Today’s selected passage continues in the Old Testament prophetic book of Jeremiah, and more specifically, is found in the thirty-fourth chapter. While there are only twenty-two verses within this chapter, this chapter nonetheless contains an incredibly powerful prophetic truth which is directly applicable for us in this generation. When you begin reading this particular chapter, you will discover a specific word from the Lord which came to the prophet Jeremiah. The thirty-fourth chapter of the prophetic book of Jeremiah begins with “the word which came unto Jeremiah from the Lord, when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and all his army, and all the kingdoms of the earth of his dominion, and all the people, fought against Jerusalem, and against all the cities thereof” (Jeremiah 34:1). When this chapter opens, it opens with a tremendous host and a tremendous force coming against the city of Jerusalem to fight against it in battle. We read in the very first verse of this chapter that Nebuchadnezzar came to Jerusalem with all his army—and not just all his army, but all the kingdoms of the earth of his dominion, and all the people. This chapter opens with a great force coming against Jerusalem with one express intention and purpose—to fight against it. It’s worth noting that you don’t come against something unless you have every desire and intention of overtaking and overpowering it. You do not come against any city or nation with a vast army unless you are willing to completely overtake, overpower, and overcome it. Nebuchadnezzar came against the city of Jerusalem with all his army, and all the kingdoms under his dominion, and all the people therein in order to utterly and completely consume the city of Jerusalem. It’s worth noting that when Nebuchadnezzar came against the city of Jerusalem, he didn’t simply come against him with a small army comprised of a few soldiers and warriors. When Nebuchadnezzar came against the city of Jerusalem, he came against the city with both armies and kingdoms, for Nebuchadnezzar didn’t merely seek to lay siege to Jerusalem, but as a result of that siege to overtake the city and completely destroy it. Nebuchadnezzar came against the city of Jerusalem with such a great force, for he sought to completely cripple the city in order that he might take it for himself. Nebuchadnezzar came against the city of Jerusalem with a great army and with many kingdoms, for he sought to absorb that city and to completely destroy its presence and influence in the earth. It was no small thing for Nebuchadnezzar to come against the city of Jerusalem, for he did so with every intention, desire and purpose of utterly and completely consuming it. When we come to the second verse of this chapter we find the actual subject of the word of the Lord which He spoke unto His servant Jeremiah. In the first verse we find the timing of the word of the Lord, and even the circumstances surrounding the release of the word of the Lord. In the first verse we learn that a word was released from the Lord when Nebuchadnezzar and all his army, and all the kingdoms under his dominion, and all the people fought against Jerusalem, and against all the cities of Jerusalem. While Jerusalem was the central target and focus of Nebuchadnezzar’s invasion of the land of Judah, it’s worth noting that Nebuchadnezzar and his army didn’t merely target Jerusalem as an isolated city. Nebuchadnezzar and his army didn’t enter into and invade the land of Judah and march straight for Jerusalem, but rather, they came and fought against all the cities thereof. If you look back and study the history surrounding the invasion of Judah and the subsequent fall and destruction of Jerusalem, you will discover that before Nebuchadnezzar even laid siege to Jerusalem he first fought against and took all the fortified cities round about Jerusalem. It would have been utterly and completely foolish for Nebuchadnezzar to enter into and invade Judah and march straight for the city of Jerusalem without first dealing with the fortified cities round about it. What good would it have been for Nebuchadnezzar to attempt to lay siege to the city of Jerusalem while the fortified cities round about it remained in tact and untouched. It would have been completely foolish to target Jerusalem alone, for all those within the fortified cities could have come out from the midst of those cities and fought against Nebuchadnezzar and his army. While Jerusalem was the ultimate goal and prize, it was not the first priority in terms of that which Nebuchadnezzar fought against. When Nebuchadnezzar and his army entered into the land of Judah, they fought against and took all the fortified cities of Judah so as to effectively cut off and isolate Jerusalem within the inheritance. An isolated, a separated, and a Jerusalem cut off from the rest of the cities within the inheritance would have been a more vulnerable and exposed Jerusalem. It was in Nebuchadnezzar’s best interest to fight against the fortified cities of Judah before making any attempt to march against Jerusalem to lay siege to it, for by doing so, he cut off any aid and help that might be provided to the inhabitants therein.

