In the midst of the virus sweeping across the world, there was a haze of fear, mass pronouncements of death, spilled blood all over the nation, lockdowns put in place, and even many churches were closed. I could feel the weariness, hopelessness and even more, a sense of people questioning God and asking, “what else could be done to combat this?” It was as though darkness was no longer encroaching, but instead, completely suffocating several regions in the US. In the natural– the news, social media, and in-person encounters all confirmed this.
One day, while in prayer, I screamed out to the Lord, “Where are the Levites?!” This phrase erupted from a place of frustration in seeing how the church(es) were handling this period in time, but it also came as a shock to me as it left my mouth. I sat in silence for a few minutes during my prayer time, as the Holy Spirit began speaking to me.
Before we dive into who the Levites are and how they relate, I want to address what took place in 2020. It left a foul stench of fear in the air. Initially it caused some to pull back in flight, and others to kick into fight mode. Whether you chose to run or fight, if it was a result of the flesh, it was done without consulting the Lord. This popular scripture is recited often in the church, but the fruit of is not as prevalent. “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). Instead, many found themselves grasping onto everything they could control in the flesh, by their own might, as everything around them spun out of control.
And though 2020 is over, the enemy’s attacks are not, and fear is still taking ground in the lives of many. In a vision, the Lord showed me more “giants” are being released. But worse than any “giant” threat, would be the continued passivity of many in the Church, professing Christ but remaining, “under” the attacks. Being in a continual state of not coming up higher in authority over the lower level demons, results in the kingdom of darkness having legal right to fill the atmosphere with fear, and to keep believers bound.
2 Corinthians instructs us not to fight in our flesh, but what does battling giants and, “coming up higher” in the years ahead look like? Let’s take a look at the Levites.
“For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds.”
If you’re not familiar with the Levites, they were men from the tribe of Levi who carried zeal towards the Lord and were upfront about serving God and God alone. Their main role as far as being priests was to guard and take care of the temple, offer sacrifices, and be the musicians and singers.
Since the resurrection of Jesus, believers now live under a new covenant in which we are all priests– we are a royal priesthood, no longer in need of an earthly mediator, with Jesus as our High Priest, the One mediator between us and the Father (1 Timothy 2:5). But, prophetically speaking, where are the Levites? The ones who carry zeal for God and His house, serving God and God alone. They're so desperately needed right now because they know their authority in Christ Jesus, have a sensitivity to things in the Spirit, and know just what to do in intercession and worship.
As I continued in prayer concerning the Levites, the Lord swiftly reminded me of what I had been reading earlier that week in 2 Chronicles 20– the story of King Jehosophat, King of Judah at the time, who was given word that his enemies were coming to invade them.
“It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites, came to battle against Jehoshaphat. Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar” (which is En Gedi). And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.”
In the beginning of that chapter we see that King Jehosophat not only had a resolve to seek the Lord’s wisdom and guidance, but the people under his rule also understood the need and joined him in a fast to seek and pray. As I was reading this verse, it became obvious how this war was won… they knew they were about to be in war, so they prepared for it – indicating they knew how to war and had a game plan, which we see in verses 21-22.
“And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: “Praise the Lord, For His mercy endures forever.”
Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.”
I thought about how wars were waged in biblical times and there are a few instances documented where it was always led with prayer and worship. Before they engaged in physical battle, they asked the Lord and called a national fast or they asked the priests to seek the Lord.
In this case, a Levite by the name of Jahaziel received a word from the Lord saying,
“The Lord says this to you: Be not afraid or dismayed at this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s… You shall not need to fight in this battle; take your position, stand still and see the deliverance of the Lord [Who is] with you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Fear not nor be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.”
After Jehosophat consulted the Lord, he appointed the Levites to praise the Lord in their priestly garments. While they did this (prior to the army going forth), the Lord went before them and set an ambush for the men who had come against Judah. Let’s pause on that for a second!
Jehosophat first consulted the Lord. He did not do anything until he consulted the Lord! Then, after he consulted, he appointed the Levites to praise the Lord in their priestly garments! How often do we face a battle and immediately start swinging in the natural? We start making the calls, wording our rebuttal, figuring out what to do, all without consulting the Lord and addressing it in the spirit first!
There was such an understanding on how to fight in the spirit and the importance of it, that it was prioritized well before the physical battle– which did not even happen, just as the Lord had told them!
“And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the Lord, worshiping the Lord. Then the Levites of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with voices loud and high.”
