LANCE OF BASILISK

The Season of the Basilisk July 3 thru July 27, 2016  By Bob Jones and Paul Keith Davis

The period identified as the “Basilisk” season is approaching and we once again want to reiterate the importance of this timeframe and the great need for consecration, repentance and prayer. In times past, we greatly emphasized Israel and her need for prayer covering and spiritual intervention. That emphasis continues. However, we perceive an equal prominence for our nation and the American Church and its need for extraordinary covering during this notable time. In 1999 we wrote in the “Basilisk” article that terrorism was not coming... it is already here. That threat remains real. Nonetheless, intercession can nullify those spiritual plans of the enemy both for Israel and our nation. In recent weeks, the Lord has given specific permission to call upon heaven for the release and activation of the mighty warring angels, including the distinguished archangel Michael. In the book of Daniel we see special significance on the role of Michael and the implementation of Heavenly plans here on the earth. Our vision and concentration is placed solely upon the Lord and His Holy Spirit. Nevertheless, God has chosen the agency of man to release the resources of Heaven and hosts’ of ministering spirits to engage the adversary. That provides a source of great comfort knowing there are more for us than for our enemies. So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them. Then Elisha prayed and said, "O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." And the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (II Kings 6:16-17) Great and notable end-time purposes are presently being birthed and the enemy is doing all that he can to abort the destiny of this generation. Thankfully, the Lord has made an abundant provision of grace to establish us as overcomers if we will co-operate with the Holy Spirit and yield our will to the will of the Father.  Introduction  One need only read the daily newspaper or watch the evening news broadcast to discover the turmoil, tension and political unrest in the Land of Israel . Never has there been greater need for prayer concerning the government of Israel , the land of the Bible and the natural seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ has not only a responsibility but also a great privilege to stand in the gap and intercede for the land of Israel during these turbulent times. The scriptures promise the Lord’s blessings for those who bless the natural seed of Abraham. And I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed. (Genesis 12:2-3) The Lord’s love for Israel is eternal and to share in His heart is to participate in His love for the Jewish people and the land upon which the blood of Christ was spilled. A deep and affectionate passion is being imparted to the Christian Church for the land of Israel and the natural seed of Abraham. Even as Esther sanctified and adorned herself in her royal attire, so is the Bride of Christ in order to come boldly before the Throne of Grace to obtain mercy for the land of Israel and find divine help in time of need. For the past several years, the Lord has spoken prophetically concerning strategic intercession against the spiritual enemies of Israel and the Church. Perpetual, daily prayer is essential in the spiritual warfare on behalf of Israel and the enemies of the Church. However, the Lord has identified a particular season in the Spirit in which considerable warfare is amplified. This has been known as the SEASON OF THE BASILISK. Over the past several years, considerable revelation has been released to disclose the workings of this evil opposition historically and currently in Israel and the Church. As a result, we have published an article entitled “Lance of the Basilisk” to outline the revelations and the prayer strategy against this great enemy. The time is quickly approaching for this season to begin. For the year 2007, this notable season begins July 3rd and extends until July 24, which is the 9th of Av on the Jewish calendar. It is during this timeframe that heightened prayer and caution should be exercised in our spiritual warfare.  This unique season has produced many of the most catastrophic events in Jewish history. This historic enemy of the Cross has an extraordinary hatred not only for Israel but all of God’s covenant people. We trust the following outline will assist each reader in this spiritual encounter. Paul Keith Davis  Plans And Strategy For Spiritual Warfare History has proven that nothing unites a diverse group more than having a common enemy. Opposing political parties will even join together when our nation is confronted by a foreign enemy. This was certainly proven during World War II and again on Sept. 11, 2001 . This fundamental truth is also applicable to the Church. Though there may exist different streams within the Church, as long as each stream leads to the same River, we are joined in purpose. The Holy Spirit is now revealing to us that we have a common enemy who has set himself against the purposes of God in the Earth. The Scriptures declare that Israel is given to us as an example. The enemies of Israel in the Old Testament typify spiritual opposition faced by the Church. Graciously, the Lord continues to assist us in much the same way that he did Israel by sending prophets to not only reveal the plans of heaven but also disclose the intent of the enemy. On one such occasion, the king of Aram was enraged because he was unable to make plans for war without Elisha the prophet divulging those plans to the king of Israel . (2 Kings 6:8-12) The Holy Spirit, through divine revelation, has outlined a portion of the plans of the enemy in his effort to disrupt this nation causing considerable hardship and death. In addition, He has also revealed His divine strategy for defeating this foe in His prescribed manner. The enemy we speak of is called Basilisk.  