 What is Jerusalem within your life? What is Jerusalem within your home? What is Jerusalem within your marriage? What is Jerusalem within your family? It’s important for you and I to recognize and understand that the enemy and adversary doesn’t target your Jerusalem from the start, for to do so would be utterly and completely foolish. When the adversary and enemy comes against you to fight against you with his army and all that is under his dominion, he doesn’t target Jerusalem first and foremost. The adversary will target all those secondary things within your life before ultimately and finally marching against Jerusalem. The enemy and adversary will seek to isolate, separate and cut you off from everything and every one around you, for it is in that isolated and separated place that you are the most susceptible and the most vulnerable. It is only after the enemy and adversary has effectively cut you off from fellowship that he then knows and understands that you are most vulnerable and susceptible to his tactics, his schemes, his devices and his attacks. What’s so interesting and worth noting is that while Jerusalem was the single greatest fortified city within the land of Judah, it was not the only fortified city within the land. There were various other cities such as Hebron which were also fortified and must be captured before Jerusalem could be captured and taken. The prophet Jeremiah recounts how Nebuchadnezzar with all his army, all the kingdoms under his dominion, and all the people fought against Jerusalem, but the prophet also recounts how they fought against all the cities thereof. In essence, Nebuchadnezzar wanted to make a full and complete end of the southern kingdom of Judah in the earth, and systematically fought against every city contained therein. Nebuchadnezzar knew that as each city within the land fell, the more vulnerable and the weaker the nation would become. With the fall of each fortified city, Nebuchadnezzar would be able to move closer and closer to the city of Jerusalem, and eventually and ultimately lay siege to Jerusalem. One of the things that’s worth noting is that until and unless Nebuchadnezzar first captured all the fortified cities of Judah, he would have been completely unable to lay siege to the city of Jerusalem. With the fortified cities round about Jerusalem neutralized and brought under his control, Nebuchadnezzar was able to mount an effective siege against Jerusalem, for there wasn’t a single threat round about him or his army within the land. The siege could have only worked if any and all threats against Nebuchadnezzar and his army were neutralized and brought to a complete and total end.

 It’s necessary and imperative that we recognize and understand that the first and primary objective to capture Jerusalem—Jerusalem which was the ultimate target and object of envy for Nebuchadnezzar—was to capture the nations and lands round about Judah. Before Nebuchadnezzar marched against the southern kingdom of Judah, he first marched against the nations, lands and kingdoms round about Judah. With the nations, lands and kingdoms round about Judah neutralized and brought under his dominion and control, Judah would be completely exposed and more vulnerable to his advance. Mark this and mark this well, for Nebuchadnezzar didn’t immediately march against and lay siege to the city of Jerusalem, nor even against the southern kingdom of Judah without first marching against the nations, lands and peoples round about it. I am utterly and completely convinced that Nebuchadnezzar sought to cut off Judah from the surrounding nations, lands and kingdoms, for he wanted to ensure that he had a clear path to Judah, and ultimately Jerusalem, as well as cut off any possibility of any nation, land or kingdom joining forces with Judah to mount a counter attack against him. The first phase in the destruction of Jerusalem was the cutting off, the separating and the isolation of Judah from the nations, lands and peoples round it. Once Judah was isolated, cut off and separated from nations such as Edom, Moab, Ammon, Syria, Philistia, and other lands, Judah would wide open and most vulnerable to the advance and invasion of the enemy and adversary. When reading and studying Nebuchadnezzar’s invasion of Judah and his subsequent siege and destruction of Jerusalem, it’s necessary and worth noting that separation and isolation were two of his greatest tactics and strategies. Nebuchadnezzar knew and understand the one would be the most vulnerable and susceptible when they were separated and isolated from those around them, fore there would be none to come to their rescue, and there would be absolutely no possibility of those around Judah joining forces with them to fight against Nebuchadnezzar. THE ENEMY IS AFRAID OF PARTNERSHIP! THE ENEMY IS AFRAID OF RELATIONSHIP! THE ENEMY IS AFRAID OF FELLOWSHIP! THE ENEMY IS ABSOLUTELY PETRIFIED WITH TWO OR MORE ARE GATHERED TOGETHER IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, FOR IT’S IN THE GATHERING TOGETHER, AND IN THE NAME THAT THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD.

