Powers and Principalities
in High Places
Part Two


In last week's issue, we took a simple look at how angels function in their tasks. In this issue of Footsteps, we will consider how powers and principalities factor in those tasks. Also, we'll see how Israel is not like the other nations even though she is scattered among them. How Israel is supposed to interact (or not) with those powers and principalities over the nations is related to the shaking of those powers to prepare for the Footsteps of Messiah and a greater exodus from the nations.

Those assigned tribal territories in the wilderness were not random. Instead, as the priests and Levites ministered to the twelve tribes of Israel, so the twelve tribes in turn were to rule and be a conduit of blessing to the nations of the earth as a kingdom of priests. A beautiful restoration to that calling is coming, and those nations of exile are preparing the tribes of Israel to judge them in the Kingdom. Israel will know the languages, customs, ethnicities, history, geography, and so many other things helpful when the nations come up to learn the Torah and the Word of YHVH from Jerusalem. As in Acts Two, they will hear the instruction in a known tongue.

The Footsteps of Messiah will shake loose principalities and powers because they will no longer be needed to rule the nations. Israel will arise with their Messiah according to their wilderness encampment calling, dwelling in the gates of Jerusalem and with King Messiah Yeshua judging the nations who come up (Re 21:12; 21). Although the "wilderness of the peoples" characterizing the final exodus is different from the gathered nation in Egypt, the same pattern may be learned and applied:

  • “Has any people heard the voice of God speaking from the midst of the fire, as you have heard it, and survived? Or has a god tried to go to take for himself a nation from within another nation by trials, by signs and wonders and by war and by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm and by great terrors, as the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? To you it was shown that you might know that the LORD, He is God; there is no other besides Him.” (Dt 4:33–35).

What was unique about the exodus from Egypt was that an entire NATION was taken out of another one. Such things may happen after a defeat in war, but typically it is not an entire people group. In the case of the exodus, the entire nation of Israel was removed from another country. Unprecedented! It is so unprecedented that the Torah documents it so we can understand the greater exodus. Miraculously, Israel will be removed from all the nations where they are scattered. Intact. It is such a big deal that it is mentioned three times (Dt 4:20; 1 Ki 8:51; Je 11:4) in reference to Egypt as the "iron furnace" of refining. Israel who passes through the fire in the "wilderness of Egypt" will be brought out intact:

  • "...which I commanded your forefathers on the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, ‘Listen to My voice, and do according to all that I command you; so you shall be My people, and I will be your God,'"

Egypt was a "pre-wilderness" to refine out those who had fallen too far into idolatry to even begin the wilderness journey to the Promised Land:

  • “I will bring you out from the peoples and gather you from the lands where you are scattered, with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm and with wrath poured out; and I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will enter into judgment with you face to face.Just as I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you,” declares the Lord GOD...and I will purge from you the rebels and those who revolt against Me; I will bring them out of the land where they reside, but they will not enter the land of Israel. So you will know that I am the LORD.” (Ezek 20:34-36; 38)

An incredible refining takes place in the wilderness of the peoples, but the good news is that it is preparatory to the journey home! The rescue from "Egypt" will follow the first refining process. However, as in the days of the first exodus, some will rebel in the greater exodus, and they, too, will not cross the borders of their inheritance. From furnace to furnace.

The first miracle in the journey, however, is how an entire nation was removed from Egypt; in the greater exodus, it will be how an entire nation is removed from all the nations.

This gives one clue as to how princes over principalities and kingdoms work. They rule over a particular territory; they may provoke wars; yet they do not extract an entire people from within another principality. Instead, there is a change of kingdom or regime, one set down and one set up. Angels over territories are like other angels. They are very single-minded in performing the task, and it is their job to defend that particular nation, territory, people, or even individual people. These shouldn't be considered demonic (different type of entity), but the angelic majesties spoken of in Scripture.

These majesties defend their territories as assigned. This is why not every obstacle should be rebuked! A "satan" is not always Satan with a capital "S," but merely an "adversary." The adversary, or "satan" with a small "s," is doing his assigned task. Angels have their territory, at least until King Messiah comes, and we have ours. Jude instructs us:

  • Yet in the same way these people also, dreaming, defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak abusively of angelic majesties. But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him an abusive judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” But these people disparage all the things that they do not understand…(Jd 1:8-10)

Although Michael is the angelic prince assigned to Israel, and therefore to Moses, nevertheless, even Michael didn't judge the death angel who came to take Moses' body. After all, it was his assigned task. Michael defers to the Throne for an executive order to override the death angel's usual performance of duties. This is an excellent example of the unique relationship Israel has to The Holy One who created the angels, whether they are helping us or acting as adversaries in a particular problem.