Visions Of Basilisk On July 23, 1996 and again on July 23, 1997 , Bob was given visions from the Lord displaying this powerful demonic spirit He is desiring that we understand and oppose. It was clear in the visions that this spirit did not expect to be uncovered nor revealed. This evil spirit is accustomed to operating in secret without being detected or obstructed. This great enemy of the cross has authority to release extensive destruction and misery in the Erth, especially if unopposed by the praying Church. This evil spirit is identified as Basilisk. Basilisk is the exemplification of the devil himself whose primary purpose is death and destruction. The natural physical death resulting from this spirit is derived from plagues, sickness & disease, natural disasters and even terrorism. Its origin can be traced all the way back to ancient Israel . The Egyptians worshiped this spirit as "the lord and king of serpents to awe all others, nor to be destroyed by any". They displayed a crowned Basilisk on the heads of their gods as observed in the Bembine table and other Egyptian monuments. This demonstrates Satan’s attempt to elevate himself above God as an object of worship. In the second vision given to Bob in 1997, this spirit was multiplied hundreds of times larger than the previous year. This demonstrates a progressive increase in authority presently given to this spirit. Apparently, during certain cyclical seasons, a tremendous increase in power is given to this spirit to cause death and destruction. Additionally, in 1997, this spirit was shown brooding over a nest of eggs desiring to periodically birth wrath and misery in the earth. They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper. (Isaiah 59:5) With each revelation, this prince of darkness expressed considerable surprise at being exposed as he is accustomed to operating undetected. So well hidden is this spirit that he did not even require the darkness of night to operate as most evil spirits. He can operate and even prevail in the brightness of the noonday. Though he does not require the darkness of night, like all evil spirits, he prefers to be hidden in darkness. Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or of the destruction that lays waste at noon . (Psalm 91:6)  Basilisk in Scripture The word Basilisk is derived from basiliskos meaning "kinglet" or "king" signifying a mythical reptile hatched by a serpent from a cock’s egg. In Scripture, Basilisk is sometimes translated “cockatrice” or “adder”. The Hebrew word for Basilisk occurs in Psalms 91:13, Isaiah 14:29, Isaiah 11:8, Isaiah 59:5, Proverbs 23:32 and Jeremiah 8:17. Thou shalt walk upon the asp and in the Basilisk; and thou shalt trample under foot the lion and the dragon. (Psalms 91:13)  But in the end, it will bite like a snake, and will spread abroad poison like a Basilisk. (Proverbs 23: 32)  And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall thrust his hand into the den of the Basilisk. (Isaiah 11:8)  Rejoice not thou, whole Philistia, that the rod of him that struck thee is broken in pieces; for out of the root of the serpent shall come forth a Basilisk, and his seed shall swallow the bird. (Isaiah 14: 29)  The burden of the beasts of the South. In a land of trouble and distress, from whence come the lioness, and the lion, the viper and the flying Basilisk, they carry their riches upon the shoulders of beasts, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels to a people that shall not be able to profit them. (Isaiah 30: 6)  They have broken the eggs of asps, and have woven the webs of spiders; he that shalt eat of their eggs shall die; and that which is brought out, shall be hatched into a Basilisk. (Isaiah 59:5)  For, behold, I will send serpents, basilisks, among you which will not be charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 8:17) In the land of Palestine, this term is generally presumed to denote the cerastes or "horned viper", a very poisonous serpent, considered one of the most dangerous of all vipers. Clearly, the spiritual symbolism points to a prince of darkness diametrically opposed to the purposes of God in the earth. In Daniel 10 we discover the prince of Persia withstanding Gabriel prohibiting the release of divine instruction for 21 days. Basilisk, also a high-ranking prince, desires to likewise withstand the intentions of God and has been delegated the power of death. It was believed in mythology that the power of death existed in his breath or even in a glance of his eyes. In each of the visions, the Holy Spirit gave Bob Psalm 91:13 as a defense against this evil opposition. Repentance and steadfast faith in the declared Word provide a protection against this identified enemy. In so doing, our sanctified hearts would then be prepared for the release of the divine authority necessary to defeat this enemy. The Scripture declares that our foot shall be placed upon the “scorpion” and the “basilisk”, not because of any strength of our own, but because of the great victory appropriated to us through Christ. The Church has been given authority to deal with this spirit, yet mankind has perished throughout history because of a lack of knowledge concerning this enemy and the appropriate application of our Savior’s triumph over all opposition. In Luke 10:19 , the Lord promises that He has given us authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means injure us. The Ante-Nicene Fathers records the priceless writings of the early Church leaders. One of these great Church Patriarchs was Irenaeus, an anointed messenger to the Second Century Church who died a martyr’s death. His words provide valuable