We must understand that it’s not only in the gathering together, but it’s also in the name that the presence of the Lord is found. In other words, it’s not enough to merely gather together, for the name must be associated with the gathering. It’s the name that defines the gathering and not the gathering that defines the name. When we allow the name to actively define our gathering, it is possible for the presence of the Lord to be manifested among us within our midst. Did you know the adversary has absolutely no fear, no terror, nor any dread with gathering together for the sake of gathering together? Did you know that it is possible to gather together without, apart, and separate from the name, and our gathering strike absolutely no fear within the camp of the adversary? There is something incredibly powerful that happens when we gather together in the name of our Lord, and when we allow the name to define our gathering. I would dare say there are many who are gathering together, yet they aren’t allowing the name to define their gathering. Notice that Jesus didn’t declare that if two or more are gathered together there He is in the midst, but that if two or more are gathered together in His name, He is there in the midst. How many times have we attempted to gather together, yet we have attempted to do so without and apart from the name of the Lord. Consider the exact text as it is found in the eighteenth chapter of the New Testament gospel according to Matthew—“Against I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:19-20). Notice in the nineteenth verse Jesus speaks of agreement, and then directly links and connects that agreement to asking. In essence, Jesus declares that if two agree as touching that which they ask for, it would be done for them of His Father which is in heaven. It’s incredibly powerful to note that in the nineteenth verse we discover the activity of the Father, while in the twentieth verse we discover the presence of Jesus. It’s necessary for us to understand this, for it isn’t enough for us simply to gather together, nor is it enough for us simply to ask for anything. Jesus declared that gathering together wasn’t enough, for unless our gathering together was in His name—in other words, unless His name actively governed the gathering, and unless His name identified the gathering—His presence would not be there in the midst. There are a number of individuals, and even a number of “churches” and “congregations” and “assemblies” which may be gathering together, yet their gathering together is neither governed by the name of the Lord, nor is their gathering together identified by the name of the Lord. I would dare say that until and unless you are willing to allow the name of the Lord identify and govern your gathering together—do not expect the presence of Jesus to be manifested within your midst.

Jesus declared that if two of us agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of His Father which is in heaven. I can’t help but be reminded of the word which the prophet Amos spoke which is recorded in the third chapter of the prophetic book which bears his name. “Can two walk together, except they be agreed? Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? Will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing? Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? Shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all? Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? Shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it? Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets. The lion hath roared, who will not fear? The Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?” (Amos 3:3-8). Notice what the prophet speaks in the third verse, for the prophet asks very pointedly if two can walk together, except they be in agreement with each other. I can’t help but be reminded of the account of Joab and his brother Abishai when the enemy and adversary came out against Israel in battle.

“And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of th gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and. Macao, were by themselves in the field. When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians: and the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon. And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee. Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the Lord do that which seemeth him good. And Joab drew night, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him. And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem. And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together. And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them. AND WHEN IT WAS TOLD DAVID, HE GATHERED ALL ISRAEL TOGETHER, AND PASSED OVER JORDAN, AND CAME TO HELAM. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him. And the Syrians fled before Israel: and David slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there. And when all the kings that were servants to Hadarezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon anymore? (2 Samuel 10:8-19).

