The Insignificance of Satan
Why it seems sometimes that God doesn’t care
By Paul Johnston Sr.
FORWARD
I have searched the Scriptures for truth for about forty-five years now. When I was twelve years old my family had been out of church for about six years. One day I was playing with a toy pistol. I was playing cops and robbers in my imagination and I was not on the good side of this imaginary event. I had just knocked over a bank and had lots of money. The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and convicted me of the sin of covetousness. I knew there was something missing in my life. I was forgetting about God and his ways. I needed a church. I missed going to church and felt I needed to be there. A few weeks earlier my dad had taken me fishing on a Sunday morning and I saw the people coming home from church that day as we drove home from fishing and I just felt really bad on the inside. There was an empty feeling like something was missing. I began to pray that God would get us back in church. Within two weeks God answered my prayer and led us to a little country church with a twenty two year old pastor who knew the Bible better than most men three times his age. My love for God’s Word and a life long habit of searching the Scriptures for truth began when I was twelve years old. As a forward to this book I would like to take this opportunity to state in print my thanks to several individuals most of whom are now in heaven who were and are an inspiration to me.
Grover Craft – A Detroit auto worker who answered God’s call and left behind him a good paying job, a nice home and car to return to poverty in the hills of Eastern Kentucky to preach the gospel. His faithfulness to the Lord led to the salvation of my mom and dad and my brother and sisters.
Laura Craft – Grover’s wife who taught me John 3:16 in Sunday school when I was six years old and told me of my need of a Savior. This Sunday school lesson led to my asking my dad about being saved. One evening more than fifty years ago as we waited for my brother and sisters to get out of a Saturday evening young peoples meeting at church, I bowed my head and asked Jesus to be my Savior. Thanks Laura for standing behind your husband and not fighting his calling. You and your family suffered financial hardship as a result, but I can only imagine the reward in Heaven where you are now for your faithfulness.
Ron Buchanan – Brother Ron was my hero. He was just 10 years older than me when he began his first pastorate at age twenty two. He came from California by way of Bible College in Florida to a little church that met in the Elk Creek Grange Hall west of Middletown, Ohio. Brother Ron could not be accused of being greedy of money. He was paid just $25 per week salary in 1964 as a full time pastor. He lived in a sleeping room at the YMCA and had to depend on the good graces of the church people to feed him a home cooked meal on occasion to keep from going hungry. Once when his car was broken down he hiked probably about six miles round trip to visit my dad in the hospital. I saw him preach a sermon once while running a 102 degree fever. He taught my dad how to study his Bible and I sat in the pew like a little sponge learning the basics of a lifelong faith.
Ken Duff – Ken was a well known local real estate developer who when he heard God’s call gave up his real estate business and pursued the job of full time pastor. Ken chose the shyest most backward young man in his youth department and encouraged him to serve the Lord as a substitute Sunday school teacher, youth speaker, and even gave him his own pulpit one Sunday night to preach to the congregation. Ken has gone on to be with the Lord so I guess I will never know why he chose me to do these things contrary to outward appearance. I learned to serve the Lord by God’s strength and talent, not my own. Later in life I had the courage because of this early training to teach our church’s children for fourteen years.
Joe Johnston – Brother Joe was of no known relationship to me other than a brother in Christ. He was a jolly but often misunderstood individual. He was a World War II veteran that saw things in that war no human being should have ever seen. He never knew the love of a mother. His mother died when he was too young to remember her. He and his older brother ran away from an orphanage and had to kill and eat sparrows to survive. It is a wonder to me that the man could even laugh given his lot in life. This man stood for God’s Word. When the denomination of the church he was pastoring went so liberal that its beliefs conflicted with the Bible, he led the church out of the denomination to an independent non-denominational status. When the deacons tried to starve him out by ending his salary he continued on doing the church’s janitorial work for free and preaching without a penny of remuneration for his duties. The world can talk all they want about preachers just being in it for the money, but this man was the real deal! He remains an inspiration to me and an example of preaching the Word even out of season when it is not wanted by certain elements in a congregation. When he stood behind the pulpit he was as sound and good a Bible teacher as the world has seen. He was not a highly educated individual, but like the unlearned Apostles of old it was evident that he had been with Jesus.
Mike Gray – For the last thirty two years Brother Mike has been my pastor. Thankfully he is a pastor that does not try to convince the congregation that he is head and shoulders above them in the area of spirituality. His honest approach to presenting God’s Word and his sense of humility regarding his own struggles in the Lord presents lessons that truly grow his flock. When tempted to sin I can hear his voice warning of Satan’s devices of painting pretty pictures that never come true. He is a Godly man that I am proud to call Pastor. He too is an inspirational figure in my life. He continues to stand for the truth in an era that looks down on these traditional Christian beliefs.
My Parents, Linvel D. and Anna Lucille Johnston – How can you thank your parents for rearing you in a Christian home? I saw my dad hold the Bible in such reverence that he would literally study for thirty hours to bring a thirty minute Sunday school lesson. He was reared in a home that taught salvation by good works and baptismal regeneration. At age forty he was shown Scriptures that contradicted his life long teaching. He was honest enough to want to know the truth and set out to read for himself the Scriptures and to study each subject thoroughly. He never wanted to be guilty of teaching anything that was false. Mom was a lady of quiet faith. She used to pray every time she planted a seed. She sure had beautiful flowers and vegetables. She gave me good advice from my childhood through my adult years. She used to tell me during times of trouble, “Paul, just take Jesus by the hand and go on!” Writing this book is a little scary, but I can do so only by taking Jesus by the hand and just going on. I cannot point to a list of impressive theological degrees. I am going to point to Jesus Christ and a fifty plus year walk with him and a sincere love for his Word. Here is my offering to my Savior with my hope that it may be helpful to someone else out there struggling to understand life and what it all means.
