Biblically, the number four is made up of three and one (3+1=4), and it denotes, therefore, and marks that which follows the revelation of God in the Trinity, namely, His creative works. For God is known by the things that are seen. Therefore, the written revelation begins with the words, "In the beginning God CREATED." Creation is therefore, the next thing- the fourth thing, and the number four always refer to all that is created. It is emphatically the number of Creation; of man in his relation to the world as created; yet the number six is the number of man in his opposition to and independence of God.
The fourth day saw the material creation finished (for on the fifth and sixth days it was only the furnishing of peopling of the earth with living creature, (See Genesis Chapter 1). The sun, moon, and stars completed the work, and they were to give light upon the earth which had been created, and to rule over the day and over the night (Gensis 1:14-19).
Now four is the number of the great elements - earth, air, fire and water.
Four are the regions of the earth - north, south, east and west.
Four are the divisions of the day - morning, noon, evening, and midnight.
Four are the seasons of the year - spring, summer, winter and fall.
Four are the great variations of the lunar phases.
Equally, they are four heads of animal creation: the lion, of wild beasts; the ox of tame beasts,; the eagle of birds; and man the head of all. Once again, we have four divided into 3+1: three animal and one human.
We may also note, the fourth Commandment is the first that refers to the earth. While the fourth clause of the Lord's Prayer is the first that mentions the earth.
For the purpose of this post, I would like to draw from the events which took place in World War II in 1945 and used them metaphorically as an abstract of the attacks administered by Satan to destroy and hinder the believer.
In 1945, President Harry S. Truman authorized the release of "little boy" and the "fat man" (atom bombs) on Hiroshima and Nagaski, to show himself strong over Japan. The goal of the weapons were to convince Japan to surrender unconditionally in accordance with the Potsdam Declaration. The Potsdam Declaration is a statement calling for the Surrender of Japan in World War II. The ultimatium stated that, if Japan did not surrender it would face "prompt and utter destruction".
Within the first two to four months of the bombing, the acute effects killed 90,00-166,000 people in Hiroshima and 60,000 - 80,000 in Nagaski, with half of the deaths occuring on the first day of each city. Hiroshima's health department estimated that 60% of the people died from flash or flame burns.
Six days after the denotation over Nagasaki, on August 15, Japan announced it's surrender to the Allied Powers, signing the Declaration of Surrender on September 2, offically ending the World War II. While assessing where to drop the bombs, Hiroshima was described as an "important" army depot and port of embarkation in the middle of an industrial area. It was a good radar target and it is such a large part of the city it could be damaged, extensively. The hills which were adjacent were likely to produce a focusing effect which would increase the blast, considerably.
During the selection the Target Committee stated that "It was agreed that psychological factors in the target selection were of great importance." Namely, two aspects of this were (1) obtaining the greatest psychological effect against Japan and (2) making the initial use so spectacular for the importance of the weapon to be internationally recognized when publicity on its release.
As I contemplated the effects of the atomic bombs released on Hiroshima and Nagaski, it reminded me of satan. For it is the goal of satan to launch a weapon with such force that it alienates the entire conciousness of man.
The enemy's weapons are designed and strategically aligned to attack us in areas of weakness and where it causes the most damage. It is his goal to disarm the power of our testimonies, which attest to the goodness of God openly and publicly. So, he uses weapons of warfare to stiffle us with trials, adversity, life pressure, sickness and poverty.
Whereby, he believes he shows himself superior to man, with his feeble attempts to make us a mockery before God, with lies and deceit. Just as the Target Committee of 1945 strategically selected the areas where the bombs would cause the most devastation, he formulates the same plan to destroy us. He uses the following weapons against us:
stress
anxiety
fear
worry
doubt
depression
helplessness
hoplessness
financial lack
sickness
lonliness
negative thoughts
guilt
shame
low-self esteem
no-self esteeem, etc.
All of these things are satan devices to hinder our walk with God. We become engrossed with the effects of the mushroom cloud, as a result of the atom bomb, we succuumb to life's pressure and are competely immbolized. But God said (1 Cor 10:13):
13The temptation in your life is no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
Unlike President Truman, God will not allow the enemy weapons to destroy you. No! They just won't work.
