The Spiritual Significance of Numbers – The Number 40

[Study Aired March 29, 2026]

In this study we will see that the number forty in its positive application signifies periods of trials and testing, purification, and preparation, always leading up to and producing a more mature and fruitful place of service. This period of being tried, whether for forty days or forty years precedes a new and much better beginning. This positive application of the number forty is first demonstrated in the forty days of rain which brought in the world wide flood:

Gen 7:4  For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth.

The old world was completely destroyed in the flood, and out of that death and total destruction a new world was born signified by the number eight.

2Pe 2:5  And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

Noah also waited forty days after the tops of the mountains appeared before he sent out a raven:

Gen 8:5  And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen.
Gen 8:6  And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made:
Gen 8:7  And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth.

The number forty is the product of 5×8. Five signifies God’s chastening grace, through the faith of Jesus Christ, and eight signifies new beginnings or the new man. Therefore the number forty signifies the grace through faith, which is required to put our old man to death and to begin the birth of our new man, “Christ in [us] the hope of glory” (Col 1:27). Our “fiery trials” should be seen as the chastening hand of the Lord in our lives. The Lord’s chastening is the work of His grace with which He favors His elect and chosen disciples:

Heb 12:6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth [G3811: ‘paideuo’], and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Paul also tells us that God’s grace chastens us to forsake ungodliness and worldly lusts:

Tit 2:11  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12  Teaching [G3811: ‘paideuo’, Chastening] us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously , and godly, in this present world;
Tit 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

The number five signifies that work of grace through faith, and the number forty consists of  5X8=40. Grace through faith produces a new man who has endured forty days of afflicting his soul.

Lev 23:26  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Lev 23:27  Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
Lev 23:28  And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God.
Lev 23:29  For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people.

The prophet Elijah spent forty days walking to Mount Horeb (Mount Sinai), where he was given to know that he was about to enter into a new stage of his life after fleeing for fear of Jezebel’s threat to take his life:

1Ki 19:8  And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.
1Ki 19:9  And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?
1Ki 19:10  And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
1Ki 19:11  And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:
1Ki 19:12  And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
1Ki 19:13  And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
1Ki 19:14  And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
1Ki 19:15  And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:
1Ki 19:16  And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
1Ki 19:17  And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.
1Ki 19:18  Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.

Again we see forty days of fasting preceding an epochal change in the life of Elijah as it was in the lives of Moses and the life of Christ.

The number forty eight times amplifies the significance of the number five. The number eight signifies a new beginning in which the flesh begins to be put off on the eighth day, and a new man begins to be formed on the eighth day. Expressed in another way the number forty is a five times amplification of the number eight. Since eight signifies new beginning or divine intervention, that concept is amplified five times signifying the function of grace through faith, which is the significance of the number five.

https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/numbers_five/

https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/the-spiritual-significance-of-numbers-the-number-eight/

The number forty therefore represents a time of trial which produces a spiritual transformation, where the old self begins to be stripped away and a new existence as a new man begins. Christ Himself began an entirely new life only after forty days of fasting and confronting the beast in the wilderness.

Mar 1:13  And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

As this story demonstrates, the number forty is associated with those times of adversity and spiritual combat. The worst ‘beast’ any of us will ever face is the ‘beast’ we look at in the mirror every morning. There is no worse enemy any of us will ever confront. Christ’s own flesh was the worst beast He ever faced yet, because He was given the spirit without measure, He never once succumbed to those fleshly desires. His subjection to a new and much better man is signified by the number forty. Christ spent forty days dying daily to the physical desires of His flesh, followed by a lifetime of dying daily to the pulls of the flesh of His old man.

Heb 5:8  Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

On a national level Israel spent forty years waiting for the death of that generation which came out of Egypt. The carcasses of that unbelieving generation died in the wilderness typifying what must be done to our own old man:

1Co 10:5 But not in the majority of them does God delight, for they were strewn along in the wilderness.
1Co 10:6 Now these things became types of us, for us not to be lusters after evil things, (CLV)

Heb 3:17  But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?

In the stories of the forty days of rain which brought on the worldwide flood of Noah, and in the forty years of wandering in the wilderness until the generation which came up out of Egypt had died, and Christ fasting forty days while dealing with wild beasts in the wilderness, these stories all admonish us that the Lord is in the process of purifying us for His service as “saviors” of “the rest of the dead” who do not come up out of their graves in “the resurrection of life.”

Joh 5:25  Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
Joh 5:26  For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
Joh 5:27  And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
Joh 5:28  Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
Joh 5:29  And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life [“The first resurrection]; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation [G2920: ‘krisis’ judgment, “the great white throne judgment”].

Christ had to endure this time of forty days of afflicting His soul to prepare Him for the temptations of the adversary which He faced “afterward”.

Mat 4:2  And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
Mat 4:3  And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

Being hungry ‘after forty days’ is not telling us that Christ was not hungry from day one. If that is not true, then Christ was not “in all ways tempted as we are” (Heb 4:15). The point being made is that it was after the forty days of fasting that the tempter came to tempt our Lord. However, Christ was given His Father’s spirit without measure and rebuffed every temptation of the adversary:

Joh 3:34  For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

Christ received of His Father an unlimited anointing. Christ was given “the fullness of the holy spirit”, which enabled Him to speak His Father’s Words perfectly and to do all His Father gave Him to do without any constraint.

Fasting forty days prepared Christ for the new life He would now live in His Father’s service during His ministry:

Joh 5:30  I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

‘The will of [His] Father’ was revealed in all of the ‘…but I say unto thee’ changes of the law made by Christ in His new “law of the spirit of Christ”, which He revealed in His teachings in Matthew 5-7. This new way of life began to be taught by Christ only after He fasted for forty days.

Mat 5:38  Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
Mat 5:39  But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

“Resist not evil” is the exact opposite of “an eye for an eye…” Here is another ‘But I say unto thee… change in the  law’ of Moses:

Mat 5:43  Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
Mat 5:44  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

“Love your enemies” is the exact opposite of “hate your enemy”. Truly Christ has brought in “the times of reformation”:

Heb 9:10  Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

Heb 7:12  For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

The law of Moses has indeed been changed to “the law of the spirit” (Rom 8:2). “The time of reformation” is now upon us, but it had to be preceded by Christ fasting forty days.

“The letter of the law… for the lawless” (2Co 3:6, 1Ti 1:9) which the Lord gave to Moses was also given to him only after Moses had fasted forty days:

1Ti 1:7  Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
1Ti 1:8  But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
1Ti 1:9  Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

Christ enjoyed another forty days which he spent with His disciples preparing them for their new life which they would experience after His resurrection:

Act 1:1  The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
Act 1:2  Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
Act 1:3  To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

Such an incredible reformation from dying letter to living spirit had to be preceded by a forty-day fast. Even the “carnal commandments” of the law of Moses were given only after Moses had fasted for forty days.

Exo 34:28  And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.