CHAPTER 1 – “LOOK WHAT HE DID”
This is a Bible based study that attempts to answer the world’s complaints about God. To understand answers to these complaints we need to find the source. Most Christians if asked where Satan is today would probably say well he must be overseeing things down in hell. The truth would probably shock many people. Satan walks the earth observing as a predator lion “seeking whom he may devour”. He then bounces up to heaven as he did in the days of Job accusing God’s children who foolishly listened to his lies. Contrary to popular opinion, neither Satan nor his angels have as of this point in time been banned from heaven. This banning and forcible removal from heaven is a future event prophesied in the book of Revelation.
Revelation 12:7-12 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, (8) And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. (9) And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. (10) And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. (11) And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (12) Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
Please reread verse 10 and just let it sink in. Satan’s twenty four /seven job has been as an accuser. I would submit to you the theory based upon observations and the Bible that not only has Satan been occupied in heaven with accusing the brethren to their God, he has also been occupied with accusing God to his children on earth and the world in general.
Job 1:6-12 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. (7) And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. (8) And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? (9) Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? (10) Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. (11) But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. (12) And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
We all know the story of what happened next. All that Job owned was destroyed and stolen in one day and all his children died. This was by Satan’s hand, not God’s. He was left only his wife and his life. Even Job’s good health was eventually taken from him. Job’s response was not to curse God to his face.
Job 1:20-22 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, (21) And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. (22) In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
Job’s natural inclination was not to blame God and curse him. Job ran to God and worshipped him in spite of his circumstances. We now find the hand of Satan stirring the proverbial pot.
Job 2:1-10 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. (2) And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. (3) And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. (4) And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. (5) But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. (6) And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. (7) So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. (8) And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes. (9) Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. (10) But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
We see in both of these exchanges between God and Satan that Satan tried to move God to take a wicked action against his child. God refused but allowed Satan the power to bring evil into Job’s life. Even the wife whose life Satan spared became a co-conspirator with Satan to try to get Job to curse God. Now let’s look at what God thought of Job. God was well pleased with Job. He stood out from the crowd of his day and time. God loved him. It was Satan who had the idea to send evil into his life. Satan in heaven falsely accused Job of only loving God for what he could get out of Him. Job loved God for who he was, not for his material benefits. Satan on earth tried to convince Job that God was the cause of all his troubles and he should curse Him. Thus, Satan is the accuser of the brethren in heaven and the accuser of God to the brethren and mankind in general on the earth.
One of the most heart wrenching stories I know occurred a number of years ago when a youngster at our church contracted brain cancer. He was only about eleven or twelve years old when diagnosed and if memory serves me correctly about thirteen when he went home to be with the Lord. He was one of our bus kids. His father was not saved. The little fellow never questioned why he had to suffer and die. He was a model of young faith and an inspiration to many seasoned Christians in our church’s youth department. Sometimes a death in a family will cause family members to think on eternal matters and will lead to salvation. In this case, the death of a child led to increased bitterness. Satan absolutely convinced the unsaved father that God was to blame. He was so angry with God he would stop his ears and would not listen. He hated God. The truth of the matter is this. The wages of sin is death. Sin comes from Satan not God. Death is the enemy of God the Father and Jesus. Death is the final enemy that Jesus puts under his feet. In the perfect future in the New Jerusalem there are no more tears, sickness, or death. Satan, not God was the cause of his son’s death. It is a tragedy that Satan can cause such misdirected anger toward God.
Ephesians 6:10-13 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (11) Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
We Christians are all engaged in a very real battle. Our enemies are not primarily of the earth. We battle against unseen forces of wickedness arising from Satan and his angels. We cannot stand in our own strength but must put on the whole armor of God.
Jude 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
I am not a formidable foe in the eyes of Satan. I choose to humble myself before the Lord and allow him to fight this battle for me. I know that Satan is more intelligent and far more powerful than I and I have to admit being a little intimidated at the thoughts of writing this expose regarding Satan and his limitations. I know he will hate this book. I ask that the Holy Spirit give me wisdom regarding its content and hopefully He will use it to the glory of God and the strengthening of the saints. I pray for God’s mighty hand of protection on me as I write these pages. Let’s see through Satan’s devices and let us take comfort in his final defeat.
CHAPTER 2 – THE ANOINTED CHERUB
I believe it is important to know our enemy. Most Christians will tell you that Satan is a fallen angel. This is not exactly accurate. The fact is he was more. He was the anointed cherub that covered the throne of God.
Ezekiel 28:11-19 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, (12) Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. (13) Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. (14) Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. (15) Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. (16) By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. (17) Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. (18) Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. (19) All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.
The fact that this passage is not referring to an earthly king is clear from verse 13. “Thou hast been in Eden, the garden of God. “ God himself was in Eden. Adam was there as was Eve. Only one other creature that could still be alive in the days of Ezekiel was there. That was Satan. This passage of scripture tells us about Satan’s original grandeur. He was the “anointed cherub that covereth”. A cherub was a created being.
Exo 25:18 And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.
Exo 25:19 And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof.
