It’s been two years since I wrote the article “The Unveiling of Leviathan”. What have these past two years looked like? The following words of Jesus may help to place this question into a bit of perspective.
And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows (Matthew 24:6-8)
I personally feel this is where we are in the Lord’s Divine Timeline. In the midst of the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic and recent USA presidential politics there is much to contemplate. The past two years has seen an acceleration of iniquity and lawlessness. What is alarming is the level of deception and acceptance as to what is taking place. Even more alarming is the lack of discernment and toleration found in many of today’s churches. Why is this the case? This is the primary focus of this article.
As mentioned in Part 1 of this series, the enemy is strongest when he is able to work from within deep dark shadows. Leviathan is always a few layers removed from discovery and accountability. He has no problems sacrificing others (pawns) in order to preserve and hide his wiles. As long as Truth is not pursued, he will never be threatened. What happens when the people of God begin to embrace the Lord’s Word and His Truth? This is one of the blessings and benefits of The Word of God.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).
The bottom-line is this; Leviathan cannot stand before Truth. Our adversary works overtime in creating a fictional narrative that diverts from the Pathway of Truth. This was seen in the very beginning in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:5-6). Satan offered a similar proposition to the Lord after His 40-days in the wilderness. The Lord was able to strike a blow into the very heart of Satan by way of His response “…It is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve” (Matthew 4:10).
Jesus countered Satan’s offer with the Truth. This is the ultimate weapon that stirs and forces Leviathan to come out from hiding. This reality is only just beginning. The underlying rot and stench of iniquity is only now beginning to surface. People are going to have a hard time believing how deep and perverse this problem is. It has been suppressed, concealed and well-hidden until now. Is the church equipped and willing to address this problem?
What is going on in our Upside-Down World?
Let’s attempt to answer the following questions in this article: First, who or what is Leviathan? Secondly, how does Leviathan factor into both church and secular related issues? To me, Leviathan is Satan at his cunning best. The Bible describes him as a serpent or dragon of the seas (Psalm 74:13-14, Isaiah 27:1). Satan is pictured as a serpent in the Garden of Eden at the time Adam and Eve partook of the fruit of the forbidden tree (Genesis 3:1-6). It was here where Satan devised a way to make the perception of truth become the new reality. The serpent cleverly redefined the Truth concerning the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (Genesis 2:17, 3:5-6).
Perhaps Leviathan can be best understood by examining the life of Job.
Can you draw out Leviathan with a hook, Or snare his tongue with a line which you lower (Job 41:1).
Let’s try to put the pieces together so that Leviathan can be understood while making known its relevance for both the church and geo-political world in which we live. They are related!
What did the Lord say about Job in his conversation with Satan?
Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” (Job 1:8).
Satan responded that Job is upright due to God’s protective hand over his life. He goes on to say that if that hedge of protection were to be lifted it would be a different story. What is happening here? Satan’s accusation towards job is actually an attack upon God. He charged God in not being fair. He was certain that Job would not maintain his testimony under intense pressure. God allowed Satan to touch Job in all areas with the exception of taking his life.
The balance of the Book of Job, (up till Chapter 42) is an account of the months of suffering that Job endured. Added to his woes were the inability of his wife and comforters to ease his pain. As his trial endured, he did begin to make some unwise charges towards God. The time came when God answered Job through Elihu in a set of discourses that brought true perspective and humility to Job. Think of what Job had to endure; what did he do to deserve such a trial? Why would God allow his servant to go through such hardship?
To me the key is found in chapter 41 when Leviathan is revealed and removed. Think about it! It took a righteous man to endure such a heated trial in order for Leviathan to be exposed. This slithering serpent was drawn out from the depths of Job through a process that no one could endure outside of God’s grace and mercy. Leviathan in scripture is not made manifest through a wicked man but through one of the most righteous men in the Bible. Perhaps this helps us understand the words of Jeremiah when he speaks about his heart as being vile and wicked (Jeremiah 17:9).
This highlights to us the deeply embedded ability of Leviathan in remaining hidden and suppressed. What is the remedy?
Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your tabernacle (Psalm 43:3)
Jesus identifies Himself as the Light of the World (John 8:12). He also refers to Himself as the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). What happens when Light and Truth begin to penetrate the inner workings of man? It should serve as no surprise that darkness and evil will have to flee.
The Lord’s Search of Jerusalem with Lamps
“And it shall come to pass at that time That I will search Jerusalem with lamps, And punish the men Who are settled in complacency, Who say in their heart, ‘The LORD will not do good, Nor will He do evil (Zephaniah 3:12).
What must be appreciated is the Lord’s approach to His people in our day. The more the Lord inspects His people and church, the more the hidden things become exposed. The hidden works of darkness as expressed in Leviathan, has to adjust and move from his hidden perch as the Light begins to shine. It appears that the key to the unveiling of Leviathan is linked to the willingness of God’s people to open their hearts before Him (Revelation 3:20, Psalm 139:23). This is the message of the Atonement. Remember, our greatest understanding concerning Leviathan is revealed through the trial of Job, a righteous and godly man.
Leviathan Unleashed (a 2001 Dream)
Why are we seeing such a manifestation of an “in your face” measure of evil in society today? It is no longer hidden and suppressed; it is out in the open for all to see. One answer is due to the breakdown of God’s moral Law. God’s Truth is hard to find in today’s mainstream culture. On the other hand, there is the perception of Truth that serves as an alternative; it is man-based and demonically inspired. Regrettably, the church at large is failing to discern this reality resulting in no countering voice that sounds an alarm of warning. If this remains the status quo it can be assured that Leviathan will never be threatened nor revealed. So, what is happening concerning Leviathan and how can it be addressed and remedied.
