Kingdom Expansion: Spiritual Warfare Beyond Personal Battles: Spiritual Warfare In Modern Times For Messianic Believers
Introduction: The Call to Advance the Kingdom of God
In the world today, the concept of spiritual warfare is often viewed primarily in terms of personal battles—struggles against temptation, sin, and the forces of darkness that seek to hinder a believer's walk with God. However, for Messianic Jewish believers, spiritual warfare goes far beyond personal victories. It involves a larger, kingdom-focused mission: the expansion of God's rule on Earth through the proclamation of the Gospel and the establishment of His Kingdom in every area of life.
This chapter will explore how Messianic believers are called to engage in spiritual warfare that not only targets personal struggles but also advances the Kingdom of God. We will look at the role of Torah law, Yeshua’s blood, and the Holy Spirit in this battle, as well as the prophetic promises from the Tanakh (Old Testament) that highlight our involvement in this great mission.
---
1. Spiritual Warfare: A Kingdom-Centered Focus
The idea of Kingdom expansion is central to the mission of believers, and spiritual warfare plays a vital role in advancing that Kingdom. In the Tanakh, we see that God’s plan for Israel was not only for their personal deliverance but also for their role in spreading His name and glory throughout the earth.
Genesis 12:2-3 provides a clear example of God’s original design for Israel:
> “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
God’s promise to Israel was not only about individual prosperity or freedom but about being a light to the nations. Spiritual warfare, then, must be understood as more than just fighting for personal victory. It is about engaging in the battle to establish God’s reign in the world.
Isaiah 9:7 prophesies that the Messiah will bring about the expansion of God’s Kingdom:
> “Of the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.”
The Messiah’s reign is not just a spiritual concept; it is an ever-growing reality that is being established now through His followers. As Messianic believers, we are called to engage in this ongoing process of Kingdom expansion. Our spiritual warfare is to remove obstacles, tear down strongholds, and see the Kingdom of God advance in our communities, nations, and the world.
---
2. Torah Law: The Foundation for Kingdom Living
In the Scriptures, God’s laws were given to Israel to establish His Kingdom on earth. Torah law is not just a set of rules; it is the framework through which God’s Kingdom operates. When we align ourselves with Torah law, we align ourselves with God’s Kingdom agenda.
Deuteronomy 28:1-2 speaks of the blessings that come from obedience to God’s commandments:
> “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all His commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.”
Obedience to God’s laws is a form of spiritual warfare because it establishes God's Kingdom rule in our lives and in the world around us. When we live according to Torah law, we are a living testimony of God's righteousness and justice, demonstrating His Kingdom to the nations.
God’s law also provides a standard by which we can identify the works of darkness and battle against them. Psalm 119:105 says:
> “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
In spiritual warfare, the Torah serves as the guide to navigate the darkness of this world. By upholding His commandments, we ensure that the light of God’s Kingdom shines in a dark world, driving back the forces of evil and expanding God’s reign.
---
3. Yeshua’s Blood: The Victory that Expands the Kingdom
The blood of Yeshua is the cornerstone of spiritual warfare, not only for personal deliverance but for the advancement of God’s Kingdom. Yeshua’s sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate victory that defeats the powers of darkness, and it is through His blood that we can engage in warfare that has eternal implications.
Matthew 28:18 records Yeshua declaring His authority:
> “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.”
With this authority, Yeshua commands His followers to make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey everything He has commanded. The Kingdom of God is not only about personal salvation but about bringing others into the rule of God. Yeshua’s blood is what makes this possible, for through it, we are reconciled to God and empowered to be His agents of Kingdom expansion.
The blood of Yeshua also gives us authority to break down the strongholds of darkness that prevent the Kingdom from advancing. Revelation 12:11 reveals that the saints overcome by “the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.”
In spiritual warfare for the Kingdom, we are not fighting for victory but standing in the victory that has already been won. Yeshua’s blood empowers us to break chains, tear down walls, and see the Kingdom of God flourish in the world.
---
4. The Holy Spirit: Empowering the Kingdom Expansion
The Holy Spirit is the one who empowers believers to engage in spiritual warfare that goes beyond personal battles. Through the Holy Spirit, we receive the power to witness, preach, and teach the Gospel, bringing the Kingdom of God into the hearts and lives of others.
Zechariah 4:6 says:
> “So he said to me, ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.’”
The Holy Spirit enables believers to engage in spiritual warfare that is not based on human strength but on the divine power of God. It is through the Spirit that we are equipped to carry out the mission of Kingdom expansion, going forth with boldness and authority.
Acts 1:8 records Yeshua’s words to His disciples:
> “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The Holy Spirit empowers believers to engage in spiritual warfare on behalf of the Kingdom. It is through His presence and power that we are able to bring the light of the Kingdom into the darkest places, advancing the cause of God on Earth.
---
5. Engaging in Spiritual Warfare for Kingdom Expansion
Now that we understand the tools and power available to us in this battle, we must apply them to the mission of Kingdom expansion. Spiritual warfare for Kingdom expansion involves both personal and corporate efforts. As individuals, we must be faithful in our own walks with God, living according to His laws, applying the blood of Yeshua, and walking in the power of the Holy Spirit. But the battle is not just for our personal victories; it is for the salvation of the nations.
Isaiah 60:1-3 prophesies the coming glory of God’s Kingdom:
> “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and His glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.”
This passage calls us to engage in spiritual warfare not just for ourselves but for the nations. We are called to be lights in a dark world, advancing the Kingdom by proclaiming the Gospel, making disciples, and tearing down the strongholds of evil that hold people in bondage. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can expand the Kingdom of God into every area of society—through our workplaces, our neighborhoods, and our nations.
---
Conclusion: Advancing the Kingdom through Spiritual Warfare
The battle for the Kingdom of God is ongoing, and Messianic believers are called to engage in spiritual warfare beyond personal struggles. We are called to advance the Kingdom of God, tearing down strongholds, breaking the powers of darkness, and proclaiming the reign of Yeshua over the earth.
As we align ourselves with Torah law, apply the power of Yeshua’s blood, and walk in the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, we will see the Kingdom of God expand in every area of our lives and in the world around us. Let us rise up as warriors for the Kingdom, engaging in spiritual warfare for the glory of God and the salvation of the nations.
