Jacob was weakened as a result of the struggle, but his name was changed from "Supplanter" to "he struggles with God."

It seems like today we have gotten ourselves into a false view of the Christian salvation. It is true that the trumpet of war is sounding in the spirit realm. The war-drums of Christ as well as the war-drums of Satan are beating to the attack. Therefore the believers, who are not living godly lives because of the prevailing Christian doctrine of "faith alone," such people are ready to drive out the fallen lords of darkness who govern geographical areas of the earth?

I think we had better be careful. Unless the Lord clearly directs us to attack the forces of Satan we would be wise to wait until we know what we are doing. Otherwise we are going to be deceived. Our struggle is against wicked spirits who have had centuries of experience dealing with human beings.

Before we are ready to appear with Christ and bring the Kingdom of God into the earth, the self-will must be destroyed from us. We must lose our "Jacob" nature. We must learn to struggle with God instead of with man.

We need to become acquainted with the Consuming Fire of Israel. We have been saved and we speak in tongues. But many of us are lightweights because we know only Bethel. We know Jesus who loves the little children but we are not as well acquainted with the Lord, strong and mighty in battle; with the heavy darkness, the furnace of Israel. But it is this Power who will enable us to be more than conquerors throughout the age of moral horrors that is approaching.

It is time for us to become acquainted with El-bethel, the Holy One of Israel. Then when we are confronted by Death and Hell we will have perfect peace and confidence, because God Himself will be our Fortress and the Horn of our salvation.

The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. (Psalms 18:5,6—NIV)

O God, help us. We in America are proud, puffed up, knowing nothing at all. Satan has deceived us in many ways. We think we can attack Death and Hell but we are making fools of ourselves in the spirit realm.

We pray we will cease our foolishness, our spiritual arrogance and pride, and call on your Name. Our nation is in peril. We are crying "peace" while every flimsy wall is held together with whitewash. We have been deceived. We think we can go forth and say the name of Jesus and the wicked will faint away. We know little of the depths of God or the artifices of Satan.

Lord Jesus, bring us back to Yourself before our nation is destroyed and we Christians are brought before an angry God. We are not prepared for the great and terrible Day of the Lord.

Amen. (from From Bethel to El-bethel)