Next-Level Spiritual Warfare: Lessons from Operation Absolute Resolve
by Nathan Shaw
On the 3rd of January 2026 the U.S. joint forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The operation—named Operation Absolute Resolve—was next-level warfare. It required fastidious planning, high-level intelligence and precise timing. God is calling the Body of Christ into next-level spiritual warfare. There is much we can learn from this operation. General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the following at the briefing he gave:
“Our inter-agency work began months ago and built on decades of experience of integrating complex air, ground, space and maritime operations. While the past two decades have honed the skills of our special operations forces, this particular mission required every component of our joint force with Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and [Space Force] Guardians, working in unison with our intelligence agency partners, and law enforcement teammates, in an unprecedented operation.”
“It required the utmost of precision and integration within our joint force. And the word integration does not explain the sheer complexity of such a mission. An extraction so precise it involved more than 150 aircraft launching across the Western Hemisphere in close coordination, all coming together in time and place to layer effects for a single purpose, to get an interdiction force into down-town Caracas, while maintaining the element of tactical surprise. Failure of one component of this well-oiled machine would have endangered the entire mission.”
“After months of work by our intelligence teammates to find Maduro and understand how he moved, where he lived, where he traveled, what he ate, what he wore, what were his pets, in early December our force was set, pending a series of aligned events. [President Trump] was choosing the right day to minimize the potential for civilian harm, maximize the element of surprise and minimize the harm to the indicted personnel so they could be brought to justice.”
“Weather in Venezuela is always a factor this time of the year. And over the weeks through Christmas and New Year's the men and women of the United States military sat ready, patiently waiting for the right triggers to be met, and the President to order us into action. Last night the weather broke just enough, clearing a path that only the most skilled aviators in the world could maneuver through ocean, mountain and low-cloud ceilings.”
“Over the course of the night aircraft began launching from 20 different bases on land and sea across the Western Hemisphere. In total more than 150 aircraft bombers, fighters, intelligence, reconnaissance, surveillance, rotary wing were in the air last night. Thousands and thousands of hours of experience were airborne. As the night began the helicopters took off with the extraction force, which included law enforcement officers, and began their flight into Venezuela at 100 feet above the water. As they approached Venezuelan shores the United States began layering different effects provided by Space Com, Cyber Com and other members of the inter-agency to create a pathway.”
“We think, we develop, we train, we rehearse, we debrief, we rehearse again and again, not to get it right, but to ensure that we cannot get it wrong. Our jobs are to integrate combat power so when the order comes we can deliver overwhelming force at the time and the place of our choosing, against any foe, anywhere in the world.”1
Planning and Restraint
Although Operation Absolute Resolve only took a few hours it was the culmination of months of planning and rehearsal, and the integration of every component of the U.S. Joint Force. The logistics were astonishing: 150 aircraft launched from 20 different land and sea bases. The operation was carried out at night to maximize surprise and minimize civilian harm.
Analysts utilized a human source close to Maduro to provide details of his day-to-day life. This intelligence allowed planners to know exactly where Maduro would be and the situation surrounding him at the time of the strike. An identical full-scale replica of Maduro’s compound was built in Kentucky. This allowed the apprehension force to practice the raid repeatedly so that the team could navigate the complex environment with speed and precision.
The success of the mission was dependent not only on planning and intelligence, but also on timing. The military sat ready for weeks through the holidays, waiting for a break in the weather that would allow aviators to navigate treacherous low-level mountain routes and low-cloud ceilings. The operation was a huge success. Maduro was captured alive and without the loss of a single American life! Further to this, Venezuela was prevented from descending into chaos by keeping strategic government systems in place.
The Geopolitical Impact
The United States faces many high-level geopolitical threats, including from distant nations such as China, Russia and Iran. For many it seemed counter-intuitive to focus on Venezuela, a “narco-terrorist” state in the United States’ own backyard. The capture of Maduro, however, signaled a major shift in global geopolitics. China and Russia were able to use Venezuela as a back door to exert undue influence in the Western Hemisphere, as well as exploit Venezuela’s vast resources.
