DOMINION OVER BLOCKADES – THE SPIRIT OF HEROD 2A

Text: Matt. 2:1-18

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, in Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet. And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they heard the king, they departed, and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceedingly wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.”

We have identified the spirit of Herod as a very dangerous and wicked spirit from the pit of hell. It constitutes a major blockade, an aggressive one at that. The spirit of Herod attacks very strategically, it goes for the head using the principle of strike the shepherd and scatter the flock.

We can see this spirit in operation in Acts 12:1-25 when Herod decided to vex the Church. He beheaded James and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he went further to arrest apostle Peter intending to kill him after the Passover. This shook the other apostles to the marrow; they were afraid and declared a 24 hour prayer chain, using the weapon of praying without ceasing. Their prayer provoked angelic intervention and Peter was delivered and released from prison. Thereafter, Herod committed a strategic blunder and was eaten up by worms. After the death of Herod, the word of God increased and multiplied.

Whatever hates your testimony is the spirit of Herod, it must go. Whatever is blocking the glory of God from shining in your life must give way and the glory will be revealed in the name of Jesus Christ. All this happened during the period of Easter. Every after Easter programme of the devil concerning your life will be nullified by the power in the name of Jesus.

TO BE CONTINUED……..