Introduction
What
Does Worship Have to Do With War?
Light
overpowers darkness, truth alone prevails hurt
Death has no power when the enemy assails.
Through the eyes of the spirit the battle rages on
Engaged in relentless war we intercede, stand firm and strong.
Equipped for end-time battle clad in armor of the flesh
No holes or tares are seen, woven mighty metal mesh.
Arms gripped together...vice-locked, no space
Like a giant wall of iron we move as one to take our place.
Immovable, undefeatable, an army bold and strong
Worshiping warriors engaged in battle raise the victorious war
song.
Hear the gatekeepers give a shout vigilant watchmen on the wall
Protecting holy ground as the trumpet sounds the call.
Arise ye men of Zion, ye Samurai of the King
Lift high His royal banner for we win and victory rings.
Bev Smith, The Battle
When we hear
the word "worship" many of us think of singing three or four hymns
in a Sunday-morning church service. Some picture quiet times or
Bible studies. A few visualize prayer.
The word
"warrior," on the other hand, easily evokes images of a person
in the heat of combat. Perhaps we imagine Russell Crowe in the
movie Gladiator or envision Army troops on the front lines in
Afghanistan. Maybe we think of a person who battles in the loosely
defined "wars" against social nemeses such as poverty, prejudice
and injustice. Perhaps, as believers, we recall C. Peter Wagner-s
call to become strategic prayer warriors.
While the
words "worship" and "war" are familiar, they nonetheless produce
extreme and opposing emotions - seldom do we see the two work
in tandem. As servants of God, we know we are to worship Him.
We also know that we fight in a spiritual battle. But a close
look at the Bible reveals much about God-s plan for worship in
war.
So exactly
how do these two fit together?
The
Worship Wars
Every war has a cause. Napoleon marched in quest of territory
- he wanted France to rule Europe. Lenin and Stalin dominated
Eastern Europe with hopes of spreading their communist dogma -
they wanted to transform what people thought and how they lived.
The United States attacked Iraq in Desert Storm to protect oil
interests and support allies in the region - we wanted to liberate
Kuwait.
These were
physical wars played out on Earth, but a greater war is also afoot.
The battle is in the spiritual dimension, yet fought both on Earth
and in the heavenlies. In the natural, we cannot see or participate
in this conflict of good versus evil. But God, even though He
could win on His own, has chosen us as His warriors.
Lucifer-s
Plot
Worship is at the center of this great spiritual war. It has always
been over worship, fought with worship and will be won through
worship.
Let me explain.
Lucifer (also known as the devil or Satan) picked a fight with
God. The Bible does not make clear exactly when this happened,
but it certainly occurred before Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden
fruit and, tempted by the promise to be like God, introduced sin
to the world.
We know from
Ezekiel 28:12-19 that in that time cherubs or angels, of which
Lucifer was one, had access to the holy mountain or throne room
of heaven - where God is seated. Some theologians think that Lucifer
actually led the angel-s as they worshiped the Creator. If this
is true, Lucifer, whose heart was "lifted up because of his beauty,"
apparently decided that he no longer wanted to be a worshiper;
instead, he wanted to be worshiped. His wisdom was corrupted because
of his brightness. Full of pride, he was cast down, and he convinced
many angels to join him in rebellion against God.
Thus, the
worship wars were on.
Worship
and the Warrior
We usually render worship in adoration toward God and associate
it with good, uplifting, even ecstatic feelings. Worship is often
focused upward and can embody the qualities of holiness, reverence
and awe. We see ourselves as givers and God as the recipient.
Warring,
on the other hand, involves taking a stand, overcoming a threat,
invading territory or conquering an enemy. In war, we often view
ourselves as defenders against a dangerous force or sustainers
of righteousness and truth. This is true in spiritual as well
as physical conflicts.
In the typical
scenario worship has not been part of the battle plan; it has
come only in the form of thanksgiving after a victory. In the
physical, or earthly realm, we tend to worship the human heroes
of battle and add God as an afterthought. In spiritual conquests,
the Almighty gets all of the praise, but we still see warfare
and worship as two separate acts.