Exo 25:20 And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.
Exo 25:21 And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.
Exo 25:22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.
If one assumes the mercy seat above the Ark of the Covenant represents the throne of God, then the cherubims stood next to God’s throne with their wings outstretched above the throne covering the throne of God in heaven. These creatures were perfect in beauty and adorned with gold and all manner of precious jewels. Satan represented God’s finest work. Intellectually he was full of wisdom and outwardly perfect in beauty. At some point in time it would appear that Satan’s job changed. In those days he was known as Lucifer.
Isaiah 14:7-21 The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing. (8) Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us. (9) Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. (10) All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us? (11) Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee. (12) How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! (13) For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: (14) I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (15) Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. (16) They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; (17) That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners? (18) All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house. (19) But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet. (20) Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, and slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned. (21) Prepare slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers; that they do not rise, nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities.
At this point Lucifer appears to be a king at a place somewhere beneath heaven. He had a throne and presumably subject followers whom he ruled and would have to ascend above the stars of God to become like the most high. Although it is somewhat controversial this writer believes that Dr. Scofield was correct in his notes for Genesis. I fully believe in the creation of the earth and that God was the Creator. I reject any belief in evolution or that God created the world then walked away. I do however believe that considerable time elapsed between Gen 1:1 and Gen 1:2. I also accept Larkin’s vision of events as shown in his drawings in the book Dispensational Truth. Let us examine the Scriptures to understand the background leading to the current conflict of unseen forces.
Genesis 1:1-2 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (2) And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
Please note the period at the end of verse one. It is a whole thought complete on its own. Verse two does not necessarily immediately follow chronologically verse one. Note in verse two that the earth is not in a habitable condition.
Isaiah 45:18 For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.
There is a very important and thought provoking question that should be asked. If the Lord formed the earth to be inhabited when he created it then why is it dark and covered by water in Genesis 1:2? Could the answer be found in the following passages?
Jeremiah 4:23-27 I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light. (24) I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly. (25) I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. (26) I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the LORD, and by his fierce anger. (27) For thus hath the LORD said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not make a full end.
Note the uncanny similarity between Jeremiah 4:23 and Genesis 1:2. Verse 25 proves this is not talking about the world after Noah’s flood. Surely at that time the Lord would have seen eight people alive. Verse 26 tells us that this destruction came about by the Lord’s fierce anger. Only sin could anger the Lord to this degree. Verse twenty seven shows it is not God’s will to make a full end.
Genesis 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
Here Adam and Eve are told to replenish the earth. This is the same words in the Hebrew that are used when God told Noah and his family to also replenish the earth after a destruction of the existing civilization. Another very interesting passage in Genesis appears below and deserves some analytical thinking.
Genesis 6:3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
Why is the word “also” used in this passage of Scripture regarding God’s plan to destroy the wicked civilization of Noah’s day. Who else was there that provoked God to destroy their civilization?
Tying this all together here is my theory. Lucifer was the anointed cherub. He was second to God only and was the supreme best of God’s creation. He stood next to God’s throne as a creature of beauty and of beautiful music. He was beautiful and equipped with great intellect. He was rewarded with a kingdom of his own. His kingdom was here on the earth. The beginning of this kingdom was wonderful, it was a joyous occasion.
Job 38:4-7 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. (5) Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? (6) Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; (7) When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
Prior to the creation of the earth the “sons of God” were already in existence. These are presumably the angels. I believe a race of human-like beings was made to be residents of earth under Lucifer’s rule. It is their bones that are sometimes found and because they are not exactly like us it gives rise to the belief that humans have evolved from a more primitive state into our current state. I believe these people were not made in the image of God as a three part being. I believe they were only body and spirit, not body, soul, and spirit. This would explain a question that few dare to ask. Where did the demons come from and why do they desire to enter into human beings to possess them? Demons do not appear to be fallen angels. The one third of angels that Satan takes with him still has access to heaven and will not be kicked out of heaven until the time of the great tribulation. Note the earlier quoted passage from the book of Revelation. Further angels are always seen as having their own body. They are often mistaken for men. It is possible for human beings to entertain angels unaware. Jacob wrestled with an angel if my memory doesn’t fail me. Angels can be mighty warriors with one destroying a mighty army single handedly in one night. This does not fit with the demons cast out of the maniac in the graveyard. They desired to enter into a heard of swine because they desired a body of some kind. It is clear that the demons are disembodied spirits. There are described in the Scriptures angels who left their first estate. This is also a deep and controversial subject beyond the scope of this current study. Suffice to say that these angels are held in chains of darkness reserved to judgment. So if the fallen angels are not yet fallen and the angels who left their first estate are bound in chains of darkness awaiting judgment and as imprisoned beings would not be out creating havoc in the world, who are the demons that help in Satan’s earthly work. Could the demons have been these pre-Adam individuals whose bodies were destroyed in a great flood and whose spirits were turned loose to wander in darkness? Do they still hate God and owe their allegiance to Lucifer their former king? Do they wish to enter into human bodies because at one time they lived in a similar house of flesh? Satan is a great counterfeiter and this would give him representation much like God’s church with followers in heaven and in earth. Make no mistake things in heaven are done God’s way but at some future point there is a prophesied war in heaven. The power of Satan should not be overlooked. He deceives one third of the angels and incite them to rebellion against God even though they know him face to face.
Revelation 12:3-4 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. (4) And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
Later in this same chapter we learn of the angels being cast out of heaven with Satan. It would appear that he deceives one third of the angels and pulls them over to his side during the tribulation.
