Spiritual Intelligence Report Burma & a Watchman's Role

Dagon Pagoda

The office of prophet is likened unto that of a watchman in Ezekiel.  Scripturally we see there are three ways that God anoints prophets with a spirit of revelation to gather what I like to call "spiritual intelligence."  First, God can speak directly to a prophet audibly, internally, or through a vision or a dream just like the Lord spoke to Elisha sharing with him the Syrian King's war strategies (2 Kings 6:12, 2 Kings 7:1).  Second, God can speak through research and give direction like He did Daniel as he studied the book of Jeremiah (Dan. 9).  Finally, God can give insight through prayer walking just like the Apostle Paul recieved revelation about how to present the gospel to the Athenians in Acts 17 using the statue of the Unknown God he'd seen as he wandered through the city.  

I'm going to use our recent trip to Burma to illustrate how we constantly seek to gather and utilize spiritual intelligence.  

Prayer Walking
During the second part of our journey to Myanmar (Burma) we stayed in Yangon.  As we walked through the city made several observations.  I will only share two.  First, we saw Shwedagon Pagoda. The term "dagon" stood out immediately.  Second, we saw the Lion Throne in the National Museum.  We learned that the Lion throne was only ascended by the king when judicial decrees were to be made.  This is clearly a counterfiet throne.  It is a counterfiet of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. 

Biblical Research Regarding Dagon

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Dagon was one of the pagan gods of the Philistines.  At the height of their power they consisted of a league of 5 city states (Askalon, Ashdod,Eqron, Gath and Gaza) near the sea and were one of the primary enemies of the Israelites until the rise of Assyria.  They existed from the 12th to the 5th century when they were absorbed by the Babylonian and Persian empires.  

Looking at the Biblical accounts provides insight into the tactics of this demonic adversary.  The first place Dagon is mentioned is when the Philistines celebrated their capture of Samson (Judges 16:23) with sacrifices to their god.  What led to Samson's capture?  A woman named Delilah who preyed on Samson's lust.  For those who have studied the characteristics of Jezebel you can see the the classic tactics of manipulation, control and witchcraft to seduce him.  

When King Saul was finally defeated the Philistines hung his head as a trophy in the temple of Dagon (1 Chron. 10:10).  What led to Saul's demise?  1 Chronicles 10:13-14 says Saul was unfaithful, he did not keep the word of the Lord, he did not seek to inquire of the Lord but consulted a medium for guidance.

Dagon saw two mighty men of Israel defeated (though Samson did get victory in the very end).  But there was one thing that completely defeated Dagon and that was the Ark of the Covenant which was the place of God's abiding Presence (2 Sam. 5).  Dagon could not stand in God's presence and neither could the Philistines personally stand having God's presence stay.  The abiding presence of Christ is the key to defeating Dagon.  (Note that this is certianly not a complete study but an example. ) 

Historical Research 
Yangon is the city birthed from a little fishing village called "Dagon Township" in English.  It was established around the 6th century.  The 5th century saw this little township launch the building of what has become Shwedagon Pagoda known in English as "Dagon Pagoda."  It is the oldest and considered the most sacred pagoda in the world housing relics from four Buddhas.  

The time that marked the begining of Dagon Pagoda remarkably coincides with the demise of the Philistines as a people.  There are other characteristics too that I find interesting.  The Philistines had a league of 5 city states.  Yangon now consists of five townships.  

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Pseudo - Lion Throne

Dagon Township specifically hosts many foreign embassies, diplomats, hotels and the National Museum.  The National Museum contains the Lion Throne.  The sign in the museum said that the throne was only ascended by the king when judcial decrees are to be made.  This is a counterfiet of the true.

• Genesis 49:8-10, Psalm 60:7, Psalm 108:8 declare that Judah (Praise) is God's lawgiver.  
  
• Psalm 22:3 teaches us that continual prayer, praise and worship creates a big chair, a throne, for God to come and sit as a judge
• Acts 15:16-17, Amos 9:11, and Daniel 7:9-22 teach us that verdicts and decrees issued from God's throne are the key to victory and the harvest.
• Acts 2:29-33, Rev. 5:5, Psalm 110, Psalm 2 - Jesus is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and it is His throne to which all the obedience of the nations shall be.
• Operation Rolling Thunder is a strategy that mobilizes churches in a community to work together to create an atmosphere on earth like what is in heaven (continual prayer, praise and worship) so that King Jesus is welcome to come and sit and King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Acts 2:29-33, Dan. 7:21-22).  The Church represented by those working together who have also founded MT Horeb Prayer Center are building our Lord a throne not made with the hands of man but with the hearts of men made righteous by the blood of the Lamb.  

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Prayer, Praise, & Worship Builds the True Throne

What Have We Learned

1. For every true there is also a counterfiet.  Be aware of false idols, gods and thrones.  I recognize the false through intensive study of the true.  While I do some research my main focus is on truth.  
2. Learn from Samson's and Saul's defeat.  Don't do what they did and be wary of the tactics the adversary used to trip them up.
3. Demon's change their name through history but their strategies, tactics and goals remain the same.  Dagon by any name not stand a chance in God's abiding presence.  
4. God's abiding presence is the key to victory and the harvest.
   
5. Jesus taught us to pray that His kingdom would come and will would be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Praise and worship is the atmosphere of heaven.  To bring heaven to earth we create an atmosphere on earth like what is in heaven.  That is what David did in his tabernacle.
6. Spiritual intelligence is gathered through dreams, visions and words from God.  Prayer walking and research are also valuable tools.
7. 1 Corinthians 13:9 says we know in part and prophesy in part.  It is wise to gather and maintain spiritual intelligence from many sources.

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