Rabbi Gary's message on October 14, 2023 at Restoration Church, Valencia
Shalom Dear Friends,
Paul writes, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:10-20).
These words are a call to arms, a call to be prepared and equipped to respond to the inevitable encounter we will have with evil. Such evil, the likes of which we have not seen in decades has manifested itself by the horrific cruelty of Hamas and its collaborators.
Second, we are told that our battle is against "powers of this dark world," "spiritual forces of evil." Paul is clearly referring to demonic hosts of Satan. When Paul says, "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood," he is not saying that the struggle is never of a physical nature, not having anything to do on the human level. Instead, what he means is, our struggle is not only against flesh and blood. We do often have a physical and visible and human struggle. But over against this we are in a battle against an invisible and spiritual enemy, namely, the Evil One and his demonic forces.
While the Israelis bring the fight to the enemy on the ground and in the tunnels under the ground, those who know the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob can bring their prayers to the Living God in heaven above, who will destroy the works of the Evil One, and both protect and deliver His people Israel.
Rabbi Gary's message on October 14, 2023 at Restoration Church, Valencia
Shalom Dear Friends,
Paul writes, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:10-20).
These words are a call to arms, a call to be prepared and equipped to respond to the inevitable encounter we will have with evil. Such evil, the likes of which we have not seen in decades has manifested itself by the horrific cruelty of Hamas and its collaborators.
Second, we are told that our battle is against "powers of this dark world," "spiritual forces of evil." Paul is clearly referring to demonic hosts of Satan. When Paul says, "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood," he is not saying that the struggle is never of a physical nature, not having anything to do on the human level. Instead, what he means is, our struggle is not only against flesh and blood. We do often have a physical and visible and human struggle. But over against this we are in a battle against an invisible and spiritual enemy, namely, the Evil One and his demonic forces.
While the Israelis bring the fight to the enemy on the ground and in the tunnels under the ground, those who know the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob can bring their prayers to the Living God in heaven above, who will destroy the works of the Evil One, and both protect and deliver His people Israel.