  • [Gavriel tells Daniel] “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was standing in my way for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia......Then he said, “Do you understand why I came to you? But I shall now return to fight against the prince of Persia; so I am leaving, and behold, the prince of Greece is about to come. (Da 10:13,20) “...However, I will tell you what is recorded in the writing of truth. Yet there is no one who stands firmly with me against these forces except Michael your prince. (Da 10:21)

The angels have names, but they are also referred to as “princes” who are assigned a principality over which to rule. Apparently, Daniel’s visions disturbed the Prince of Persia, who perceived that the visions pertained to the end of his principality’s rule as a beast kingdom. This would be adversarial to his domain, Persia. Gavriel needed MikhaEl’s help to get through to Daniel, for MikhaEl’s domain was the supreme reign of El as well as His people Israel. The Prince of Persia fought the strength of Gavriel with strength, but he had to relinquish dominion over Israel to MikhaEl:

  • “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.” (Da 12:1-2)

“Who is like El?” = MikhaEl (Michael)

There is none to compare with El, no competitor with Him. There is none who can ultimately prevail in any struggle with Him. This angel with the attribute of El is MikhaEl, who is assigned Israel as his principality: “the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people.” At the end of days, Israel will arise from tribulation with Yeshua to inherit the kingdom, bringing MikhaEl’s domain to its eternal power. Until then, he may be called upon to help fight for Israel in its exile, fighting against the princes who stand guard over Beast principalities.

Israel is personally saved by YHVH, and He personally looks after their interests:

  • “Blessed are you, Israel; who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, the shield of your help, and He who is the sword of your majesty! So your enemies will cringe before you, and you will trample on their high places.” (Dt 33:29)

Because Israelites are not the personal charge of these principalities and powers, these other created majesties have no missive to see after the welfare of Israelites in their territories. Moses warns Israel:

  • “And beware not to lift up your eyes to heaven and see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, and be drawn away and worship them and serve them, those which the LORD your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven. (Dt 4:19)...Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the LORD, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other...” (Dt 4:39)

Each nation/people group is allotted a “prince.” The sun, moon, and stars sometimes represent these rulers, but they are not to be worshiped, for they are appointed rulers and created beings. Their job is to look after the interests of their assigned territory. During the Footsteps of Messiah, we might perceive battles in the heavenlies as the interests of these princes are shaken with Messiah's Footsteps. This will result in battle/chaos within their assigned territories.

When Israel turned to those principalities and powers and worshiped them, asking for favors and offering sacrifices in order to appease and please those gods, sometimes referred to as "elohim" with a small "e," she took gods that she did not "know." Israel is looked after personally by the Holy One of Israel, Elohim the Creator of all elohim (judges over territories). Michael is Israel's assigned prince, and Messiah Yeshua her King and Advocate with the Creator. Turning to other entities is a sin to be remedied by Israel proclaiming the Good News among the nations, not a sin for Israel to start doing! For a review of Elohim/elohim, review Footsteps and the Dust of Jacob.

Because these heavenly bodies such as planets, constellations, stars, etc., represent the angelic majesties, and even the tribes of Israel, the many references to them in the Book of Revelation make better sense:

  • “I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind. The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” (Re 6:12–17)

The preceding verses describe how the kingdoms of the earth [“mountains”], starting with rulers and the strong, realize their “princes” can no longer look after their interests. As Israel rises with Michael, their chief prince under Messiah at Yeshua’s Footsteps, so the other princes decline with their assigned principalites. Like the Prince of Persia, they are unable to stand before the Creator of those principalities and powers. The "shine" of these princes is darkened, soon to be replaced by the Light of Lamb and his obedient House of Israel, who will take their places to judge at the twelve gates of Jerusalem. When this shaking in the heavenlies occurs, the assigned majesties will know their time is short, just like the Serpent when he is cast down. When these majesties are shaken, Israel arises with her King, gathered by angels into the clouds.

