Warfare Behind the Veil: Asserting Your Kingdom Authority

By Carole Urbas and Julie Werner

Something is taking place in the heavenlies that many of us don’t understand. There is a battle ensuing between two kingdoms – the kingdom of light (God) and the kingdom of darkness (Satan). The book of Hebrews states that a shaking is going to come upon the whole earth preceding the return of Christ. Everything that is not built on

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jeremiahs Call Ministries
• Release date: Oct 4, 2019
• ISBN: 9781734035230

Carole Urbas

Carole L. Urbas, is a Christian author and bible study teacher. She's held leadership positions at churches and non-profit organizations. Having worked for nationally recognized leaders and volunteered with nationally recognized organizations, she took her experience and training to help launch Jeremiahs Call Ministries (JCM). Her works include The Narrow Gate - A Journey to Holiness, Warfare Behind the Veil - Asserting your Kingdom Authority, and soon to be released A Voice in the Wilderness - Preparing the Way for the Lord. Carole, and the amazing team at Jeremiahs Call Ministries, is committed to strengthening the body of Christ through the power of God's Word. Carole and her husband, Len, along with their four children reside in Colorado.

Book preview

Preface

In this day of the revival of ‘Spiritism,’ when so many, through the loss of loved ones in the ‘Great World War,’ are longing to communicate with the dead, and are resorting to forbidden means to that end; a day in which science is trying to discover whether there is another world than this, and whether men live after death, and if so can they communicate with the living, it seems timely that a book should be written to show what the Holy scriptures have revealed of the "World of Spirits.

The Bible has much to say about the spirit world, and if we will carefully search its’ pages, we shall know all there is to be known in this life of the world to come. For if men will not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded, though one rose or came back from the dead …What is your relation to the spirit world? Are you yielding yourself to the power and control of evil spirits, or are you allowing the HOLY SPIRIT to have full and complete possession of your life? On your choice depends your eternal state. Your soul is of priceless value. For its salvation, and the redemption of your body, the Lord Jesus died upon the cross. Without the acceptance of Him as your personal Savior, you will be eternally lost. (Clarence Larkin, The Spirit World, 1921)

Introduction

The subject of the treatise is solemn: A war between the Saint and Satan. And it is such a bloody one that the cruelest war ever fought by men will be seen as but sports and child’s play compared to this. It is a spiritual war that you shall read of; not a history of what was fought many ages past and is now over, but of a war now going on – the tragedy is present with us. And it is not taking place at the farthest end of the world; it concerns you and everyone who reads of it. The stage on which this war is fought is every man’s own soul. There are no neutrals in this war. The whole world is engaged in the quarrel, either for God against Satan, or for Satan against God.

(WILLIAM GURNALL – CHRISTIAN MINISTER, ENGLAND - 1655)

AS I BEGAN writing the second Bible study from Jeremiahs Call Ministries, a friend commented on how quickly we were already producing a second study. Our first study, The Narrow Gate – A Journey to Holiness, was released in the summer of 2018, just eight short months after launching our ministry. On top of that, we were already making preparations to teach a study on warfare that fall. As I reflected on the comment, another person on our team quickly spoke up and said, "These books are not just being written, they’ve been in the works for years because they were written over time…in prayer."

Years spent in studying scriptures and hiding with God in the secret place of prayer, forged a collection of journals and written notes between the Lord and myself. These treasured secrets held revelation from His word, anguishes from my soul, intercession from my spirit, and praises from my heart. Through prayer He lifted the veil on the majesty of His nature. He combined ministry experience with the revelatory work of His Spirit to release His word, in His timing, to others. Upon a return from a mission trip to Africa, the unction of the Holy Spirit prompted me to take what He had taught me and share it with others. At that moment, the first study began. A few years after that, a group of us launched Jeremiahs Call.

It’s Time

It’s time are two words that have been ringing loudly in my spirit over the last couple of years. Events in the world are converging in perfect harmony with prophetic scriptures and it’s time for God’s people to wake up, rise up and walk in their God ordained holy calling. This book is a message that I truly believe will help with that. It’s time to understand the forces at work in the invisible realm behind the veil of the physical world and it’s also time to understand the impact our spiritual positioning in Christ has to influence that realm.

Something is taking place in the heavenlies many of us don’t understand. There is a battle ensuing between two kingdoms—the kingdom of light (God) and the kingdom of darkness (Satan). It’s a battle that’s been here since the beginning of mankind, but now escalating in force. It’s time the saints of God (believers in Jesus Christ) stand as the holy army we were destined to be and assert the power and authority of Christ over this darkness. Clothed in holiness and humility, led by the Holy Spirit, we must learn to walk as ambassadors for Christ holding His rod of authority over the people and places the enemy is trying to steal, kill and destroy. This is no small task. It will take every single one of us in the body of Christ working together to fulfill this divine assignment.

