Christy

It is the time of EKBALLO - Take heaven by force!

Christy

It is the time of EKBALLO - Take heaven by force!

It is the time of EKBALLO - Take heaven by force!
(Word by Christy Johnston)

A number of weeks ago I woke up from an all-night dream where I heard the voice of the Holy Spirit whispering into my ear just one word, over and over. 

He simply said, 

“Ekballo.”

Upon waking, I knew the word was familiar, I’d heard it mentioned a lot over the past year, however, I wanted a personal understanding and revelation on it, so I began to study deep into its meaning. 

It is a Greek word used throughout the New Testament, described as a violent term, denoting an aggressive driving out or sending out of something or someone. Strongs Concordance tells us that it means, ‘to thrust forth violently, to drive out, cast out, tear out, extract and banish.’  It also means to ‘bring forth and produce, and to make gain.’ As I spent some time studying this word and the verses it is mentioned in, the Holy Spirit led me to three strategies. I believe these strategies are specific for this new Hebraic year of 5782. As it is a verb, it requires action on our behalf. So, I encourage you, don’t just read this word and move on, actively look around you and ask the Holy Spirit where and how you can apply these three strategies in your own life and the regions that God has called you to take possession of (Genesis 1:28). Here are the strategies according to scripture:

#1. DRIVE OUT THE DEMONS

EKBALLO is mentioned multiple times in regards to the forceful and aggressive driving out of demons. In fact, it is mentioned more in relation to the driving out of demons than anything else. This tells me that the casting out of demons is an important role of the Church in this hour, a responsibility I believe, we have largely neglected. 

There is no denying we are in a time of intense spiritual warfare right now. Every which way we look, there appears to be demonic possession of governments, of cultural ideologies, of thought, of policy, of regions, and of individuals. However, where one sees impossibility, God sees divine possibility. We have been given the responsibility of stewardship and authority over the earth, and in this hour of intense pressing, we have an invitation before us, to drive out the demons from every realm of their possession. 

So how do we do this? Take a look around you in your city, State and Nation. Where do you see demonic oppression? Begin speaking the Name of Jesus over these realms of possession and take back the land. Engage where you can, show up to council meetings and school boards, and PRAY. Notice in the verse below, Jesus drove out the demons WITH A WORD. Your words carry WEIGHT in the Spirit. It’s time to get in the boxing ring again, and aggressively wrestle and cast out - EKBALLO- the demonic oppression OUT OF YOUR REGIONS. When Jesus was presented with demon-possession, he did not tolerate them, he DROVE THEM OUT VIOLENTLY. Likewise, we are being called in this hour to take back the land that God has given us. When we see demonic oppression, whether it’s in a person or regional, we cannot tolerate it for one moment longer. We must move into ACTION and DRIVE THEM OUT WITH A WORD… the Name that is above every other Name, Jesus.

Matthew 8:16 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out (EKBALLO) the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick.

Matthew 8:31 

The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, (EKBALLO) send us into the herd of pigs.” 

(Even the demons used this term and knew what was coming.) 

Matthew 9:33

And when the devil was cast out (EKBALLO), the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.

(Notice how demonic oppression SILENCES, but when they were driven out, the silencing was BROKEN.)

Matthew 10:8

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out (EKBALLO) demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

(Ekballo is a part of Jesus’ commissioning to the Church.)

#2. CAST OUT THE BONDWOMAN

EKBALLO is mentioned in Galatians 4:30 where it says; 

“But what does Scripture say? “Expel (EKBALLO) the bondwoman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”

How does this tie in with this strategy for EKBALLO? The bondwoman mentioned here is referencing Hagar and her son, Ishmael. They represent a mindset of slavery and compromise. Abraham compromised on the promise God had given him and tried to bring the promise to pass by his own doing. Today, we have a similar bondwoman seducing the hearts and minds of God’s sons and daughters… it is an alternate form of Christianity. One that depends on self and earthly wisdom. Some might call it ‘progressive Christianity.’ 

It is idols of thought that have infiltrated the hearts of the Church through secularism, and it is creating MIXTURE in the Body of Christ. Compromise.  

God is calling us to remember who we are in this hour and to cast out the bondwoman of slavery and compromise. Do not tolerate lines of thinking that question the foundation of the scriptures or compromise with the Word of God. EXPEL the bondwoman, do not engage with her idolatrous thinking, separate yourself from those who are falling into this trap and call out these demonic ideologies. This is a call to holiness. 

Psalm 119:3

They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths.

Proverbs 25:26

Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked.

#3. SEND OUT THE HARVESTERS

EKBALLO is mentioned again by Jesus in Matthew 9:38 where He says;

Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out (EKBALLO) workers into His harvest.”

We once learned from a farmer, that when Jesus mentioned in John 4:35 that the ‘fields are white to harvest’ it actually means that once the grain turns white, the field is almost past ripeness and the harvesters have limited time to bring in the harvest before it spoils. 

The fact that Jesus used the term EKBALLO here, tells us that we need a mass casting forth of harvesters into the world, for the hour is short. 

The harvest is what it all comes back to. The driving out of demons, the casting out of the bondwoman are all simply a chapter in the story of bringing in the harvest of souls. This is an hour where, unlike any other, people are receptive to the gospel because of their desperation and despair. We must be praying to the Lord of the harvest in this hour, to use us in unique ways. Pray, “God send me! Use me today. Show me how I can bring in your harvest TODAY!” Keep your eyes open for unique opportunities, don’t discount what He can do in your day to day life, you never know how God might want to use you today to snatch a soul out the grasp of darkness while your shopping for groceries, or paying for gas at the gas station. When you pray this simple prayer, stay alert and stay open for how God will use you as He sends you out into the harvest. 

I want to also encourage you to continue to pray that the Lord would sent out MORE and MORE harvesters as He awaken His sons and daughters to bring in the ripe grain.

PROMISE: 

I want to conclude with this promise found in Matthew 12:20 where Ekballo is also mentioned.

'A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not quench, until He leads (EKBALLO) justice to victory.'

This is a beautiful picture, in this hour of shaking, that while He is close to the broken, a reminder of His gentleness to those in need, He is also violent in HIs to leading justice to VICTORY. This is our promise we stand upon. He is leading us into justice and victory while bringing the lost home.

This is your commissioning for the hour: 

EKBALLO! GO FORTH!

Sow a seed

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