God is calling
us to bridge worship and warfare. When we read the Bible we find
that God instructs us to ascend into the Throne Room in heaven,
be clothed in His authority and descend in war. There is a sound
of heaven that enables us to recognize, embrace and advance through
this process. It moves us toward victory in accomplishing God-s
will on Earth. I will explain each of these elements in this book.
A
Fresh Approach
God is calling us to be worship warriors!
For many
Christians, this is a new concept. We have come to understand
how we can take authority over demons, territories and sin of
all types, in the name of Jesus. We know how our prayers effect
what happens not only on Earth, but also in the heavenlies. We
have been good students of the principles of spiritual warfare.
This is all
good. But God is calling us to do more.
In The
Future War of the Church, my coauthor Rebecca Wagner Sytsema
and I describe a coming battle. We show how there will be a time
of increased struggle and, ultimately, prophetic fulfillment.
As we approach this future war we need to be prepared. We must
fully comprehend the place of worship. As we battle against the
enemies of darkness we need to grasp the authority God has given
us. We must become worship warriors.
A
Transformation of Worship
Is worship singing? Is it praying? Is it demonstrating outwardly
our love of God by using our bodies? Do we need music in order
to worship? Does our environment have to be quiet? Can we worship
at work or while shopping? Can we worship at our child-s piano
recital? Can we praise God while in a carpool on the way to work?
Worship comes
in all of these forms and places and in many more. Most Christians
focus their worship on relationship and adoration. This is excellent
and right. However, our adoration and our intimate quest to know
God should never stop us short of exercising His will on Earth.
This means worship is more than music or meditation, but what
is this more?
In the future,
will we worship like Moses and Deborah? Will Daniel become our
key model of worship? Can we agonize like Jesus did in Gethsemane
and still worship? Can we know when to work like Martha and when
to submit like Mary? Will worship change drastically in corporate
settings? Will we be bold to worship in public places? Will the
enemy recognize our anointing after we have been in God-s presence?
What will
worship look like in the future?
A
Rising Tide
In recent days, John Dickson and I have seen a powerful shift
in worship. That is why we have expanded upon the message of The
Future War of the Church and penned the book you now hold
in your hands. I (Chuck) have written in first-person and have
liberally quoted John where his insights have been so keen. But
John has also contributed immensely to the concepts and truths
in every chapter, even in places where he is not credited.
We want to
lay before you the principles we have learned. We seek to show
you how as believers we can engage in and win this spiritual conflict.
We desire to stir up a sense of excitement among Christians everywhere.
As you read,
listen for God-s voice. You will be encouraged to learn what happens
both in the heavenlies and on Earth - the two realms where the
battle unfolds - when as a congregation of believers we worship
as warriors.
The
Calling of God
God is pursuing His people. The Spirit of the Lord is calling
us to worship. God is releasing a sound from heaven that is being
embraced by people all over the world. The call causes us to draw
near to Him and to each other. The sound causes us to go to war.
We must manifest on Earth what God says in heaven.
God does
not play favorites. Everyone can embrace this call to become a
worship warrior. If we believe in Jesus, we are automatically
enlisted in His army.
Mark Twain
once said, "God loves common people. That-s why He made so many
of us."1
God is not calling only ministers to a lifestyle of worship; He
is also calling everyday people. In biblical times, He called
olive pickers, shepherds, fishermen, tax collectors, young people
and many others. The apostle Paul said, "Not many wise according
to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called" (1
Cor. 1:26).
The same
is true today. It is just us: carpenters, computer programmers,
secretaries, bus drivers, farmers and the like. Yes, there are
some lawyers, CEOs and Harvard graduates, too. But people of common
stock fill most of the ranks in God-s army of worshipers. He calls
us from our everyday lives to be separated out and holy unto Him.
Enter
the Battle
Worship warriors arise! Worship Warriors of every generation,
young and old, connect and stand. This is the time to worship,
enter boldly into the Throne Room, be clothed with favor and go
to war. The sound is being released. Listen to it. Enter the battle.
Release the Harvest!
Note
1. Samuel Clemmons/Mark Twain, Letters from the Earth (New York:
Perennial Library, Harper & Row, Publishers, 1938), n.p.