Upon seeing the golden calf Aaron had made for the people, Moses broke the tables of stone on which the Lord had written the ten commandments, and Moses returned to the mount and fasted a second forty days:

Deu 9:9  When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant which the LORD made with you, then I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights, I neither did eat bread nor drink water:
Deu 9:10  And the LORD delivered unto me two tables of stone written with the finger of God; and on them was written according to all the words, which the LORD spake with you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly.
Deu 9:11  And it came to pass at the end of forty days and forty nights, that the LORD gave me the two tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant.
Deu 9:12  And the LORD said unto me, Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt have corrupted themselves; they are quickly turned aside out of the way which I commanded them; they have made them a molten image.

The second forty days are recorded in this same chapter:

Deu 9:18  And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

This was all done in preparation for entering into the promised land where all the mind of God was ideally to be put into practice in the lives of the Lord’s people. Moses fasting for forty days on Mount Sinai, and Christ spending forty days with His disciples after His resurrection were both in preparation for the new mission He had in store for His Israel.

Gal 6:15  Certainly, it doesn’t matter whether a person is circumcised or not. Rather, what matters is being a new creation.
Gal 6:16  Peace and mercy will come to rest on all those who conform to this principle. They are the Israel of God. (GWV)

Another observation we can make concerning this number forty is that whether it is the forty days of rain which brought on the flood of Noah or the forty days of fasting which Moses and Christ experienced, this number is used to separate two epochs of time in our lives. Those two times are the time we spend in the first natural realm and the time we begin to experience in the realm of the spirit:

1Co 15:46  Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
1Co 15:47  The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
1Co 15:48  As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
1Co 15:49  And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

Just as Abraham mourned over the loss of his own flesh, his first son, Ishmael, and just as King David mourned the death of King Saul, it is only natural and even Biblically proper that we mourn the loss of our own flesh, both through the forty days of those who are embalmed and the total of seventy days mourning of the loss of our old man, signified by the death of Israel in Egypt:

Gen 50:2  And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father: and the physicians embalmed Israel.
Gen 50:3  And forty days were fulfilled for him; for so are fulfilled the days of those which are embalmed: and the Egyptians mourned for him threescore and ten days.

2Sa 1:11  Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him:
2Sa 1:12  And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.
2Sa 1:13  And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.
2Sa 1:14  And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the LORD’S anointed?
2Sa 1:15  And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.
2Sa 1:16  And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD’S anointed.

One of the negative applications of the number forty is that King Saul’s reign was forty years:

Act 13:21  And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.

Another entry which can be considered as a negative application is that Moses permitted a maximum of forty stripes for corporeal punishment:

Deu 25:2  And it shall be, if the wicked man be worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten before his face, according to his fault, by a certain number.
Deu 25:3  Forty stripes he may give him, and not exceed: lest, if he should exceed, and beat him above these with many stripes, then thy brother should seem vile unto thee.

While we want to overcome the fear displayed by the ten spies who gave the land a bad report, yet it is good to take the time, to ‘spy out’ what we are going up against before we go where the Lord is leading us. Moses sent spies to spy out the land for forty days, and Christ Himself teaches us to “count the cost” before we begin building a tower or go to war:

Luk 14:25  And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,
Luk 14:26  If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
Luk 14:27  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
Luk 14:28  For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
Luk 14:29  Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
Luk 14:30  Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
Luk 14:31  Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
Luk 14:32  Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
Luk 14:33  So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

The Lord is very honest and straightforward with us. If we put anything – wife, children, mother, father, or country – ahead of our love and devotion to Him, then we are not worthy to be His disciple. This admonition is telling us to be aware of this requirement before we commit to becoming a good soldier of Christ:

2Ti 2:3  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
2Ti 2:4  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Exactly how does a “good soldier of Jesus Christ do battle? Exactly what are his weapons of war?

Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Those are the weapons of our warfare, and the minute we take up physical and natural weapons we have at that moment lost all the protection that Christ and His Word afford.

As ‘soldiers’ and ‘spies’ we are employed by the same king, and that king is Christ, who tells us to spy out the land for forty days and become aware of the strength of the enemy, but at the same time realize that even our greatest enemy, even the greatest giant in our land, our own ‘old man’, is nothing more than a tool with which the Lord is forming a new child within the womb of His church.

Num 13:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Num 13:2  Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe [twelve men] of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them.
Num 13:25  And they returned from searching of the land after forty days.

It takes forty years of a life preparing us to be worthy of beginning to enter into our new life. During that forty years we are sustained on physical manna, protected from the heat of the Sun by a cloud by day, and given light by night by a pillar of fire. In other words, at this stage we “come behind in no gift [and yet we] are still carnal babes in Christ, typified by the church at  Corinth:

1Co 1:4  I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
1Co 1:5  That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
1Co 1:6  Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
1Co 1:7  So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

That may sound like a real blessing, and indeed it is a blessing for an immature babe in Christ who must be given everything needed to stay alive. But when we have everything handed to us on a silver platter we are not yet capable of accepting the concept of dying with, and being crucified with Christ. At this earlier state of our spiritual development we are simply thankful to learn that Christ died for us:

1Co 2:1  And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
1Co 2:2  For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

The fact that Christ did die for the sins of a repentant world is what the holy spirit calls ‘the milk of the word’ and none of us can begin life eating strong meat. Paul makes us all aware of this spiritual fact in the very next chapter of 1^st Corinthians:

1Co 3:1  And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
1Co 3:2  I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
1Co 3:3  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
1Co 3:4  For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

The Lord has ordained that forty weeks followed by a short period of extreme pain are required for the normal birth of a healthy child. If indeed the invisible things of God are understood by the things that are made, the Lord is indeed demonstrating how His mind works to bring forth His firstfruit manchild with whom He will rule this world.

Rom 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Christ tells us that “many are called but few are chosen” are the concluding words of the Lord’s parable of the wedding feast. That may sound disheartening to the natural man, but for those few who are chosen, nothing can come between them and their Lord:

Rom 8:35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Rom 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Rom 8:38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Those verses are the epochal transformation for which our forty years in the wilderness and our forty days of fasting are preparing us to inherit, and nothing will rob us of that inheritance nor separate us from our Savior. Our lives are of Him, through Him and to Him:

Rom 11:33  O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
Rom 11:34  For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
Rom 11:35  Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
Rom 11:36  For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

The Weapons of Spiritual Warfare

[Study Aired Sept 10, 2024]

Introduction: The Weapons of Spiritual Warfare

As believers, we engage in a battle that transcends the physical realm. The Apostle Paul brings this reality to light in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”

Paul, writing to the Ephesians, uses the metaphor of a Roman soldier’s armor to illustrate the spiritual tools God provides for this warfare. This imagery effectively communicates the reality and seriousness of spiritual warfare, while providing a memorable framework for understanding our spiritual defenses and weapons.

Romans 1:20 reveals that the physical world reflects spiritual realities:

“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”

This scripture reveals that the physical world serves as a reflection of spiritual realities, allowing us to understand God’s nature and the principles of His kingdom through observing creation. Thus, the physical armor Paul describes points to spiritual truths and realities.