Job 4:17-19 Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker? (18) Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly: (19) How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth?
Men and angels alike are prone to be disobedient. If angels can sin, why do men who dwell in houses of clay believe they are just? Lucifer’s pride caused him to lose his kingdom and his world to be destroyed. He believed he was wiser than God. He felt things should be done his way. He could do a better job being God than God was doing. This was the height of pride and arrogance. I believe it was the rebellion against God of Lucifer that so angered God that when we open the book of Genesis we find a world created to be inhabited to be seen in a state of total destruction. The earth was without form and void and darkness was upon the face of the deep. How long the earth stood in this condition is unknown. It could well have stood vacant for millions of years with Lucifer contemplating the results of his rebellion. The next time we see him he is in the Garden of Eden attempting to mess up mankind.
CHAPTER 3 – THE EXASPERATING MUD PIE
God made man from the dust of the earth. Who could imagine a more humble beginning? Further our natural bodies are destined to return to dust. The natural man could be likened in his lineage to a descendant of a mud pie. I wish to put forth a theory. Man is absolutely exasperating to Satan. Those who he fails to deceive are destined to rule with Christ as a son of God and a joint heir of Jesus. A mud pie will be elevated to the lofty positions in heaven that he once enjoyed. This must be a severe blow to his over inflated ego. Worse yet, those whom he deceives will go on to ridicule him throughout eternity in hell. Human beings actually become a part of his punishment. This explains why he hates the human race so fiercely.
Genesis 3:13-14 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. (14) And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
I believe that this sentence was pronounced six thousand years ago but has yet to be carried out. Satan is pictured as a dragon and as a roaring lion, not as the helpless being on his belly eating dust. It is my opinion that the Scriptures show strong support for Satan’s eventual punishment is to be relegated to a position of total insignificance. He will be turned into a tiny little worm writhing in agony in the flames of hell while the human beings that he was able to deceive taunt him for eternity. Let’s look again at the passage we quoted earlier from the book of Isaiah.
Isaiah 14:11-19 Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee. (12) How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! (13) For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: (14) I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (15) Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. (16) They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; (17) That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners? (18) All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house. (19) But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet.
Here we find Lucifer who once was so proud cut down to the ground, with worms underneath him and worms covering him, and people looking down their noses at him asking the question, “is this the man who caused all the trouble?”
Mark 9:42-48 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. (43) And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: (44) Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (45) And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: (46) Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (47) And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: (48) Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
Three times in this passage the unquenchable fire of hell is verified and in each of the three descriptions of hell the unusual statement “Where their worm dieth not” is used. Have you ever asked yourself the question, “Who is their worm”? The original Greek word for worm means a grub, a maggot, or an earthworm. Couple this with the fact that Satan was to be cut down to the ground and crawl on his belly and the picture of a totally humiliated former anointed cherub that covered the throne of God appears. He is placed in the body of a maggot. He is a specifically identifiable maggot in a pile of other maggots presumably the hierarchy of evil that currently rules over the present darkness of this world.
A very unusual ritual is revealed in Scripture that will take place on the new earth for eternity. Here is the disturbing image.
Isaiah 66:22-24 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain. (23) And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD. (24) And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.
If I understand this passage correctly, then throughout eternity each week plus once a month all flesh shall go forth and look into hell. Here the Hebrew term for worm is more specific. It is a red grub. I believe Satan will appear as a red maggot among a pile of white maggots. Knowing that God is a God of love and is not sadistic, we must presume that the reason for this strange ritual is preventative in nature. Never again will a heavenly being be tempted to rebel as Lucifer. Never again will the pain, sorrow, and suffering caused by Satan be repeated in God’s universe.
I don’t know about you but I can’t help feeling just a little sorry for Satan. I certainly don’t condone his actions, his rebellion, his evil. Yet to see any being so devastated is a sorrowful sight. I believe God in his love probably feels the same way. The question comes to my mind, “Did it have to be this way?” I had never thought about it until preparing this manuscript but do you realize that the curse was not pronounced on Satan until after his temptation of Eve and the fall of man in the Garden of Eden? Perhaps a very important point has been missed in the story of Eden. Perhaps Adam and Eve were not the only ones faced with a decision of eternal consequence whether to obey or disobey God.
I certainly cannot preach this for doctrine but it fits Biblical patterns. We know that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. I have to believe that God loved his created being Lucifer. We have the picture of God the father shown by Jesus to us in the story of the prodigal son. The father waits in love with open arms and forgiveness for his wayward son to return home. We have recorded in Scriptures the story of David and his rebellious son, Absalom. Would not David have totally forgiven Absalom for his rebellion and attempt to take over his throne had Absalom simply repented? Assume if you will that I am correct about the civilization on earth before Adam. Jeremiah chapter 4 said that God would not make a total end. Let’s suppose that Lucifer and the disembodied spirits of his followers were forced to remain in the darkness and destruction described in Genesis 1:2.