The book of Hebrews states that a shaking is going to come upon the whole earth preceding the return of Christ (Hebrews 12:25-27). Just as the earth shook at Mount Sinai, so too, can we expect not only the earth but heaven to shake in the latter days (Matthew 24:29). Everything made will be shaken so that the unshakable kingdom of God is ushered in which will endure throughout all eternity (Luke 18:29). Everything that is not built on the solid foundation of the truth of God’s word will be exposed and laid bare. He is sending a purifying fire to prepare the earth for His arrival.

Satan understands that his time is short, so he has increased his activity upon the earth to take as many people captive as he can. The saints must respond! It’s time we get to know our God, not just know about Him. It’s time to be grounded in Biblical truth. It’s time to embrace the work of the Holy Spirit. It’s time to walk in humility and meekness yet with all power and authority. We need to become the salt and light we are supposed to be. We cannot take one step onto a spiritual battlefield without being fully submitted to Christ because it will take great courage and faith to be victorious. When Paul was speaking to the believers in Ephesus, he knew that he needed to encourage and comfort them as he prepared them for hardship, so he reminded them of the Lord’s strength, Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10). Paul exhorted the believers to concentrate on one thing, being strong in the Lord. The outcome of the battle rests on God’s performance, not on our skill and strength. Examples of this are found throughout the Bible. In the Old Testament God continually reminded the Israelites that if they drew near to Him and remained faithful by following His commandments and statutes, He would deliver their enemies into their hands during battle. We too must draw near, remain faithful and obey His words if we want to be victorious in spiritual struggles.

King Jehoshaphat was such a person in the Bible. He knew that his success over an impending battle depended on the Lord’s favor. If God was for them, they could not lose. They sought the Lord in prayer and consecrated a fast. All of Judah participated, including their wives and children. This pleased Him, and He sent His answer - the guarantee of success. Do not be afraid or dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s (2 Chronicles 20:15). Let this serve as a reminder for all of us. The battle is the Lords, not ours. However, we must learn to do our part in seeking His will, favor and assistance through prayer and other disciplines that cause Him to respond. Our Lord is more than capable and stands ready to assist us in hostile confrontations and in pulling down spiritual strongholds. These spiritual battles are not new to Him. They stem from an enemy of old, an enemy of His own creation, originally created for glory. If we want to see victory we must understand who that enemy is, what his agenda is, and how, through Jesus Christ, we can overcome him.

So, be encouraged and strengthened. This is not a time to fear. Fear immobilizes us. Fear isolates us. Fear cripples us. Fear deceives us. No, my friends, For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). It’s time! It’s time to rise up as His ambassadors and face the giants of our day. Are you ready?

Welcome to Warfare Behind the Veil – Asserting Your Kingdom Authority!

How to Use This Study

Welcome to Warfare Behind the Veil, Asserting Your Kingdom Authority. Never has there been a time, at least in my lifetime, when understanding our kingdom authority in Christ has been so important. We are facing unprecedented challenges politically, culturally, spiritually, socially and personally. The shaking of God has begun, giving rise to satanic escalation in the realms of the spiritual world. I have been in ministry for over twenty years and was in deliverance ministry for some of that time. I have read and studied countless resources on understanding, addressing and overcoming the kingdom of darkness, Satan’s kingdom. It has grown my faith in ways I never expected.

This study came about from a desire in the body of Christ to understand more about the struggles plaguing the world. When asking a prior study group what they wanted to learn next, they unanimously voted for a study on spiritual warfare because this is where many in the body of Christ feel the least equipped on their spiritual journey. There is a vague understanding among believers of what it means to wrestle against things that are not flesh and blood. This study will hopefully shed some light into this area. Let me begin by saying that this is not a study on how to cast out demons, nor does it encourage an unhealthy fascination with the kingdom of darkness. Rather it’s a study on understanding what is taking place in the invisible realm of the spiritual world, behind the veil of the physical world, and how we’re to battle against such things behind another veil, in the secret place of the Most High.

Paul tells us that the invisible world is more real than the visible. We have a unique positioning in both. Being born again believers in Jesus Christ, we have become spiritual beings with our spirit being joined to Jesus’s Spirit. Living here on the earth we are physical beings. Both give us the unique advantage of dual citizenship of both heaven and earth. We are positioned spiritually in the heavenly places with Christ, while living on the earth in physical bodies. This creative design gives us the authority we need in the spirit realm to come against the plans and purposes of Satan’s kingdom that are impacting the physical realm. Believe it or not, being in Christ, we have the authority to greatly impact what’s taking place in spiritual atmospheres!