The primary battlefield for this warfare is within us, as Jesus teaches in Luke 17:20-21. To effectively engage in this spiritual battle, we must rely on the spirit’s teaching, as Paul emphasizes in 1 Corinthians 2:13.

Luke 17:20-21 “And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”

1 Corinthians 2:13 “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”

As we examine each piece of spiritual armor, we will explore how these spiritual truths apply to our daily lives, drawing insights from both scripture and the physical world that God has created as a testament to His invisible attributes and spiritual principles.

Here is the scripture under review for this study:

Ephesians 6:14-20 “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, (NIV belt of truth buckled around your waist) and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. “

II. The Belt of Truth (Ephesians 6:14a)

Ephesians 6:14a states: “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth“

The New International Version (NIV) renders this as: “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist“

In ancient times, soldiers used a belt or girdle to gather and secure their loose garments around the loins (waist and hips), providing freedom of movement and serving as a foundation for other pieces of armor. Spiritually, a belt represents the truth that serves as our foundation, securing all other aspects of our faith and practice.

Central to understanding the belt of truth is recognizing that Jesus Christ Himself is the embodiment of truth. He declares in John 14:6

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Christ, as the Truth, and the prophets and apostles provide the solid foundation upon which all other aspects of our spiritual armor and life are built.

1 Corinthians 3:11 “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

Ephesians 2:20 “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;“

The Word of God, which testifies of Christ, is also truth, as affirmed in two key verses:

Psalm 119:160 (ASV): “The sum of thy word is truth; And every one of thy righteous ordinances endureth forever.”

John 17:17: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

The belt of truth involves immersing ourselves in and being secured by the whole counsel of God’s Word. This immersion in truth provides a solid foundation for our spiritual lives, Which is Jesus Christ as illustrated in Matthew 7:24-25

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.”

Old Testament references illuminate the concept of girding:

– Exodus 12:11 – Preparation for the Passover: “And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD’S passover.”

– Isaiah 11:5 – A Messianic prophecy: “And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.”

These passages associate girding with readiness, righteousness, and faithfulness – all aspects of being secured in truth. They foreshadow the coming of Christ, who perfectly embodies these qualities and secures us in truth.

The belt of truth, with Christ as its essence, secures all other aspects of our spiritual armor. It serves as the foundation for our faith, prepares us for spiritual battles, and equips us to recognize and resist falsehood.

This individual commitment to truth, centered on Christ, is supported by the church, as 1 Timothy 3:15 reminds us:

“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.“

The church plays a crucial role in upholding and reinforcing the truth, always pointing back to Christ as the foundation, that we as individuals gird ourselves with.

III. The Breastplate of Righteousness (Ephesians 6:14b)

Ephesians 6:14b states: “and having on the breastplate of righteousness;”

In ancient armor, the breastplate protected vital organs, particularly the heart. Spiritually, the breastplate of righteousness guards our heart – the center of our emotions, will, and character.

Isaiah 59:17 provides an Old Testament reference to God Himself wearing righteousness as a breastplate: “For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.”

Righteousness in Scripture has two key aspects:

– Imputed Righteousness: This is the righteousness of Christ credited to us by faith. Romans 4:5 says, “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

2 Corinthians 5:21 further elaborates: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

This imputed righteousness is our primary protection, establishing our right standing before God and rendering Satan’s accusations powerless.

– Practical Righteousness: This refers to right living flowing from a relationship with God. 1 John 3:7 and Philippians 1:11 encourage this aspect.

1 John 3:7 states, “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.”

Philippians 1:11 encourages this: “Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.”

Practical righteousness is our active participation of God’s work in us, as we “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” according to Philippians 2:12-13.

The Interplay of Imputed and Practical Righteousness in Spiritual Warfare:

Imputed righteousness provides the secure position from which we fight, while practical righteousness represents the actual fighting itself. They work together in the following ways:

– Foundation and Action
– Identity and Behavior
– Assurance and Vigilance
– Power and Application

Proverbs 4:23 highlights the importance of this dual protection: “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” The breastplate of righteousness, comprising both imputed and practical aspects, guards our hearts in spiritual warfare.

In spiritual warfare, the breastplate of righteousness:

– Guards against accusation: When Satan accuses us, we stand in Christ’s perfect righteousness Revelation 12:10-11 “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. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

– Protects our integrity: Righteous living keeps us from falling into sin that could compromise our witness Psalm 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

– Maintains our communion with God: “Righteousness and peace have kissed each other” Psalm 85:10, indicating that righteousness facilitates our peace with God.

– Empowers our prayers: “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” James 5:16.

As we put on the breastplate of righteousness, we’re reminded of Christ’s words in Matthew 6:33, emphasizing the pursuit of God’s righteousness as our primary focus.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.“

IV. Feet Shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace (Ephesians 6:15)

Ephesians 6:15 states: “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;”

In Roman military gear, soldiers wore sturdy sandals or boots, providing stability, protection, and readiness for long marches or combat. Spiritually, this equips us for the challenges of our faith journey and for sharing the good news of Christ.

The Connection to Spiritual Warfare:

– Standing Firm: The gospel of peace gives us a firm foundation to stand against spiritual attacks. Romans 5:1 states, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” This peace with God is our unshakeable ground in spiritual conflicts.

– Mobility in Battle: It enables us to navigate the spiritual battlefield with confidence. Philippians 4:7 promises, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” This peace guards our inner being as we face spiritual challenges.

– Advancing Against the Enemy: The gospel is not just defensive but offensive. As we share it, we push back darkness. Romans 10:15 declares, “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” Our feet, fitted with the gospel, carry us into enemy territory to liberate captives.

– Overcoming Division: The gospel of peace counters this by reconciling us not only to God but to each other. Ephesians 2:14 says, “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;”

– Inner Calm in External Conflict: While spiritual warfare rages around us, the gospel gives us inner peace. John 16:33 reminds us, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Key aspects of this piece of spiritual armor (shoes) include:

– Readiness to share the gospel: Isaiah 52:7 declares, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!”

– Peace with God as a part of the foundation of our spiritual warfare Romans 5:1, as mentioned earlier, establishes our peace with God through faith in Christ

– Peace of God: Philippians 4:7, also mentioned above, shows how God’s peace protects our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, essential for withstanding spiritual attacks.

– Firm Footing in our faith 1 Corinthians 16:13 exhorts, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”

– Empowerment to be witnesses and advance God’s kingdom. Acts 1:8 states:
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

The preparation of the gospel of peace enables us to stand firm against spiritual attacks, move confidently through life’s challenges, and advance God’s kingdom by sharing Christ’s message of reconciliation with others.

V. The Shield of Faith (Ephesians 6:16)

Ephesians 6:16 states: “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”

In Roman warfare, the shield was crucial defensive equipment, large enough to protect the whole body. Similarly, in our spiritual warfare, faith acts as a protective shield against the enemy’s attacks.

