Needless Casualties of War


Needless Casualties of War [146 pages]
by John Paul Jackson
Streams Publishing House; 1999
ISBN:1-58483-000-X
From his Preface, the author writes, In recent years, however, I have adopted a more conservative perspective on spiritual warfare -- one that allows me to distinguish between warfare in a terrestrial arena from warfare in a second heaven arena. It is my belief that unless you understand the parameters of our delegated authority and some practical guidelines on how to properly engage in spiritual warfare, there's a strong possibility that you could become an unfortunate victim of war. Even so, John Paul Jackson later writes [from page 90], God promises us divine protection.
The discerning reader of this book may prepare for an extra-Biblical primer on second heaven. While John Paul Jackson gives a faithful call for our repentance and prayer to God, he opens this volume with a strange dream and its incomplete interpretation. The unwritten resolve: If you will relent from battle, the enemy may excuse you from his sites.

 Threads of Counter-indoctrination:

{quotations in bold italic.}

p.26  Normally, we are hidden in Christ Jesus (Colossians 3:3), but entering into any level of spiritual warfare exposes us to the sight of the demonic -- as if we've stuck our head out of a foxhole. Colossians 3:3 reveals that we have died, and that our life is hid with Christ in God. John Paul's manner of mishandling the testimony makes a fine bribe, for those who would deliver it, as protection paid on behalf of fallen messengers in darkness.

p.26  …the apostle Paul recognized that because of his great revelations which were given to destroy the works of the enemy, he was exposed and was given a demonic tormentor to attack him (2 Corinthians 12:7). Not true. Here is the passage cited: And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelation, for this reason: to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me -- to keep me from exalting myself!

p.27  There happens to be a war, but it's only a small detail in the grand scheme of history. Superb enemy propaganda! [II Corinthians 10:3-6]

p.32,36  Courtesy is the hallmark of God's kingdom. Courtesy (consideration, cooperation, generosity) as a hallmark for the Kingdom of God, yet unannounced from the Scriptures? Where is courtesy when Jesus Christ removed many unclean spirits, reproved Pharisees and upset merchant tables? [Mark 1:23-26; 9:17-27; Matthew 23; John 2:14-17]

p.40-42   In chapter 3, John Paul Jackson describes a story from India where he participated in the reversal of a curse, employing a like method as those who had first brought the curse. [Deuteronomy 18:10-13]

p.45-46   Direct application of world-military missions & protocol can bring us into conflict with divine mission. Our hero and Commander on the battlefield is Jesus Christ; Our first order of business is to faithfully glorify Him. [II Corinthians 5:1-9]

p.57  Some angels minister to humans on Earth, while others stand in the immediate presence of God.. These two may not be mutually exclusive. [Matthew 18:10]

p.60  Since Satan counterfeits whatever God creates, Satan appointed principalities in the second Heaven to rule and acquire dominion over nations. These second Heaven principalities have great power, presence, and importance by means of the rank which was theirs before they fell. How do we know all this? Is the author drawing from ancient writings such as The Ascension of Isaiah or, The Vision of Paul The Apostle or, possibly from private revelation? Further on, Chapter 6 of Needless begins construction of demonology that is outside sound doctrine. [I Thessalonians 5:21]

p.70  However, we don't have the anointing or the authority to wage war in the heavenly realms. We've only been commissioned to subdue the Earth. Ignores Ephesians 6:11-12.