special report the armor of god and ten spiritual warfare weapons

38 Pages·2013·0.99 MB·English

by  Jonas Clark

SPECIAL REPORT

THE ARMOR OF GOD
AND TEN SPIRITUAL WARFARE WEAPONS
by Apostle Jonas Clark

The Apostle Paul built an apostolic church in Ephesus. Paul is our best example of a five-
fold ascension gift apostle because his calling was after the resurrection of Christ. Paul
built the Ephesus church after meeting twelve disciples of John the Baptist. Paul asked
them, “Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?”1 They had not heard
about this so Paul laid his hands on them and they were baptized in the Holy Ghost,
spoke with other tongues, and prophesied (Acts 19:1-7). This enduement of Holy Ghost
power was foundational in the building of one of the greatest churches the world had ever
seen (Acts 1:8). The church in Ephesus was a governing church with a governing people.
These believers had to be equipped with the armor of God.

Paul taught about the spiritual warfare they would face and how to prepare for it. You too
need to know about the spiritual warfare you will face and how to prepare for it. Here is
what Paul taught,

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armor of God that ye may be able to stand against the
wiles of the devil. 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. Wherefore take unto you

1 This meeting was twenty years after the resurrection of Christ.
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© (2013).(2) Apostle Jonas Clark, Spirit of Life Ministries, Hallandale, Fl. www.JonasClark.com
the whole armor of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,
and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about
with truth, 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.”
(Ephesians 6:10-19)

Paul makes it clear the spiritual warfare battles you face are not against flesh and blood
(people) but rather a hierarchy of demonic powers such as, principalities, powers, rulers
of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in high places. The Living Bible describes these
satanic forces as “persons without bodies.” In other words, they are spirits.
Notice there is a hierarchy of demonic powers.

What is a demonic hierarchy?

A demonic hierarchy is a series of ordered groupings, or ranks of demonic powers within
a system. Satan’s kingdom, demonic powers within a system, is highly organized.

Before Satan fell he led a third of God’s angels into rebellion and they were all cast out of
heaven together.2 These fallen angels became the rulers of the darkness of this world
ruling from high places with specific assignments and territorial responsibilities. Through
these dark leaders Satan set up a rival kingdom that would oppose Christ, his servants,
and the advancement of the Kingdom of God. According to Paul these demonic forces

2 “And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth…” (Revelation 12:4)
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© (2013).(2) Apostle Jonas Clark, Spirit of Life Ministries, Hallandale, Fl. www.JonasClark.com
rule from high places. High places, (Greek epouranios), is the same word for heavenly
places. These heavenly places are known as commanding heights. Occupying the
commanding heights overlooking the battlefield was vital to winning the war when
cannons were the main arms in warfare. As a military strategy high places offered an
advantage over the enemy. These heavenly places are realms in the spirit where Satan’s
regime governs.3

Heaven and Heavenly Places

There are more heavens than the one we usually think about. It is clear in Scripture there
are several heavens. These heavenly places are seats of governing authority. The apostle
Paul wrote of a man caught up into the third heaven. If there is a third heaven there must
be a first and second.

“I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I
cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such
an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in
the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was
caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not
lawful for a man to utter.” (2 Corinthians 12:2-4)

This third heaven is the dwelling place of God Almighty. There is much in the word of
God about heaven and heavenly places. It should be clear that Christ is seated far above
all heavens and is seated at the right hand of God having spoiled principalities and
powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them” (Colossians 2:15,
Ephesians 1:20; 4:10).

3 See Luke 4:5. Through Adam’s rebellion he forfeited control of these kingdoms to Satan.
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© (2013).(2) Apostle Jonas Clark, Spirit of Life Ministries, Hallandale, Fl. www.JonasClark.com
Because you are seated together with Christ in heavenly places you too have the victory
(Ephesians 2:6). Jesus said, “I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give
unto you power (authority) to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of
the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not,
that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in
heaven,” the seat of Christ’s governing authority (Luke 10:18-20).4 In other words, spirits
are subject to you because you are seated together with Christ, “above all the heavens,”
with delegated spiritual authority, and can’t be harmed by any demonic power.

