SermonIndex Audio Sermons
SermonIndex - Promoting Revival to this Generation
Give To SermonIndex
Discussion Forum : General Topics : Ascension and Warfare - Watchman Nee

Print Thread (PDF)

PosterThread
docs
Member



Joined: 2006/9/16
Posts: 2753


 Ascension and Warfare - Watchman Nee

"Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon; look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions' dens, from the mountains of the leopards." (Song of Solomon 4:8)

In the Bible, a high mountain often signifies a separation from the earth and a heavenly place. Hence, this is a call for ascension. Most accurately stated, this call is a call to the believers to stand on the ground of ascension and to look down from such ground. Hence, this vision is a ascension.

A believers stand should be on the mountain. Although many people have failed, the place the Lord has assigned for them is still the heavenly mountaintop. On the mountaintop heaven is near. Indeed, heaven is all around. On the mountaintop the earth is far away and detached. The
three mountaintops indicate that even in the heavenly place, there are still different peaks. There is more than one peak, and there is much ground for movement; one is not bound.

“Amana means truth. We can look down from the peak. We can dwell on the peak of all the real things in Christ.

“Shenir” means a soft armor, which signifies the armor given to us by the Holy Spirit. The thought in this verse is totally related to warfare. We often need to consider the things down here below with a full view of the heavenly warfare.

“Hermon” means destruction, which refers to Christ's victory on the cross. He is the Son of God manifested to destroy all the works of the devil (I John 3:8b). We can prevail in all warfare to deal with all the worldly affairs from the peak of victory.

There are many peaks of victory, and the ground of ascension is broad; there is room for movement and growth. However, Ephesians shows us that the heavenly places (chs one and two) are the very places where the enemy dwells (chapter six). Walking on the mountaintop and looking down from there inevitably brings us into an encounter with the lions' dens and the leopards' mountains. The earth is the place where the lions roam, and the world is where the leopards devour. Yet the lions' dens are in the heavenly places, and the leopards' mountains are also in the heavenly places. Before we know ascension in an experiential way, all that we encounter on earth is the enemy's work. After we know ascension, we will dwell in the very places where the enemy dwells. We must not only be aware of the enemy's work, but we must engage the enemy face to face. The emphasis regarding lions in the Bible is on their roaring. Hence, their work is primarily that of posing threats. The emphasis regarding leopards in the Bible is on their fierceness. Hence, their work is primarily that of devouring.

The Lord has called the maiden to the ground of ascension. Yet He has never said that everything will be rosy. He shows her that even in a life on the peak, lions and leopards are closer to her than ever before. Those who do not understand Ephesians 1 and 2 do not understand the spiritual warfare in chapter six, but those who know ascension realize the reality and nearness of the enemy. Nevertheless, the Lord is still beckoning us to look down from this place. Our mountaintop is still the truth, our mountaintop is still armor, and our mountaintop is still victory and destruction. Heavenly things can be clearly discerned only in heavenly places, while earthly things can be discerned clearly with only a heavenly view. Heaven is the only place to oversee everything. We often do not look from heaven. Rather, we explain many things from an earthly view. The result is nothing but foolishness. Even the smallest thing on earth must be seen from the heavenly position. Otherwise, we will not be clear even about the smallest thing. Yet looking from heaven is looking from the place of the lions' dens and the leopards' mountains. In exercising our observation, we cannot forget the enemy. If we look from heaven, we will not fail to see the relationship between everything and the lions' dens and the leopards' mountains. Those who have a mountaintop view are able to capture the enemy's view concerning everything. Hence, those who observe from the “promised ground” of God's peak will also see things from the view of the enemy's interest.

Spiritual warfare is first a matter of position, and second a matter of view. Without position, we cannot identify the enemy himself, and without the heavenly view, we cannot identify the deceptions of the enemy. Without these two things, there can be no warfare, and we cannot fight.

This is an unprecedented call! It is a great and fearful call! Naturally speaking, it is extremely difficult for a weak maiden to climb up the mountain and go to the high ground. How much more foreboding it is to be beside the lions' dens and the leopards' mountains! But the maiden has heard the call. How should she respond?

(Watchman Nee - "Song of Songs")

I don't see anything really wrong but even if you don't agree with all of Watchman Nee's imagery etc. I still think there is more than enough here to be useful for us.

Blessings to you this day and in the coming week.




_________________
David Winter

 2018/11/12 7:37Profile
AbideinHim
Member



Joined: 2006/11/26
Posts: 5185
Louisiana

 Re: Ascension and Warfare - Watchman Nee


As the Ekklesia, we are called to
abide in our heavenly position, seated with Christ in heavenly places.

From this position, we have a heavenly view, and we are enabled to see things from the Lord’s perspective.

The Lord has given us a heavenly strategy with mighty weapons of warfare to pull down the strongholds of the enemy.

We know that Jesus Christ has won the victory, and we agree with God and proclaim His victory on earth as it is in heaven.


_________________
Mike

 2018/11/12 8:26Profile





©2002-2024 SermonIndex.net
Promoting Revival to this Generation.
Privacy Policy