QUESTIONS AND STUDY ON SATAN......

Since Satan was defeated by Jesus on the Cross, why is he still allowed to vex us today? In the Revelation it says that Satan was overcome by Salvation, and yet he continues to vex Christians today. I know that at the great white throne judgment he will be cast into the lake of fire, but it seems that once we give our lives to Christ, and we have through the Grace of God, been plucked out of Satan's hands, that he would no longer have any power to troubleus. Revelation 12:9-12 KJV 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. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now iscome 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. 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. 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 shorttime. Since the Christian has already rejected Satan and his ways and been given eternal life through Jesus, why does Satan still have the power to vex us? One of the theological problems that has plagued theologians and Christians generally throughout the church age is theodicy. At the heart of theodicy is an apparent contradiction. On the one hand you have an all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving, and holy God, whose purpose concerning humankind is to redeem a people for His glory. This people, composed of members of every ethnicgroup in the world, will one day bear the image of God's well beloved Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ, who came to earth to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). On the other hand you have a powerful, cunning, hate-filled, unholy spiritual being, originally created sinless by God, but who allowed pride to enter his heart and rebelled against God's authority. It is Lucifer, a fallen angel, who is responsible not onlyfor introducing sin into the universe but also for much of the misery on planet Earth. His goal is to usurp God's Lordship in the universe and to dethrone God. His modus operandi is to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10); in short, to do everything withinhis finite, though awesome, power, and for his own glory and honor, to defeat the works of God. As Martin Luther said, "His craft and power are great, And armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal" (AMighty Fortress Is Our God). How, then, can we reconcile these two seemingly irreconcilable truths? Can they in fact be reconciled? I suggest the greatest existential problem which has confronted humankind from the Garden of Eden to today has in its solution the answer to these difficultand vexing questions. There are three phrases which together can frame an answer to your question about the seemingly unnecessary protraction of Satan's diabolical activities. Each phrase begins with the letter C, and they are: • the C osmic war • the C ross of Christ • the C hurch of God The cosmic war between God and Satan, which rageson planet Earth, the focal point and stage for this epic struggle between good and evil will ultimately be won by God. As you pointed out in your question, God's Salvation is in one sense a faitaccompli, but more on that in the next point. God has not been silent since Satan first challenged His power in the rebellion he instigated in heaven. In the counsels of eternity God had a plan, and when God has a plan, no one and nothing can prevent that plan from coming to fruition. Victory is assured,but on God's terms, not ours. If we human beings and not God were all-powerful and in charge of the universe, we probably would have thought it wise to destroy Satan and his angels from the get-go, annihilating him and his cohorts by fiat, thus sparing humankind from the ravages of sinand death. I know that's how I would have done things! Thank God, however, we are not God! Our point of view is finite and flawed; God's point of view and plan are infinitely wise in both conception and implementation. Moreover, not one of His attributes is compromised in any way as He brings His plan for the agesto fruition. What if God were to have annihilated Satan the very moment pride entered Lucifer's heart? After all, He is all-powerful, is He not? Yes, of course. God is much more than the possessor of awesome power, however, and He most definitely is not a cosmic bully whozaps His enemies the very moment they begin to rebel. God created sentient beings in the first place (angels first and then humankind) so they could enter into relationship with Him by their own choice. He gave us all the ability to make decisions. The prohibitionGod gave to our first parents would not make sense otherwise. Why tell someone not to do something if they cannot do otherwise? That's not freedom; that's something altogether different. In other words, God is all about relationships. He did not create angels and human beings because He needed them; He did so in love, so they would have the privilege of glorifying and enjoying Him forever. God also takes delight in His creatures, especiallywhen they willingly and wholeheartedly love, worship, serve, and adore Him. Furthermore, God's delight in us extends to every child of His, each one of whom is unique and has something uniquely special to offer God. That is true not only here on earth, but it will be especially true in heaven, where we will be distracted neither inour worship of God nor in our service for God. We must not take lightly the radical freedom we have on earth to choose to obey or disobey God. How we exercise that freedom determines our eternal destiny, and God desires that as many people as possible join His forever-family. Sin, however, prevents thisfrom happening. Since we all are fallen creatures in need of God's forgiveness and cleansing, God provided a way whereby He could justly and righteously put away the sin that separates us from Him. He did so by making the greatest sacrifice possible: by givingus His well beloved Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The cross of Christ, then, was the means whereby holy God couldatone for our sins, thus turning aside His righteous anger from us and onto Christ, "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." "For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings" (Hebrews 2:10 NAS). The cross of Christ, then, was fallen humanity's only hope. The "perfection" of which the writer to the Hebrews speaks is not sinless perfection but "a fitness for the fulfilling of the office assigned to Him" (see Everett F. Harrison in “The Theology of theEpistle to the