War in the Heavens
During times of spiritual warfare you might feel alone, but you’re not. God’s angels are
fighting with you! If you could pull back the curtain and see into the realm of the spirit,
you would discover there is a war taking place in the heavens.
There are many holy angels making up the army of the Lord, but only two mentioned by
name in Scripture, Gabriel and Michael. Gabriel is mentioned as one of God’s special
messengers bringing understanding of God’s word (Daniel 8:16). Michael is described as
“one of the chief princes” (Daniel 10:13), “your prince” (Daniel 10:21), “the great
prince” (Daniel 12:1), and “the archangel” (Jude 1:9). He is a leader of God’s armies
(Revelation 12:7) and the guardian of Israel (Daniel 12:1).
Michael is an archangel, meaning one chief in rank and authority. He can be likened to a
general of God’s army. He is a warring archangel and defender of the Kingdom of God.
Satan and his angels once attempted a coup d'état against God, but Michael and his army
of angels cast them out of the third heaven to the earth. The third heaven is the seat of
God’s governing authority, the commanding heights. This place is “far above all
heavens.”

4 Notice Christ said “because your names are written in heaven,” not the Lamb’s Book of Life. This scripture is
about positional and delegated spiritual authority.
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© (2013).(2) Apostle Jonas Clark, Spirit of Life Ministries, Hallandale, Fl. www.JonasClark.com
“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon;
and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place
found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent,
called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into
the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 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.” (Revelation 12:7-10)
The Book of Daniel gives insight of spiritual warfare in heavenly places. While Daniel
fasted and prayed for 21 days there was a war in the heavens to stop revelation from
getting through to him. During this time of prayer he got a visit from Jesus, The Lord of
Hosts.
“Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen,
whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: His body also was like the beryl,
and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his
arms and his feet like in color to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the
voice of a multitude. And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were
with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to
hide themselves. Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there
remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption,
and I retained no strength. Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the
voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the
ground.” (Daniel 10:5-9)
Some don’t see Jesus as a warrior, yet Scripture describes him as “a man of war” (Exodus
15:3) and “captain of the armies of God” (Joshua 5:14). As Lord of Host, Jesus sent an
angel to help Daniel understand the vision.
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© (2013).(2) Apostle Jonas Clark, Spirit of Life Ministries, Hallandale, Fl. www.JonasClark.com
“And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon
the palms of my hands. And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly
beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for
unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I
stood trembling. Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first
day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself
before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But
the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but,
lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there
with the kings of Persia.” (Daniel 10:10-13)
As already said, this is a picture of heavenly warfare during Daniel’s prayer. This
angel is not named, but is probably Gabriel. He described spiritual opposition from
the “prince of the kingdom of Persia” battling against him for 21 days until
Michael came and helped.
It’s important for the spiritual warrior to understand this heavenly battle was about
stopping understanding from getting through to Daniel. You will experience the
same. Scripture says, “It is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom
of heaven” (Matthew 13:11). The mysteries of the kingdom include revelation or
rhema of the Word of God. Jesus said, “It is written, That man shall not live by
bread alone, but by every word (rhema) of God” (Luke 4:4). There are two Greek
words used when you read word in the Bible. One is logos, and the other rhema.
Logos is black ink on white paper. Rhema is life giving revelation. It’s revelation
of Christ and His Word that makes all the difference in your life. This is the reason
for most of the spiritual warfare you will face. There is a great lesson for you in
Daniel. Don’t stop praying, angels are fighting with you, and breakthrough is on
the way!

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© (2013).(2) Apostle Jonas Clark, Spirit of Life Ministries, Hallandale, Fl. www.JonasClark.com
What is Spiritual Warfare?

According to Jessie Penn-Lewis, author of War on the Saints in collaboration with the
famous Welsh revivalist Evan Roberts, spiritual warfare is wrestling against the powers
of darkness and is part of the Christian’s governing authority. She wrote, “It is only
possible to wrestle against the powers of darkness by the spirit. It is a spiritual warfare,
and can only be understood by the spiritual man, that is, a man who lives by and is
governed by his spirit.”5

Paul also taught what it takes to “withstand in the evil day.” That evil day is your day of
spiritual warfare. It’s your day for wrestling. Wrestling is a close contact sport. For
spiritual conflict Paul said you needed spiritual armor. God gives you his armor to fight
with and not to run.

