I keep having visions of large ships. My mind instantly labels them as being warships, but then I hear, “Are you sure they’re warships?”
Well Lord, they sure look like them, but if you’re asking me if I’m sure if they are, I’m guessing that they’re not. So, Father, if they’re not warships, what are they?
He finally answered me today, thank goodness, because I was starting to think I was just flat out going bonkers because they clearly resembled mighty, big, old and sometimes scary, warships. I had just finished up with my worship and prayer time when this thought hit me so clearly that there was absolutely no denying where it came from…
“What is the difference between a warship and a battleship, Billie?”
Off to Google we went and I’m telling you that there are times that I am so thankful how He will quicken words for me. While there is a whole slew of differences, I am only going to share the parts that came to life and made me stop and go, “Ooohh, that makes sense Father!”
A warship is a type of naval vessel that is designed for combat. The example that stood out the most was the destroyer as they are swift and versatile ships that are used for anti-submarine warfare, escort duties and missile defense. Another was the aircraft carrier with them being an enormous floating airbase that deploys and supports fighter jets and helicopters, etc..
Now a battleship is a specific type of warship that is heavily armored and equipped with large weaponry. They have thick armor to withstand enemy fire, tend to bring out the big guns and carry the larger caliber weapons that are capable of devastating firepower. Battleships tend to operate on the open oceans, being the one to engage other warships.
Unfortunately, battleships have largely become obsolete due to advancements in weaponry technology and the rise of aircraft carriers. While battleships are warships, not all warships are battleships.
We are all called to suit up in the full armor of God every day so that we can take our stand against the devil’s schemes, and we are reminded that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against powers, against world rulers of this darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens (Ephesians 6.11-12 NET). For many of us this also means that we are to suit up to take on the roles of being prayer warriors, intercessors, and to be a Warrior of God.
“God’s divine power has given us everything we need to live a truly religious life through our knowledge of the one who called us to share in his own glory and goodness. In this way he has given us the very great and precious gifts he promised, so that by means of these gifts you may escape from the destructive lust that is in the world, and may come to share the divine nature.” (2 Peter 1.3-4 GNBDC)
I know that for many of us, we have received the image the of a large “warship” and have felt called to “war” for not only our families, churches, schools and communities, but our state and our country. Many of us feel that there are big things brewing that need our time and attention (prayers, intercession, and decrees). Essentially, we ARE those warships representing His Kingdom.
So why the need to differentiate between a warship and a battleship? What do I feel He was telling me? I believe He is preparing us to elevate, to show us that He is going to require us to become more “battle” ready. We need to be thicker skinned (thicker armor to withstand the blasphemy, the lies and sinful behaviors, aka the enemy fire), heavily armed with all of the gifts of the Spirit that He has blessed us with, and it’s time that we pull out the big guns: the heavy artillery of His Word, engaging other warships creating a brigade that is unstoppable, thus operating in a manner that we for so long have had to suppress and withhold from the public eye. Yes, He desires battleships for this season, those that are willing to carry and defend and go to all lengths to see His warriors safely through what lies ahead… Shew!
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.” 2 Corinthians 10.3-4 NASB
While researching for this I was led to Revelation 18 and 19 and both were powerful to read!