insight on this subject: “For this end did He put enmity between the serpent and the woman and her seed, they keeping it up mutually: He, the sole of whose foot should be bitten, having power also to tread upon the enemy's head; but the other biting, killing, and impeding the steps of man, until the seed did come appointed to tread down his head,-which was born of Mary, of whom the prophet speaks: "Thou shalt tread upon the asp and the basilisk; thou shalt trample down the lion and the dragon; " -indicating that sin, which was set up and spread out against man, and which rendered him subject to death, should be deprived of its power, along with death, which rules [over men]; and that the lion, that is, antichrist, rampant against mankind in the latter days, should be trampled down by Him; and that He should bind "the dragon, that old serpent" and subject him to the power of man, who had been conquered so that all his might should be trodden down.” The great theologian and writer Tertullian spoke of Basilisk in this regard: “Who is He that shall bestow ‘the power of treading on serpents and scorpions? " Shall it be He who is the Lord of all living creatures or he who is not god over a single lizard? Happily the Creator has promised by Isaiah to give this power even to little children, of putting their hand in the cockatrice den and on the hole of the young asps without at all receiving hurt. And, indeed, we are aware (without doing violence to the literal sense of the passage, since even these noxious animals have actually been unable to do hurt where there has been faith) that under the figure of scorpions and serpents are portended evil spirits, whose very prince is described by the name of serpent, dragon, and every other most conspicuous beast in the power of the Creator. This power the Creator conferred first of all upon His Christ, even as the ninetieth Psalm says to Him: "Upon the asp and the basilisk shall Thou tread; the lion and the dragon shall Thou trample under foot." So also Isaiah: ‘In that day the Lord God shall draw His sacred, great, and strong sword’ (even His Christ) ‘against that dragon, that great and tortuous serpent; and He shall slay him in that day.’ But when the same prophet says, ‘The way shall be called a clean and holy way; over it the unclean thing shall not pass, nor shall be there any unclean way; but the dispersed shall pass over it, and they shall not err therein; no lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon; it shall not be found there,’ he points out the way of faith, by which we shall reach to God; and then to this way of faith he promises this utter crippling and subjugation of all noxious animals. This evil spirit is also described in Deuteronomy 32:24, according to the rabbinical writings. They shall be wasted with hunger, devoured by pestilence and bitter destruction; I will also send against them the teeth of beasts, with the poison of serpents of the dust. (Deuteronomy 32:24) The early rabbis taught that this passage could accurately be rendered "and I will fight against them with flaming demons". The "flaming demons" would be a reference to the spirit that the Lord desires that we understand.  Basilisk In History Throughout history, this spirit has sponsored plagues at various times causing great numbers of people to experience death. During those periods of time in history, especially the Dark Ages, man attempted various superstitions and fables in his attempt to combat this evil spirit and the death that it brought, rather than applying the blood of Christ and accepting the victory through His revealed Word. This spirit promotes religious superstition in place of faith. This resulted in Christians praying out of their superstitious imagination rather than the Holy Spirit anointed Promises of God. In his address to the Athenians, the apostle Paul described them as being "too superstitious", or "religious" as some translations rendered it. Paul presented the Truth of the gospel to replace misguided trust in fables and superstitions. The Lord desires to do the same today. During the 1997 vision of Basilisk, Bob saw this prince of darkness approaching land between two bridges utilizing the winds bringing plagues, viruses and natural disasters causing considerable misery. It was revealed in the vision and confirmed through Jewish literature that this evil spirit prevails during a certain season of the year. This season is called Bein Ha'm'tarim by the Jewish writers. This term means “between the straits” or “dire straits”. This season is a three-week cycle beginning on the 17th of Tammuz extending until the 9th of Av in the Judaic calendar. It is a time when this spirit is prevalent even predominant when unchallenged by the authority of Christ given to the Church through His shed blood. This high level authority cannot be combated individually but must be engaged through corporate united intercessory prayer. At the time that the subsequent vision was revealed to Bob in 1997, hurricane Danny entered Mobile bay in Alabama , in an area that perfectly fits the description “between the bridges”. According to biblical definitions, Dan means "to judge" once again pointing to the coming justice of God. Uncharacteristically, Hurricane Danny brooded over Mobile Bay for twelve hours dumping a reported 40 inches of rain combined with high winds seemingly verifying in the natural the spiritual truths of this revelation. How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people! how is she become as a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary! She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks: among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies. Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction, and because of great servitude: she dwelleth among the heathen, she findeth no rest: all her persecutors overtook her between the straits. (Lamentations 1:1-3) The effects of Basilisk are not exclusively demonstrated during this season, rather it is during that specific span that the authority of Basilisk operates at its peak. The Bein Ha’m’tarim season for 2002 is June 27 until July 18th. History records many of the catastrophic events that have taken place on these dates.                                 17TH of Tammuz  · Moses smashed the tablets of the Torah at Mt. Sinai. · Daily sacrifices ceased. · A Torah scroll was burned in the Temple by “Apostomos”. · An idol was erected in the Temple. · The city wall was finally breached.                                  9TH AV  · 1200 B.C.– Israel told by God in the wilderness that generation would not enter the land of promise. · 586 B.C - The Babylonian army destroyed the Holy Temple. · 70 A.D. - Titus and the Roman army destroyed the Holy Temple · 135 A.D. - “Bethar” the stronghold of Bar Kochba, fell ending the last trial for Jewish Independence. · 136 A.D. - Rome began to erect the pagan city on site of the Temple dedication. · 1096 A.D. - The first crusades began. · 1290 A.D. - The Jews were expelled from England. · 1306 A.D. - The Jews were expelled from France. · 1492 A.D. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella signed expulsion. By July, on the 9th of AV, all Jews had to be out of Spain. · 1648 A.D. - Chmelnicky massacred tens of thousands of Polish Jews. · 1914 A.D. - Declarations for World World I began. · 1942 A.D. - Plans for the annihilation of Jews were drafted escalating World War II. Historically, the twenty-one days extending from the 17th of Tammuz until the 9th of AV represented a notable time of bitterness and destruction for the Jews. According to the Rabbis, the demon that prevails during this time is also called "ketev" meaning destruction/bitterness. The Jewish Rabbis regarded "ketev" not solely as a plague, but a demon with authority to cause death and destruction through plagues. It was during this precise time that the Lord's prophecy concerning the destruction of Jerusalem was fulfilled. On the 17th of Tammuz 70 A.D. the Romans breached the walls of Jerusalem . For three weeks Roman troops ransacked and destroyed the city until the 9th of Av when they burned the Temple . In both the Babylonian and Roman captivity, the Temple was destroyed on this agonizing date. It is reported that during the Holocaust, the Nazis systematically chose the 9th of Av to carry out murderous and other demonically inspired actions against the Jewish community. The prophet Zechariah spoke of these dates in Zechariah 8:19: Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'The fast of the fourth, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth {months} will become joy, gladness, and cheerful feasts for the house of Judah; so love truth and peace.' (Zechariah 8:19) The fast of the fourth month was to be conducted on the 17th of Tammuz representing a day of mourning because of the capture of Jerusalem and the various other calamitous events that took place on this date. The fast of the fifth month was to take place on the 9th of AV because of the historical tragedies that occurred on this date. These periods of mourning and fasting were to be conducted until the promise of the coming restoration of Judah and the Messianic Kingdom. The ancient leaders recognized that the righteous must be hidden in the secret place of the Most High during this time of trouble, which they believed was a dress rehearsal for the birth pangs of Messiah. In Isaiah 26:17-21, the prophet Isaiah speaks of a season when the righteous are directed to hide themselves while wrath and indignation take its course. Zephaniah 2:3 also prophetically forecasts a season when the Godly are directed to seek the Lord...seek righteousness... and seek humility and perhaps be hidden in the day of the Lord's anger. According to these Rabbis, the heat of the noonday from 12:00 until 3:00 was a time of extreme activity for this evil Spirit. Even a review of recent years will reveal that this season of time has produced considerable destruction through storms, droughts, floods, extreme heat and famine. If this evil prince continues to go unchecked through intercessory prayer, then great destruction will come to people. We must be brought out of darkness into light so that we would not perish because of a lack of knowledge concerning this spirit and its operations. On July 16, 1994 , which is the 9th of Av on the Hebrew Calendar, the twenty-one pieces of Shoemaker-Levi comet began its bombardment on the planet Jupiter. Jupiter is commonly recognized as a symbol of idolatry and paganism. One of the most devastating events in the history of Israel occurred when the image of Jupiter was placed in the Temple of God . We continue to observe the feast of Hanukkah as a celebration of the victory of the Maccabees in removing this pagan god from the temple and re-instituting temple worship. It is clearly prophetically significant that the Shoemaker-Levi comet began its assault on the planet Jupiter on this notable date. The Heavens declare the Glory of God. It is also significant that the comet was broken into twenty-one pieces also representing the twenty-one days extending from the 17th of Tammuz until the 9th of AV, the season in which this prevailing spirit operates with its greatest authority. Even though Jupiter is a symbol of idolatry for the pagan world, it is also a term for righteousness in the Hebrew language. The Hebrew name for Jupiter is “Tzedeq” and comes from the word meaning “righteous” or “righteous one”. It is from this term that the name Melchizedek is derived denoting "King of Righteousness". Clearly, we can see that satan has perverted Jupiter into a symbol of idolatry. However, we can glean understanding from this term as a symbol of righteousness in the hope of our being cleansed by the Truth of God's Word thereby making us a suitable habitation for His Holy Spirit so we can share in His holiness.  