In December of 2001 I was ministering in the Indian state of Orissa with a friend. On one particular night in a rural village, I had an impactful dream. In this dream I was ministering freely in a particular district of Orissa called Phulbani. Our meetings and ministry had success and there was little or no real opposition. Our team decided to venture further into other districts, and it was here where the problems came. The closer we came to the borders of new territories’ the more hostilities we faced. Undeterred, we pressed further towards the border and its important to take note of what happened next! Descending from the skies were these huge demonic entities. They firmly planted themselves at the border with a menacing and most intimidating glare. In the dream we decided to not press the issue further and began retreating back to our previously defined boundaries. Immediately, these evil entities ascended upward and posed no further threat. Our ministry continued as per usual. The dream ended.
I have never forgotten the dream. I understood the meaning was more than just extending ministry to other districts but rather it presented a greater truth. The more we press on in God the fiercer and stiffer the opposition will be. David understood this truth as seen in the following verses:
I have seen the wicked in great power, And spreading himself like a native green tree. Yet he passed away, and behold, he was no more; Indeed I sought him, but he could not be found. Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; For the future of that man is peace (Psalm 37:35-37).
One moment he saw the enemy and his overwhelming prowess likened to a huge tree. The next moment he saw him removed due to the fruit of Peace. Indeed, it is the fruit of Peace that puts Satan under our feet (Romans 16:20).
The dream also serves as a reminder to a similar event when God spoke to Israel to go in and possess the land. Take note of the two different and distinct confessions amongst the people of God. It is telling and has meaning for our day:
Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we (Numbers 13:30-31).
The giants were there to intimidate and prevent God’s people from pressing beyond their current boundaries (vs 33). One can conclude that the enemy is not really troubled or threatened by nominal Christianity. He does not mind for believers to go through the motions of church. Lukewarm Christianity will never displace Satan from his throne. This is why the Lord takes issue with Laodicean type churches (Revelation 3:16). They can look good, they can have numbers, ministries, programs and in many cases riches. A lukewarm Christian will not draw out or stir Leviathan; his minions are more than adequate to manage this group. What happens when Christians begin to embrace Truth and Light? What happens when believers allow for the Atonement message to take root in their hearts? It is here where Leviathan takes notice. Do you remember the account of Nehemiah?
The city of Jerusalem was in ruins throughout much of their Babylonian captivity. The enemy had free reign to do his pleasure due to no one stepping up to do God’s will. Nehemiah came under the burden of God. This resulted in his coming to know his role and commission. He stepped up and began to move towards the city to begins God’s work of Restoration. The following verse is instructive:
When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of it, they were deeply disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of Israel (Nehemiah 2:10).
The enemy (Sanballat) took notice when Nehemiah answered the call to go about the difficult task of restoring the city. The closer Nehemiah came to finishing the work the greater the opposition. The attacks against Nehemiah and the workers were both blatant and subtle. Nehemiah prevailed through faithfully seeking the Lord while being about the work.
We need to ask some important questions: Does our manner of life put Leviathan on notice? The same question can be applied to the church; is there light that penetrates his inner chambers that results in him being stirred and drawn out (Job 41:1). Remember, it takes Job, a righteous and godly man for this evil monster to be revealed and stirred.
We have taken considerable time in seeking to unmask Leviathan through scriptural examples and applications. What does this look like in today’s real world? By the grace of God let’s try to make some geo-political applications to this truth.
The pandemic that began in early 2020 has meaning to our subject. Have you ever experienced a controlling narrative that seeks conformity to its message? This tells us something! At the same time, we see Truth being suppressed and redefined in unprecedented measures. This can only occur when there is lawlessness and a lack of justice. Where is the church? Things that have been hidden are now coming to light. The true power source for this evil is many layers removed from what we commonly see.
The more the people of God allow Truth in their inward parts (Psalm 51:6) the greater ability the church has in shining the light of Truth upon society. Jeremiah was a man who pressed into the things of God. He was commissioned with a difficult message concerning the captivity of Israel. In addition, he was tasked to separate the precious from the vile (Jeremiah 15:19). He also came to the place of discovering the inner Leviathan within his nature.
The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings (Jeremiah 17:9-10).
The Bible makes clear that the enemy works very hard knowing that his time is short (Revelation 12:12). The last thing he wants is for the church to come into the revelation of the authority, power, and responsibility that God has placed upon her. He fights for every last inch of territory. The hidden hands of Satan’s power are slowly being revealed.
It is up to the church to discern, disarm and destroy his power. Leviathan is not stirred nor threatened with mediocre Christianity; he takes pleasure in the church arguing between those who are vaccinated or unvaccinated. This battle never gets to the root of who is controlling the day to day narrative and talking points. Leviathan is never threatened in the battles between Republicans and Democrats or the Political Parties of nations. It’s time to wait upon the Lord and allow our focus and energies to be targeted against the principalities and powers that function in heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12).
The time to take notice and act is now. The things seen in the natural today give evidence to what is at stake. May the Lord provide a needed wakeup call and step up into God’s mission and plan in this hour. How will we respond?
And may not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not set its heart aright, And whose spirit was not faithful to God. The children of Ephraim, being armed and carrying bows, Turned back in the day of battle (Psalm 78:9-10).
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children (Hosea 4:6).
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force (Matthew 11:12).
Our third and final instalment on this series will be more geo-political in scale. It is important to see his role in modern life. Do not be surprised if your worldview becomes challenged and possibly altered. Most importantly, our approach and perspective towards prayer and spiritual warfare will be affected.
Lord, thy Kingdom come on earth, as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).