An entire people will be extracted from other nations, greater than the Egyptian exodus:

  • “But in those days, after that tribulation, THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL BE FALLING from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN CLOUDS with great power and glory. And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven. Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. (Mk 13:24–28).

Although some princes and principalities must be shaken and brought down to be replaced by obedient Israel, as symbolized by her twelve constellations, angels can also be dispatched to gather them out of the iron furnace to their inheritance at the command of Messiah Yeshua. And not one of the stars promised to Abraham will be missing!

  • “To whom then will you liken Me that I would be his equal?” says the Holy One. “Lift up your eyes on high and see Who has created these stars, the One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, not one of them is missing.” (Is 40:25–26).

There are stars, and then there are stars, and then there are other stars!

In the next issue, we will look more thoroughly at how this understanding of powers and principalities relate to sorcery. This is important so we will not be among those fooled by the Red Beast and his false signs and wonders, such as resurrection from the dead or fire from heaven.

  • “He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. And he makes the earth and those who live on it worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of the sky to the earth in the presence of people. And he deceives those who live on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who live on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life. And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause all who do not worship the image of the beast to be killed.” (Re 13:12-15)

**

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Shabbat Shalom!

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Your continual prayers for the children of LaMalah and our brothers and sisters in Kenya are so much appreciated.

Here are some excerpts from Brother Peter's updates:

Shalom my sister !.
  
We do hope and pray you are all doing well. We have since been able to access the funds and we are more than grateful . The green houses will be done within the course of the week. We thank Abba for His provision.
  
I have attached a clean water lorry and their asking price. It's not too much. Father is able to do much more than we can pray for.
   
Our preparations for Sukkot have started in earnest. In an election year, prices of commodities go through the roof. All in all, we are ever grateful. Let's continue praying for one another.
   
Blessings
 
Peter

The water lorry Brother Peter refers to is a proposal to purchase a water truck for the orphanage to use as a fundraiser for cash needs in the future. An example is in the photo above. The orphanage was blessed to strike water (Baruch HaShem, it's hot water from the volcano geology, and they don't have to heat water for showers!), but many of the surrounding homes do not have a well or have drilled only to hit hot gases instead of clean water.

Brother Peter often gives rides to local children to purchase water, but otherwise the children must carry the water cans back to their homes, which means they lose an entire day of school to make the journey. Brother Peter had the idea of putting a water lorry into service there locally. The lorries go around and sell potable water, and if there were local service, then the children who are missing school to go purchase water would not miss so many days of school. This would also give the orphanage a sustainable local income.

If you feel led to help with the operating expenses of LaMalah, the needs expressed above, the college/vocational fund, or the potential water lorry purchase (around $12,500 USD), you can always use the donate button below or send a check by snail mail to:

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"A LIGHT TO MY PATH"
has been postponed until Passover 2023 due to not meeting our minimum number of participants. If you registered, you may receive a refund or transfer your deposit to the Passover tour by contacting Blossoming Rose. As a reminder, this is not just a tour for those with limited mobility. It is for anyone seeking a slightly slower pace.

Leader: Dr. Hollisa Alewine
Tour Coordinator: Kisha Gallagher
“Your Word is a Lamp unto my feet and a light to my path” will be our guide in this limited mobility tour of Israel. A journey through the Land of Israel does not have to be at a lightning pace. In fact, when Esau urged Jacob to travel home with him, Jacob objected: “I will proceed at my leisure, at the pace of the cattle that are ahead of me and at the pace of the children.” The Word will light our way and illuminate our path on this more leisurely tour. If you ever thought you couldn’t keep up with a tour group, this might be the trip for you.

We will look to the Word for the significance of the locations on our itinerary, and because we’ve included more museums on this tour, we’ll be able to see into the past of Israel by viewing its remarkable artifacts. We’ll also come away with a greater understanding of why Israel’s geography, weather, and agriculture are emphasized in the Scriptures.

While our transportation will not have wheelchair lifts, there will be room to store walkers or wheelchairs beneath the bus. If you need assistance for boarding and deboarding the bus or personal care, your assistant will need to register and travel with you. While we can limit the challenges in a nation built on rocks, we can’t eliminate them entirely!

A registration page will be re-loaded once it is adjusted for the Passover trip.