“And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?” Hebrews 1:13-14 ESV
We have the ministry of angels, a spiritual army that ministers to and for those who inherit salvation. It’s important for believers to be equipped with this truth in order to engage and enforce the kingdom of God. We need to deploy our spiritual army in these times, because demonic spirits are invoked massively over the land by the kingdom of darkness. The wickedness on earth and the evil vices are vehicles that activate the presence of demonic forces on earth. We are called to counter these activities by engaging in practices that are consistent with the will of God to activate angelic presence on earth.
As believers we should understand that we have a priestly function which is not for a selected few , in the New Testament every believer is called to be a priest. Unlike in the Old Testament where the priestly function was dedicated to a specific tribe (the Levites).
Who is a priest?
A priest is someone who is ordained for the function of mediating between the spirit and earthly realm by carrying out sacred rituals.
A believer’s life is priestly in nature thus it’s important to have a priestly mindset. Priests don’t live like ordinary people but rather, they adhere to strict concentration and certain codes that help them to maintain their function and perform their priestly role.
“…and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:10 ESV
Your reigning on earth requires your priestly and kingly mandate. Christ has given us power and authority to trample on snakes and scorpions. We have the spirit of God so we can relate with God’s frequency and we can approach his holy presence, thus we worship God in the spirit and have no confidence in the flesh.
“And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” Revelation 5:6-8 ESV
The prayers of the believers are incense unto God:
“And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9-10 ESV
We want to focus on our priestly role. A kingdom relies on both the priestly and kingly functions in order to maintain order. According to the scriptures almost all the kings were anointed by priests. We are the people that bear the government of Christ.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV
We exercise this authority through our priestly role. Our prayers are incense before God, we have the authority on earth. As the church of Jesus Christ his body and representative on earth we have the mandate to exercise authority. We are the legal recognized authority of God on earth. This truths activates angelic involvement in the affairs of the saints. We are not ordinary people, we carry out responsibilities of the kingdom and government of God. The Holy Spirit empowers us to manifest the Kingdom on earth.
Our new identity in God is not physical but spiritual, the scripture says we are seated in Christ in heavenly places. When we got born again our spiritual state changed, we became alive unto God by the Holy Spirit who quickened us into the new birth.
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:4-10 ESV
When we became born again it had a spiritual impact on our spirit not physical. As many as believed him he gave them power to become sons of God. We’ve become spiritual sons of God.
“Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” John 3:5-6 ESV
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
The new is spiritual, before this time we were dead in sin and trespasses but on accepting and having faith in the provision of Christ we became born again. If you are born again you have a new identity in Christ. Our engagement is spiritual. We don’t offer physical sacrifices, but spiritual sacrifices. God desires a spiritual people who worship in spirit and truth. Jesus prayed that the church would be sanctified in spirit and truth and his word is truth.
“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24 ESV
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:16-17 ESV
“For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh” Philippians 3:3 ESV
Our boast is in Christ Jesus, there is no provision that we have that isn’t in Christ because we overcome by the blood of the lamb (Christ).
When you walk in the consciousness of your priestly mandate you will experience angelic assistance and involvement. We are deprived of these realities because we don’t participate spiritually. The bible says the angels are ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation.
I have heard a lot of people speak about cultic exercises and practices that are demonic. No born again Christian is permitted by the Holy Spirit to practice these things, you will become spiritually contaminated. When you read some books that encourage these spiritual activities you will become polluted and your mind will be filled with thoughts and imaginations that are contrary to the the will of God. Some people get so lost that they can even describe their guardian angel. We don’t speak to any guardian angel rather we fellowship and commune with the Holy Spirit.
Our fellowship is with the father and his son Jesus Christ, when we walk in this reality the angels gravitate towards us and carry out the will of God. We’ve been given the right to be involved in Spiritual matters. Every born again Christian has been given the right to be involved in spiritual matters. God is relying on us for the spiritual atmosphere of the territory we live in.
He has made us unto our God kings and priests and we rule on earth. We engage and pray in the name of Jesus . The consciousness of being qualified because of salvation brings us into a state where we can engage spiritually.
Our priestly engagement:
1. We offer worship to God in conjunction with the heavenly company. The devil is not happy about this because prior to his fall he was the archangel in charge of worship and he lost his role. We offer God the worship that is higher than what angels offer. The spirit of God in us pours out spiritual content that is acceptable to God.
2. We offer spiritual sacrifices. Some people have interpreted sacrifices wrongly. Sacrifice is not limited to tithes, seeds, offerings etc. If these sacrifices lack the right understanding they are void. We should understand that we offer sacrifices to God and their acceptance are hinged upon the condition of our hearts. We are the circumcision that worship God in the spirit and have no confidence in the flesh.
3. Prayers, this also includes worship which we offer to God in thanksgiving for what we have become in him.
Our priestly garment :
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,” Ephesians 6:11-14 ESV
If a believer does not have the breastplate of righteousness, the angel will not assist. The involvement of angels is tied to your spiritual understanding and the truth you embrace and walk in.
The angels cannot assist beyond your truth and revelation of God’s word. If you make unrighteousness and disobedience a lifestyle you will limit the Ministry of angels because they excel at the word of God and accomplish his will.
“and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,” Ephesians 6:15-18 ESV
“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 ESV
If you are the kind of believer that wants the hand of God but reject his ways, you will be limited. We don’t wage war physically. We fight spiritually and our government is enforced when we are awakened to our spiritual responsibilities. When we engage in the spirit, we have the help of angels to enforce the kingdom of God.