Key aspects of the Shield of Faith include:

– Definition of Faith: Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

– Source of Faith: Romans 10:17 tells us that faith comes by hearing the word of God, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.“

– Protective Power: 1 Peter 5:8-9 instructs us to resist the devil, steadfast in faith. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”

– Overcoming Power: 1 John 5:4 declares that our faith is the victory that overcomes the world., “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”

– Trust in God’s Faithfulness: Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us of God’s unfailing compassions and faithfulness. “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”

The Shield of Faith is our defense against doubt, fear, and temptation – the “fiery darts” of the enemy.

Doubt:

– Questioning God’s love or goodness, especially during difficult times
– Uncertainty about one’s salvation or God’s promises
– Skepticism about the truth of God’s Word

Faith counters doubt by holding firm to God’s promises and character (Matthew 21:21, James 1:6).

Matthew 21:21 “Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.” 

James 1:6 “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”

Fear:

– Anxiety about the future
– Fear of failure or inadequacy
– Terror in the face of persecution or hardship

Faith overcomes fear by trusting in God’s presence, power, and promises.

Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Temptation:

– Enticement to compromise moral standards
– Lure of worldly pleasures or values
– Pressure to take shortcuts or act unethically

Faith enables us to resist temptation by trusting in God’s faithfulness and power to overcome.

1 Corinthians 10: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you”.

By recognizing these “fiery darts” as attacks from the enemy and actively wielding our shield of faith, we can protect our inward man during spiritual battles.

VI. The Helmet of Salvation (Ephesians 6:17a)

Ephesians 6:17a states: “And take the helmet of salvation…”

In physical armor, the helmet protects the head, vital for a soldier’s effectiveness and survival. Spiritually, the helmet of salvation safeguards our mind, thoughts, and decision-making processes.

The Assurance of Salvation and Its Role in Spiritual Warfare:

1 John 5:13 “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” 

1 John 5:13 emphasizes that we can know we have eternal life. This assurance is crucial in spiritual warfare for several reasons.

– Protection Against Condemnation: Romans 8:1 declares, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Our secure standing in Christ shields us from guilt and shame.<

– Confidence in God’s Love: Assurance of salvation fortifies our minds against doubts and fears. Romans 8:38-39 “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.“<

– Eternal Perspective: It helps us maintain focus on eternal realities amidst temporal challenges Colossians 3:1-2 “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” 

– Motivation for Holy Living: The certainty of our salvation inspires us to live righteously. 1 John 3:2-3 “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”

– Power to Resist the Accuser: Our assurance, grounded in Christ’s blood, empowers us to overcome Satan’s accusations. Revelation 12:10-11 “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. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

– Peace of Mind in Trials: Knowing our eternal destiny is secure gives us peace even in the midst of spiritual battles. John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

By protecting our minds with the assurance of salvation, we are better equipped to resist the enemy’s attempts to introduce doubt, fear, or discouragement. This helmet guards our thoughts, allowing us to maintain a sound mind focused on God’s truth and our secure position in Christ, even in the heat of spiritual battle.

VII. The Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17b)

Ephesians 6:17b states: “…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”

Unlike the primarily defensive pieces of armor, the sword is both a defensive and offensive weapon. In spiritual warfare, the Word of God serves as our sword, enabling us to combat falsehood and advance God’s truth.

Key aspects of the Sword of the Spirit include:

– The Nature of God’s Word: Hebrews 4:12 emphasizes its power and discernment. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

– Jesus’ quoting Scripture in Matthew 4:1-11 demonstrates effective use in spiritual battles. “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” “It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”

– Spiritual Nourishment: Matthew 4:4 shows it’s essential for spiritual sustenance. “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.“

– Guide for Life: Psalm 119:105 describes it as a lamp and light for our path. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

– Truth that Sets Free: John 8:32 reveals its power to liberate from deception. “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

– Spiritual Growth: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 explains its role in equipping us for good works. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.“

Practical Application of God’s Word in Spiritual Warfare:

Consider the scenario of battling feelings of worthlessness:

– Recognize the Attack: Identify these thoughts as enemy attacks.

– Recall Relevant Scriptures: E.g., Psalm 139:14, Ephesians 2:10. 

Psalm 139:14 – “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”

Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

– Speak the Word: Declare these truths aloud.

– Meditate on the Truth: Reflect on their personal meaning.

– Act on the Word: Let it influence your actions.

– Share the Truth: Encourage others with these same truths. 2 Timothy 2:2 instructs: “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”

This process can be applied to various spiritual warfare situations. The more familiar we become with God’s Word, the more effectively we can wield this powerful weapon.

Linking the Sword of the Spirit to Prayer:

Ephesians 6:17-18 connects these directly. Prayer sharpens our spiritual senses, helping us discern which Scriptures to apply. It invites the spirit’s power to make the Word alive and active in our battles. As we internalize God’s Word, it enriches our prayer life, aligning our prayers more closely with God’s will.

VIII. Prayer (Ephesians 6:18)

Ephesians 6:18 states: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”

While not a piece of armor per se, prayer is essential in spiritual warfare, encompassing and empowering all other aspects of our spiritual armament. It serves as the divine thread weaving together all pieces of the armor.

Integration of Prayer with the Armor of God:

– Belt of Truth: Prayer aligns our hearts and minds with God’s truth. John 16:13 says, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth.”

– Breastplate of Righteousness: Prayer maintains our righteousness in Christ. 1 John 1:9 assures us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.“

– Shoes of the Gospel of Peace: Prayer prepares us to share the gospel. We can pray as Paul did in Colossians 4:3, “Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ.”

– Shield of Faith: Prayer strengthens our faith. Romans 10:17 reminds us, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

– Helmet of Salvation: Prayer reinforces our assurance of salvation. Colossians 3:2 exhorts, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

– Sword of the Spirit: Prayer sharpens our use of God’s Word. We can pray as David did in Psalm 119:18, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.“

Key aspects of Prayer in Spiritual Warfare include:

– Constant Communication: 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.” This verse emphasizes the continual nature of our prayer life, keeping us in constant contact with our Commander-in-Chief as his soldiers.

– Praying in the Spirit: Romans 8:26-27 “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

– Watchful Prayer: Colossians 4:2 “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;”

– Perseverance in Prayer: Luke 18:1 “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;”

– Power of Righteous Prayer: James 5:16 declares, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.“

– Intercession for Others: 1 Timothy 2:1 “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;”

– Prayer for Boldness in Witness: Acts 4:29 “And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,”

– Prayer for Understanding: Psalm 119:18 “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.“

Prayer maintains our communication with God, seeks His guidance and strength, and acknowledges His work in us. It’s through prayer that we effectively employ all other pieces of spiritual armor, aligning ourselves with God’s will and power in our spiritual battles.

