The Invisible War

This is my first review, but I felt lead to share my thoughts. I have to say this book is a hugely important read in today's world. We are living in exciting times! Actually, after reading Invisible Wars, my Bible really comes alive, I feel I’m sitting in the first row watching the best action adventure epic…but it’s real!I've underlined and highlighted about every page and am already re-reading sections for better comprehension. One area was very eye-opening to me was understanding the dynamic of the "war of wills" between God, Satan and Man. Let me organize my review using theatrical acts:Act 1 - PerfectionWill #1: God’s - Perfection, and what will eventually come to pass. Lucifer was God's first DIRECT creation. Lucifer (angels referred to as the sons of God) was the most high angel, over all the angelic host. Although Lucifer had direct access to the throne room of God in Heaven, his realm was earth (that was news to me!). Lucifer was given complete dominion over earth by God.Act 2 - Rebellion and JudgmentWill #2: Lucifer's - Rebelled/sinned as he wanted to be "as god" (The five "I wills" in Isaiah 14:13,14 begin Satan's desire to copy God)God cannot abide sin. Lucifer/Satan's access to Heaven gone ("thrown down"). Earth and the lower "heavens" (not God's heavenly realm) now is his only habitation. Satan and 1/3 of the angelic host relegated to earth.Act 3 – Ruination of earth, Satan’s dominionNOTE: There is the discussion of the “Gap theory,” which I subscribe, that fits right here. It’s the unknown interval of time between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2. While I won’t go into details, it is utterly fascinating, scripturally defendable, answers a lot of questions and ties together other references of this Invisible War in both the Old and New Testament.Act 4 – The Second Creation and Immediate AttackGod's second DIRECT creation - Adam (also a "son of God") and Eve, then mankind (son of man). God gave Adam dominion over earth/creation that was Lucifer's authority pre-rebellion. Adam and Eve were fully obedient and in sync with the will of God.Satan, coveting God’s role and rule, hated His new creation – Man (The apple of God’s eye), Satan wanted man to fall, and ruin God's new plan for earth and creation.Satan deceives sinless Eve/Adam with the first recorded lie - "Yea hath God said?" (Gen 3:1) (Satan caused doubt in two areas: God's truth...His word, and God's love and best care for us..."His will" as best for our lives. Plus the second recorded lie, "you will be as gods, knowing..." (Gen 3:5) Satan implied, You too can be powerful, in control, not being kept down by God's onerous commands of "Thou shall not..."While Satan lied and deceived…man had a "willful choice" in this too - seeing the tree of knowledge "to be desired to make one wise" (Gen 6:1). Man desired, (for either positive or ill intent), to possess for himself special/additional knowledge of both good and evil things; to possess everything that is desirable to know; knowledge that other's do not possess. This additional “knowing” brings with it power and control...AND pride...(which similar attitudes and dismissive condescension we see amongst the secular scholars and intelligencia of today. A sad yet almost universal scoffing of the Lordship of God).Will #3: Man's - Both Adam and Eve willfully ate…and fell. We now have "man's will" in this equation. (God's will, Satan's will, and now Adam/Eve's wills)Act 5: Musical Thrones - Satan Discovers He’s Herding CatsSatan desires man be subject to HIS will - to worship, follow and be obedient to him over God. However, there is a problem with the equation. We now have an exponential complication:There are BILLIONS of wills with mankind!...all going their separate way. Some worshipping the throne of God in truth; some believing the lies and as such worshipping at the throne of Satan, the father of lies; and some, trusting in what seems right to them, busily worshipping their own throne. A triangle of chaos! But there’s more…Act 6: Hybrids – History is RepeatingGenesis 6:2 - Fallen angels co-habitate with humans creating huge and terrifying hybrids. These are the Giants (Nephilim) in the land. There are fascinating accounts of this in scripture. These seemingly outrageous accounts however, are corroborated in striking similarity when you read about gods, demigods, aliens, and other super beings in stories from other ancient civilizations. Read about Nimrod in the Bible (tower of Babel), or Greek mythology with the Titans, Hercules, Atlas, Satyrs; or the Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh for stories that have uncanny parallels of great and terrifying god-men and god-beasts, the genetically blending of spiritual beings with humans and animals.It now becomes clear why God commanded the Israelites to TOTALLY destroy all living creatures in the land of Canaan. The inhabitants in those lands all had corrupted DNA. Man, woman, children...even the animals. God is NOT cruel, once you understand why He wanted to cleanse humanity from this evil. Actually, it was King Saul, when commanded to destroy entirely the Amalekites, did not destroy all, but spared a few animals for spoil, (1 Samuel 15). This disobedience to completely clear the land of hybrid inhabitants, (which also practiced Satan worship and child sacrifice) ended his kingship, and ensured the Israelites continued conflict and suffering in their entering into the land God promised them. Remember, not long after this event they encounter Goliath, a remnant of the Nephilim. Now you know the huge “invisible war” going on!Act 7: Todays News and Final ThoughtsToday there are almost daily news accounts of recombinant DNA splicing, and the bringing together of genetics, man/animals, and nano-technology. We may soon hear that movie line, "They're baack"...but it won't be some cute Disney huggable.Some may scoff, (and I am no Biblical scholar, just a Bible believing Christ follower) but it's my belief that the coming "alien encounters" we now are seeing all over the news and in current movies and TV (are we being “prepped?”) will be billed as friendly super beings who have “evolved,” and come to unite the world in peace. Especially calling for "one religion." We can’t have Christianity…This “only one way to God” religion is so divisive! Can you say "New World Order…"The Invisible War allows for such players and events to again come upon the world stage. A scenario of friendly, super intelligent and powerful other-worldly "visitors," orchestrated and supported by Satan-influenced power people and organizations, and embraced by a majority of naïve or gullible (again like Adam/Eve) around much of the world. However, it is demonic and the worst things imaginable will proceed.This is why The Invisible War is so prescient. Once you read The Invisible War...and then read or watch the news, you will see how Satan's battle to usurp God is coming together…from Genesis 1:2 till today. As Jesus said in Luke 21:8 "Take heed and be not deceived...”My prayer and hope for everyone who reads this that you search your Bibles and learn more about Jesus Christ, God’s begotten Son who though sinless, was the sacrifice for our sins (our disobedience, self wills), and the only way to be reconciled back to God is through faith in His Son. You now see why Satan is battling so fiercely…to keep you from a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. "Take heed and be not deceived...”

