"Marshal your troops, O city of troops, for a siege is laid against us. They will strike Israel's ruler on the cheek with a rod....Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem...from two years old and under...." (Mic. 5:1 & Mt 2:16)
Matthew then proceeds to quote Jeremiah 31:15, "A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because her children are no more." Our text and the article below reflect the "age old strife," what M.R. DeHaan once called, "The Conflict of the Ages." Satan and his demonic hordes declared "combat" the moment they rebelled against, "This One,... born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." This would lead Paul to write decades later, "For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness...."
From the beginning Satan has been seeking opportunity to "bruise His heel." Herod was simply one of endless numbers of "despotisms" and "powers,.. masters spirits" who are still attempting to put an end to the purposes of The Living Triune God. But, alas, to no avail. They seem to take little note of the reality that "This One" is He Who is "from the days of eternity." The end of Satan and his willing disciples was sealed at the Cross, the tomb, the descent into the abode of the dead, the resurrection. "He will crush (overwhelm, break) his head!"
The language of our text is "combat" language. But though the "combat" rages today in the seen and the unseen realms, the victory was sealed in Jesus' Blood, Who, "sacrificed for...sins once for all when He offered Himself." This Christmas Season do not just go to Bethlehem. Go to a cross outside Jerusalem. Go to the empty tomb where,
"He arose a victor from the dark domain
And He lives forever with His saints to reign."
This is, "Joy to the world." Now, Earth,----------- "Receive [your] King!"
Father, in Jesus' Name, I am increasingly overwhelmed with Your Power, Grace, Mercy, and Love. Amen.
Click Here>> Open Doors USA: Email - Weekly Prayer Alert - "One Hundred Days of Combat" in North Korea
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Prophetic News: www.antipasprayerforce.blogspot.com
When 18 year old Peter Torjesen "heard the call to evangelize China, he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
