#spiritualforces

[youngdisciples]

“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 6:12

If we read our verse today, we get to be ushered into an image of war. Even if we don’t like it, we have to face the fact that our lives are an ongoing battle. We have battles inside us that we are always trying to win, and we have external wars that we are also trying to win. Now, Paul wants to center our minds into the right thinking about who we are our enemies. Paul wants to remind us and to carefully clear to us that we are struggling not against flesh and blood, but against all the forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 

Yes, we got a lot of enemies lurking in the corners. We even have literal enemies, it might be someone we know, or someone we hate over the past few years, or just someone who loves to destroy our day. However, we have to understand that those are not just our enemies, our real enemies are the spiritual forces that will try to destroy both our flesh and our spirit. After all, the Bible reminded us to not be afraid of someone who can only destroy our bodies, but be afraid of someone who can destroy both our bodies and souls. Thus, we have to always remember that everyone is actually struggling with their own small battles and external war. 

All of us are trying to win day by day against all our anxieties, all our worries, all the forces that are whispering in our ears that we are not enough, and to all the forces that are trying to take us away from Christ. So, we must understand that we are saved by grace through faith. We are saved because of Christ, we are now freed from the bondage of sin and death. So, our enemies will always try to take us away and enslave us again. After all, we are saved and have been given a new spirit, but our desires are still there. Therefore, we must always look forward or look straight to Christ and hold on to His promises that He will always be there, and He will guide us. 

Again, our struggles are not against flesh and blood, but against the forces of all evil. The evil will try to take us away from Christ again and want to take over our lives again. However, we must take up the full armor of God, and abide in Him to fight these battles and external war. Let us always put in our minds that we will only win against these evil forces through Christ, for He is our strength and our victory. May we put our hope in Him, and always focus our minds on Him.

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[eli-kittim]

Are the So-Called “gods” of the Old Testament Angels or Men?

By Author Eli Kittim 🎓

“Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, you are

gods'? “ (Jn 10.34).

Are the gods Human?

First, whatever the exegesis might be, and regardless of the diverse interpretations, it is certainly NOT the case that we’re all gods, equal to Jesus and God the father, the co-creators (Jn 1.1-3; Heb. 1.1-2).

That is not the authorial intent of the term “gods” in Jn 10.34, nor Jesus’ explanation of it, where he actually appeals to the Old Testament terminology regarding the “sons of god” (vv. 34-36) in order to apply it to his particular status as the unique Son of God (Υἱὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ SBLGNT).

Second, the notion that the term “gods” refers to men is refuted by both the Masoretic and LXX texts which suggest that these are rulers and powers in God’s kingdom, namely, the angelic host. For instance, in Genesis 6.2, “the sons of god” (בְנֵי־ ḇə·nê הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm) are clearly fallen angels.

Third, Ephesians 3.10 speaks of “rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6.12 says:

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 1.21 differentiates Jesus (God) from all other heavenly powers, indicating that he’s “above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” These then are the rulers and powers in high places, the sons of Elohim who are called “gods” in Ps 82.6, not men.

Psalm 82

The Greek text of the Septuagint from the LCL Brenton edition/“translation” of Psalm 82 (Ps. 81 LXX) reads as follows:

1 Ο ΘΕΟΣ ἔστη ἐν συναγωγῇ θεῶν, ἐν μέσῳ δὲ θεοὺς διακρινεῖ. . . . 6 ἐγὼ εἶπα· θεοί ἐστε καὶ υἱοὶ ῾Υψίστου πάντες· 7 ὑμεῖς δὲ ὡς ἄνθρωποι ἀποθνή��κετε καὶ ὡς εἷς τῶν ἀρχόντων πίπτετε. 8 ἀνάστα, ὁ Θεός, κρίνων τὴν γῆν, ὅτι σὺ κατακληρονομήσεις ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ἔθνεσι.

NRSV translation

1 God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: . . . 6 I say, "You are gods, children of the Most High, all of you; 7 nevertheless, you shall die like mortals, and fall like any prince." 8 Rise up, O God, judge the earth; for all the nations belong to you!