Jude 1:13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
In light of the above Scripture from the book of Jude this does not seem that far fetched. They had ample time to reflect upon their sin of rebellion. God did not destroy Lucifer at the very moment of his sin. Was God offering him a path for forgiveness and redemption? The first act of what most people call the six days of creation was not the making of the earth but the bringing of light. If you follow my thinking that Lucifer and the disembodied spirits of his followers were present in the darkness and destruction, then one day Lucifer and the spirits see light again. Soon the earth is again habitable. The birds have returned to the skies. The animals are playing on earth. If my belief is true, then they had to be feeling pretty good about their future around this time. Then on the sixth and final day God makes his mud pie. Man is created on the earth. Adam is made the new king of earth. Lucifer and the spirits could have repented and yielded to God’s will for this new earth. Had Lucifer humbled himself, admitted he was wrong to have rebelled, and became a helper to Adam the new king it is possible that his past sins could have been forgiven and the spirits could have been given the resurrected bodies they so longed for and become Adam’s subjects in a new and perfect world. The world remade for Adam did not have to be a battleground of evil. Lucifer chose to continue to hate God and rebel. One can picture him assembling his former subjects and plotting against earth’s new king. Thus began the war against spiritual wickedness in high places that we now find ourselves fighting. Adam and Eve listening to the deceit of Satan also rebelled against God and the rest is history. Satan’s temptation of Adam may well have sealed his own fate.
Many people have trouble with the concept of a Holy God who can allow a world with Satan and his evil to exist in it. It is important to note that Lucifer is not the creature that God made. He chose to become an evil being. God does not dictate to man, angels, or even cherubims what he must do. He gave us all free will. Satan chose his own path. Fortunately, God has quarantined Satan’s influence to the earth.
Psalms 115:16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD'S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
I believe it is possible that the eyes of the universe are on the earth as all creation views the messes made by Satan trying to play God. We have suffering, crying, death, and wars. All of these horrors are unknown in God’s perfect will. They come about through sin and Satan.
Check out this little gem from God’s Word. Science and science fiction have long asked the question, “Are we alone in the universe or is there intelligent life elsewhere in the universe?” Let’s look again at the passage of Scripture telling about the casting out of Satan and the angels from heaven for our answer.
Revelation 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
2 Corinthians 12:2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
Looking at these last three quoted verses we can put forth an interesting proposition. “The heaven even the heavens are the Lord’s.” The Bible recognizes three heavens. The first heaven is where the birds fly, the second heaven is where the sun, moon, and stars are located, the third heaven is out beyond the stars and is where God resides. When Satan is cast out from heaven with his angels there is rejoicing among the inhabitants of the heavens. Note the word “heavens” is plural. It is not just the residents of the third heaven that is rejoicing. It is the residents of both the second and third heaven. I would consider any being that rejoices over Satan being cast down to earth and approaching his final doom as intelligent life. Therefore comparing Scripture with Scripture I conclude that there is intelligent life elsewhere in the universe. Perhaps there are planets around some of the stars we can see where other of God’s children dwells. One thing for sure, they are created beings living in the will of God and not atheistic evolved creatures.
Job 7:17-18 What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him? (18) And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment?
Don’t you love the thought that God loves us even though we were made from dust? It is a blessed thought that our salvation comes to us by doing exactly the opposite of what Lucifer tried to do. When we try by our own efforts to become like God we fail miserably. When we admit our sins and inability to save ourselves and reach out to Jesus as a little child reaches to his parent to be saved, then we are made fit for heaven through no effort of our own. Understanding the story of Lucifer helps us to understand why salvation is by grace.
Psalms 103:8-14 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. (9) He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. (10) He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. (11) For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. (12) As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. (13) Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. (14) For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
May all of God’s little mud pies be truly appreciative of his grace, mercy, and love for them. Amen.
CHAPTER 4 – SATAN’S METHODS, IF IT AIN’T BROKE DON’T FIX IT!
The student of the Bible and history soon learns that Satan has used the same methods and arguments to mess up human beings of all generations. He apparently believes fully in the old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” It might prove beneficial to check out Satan’s devices and arguments that he uses so successfully.
Genesis 3:1-6 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? (2) And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: (3) But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. (4) And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: (5) For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. (6) And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
When Satan approaches Eve he first attacks by trying to get her to doubt the Word of God. “Yea, hath God said?” Did he really say that? Are you sure you heard that right? That doesn’t make sense, that doesn’t sound right to me? Eve then messes up by both subtracting and adding to God’s Word. She left out the fact that they could freely eat and added to the Word by saying, “neither shall ye touch it”. Satan pulls out his old “don’t pay any attention to that”speech and accused God of lying about it. “ye shall not surely die”. Satan then indicates that God really doesn’t have her best interests at heart he just wants to deprive you of being knowledgeable like him. “For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life all kicked in and Eve sinned and brought Adam into the sin as well.
How many homes have been broken and lives shattered because one day Satan whispered into the ear of one of God’s children that he or she should not take the Bible and this church stuff so seriously. God just doesn’t want you to experience all this life has to offer. Your spouse doesn’t really care all that much about you. He then paints pretty pictures of how life could be if you would just loosen up on some of your old fashioned ideas. Pretty soon he has the child of God imagining how much better life would be, how much more fun things would be if he or she would just break away from those Christian hang ups, God doesn’t really mean what he says; He is just a party pooper. After all this is the twenty first century and life’s not the same as it was hundreds or thousands of years ago. Get with the times, everyone else is doing what they want. You’re just missing out. The child of God plays out Satan’s suggestions first in his or her mind and then in real life. Things never turn out the way Satan paints them. Sin always brings sorrow and eventually ends in death. The Bible teaches that there is a sin unto death. The story of the sin of King David should still be a powerful warning to all those who love God. Never feel that you are so good that you could not fall. David is acknowledged in the Scriptures as a man after God’s own heart. Walk humbly before God, stay in his Word, always take his Word seriously, and keep the communications with God open by an active prayer life. God, not Satan, is the one who loves you and wants the best for you. You can never go wrong praying for God to direct your steps and thoughts. Confess sin early as you find it creeping into your life. Do not return to it in your thoughts. If this is a problem area be honest with God and seek his help. Learn to say, “get thee behind me Satan, the Lord rebuke you”. Go in God’s strength not your own. You are no match for Satan. He will outwit you every time. Rest in the fact that the Christian has God’s Holy Spirit living inside him or her to help and direct. Just let these verses from the Word of God speak to your heart.
