Preparing for the Spiritual Battle of a Lifetime

The period leading up to the 2024 elections reminds us that there is a battle and one that a generation hasn’t seen in a long time if ever.  

We have Russia and China doing drills together and China is doing intimidation tactics against several nations. Russia isn’t done in the Ukraine yet. North Korea is making clear threats against South Korea. Our open borders have released gangs into our nation that are operating at the highest level in history. Countries are banning together to destabilize national currencies.

AI technologies are being weaponized and a lot of people believe that the UAP’s are spy devices if not weaponized drones. There is a war against the identity of humanity whether its in the gender and sexual identity wars of LGBTQ people or the war in education and indoctrination to socialism and other types of ideologies that destroy kingdom minded thinking. We live in a very troubling time. 

“For our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” The enemy is on the move and there is a looming atmosphere of “disorder.” (Eph. 6:12).

Though we aren’t facing the Gog and Magog battle as described in Ezekiel 38 for the end of the age, there’s a palpable spirit of conflict, reminiscent of warlike endeavors of a great world war or a war that can affect a lot of the globe’s stability.

Prophetically, I know that there are EMPs ready on subs. I see in the Spirit hackers infiltrating our infrastructure already ready to strike, reminiscent of the wiles of the serpent in Genesis 3. In the midst of this, God desires to usher in an era of stability. 

We are seeing a shaking going on that is very unique in activity, but very normal in the schemes of the enemy that we have seen throughout history. Some of this shaking going on where agendas that were in the underbelly of political parties, nations and companies are now visible and not working. Where there is a satanic event happening right now where the enemy desires to do a great “reset” to set the earth up for his demonic agenda, we have to see as Christians that the Father is setting up the Earth for the great return of Jesus and greater is He who is in you, than is in the world right now. 

I keep seeing an open door in the heavens. It’s an open door for 2024. 

As 2024 dawns, it’s as if Revelation 3:8 unfolds before us: “I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut.” A door for us is opening, an opportunity to come out from under the shaking by standing in faith on the rock who is Jesus. This isn’t just parabolic, but there are tangible opportunities that are going to open up to stabilize the world through Christians and sound mindedness. 

Yet, this divine intervention coexists with tumult. Tumult means a loud confused noise, especially one caused by a large mass of people.

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The enemy is loud right now and creating noise to bring deception and distractions in surging waves, with political subterfuge reminiscent of the treachery in Judges, where each person “did what was right in his own eyes.”

But there is a door opening for the church that has never been opened this way before. Because of the confusion, because of the division in political parties, national relationships, businesses, even church denominations, there are new openings and doorways into places of culture and influence, to apprehend media and technology, and to gain wealth that just weren’t open before political parties were duking it out and before billionaires were distracted with their problems that we will see arise even more specifically next year. 

While all hell is breaking out in the world, God is going to be raising up a lot of new people, new faces of influence, new authorities and pastors and leaders that have been being prepared. We are going to watch some people get anointed for Christianity to be a voice of sanity in the wilderness. Some Josephs who will be the safe place for believers who are being reduced by famine to come and get help from. Some Joshua’s who see the promised land and are being commissioned to lead people into it. 

As we stand on the precipice of potential upheaval, how do we arm ourselves? Preparing in the physical realm is crucial. Engage with your community, align with local relief organizations, whether you look up the fire department’s plan for disaster relief in your city or a Christian relief center. Equip yourself with knowledge, echoing Proverbs 4:7, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom.”

There is a key though, we are prepared as we arm ourselves with God’s dynamic weaponry to fight this battle. 

“For although we live in the natural realm, we don’t wage a military campaign employing human weapons, using manipulation to achieve our aims. Instead, our spiritual weapons are energized with divine power to effectively dismantle the defenses behind which people hide. We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One. Since we are armed with such dynamic weaponry, we stand ready to punish any trace of rebellion, as soon as you choose complete obedience” (2 Cor. 10:3-6, TPT).

One of the keys to fighting with God’s power is to consecrate ourselves for it. Joshua told his people before they went into the land of promise to do this: Joshua 3:5, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” Dedicate your heart and spirit, fortifying yourself in His Word and His promises. 

To Christian believers, the term “consecrate” generally means to dedicate or set apart someone or something for a sacred purpose. Its roots come from Latin, where “con-” means “together” and “sacrare” means “to make sacred.” Over the centuries, this term has maintained its religious significance.

In Christian contexts, “consecrate” is often used in several ways but I want to focus on personal dedication like what Joshua was encouraging:

1. Personal Dedication: Individual believers consecrate themselves to God, meaning they dedicate their lives to follow and serve Him. This is not just a one-time act but often a daily surrendering of one’s life and will to God. Romans 12:1 speaks to this: “I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” 

2. Consecration of Time: This can be seen in the practice of observing the Sabbath or dedicating specific times for prayer, fasting, and other spiritual disciplines. It’s a way of setting apart specific times as holy and dedicated to spiritual reflection or connection with God.

God has got you. He has weapons of spiritual warfare for you so that you can not be battered by all the war waves of the enemy but can thrive in your Christian faith, family and life. The gospel has worked for over 2000 years and there is power in it today. Its not just a series of principles to help you weather a storm, it is a powerful battle guide to help arm you with faith and empower you to rise above and bring God’s manifest presence and power to situations in your life and the world around you. 

If there is war or not, you are fighting on a different battlefield because Jesus is your commander and He will be with you.

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Shawn Bolz is a TV and podcast host, an author, producer and a Christian minister. He has been leading conversations in the church, entertainment industry and in social justice that have helped believers connect their faith to culture in a transformative way. Shawn’s deeply connected yet humorous style of speaking, media hosting & coaching through his unique expert perspective has brought him around the world to meet with churches, CEO’s, entertainers and world leaders. To find out more, listen to his full podcast on The Shawn Bolz Show with Shawn Bolz: https://sites.libsyn.com/412208.