Donald Barnhouse was one of the greatest theologians of the 20th century. His writing is beautiful and this exposition on the end times is no exception. I've read this book 3 or 4 times and it always encourages my heart. In these dark days when evil is everywhere, I think every believing Christian (and those who are not) would gain great encouragement and insight from this book.

(4.9 stars) What if there was an unseen supernatural conflict going on since the beginning of time? What if the working out of that conflict shapes human history and affects the life of every human being on the planet, even if they are grossly unaware of such an “invisible war”? What if there was a book by a renowned preacher and Bible expositor who explained this conflict and subsequently gave Christians not only clarity to better understand reality, but hope and a wealth of answers to some of life’s most perplexing and sorrowful dilemmas?There is such a book by such an author: The Invisible War by the late Dr. Donald Gray Barnhouse. Here, the author begins before the creation of our world with the original rebellion (Lucifer) against the will of God and with the origin of evil. He then moves through the Garden of Eden and through the Fall of Man, to portray that not only was Satan active in the beginning, he is also very busy in the present. Subsequently, Barnhouse depicts God’s never-to-be-broken plan and Satan’s frustrated and doomed attempts to thwart the Lord’s kingdom. This takes the reader through a detailed analysis of Satan’s motives, his devices and our defenses, his organization, and how the invisible war helps to explain so much of human history. (In fact, this fascinating discussion of history alone is worth the price of the book). Dr. Barnhouse’s discussion ends in eternity future with the final, ultimate triumph of the Exalted Christ.Overall in this book, Dr. Barnhouse brings his extraordinary insight into Scripture and carefully exegetes the text to deliver a message with power, precision and clarity. He does so with such skill that Bible verses you may have casually glanced over now pop out and you and come alive with profound insight and reinvigorated understanding. With this in mind, The Invisible War not only helps you to appreciate the “panorama of the continuing conflict between good and evil;” it also takes you on a tour through basic theology, Christology, angelology, ecclesiology, eschatology and biblical anthropology. In my personal opinion, every Christian should read this book because your understanding of the past, present and future will be incomplete without it.

This is an incredibly interesting book that goes deep into the spiritual aspects of existence and the deep things of the Holy Bible. The esteemed author is not bounded by orthodox thinking but, whilst being true to the recorded text, provides compelling arguments that assist in a more complete understanding of our existence, the spiritual dimension, and illuminates Bible passages with a clarity that is exceptional. An amazing book.

I received this before the stated arrival date and am pleased with the entire transaction. As I’ve only begun to read the book itself, I am being drawn in as Barnhouse explains “The responsibility for reading and knowing the Word and will of God is upon every individual...and be ready to give an answer for the hope that is within him, knowing that he will be answerable to the Lord for the content of his faith...that no passage of Scripture is to be taken by itself, but that Scripture must be read in the light of the rest of the Bible.”

Written very simple, yet VERY profound.

A most interesting book

Good deal with great service