Preface

My purpose for writing this book is threefold. First, I want to encourage
and affirm those who have unique gifts and are able to see in the realm
of the Spirit. I would like to let them know that they are not alone; there
are other gifted people who are able to see in the realm of the Spirit.
Secondly, we need to be concrete with our experiences, to make sure
that our experiences are backed up with the word of God. Third, I want
to explore an understanding that, even though God moves in the spiritual
world, he also desires us to be academic. We must allow God to
refine our intellect and renew our mind.
Often, churches have not allowed individuals to use their spiritual
gifts and rejected them. This book is also for those who might be interested
in finding out more about the anointing of the Spirit, the gifts, and
the spiritual fight that goes on day and night in the earth, under the
earth, and in the heavenlies. My prayer is that this book might bring clarity
regarding spiritual warfare to your spirit and your mind.
This book is about spiritual renewal, personally and corporally. Let
us not forget the challenge that Patricia King brings in her book, Spiritual
Revolution: Experience the Supernatural in Your Life. King says, “…religion
of the 21st century and its parched, spiritless theology has very little to
offer to modern man who seeks a spirituality that is high above the
rationalism of our day…how can we, the Church of the living God, sit
back and watch the enemy deceive with false signs, wonders, and miracles?
How can we be complacent and powerless at such a critical time
in history?”1 Although we realize that there is a challenge when one
writes about spiritual matters, it is important to remember that God
wants to pour out his Spirit and give us his riches in glory. We cannot
remain powerless.
Many years ago, as I began to study about the anointing, spiritual
gifts, and spiritual warfare, I was overwhelmed by the many views on
these subjects. Although there might be some danger or error in these
views, one must be careful not to dismiss their authenticity altogether.
Repeatedly, I have sat down with individuals who have been either misinformed
or hurt by those who profess to have the ministry of spiritual
warfare, a prophetic ministry, or the ministry of deliverance. This project
does not solve all the unresolved issues on this subject; however, it
should bring clarity to them.

Also this book was inspired by a non-Pentecostal group that wanted
to learn more about spiritual warfare. This class helped me to realize
that at one point in the life of these believers, they either had a personal
“encounter” with the Spirit and the supernatural, or they knew of a
friend that had that encounter. This class served to open up the conversation
about the on-going work of the Holy Spirit in their lives without
the fear of been judge.
As a result, I have included my own story of rejection and acceptance
of the supernatural experiences of the Spirit in my spiritual journey. My
goal has been to tell of my own personal experiences, then be able to
articulate those experiences in ways that others might be able to relate
or bring clarity to their own experiences.
Somebody has said, “Experience first, then comes the explanation of
those experiences.” This book relates personal accounts of the supernatural.
It is also a survey of some contemporary writers who talk about
these supernatural experiences, while at the same time the reader will
find some scholarly resources that helps to solidify and give credibility
to these experiences. I have used a variety of sources to challenge and
expose the reader to new literature, new perspectives, and different traditions.
There are chapters that will be easy to read, others will require some
deep thinking, but do not let that stop you. In the introduction, I define
apocalyptic anointing. Chapter one relates my early experiences with
the supernatural. Chapter two is about the role that the Spirit plays as
a giver of spiritual gifts. There are different ways that the apocalyptic
anointing is manifested, which chapter three begins to explore. Chapter
four is about how to interpret and apply apocalyptic dreams and visions.
Apocalyptic symbolism in warfare is chapters five. This chapter is about
the on-going spiritual battle between God and Satan. Chapter six is
about regional warfare, which I call Third-Level Spiritual warfare. The
last chapter will help us to walk in the Spirit and to cultivate our spiritual
growth in light of the on-going work of the Holy Spirit and the Word
of God.
There is so much to learn about the apocalyptic anointing. Spiritual
warfare and spiritual gifts are important for the church; however, there
are many confusing views on these topics. My initial attempt is to give
a new fresh perspective about the person and work of the Holy Spirit
with regard to power, revelations, and spiritual warfare. Keep in mind
the whole purpose of the gifts is that we grow closer to God and continue
to deepen our love toward others.

Notes
1. Patricia King, Spiritual Revolution: Experience the Supernatural in Your Life,
Angelic Visitations, Prophetic Dreams, Visions and Miracles (Shippensburg: Destiny Image, 2006), 36-37.