First, notice that just like the angelic host who are called “sons of God” in Gen. 6.2, in Ps. 82 the term “gods” does not imply deity but rather being “children of the Most High” (v. 6) or υἱοὶ ῾Υψίστου (LXX). Second, if they are in fact “gods,” divine as it were, why then will they “die like mortals” (v. 7)? That would contradict their divine status. What is more, the text DOES NOT say that they ARE mortals, but that they will die AS IF they were mortals. The text seems to be addressing the evil angelic host that rebelled against God the most high. Besides, if they were in fact mortals, why would they die “like” mortals? The analogy only works if they were something other than mortals and are being compared to mortals. You don’t say to a mortal that you’re going to die like a mortal. That’s a given if he’s a mortal. You can only use this language if the person is something other than a mortal.

Question: So if these beings are neither divine nor mortal, then what are they?

Answer: part of the angelic hierarchy of rulers and powers.

The clue is given in the very first verse of Psalm 82:

Ο ΘΕΟΣ ἔστη ἐν συναγωγῇ θεῶν, ἐν μέσῳ

δὲ θεοὺς διακρινεῖ (LXX).

Translation:

God has taken his place in the divine

council; in the midst of the gods he holds

judgment.

Question: When did God Almighty ever summon the judges & rulers of Israel in his presence for a divine council?

Answer: Never!

The phrase συναγωγῇ θεῶν (divine council; in the midst of the gods) can only refer to heavenly places. Thus, the idea that the term “gods” refers to men is unwarranted and without merit!

It’s also important to note that the use of the word “gods” as a reference to human beings in the Old Testament is rare.

God versus gods: Elohim versus elohim

The language of 1 Chronicles 5.25 is one which pits “God” against “gods,” which in the Hebrew language is actually Elohim versus elohim. Since Biblical Hebrew is an “aspectual” language, it’s the *context* that determines the meaning:

But they transgressed against the God

[Elohim] of their ancestors, and prostituted

themselves to the gods [elohim] of the

peoples of the land, whom God [Elohim]

had destroyed before them.

The Septuagint sets it up as the God of their fathers (ἐν Θεῷ/ὁ Θεὸς πατέρων αὐτῶν) versus the gods of the peoples of the earth (θεῶν τῶν λαῶν τῆς γῆς).

In 2 chron. 32.17, “the Lord the God of Israel [Yahweh Elohim]” or the “God [Elohim] of Hezekiah” is pitted against the “gods [elohim] of the nations.” The LXX distinguishes the terms as the Lord God of Israel/God of Hezekiah (Κύριον Θεὸν ᾿Ισραὴλ/Θεὸς ᾿Εζεκίου) versus the gods of the nations of the earth (οἱ θεοὶ τῶν ἐθνῶν τῆς γῆς). So despite the fact that identical words are used for both one God and many gods, the difference is clear based on the context. For example, in Deuteronomy 12.31, “the Lord your God [Yahweh Elohim]” is distinguished from “their gods [elohim].” Similarly, the LXX differentiates the terminology as your God (Θεῷ σου), which refers to the true God, versus their gods (θεοῖς αὐτῶν), which is elsewhere depicted as the false gods or idols. Notice that the designation “gods” in all these examples is not a reference to humans.

Another way to distinguish Yahweh Elohim from all the other elohim is that he is addressed as the “God of gods” (Θεὸς θεῶν LXX) in Dan 2.47, and elsewhere as the “creator” or the “most high” (Deut. 32.15; Gen. 14.22). Even though the Hebrew term elohim is sometimes translated as “judges” in Exodus 22.8, 9, nevertheless the LXX clarifies that those who are said to judge do so in the presence of God (ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ). Hence the reference is to God, not men.

Eloha Versus El

Eloha could refer to a True or a false god. To determine which is which, it all depends on the context. For example, Deut. 32.15 is clear that this is a reference to (אֱל֣וֹהַ ’ĕ·lō·w·ha), the God of Israel, the creator who made him (עָשָׂ֔הוּ ā·śā·hū). The LXX clarifies this Eloha as the God who made him (Θεὸν τὸν ποιήσαντα αὐτὸν), as well as the God of his salvation (Θεοῦ σωτῆρος αὐτοῦ). In Deut 32.17 there’s a difference between Eloha (אֱלֹ֔הַ God) and elohim (אֱלֹהִ֖ים gods). The Septuagint presents the dichotomy as one God (Θεῷ) versus many gods (θεοῖς). Although in 2 Chronicles 32.15 ’ĕ·lō·w·ha (אֱל֙וֹהַ֙) is used as “god,” but not as the true God, in Nehemiah 9.17 ’ĕ·lō·w·ah (אֱל֨וֹהַּ) is now the true God (Θεὸς LXX). In fact, in Ps. 114.7 ’ĕ·lō·w·ah (אֱל֣וֹהַּ) is the God of Jacob (τοῦ Θεοῦ ᾿Ιακὼβ LXX). So context is king!