GET READY! THE KING IS COMING! I am convinced that what we read in this passage of Scripture is an incredibly powerful example of what Jesus declared in the eighteenth chapter of the gospel according to Matthew. Jesus declared that if two agree as touching any thing which they ask, the Father which is in heaven will perform that thing. Jesus went on to declare that where two or more are gathered together, there He would be in their midst. When you read this passage in the Old Testament book of Second Samuel, you will notice that the battle did not begin with David king of Israel, nor did the battle begin with the entire host of Israel. What we read in this passage was two brothers who each had a host assigned to them which engaged the enemy on two fronts. Within this passage we find two brothers engaging two different enemies in battle, and each brother agreeing on one thing—if the enemy facing you is too strong for you, I will come and help you. Notice that Joab and Abishai not only agreed to engage a particular enemy and adversary, but they also agreed that if the enemy and adversary which their brother faced was too strong for them, they would turn and help them in battle. How absolutely incredible it is to consider that there was not only agreement in engaging one of the enemies which was before them, but there was also agreement to turn and help the other if the enemy which they were facing was too strong for them. What an absolutely incredible picture this is of what it should be like among us in this generation, for we must not only be in agreement to confront and engage the enemy that is before us, but we must also be in agreement that if the enemy which our brother is fighting is too strong for them, we will turn and help them confront that enemy, and turn and help them fight that battle. PLEASE DO NOT THINK THAT YOU WILL BE STRONG ENOUGH TO DEFEAT EVERY ENEMY. YOU FACE BY YOURSELF! PLEASE DO NOT THINK THAT YOU CAN FIGHT EVERY BATTLE YOU FACE ALONE! PLEASE DO NOT THINK THAT YOU CAN WIN EVERY BATTLE YOU FACE BY YOURSELF WITHOUT OTHERS COMING ALONGSIDE YOU.! I am reminded of the words which Moses recorded in the thirty-second chapter of the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy—“O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end! How should one chase a thousand, and two put then thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the Lord had shut them up? Four their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges” (Deuteronomy 32:29-31). We would be absolutely and incredibly wise to recognize and understand that not every battle we encounter within our lives can we fought and won simply by us alone. How many casualties have occurred because men and women thought they could engage and fight the enemy by themselves without the help, without the support, without the assistance, without the intercession of others around them?

I so love this passage in the tenth chapter of the Old Testament book of Second Samuel, for not only does it wonderfully and powerfully reveal the power of agreement between two brothers, but it also demonstrates and reveals the tremendous power of that agreement. When you read this passage of Scripture you will quickly discover that it is possible for the enemy you are fighting to be too strong for you. When reading this passage, you will discover that it is possible for the battle you are fighting to be too much for you, and you will need the assistance and help of your brother. One thing that is necessary to note and understand about this passage of Scripture is that the brother which may come alongside you to help wasn’t themselves absent and free from their own battle. Notice that both Joab and Abishai were each fighting their own battle, and were each engaging their own enemy and adversary which threatened the people of God. It’s necessary to understand this, for we dare not, we cannot, we must not think that those who are, and those who have been called to come alongside us to help us fight the battle we are facing, and engage the enemy were are facing are those who themselves have not been fighting their own battle. This passage reveals the reality of two brothers fighting two distinct enemies on two different fronts, and both brothers recognizing that the enemy and adversary which they were facing could potentially be too strong, too great and too much for them. If that was the case, the other brother would come to their side and would fight alongside them in battle. It is possible that you are fighting your own battle and I am fighting my own battle, and yet the battle you are fighting is too strong and too much for you, and I must turn and come alongside you and help you fight that battle. Conversely, the opposite is true of me, for the battle I am fighting might be too much and too great for me, and I might need you to come alongside me to help me fight it. In both cases, both you and I must fight until we overcome and defeat the enemy we are engaging and fighting in battle—whether we do it ourselves, or whether we do it with the help of those around us who come alongside us to help us engage the enemy in conflict and battle. Let us recognize and understand that not every battle is fought and won independently of those around us, and that there are times when conflicts and battles arise within our lives to enlist the assistance, the help, the support, and the intercession of others. In other words—the Lord may allow a conflict and battle to arise within your life, and one that might be too strong and too difficult for you to face by yourself, for the Lord desires that others should come alongside you to help you overcome and overtake that enemy, and to win victory in that battle.

