Just before I first stepped out in faith for ministry, I went to spend some time on the coast Spain to retreat and seek God. I felt the Spirit of God speak to me from Isaiah 45:2-3 “I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.”
In this passage, God is speaking of King Cyrus and how he would use him to subdue Kingdoms, to bring about His plans and purposes; and how God would use him to plunder national treasuries! When God works with someone, there is no obstacle that He cannot remove; He can cut through bars of iron and break down gates of bronze!
For today, I believe this passage speaks of God removing every obstacle to bring the resources needed to do Kingdom work. It speaks of God’s ability to provide supernaturally. But I also believe it refers to the plundering of hell itself. God releasing precious trapped people from spiritual darkness and bondage.
There is nothing more precious and priceless then a human soul! I’ve just come back from a wonderful time of ministry in South Africa. South Africa is known for its gold and its diamonds, but its most precious treasure is its people. I just love the Rainbow nation. The treasures of darkness this passage refers to, I believe, are the millions of precious people still kept trapped in darkness by the prince of darkness, and we as God’s people are called to bring freedom and deliverance to them!
We have seen thousands plundered from the Kingdom of darkness in this ministry and we are believing God for so many more! God calls us to plunder hell! To plunder hell and bring back what belongs to God. To release the captives. The Bible tells us “Jesus went about doing good and healing all those who were sick and oppressed of the devil for God was with Him.” (Acts 10:38) Jesus came to plunder hell. To release captives from bondage and we are called to continue His work!
There is so much the enemy has that belongs to us! There is a song that goes, “I went to the enemy’s camp and I took back what he stole from me.” We are called to be those who plunder the enemies camp, and take back what has taken from us. But what we should be taking back is not just what has been taken from us, but all that Jesus has paid in full for us! Jesus has triumphed completely over the enemy and paid it all, so we could walk in full restoration in the power and blessing of Almighty God!
We have been given authority over all the enemies power, Luke 10:19 says “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.” Colossians 2:25 says “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
Christ has triumphed over the enemy completely and now it is our job to go and enforce that victory! We need to be those who take the fight to the enemy. Whenever someone is saved, hell is plundered. Now the enemy might come and try and take back what had preciously belonged to him, but let me tell you Jesus said, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:28)
Sometimes, in the ministry, I’ve had people warn me of spiritual backlash from plundering the enemies camp, and it’s true it can and does happen. But more often than not in these days, I tend to laugh when it happens because I know what we’re doing has upset the devil and thats a good thing!
Many have threatened us and opposed us in different ways and our response is always to rejoice! Matthew 5:11&12 says, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Today, I want to encourage you, maybe you have been beaten up by the enemy; you have seen his destructive handiwork in your life. God wants to release a greater measure of His power in your life to plunder the kingdom of darkness; to get revenge by breaking and shaking others free from the grip of the enemy.
1 John 3:8 says “The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.” We are called to destroy the enemy’s works, and we carry a fire that will destroy the enemy’s work! There are millions headed into eternity without a saving knowledge of Christ. It is the greatest tragedy of human history. We need more of God’s power to match the urgency of the hour. Today I’m believing God to release His power into and over your life, that He will make you a mighty instrument in His hands to plunder the enemies camp!
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