‘And he shouted with a mighty voice, She is fallen! Mighty Babylon is fallen! She has become a resort and dwelling place for demons, a dungeon haunted by every loathsome spirit, an abode for every filthy and detestable bird. For all nations have drunk the wine of her passionate unchastity, and the rulers and leaders of the earth have joined with her in committing fornication (idolatry), and the businessmen of the earth have become rich with the wealth of her excessive luxury and wantonness. I then heard another voice from heaven saying, Come out from her, my people, so that you may not share in her sins, neither participate in her plagues. For her iniquities (her crimes and transgressions) are piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her wickedness and [her] crimes [and calls them up for settlement]. Repay to her what she herself has paid [to others] and double [her doom] in accordance with what she has done. Mix a double portion for her in the cup she mixed [for others]. To the degree that she glorified herself and reveled in her wantonness [living deliciously and luxuriously], to that measure impose on her torment and anguish and tears and mourning. Since in her heart she boasts, I am not a widow; as a queen [on a throne] I sit, and I shall never see suffering or experience sorrow— So shall her plagues (afflictions, calamities) come thick upon her in a single day, pestilence and anguish and sorrow and famine; and she shall be utterly consumed (burned up with fire), for mighty is the Lord God Who judges her. And the rulers and leaders of the earth who joined her in her immorality (idolatry) and luxuriated with her will weep and beat their breasts and lament over her when they see the smoke of her conflagration. They will stand a long way off, in terror of her torment, and they will cry, Woe and alas, the great city, the mighty city, Babylon! In one single hour how your doom (judgment) has overtaken you! And earth’s businessmen will weep and grieve over her because no one buys their freight (cargo) any more. (18. 2-11 AMPC)
Because in one [single] hour all the vast wealth has been destroyed (wiped out). And all ship captains and pilots, navigators and all who live by seafaring, the crews and all who ply their trade on the sea, stood a long way off, And exclaimed as they watched the smoke of her burning, What city could be compared to the great city! And they threw dust on their heads as they wept and grieved, exclaiming, Woe and alas, for the great city, where all who had ships on the sea grew rich [through her extravagance] from her great wealth! In one single hour she has been destroyed and has become a desert! Rejoice (celebrate) over her, O heaven! O saints (people of God) and apostles and prophets, because God has executed vengeance for you upon her! (18.17-20 AMPC)
And never again shall the light of a lamp shine in you, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall never be heard in you again; for your businessmen were the great and prominent men of the earth, and by your magic spells and poisonous charm all nations were led astray (seduced and deluded). And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all those who have been slain (slaughtered) on earth. (18.23-24 AMPC)’
And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will [d]rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the [e]wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” (19.11-16 NASB)
Modern day Christianity has become so caught up in teaching that God is all accepting, and we present Him as being soft, that we forget that it’s those behaviors that have helped contribute to Him having to become the God that is represented in both of those passages. Throughout history it has been our lack of representing Him in His complete authority and capacity that has helped created this false bravado. In short, we as His Ekklesia have watered Him down so much time and time again, only praising and pushing the crowd-pleasing virtues that the fear of God is nonexistent. How could we ever expect anyone to take heed to the warnings and prophecies that we all take to heart, when blasphemy started within so many moons ago?
The Lord isn’t looking for warships that are going to return to safe harbors when the battle gets fierce. Nor is He looking for the ones that only function from safe confines, or on their own terms. He is looking for those willing to step into fierce battleships, knowing that so many, including many of their own, are going to throw a plethora of assault and persecution their way. He is looking for those that are battle worthy shown via obedience and steadfastness in Him, that are heavily armored with His Word, that fear not because they stand firm in Him and those that are willing to take on the burdens of others during the war that lies ahead.
“The Lord goes out to fight like a warrior; he is ready and eager to battle. He gives a war cry, a battle shout; he shows his power against his enemies. God says, “For a long time I kept silent; I did not answer my people, but now the time to act has come I cry out like a woman in labor… It was the Lord himself against whom we sinned! We would not live as he wanted us to live or obey the teachings he gave us. So he made us feel the force of his anger and suffer the violence of war. Like fire his anger burned throughout Israel, but we never knew that was happening; we learnt from it nothing at all.” (Isaiah 42.13-14, 24-25GNBDC)
Billie is a 40-something stay-at-home momma of five beautiful children and Grammy to three grandchildren. When not wrangling the littles, she babysits for her two adult children. You will find her gardening, canning, baking, and making the most delicious meals for her family. Billie is a multitasker juggling a team of miniature tyrants, a cat, a snake, two dogs, two rats, and nine chickens. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and studying her bible. Her passion is sharing the gospel through her writing! So, whether she’s feeding your body with delicious meals or feeding your soul through her writing, join Billie as she takes you on a journey providing you with “Food for Thought.”
by leaps and bounds 
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