The Plans of Basilisk It is the enemy’s desire to weaken our overall economy. Basilisk intends to bring such calamity to various geographic regions so as to destroy vital supplies, produce and agricultural goods, further disrupting our economy beyond the staggering cost natural disasters and terrorism already generate. The Lord has made it painfully clear, terrorism is not coming, it is here. (Note that this was written in 1999.) Much of the terrorism and disasters will be directed at densely Jewish population areas. The ripple effect of these calamities will not be limited to those residing exclusively in these states; rather, the entire nation will be adversely affected if the enemy successfully carries out his plans. These supplies are essential for meeting the needs of our population and those we support abroad. With a diminished national security and a crippled economy, we would then be vulnerable to military conflict. A weakened military force combined with severe economic hardships would make it substantially more difficult to defend and supply the needs of our nation. More importantly, our ability and willingness to stand by Israel would be compromised. The enemy desperately desires to separate this nation from Israel . If successful, the spiritual and natural implications would be significant. The Bible plainly announces that the Lord will bless those that bless Israel and curse those that curse her. One of the great attributes of this nation's leadership in times past has been the willingness to adamantly support Israel thereby releasing divine prosperity and blessing. Additionally, Israel provides America with a strong military ally in that region of the world. Without the close alliance of Israel , our military and economic opportunities in the Middle East and Europe would be severely compromised. Our enemy is attempting to prematurely set in motion events before their time. He is attempting to bring about military conflict, economic shaking, and political upheaval prematurely; especially hostile confrontation between Israel and her enemies. God’s people must stand in the gap as a voice toward heaven withstanding these evil aspirations.  Defeating Basilisk  Our Lord in His grace has given us this insight into the plans of the enemy for the purpose of equipping us with the blueprint for success in defeating this adversary. The more we understand his plans and purposes the more capable we will be to pray with pinpoint precision. The Lord also has His plans and purposes; plans for welfare and not for calamity toward those obediently following His divinely ordained strategy. Nothing could be more rewarding for a Christian than to find favor with God by willingly offering ourselves as instruments of righteousness, hating what He hates and loving that which He loves. This can be accomplished, at least in part, by committing ourselves faithfully to this battle both individually and corporately. Foremost in our preparation for this battle is sincere repentance for our sins and the sins of our "fathers". Repentance will always bring forth times of refreshing from the Presence of the Lord. Genuine sorrow that is not merely the articulation of our mouths but the incentives of our hearts will also pave the way for the impartation of righteousness and divine authority necessary for defeating our enemies. The Scriptures declare that our Savior came into this world to destroy the works of the devil. He has chosen His Church as the instrument through which this victory is to be manifested. Daniel 9 records the great prophet repenting for his sins and those of his people, leadership and forefathers for not having obeyed the Word of the Lord to obediently walk in His teachings. Like Israel of old, we have allowed the spirit of the world to invade our lives promoting compromise and spiritual error. We are now being given the divine opportunity to make this right individually and corporately. City and regional repentance is especially crucial in the Southeastern US , the target zone for Basilisk. Sincere repentance will touch the heart of the Father releasing the spiritual "ammunition" to defeat Basilisk. This victory will be achieved through corporate intercessory prayer. When the early believers were together praying IN ONE ACCORD, great and mighty things were accomplished for the Kingdom of Heaven. Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus; that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:5-6) Few things please the Father more than to see His people in unity How good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard. (Psalms 133:1-2) Though often geographically separated, we are united in purpose with one mind and passion... to defeat the enemies of our God. As one expositor put it “as the instruments of a great concert under the direction of a concert master, so the Holy Spirit blends together the lives of members of the ekklesia of Christ.” Psalm 91 has been given to us as a Scripture of protection and instrument of war against this evil spirit. The Church has been given the authority over all of the power of the enemy... authority and victory in Christ must be rightly appropriated through the body. Like the sons of Issachar, we must be equipped with the knowledge of the times and seasons of the Spirit, dedicated to the Lord's plans and strategy. As many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God. The Lord is calling for repentance and corporate intercession against the specific plans of the enemy here outlined. Return To Home Page