How many battles in our lives happen because we run to resolve it ourselves without consulting the
Lord? Judah won the battle without lifting a spear; instead they won by the praise of their lips! Many of us are familiar with warring in prayer as one of the main ways to fight in the spiritual realm, and that stands true, but have we considered the same direction appointed to the Levites– to praise the Lord in our priestly garments?
All the garments worn by the Old Testament priests were symbolic of being set apart for God’s work. Everything from their head down to their toes reflected their high and holy calling, bringing God glory. As a royal priesthood, we are clothed in garments of salvation, in the righteousness of Jesus, the Christ! We are called to, "put on" Jesus Christ making no provision for the flesh (Romans 13:14) and to put on the new man as laid out here in scripture.
Born again child of God, do you not perceive that you’re being forged in the fire for such a time as this? Do you not know that you have been appointed to be a “Levite”? One who, when the giants are sent to ambush, you don’t start swinging, but start singing praises to our God– the One who fights for you!
The hour is now. I see the bold ones arising, the ones who will deny the urge to fight in the flesh, and put on the garments of righteousness, releasing a sound like the Levites. In Job 37:1-5, God released a sound from Heaven and I believe it’s a frequency that not only His kids could hear but also the enemy could hear.
Right now, I sense a similar frequency is being released and it is the roar of the Lion of Judah. He's ferociously roaring over His children and it is destabilizing the camp of the enemy. It is a pure sound— a sound of healing, power and purity the enemy can’t stand, and the Levites are coming into agreement with it. As soon as the sound hits the enemy and his camp, it is like a wave of power weakening them, but when Kingdom people hear this sound, it’s a sound of victory. It will hit them in their houses, the streets, the grocery stores or wherever they are.
It happened to me at my desk at work. It was as if the storm lifted for a minute and I was able to remember who I was in Christ–I could see clearly. The promises spoken over me no longer seemed like lies or so hard to believe. The break in the storm allowed me to begin to war for one last time concerning old issues!
I believe the same will start happening for many others in the Kingdom of God, those who have found themselves stuck, feeling like they’ve been oppressed and not able to break out of it, but are ready to consult the Lord and praise Him in their priestly garments!
As they open their mouths in praise and declaring the Word of God, the sound will cause giants to fall. For some it’ll be a groan laced in tears, so unexpected and intense, that in that moment in the spirit, giants will fall, not because of themselves but because they partnered with the Lord and were obedient in releasing a “Levitical” sound!
When you open your mouth and release the word of God, you will pierce through the darkness of what is permeating your entire heart and home. The darkness will retreat because the sound within you is a consecrated sound that shatters darkness. The darkness has stopped many of you from praising the Lord. Your sound has been locked up and restricted by the various attacks. RELEASE THE SOUND!
Release it at home in the secret place!
Release it when you feel plagued in your mind!
Release it when you feel a muzzle on you!
Release it against the very things that have kept you stuck!
Release it over your loved ones!
Release it in front of your children, so they too begin to release a sound!
Many of your children have a sound to release! There is no junior Holy Spirit– He will do it through them, too! When they see you do it, they will feel it and it will open the door for them to do the same. They may not understand it fully, but one day you’ll be able to give language and teach, why you do what you do and what is happening as a result of your worship!
Being a priest is a primary function of men and women of God– releasing praise, prophesying, praying and worshiping the One who created us. Now that Jesus is the High Priest, we have full access through our faith in Him. (Ephesians 3:11-12)
Right now, many are fatigued and have felt like they’re engaged in a war that will never end and cannot be won. You’re contemplating forfeiting by ignoring the war, compromising or simply walking away. More and more assaults from the enemy have been thrown your way and you feel like you’ve tried your best but to no avail. Could it be that you forgot that praise is your weapon? Yes, we fight in prayer, but it’s time to release the high, undignified praise as a priest. That is what is needed to push back the darkness in this hour, and have the enemy flee into 100 directions.
The Lord is releasing a sound of the Levites that heals through His vessels, just as David did on his harp. No longer will your sound appear good in the natural, but lack the anointing of the Holy Spirit. You’ll now see that your sound will not only bring healing to you, but to others, your family members and even the area you live in!
There is a strategy from Heaven above to slay these giants and never see them again. The strategy is to release a sound of praise! To open your mouth and release a weapon that is often forgotten and overlooked. Praise is a weapon and it is the weapon that is needed to be deployed for the giants that are coming up against you, your future, your state and the global church.
Be like Israel, inquire of the Lord, prepare to receive His word and act on it…all whilst remembering “...Judah, shall go first!” Judges 20:18
“He’s doing a new thing, so we’re singing a new song!” Go ahead and release it over the air waves.
(Song: The coming King Part 1 - David Forlu).