With that being said, it’s necessary and important for us to read this passage of Scripture and not only understand that it is a passage about two brothers each engaging an enemy on a different front, but ultimately about the king who comes out with all the host of Israel to engage the enemy in battle. As this passage progresses, we discover that as Joab drew near unto battle with and against the Syrians, the Syrians fled before them. .When the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians had fled, they also fled before Abishai and entered into the city. Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came unto Jerusalem. One thing that is important to note is that just because the enemy might flee before you today doesn’t mean the battle is over. We’ve been thought to think and believe that if we submit ourselves unto the Lord, and that if we resist the devil he must flee. This is truth, and this is Scriptural, yet we have been thought to think and believe that if the devil flees from us based on our resistance, he will not, he cannot and he won’t return. We have been thought to think and believe that if we resist the devil and he flees from us, that is the end of it, and he won’t dare return. The truth of the matter is that this simply isn’t the case, for just because we submit ourselves to God, and just because we resist the devil and he flees from us, that doesn’t mean he will not return. We expect the retreat without the return, and I must emphatically and boldly declare that that simply is not the case. We dare not, we cannot, we must not be so naïve to think that the enemy will retreat without returning at a different time. This reality is illustrated in the temptation of Jesus, for in the fourth chapter of the New Testament book of Luke we read these words—“And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from Him FOR A SEASON.” Please don’t miss those final three words, for although the devil departed, he departed only for a season. It was true that Jesus had resisted the devil, and that the devil had to flee from the presence of Jesus, but it is also true that he did not flee without any plan, desire or expectancy to return. THE ENEMY NEVER FLEES WITHOUT A PLAN TO RETURN! THE ENEMY NEVER DEPARTS WITHOUT PLANNING FOR ANOTHER SEASON! I am convinced that when we preach “submit ourselves to God, resist the devil, and he must flee,” we must also preach this passage in the New Testament gospel of Luke, for the devil never departs without a plan for further action, nor does he retreat without a plan for return. We cannot, we should not, we must not expect the retreat of the adversary without a plan for return, for to do so would be utterly and completely detrimental to our spiritual lives and spiritual journeys.

As you continue reading this passage of Scripture in the Old Testament book of Second Samuel, you will discover that although the Syrians fled before Joab, they did not flee without a definitely plan and course of action to return. “And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together. And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shoah the captain of the host of Hadazrezer went before them” (2 Samuel 10:15-16). These two verses that reveal that while it was true the enemy retreated, the enemy retreated and regrouped in order that they might come back even stronger than they had done so originally. When the enemy fled, departed and retreated, the enemy did so with the express intention, desire and purpose to regroup and to come back stronger than they did before. There was one fundamental difference between this second wave of confrontation which the enemy brought against the people of God at this time. “And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together, and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him” (2 Samuel 10:17). It was true the Syrians retreated, fled and departed before Joab, yet when they did so, and when they recognized that they were smitten before Israel, they again gathered themselves together against Israel with an even greater force than before. What’s worth noting and pointing out is that it was this second attempt to come against Israel that reached the ears of David, and not only drew David out of the city, but also drew all of Israel as well, for David “gathered all Israel together.” Consider the fact that this battle and conflict originally began with two brothers who were willing to agree with each other to confront, engage and deal with the adversary on two different fronts. This whole passage began with two brothers who were willing to stand and fight in agreement, and it was their willingness to stand and fight in agreement that would eventually cause the king himself to come forth. I absolutely love this passage of Scripture, for a conflict and battle that originally began with two brothers would eventually enlist the presence of the king, and not only the presence of the king, but the presence of the king and all Israel. It was their agreement that would eventually and ultimately enlist the help of the king himself—and not only enlist the help and support of the king, but also the strength and might of the king, for the king would come out and fight against that enemy and adversary which fought against Israel.

I wrote earlier these words—“Get Ready For the King to Show Up”—and I believe these words are the word of the Lord for a number of men and women in this generation. There are men and women who right now are standing in agreement with brothers and sisters, as they fight and war against the enemies and adversaries which have gathered themselves against them in battle. There are men and women who are gathered together in the name of the Lord, yet they are waiting for the presence of the King to be manifested in their midst. One of the most distinct titles of Jesus the Christ in Scripture is “the Son of David,” for it would be Jesus who not only descended from the royal lineage of David, but it was Jesus who would ultimately sit on the throne of David for all eternity. It’s worth noting and understanding this, for I am convinced that just as word reaching the ears and hearing of David concerning the Syrian advancement against Israel, so too word of the activity and advancement of the adversary has reached the ears of the Son of David. I am convinced that just as the regrouping of the Syrians in this passage caught the attention of the king of Israel, so too the regrouping of the adversary within our lives is catching the attention of the king. With that being said, we must understand that there are some battles we must fight on our own without the presence of the king, for the king waits until the appointed and necessary time when he can come forth and engage the enemy with us and even on our behalf. Joab and Abishai fought against and engaged Ammon and Syria themselves without the presence of the king of Israel, yet it wasn’t until the enemy regrouped and gathered themselves together against to come against Israel that the report reached the king and the king came forth with the entire might of Israel. I am convinced there are men and women who right now have been fighting very specific battles in their lives, and they have been doing so without the presence of the King in those battles. There are those who have watched as the enemy has fled and departed from their lives, yet in the departing of the enemy comes a regrouping and a regathering of his forces in order that a larger attack and battle might ensue. Note that there are times when we must stand our ground, we must submit ourselves to God, we must resist the devil, and he will and must flee from us. This, however, doesn’t mean that the enemy cannot and will not return with an every greater force to come against us.

