The War of Heaven and Hell

Text: Matt. 9:35—10:20

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

            The topic of spiritual warfare is a trend that’s come and gone a couple times in American religion, and that’s because it has, for multiple reasons, captivated the minds of many believers for ages. The concept of doing battle with an enemy of pure evil, all the while representing goodness, sticks in many people’s imaginations so that they can envision nearly every struggle they’re in as some sort of apocalyptic warfare against the forces of darkness. In such scenarios they picture their weapons in a variety of ways—formulaic phrases spoken over and over again, prayers that function more like spellcasting or incantation than anything Scripture describes, mantras and right attitudes, actions taken to forcibly drive back evil, and even at times violence justified for the sake of whatever cause someone assumes is on the side of right.

            Make no mistake, spiritual warfare is real; but it’s not like any of those things that the world has imagined it to be. If we want a clear picture of what it is and what’s involved with it, we need look no further than the texts we’re given to ponder this morning. In the Gospel reading, we get a glimpse into the war that heaven is waging against hell. And what does it begin with? Not a battle cry, not a manifesto. “And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages…and when he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” The Lord’s battle against the forces of hell, against disease and affliction and the attacks of the evil one and his demonic foot soldiers, does not begin as so many of our worldly battles begin. It doesn’t begin with anger or grievance or a claim to some right or property. It begins with compassion for those who are helpless, who are harangued by the forces of evil and darkness, those who have been captured by the corruption that happens in a sin-fallen world. And it’s this compassion that will lead the charge as the kingdom of heaven begins to take back creation from the powers of sin and death.

            We can see the kingdom of heaven breaking into the domain of death and fallenness in the Gospel reading. Jesus sends the Apostles and gives them their marching orders: “Proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons.” God’s kingdom advances on the devil’s occupied territory by undoing the works of the evil one, those things that have become commonplace living in a world that’s broken by sin and infected by death, disease, and affliction. And it happens in ways that no mortal would ever imagine, when no one is ready for it, when no one’s expecting it. It comes to those who are still far off from God, who still belong to the kingdom of darkness, harassed and helpless as they are; and it comes not through force of might or carefully planned strategies and tactics. Rather, the kingdom of God comes through preachers—the Twelve Apostles sent with the simple message: “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

            And look at what happens. Everywhere the Apostles go with this authorized word from Jesus, the tide is turned. Jesus’ Apostles return with good news that even the demons are subject to them in Jesus’ name. The war between heaven and hell is tipping in heaven’s favor, only to culminate in Jesus’ resurrection from the dead when the enemy is crushed for all time.

            So where does this leave us? Does spiritual warfare even happen anymore? In short, yes. It doesn’t happen the way that the world thinks such a war should unfold, but it does still happen. The weapon of heaven’s kingdom, the word of Jesus, still goes out to those who are harassed and helpless against the old evil foe and all his deadly woe. All you need is to hear the word that the kingdom of heaven is at hand; that is, that sins are forgiven, the devil has no more claim on you, you are baptized in the name of the Triune God and therefore belong to Him now, that death is defeated even for you—and it won’t take long before you see the world rebel against it, before the devil starts to contradict that good news, before your own fallen nature starts to doubt and wonder if God’s kingdom really has come for you.

            But St. Paul has encouragement for us today. “For while we were weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly…God showed his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us…For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” So yes, that spiritual warfare of heaven and hell is still going on. You may not see the miracles and signs that were given to that generation of the Apostles, but remember that even those who did see them didn’t necessarily believe. But you still have the Word going out, laying its claim on you, building up a mighty fortress for you to flee to, staking a claim on one who was previously enslaved to fear of death and the traps of the tempter. And further, that kingdom of God coming to you is still resisted, even as it was in the time of the Apostles. Jesus said that this would be  a sure sign that God’s kingdom was advancing somewhere, when men would resist by handing over believers to courts and dragging them before governors and kings, where even families would be divided on lines of faith and those who trust in Christ above all things—even above the world and its powers—would be persecuted and even killed. And if we look around at the world we live in today, we see it’s still true. The kingdom of God is still resisted, which means that the spiritual battle is still lively.

            Now this can be intimidating. No one wants to have bad or even unpleasant things happen to them. But they will. We know that it will happen and that it’s a token that heaven is making inroads in our lives. But this gives a certain dignity to our suffering. We know that when we suffer these things for the sake of Jesus and His truth, that it is not just random or meaningless. Rather, when we realize this is part of the warfare between heaven and hell, it gives our trials meaning and purpose. Further, we already know the end of the story. Jesus tells us that too: “The one who endures to the end will be saved.” Just as our champion who fights for us, Jesus, was resurrected, so you will be too. There’s nothing that the enemy can throw at you—not poverty or pain, disease or disaster, loneliness or lament, not even death—that your Lord cannot cure and restore to you when He comes again for the final victory.

            The kingdom of heaven still comes to you. It’s still at hand, even now, as Jesus’ word is being proclaimed to you, as He’s drawing near in His body and blood, really present to fight for you, to heal you, to secure you in His kingdom. Sometimes you’ll be given to see it in the reversals of this old fallen world’s order. Sometimes you’ll see it as the devil lashes out as his kingdom’s borders are pushed back. Sometimes you’ll see it in your own heart and mind, as His peace rests with you and your house, as your Savior speaks to you in His word, as you are transferred from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of His marvelous light with every sin forgiven, every remembrance of His gifts, every proclamation that you are His and He is yours forever. In the name of Jesus, who makes us His own. Amen.