Isaiah 28:5-6 says, “In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people, And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.”
Turn the battle to the gate, what does this mean? Does it mean to turn the battle to Satan as some current teaching says or could it have a different meaning? If we were to turn the battle to Satan what would this entail? This is the purpose of this study because Jesus said he would lead and guide us into all truth. The scripture says we are to study to show ourselves approved unto God. God is true and faithful to every one of his promises.
What is a battle? It is fighting and war.
When two or more enemies are in a battle they are each fighting to win and gain ground over the other’s territory. They do this to gain control over the land, people and resources. Their goal is to push the other side back and take over their territory. Does God intend for us to push Satan our enemy back? Yes, he does. Does he intend for us to take over his territory? No, he does not. This is not possible. He is the prince and power of the air. Ephesians 2:2 “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.” However, when Jesus died and rose again he took back the keys of death and hell from Satan, but he still rules the air. Ephesians 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Now let us look at the gate. What does a gate represent? A gate is an entryway, a means to enter and exit a place. In ancient times the gate was often the entrance to a city, and it was a key point of the city’s defense, it was also a place for public hearings and decisions. Likewise, this gate or opening through which something or someone enters or exits is the same principle in the spirit. We allow things to come into our spirit and we can also command things to leave from our spirits. This entryway or gate is our mind. We are to turn the battle to the gate, the gateway of our minds.
Therefore, a gateway is an opportunity given to Satan that gives him access to our minds. This is where the battle takes place because if Satan can gain access to our minds he is able to influence our speech and our actions. This is how strongholds form. They form by Satan speaking things to our minds and often we do not realize it until someone or God brings it to our attention, then we must pray and ask God for deliverance. We must turn the battle to the gate in our mind and close it; we must kick the devil out. We are to guard our hearts because out of it flow the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23 “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” We are to guard our eye gate and ear gate. We are to watch and be mindful of what we see, what we hear and what we say.
In ancient times gates were used along with the wall to either keep people out or keep them in and the gates were usually closed at night. In the Old Testament, many events took place at the gate of the city. The elders of the city would sit at the gates giving advice and making decisions that affected the entire city and it is also at the gates of our lives where decisions are made.
In the book of Ruth, Boaz confronted his kinsman at the gate of the city to determine whether he would take Ruth as his wife. In II Samuel 15:1-6 King David’s son Absalom won the hearts of the people at the gates of the city and took the throne from David. “And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him… And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.”
Genesis 24:60, “ they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.” In this particular passage of scripture possess the gate of those who hate them means that they would have dominion and authority over their enemies, which they did. God blessed them to take over their enemies’ lands, he helped them in battle and he also fought many battles for them. But eventually, they turned their backs on God and worshipped and served other gods. Today this is exactly what we are to do, possess the gate of our enemies. Our enemies are not people but the spirits that operate through the people.
When Jesus died and rose from the grave he took dominion back from the devil, he took the keys of death and hell. Today he has given us the victory, but unfortunately, many Christians are living a weak Christian life and they are listening to a watered-down gospel. What do I mean by this? This gospel they are listening to robs them of the ability to live a victorious and overcoming life.
They are listening to a gospel that doesn’t teach that Jesus wants them to be all they can be, that when you are filled with his Spirit you can do the same things Jesus did when He walked this earth, in fact, we are told to go forth and do so. A gospel that tells you just do your best and you will be fine, instead of telling you that you are an overcomer, that God is calling you to holiness, that you can be victorious in different areas of your life, and also that we can be delivered from bondage.
Because of this many Christians have allowed the devil to compromise the word of God through many of the different versions of the Bible so that you cannot line precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line, here a little, and there a little. Many of these versions do not say the same thing and some versions have erred through private interpretation. They are producing bad wine which has changed the text by deleting words and phrases that are essential to understanding the revelation of who Jesus is. Jesus said to search the scriptures because in doing so we will find him. Many versions of the Bible have attempted to amplify the Word of God, without the understanding of the base. Satan knows that the Word of God is good for the saints and as long as the saints of God are fed the sincere milk of the Word of God and meat as appropriate, then he cannot spoil the saints of God.
However, it is unfortunate that today some of the saints are still holding onto doctrines of men, they are holding onto bad wine. They refuse to see the harm that these versions are causing, and when light is shone many people still continue to preach and teach from them. This has given Satan an open door to develop a very comprehensive battle plan to promote the bad wine which is a corruption of the Word of God, the good wine.
Today there are many in leadership roles in the Church who fail to understand doctrine and teachers at some Bible Schools, Colleges, and Universities continue to teach in error. For example, I Corinthians 14:36 says, “What? Came the word of God out from you? Or came it unto you only?” Many versions have removed the sentence “what?” This removal makes it impossible to see that Paul was admonishing the church at Corinth for trying to put restrictions on women. God is no respecter of people yet many in the church refuse to allow women to preach and teach the word of God. In the early church, many women had active roles. Satan’s battle plan is to create confusion to bind the Holy Spirit using the Bible, the word of God as its source.
We are in a battle and we defeat the devil by submitting ourselves to God, however many Christians refuse to acknowledge that we are in a war. They refuse to get into the battle, not only in their own lives but also in the society in which they live. Satan has turned the battle to the church but unfortunately many in the church have refused to fight. Instead, they have retreated. The Church has allowed the enemy, Satan to gain ground right here in America. They have allowed the homosexual agenda to continue to make progress and gain ground. For instance, many do not know about the Equality Act that passed the House of Representatives in 2019, it would amend the Civil Rights Act to "prohibit discrimination on the basis of the sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition of an individual, as well as because of sex-based stereotypes." The Democrats want to put gender identity and sexual orientation on the same level as discrimination based on skin color and sex. Many religious organizations came out against the Act because it did not offer religious protections for Christians and it would also lead to women and girls sharing restrooms and other private facilities with men who identify as women.