El, on the other hand, is usually a reference to the Almighty, but the term could also be used to refer to both God or god. For example, in Gen. 14.18 Melchizedek is priest of God (לְאֵ֥ל el) most high (עֶלְיֽוֹן׃ el·yō·wn), which in vv. 19-20 is associated with the God of Abram (Αβραμ τῷ Θεῷ τῷ ὑψίστῳ LXX). But in verse 22 he is identified as יְהוָה֙ Yah·weh God (אֵ֣ל el) most high. The Septuagint confirms this viewpoint as it says in v. 18 that Melchizedek is a priest of God most high (Μελχισεδέκ ἱερεὺς τοῦ Θεοῦ τοῦ ὑψίστου). In verse 22, the LXX calls God, the most high, the creator of heaven and earth (τὸν Θεὸν τὸν ὕψιστον, ὃς ἔκτισε τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν). In Gen. 16.13, Yahweh (yhvh is the proper name of the God of Israel) is also the el (which depending on the context can be interpreted either as sg. God or pl. gods) or the true God (ὁ Θεὸς LXX). In Gen 17.1 Yahweh appeared to Abram and said I am el Shadday (the almighty). However, the LXX renders it simply as your God (ὁ Θεός σου). Gen. 21.33 renders *Yahweh el olam* as Yahweh God the eternal (Θεὸς αἰώνιος LXX).

So, we should not be confused by the terms used for God simply because they’re sometimes used to refer to false gods. The context will always indicate which is which. The name Yahweh especially differentiates God most high from all other gods. But, as you can clearly see from our brief study, the term “gods” can only be applied to the heavenly host, not to human beings!

——-

[authorhusbandfather]

Happy 2022! My New Year’s gift for you: a free Amazon download of my Novella about an alien who escapes Area 51 and a telepathic woman who just needs a vacation…giveaway now thru the 5th. Enjoy! #dystopian #spiritualforces #busywriting #lovereviews (at Amazon Ebooks) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYMNzFmFzL_/?utm_medium=tumblr

[artiebujanos]

We're constantly in a spiritual battle. We need to gear up in Gods word daily. No rest days from quiet time with the Lord. The enemy never sleeps. #spiritualbattle #spiritualwar #gearup #spiritualwarfare #gearupingodsword #struggle #authority #power #spiritualforces #evil #good #goodwins #heavenlyrealms #godsword #godsworddaily #noexcuses https://www.instagram.com/p/CTPHCxdLnJ7FrlGPj2Ih78TnQo6MCSyeYIM5fQ0/?utm_medium=tumblr

[zarlengoministries-blog]

[lotusblubookart-blog]

For the longest time I've wished and day dreamed about living in a house with a studio that looked out on to fields with sheep or horses and an allotment for growing our own food. I must have day dreamed and imagined it for long enough for God to grant me my wish. I came across this Native American word a few weeks ago and it stuck with me. Very fitting for where I'm at in life at the moment. (Background painting my own, embellished with @rhonnadesigns_ ) . . . #orenda #spiritual #spiritualforce #nativeamericanwisdom #imagine #daydream #wish #goodlife #grateful

[purpleelly]

DESIGN INSPIRATION OF PENDANT "SOLAR SYSTEM" "Chakra" comes from the Sanskrit word for wheel, and is more commonly translated to mean a point of physical or spiritual energy in the human body. #Chakras - the energy centers of the body. There are seven main chakras that consist of seven different colors. Each chakra is associated with a specific area on the body and an emotional state of being. Natural crystals and gemstones are used to cleanse and energize the chakra energy centers. Different kinds of crystals are used on each chakra to effectively cleanse it, energize it and let the energy flow harmoniously. We incorporate gemstone properties and their influences on Chakras into our all our jewelry designs. However, this pendant is especially to harmonise all the chakras in the body. Like the solar system moves around the sun in meticulous harmony, thus does the balanced chakras work in meticulous harmony for your optimal best. HEALING PROPERTIES OF CHAKRA PENDANT: #Rootchakra: #RedGarnet The Base Chakra offers us good relations with the world and the universe. When properly functioning, the base chakra provides. Ground #spiritualforces in body, gain ability to work lovingly on physical plane. Primal #vitalenergy, primal #trust, relating to earth and the material world, #stability, the #power to succeed, #health, #courage, #patience, #security. #SacralChakra: #Carnelian The Sacral Chakra is concerned with good relations with another and with our community. When properly functioning, the sacral chakra provides: #Purifying, starts things to flow. Natural flow of life and feelings; of #creative #lifeenergy flowing through body, soul, mind. Utilization of creative forces in all aspects being. Emotionally gratified. Creative reproduction of being: #sensation, #sexuality, #family, #fantasy. Primal feelings, flowing with life, #sensuality, eroticism, creativity, awe and #enthusiasm

