deciding the last election in the USA. It is my conviction and belief that, whether we are speaking in reference to our own soul, our families, or our cities and nation, we can win the battle for the future.

I know some might say, "I don't get it. I don't understand this warfare, this battle mindset. I just don't see it in the Lord or the Scriptures."

THE REALITY OF ONE FACET OF WHO CHRIST IS

The fact is, the enemy has been very successful in blinding people's eyes both to the reality of Who Christ is in His righteous wars against evil and also to the authority we have to represent Christ on earth. Many nominal Christians unconsciously think of God like He was a combination of the chubby "Happiness Buddha" and a kindly Santa Claus.

I know we are not supposed to be fearful about heavenly things, but I will be the first to say, there are beings in heaven -- including God Himself -- who are absolutely terrifying. I did not say they were bad, but that they are terrifying.

They are not trying to scare us - it just happens that when they reveal just a little of their power, most people instinctively pass out.

In the Bible we frequently read the Lord telling His servants, "do not be afraid." If you look at the context of His words, it's often just after one of His servants has seen Him and, in response, has fainted. Indeed, the phrase that describes the typical human reaction to the real God is not, "he felt goose bumps" but he was "like a dead man."

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS

It's not just the Lord who is frightening; angels are also terrifying beings. Yet, the enemy has seeded false images of angels into our thought-life. Every winter millions pull out the Christmas decorations, take out the angel for the top of the tree, position it and plug it in: a beautiful white, blond woman with wings and a long dress which lights up -- and then the tree is complete.

But nowhere in the Bible are angels depicted as women. Nothing wrong with women, mind you, but angels were always revealed in a masculine form with masculine names. They are fierce warriors of righteousness. I've seen angels.

First, they are ageless.

Second, they are uncompromisingly righteous.

Third, their energy level and intensity is terrifying.

Fourth, they are not women or children.

Fifth, they are not men either -- they just appear in masculine form as an image of strength. But they are, in fact, without gender.

Just once, some Christmas, I'd like to see a real angel show up on top of the tree just as I plugged in the light -- bam! Nuclear glory radiating, instantly frying the Christmas tree until it was just a little skeleton of smoldering sticks; everyone in the family slain spiritually, unable to move for hours under the weight of the angelic presence. A true "touched by an angel" episode and a Christmas to remember!

THE IMPORTANCE OF TAKING THE WORD "AT ITS WORD"

Perhaps angels have actually appeared to Christians in a feminine, comforting form on special occasions, but there are no references to feminine angels in the Bible. Nor were angels Biblically depicted like little Gerber babies with wings as part of an Italian fresco, which are as harmless as they are cute.

The Cupid form of an angel originated in ancient Greece where he was known as Eros, the young son of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. To the Roman's he was Cupid, and his mother was Venus. This comes from Greek Mythology. Clearly, these images do not originate from the ancient Scriptures.

I don't know, but if I was in dread conflict with an evil principality or power and I called on the Lord and, in response, a Gerber baby showed up, I wouldn't feel much comfort. I don't care if he was 50 feet tall, if he's wearing a diaper, I would not be greatly reassured.

See, I want a real angel to show up, massive, terrifying, sword drawn, fire zooming out its eyes and hands, and six wings. Real angels don't wear diapers and they aren't women. They are warriors, and we need to see them as they are depicted in the Bible.


THE LORD OF ARMIES

Just like the enemy has convinced people that angels are heavenly women or babies (or can dance on the head of a pin), so there is one major revelation of God in the Old Testament that also has been obscured. It is an aspect of the divine nature that is revealed in the "compound names" of God.

Some familiar examples of these unique names are Yahweh-Nissi (The Lord My Banner) or Yahweh-Jirah (The Lord My Provider) or Yahweh Rapha (The Lord My Healer), etc. In revealing Himself via these names (about 30 different occasions in the Bible), the Lord unites His eternal nature to the human need of His servant.

Yet, one name is not included in the thirty. The use of this name occurs approximately 290 times in the Bible -- nearly ten times the sum of all other revelations! Additionally, the context of literally hundreds of other scriptures include the meaning of this awesome revelation of God. What is that name?

Let me introduce you to Yahweh-Sabaoth, the Lord of Hosts. From the sheer number of references alone, we see that the "Lord of Armies" is the revelation of God most frequently unveiled to man in the Bible.

WHY DOES THE LORD CALL HIMSELF "THE LORD OF ARMIES"?

When we talk about fighting for our personal transformation or warring for our families, cities, and nation, it is the Lord of Hosts we want to follow into battle.

It was the Lord of Hosts who met Joshua on the plains of Jericho (Joshua 5:14); and it was the God of Armies that led David into battle against the Philistines (1 Samuel 17:45). Those weren't Gerber babies that sang around the manger the holy night Christ was born; those were mighty, warring heavenly beings singing in awe of the sacrifice of the great King!

If we are going to be successful in our warfare, we need to see the Lord as the great commander that He is, for it's Him we follow. He is commander and ruling master of the universe. He is the Lord of Powers, both on earth and in heaven: "and the armies which are in heaven [are] following Him" (Revelation 19:14).


by Francis Frangipane
www.frangipane.org
comments@frangipane.org

The above is an excerpt from Pastor Francis' new book, This Day We Fight, which will be available this spring. It is being published by Chosen Books. Ask your bookstore to keep you notified of its arrival.

A service of Frangipane Ministries, Inc.
Copyright (c) 2004
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