Jezebel, Balaam, and the Current World Crisis
©November 1, 2008 Asher Intrater

This week we opened our new ministry facilities at Yad Hashmona Messianic kibbutz outside of Jerusalem. It includes offices, training center and prayer room. Our first event is an all night prayer meeting today, matching the hours of "The Call California," led by our friends Lou Engle and Mike Bickle. This event is like the spiritual confrontation between Elijah and the spirits of Jezebel and her prophets.

Jezebel, Balaam and the Harlot

Revelation chapter 12 describes a prophetic picture of a glorified woman, while chapter 17 describes a sinful woman. I call this the "Bride" and the "Harlot". These two images are the culmination of many prophetic pictures of women throughout the Bible. The women represent the human race: the good ones are the righteous; the bad ones are the evil people (and the demons associated with them).

The "Harlot" represents immorality, lust and greed, associated today with Western secular society. This spirit "sits upon many waters" (Revelation 17:1) - meaning that it influences many nations of the world. The Harlot spirit is closely connected to the Jezebel spirit.

Jezebel was an historic figure, the wife of King Ahab. However the name has come to refer to a demonic spirit that works through some women – primarily through adultery, witchcraft and undermining male spiritual authority. This spirit was working in Queen Athaliah, Delilah, Herodias, etc.

Revelation 2:20 – "that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and teaches and seduces My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols."

It is clear from this passage that the spirit of Jezebel works not only in the world, but also in disguise as a "prophetess" in sensually manipulative women within the congregations and churches.

However there is also a spirit that works in a parallel fashion among men. It is called the spirit of Balaam.

Revelation 2:14 – "Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality."

Balaam was also an historic figure: a prophet whom King Balak tried to hire to curse Israel. The Angel of the Lord foiled Balak's plan, and the curse was turned to blessing (Numbers 22-24). However in Numbers 25, Balaam designs a new plan: to send the young women of Moab to the Israelites to "party". The result is widespread immorality, idolatry and tens of thousands killed.

God is not "sexist" on this issue; there is a male side and a female side. Both are judged equally. (In fact the Bible is the first place we find true spiritual equality – racially, sexually and economically: "There is neither Jew nor Greek… slave nor free… male nor female; for you are all one in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus)" – Galatians 3:28).

The spirits of Jezebel, Balaam and the Harlot promote rebellion in schools and the media; sexual immorality in the entertainment business, advertising and fashion; pornography, pedophilia, homosexuality, lesbianism, abortion and radical feminism. We are advocates of feminism when dealing with oppressed women in the Muslim world, in Africa and Asia. However, when feminism is perverted in the Western world to an aggressive agenda demanding the breakdown of family and marital values, it becomes harmful to women and destructive to society as a whole.

A Word for Righteous Businessmen

The current world economic crisis may be seen as God's judgment on greed and corruption. One of the problems has been "derivatives", where credit is extended to a chain of investors who make huge profits off the multiple mortgages and debts. When the system collapses, those who caused the problem walk away with millions of dollars. I pray for laws to be passed and enforced that will punish those who have committed these "white collar" crimes.

On the other hand, there are honest men and women who conduct their businesses in integrity, are not motivated by greed, and are not over-extended in credit debt. This is the time for these business people to arise and lead the financial world. If you are one of those in the "market place", with a heart of righteousness, we bless you with wisdom and prosperity; with courage and encouragement. We bind the spirits of confusion, depression and fear over you in Yeshua's name. May you step forward with steadiness and stability - making the right decisions at the right times. 

On God and Democracy

The kingdom of God is a monarchy, not a democracy. However, in this life time, God is more interested in our learning moral lessons than in imposing a government on people who do not want it. Before King Saul was chosen, God told Samuel that the people's choice was wrong; that they were rejecting both God and Samuel. Yet He also instructed Samuel to let the people have what they wanted (I Samuel 8:7-8). They would have to learn the "hard way."

At the same time, God instructed Samuel to explain to the people all the issues of right and wrong (I Samuel 8:9ff). One of the things we are praying for in the current U.S. elections is clarity; that the issues would be made totally clear, particularly the moral and spiritual ones. I pray for McCain and Palin to speak clearly on family value issues.

God's Judgments in the End Times

In the end times, the light will get lighter and the darkness darker. It is not a time to be fearful, but to let our light shine ever more faithfully (Isaiah 60:1-3). God is dividing the "light from the darkness," so that He can administer justice. Many of us are not used to seeing God's judgments as a good thing. Yet, we are to praise Him as He brings His justice, no matter how difficult it may seem.

God's judgments are the central theme of the praise and worship in the heavenlies  (see Revelation 11:17-18; 15:3-4; 16:5-7). The judgments of God are designed to cause people to repent (Revelation 9:20-21). Some will and many will not. In either case His judgments demonstrate His holiness and integrity. Our prayers and praise are part of activating God's judgments (Revelation 8:3-6). Ultimately it leads to the victory of Yeshua's kingdom on this planet (Revelation 11:15).