Yes, folks, we are living in serious and sobering times and God always equips and prepares His Church Body for the times and seasons.
Now read on for much more in this prolific message from Nathan Shaw. (To Subscribe to the Elijah List subscribe here.)
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The word "Jezebel" has been used as a catch-all word to describe controlling forces and people. "Jezebel's" objective is to hinder and destroy God's purposes over individuals, churches, ministries and nations.
King Ahab and his Phoenician wife, Queen Jezebel, ruled the northern kingdom of Israel during the 9th century B.C. Ahab and Jezebel were ruthless. They would do whatever was necessary to get what they wanted, even if it meant destroying the inheritance of others (1 Kings 21:1-16). Ahab was the seventh Israelite king who "did evil in the eyes of the Lord," however, under Ahab and Jezebel the level of rebellion increased dramatically. Rebellion against God became entrenched in every arena of Israel's national life. Removing Jezebel's influence from the land involved much more than simply removing Jezebel.
It's easy to see the influence of "Jezebelic" forces today. They work systematically to distance nations from God. One of the major battles of our times is over the destiny of the United States of America. The reason is obvious. The outcome of this battle will set the world stage for decades to come. The battle is fierce and few understand what is necessary to remove Jezebel's influence from the land. This is not just an issue of casting out a demon, removing an evil influencer, or displacing a principality. The process of removing Jezebel's influence over ancient Israel is instructive for our times. There were five major steps in the overall process.
5 Steps That Removed Jezebel's Influence Over Israel
1. Elijah confronted Ahab (1 Kings 17:1).
It all began with a direct confrontation. Ahab had put his trust in the Phoenician god Baal. Baal had authority to bring rain. Elijah declared there would be no rain. In effect, Baal was rendered powerless. As a result Ahab lost spiritual control over the nation.
2. The prophets of Baal were confronted before the whole nation (1 Kings 18).
After three years of no rain the prophets of Baal were summoned by Elijah to call down fire on a sacrificial animal. If Baal answered with supernatural fire it would have reasserted his power and control over the nation. The prophets of Baal worked themselves up into a demonic frenzy. Regardless, Baal produced no rain and no fire. Elijah called on the Lord and immediately God answered with fire. A short time after it rained. The defeated prophets of Baal were killed. The removal of the prophets of Baal was hugely significant but it was still only one step in the process of removing Jezebel's influence.
3. King Ahab came under a strong delusion (1 Kings 22:1-40, 2 Thessalonians 2:11).
God decided it was time for Ahab to be removed. The prophet Micaiah was shown the heavenly council meeting in which the method of Ahab's removal was decided. One of the participants in the heavenly council offered to become a lying spirit in the mouths of all Ahab's prophets. God agreed. Ahab decided to take back the strategic Israelite city of Ramoth-Gilead from the king of Syria. Ahab gathered his prophets. There were about 400 of them, and they all prophesied his success in the battle. Only Micaiah prophesied the opposite. Ahab knew that Micaiah was a true prophet of God. Regardless, Ahab was under the influence of a strong delusion and believed the other prophets. Ahab went to battle and died when hit by a random arrow.
4. Ahab's son, King Ahaziah, died through an accident (2 Kings 1).
After Ahab's death, his son Ahaziah ruled in his place for two years. Jezebel continued to exert considerable influence during Ahaziah's reign (1 Kings 22:52-53). Ahaziah injured himself seriously when he fell from his upper room. Ahaziah sent messengers to inquire of Baal whether he would recover or not. The messengers were intercepted by Elijah who declared that Ahaziah would die. Ahaziah sent soldiers to get Elijah. The confrontation between the soldiers and Elijah was dramatic. Twice Elijah called down fire to protect himself. Ahaziah died from his injuries. Elijah was taken up to Heaven.
5. A new generation of freedom fighters rose up: prophets, kings and Israelites.
Ahaziah had no son so his brother, Jehoram, became king in his place. Jehoram ruled for twelve years. Jezebel had less influence under Jehoram's rule (2 Kings 3:2). During his reign a multi-layered series of events unfolded.
• Elisha received Elijah's mantle (2 Kings 2).
• Hazael was anointed as king of Syria (2 Kings 8:7-15).
• Jehoram was wounded in battle with Hazael (2 Kings 9:14-15).
• Jehoram withdrew to recover and left Jehu in charge of Israel's army.
• Jehu was anointed as king of Israel (2 Kings 9:1-13).
• Jehu killed Jehoram, Jezebel, all the descendants of Ahab, and all the worshipers of Baal (2 Kings 9:14-10:28).
Jezebel's influence was removed from Israel, but it was a dizzying process that played out over a long period of time and on multiple levels. Here were the main players:
• God's heavenly council (1 Kings 22:19-23).
• Elijah, Elisha and Micaiah: the prophets who stood in God's council (1 Kings 17:1, 18:15; 2 Kings 3:14, 5:16).
• Many unnamed prophets: the prophets who Jezebel killed, the 100 prophets who remained hidden in two caves (1 Kings 18:4), and the schools of prophets that were revitalized under Elijah and Elisha's ministries.
• 7,000 Israelites who refused to bow their knees to Baal (1 Kings 19:18). Their worship of Yahweh was an act of intercession for the nation.
• An unidentified member of God's heavenly council that became a lying spirit in the mouths of Ahab's prophets.
• A foreign king: Hazael, king of Syria.
• A new king: Jehu, king of Israel.
God's heavenly council acted and deliberated on behalf of the 7,000 Israelites who refused to bow their knees to Baal. Ahab and Jezebel were ruthless. The 7,000 who didn't bow their knees had resolve. It was the resolve of these everyday freedom fighters that determined the destiny of the nation!
The United States and Freedom in the Nations
In many ways Israel's battle parallels the battle over the destiny and future of the United States of America. The battle is fierce, confusing, messy, and complicated. To understand the times and respond correctly it is necessary to stand in God's council. Even though Elijah stood in God's council, his perspective became skewed when he got caught in the crossfire of the battle (1 Kings 19:1-18).
This battle is much bigger than casting out a demon, removing an evil influencer, or even displacing a principality. It is about removing Jezebel's pervasive influence from the land. Politics, education, music and creative media are major battlefields.
New sounds and strategies are being released from Heaven. They will carry the authority of decrees released from God's heavenly council. The battle is particularly fierce over the minds and hearts of the emerging generation. A new generation of freedom fighters, both young and old, will shift the battle and determine the outcome.
Nathan Shaw
Heart of David Ministries
Email: fireanddestiny@slingshot.co.nz
Website: www.heartofdavidministries.org
Nathan Shaw helps bring individuals and churches into dynamic encounters with God's indescribable love. Over the last twenty years he has been instrumental in ushering in significant moves of the Spirit in over ten different nations. Many have experienced life-changing prophetic encounters and dramatic visitations from God. Nathan is the author of two books: Passion and Fire and Unto the Least of These. Nathan is senior pastor at Fire and Destiny Centre, Dunedin and Celebration Church, Mosgiel.
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We're posting a couple of potent words on the Elijah List today about strongholds that have been rising in our own nation and the nations of the earth.
