The Arch of Baal was erected in our nation’s capital the end of September. It is a significant indicator in the natural of what is taking place in the spiritual realm. For years my husband and I lived in China, a land populated with arches. Even then we recognized their spiritual significance.
They are gateways.
As I was in prayer this morning the Lord spoke to my heart, “It’s time to close the gateways of deception.”
It is time we close the gateways of demonic activity in our land and in our lives. Gateways are entry points and we may have walked through them unwittingly, but yet in doing so have opened the door to demonic control and activity in our lives.
What does this arch reveal?
It is important to remember that the spirits of darkness work in the darkness. When we see them reveal themselves and come out into the light, it is a sure sign not only of the intensity of the battle, but that victory is near. They will never step into the light unless they are losing their grip and have no other choice. That is what we see happening in America at this time.
Spirits of Darkness Revealed in the Light
This spiritual battle for our nation has manifested in the natural realm. A replica of the Arch of Baal was erected in Washington, D.C., ironically just the day before the hearings began regarding the accusations against Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh. According to news reports, the Arch of Palmyra was unveiled on the National Mall in Washington, D..C. on Sept. 26 and was to remain until Sept. 29. It is a symbol of demonic control desperately battling to remain in control.
This was not the first appearance of the arch. In September 2016, a replica of the Syrian arch, which had been destroyed by Isis in August 2015, was unveiled in New York City. This is not simply a piece of history for us to study and admire; it is a deeper spiritual root on display.
Baal, which means “owner or lord” historically was said to represent the sun and became a universal symbol for the god of fertility. As the fight to delay the vote and keep Brett Kavanaugh (or any other conservative) from being seated on the Supreme Court, it should come as no surprise that what we are actually seeing is the ancient spiritual entities behind the battle reveal themselves.
The intense battle waged before us to prevent another conservative from being added to the Supreme Court and effectively shifting the majority from liberal to conservative, is what is at stake. But at the root of this battle, as the Arch of Baal—the universal god of fertility—is erected, is the sacrifice of babies through abortion which is now threatened.
The Importance of Gateways
Arches represent gateways. The original Arch of Baal was built at the entrance of the Temple of Baal in Syria approximately 2,000 years ago. It was a gateway to the demonic and Baal worship.
If you visit China, you will see at the entrance of many cities or historical locations arches that have been erected as entry points. Today they are applauded for their intricate design and preservation of their historical culture. But as with much of China’s architecture, which was constructed for protection against or to spiritual entities, these arches represent memorials and gateways established to ruling authorities in those regions.
There are also spiritual gateways which we may have erected, even unknowingly, in our own lives that open the door to other spiritual activity unless they are torn down.
Tearing Down Gateways in our Lives
As believers, while we can easily recognize the spiritual significance behind the Arch of Baal erected recently in D.C., we often overlook “gateways” erected in our own lives that open the door to demonic spiritual activity. One of the most common operating in our world today is deception.
“For false christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect” (Matt. 24:24).
We are all susceptible to deception which also has a gateway. It is pride.
Pride is the arch or entry way into the temple of deception so to speak just as the Arch of Palmyra was entrance into the Temple of Baal. In one news account regarding the Arch of Baal in New York it was stated, “The arch is not roped off, allowing visitors to walk under it and touch it.” Why is this significant? Because it represents the free reign to walk under its influence and to have its spiritual influence freely touch our lives. So it is when we open the door to pride.
Once we walk under the archway of pride we enter or open the door for its destructive influence—the spirit of deception. And it doesn’t stop there. There is a spiritual progression which will follow as deception always operates with offense, which also invites anger and rage and ultimately results in the spirit of insanity once the progression reaches full scale.
That is the battle manifesting now in America and around the world.
Over-the-top rage is an indicator. It points to the host of demonic activity brewing underneath. We see it daily in the media and against the president as they make accusations and take actions against him or anyone who represents him which threatens the demonic stronghold in our land.
It is a lying spirit that calls itself “love” but is hate. As “open” but is trying to shut down. As “freedom” and yet imprisons. In false humility it states it is for the victim and yet keeps victims in bondage and controlled by the past.
False humility is simply pride.
It opens the door to self-deception and says, “You have greater insight, compassion, love or wisdom that they do.” We hear it as people declare, “we will go low,” when in fact that is simply an indicator of the pride that sets itself up high. The only way to “go low” is when we bow our knees in prayer and cry out for deliverance and healing in our land.
This battle is far from over. To remain effective, we have to keep ourselves free from the entanglements of the world that would try to deceive us and hold us in bondage and make us ineffective.
Remember the spiritual upheaval revealed is because the spirits of darkness are being forced into the light through the prayers of the saints as they begin to lose their grip. Prayer and the Word are the weapons of our warfare.
So how can we make sure that we have not erected a gateway in our lives or families?
The nature of deception is that the one deceived doesn’t recognize it. So how can we free ourselves from something we don’t recognize might exist?
By praying this simple prayer, “Lord I ask that the foot of pride would not come upon me or my family members or our nation. If there is an area of pride in my life, I ask you to reveal it, and I repent of it. If there is an area of deception that has entered through pride or for any other reason, I ask that you would reveal it and remove it from my life.
I also pray on behalf of our nation, that the spirit of pride must bow its knee and that in its place, we ask for a spirit of humility to fill our land so we can see and know the truth. We command the spirit of deception to go.
“Lord help us to see what You see. Help us to see what we are missing and see from Your vantage point today and to walk in truth. We ask for Your glory to be revealed and for revival in our land.”
Karen Hardin is a literary agent and published author. She has been in the Christian publishing industry for 25 years and has had the privilege of working on numerous projects for some of the most recognized names in the industry. Her work has appeared in USA Today, World Net Daily, Crosswalk.com, Charisma, The Elijah List and more. She is called to exhort, encourage and help others to walk in identity and destiny to achieve their highest potential in their gift and call. For additional articles by Karen, go to: prioritypr.org or karenhardin.com
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