Many of us are wallowing from the effects of satan's bomb, right now. The pressures of life we face last year, are before us again this year. We have become defenseless and are ready to sign our own Potsdam Declaration of surrender. We've forgotten how to E.B.A.T. satan with the four elements of faith: Expectation, Belief, Action and Trust.
The book of Hebrews provide (Hebrews 11:6):
6It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.
When was the last time you used the four elements of faith? If so, were you able divert the bomb, so that it wouldn't fall on you? Did you trust in the Word of God and apply His Word to your circumstance by saying: "No weapon formed against me, shall prosper."
When your car note was due, and you didn't know how to pay it. And, you got a call from your lienholder, saying they are going to pick the car up tomorrow. What did you do? Did you E.B.A.T, the circumstance through the Word of God? Or, did you allow the enemy to attack your thoughts with his weapon of mass destruction, causing you to stress and worry?
What about that business you want to open? Are you believing the lies, being told to you by negative people that "you don't know the first thing about business"? What about that new home you want to buy? Do you believe your friends, when they say: "you will never afford this type of house on your income?"
See, all these things are weapons of the enemy to keep our testimonies of being non-effect. If our lives does not speak of the goodness of God, as well as show forth His goodness, we become as sounding brass. Making loud noises, which does not produce fruit, because their is no spirit in them.
Today, many of us feel like we are under the hand of the enemy. We are experiencing situations, which we believe are as deadly as the U.S. attack on Hiroshima and Nagaski. You believe any day now, the bomb is going to drop and it will competely wipe you out. Thereby, you don't (e)xpect God to act, neither do you (b)elieve Him to act, you won't to put your faith to (a)ction so He can act, you fail to (t)rust Him that He will act.
In Isaiah 54:17(New Living Translation), the Lord provides:
17But in the coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken!
Further the Lord provides in Isaiah 59:19 (King James Version):
19So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.
Based on the Word of God, we should "(e)bat" away all the tricks of the enemy, and operate on the four elements of faith: Expectation, Belief, Action and Trust. Whereby we won't be caught defenseless like the Japanese in Hiroshima or Nagaski. For by the power of His Word, we will be able to dodge the bombs that Satan deliberately drop in our lives to cause, frustration, aggravation and devastation. But, even if the bomb should fall and explode, God still has a way of turning around what satan meant for our destruction, to work for our good.
In one of my former posts, I wrote about the Centurion (Roman) Officer, whose servant was sick unto death and he petition Jesus to heal his servant. Let's review the portion of scriptures found in the book of Luke, Chapter 7:
6"Lord don't trouble yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honor.
7I am not even worthy to come and meet you. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soliders. I need only to say 'Go', and they go, or 'Come,' and they come. And if I say to my slaves, 'Do this, and they do it."
Now let's take a look at the four elements (E.B.A.T.) of faith utilized by the Centurion Officer:
1. "I am not even worthy to come and meet you. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed" = EXPECTATION!
You see the Centurions 1st element of faith came with expectation. He expected Jesus to act, when he said "just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.
2. "I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soliders" = BELIEF!
The Centurion 2nd element of faith came with belief. He knew that as an Officer himself, and having authoirty over his own soliders, he knew when he asked them to act, they had to act.
3. "I need only to say "Go" and they go go, or 'Come,'and they come" = ACTION!
The Centurion 3rd element of faith came with action. He knew that as an Officer he knew he only had to speak and his soliders would perform.
4. And if I say to my slaves, 'Do this, and they do it" = TRUST!
The Centurions 4th element faith came with trust. For, he believed that as a superior officer, if he asked his slaves to do something, he had confidence and trust it would be done.
We all can learn from this great example of faith, as displayed by the Centurion. For Jesus, himself, was amazed by the faith of the Centurion that He proclaimed He had found no greater faith in all of Israel.
We all can learn something from the Centurion and take control of our situations, by (e) batting, satan out of lives. How do we do this? First, we start by expecting God to change things in our lives. Second, we believe His Word inspite of our circumstances and what we perceive. Third, it is just not enough that we know of His Word and believe it to be true. We must act on His Word, like our very lives depend on upon it (and it does). Lastly, we must trust God to do as He said He will do in His Word. For where there is no trust, there is certainly no relationship. Even when the odds are against you. You must trust that He will come through for you.
So, start today! (e)Bat satan away from your circumstances. If you do, trust me, you'll hit a home run!
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