1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
1 John 1:8-10 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (10) If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Remember what our sins cost our Lord Jesus. Forgiveness is freely given but it was purchased with a dear price. There is a day coming when we must stand before our Lord and give account of our life. Rewards will be given. I want to have something in my hand to give to my Savior in appreciation of all he gave for me. I can never repay the debt to him I owe, but I for one would like him to know that I appreciated Him. Contrast our loving savior with the unsavory character of Satan tempting God’s children to sin then running up to God in heaven to tell him all the shameful details. Who should we listen to?
CHAPTER 5 – THE FUTURE
Acts 1:9-11 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. (10) And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; (11) Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
The future is not about Satan, it isn’t even about you and me. The future is about Jesus and the greatest event of the future is the return of Jesus. In his first appearance on earth he was a helpless little baby who grew into a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. He was despised and rejected of men. He was stripped, beaten, and humiliated. He died an agonizing death on the cross. He was buried. But unlike any before him, he rose from the dead through his own power as God. He lives! His resurrection gives his children a great hope of eternal life in a new and perfect body. When Jesus returns he will not be coming back as the meek servant but as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The saved of all the ages will return with him. Among born again believers there is some controversy as to exactly the order of events for the future. I feel comfortable in my own mind that I have a proper view of the basics. Let me share with you what I believe on the subject and why I believe it. We will then come back to our study of Satan and see his final chapters as the days wind down to his final destruction.
Based upon the above passage from Acts chapter one, I declare with no second thoughts that one day Jesus will return physically to the earth. I frequently listen to Steve Brown on the radio. Steve has salvation nailed and I agree with him doctrinally the vast majority of the time. So if you don’t agree with what I am about to say it doesn’t make you my enemy. I say God speed to Steve Brown because he tells people of their need of salvation and he points to faith in the sacrifice of Jesus as the only remedy for sin. Steve simply does not agree with my viewpoint on the next great event on the horizon. I am one hundred percent convinced of the legitimacy of the doctrine of the rapture of the church. Let’s see what the Bible says on the subject. Please note that the Bible does not use the term “rapture” but I submit it does describe the event.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. (14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (15) For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. (16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
The Apostle Paul provides to the church at Corinth and thankfully to our churches today a message of great comfort for those Christians who face the deaths of their saved loved ones. We have a wonderful hope that the world does not have that we will see them again some day. John 11:25 says, “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” Paul expands upon this doctrine and adds enlightening details. Paul tells of a day when Jesus comes back with the souls of the saints in heaven. First these saints will have their physical bodies brought back to life. When this event occurs there will be living members of God’s family here on earth. Our deceased brothers and sisters will get their bodies first; then those who are living at the time will also get new bodies. We will all be caught up together and meet Jesus in the air. This is a scene reminiscent of when Jesus ascended also up into the clouds when he left earth in his resurrected body as described in the first chapter of Acts that we read earlier. We will be with Jesus from this point on throughout eternity.
1 Corinthians 15:47-58 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. (48) As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. (49) And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. (50) Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. (51) Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (52) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (53) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (54) So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (55) O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (56) The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. (57) But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (58) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
The body that we are given will not be the same as our earthly body. It will be a heavenly one. Sometimes this is referred to as the glorified body. It will be capable of living and lasting an eternity. This Scripture describes a mysterious event where living human beings will have their bodies changed instantaneously. The corruptible is putting on incorruption. The rotting decaying remains of our physical bodies in the grave will be resurrected into an incorruptible body and those in living mortal bodies subject to dying will receive an eternal body not subject to death. This is the final victory. Through Jesus sin and death will be totally conquered.
Matthew 24:32-51 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: (33) So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. (34) Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. (35) Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. (36) But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. (37) But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (38) For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, (39) And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (40) Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (41) Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (42) Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. (43) But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. (44) Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. (45) Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? (46) Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. (47) Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. (48) But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; (49) And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; (50) The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, (51) And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
From this Scripture we learn that there exists a specific date in time known only to our heavenly Father when the Son of man (Jesus) will come again. This adds an element not illuminated by the Apostle Paul. We have already seen living human being who trusted Jesus as their savior will instantaneously receive a new eternal body. What if their co-worker standing by their side is a lost man or woman? The unsaved do not receive this new body. They do not have eternal life. They will exist for eternity but not in the same kind of glorified body. When the child of God is called up into the clouds as previously described, their lost co-worker will remain standing there on the job.
1 Corinthians 3:9-15 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. (10) According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. (11) For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (12) Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; (13) Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. (14) If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. (15) If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
When we get to heaven, we will all face a judgment. This is not a judgment to see whether or not we belong there, but a judgment of our works as a Christian. The various works good and bad will be represented by common materials. Our wrong works or right works done with wrong motives will be represented as wood, hay, and stubble. Those righteous acts done for the right reasons will be represented by gold, silver, and precious stones. In other passages the Bible speaks of different crowns that can be obtained. Gold, silver, and precious stones are used to make crowns.
