As I said in my last post, I’m beginning a series on the spiritual battle that we find ourselves in. There are a number of things that we misunderstand about it. Hopefully, I can help to clear up some of these issues.
To start this subject, I want to take us through the history of spiritual warfare, as recorded in Scripture. To do that, I’m going to look at some verses that people don’t normally associate with this topic. I just ask you to stick with me; it will become clear as we go along.
The first place I want to take you is to the throne room scene in Heaven. In the book of Revelation, we see Christ (the Lamb) taking up a scroll that’s sealed with seven seals. That’s found in Revelation, chapter 5.
I believe that this scroll is the title deed to planet earth. Christ is given it as a call for Him to return as King since He paid for it with His blood on the cross.
As with any deed, it should record the major events of the property in question. It would contain the owners, liens, and rights of way that have been enforced during its history. The deed to earth is no exception.
That being said, in Revelation, chapter 6, we see the Lord breaking these seals and opening the scroll. What’s recorded on it is very important to our discussion.
I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.
Revelation 6:1-2
Over the years, I’ve heard a lot of conjecture about this verse. Some say that it’s talking about Christ, the church, or the devil. Unfortunately, if you read the description carefully, you’ll find that none of these will match perfectly.
There is one person, however, that fits all the requirements of this verse. Look at the description.
He carries a bow. In the ancient world, that was the “first-strike” capability of any army. The archers could do a lot of damage before the enemy even got close.
He was also given a crown. That’s talking about God-given authority. Along with that, he had a destiny to conquer something. And don’t forget that he rides a white horse – that stands for purity.
With all of these descriptions, I think that the single most important fact is that he’s the first person listed on the title deed to the earth. As far as I can see, there’s only one person this could be.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
Genesis 1:27-28
Here we see the start of it all. Adam is created perfect, pure, and righteous. He has authority to rule and is commissioned to subdue, or conquer, the entire earth. He’s to bring everything on earth under the rulership of God, the Creator.
As the first created human, he’s also in a unique position. Because of his authority under God, he can protect the earth from any invader. He has been given “first-strike capability.”
In Adam, the human race was given a strong start. Things looked very promising. There’s no enemy that could defeat God’s anointed ruler. At least that’s what it looked like in the beginning.
In my next post, we’ll see how that turns out.
Question: How are we like Adam, with the authority God has given us in Christ?
© 2019 Nick Zaccardi
The Spirit and the Word 