The Equipper #3 - Apostles & Companies of War - Equip, Empower, Engage!
Laying Siege to the Territory: Discover how apostles lead the charge in spiritual warfare.
The Equipper
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Apostles and Companies of War: Laying Siege to the Territory
Table of Contents
The Calling of Apostles and Companies of War
Hearing the Word of the Lord
Intercession for Spiritual Insight
Covert Insertion for Natural Insight
Debrief and Activate the Strategy
Team Training According to God's Strategy
Deploying the Sons and Daughters
Conclusion
Introduction
Hello, fellow warriors of faith! 🎯
Today, we're diving into a powerful topic: the Apostles and Companies of War. These are not your typical leaders—they are trailblazers, pioneers, and those who advance God's Kingdom with authority and precision. They hear the call, they strategize, they train, and they deploy. If you feel a stirring in your spirit as you read this, you might be one of these warriors. Let's explore together what it means to be an Apostle and Company of War.
The Calling of Apostles and Companies of War
Apostles of War are those called to lead in times of battle and the advancement of God's Kingdom. They are not soft and cuddly. They are men and women of great authority and direction, extremely mission-driven by design. Often, these are pioneer and trailblazing apostles who are ahead of the masses. They run lean and clear the path for many to follow. They have heard the word of the Lord to take the ground. They have a mandate from heaven and have been granted authority by God to mobilize His people, train them up, set order, rank, and direction, and give mission orders. They send the people forth with the keys of authority to take the land.
In addition to apostles, there are companies of war—groups influenced by these apostles. These companies are like-minded and in agreement with the vision and mission of the apostles. They are not passive followers but active participants, united in purpose and ready to lay siege to the enemy's territory.
Hearing the Word of the Lord
The journey begins with hearing the Word of the Lord. In the midst of chaos and noise, these apostles tune their ears to the divine frequency. Like the prophet Habakkuk, who said, "I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me" (Habakkuk 2:1, NIV), they position themselves to receive God's instructions. This act of listening is not passive but an active, intentional pursuit of God's voice. They create spaces of solitude and quietness, ensuring they are undistracted and fully attentive to the Holy Spirit's promptings.
Intercession for Spiritual Insight
Once they have received the word, the next step is intercession for spiritual insight. This is a critical phase where apostles and their companies engage in deep prayer and seek the Holy Spirit's revelation. Ephesians 6:18 reminds us, "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people."
During this time, apostles and their companies may fast, seek prophetic words, and gather their core team for intense prayer sessions. This is not a time for passivity but for fervent seeking and knocking (Matthew 7:7). Intercession becomes a battle itself, as they contend for clarity, direction, and divine strategy. They understand that the spiritual realm is where the true battle takes place, and they fight on their knees, armed with the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Covert Insertion for Natural Insight
After spiritual insight comes the need for natural insight, which involves a covert insertion into the territory. Just as Joshua sent spies into the Promised Land to gather information (Joshua 2:1), apostles of war also conduct reconnaissance. This could mean assessing the spiritual climate of a region, understanding cultural dynamics, or even mapping out key locations for prayer walks and evangelism.
Natural insight complements spiritual revelation. Apostles and their companies might engage with local communities, observe social patterns, and identify strongholds that need to be addressed. This phase requires wisdom, discernment, and often, a level of secrecy to avoid unnecessary opposition before the mission is fully launched.
Debrief and Activate the Strategy
Following the covert insertion, there is a debriefing period where gathered information is analyzed and the strategy is activated. Proverbs 15:22 states, "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." This phase is about collaboration and refining the plan with the input of trusted advisers and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
During debriefing, apostles and their companies review the insights gained from both spiritual intercession and natural reconnaissance. They pray over the information, seeking confirmation and further direction from the Lord. This is a time for refining strategies, identifying potential challenges, and ensuring that every step aligns with God's overarching plan. The strategy must be crystal clear and actionable, with specific roles and responsibilities assigned to each member of the company.
Team Training According to God's Strategy
Once the strategy is in place, the next step is team training. Ephesians 4:11-12 emphasizes the importance of equipping the saints for the work of ministry. Apostles of war are responsible for training their team according to the divine strategy. This involves teaching spiritual warfare techniques, biblical principles, and practical skills necessary for the mission.
2 Timothy 2:2 says, "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others." This multiplication of leadership is key to the success of the mission.
Training sessions are intensive and focused. They include teaching on spiritual disciplines, warfare tactics, leadership skills, and mission-specific operations. Apostles ensure that their teams are spiritually fortified, mentally prepared, and physically capable of executing the mission. This preparation phase also builds unity and trust within the company, as members grow in their commitment to the shared vision and each other.
Deploying the Sons and Daughters
The final phase is the deployment of the sons and daughters. These trained warriors are sent forth with authority and purpose. Jesus said, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). Apostles of war commission their teams to go out, take territory, and establish God's Kingdom on earth.
Isaiah 6:8 captures the heart of this mandate: "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'"
Deployment is not a single event but an ongoing mission. Sons and daughters are continually sent to different regions, carrying the same authority and purpose. They establish new outposts, disciple new believers, and replicate the model of spiritual warfare and kingdom advancement. Apostles maintain relational authority, providing support and guidance as needed, ensuring that the mission remains aligned with God's vision.
Conclusion
As we wrap up this newsletter, I want to encourage each of you to seek God’s direction for your life. Whether you are called to be an Apostle of War, part of a company of war, or to support one, your role in advancing God’s Kingdom is vital. Listen for His voice, engage in intercession, gather wisdom, activate His strategies, train diligently, and go forth boldly.
Let's take ground for the Kingdom, together! 🛡️⚔️
Blessings,
Mike
If you would like to go deeper into some of my teachings on the #Apostolic, you can check out the 5 part School of Apostleship podcast.
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