IX. Conclusion

As we conclude our study on the Weapons of Spiritual Warfare, let us remember the overarching purpose of this spiritual armor as stated in Ephesians 6:13

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

Key points to consider:

– The Reality of Spiritual Conflict: Ephesians 6:12 This verse reminds us of the true nature of our spiritual battle. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.“ 

– The Completeness of God’s Provision: 2 Peter 1:3 assures us that God has provided everything we need. “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”

– Our Active Participation: James 4:7 calls us to actively resist the enemy, relying on God’s strength. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.“

– The Ultimate Victory in Christ: 1 Corinthians 15:57 assures our victory through Christ. “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

– The Ongoing Nature of the Battle: 1 Peter 5:8-9 urges us to remain alert and steadfast. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.“

It’s crucial to understand that God’s armor is not a one-time gift, nor something we put on by our own effort. Rather, it’s an ongoing process of God’s work in our lives. Philippians 1:6 highlights this continuous nature of God’s work in us.

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

– God’s Ongoing Work of Truth: John 16:13 “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth.“

– Growing in Righteousness: Philippians 3:9 “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.“

– Peace as a Fruit of the Spirit: Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.“

– Increasing Faith: Luke 17:5 shows the disciples asking, “Lord, Increase our faith.”

– Deepening Assurance of Salvation: Romans 8:16 “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.“

– Growing in the Word: 1 Peter 2:2 encourages, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.”

[Study Aired June 6, 2022]

Exo 12:33  And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men.
Exo 12:34  And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading troughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders.
Exo 12:35  And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: 
Exo 12:36  And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians. 
Exo 12:37  And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. 
Exo 12:38  And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle. 
Exo 12:39  And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual. 
Exo 12:40  Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. 
Exo 12:41  And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. 
Exo 12:42  It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations. 
Exo 12:43  And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof: 
Exo 12:44  But every man’s servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof. 
Exo 12:45  A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof. 
Exo 12:46  In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof. 
Exo 12:47  All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.
Exo 12:48  And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.
Exo 12:49  One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you. 
Exo 12:50  Thus did all the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they. 
Exo 12:51  And it came to pass the selfsame day, that the LORD did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.

The effect of all the ten plagues meted out to the Egyptians resulted in the release of the children of Israel to go into the wilderness to serve the Lord. The review today focuses on the exit of the children of Israel and the ordinance of the Passover that we are to keep by faith, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch us.

Heb 11:28  Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

Exo 12:33  And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men.

The assertion by the Egyptians that they were all dead men is to let us know the extent of the impact of the ten plagues of the Lord’s judgment of the old man (Pharaoh) within us. The judgment of the Lord destroys or puts to death the old man within us. The fact that the Egyptians were so eager to send the Israelites out of their land in haste to go into the wilderness to serve the Lord is another way of saying that the death of the old man gives rise to the birth of the new man within us. This new man enables us to worship the Lord acceptably in this world (wilderness) as we offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to our Lord.

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Exo 12:34  And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading troughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. 

In the scriptures, leaven signifies what is sinful, evil, corrupt and unclean in the eyes of the Lord.

1Co 5:8  Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 

The use of leaven is to make something softer or easier to eat. For example, if there is no yeast (leaven) in bread, it would be hard to chew. The function of yeast spiritually, is to make sin easier to commit. The teachings of man’s wisdom is a kind of yeast in this world and in the physical churches of this world which makes sin easier to commit.

Because the children of Israel were driven out in haste from Egypt, they had no time to bring leavened food as shown in verse 34. This is because leavened bread takes time to prepare. This indicates that apart from judging us to put to death the old man within, the Lord also deals with our environment to such an extent that it gives us no time to commit sin. The process of committing sin takes time. First, we are drawn away by our own lust, then lust is conceived and after this conception, sin is produced.

Jas 1:14  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 
Jas 1:15  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

It is significant to note that the kneading troughs which were used to prepare both leavened and unleavened bread were all bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. As we are aware, both the old man and the new man are within, representing the kneading trough. This kneading trough within us produces either leavened or unleavened bread depending on whether the trough is that of the old man or the new man. The death of the old man, giving birth to the new man, is this kneading trough which is wrapped by clothes. We know that clothes represent the righteousness of the saints. This righteousness is that of Christ given to us. So, the kneading troughs bound up in clothes means the new man within us is clothed in Christ righteousness making it difficult for us to carry leaven as we journey through this world (wilderness).

Rev 19:8  it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. (ESV)

Exo 12:35  And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: 
Exo 12:36  And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians. 

As we indicated in an earlier review, the borrowing of the jewels of silver and gold is another way of saying that the little knowledge of the Lord that the churches possess have been taken away and given to us.

Mat 13:11  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 
Mat 13:12  For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 

The Lord giving the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians is another way of saying that when a man’s way pleases the Lord, He makes his enemies to be at peace with him.

Pro 16:7  When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Exo 12:37  And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.

The Israelites started their journey from Ramses, which was in the land of Goshen in Egypt. From there, they left Egypt and went to Succoth, which means ‘booth’ or ‘tent’. Going to Succoth signifies that, as His elect, we are in this world but not of this world. Our journey through this world must be a journey of faith with the view of inheriting the promise. In other words, we are looking for the city whose foundation is Christ and the builder being our Lord.

Heb 11:9  By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
Heb 11:10  For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

The fact that six hundred thousand men left Ramses in Egypt is to let us know that our exit from Babylon to come to the church of the firstborn does not mean that the Lord had completed His work in us. We were carnal or fleshly as we left Babylon as signified by the number 600,000 (600,000 = 6x10x10x10x10x10). However, the Lord is perfecting us through His judgment to bring us to maturity, and we are His work in progress.

Gen 6:3  Then the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.” (ESV)

Exo 12:38  And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle. 

We must also know that not all who came out of Babylon (Egypt) to the church of the firstborn will end up receiving the reward, as signified by the mixed multitude that left Egypt. Later on in our walk, we shall encounter Korah’s rebellion, Achan, etc. This is all part of the ways designed by the Lord to sift the wheat from the tares.

1Co 11:19  For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

Mat 13:38  The field is the world; the good seed (the wheat) are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

As we have explained in the previous study, going out of Egypt with the flocks, herds and cattle is maintaining our livelihood as we serve the Lord. Recognizing the need to work for a living while serving the Lord is one of Paul’s main messages to the churches He ministered.

Act 20:34  Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. 
Act 20:35  I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Exo 12:39  And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual. 

As we have explained earlier in verse 34, the people of Israel did not have ample time to make leavened bread. This is all the Lord’s doing as He puts us in a situation where it becomes easier for us to pursue the righteousness of Christ.

Exo 12:40  Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. 
Exo 12:41  And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. 

According to the Lord’s prophecy when He made a covenant with Abraham, the people of Israel were supposed to spend four hundred years in servitude before they became free. However, verses 40 and 41 talk about four hundred and thirty years. Thus, verses 40 and 41 seem to be in contradiction with the following verses:

Gen 15:13  And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
Gen 15:14  And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.