GET READY FOR THE KING TO SHOW UP! Consider the words of David in the twenty-fourth chapter of the book of the Psalms, for these words perfectly and adequately summarize this reality even more. “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For He hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Delay. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and by ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in? Who is this King of glory? THE LORD STRONG AND MIGHTY, THE LORD MIGHTY IN BATTLE! Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah” (Psalm 24:1-10). Joab and Abishai each engaged the enemy on their own front, and the each of the enemies they engaged in conflict and battle fled before them. It was upon the retreat and feeling of those enemies that Joab and his brother returned to Jerusalem. It would be nice if that was the end of the story, but this passage continues and reveals that although the enemy retreated and fled, the enemy did not retreat without a plan to return. It was in this return, however, that attracted the attention of the king, and drew the king of the city of Jerusalem to engage the adversary in battle. I am utterly and completely convinced that just as report and news reached the ears of David king of Israel in the city of Jerusalem, so too a similar report will reach the Son of David, and the King of kings, and captures His attention. There are reports that are arising before the King of kings in this generation right now that are calling for Him to come forth with a great host to engage the adversary and enemy that has returned once more within the lives of the people of God to utterly and completely destroy them. Oh that we would recognize and understand that it is our responsibility to stand our ground, to stand firm, to fight the good fight of faith, and to resist the devil, and the devil has to flee. Even with that realization, however, we must note that the enemy never retreats, nor does he depart, nor does he flee for good, for he always has a plan of return.

We dare not preach the retreat without also preparing for the return, yet even when we preach the return, we must preach the rise of the King of glory who is strong and might, and is mighty in battle. There are men and women who right now need to ready and prepare themselves for the King of glory—the Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty and battle—to come forth from His place, and to engage the enemy in conflict and battle. We must faithful to stand in agreement with our brothers and sisters as we engage the adversary in conflict and battle, and we must be willing to come alongside our brothers and sisters if necessary. We dare not preach, and must stop preaching the retreat of the enemy without also preparing for the return of the enemy, for there are many casualties that have occurred because men and women expected the retreat without the return, and have been caught off guard. We must preach the necessity of standing firm, of fighting the good fight of faith, and of resisting the devil, but we must also prepare ourselves for the regrouping and regathering of the enemy, knowing that this thing called life is a continual and constant struggle. There is hope, however—not only in brothers and sisters who are willing to stand in agreement with each other and each fight their own enemy and battle, but also be willing to come alongside another if the enemy and battle they are facing is too strong for them. There is hope in knowing that even when the enemy regroups and regathers, report can and will reach the ears and hearing of the King of glory who is both strong and mighty, and might in battle. Oh that we would open up the gates in order that the King of glory might burst forth with the host of heaven with, alongside and for Him. Get ready for the King of glory to come out of Jerusalem and engage the enemy in conflict and battle. Get ready for your struggle and your conflict and your battle to be worth it, for the Lord of hosts Himself is about to rise from His place, don Himself with His battle gear, and burst forth in glorious battle. Let us agree as touching any one thing which we ask for knowing that it shall be given us by our Father which is in heaven, and let us gather together in the name of the Lord, for it is in that gathering together in His name that produces the manifestation of His presence. Get ready for the King of glory to come forth from His place with a host behind Him ready for battle. “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white. Horse; and He that sat upon Him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He Himself. And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19:11-16).