The War in the Heavenlies

By Guido Reni — https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9571452

And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so. And God called the expanse Heaven (samayim). (Genesis 1:7–8a ESV)

A samayim sandwich.

We writers, I fear, sometimes introduce words from the original languages of Scripture to try to impress our readers, but there are times we do it for good reason. In this case, I do so to lift the lid for a peek beneath our everyday understanding of the word “heaven.”

Many think of “heaven” as some place “up yonder.” And someday, when this life is over, it’s where we’ll all fly away. Oh, glory!

But there’s a lot more going on in the samayim than we suppose.

In Hebrew, the word samayim is plural: the suffix “-im” indicates “more than one,” much like the added “s” in English does. But in Genesis 1:8, for example, many translators muffed it, leaving us moderns a little short on understanding.

The ancients knew there was more in the samayim than we naturally see. Between the heaven where the Highest has His throne and the sky where the stars and planets do their dance, there is a place where supernatural beings move about.

There is the samayim in between, and regardless of what Renaissance paintings and cathedral ceilings portray, it’s not all cherubs with harps.

It’s a place of intrigue and war

Apostles and prophets and their scribes recorded visions and dreams and visits from awe-inspiring creatures: divine beings in rapt worship as well as fearsome champions at war, and in most instances, the earthly was admonished by the heavenly, “Fear not!”

Halos and white wings would hardly require such consolation.

Some of the most compelling of these accounts are found in the prophet Daniel’s journal of what happened as he prayed for God’s will to be done on earth.

Three of his encounters involved heavenly beings we commonly call “angels.” In the first, Daniel called the messenger “one having the appearance of a man” while a voice offstage called him “Gabriel” (Daniel 8:15–17). The second time Gabriel came to visit Daniel, Daniel called him by name (Daniel 9:21). In the third encounter, the identity of “the one having the appearance of a man” was assumed (Daniel 10:18).

In each case, Gabriel came to reveal the meaning of Daniel’s visions, but in the third, he revealed his experience on the way.

Daniel had been fasting for twenty-one days when Gabriel arrived, and as they spoke, Gabriel explained that he had been dispatched with Daniel’s answer on the first day that Daniel prayed, but contrary forces in the samayim had hindered its delivery. Only when he received the aid of a more powerful warrior, the prince Michael, was he able to break through. And now that his errand on earth was done, he was returning to fight another battle in the heavens.

Wild? Yes. Believable? Only if you believe the Scriptures.

Angels are still on assignment today, and their assignments involve more than watching over your stuff.

There is still war in the samayim

The warfare is the same as when Daniel prayed: princes of the kingdom of darkness attempt to hinder our understanding by holding back the messengers of Light. Yet, emissaries of the kingdom of Light are faithfully dispatched with the understanding and strength that we need.

Paul called some of the enemy ranks “cosmic powers over this present darkness,” or “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12), but they don’t appear to us as warriors with flashing swords.

They are far more strategic than that.

From a sphere unlike those layered about Earth, they launch “flaming arrows” to pierce our hearts with discouragement and lies. Unseen, they attempt to take us off guard, deceive us, and leave us disarmed and defeated, without hope or faith in the power of God.

How do we, mere mortals, wage war?

Can we ascend into the samayim and aid the forces God has commissioned for His kingdom?

First, do you think that’s necessary? Contrary to what we may see, feel, or imagine, God and His forces have that arena in hand. (See Col. 2:15; Heb. 2:8).

Second, and more importantly, do you think that’s wise? The Scriptures give us no such instruction, and God has given us no pass (See Ps. 115:16).

So what is man’s winning strategy for dealing with heavenly forces?

It’s not nearly as spectacular as you may have read. No marching, yelling, or discerning of names or territories necessary.

It’s simply this:

Stand.

Three times Paul says it in his instructions to the Ephesians: “withstand,” “ stand firm,” “stand therefore” (Eph. 6:13–14, ESV).

Prepare.

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (Eph. 6:11, ESV)

Guard your vulnerabilities with a life of truth and righteousness. Let the peace of the good news, not a bravado born of fear, be your grounding. Let your faith in what God has said protect you from the lies and discouragement of the enemy. Protect your mind from thoughts that undermine the deliverance you have in Christ, and defend that truth with God’s unchanging Word.

Pray like Daniel did, persevere like Paul, and intercede for those beside you in the battle to proclaim the Name of the Lord.

James adds, “Resist.”

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7, ESV)

Other “strategies” have been introduced in the Body of Christ, methods of warfare that leave believers exhausted and earth unchanged.

But the truth is, the samayim is a realm outside of our reach.

We have an earth to win

The heavens are the Lord’s heavens, but the earth he has given to the children of man. (Ps. 115:16)