Spiritual opposition can take on many different forms. Remember that spiritual warfare is
waged in the spirit realm. This is what Paul wanted to make sure you understood. That
means you can’t fight back through the use of carnal weapons of education, intellect,
reasoning, or emotional intelligence (IQ or EQ), but must learn how to use God given
spiritual weapons. “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
strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).

What is the Armor of God?

The armor of God is worn by spiritual warriors. The apostle Paul spoke of putting on the
whole armor of God. Observe he made sure people knew it was God’s armor they were to
cloth themselves with. Paul described the armor of God like this:

5 Lewis, Jessie-Penn (1912). War on the Saints, Bournemouth, Hants, England: The Overcomer Book Room.
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© (2013).(2) Apostle Jonas Clark, Spirit of Life Ministries, Hallandale, Fl. www.JonasClark.com
 Belt of truth
 Breastplate of righteousness
 Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace
 Shield of faith
 Helmet of salvation
 Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God

Notice the words truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and Word of God. These
words make up the armor of God and are all necessary aids to victory on the battlefield.

ARMOR OF GOD DEFINITIONS

Belt of Truth

To win spiritual battles requires the belt of truth. Christ said, “Let your loins be girded
about and your lights burning” (Luke 12:35). The first piece of the armor of God is the
belt of truth. Scripture says, “Having your loins girt about with truth” (Ephesians 6:14).
Today a belt is used to hold up your pants. In Apostle Paul’s day people wore a loose
fitting garment similar to a tunic that extended down to their hips or knees. Around this
tunic they wore a leather belt. A Roman soldier would not want a loose fitting tunic
getting in his way during battle so he made sure to gird up his loins or to tighten up his
belt.

Girding up your loins with truth means to make yourself ready for battle.

Tightening up your belt is something you do before the fight. God told Jeremiah, “Gird
up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at
their faces, lest I confound thee before them” (Jeremiah 1:17).
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© (2013).(2) Apostle Jonas Clark, Spirit of Life Ministries, Hallandale, Fl. www.JonasClark.com
Notice girding up the loins was a precursor before Jeremiah could begin his assignment.
Girding yourself with truth requires you to know the truth. Paul told his spiritual son
Timothy, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Jesus said, “If ye continue
in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth
shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).

Every spiritual warrior prepares himself before going to battle. Meditation on the word of
God is the best and fastest way to get ready.

“With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy
commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin
against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. With my
lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the
way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy
precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy
statutes: I will not forget thy word” (Psalms 119:10-16)

The belt of truth also surrounds your loins. The loins are your reproductive region, the
place of conception, and birthing new things. When God spoke to Abraham he said, “I
am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of
thee and kings shall come out of thy loins” (Genesis 35:11). When your loins are girded
about with truth you can expect revelation of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven
(Matthew 13:11).

Breastplate of Righteousness

Before going to battle, strap on God’s breastplate of righteousness. The breastplate of
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© (2013).(2) Apostle Jonas Clark, Spirit of Life Ministries, Hallandale, Fl. www.JonasClark.com
righteousness is only available to the sons of God. John wrote, “But as many as received
him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his
name” (John 1:12). As a Christian you can count on this armor for protection in the heat
of battle.

You already know we have no righteousness of our own and can’t work your way into
right standing with God. Biblical righteousness is only imparted to the repentant of sins
and through faith in Christ’s redeeming blood on the cross at Calvary.

“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being
witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God
which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for
there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of
God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in
Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (atonement for
sin) through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the
remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare,
I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier
of him which believeth in Jesus.” (Romans 3:21-26)

Going through spiritual warfare is not fun, that’s why it includes hardship, trial, and
tribulation. James said, “Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing
this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work,
that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (James 1:2-4). So we learn the
breastplate of righteousness is only available to us through the redeeming blood of Christ,
is cast in faith, and tried by fire (1 Peter 1:7).

God imputed righteousness to Abraham because of faith. Abraham was called the friend
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© (2013).(2) Apostle Jonas Clark, Spirit of Life Ministries, Hallandale, Fl. www.JonasClark.com