As believers we engage spiritually, in the place of prayer the Holy Spirit inspires us on what steps to take. For example if you want to get a new job you start of by aligning your self spiritually, seeking the help of God.
I’ve seen believers who depend solely on their physical preparations but fail.
“Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? ……..” 2 Corinthians 10:7 KJV
Our priestly role is spiritual and we don’t look on the outward appearance. We don’t offer physical sacrifices but rather spiritual sacrifices. Don’t let anyone deceive you from the truth of the provision God made. The sacrifice of the lamb is sufficient and so we don’t engage by giving physical sacrifices. We stand in the finished works of Jesus Christ the blood of the lamb that prevails for us.
Spiritual Warfare:
Prayer is a major responsibility of every believer. When we study the early church, every believer was empowered to express the supernatural by a lifestyle of prayer. As we play our spiritual role we activate angelic assistance to counter and suppress demonic activities. Paul was explaining this engagement in Ephesians 6 and 2 Corinthians 10.
Although we exist in the physical realm we operate from the spiritual realm because we have divine power to destroy strongholds. Every child of God has the responsibility to engage spiritually in prayer. We dress for our spiritual engagement, we fight against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places . We wear the armour of God.
We wear the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, on our feet the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit which is the word of God.
Praying in the Spirit:
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”Ephesians 6:18 KJV
It’s so sad how much the devil has deceived believers so they can be void of power. If you don’t walk in agreement with the Holy Spirit and consent to the lies of the devil it is to your own detriment. When you deprive the church of praying in the spirit, the church becomes powerless. Our engagement is spiritual that is why it is of necessity that a believer engages praying in the spirit.
We have a priestly responsibility, it’s important to understand this truth in order to engage correctly and be steadfast in faith.
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Romans 12:1 ESV
We have to become active priests who engage by the power of the Holy Spirit.
In engaging our spiritual battles, we will face opposition because we are at war.
An example is Daniel who continued to engage in prayer and fasting until his answer prevailed. The angel told him that his answer had been hindered by the prince of Persia . Are you experiencing delay in receiving as a child of God remember Jesus said we should ask in his name and we will receive. If we ask anything according to his will he hears and answers us. Based on Daniel 10, we learn that patience is key in receiving what we labour in prayer for. Learn to wait on the Lord.
“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.” Psalm 34:7 ESV
Read about the early church ACTS 12:
“About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.” Acts 12:1-5 ESV
They were praying all manner of prayers, and I believe they were praying particularly in the Spirit. The church prayed earnestly.
“Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” Acts 12:6-8 ESV
“And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” Acts 12:9-11 ESV
Prayers deliver us from the expectations of the world and the devil. From the time Peter was locked in prison the church kept praying for him, and the angel didn’t come to his rescue until the night before the day of his execution. Some believers give up at the brink of breakthrough. Daniel was consistent in prayer and he never gave up. The scripture tells us to pray at all times with all kind of prayers.
The angelic intervention didn’t end with Peter but the angel struck down Herod when he exalted himself as god.
“Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food. On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.” Acts 12:20-23 ESV
“But the word of God increased and multiplied.” Acts 12:24 ESV
If the word of the Lord must increase we have to remove every hindrance out of the way, be it a person, people or a system. We wrestle not against flesh and blood when we engage as priests the angels will perform their duty. We’ve received a calling to priesthood and it’s not seasonal.
When we engage as priest, the warring angels do valiantly. Read the following story about how an angel destroyed 185,000 trained soldiers of the enemy of Judah.
“Now the king heard concerning Tirhakah king of Cush, “Behold, he has set out to fight against you.” So he sent messengers again to Hezekiah, saying, “Thus shall you speak to Hezekiah king of Judah: ‘Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you by promising that Jerusalem will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria. Behold, you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, devoting them to destruction. And shall you be delivered? Have the gods of the nations delivered them, the nations that my fathers destroyed, Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, and the people of Eden who were in Telassar? Where is the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, the king of the city of Sepharvaim, the king of Hena, or the king of Ivvah?” 2 Kings 19:9-13 ESV
“Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord and spread it before the Lord. And Hezekiah prayed before the Lord and said: “O Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God. Truly, O Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands and have cast their gods into the fire, for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone. Therefore they were destroyed. So now, O Lord our God, save us, please, from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, O Lord, are God alone.”” 2 Kings 19:14-19 ESV
“And the surviving remnant of the house of Judah shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward. For out of Jerusalem shall go a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. The zeal of the Lord will do this. “Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the king of Assyria: He shall not come into this city or shoot an arrow there, or come before it with a shield or cast up a siege mound against it. By the way that he came, by the same he shall return, and he shall not come into this city, declares the Lord. For I will defend this city to save it, for my own sake and for the sake of my servant David.” And that night the angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. And when people arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies. Then Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and went home and lived at Nineveh. And as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, Adrammelech and Sharezer, his sons, struck him down with the sword and escaped into the land of Ararat. And Esarhaddon his son reigned in his place.” 2 Kings 19:30-37 ESV
God sent one angel who struck down 185,000 trained soldiers. The angel raised an enemy within the palace to finish the task of killing king Sennacherib. Awesome!
Remember only two angels brought down sodom and Gomorrah. We attest that our God is mighty, he alone is God!
We must play our priestly role and pray at all times in order to engage spiritually and enforce the kingdom of God on earth, by activating the help of angels who accomplish his will on earth.