"The bill expands the definition of public accommodations to include places or establishments that provide (1) exhibitions, recreation, exercise, amusement, gatherings, or displays; (2) goods, services, or programs; and (3) transportation services. Protections against discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin shall include protections against discrimination based on (1) an association with another person who is a member of such a protected class; or (2) a perception or belief, even if inaccurate, that an individual is a member of such a protected class. The bill prohibits the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 from providing a claim, defense, or basis for challenging such protections. The bill prohibits an individual from being denied access to a shared facility, including a restroom, a locker room, and a dressing room, that is in accordance with the individual's gender identity." https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/5
We are called to be salt and light to a dying world but unfortunately, many people who say they are Christians are not being salt and light. Salt kills and purifies and light dispels darkness. The LGBTQ community is working through the political process to change laws and they are indoctrinating our children beginning in preschool and through college.
But where is the Christian community? They are fast asleep; they are refusing to turn the battle to the gate. They don’t want to get involved because it might cost them something. It could cost churches memberships and loss of money, it could cost jobs and homes and businesses, and it could cost friendships and marriages, so the majority of people stay silent. Many people have become so entangled with the affairs of this world that they forget that this world is not our home. We are striving to reach the gates of heaven that is why we turn the battle to the gate, because our ultimate goal is to reach the gates of heaven. We have to enter at the straight gate “Matthew 7:13-14, Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
Satan has turned the battle to the church but they have turned tail and ran, instead of turning the battle back to him. But all is not lost, the true Church will stand up, God is going to use this time of testing to separate the wheat from the tares, and those who do know their God will be strong and do exploits; we have to turn the battle.
Jesus said in Luke 10:19 “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” He has given us power to cast out demons, however only through the power of the Holy Spirit and the name of JESUS.
The scripture says to turn; what does turn mean? It means to go in a different direction.
When we feel down and discouraged, when we are without joy and peace, when we get irritated at little things, when we allow unforgiveness into our hearts, when we allow fear to overcome us, when we believe the lies Satan speaks to us then he is winning the battle, but we must turn this. We are to push him back, to defeat him. However, how do we push him back? We push him back by submitting ourselves to God. Resist the devil and he will flee. In the book of Matthew when Jesus was tempted by the devil he always used the word of God. He submitted himself to his Father and used the words of the Father to push the devil away from him. James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Where will he flee? Away, back from you.
Mark 3:27, “No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.” How does the devil enter into our house, our city? He enters through lies, through deception, through false teaching, through cunning craftiness. He uses doubt, fear, and he works through others. He uses temptation and accusations and he works on our emotions by causing depression, anxiety, stress, and fear.
When we give in to temptation and sin the devil gains territory, he gains ground, but we must take back the ground we have given him. In war you work to push the enemy back and take his territory; however, we are fighting a spiritual battle. The scripture says in II Corinthians 10: 4-6 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exaltheth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” Because this is a spiritual battle, when we recognize our sin we are reclaiming ground, when we repent we are reclaiming ground and when we plead the blood of Jesus we are reclaiming ground. When we allow the Holy Spirit into our lives he binds the devil and kicks him out. This is how he spoils his goods.
Psalms 44:5, “Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.” This scripture says that we push back our enemies through God, through his name which is Jesus. Luke 10:17 “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.” The devils are subject to the name of Jesus, they tremble at his name. James 2:19 “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”
Ephesians 4:27 says, “neither give place to the devil,” don’t give him any territory.
I Peter 5:8-9 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith.” We are to resist. We do this by submitting ourselves to God. Only through the name of Jesus can we defeat the devil; however he has already been defeated. But we must work on a daily basis to push towards the mark. We must die daily. We must cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God. In doing so we are turning the battle to the gate.
James 4:7-8 says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. When we draw near to and submit ourselves to God we are putting off the works of the flesh. We are presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice; we are renewing our minds and putting on Christ. This is how we turn the battle. When the enemy comes in like a flood the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. Isaiah 59:19.
We are to preach and teach deliverance, Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.” This is what Jesus did and this is the same work he has given us, to set the captive free. When we pray for people we are turning the battle to the enemy, when we cast out demons we are turning the battle to the enemy, when we preach the gospel we are turning the battle to the enemy, and when a person accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior we are turning the battle to the enemy. John 3:8 says, “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil.” We are not to turn tail and run from our enemy but we are commanded to stand our ground. Ephesians 6:13-14, “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.”
God will be strength for those who turn the battle to the gate of their enemies or to their own gate, that is turn the battle to the enemy that is coming up against you. Matthew 16:18 says, “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Satan shall not get the victory over the church, the body of Christ; we win now and in the end. We turn the battle to the gate of our enemies by showing love, by praying for them and by being kind, Matthew 5:44-45.
Proverbs 4:20-2, says “My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. When you do these things then you are turning the battle.
The devil turned the battle to Jesus when he confronted him and questioned his deity. Jesus turned the battle back to the devil when he used the word of God on him, he said, “it is written.” This is what we must do when Satan confronts us we must say, “It is written.” We have to turn the battle to the spirit of fear, we have to turn the battle to the spirit of hate, we have to turn the battle to unbelief; we must turn the battle to doubt, depression, unforgiveness, lust, jealousy, and many others. When we turn the battle we are telling the devil that he will no longer have the rule over us.
Ephesians 2:1-6, And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”
God has given us everything we need to live a victorious and overcoming life in Christ, in Jesus name.
II Peter 1:3 “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
Prophetess Nadine Richmond
