Very recently, the Lord spoke to me that the enemy was attempting to release “an onslaught against the frontline warriors”! I sensed an opening of new demonic portals and a release of demonic spirits of varying rank and activity, ready to attack all at once.
Within a few days, I received an unusual number of calls, texts and messages from several prophets, intercessors, spiritual warriors and other five-fold ministers saying that they were under heavy attack. Many reported an increase in demonic activity in their dreams, sudden attacks on their health and being subjected to unwarranted persecution from family members, in ministry or in the workplace. Thanks be to God, every attack, dream and symptom stopped and was reversed through prayer!
Lifting Up a Standard
The enemy’s strategy often in our lives is to release a flood of attacks all at once. He wants to overwhelm us with woe, strife, poverty, distractions and turmoil. Satan knows that attacking us in one area may distract us, but attacking us in multiple areas, simultaneously, can hinder and wear us down.
The prophet Isaiah speaks of this in Isaiah 59:19: “When the enemy shall come in like a flood” The amazing thing about this verse is the word “when.” The Scripture establishes “when” and not “if”—meaning it will happen. However, that also means God already knows the plan of the enemy and already has a play in His heavenly playbook to respond to the threats, attacks and intimidation tactics of the enemy. Hooray!
God’s response is found in the latter part of Isaiah 59:19: “The Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.” The Lord not only releases angelic spirits but releases the most powerful Spirit of all—the precious Holy Spirit! No demon, principality or power can withstand or resist the spiritual force and authority of the Holy Spirit. What is the “standard”? The Holy Spirit activates His uplifting power within the spirit of the believer. He will not allow us to be crushed, downtrodden or continually weighed down by the forces of darkness.
I remember, many years ago, I was very financially challenged. One Friday, I came home and checked my mailbox. I found bills, bills, bills! And many had been defaulted or delinquent. What really caused my heart to drop and spirit to sink low was a court document posted on my door that read “Garnishment.” My wages were being garnished by one creditor, which really hurt because I was already living paycheck to paycheck!
I recall feeling so overwhelmed that I couldn’t even open my front door. I felt like I was going to break down and cry right there on my front porch. Suddenly, I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit arise within me, and I heard Him say, “Laugh!” This might sound ridiculous, but I began to laugh by faith. It felt so phony and fake, but suddenly the joy of the Lord hit me, and the presence within began to cover me. I walked into my house knowing that everything would be OK and that the Spirit of God had raised up a standard within me.
“With joy you shall draw water from the wells of salvation” (Isa. 12:3). The standard that the Holy Spirit raises releases joy to help us overcome the ploys of the enemy.
Backup Is on the Way!
When I asked God about this, He spoke to me about angelic forces being released in regard to the standard which the Holy Spirit raises up. I didn’t understand at first until I began to research the meaning of the word “standard.” One definition stood out to me and gave me that a-ha moment! Merriam-Webster defines “standard” as: an organization flag carried by a mounted or motorized military unit.
The Holy Spirit raising up a standard also speaks of the release of heaven’s armies to act on our behalf. He calls for reinforcements to undergird us. Another definition of “standard” is banner. In ancient times, at the front of a Roman legion or ancient army, there would be a standard-bearer, or banner carrier. It was an honored and prized position. When you saw the banner or standard being waved it meant that there were more troops to follow. This tells us that reinforcements are on their way.
The Word of God gives us more understanding. Jesus shared with His disciples in Matthew 26:53, “Thinkest thou that I cannot pray to My Father, and He shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?” Our Lord used a military term to describe how angels are grouped together in military-like units. A legion at that time consisted of an average of 6,500 soldiers. That meant Jesus could call upon more than 12 x 6,500 angels! That’s over 78,000 angels that would war presently (or instantly) on behalf of the Lord. Wow!
In the book of the prophet Zechariah, we are allowed a sneak peek into the inner workings of the spirit realm. In Zechariah 6, we read about angelic forces that God released in the earth. The angel that is giving Zechariah understanding of the vision explains to him, “Look, those (angelic forces) going toward the north country have given my Spirit rest in the land of the north” (verse 8, emphasis mine). Yes, the Holy Spirit is unbeatable, but at times when God desires to not only stop the “flood-attack” of the enemy but to demolish the enemy’s forces, angelic reinforcements are released to work in conjunction with the Holy Spirit.
The Enemy Is Outnumbered
No matter how bleak a situation or your life may look, if you stand on the Word of God, heed to the voice of God and exercise faith, God will prevail in your life. Here are some practical but significant truths to remember:
There are more holy angels on our side than angels that fell with Satan. One-third fell with Satan (Rev. 12:4, 9), which means there are still two-thirds (twice as many as Satan) fighting on behalf of the kingdom of God. The enemy of your soul is outnumbered.
When the angels fell with Satan, they lost their rank and position in the kingdom of light. They descended into spiritual darkness. Because they are in darkness, they can no longer comprehend the superior wisdom and workings of God. John 1:5 tells us that darkness cannot comprehend the light. These demonic foes exist, but in their spiritual ignorance, sometimes, their attacks become the very weapons that God uses to backfire against them and work in our favor!
“But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: which none of the princes (fallen angels) of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory!” (1 Cor. 2:7-8).
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28). {eoa}
Demontae Edmonds is the founder of Freedom 4 the Nations, host of This is Freedom podcast on Charisma Podcast Network and host of Atlanta’s Highways TV program. He travels the nations preaching the gospel with notable signs, wonders and miracles. His heart is to share the reality of Jesus Christ with the world through demonstrations of the Holy Spirit’s power and presence. He has authored the books Grab Hold of Your Miracle, Discerning of Spirits: 7 Dimensions of Revelation and The Supernatural Gift of Faith.
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