The first half of this study is focused on four things:

• The names of God, His position as King and the authority of His word

• Satan

• Fallen angels and spiritual gateways

• Satan’s kingdom structure

Although not an exhaustive look, hopefully it will give you enough knowledge to understand what’s happening around you spiritually. The last half of the study is focused on our spiritual positioning and authority in Christ to overcome Satan’s kingdom assignments:

• A holy priesthood

• Kingly authority

• Our holy calling

• Abiding in Christ

• The power of the blood of Jesus

Each one of these topics are rich in mystery and could be their own book. I encourage you go through the last half of this study slowly, digesting what the Holy Spirit is trying to reveal to you. Again, this is not a study on casting out demons, but learning who you truly are in Christ and living that out.

Chapters are fairly long, which is why each chapter has pauses built in, placed there for further reflection, they are called Reflect and Respond. The end of each chapter contains Practical Practices, assignments to enhance what you’ve learned through the chapter. It is set up to work through individually or in a group setting. Lastly, also included at the end of each chapter, is a QR code embedded with the link to video teachings for each week. Please know that video lectures are meant to compliment and further enhance the chapter. They are not designed to be a repeat of the chapter, nor a fill a blank assignment. Through prayer, I received revelation for the book, and a separate revelation for the teaching, both working together.

As in any Bible study, it’s one thing to sit in a group and discuss each chapter or watch a video and discuss a video. But the real growth comes in the time you put in to reflection, Bible reading and assignments. I encourage you to do all three. We are at a time in history where we need all hands in the body of Christ on deck. We need to be educated, consecrated and anointed for the spiritual war of all wars that is heading our way. It is time to come out of complacency, consumerism and – dare I say it – ignorance. It’s time to mature in our faith, grow in our authority and stand against the evil permeating our lives. I hope this study helps begin that journey for you.

In Obedience to Him,

Carole

Part One:

BEHIND THE VEIL

The Visible and Invisible Realms

CHAPTER 1

A King and His Kingdom

Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.’ And the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

(2 CHRONICLES 32:7-8)

I WAS WALKING out of the store with two large grocery carts filled to the brim. A young employee saw that I would need some help and offered her assistance to my car. I gladly accepted! As we’re walking out, I noticed that her name tag revealed a rather interesting name, Vin. We started conversing and I asked her if that was her real name, and if so, what it meant. She laughed briefly and said, No it’s not my real name, I got it from a video game. I told her that it must be an interesting character to like it well enough to name herself after it. She replied, Oh, well, not really…it’s the name of the demon. Never one to hold back, I said boldly, Demon!?! What on earth would make you want to name yourself after a demon? At this point, we were at my car. She looked at me a little shocked and could only shrug her shoulders. I walked to the side door to start loading since she was loading the back. No sooner is my head inside placing items on the floor that she says, Well, I don’t see the big deal. I’m really not sure who I am. I’m not sure if I’m a boy or a girl. My head immediately lifted up, barely missing banging it on the roof of the car door. What? I said. Who told you that lie? She was silent. I continued, "First of all, you probably have a very lovely name, like Catherine or something. Secondly, you’re a beautiful girl and don’t let anyone or anything tell you differently!" She was staring at me probably a little shocked. It’s not common to go against a politically correct culture these days.

She slowly replied, "My mom told me the same thing. My name is actually Katryn, derived from Catherine (pronounced cat-rin). It means pure". Of course, it did! And of course, the enemy was out to make her feel confused and impure by having her name herself after a demon. I was annoyed, but not at her! I get so angry when the enemy deceives people in this way. So, I took the next few minutes to lovingly speak truth to her and encouraged her to change her name back. We parted ways and I saw her the next day in the store. We spoke again briefly and since then, I’ve never seen her again. God let our paths cross for a brief moment of time so that He could remind her of how He sees her which is pure. A lie had come into this young girl’s life and God wanted her to know truth. We all get these types of opportunities every day—divine assignments in which our lives intersect with someone God is after. The question is, do you recognize them when they come and do you know what to do with it when it does?

Do Not Take The Lord’s Name in Vain

Names are important, not just for people but also for God, which is why this is the first place we must begin in a study on spiritual warfare. Here on earth, names are the means by which someone can identify and refer to you. In times past, names not only defined a person’s character and identity but oftentimes associated them with their family heritage. Jeremiah, for example, is described in the following way, "Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin" (Jeremiah 1:1). The name Jeremiah means Yahweh (God) will exalt and then ties him to his father and family heritage, which was a family of priests, located in the territory of Benjamin in Israel. Jeremiah fulfilled his identity when God exalted him as prophet over the nation of Israel to warn them of impending judgment if they did not repent and turn back to Him. This is no different in the spiritual realm, only in relation to God. He is so holy and sovereign that He has many names, each one tied to a different attribute of His. The spiritual realm understands the power of His name, especially the name of Jesus, the One who triumphed over all evil. Our faith grows when we learn how powerful His name really is in that realm. It also grows when we learn the attributes of His other names, assuring us of His faithfulness towards us, which is incredibly important as we navigate through the minefields of spiritual strongholds.

I learned long ago in a business relations course I took that all introductions begin with a name because people like hearing their name said. It immediately personalizes the dialogue you’re