Jesus: The Lord of Sabaoth/Hosts (Part 4)

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver

Unless the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we would have become like Sodom, and we would have been made like Gomorrah. (Romans 9:29, NKJV)

WHY IS THIS SIGNIFICANT? 

Men live in accord with the one(s) they serve. If the serve the Devil they will lie, steal, kill and destroy in accord with their father. They will walk “according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air.” They are being governed, by this “spirit” “that now worketh in the children of disobedience” (Eph 2:2). When they speak, they speak the lies that are taught them THROUGH MEN but by the Father of Lies. In warning the church of this Paul wrote that “the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1 Tim 4:1). This is the unseen hosts influencing the men of earth. Thus the exhortation, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 Jn 4:1).

These doctrines came through the mouths of men but did not originate with men. But this truth does not exempt the men from the condemnation of their sin. “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth” (Isa 24:21). Men are bound by Satan to do his will (2 Tim 2:26) as long as they neglect the provision of God. In other words, those who do “not receive a love of the truth, that they might be saved” will “for this reason,” be given a “strong delusion” by God, “that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Th 2:11-12).

Those who do not reject the lie and seek the truth will inevitably be destroyed for their lack of knowledge. That deceiver, the serpent of old, is working tirelessly to deceive the very elect of God. Nevertheless, there are more who are with us then are with him. And in the end, the Lord of Hosts will come with His host to avenge His remnant.

“So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; and to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.” (2 Thessalonians 1:4-10)

EXHORTATION 

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:10-12)

The war set before us is not cause to fear but to have faith. Depend on the Captain of your salvation to overcome His enemies and yours. Say, with that valiant psalmist of Israel “Though an host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should arise against me, in this will I be confident” (Ps 27:3). For Jesus is working salvation in the midst of the earth and preparing a table in the presence of His enemies. He is doing this  “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places” “the manifold wisdom of God” might be clearly seen in the church as it overcomes the world (Eph 3:10). 

Remember that when Joshua stood before that mighty fortress Jericho that “he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, ‘Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?’ And he said, ‘Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come.’” (Josh 5:13-14)

Jesus, the Lord of Hosts, is over all - both us and our adversaries. So take up “the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph 6:13-17). And let all of us know for certain that “the Lord saveth not with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s” (1 Sam 17:47). 

So, war a good warfare and fight a good fight of faith. We are not of those that shrink back but of those that believe to the saving of our souls. And when it is all said and done and we are standing atop mount Zion looking down upon the Sodom and Gomorrah from whence we’ve come: we will see the smoke of Sodom and Gomorrah; the smoke of Babylon; the smoke of the earth rising up as a furnace. And we will look about us and see that the Lord of Hosts had delivered us in the midst of the overthrow - He had left for Himself a remnant and we are saved!