The results of Operation Absolute Resolve were phenomenal: A “narco-terrorist” state neutralized; a once prosperous relationship with a neighboring country restored; access to the world's greatest oil reserves, and other critical minerals, obtained; significant leverage over China, Russia and Iran achieved; the skill and resolve of the U.S. joint forces trumpeted to the world. The advantage gained from strategic warfare can be huge!
Lessons for Next-Level Spiritual Warfare
1. Close doors in the backyard first.
It doesn’t make sense to confront big ticket “far-away” enemies when they have doors of access in our own backyards. Being laser-focused on a specific enemy stronghold can blind and distract us from things that are right under our noses. Close the doors in the backyard first!
2. Plan carefully.
One way of doing spiritual warfare is to single-handedly grab a weapon and start confronting, but what if the battle needs a plan, intelligence, cooperation and strategic timing? Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4 NIV). But by themselves powerful weapons are no guarantee of victory. It is the strategic use of powerful weapons that demolishes strongholds. Paul speaks in the plural when he says, “the weapons we fight with.” Paul wasn’t referring to a one man operation; he was referring to a well-planned and coordinated response from the corporate Body of Christ.
3. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse.
Paul drew parallels from the Roman army to instruct Christians in their spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:14-17). Roman warriors were well trained and well equipped. They needed to be comfortable with their armor, secure on their feet and skilled with their weapons. If warriors didn’t know how to use their shields for protection or their swords for attack they would likely be killed in battle. That’s why warriors rehearse again and again and again.
4. Increase precision through high level intelligence.
Paul informed the Ephesians that they were fighting spiritual forces of evil in high places (Ephesians 6:12). To overcome these forces required even higher level intelligence. This higher level intelligence is available to us because we are seated with Christ who is above all (Ephesians 1:19-21, 2:6). For success, higher level heavenly intelligence must overshadow, inform and protect every on-the-ground operation.
5. Exercise strategic restraint.
When David was coming against the Philistines God said to him, “When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the trees, act decisively. For at that moment the LORD is going before you to strike down the army of the Philistines” (1 Samuel 5:24 NET, italics added). To ensure victory it was critical for David to be restrained until the right moment. Impulsive, knee-jerk warriors end up defeated. Patient, well-trained warriors end up victorious.
6. Remain invisible.
Surprise attacks have the advantage of taking the enemy off guard, but they usually require greater intelligence, greater strategy and greater restraint. Some of the greatest warriors are never spoken about or known. They are lethal because they are invisible. When we do things before God we remain hidden from the enemy (Psalm 27:4-5). God makes us invisible. Sin makes us visible.
7. Think of the bigger picture.
A new set of eyes to see the battlefield in a different way can make a tremendous difference to outcomes. It is easy to focus on specific multi-generational conflicts and miss the bigger picture. Tensions with China, Russia and Iran could have taken the focus of the U.S., but capturing Maduro had repercussions for all three nations, and yet, not a single shot was fired against them. There is more than one way to defeat an enemy. Often it is more strategic to cut off an enemy’s supply than to attack them directly. It would have been easier for the U.S. to kill Maduro directly, but the consequences could have been chaotic. Unwise moves lead to chaos. Strategic moves minimize chaos.
It is time for next-level spiritual warfare. One strategic operation can change the world for generations to come. It’s time for visionaries and strategists to come forth. The destiny of nations will be determined because they do.
1 General Dan Caine’s Briefing given 3rd January 2026 (https://youtu.be/_2gefUPQyRU)
© 2026 Nathan Shaw.
Related Video:
Related Articles:
The Destruction of Fordow: A Prophetic Sign | Nathan Shaw
Related Book:
A Defining Moment in History
Endorsement from Linda Valen (Master Potter Ministries):
There are many prophetic voices in America who are trumpeting the heart of God in this hour, but Nathan Shaw is from New Zealand! God has given him His heart for America to sound the trumpet too!
This is not a book you can read quickly! Time is needed to ponder the prophecies and let them marinate in your spirit. Their significance, along with the scriptures, teachings, revelation and insight accompanying the prophecies makes this a very important book to read.
Some of the prophecies were given four years ago and attest to the accuracy of the words since they are evident presently!! There are also many “now” words given in 2020 for America as well as other nations.
I highly recommend Nathan’s book.
Purchase from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle
Back to Articles