Unlearned and unstable minds, however, think that the Bible is full of contradictions. People who think that way are not meant to know the truth as predicted by Apostle Peter:

2Pe 3:14  Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
2Pe 3:15  And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 
2Pe 3:16  As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

This is what accounts for the apparent discrepancy: These four hundred and thirty years began in Genesis 12 when the Lord made the promise to Abraham that He would give the good land to Abraham’s seed. From that day until the night of the exodus was exactly four hundred and thirty years. The four hundred years began with Ishmael’s mocking of Isaac in Genesis 21. This means that from Genesis 12 to Genesis 21, there was a period of thirty years, and from Genesis 21 to Exodus 12, there was a period of four hundred years. Spiritually, the number four hundred and thirty signifies the whole of our lives from our birth until the time we leave Babylon after the Lord had come with His brightness to judge us as a result of the fulness of our flesh (sins).

Exo 12:42  It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.
Exo 12:43  And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof: 

According to the instructions given to Moses and Aaron, strangers are not allowed to observe the Passover. The observation of the Passover includes the eating of the lamb and unleavened bread with bitter herbs, the marking of the house where the lamb is eaten with the blood of the lamb and the need to stay in the house until morning. The spiritual meaning of observing the Passover was explained in the previous study as follows:

Every elect of every generation is required to observe the Passover throughout his/her life through faith. Every day of our walk with the Lord is the feast of the Passover.

Heb 11:28  Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

The question is, “What does it mean to keep the passover?” First and foremost, we need to understand the sacrificial offering of the Lord on our behalf.

1Co 5:7  Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

Secondly, we need to know that our lives were spared by the Lord from destruction. This has nothing to do with anything we have done. It was just the mercies of the Lord that He showered on us.

Rom 9:18  Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

Thirdly, we need to know that the blood of Christ purges our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. In spite of our wickedness and flaws, the Lord has chosen us and purged us of our sins so that we can worship him acceptably.

Heb 9:14  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

The Passover also commemorates our eating of the lamb. This lamb is Christ, who is also the word. This means that through the mercies of the Lord, our eyes are being enlightened to understand the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.

Mat 13:11  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

Mat 13:16  But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
Mat 13:17  For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

The enlightening of our understanding is accompanied by the Lord’s judgment which destroys the power and influence of the old man or the flesh in our lives. This is signified by the roasting of the lamb eaten at the Passover.

Exo 12:8  And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.

Mat 13:21  Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

Observing the Passover also means that we are eating the lamb with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs. The unleavened bread here signifies sincerity and truth. This means that our understanding of the word of the Lord must be accompanied with a life of sincerity and truth. In other words, our life must reflect the righteousness of Christ. When our lives reflect the righteousness of Christ, then we are observing the Passover in our lives.

1Co 5:8  Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

It is so exciting when the Lord reveals some aspects of the truth of the word of the Lord to us. In other words, it is sweet in our mouth. However, when it enters our belly, it is bitter. The bitter herb that must accompany the eating of the unleavened bread refers to the bitter experience we must go through to actualize the word we have received.

Rev 10:10  And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.

So, the question is, “Who is the stranger who is not to participate in the observance of the Passover?” A stranger is one who is without Christ, being alienated from the covenant of promise and having no hope in the world. This includes people of the world and our brothers and sisters in Babylon who are aliens from the commonwealth of the elect (Israel). It is only the elect who are required to observe the Passover. 

Eph 2:11  Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 
Eph 2:12  That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 
Eph 2:13  But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Exo 12:44  But every man’s servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof. 

Being bought as a slave with money is being redeemed by the Lord with His blood. In times past, we were following the course of this world with our father the devil dictating our walk in this world. However, God, being rich in mercy, came to our aid by redeeming us from the slavery of sin with His blood. He then circumcised us spiritually to become part of the commonwealth of the elect (Israel). Thus, though we were servants to sin in times past, we are qualified to eat the lamb of the Passover.

Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:3  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Eph 2:4  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 
Eph 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Eph 2:18  For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Eph 2:19  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Eph 2:20  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Exo 12:45  A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof. 

As we have indicated, we were strangers and hired servants in time past, and during that period, we were not qualified to eat of the lamb of the Passover. In other words, our eyes were not enlightened by the Lord.

Mat 13:11  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them (foreigners and hired servants) it is not given.

Mat 13:13  Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
Mat 13:14  And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
Mat 13:15  For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Exo 12:46  In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof. 

“In one house” signifies that we, who at some point in time were strangers, are united with the elect. In other words, we, the strangers and hired servants, are now one with the people of Israel (the elect), eating the same lamb of the word of God.

Eph 2:13  But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Eph 2:14  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Eph 2:15  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 
Eph 2:16  And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Here in verse 46, we are also told that we should not take the flesh of the lamb we are eating outside the house. Outside is used severally in the scriptures to denote the dwelling place of those with contagious diseases like leprosy as shown below:

Lev 13:45  “The leprous person who has the disease shall wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head hang loose, and he shall cover his upper lip and cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean.’
Lev 13:46  He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease. He is unclean. He shall live alone. His dwelling shall be outside the camp.

People who dwell “outside” with contagious diseases like leprosy symbolize the people of the world, including our Babylonian brothers and sisters. The fact that we are not to take any of the flesh outside the house is another way of saying that we should not cast our pearls before swine. That is, we should not take what is holy and give it to the dogs, because they have no regard for what is holy and will instead attack us.

Mat 7:6  “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

We are also admonished not to break a bone of the lamb while eating the Passover. The first mention of bone in the Bible was in relation to the Lord taking the rib (bone) of Adam and using it to form a woman. The woman was produced from a bone taken from Adam. This means that a bone signifies life that impart life. The bone taken from Adam imparted Adam’s life into Eve. Adam here represents Christ who imparts His eternal life to us, the church. When Christ was crucified as our Passover lamb, His legs (bones) were not broken. These unbreakable bones of Christ refer to His eternal life or His spirit. The statement that we are not to break a bone while eating the lamb, therefore symbolizes the fact that we must not lose sight of the spiritual implication of the word of the Lord which gives life.

Gen 2:21  So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh.
Gen 2:22  And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. 
Gen 2:23  Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”

Joh 19:32  So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. 
Joh 19:33  But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.
Joh 19:34  But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. 

Joh 6:63  It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

Exo 12:47  All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.
Exo 12:48  And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.

All the congregation of Israel keeping the Passover means that the elect of every generation is required to eat the lamb of the Passover, the unleavened bread with bitter herbs and to smear the blood of Christ on our doorpost. Observing the Passover spiritually means that our eyes are being enlightened to understand the mysteries of the kingdom of God and that we live a life of righteousness. All of this is done on the basis of the fact that the blood of Christ has purged our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. In spite of our wickedness and flaws, the Lord has chosen us and purged us of our sins so that we can worship him acceptably.

Heb 9:14  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

In verse 48, a distinction is made of circumcised and uncircumcised persons. Only circumcised persons can observe the Passover. Uncircumcised persons cannot participate in the Passover. We, the elect, are the circumcised who are admonished to come near to the Lord and observe the Passover. Circumcision signifies the doing away of the flesh which had dominated us in our earlier walk with Christ.

Rom 2:28  For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Rom 2:29  But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

The uncircumcised person is anyone who is dominated by the flesh. Such a person walks after the flesh. This is what walking after the flesh (uncircumcised) is all about:

Gal 5:19  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 
Gal 5:20  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 
Gal 5:21  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Exo 12:49  One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.

