You’ve been subpoenaed for trial!
Two weeks ago, I began this study narrative on the legal system of God and how that if we want to become formidable Christian spiritual warriors, we must understand this system. If we fail to comprehend how this legal system works, our faith is shaken. How many times have we felt that our prayers were never answered? How easy have we made it for satan to afflict us by not understanding the law and the importance of atonement and breaking curses? Most of us only pray when we are in need or facing difficulty. We do not have a daily relationship with the Father or Son, rather, we are too busy and only pray when things aren’t going our way. If you’ve never been guilty of this, congratulations! Most of us want to rub the genie lamp when things aren’t perfect, only calling upon God when we are troubled. It is important to build a relationship with God, Father and Son, by entering into prayer constantly, not just when things are tough. When things are tough you are already being sifted!
An excerpt from 1 Thessalonians chapter 5, Paul states the following:
7 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
In Joshua chapter 1 verse 8, God commands the following to Joshua and the nation of Israel:
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
At the end of the chapter in verse 18;
Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage.
You see, to depart from God’s laws, especially in rebelliousness, opens the door to satan and the demonic realm to legally operate against God’s people. If we are not immediately atoned for sin, the door remains open. In this situation, as the Israelites were acquiring their promise and moving into the will of God for the primary purpose of bringing forth the Messiah, it was better to put the rebellious man to death than to give satan a legal right to enter in to it and curse the entire nation.
“God has not appointed us to wrath”, but wrath will come when satan legally enters the door to our lives. When we go against God, and do not atone by the blood sacrifice of Yehshua, we leave the door open for satan to persecute us. It is not God that persecutes us, it is God that gives satan “permission” to do so legally. A broken commandment left unatoned, is an open door to satan and the demonic realm.
Now this portal to the demonic can open in many ways. In Luke 22:31, we see satan requesting permission that Peter be tested. In this well-known passage of the last supper and the betrayal by Judas Iscariot, we miss something important because the chapter is packed with details.
And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
Peter is going to be tested and will deny knowing the Messiah 3 times. When Peter hears the crow of the rooster, he will remember Yehshua’s warning and repent. Satan goes directly after Peter, the most charismatic and fervent of the disciples, in order to destroy the mission of the rest of the disciples and derail God’s work. But when we break down the original language of New Testament Greek, there is a very important detail that helps make my point on this discussion of legalities in the daily operations of God.
The word “desired” in “satan hath desired to have you”, going back to the original Greek text, is ἐξῃτήσατο, pronounced exaiteó. In Strong’s Lexicon, this word was used exactly as we use the word “subpoena” today:
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
ἐξῃτήσατο - “desire” .
Middle voice from ek and aiteo; to demand (for trial) -- desire.
Satan knew things about Peter and brought an accusation against him in the courtroom of the sovereign judge. The subpoena was granted, and Peter was brought to trial and tested by satan.
In Job chapter 2, we see the same situation where accusations are brought against Job, and he is brought to trial and tested by satan. But Job and Peter were both righteous men? Yes, but the accusations are based on knowledge that our accuser has about us, linked to our personalities and past experiences, and he subpoenas us to trial to try and prove our guilt before God the judge. If we are not in constant intercession, we risk subjecting ourselves to a plea of “guilty” in these trials.
Notice something else in this passage from Luke, in verse 32:
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
This was Yehshua the man, stating that because of his prayer for Peter, his faith would NOT fail! This was not yet the crucified Son of God given all authority over satan, but the man in the flesh praying for Peter that his faith be sustained in this trial. Yet his prayers had some authority over the matter because he was “righteous” and without sin, engaged in constant intercession with God. His prayers were heard and answered because of his righteousness before God, the judge. Yehshua was blameless and without sin, he prayed constantly without ceasing and the result was that God would act upon his requests. It was God’s will that Peter would be the rock upon which the church was built. If Peter failed, the disciples would be broken up, the Day of Pentecost would never have happened, all of God’s work in the disciples would have been undone if Peter had lost faith in this trial. Yehshua knew this as a result of constant prayer. It was not Yehshua’s will, it was God’s will that Peter’s faith not be shaken. Yehshua knew God’s will because of his constant prayer, but without his prayer for Peter, there would be no defendant for Peter in this trial. If there is only prosecution and no defense, we will lose every trial. Yehshua stepped in as Peter’s legal defense, and in essence said “you have been subpoenaed to trial, but don’t worry, I am defending you before the judge”.
This is what Yehshua does for us in the courtroom on a daily basis, but only if we are in constant prayer. Prayer is our daily conversation with God, but also is how we are atoned so that we can be legally protected by our defense attorney: Yehshua Hamashiach, otherwise known as Jesus Christ the Messiah. But it is also important for us to pray for each other, using our atonement to bless others who are being subpoenaed to trial by the prosecuting attorney; satan, just as Yehshua did for Peter! He does this for all of us if we are atoned and righteous before the judge!
For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. 12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5: 9-18
Please, I welcome your questions! Send to mark@johnone.org