Revelation 4:8-11 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. (9) And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, (10) The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, (11) Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
This Scripture indicates what we do with our crowns. When the leadership in heaven stands before the Lord they cast their crowns before the throne. Just imagine seeing Jesus with your own two eyes. The indication in Scripture is that he will retain his nail scarred hands and spear pierced side. Imagine the reality of all the promises made have been fulfilled by God. Wouldn’t you want something in your hand to give to Jesus just to say thank you in a tangible manner? Imagine the deep sadness one would have should he or she come through the judgment only to see all of the deeds from this life turned to ashes. Imagine being empty handed on that day. According to Matthew 24:48-51 that servant that gets so caught up with his own pleasure and business that he neglects what he is supposed to be doing for his master will be surprised at his master’s arrival. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. How bitter the tears of regret will be for the selfish Christian! Perhaps you question tears in heaven. I would remind you that all tears are not wiped away until after the judgment of the lost often referred to as the white throne judgment described in Revelation 20. This occurs more than a thousand years after the saints’ judgment for rewards. This tells us part of what we will be doing in heaven after we are given a new body, caught up in the clouds, and taken to heaven. We will stand before God and give an account of our works for a reward. There is also an event in heaven called the marriage supper of the lamb.
Revelation 19:6-9 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. (7) Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. (8) And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. (9) And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
Mark 14:25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.
There appears to be a banquet in heaven in celebration of God’s family being complete. The Hebrew nation and the church are joined together in one new body being both the body and the bride of Christ. A marriage is the joining of two, the groom and the bride, into one flesh.
There is an argument among some who believe that the church will not be spared going through the tribulation also known in scriptures as the time of Jacob’s troubles. They say God’s people are not taken out of the way of trouble. I believe the writings of the following minor prophet as inspired by the Holy Spirit show a different picture.
Zephaniah 2:2-3 Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD'S anger come upon you. (3) Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger.
This clearly indicates it is possible in the day of the Lord’s anger for a meek and humble people who seek righteousness to be hid. This verse would argue for the event we call the rapture.
Further the writings of Paul indicate that it is necessary for the Holy Spirit to be taken out of the way before the man of sin (antichrist) is revealed. Remember that the Holy Spirit indwells God’s children that make up the church.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, (2) That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (4) Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (5) Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? (6) And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. (7) For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. (8) And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: (9) Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, (10) And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (11) And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: (12) That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Note the context of this passage is the coming of the Lord Jesus and our gathering together unto him. Note especially verses 7 and 8 “only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. (8) And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:” I do not believe it is an error to accept that the church must be removed with our indwelling Holy Spirit before the antichrist is revealed.
It would appear that after our being called out of this world and appearing in heaven we will give an account of our life before God, receive or lose rewards, join in a celebration feast in heaven, and watch the events unfolding on earth. John in the book of Revelation is caught forward in time to the events leading to, during, and after the tribulation period. What he reports are the things he saw and heard in heaven at the time they were occurring. Some things he heard he was not permitted to write but some day we will hear these same things with our own two ears and understand the mysteries sealed in the Bible.
For those left standing in their workplace when the Lord returns in the clouds to call out his children, they will face the worse conditions in history here on the earth. It is beyond the scope of this small book to detail all of the events from Revelation and Daniel and many of the other Old Testament prophets. Wars, persecutions particularly of the Jews, natural disasters of cataclysmic proportions, release of demonic creatures, and political domination of the whole world by one evil man called the antichrist will all be seen on earth. Beheadings will be common place for those who understand what’s happening and refuse to go along with the antichrist’s evil agenda. Many will open their eyes to the truth and give their lives as martyrs rather than betray God by taking the mark of the beast in their right hand or forehead. God will have two witnesses present during the last 42 months of the tribulation who perform miracles calling down God’s judgment on the antichrist and his followers much as Moses called down the plagues on Egypt in the Old Testament. I believe the prophecy teaches this time for the tribulation will be just short of seven years.
Revelation 20:1-10 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. (2) And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, (3) And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. (4) And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (5) But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. (6) Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (7) And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, (8) And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. (9) And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. (10) And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
I had a dear friend who was a young preacher just out of Bible school who is now pastor of his first church. We had a number of good conversations while working together prior to his being called as a pastor. The young man is a member of another denomination. I have no doubt that he loves the Lord. He preaches salvation by grace through faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross of Calvary. He does believe as I do that this relationship with Jesus should be accompanied by good works. He does not believe one can be so good to earn his or her way into heaven. Contrary to the opinion of many in his denomination he says he finds it hard to believe a man can lose salvation when they didn’t purchase it to begin with. He doesn’t believe Jesus upon whom we depend for our salvation will ever mess up. We both agree that salvation isn’t a ritualistic repeating a prayer or shaking the preacher’s hand. True salvation occurs when a sincere understanding that we have sinned and come short of God’s standards is recognized and the sinner reaches out to Jesus asking him to be our savior and trusting his death as sufficient payment for our sins. Both of us agree that we would suspect the genuineness of salvation if an individual treats salvation as a fire insurance policy and states now they can live anyway they want. With this said I can again wish my friend God speed in his efforts to save others. He is preaching the true gospel of grace. We do disagree on the future. He simply does not believe in the thousand year reign of Jesus prior to the judgment of the lost and the revealing of the Holy City New Jerusalem along with the new heaven and the new earth. I feel certain of the existence of this thousand year period often referred to as “The Millennium” by those who understand prophecy in the same manner as I do. I am a Bible believer. I believe the Word of God is inspired by the Holy Spirit. I cannot imagine the Holy Spirit would move the Apostle John to tell of the thousand year period six times in the first seven verses of Revelation chapter 20 unless he wanted us to believe in this thousand year time frame when Satan would be bound and Jesus would rule over the earth until he puts all of God’s enemies under his feet.