We, the strangers, are joined together with the homeborn through the law of the spirit of life which sets us free from the law of sin and death.

Rom 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Eph 2:11  Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
Eph 2:12  That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 
Eph 2:13  But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 
Eph 2:14  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Eph 2:15  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 
Eph 2:16  And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Exo 12:50  Thus did all the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they. 

It is through the Lord’s judgment of the ten plagues, culminating in the death of the firstborn, that we become obedient and therefore righteous. As indicated in verse 50, all the children of Israel obeyed the Lord’s commandment.

Isa 26:8  Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.
Isa 26:9  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

Exo 12:51  And it came to pass the selfsame day, that the LORD did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies. 

It is significant to note that the children of Israel came out of Egypt as the Lord’s army. We are the Lord’s army here in this world to serve the Lord and His interest.

Rev 19:14  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

As the Lord’s army, our fight is not against a physical enemy but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world and against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Rev 19:19  And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

The Lord has already given us all the weapons we need to prepare for this war of our lives.

Eph 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 
Eph 6:14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 
Eph 6:15  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 
Eph 6:16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 
Eph 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 
Eph 6:18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

We thank God for the opportunity to count us worthy to observe the Passover. Our prayer is that through the adherence to His guidelines regarding how we are to observe the Passover, we shall be presented blameless and faultless in His presence. Amen!!

The following bible study was given at Marshall, MI on April 23, 2006 by Mike Vinson

Make no mistake about it, we are at war!

Pro 20:18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

Pro 24:6 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.

Luk 14:31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
Luk 14:32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
Luk 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

All of these verses on how to “make war” are really just another way of saying this:

1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
1Co 12:14 For the body is not one member, but many.
1Co 12:15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
1Co 12:16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
1Co 12:17 If the whole body [were] an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole [were] hearing, where [were] the smelling?
1Co 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
1Co 12:19 And if they were all one member, where [were] the body?
1Co 12:20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
1Co 12:21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

After we get good counsel, we still have to be equipped to face our enemies:

Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Prison In Egypt and Time In Tarsus

But what are those who have just come to see that everything they have ever been taught is wrong? Are these brothers in Christ ready to do battle with the serpent himself? No, they certainly are not. So what are they to do? They are to wait until the Lord puts them in a position to do battle. Until that time there are several scriptural guidelines for what we are to be expected to do:

1Ti 5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.
1Ti 3:1 This [ is] a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
1Ti 3:2 (a) A bishop then must be blameless…
1Ti 3:4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
1Ti 3:5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
1Ti 3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

Paul, like Joseph, was given great promises at the very beginning of his walk with Christ:

Act 9:15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
Act 9:16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

This sounds vaguely familiar to the promises of rulership Joseph received. But just notice how else these two men’s lives are used to typify our experience:

Gen 37:2 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad [was] with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.
Gen 37:3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he [was] the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of [many] colours.
Gen 37:4 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.

And how old was Joseph when he came out of prison?

Gen 41:46 (a) And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Seventeen from thirty leaves us with 13 years in slavery in Egypt for Joseph. How old then was Saul when he was “separated unto the work God had for him?” We are not told Saul’s age, but we are told this about how many years Paul waited to be placed into a position to do battle for Christ

Gal 2:1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.

What is not told us in this verse is that Paul and Barnabas had spent the past year doing battle for Christ in traveling around the Mediterranean. So fourteen minus one is again 13 years in which Paul had done apparently little until He and Barnabas were “separated unto the work” the Lord had prepared for them. But even when we are prepared to do battle with “the whole armor of God”, we will still be faced with spiritual warfare when we least expect it:

2Pe 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

No Christian overtly denies Christ. What denying the Lord that bought them means is to deny any part of His doctrine:

2Pe 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
2Pe 2:3 And through covetousness shall t hey with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

2Pe 2:12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
2Pe 2:13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
2Pe 2:14 Having eyes full of [ spiritual] adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
2Pe 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

Jdg 1:11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

Jdg 1:16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.
Jdg 1:17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Jdg 1:18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
Jdg 1:19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
Jdg 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Jdg 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Rev 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

1Co 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.
1Co 5:2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
1Co 5:3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,
1Co 5:4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
1Co 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
1Co 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
1Co 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
1Co 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
1Co 5:9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
1Co 5:10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
1Co 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
1Co 5:12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
1Co 5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

How does it work when you “put away from among yourselves that wicked person?” Here is how it worked in Corinth:

2Co 2:4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.
2Co 2:5 But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.
2Co 2:6 Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.
2Co 2:7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
2Co 2:8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.
2Co 2:9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.
2Co 2:10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I [ forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;
2Co 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

1Ti 5:20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
1Ti 5:21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

“Another gospel which is not another…?” Most Christians cannot cope with such apparently contradictory statements. Such statements as these are throughout the New Testament. “I know you are Abraham’s seed… If you were Abraham’s children… The beast which is, which was and which is not… seeing they see not… let the dead bury their dead… she is dead while she liveth, bread from heaven is not the bread from heaven, Light within you becomes darkness”etc. etc.

How Christ’s Doctrine Is Perverted

Are these statements true?

“Coming out of Babylon is coming out of the flesh and into the spirit.”

“Only through grace can we have our eyes opened to see the need to do battle with the beast.”

These statements never mention the source that empowers the flesh and the beast.

It is this part of our struggle which so few are willing to face. Facing the beast is elementary. Facing the force which empowers the beast is an entirely different matter which our fellow Christians will not tolerate. This force has sons and daughters, and no one to this very day is willing to admit to being the son or daughter of this powerful force.

The flesh and the beast are forces to be reckoned with to the extent that it will require a ‘rod of iron’ to keep the flesh in line without the benefit of God’s spirit in that flesh both now and during the millennium. But the scripture tells us plainly that this beast is not our worst enemy. The way it is worded would lead one to believe that “flesh and blood” are not really that hard to control as compared to our real enemy who strengthens and empowers the beast:

Rev 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
Rev 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as [the feet] of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

“The dragon gives the beast his power and seat and great authority.” So who, then, is our true enemy? Against whom are we truly wrestling?

Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood [the beast within], but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].

Is Paul telling us that the flesh is not our enemy? Of course not! What he is pointing out to us is that if we think that flesh is Babylon, then we do not know who our real enemy is. “We wrestle not against flesh and blood.” Coming out of the “world” is coming out of Babylon. And coming out of Babylon is not coming out of the flesh. If it were, then there would be no need to even mention a second beast with “two horns LIKE a lamb but speaking like a dragon.”

Rev 13:11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

Our wrestling is “not against our flesh and blood beast. It is against another much more powerful creature. Our real struggle is on a spiritual level against a spirit world which gives our fleshly beast his power and his throne and great authority. Our real struggle is against the seed of the serpent. Our real struggle is against powers and principalities in the heavens. This is where the warfare is really being fought, and very few are even aware that the Adversary has always worked within God’s people to destroy God’s elect through the spirit world.

