WHAT ARE THE RULING SPIRITS IN YOUR TERRITORY?

As watchmen, intercessors, and/or prophets, we should always be watching to see what GOD, the ALMIGHTY will reveal, and what our response should be.

“I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me,
and what I will answer when I am corrected.”
Habakkuk 2:1

‍

______________________________________________________________‍

‍

QUICK ANNOUNCEMENT

‍‍

‍Join us Monday Nights for the
Discernment Bible Study on Zoom
‍Time: 7:00-9:00 pm (EST)
‍

______________________________________________________________

‍

The context of this Scripture shows that Habakkuk is playing the role similar to a security guard, a lighthouse keeper, border patrol, or even air traffic controller. He gets to see what is coming, good or bad, and warn the people. Habakkuk had to remain close to the HOLY SPIRIT so he could hear what the LORD would say concerning the community, nation, people. Once revealed, Habakkuk has only one action item: Warn the people.

‍

So, the first question to ask ourselves is:

Am I close enough to GOD for HIM to show me stuff?

‍

The second question is:

Can HE trust me to warn HIS people?‍

A jarring illustration of how serious this responsibility is can be seen in GOD’s ideal community construction. Check out the instructions HE gave to Moses.

‍

“And the Lord spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho, saying: ‘Command the children of Israel that they give the Levites cities to dwell in from the inheritance of their possession, and you shall also give the Levites common-land around the cities. They shall have the cities to dwell in; and their common-land shall be for their cattle, for their herds, and for all their animals. The common-land of the cities which you will give the Levites shall extend from the wall of the city outward a thousand cubits all around.’” ‭‭Numbers‬ ‭35:1-4

‍

Oh my goodness! JESUS’ idea of community-life protection and warning is to have the priests, who minister before HIM, those who are closest to HIM, live outside of the safety and security of the city walls. Meaning, the city walls were not the first line of defense; the priests were.

‍

Meaning, the priests were not only to minister to GOD in the temple on behalf of the people; they were also supposed to live between the enemy or ally, and the people. The priests were also warriors. The priests were, in essence, supposed to mark the territory as the human shields against the enemy. Just like any nation today puts military at their borders to protect it, so does GOD. The Portion of Jacob.

‍

Now, let’s bring this physical representation into the spirit realm (see Romans 1:20 and Hebrews 8:4-5).

‍

In the spirit realm, GOD was marking HIS territory through HIS priests. HE was establishing HIS rulership over that land, city, space, people. The CHRIST was saying to all the enemies of HIS children – all the Babylonians, Assyrians, Amorites, and all of them – that these ones are MINE. I AM is protecting them.

‍

But what happens when the priests, or watchmen, don’t do their jobs? What happens when a community, a nation, a people, choose to follow other gods? What ruling spirit is over the land, city, space, people? Good questions.

‍

‍

If the priests / watchmen don’t do their jobs in the spirit and in the physical realm, the people are caught off guard and overtaken by their enemies.

‍

If the people in the community have willingly given themselves over to follow after other gods, then according to Scripture, their enemies have the right to overtake them.

‍

The evidence of the ruling spirit(s) over the land can easily be seen on the land, if you know where to look.

‍

My husband and I do a lot of driving. When we drive into a new community or territory, after the sign saying “Welcome to [wherever],” I look to see what types of buildings I see first. Will I see a church or a psychic office? Will I see flourishing small businesses or big chain companies? Will I see adult stores and bars, or will I see daycares, museums, and other family-friendly attractions?

‍

What you see in the corners of major intersections, the local businesses, entry/exit points of the city, county, or town, will tell you what ruling spirits have marked that location as their own.

‍

Now that we know, what do we do? Follow Habakkuk’s formula.

1.    Pray and ask the LORD for revelation on what strongholds (ways of thinking, cultural norms) keep the land in bondage.

2.    Ask the LORD who HE wants you to tell.

3.    Work with local church leaders to raise up intercessors for the land that will plead with GOD for HIM to heal the land and free the people from bondage.

‍