[bills-bible-basics]

WINDS SYMBOLIZE SPIRITUAL FORCES -- KJV (King James Version) Bible Verse List

My original BBB Blog post is here: https://www.billkochman.com/Blog/winds-symbolize-spiritual-forces-kjv-king-james-version-bible-verse-list/.

Post tags: #Bible, #BillKochman, #BillsBibleBasics, #KingJamesVersion, #Kjv, #List, #Moved, #PowerOfTheAir, #Prince, #RushingMightyWind, #Sea, #Sound, #Spirit, #SpiritualForces, #Strove, #Subject, #Symbolize, #Topic, #Topical, #Verse, #Winds, #Wordweaver

[eventhappenings]

Investigation: Paranormal. Do you need photos,videos or blessing? Overnight/Weekend hunts & other assistance. Have packages by the week,month & year. Please contact me about,requirements & customized rates or payment plans. Call/text: 608-797-6570 E-mail: ttss1114@yahoo.com Website: https://facebook.com/ServicesByTJSPhotography #paranormal #ghostbusters #afterlife #hauntedhouse #poltergeist #haunting #investigation #theotherside #houseblessing #spirits #healing #paranormalactivity #apparitions #supernatural #document #business #hauntedlocations #orbs #mystery #outerlimits #paranormalsightings #ectomist #lostlovedones #shadows #messengers #spiritualforces #history #unexplained #abandonedplaces #funnelghosts https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxtw8VShqVC/?igshid=d4g4533ubnpx

[zacharyjk]

No evil ever dreamed up by Satan can outdo the atrocities committed by good, decent people attempting to purge such evil forces from this world. Any "crusade to rid the world of evil," once and for all, is a misguided endeavor fraught with deep peril for both the self-appointed warriors of goodness, as well as for the alleged evildoers who will be on the receiving end of these projections. Some of the most diabolical actions...are committed by those who consider themselves to be God's righteous chosen ones in the spiritual battle against the forces of evil. David Frankfurter states it best, "historically verifiable atrocities take place not in the ceremonies of some evil realm or as expressions of some ontological evil force, but rather in the course of purging evil and its alleged devotees from the world". Whether it be flying planes into skyscrapers of U.S.-based mercenary companies that kill unarmed Iraqi civilians, such acts are justified as a form of self-defense against an invincible satanic Other.

The Quest for the Historical Satan p.8

[northsoofficial]

#MASTERMINDPRINCIPLE #MASTERMIND #MASTERPLAN #MASTERMINDALLIANCE #WORK ##FACTS #MESSAGE #POSITIVETHINKING #POWEROFPOSITIVETHINKING #PERFECTHARMONY #SPIRITUALFORCES #CONNECTEDUNIVERSE #GOODVIBESONLY #CONCEIVEBELIEVEACHIEVE #THESECRET #NAPOLEONHILL #NORTHSOOFFICIAL #NoSO

[eventhappenings]

Investigation: Paranormal.

Do you need photos,videos or blessing?

Overnight/Weekend hunts & other assistance.

Have packages by the week,month & year.

Please contact me about,requirements & customized rates or payment plans.

Call/text: 608-797-6570

E-mail: ttss1114@yahoo.com

Website: https://facebook.com/ServicesByTJSPhotography

#paranormal #ghostbusters #afterlife #hauntedhouse #poltergeist #haunting #investigation #theotherside #houseblessing #spirits #healing #paranormalactivity #apparitions #supernatural #document #business #hauntedlocations #orbs #mystery #outerlimits #paranormalsightings #ectomist #lostlovedones #shadows #messengers #spiritualforces #history #unexplained #abandonedplaces #funnelghosts