CHAPTER 6 – THE TOTAL INSIGNIFACANCE OF SATAN
We have looked at the fall of Lucifer. We have seen Satan as a holy being dressed in gold and jewels standing next to the throne of God. We can imagine his beauty and intellect. God made him perfect in beauty. Imagine the most beautiful golden sunset that God paints for us and then multiply the beauty many times over and perhaps we can appreciate Lucifer in his original created state. We have seen God give him a throne and rule over a people. We have seen his pride and arrogance. We can find his utter depravity in the book of Revelation having the followers of God beheaded for their faith through his henchman, the antichrist, who at one point he personally possesses. We have learned of his ultimate humiliation of being embodied as a red maggot among a heap of maggots and listening to the constant ridicule of human beings who at least have teeth to gnash in the flames. Hell was never invented for human beings. God is not willing that any should perish but Satan manages to deceive the vast majority of the human race. This I am sure will be bittersweet to him. He hurts God through hurting us because God loves us so much, but then he must spend eternity with griping, angry, prideful individuals who in turn ridicule him pointing out the obvious of just how insignificant he is. The incessant insults will continue for all eternity.
Having seen the personal tragic end of Satan, let us turn to his accomplishments.
Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (36) As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. (37) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. (38) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (39) Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Satan’s chief focus appears to be an attack on God’s children. Enduring hard times does not indicate a lack of caring on God’s part. Satan has used tribulation, distress, persecution, famine , nakedness, peril, and the sword against the children of God. In the Book of Acts when the persecution at Jerusalem became so great for the church, then the Christians fled to many other parts of the world and took the gospel with them. Souls were saved and lives were changed who may never have heard the good news of God’s salvation had it not been for the initial persecution. Sometimes Satan will use persecution against God’s child to discourage his or her Christian walk. The final result is that it produces a more dependent loving relationship between Father and child.
2 Timothy 3:10-12 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, (11) Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. (12) Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
This statement may not sell books by the millions to those who want convenient Christianity, but this is the truth of God’s Word. Paul was an individual who suffered far more than the average Christian will ever be called upon to suffer. Yet, even in the case of Paul he said that the Lord delivered him out of them all. Sometimes we just have to realize we’re just not in heaven yet.
Hebrews 11:36-39 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: (37) They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (38) (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. (39) And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
Many early Christians suffered unbelievable hardship for their faith. Nearly two thousand years later the same message they were proclaiming is still being proclaimed around the world. (God 1, Satan 0)
Matthew 5:10-12 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (11) Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. (12) Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
There is a day of judgment for rewards. Little deeds and slights that have gone unnoticed by the world will come to light when we stand before our Savior. There is a universal law of sowing and reaping. It applies to good and bad. A little done for God with a right motive will reap great eternal rewards. We are instructed to lay up treasure in heaven. Again, what Satan means for evil and hurt, God can and does turn it to our benefit. Again Satan loses.
Romans 4:6-7 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, (7) Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Every Christian lives with temptation. Sorry to say we all sin. John said that if we say we have no sin we are lying. Satan again appears to win each time he entices the Christian to sin. God has an eraser. Our iniquities are forgiven and our sins are covered. Again, through the blood of Jesus Christ that cleanses us from sin we gain the victory over Satan. “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”. Satan wants to bring death and destruction to us, but Jesus is our resurrection and life. Again Jesus reverses the evil that Satan intended.
Ephesians 2:1-7 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; (2) Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: (3) Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. (4) But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, (5) Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) (6) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (7) That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
When we were a part of the world we walked as the world walked. We took our guidance from Satan. He had every intention of taking us to hell with him. But Jesus stepped in and now we look to the ages to come and God’s riches of his grace and God’s kindness to us.
Revelation 21:1-5 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (2) And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (3) And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. (4) And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (5) And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
Revelation 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
We look forward to a new age. We look forward to a time when God himself will live among us in a glorious city. We see the true character of God and not the God as presented to us by Satan. God does care. He does want to bless us and show kindness. The true God wipes away all tears from the eyes, puts an end to death, declares crying will cease, and eliminates pain. All of these things are done away with when Satan is out of the picture. He is the true cause for all the sorrows that are blamed on God. Even the curse on the earth is eliminated and the farmer from that point on will not have to fight with thorns or thistles. Crops will produce seven times more abundantly. There will be plenty for everyone.
Remember the example prayer that Jesus gave us?
Luk 11:2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
Luk 11:3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
Luk 11:4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
“Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.” We should pray daily for the time to come when God’s perfect will is done on earth just as it is in heaven.
Let’s sum it all up now. Satan himself will become a weak insignificant little worm. All of his grandiose plans and plotting will come to nothing. God will forgive sin, eliminate the curse, and rid the world of all the fruits of Satan’s evil. For all practical purposes the day will come when his having lived will have no effect on God’s children. Only the deceived of mankind will feel his eternal presence and as we have seen they will become a part of his punishment.