Cain was the son of Adam, who was the son of God:

Luk 3:38 Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.

Cain killed his brother whom God had honored above Cain.

It was Joseph’s brothers who would have killed Joseph, whom God had also honored above his brothers. Esau would have killed Jacob whom God had chosen while he was in his mother’s womb.

And Christ was slain by “those Jews which believed on Him.” And it is here where we finally find out who is and where is “the seed of the serpent?” It is here that we finally come to see where these “powers and principalities” are which are our real enemy who actually give our beast within “his power and throne and great authority.”

Rev 13:11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

The ‘earth’ is God’s own people, the church:

Jer 22:1 Thus saith the LORD; Go down to the house of the king of Judah, and speak there this word,
Jer 22:2 And say, Hear the word of the LORD, O king of Judah, that sittest upon the throne of David, thou, and thy servants, and thy people that enter in by these gates:

Jer 22:29 O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD

But ‘the earth’ is God’s people who want to kill all the prophets and saints who are sent to the church. Here is what Christ told “those Jews which believed on Him” but had no room for His word:”

Joh 8:44 Ye are [the seed of the serpent] of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

“Fathers” have children. That is why they are ‘fathers.’ Children are “seed.” The “seed of the serpent” is always in God’s church. Christ was speaking to “those Jews [of the ‘church in the wilderness’] which believed on Him.”

Joh 8:31 a) Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him…

Joh 8:37 I know that ye are Abraham’s seed [Christians – Gal 3:29]; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.

Joh 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

“When he speaks a lie, he speaketh of his own” just as “those Jews which believed on Christ” in His day were the church of His day, so those Christians who believe in Christ today “have no truth in them” when they teach contrary to His doctrine. Here is the scripture:

Isa 3:1 For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah [the church] the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water,

“The whole stay of bread and the whole stay of water” have been taken away from Babylon. Virtually every single doctrine they profess has been tainted with heresy. They don’t even really believe that Christ died for our sins. They believe that Christ or you or me are incapable of dying.

So what do those who are still in Babylon do to hide from themselves the fact that they are the rejected children of God? What they do is talk long and loud about ‘love’ and ‘Let’s just all love each other. Love is the great commandment. Why if we can’t all just love each other, then we don’t even know who Christ is.’ This is said most whenever someone notices that these ‘loving’ people have no use for the words of Christ.

This is the language of Babylon. The emphasis is on love and faith at the exclusion of all of the hundreds of admonitions to the effect that God Himself “chastens and scourges every son He receives.” Those who are still in Babylon talk about love and faith as if any scripture which plainly commands God’s elect to “purge out the old leaven” is something less than ‘love.’ And if anyone is so foolish as to point to all of the scriptures which admonish and command God’s chosen sons to “reject and mark and have no company with others who are “called brothers” but show no regard for “the doctrine of Christ,” that person is immediately labeled as a self-righteous heretic hunter. The seed of the serpent despises the mention of doctrine. ‘Love’ is all that matters. This is not the voice of the true shepherd. These very people who are trumpeting the virtues of ‘love’ at the expense of “the sum of thy Word” are the very ones who will “kill you thinking that they do God a service.” These are the people who hate the very mention of doctrine. To these people doctrine is opposed to love. This is especially true of doctrines like these:

Joh 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or [whether] I speak of myself.

1Co 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

2Th 3:14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

Tit 3:10 A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject;

“First and second admonition?” Shouldn’t that read “seventy times seven?” Wouldn’t that be more loving? No, putting the fornicator out of your midst is the most loving thing you can do for him. Yet simply ‘loving him and forgiving him seventy times seven is how many in Babylon think 1Co 5:11 should read. But a brother asking for forgiveness is not heresy, and heresy leavens the whole lump.

This constant banter about love without ever defining the word is the spirit of antichrist. This is the world of powers and principalities of which Christ and the apostle John and Paul and Peter and Jude all warn us:

1Jn 2:18 Little children, it is [2000 years ago] the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

“We know that it is the last time because there are many antichrists.” And what and where is this “power and principality” called Antichrist? According to Jesus Christ, the children of the serpent are those who believe on Him but in whom His words have no place. They are the children of their father, and when he speaks [through his children], there is no Truth in what he says. He speaks a lie even while he speaks of nothing but ‘love.’ Tax collectors and sinners loved Christ and could talk peaceably with Him. But there was one group with whom he was not welcome. Who was it that wanted to kill Christ? This is the real enemy we are up against today. This is the “powers and principalities” with whom we are really wrestling.” “We wrestle not with flesh and blood.” Those who wanted to kill Christ are the very same people who want to kill Christ today. Those who would kill Christ today are the “many antichrists” John spoke of which demonstrate that we are living in the last time. It is these “powers and principalities” we are most apt to be seduced by. They are a far greater threat to our salvation at this time than is our inward beast without their influence. Where are these powers and principalities” who want to kill Christ? Is it the “beast coming up out of the sea?” That is the beast which is our flesh. But no, it is not that first beast which wants to “devour the manchild who is to rule all nations with a rod of iron” dead. This is who wants to “devour the manchild as soon as it is born:”

Rev 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
Rev 12:4 (b) And the dragon [not the first beast] stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

Paul speaks concerning having put the fornicator out of their midst:

2Co 2:10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive [the fornicator] also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave [it], for your sakes [forgave I it] in the person of Christ;
2Co 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

All of this unfounded talk about love without any regard for what love is, is one of his devices. But those who know the voice of the true shepherd will always remember these words straight from the mouth of the true shepherd:

Luk 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

And those who know the voice of the true shepherd will also remember this verse whenever they hear a lot of talk about ‘love:’

1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

His commandments are His doctrine. Those who know the voice of the true shepherd do not see any lack of love in Christ’s doctrine and ‘love.’ As a matter of fact, it is only through His doctrine that true chastening love can be shown. It is only by “trying the spirits that we are able to properly show the love of Christ and “do the things which He says.”

1Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1Jn 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1Jn 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
1Jn 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1Jn 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
1Jn 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
1Jn 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
1Jn 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Despite the fact that few to none want to admit it, there is a ‘they’ and a ‘we’ in God’s church. ‘They’ talk ‘love’ and with the same mouth tell you to go kill your country’s enemies. ‘They’ talk ‘love’ and then as if Christ’s doctrine were unloving, they will tell you that to be loving, you do not judge the ‘tree’ by its fruit at all. They talk ‘love’, but they tell you that if you bother to “try the spirits” to see if it is “the doctrine of Christ,” then you are being judgmental and setting yourself up as a judge of others. They talk ‘love’ but cannot tell you how to discern the “spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”

2Jn 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
2Jn 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
2Jn 1:11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

All who want to ignore and play down these verses do so at their own risk. Christ does not take being ignored lightly:

Joh 8:37 I know that ye are Abraham’s seed [Christians – Gal 3:29]; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.

Luk 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Joh 8:26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.

[For more on this subject of waging spiritual warfare, you may like to read this article.]