Hebrews,” Bibliotheca Sacra 121:484,October-December 1964:338). In other words, Jesus was the high priest who offered Himself as a sacrifice for sin, once and for all, and through the unimaginable suffering He endured in being crucified, we have been redeemed--set free--through His shed blood. At the cross, Jesus wrestled with Satan and won. Satan indeed had bruised Jesus' heel, but Jesus had dealt Satan a death blow (see Genesis 3:15), which brings us to the final phrase. The Church of God is a living organism composedof believers in Jesus, each one of whom has placed his or her faith in Him and received Him into their lives as Savior and Lord. Through the Church of God, the Body of Christ, God demonstrates to the world and to Satan and his minions that God will prevail,but only after the church universal is complete and the last "living stone" is added to the superstructure of which Christ is the chief cornerstone (see 1 Peter 2:4-8). After the church is gathered up to heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:16,17), the earth will undergo a cataclysm unlike any other it has experienced since the beginning of time. Through the events of the Great Tribulation and the Battle of Armageddon spoken of in Revelation,the earth as we know it will be destroyed; Satan, the archenemy of God and of His saints, will be cast forever into the lake of fire, along with his minions; and the unbelieving portion of humanity who refused to repent of their sins will along with Satanbe cast into the lake of fire. God will then usher in a new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells forever (see Revelation 20:7-21:8). In the meantime, the church of God has to endure much suffering. If our God and Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, the pioneer of our salvation had to be perfected through suffering--and he had committed no sin, can we as His redeemed people, whose sins were nailedto His cross, expect any less (see Colossians 2:14)? Suffering is hard, but for those who endure it there are great rewards: patience, endurance or perseverance, proven character, God's comfort to us and through us to others, and hope, because as Paul pointsout, "and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us" (Romans 5:3-5). In conclusion, God allows Satan to remain on the scene today, for a time, because God's timetable, though fixed, cannot be rushed. Furthermore, God's forbearance and patience are not to be construed as slackness. As Peter said, "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish , but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9 KJV). While for a time God will allow Satan to do his best to make life difficult for us, we can take comfort in Martin Luther's great hymn: And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us: The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure, One little wordshall fell him. That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth; The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth: Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still, His kingdom is forever. Another hymn which underscores the importance of endurance in running the race set before us, is Isaac Watt's "Am I a Soldier of the Cross?": Am I a soldier of the cross, A follower of the Lamb, And shall I fear to own His cause, Or blush to speak His Name? Must I be carried to the skies On flowery beds of ease, While others fought to win the prize, And sailed through bloody seas? Are there no foes for me to face? Must I not stem the flood? Is this vile world a friend to grace, To help me on to God? Sure I must fight if I would reign; Increase my courage, Lord. I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain, Supported by Thy Word. Thy saints in all this glorious war Shall conquer, though they die; They see the triumph from afar, By faith’s discerning eye. When that illustrious day shall rise, And all Thy armies shine In robes of victory through the skies, The glory shall be Thine. rfeitedthrough sin to Satan who has then the kingdoms of the world as prince of the air was stripped of that title before all the angels in heaven, principalities, powers and rules etc., @ the cross.2. The power Satan had now over the human race through sin was defeated@ the cross, for sin shall not have dominion over us any longer and we are no longer captive at his will, notice his will! Not Adams or mankind's will. 3. Satan was the angel over the throne of heaven and the throne had to be cleansed in heaven by God himselfand reclaimed in victory over death into life was more than eternal redemption for the defilement not only of the throne of God by this offence, but defilement of the earth which God created and the human race He created in His own image, it was so large ona scale we could never really grasp that what Satan did affected everything in creation including things in heaven.this is why there will be a new heaven and a new earth because when God is finished there will be no traces of this satanic defiling sin,whenGod make us clean everywit He makes all things clean including heaven by His blood everything that God created for his image is cleansed. But Satan or angels were never of HIS IMAGE. subjected to eternal death no redemption possibility ever because they werenever really any part of God himself, Satan is being used for Gods victorious glory of the cross of Himself in the person of His only Son, Yeshua/Jesus. The Revelation is to be understood as a vision of the end times, including the final judgment. This will be after the Millennium. Satan is still loose; he will be "bound" during the Millennium. • since the Christian has already rejected Satan and his ways and has been given eternal life through Jesus ... There's a bit of an overstatement in your assumption. We do have salvation and immortality through Jesus Christ. However, we do not have "eternal life" as you put it, and will not have it until after the final judgment. In the here and now, we are subject toSatan's temptation, so that we can learn to choose between good and evil. Thus we work out our salvation, continuing to learn as we continually resist Satan's temptations (or not). To answer this question the Sanctuary system must be examined. From the sanctuary service the following questions must be answered: 1. What was "finished" at the cross? 2. What is Jesus doing now? The earthly sanctuary is a miniature model of the Sanctuary in heaven - Exodus 25:40: And look that thou make them after their pattern, whichwas shewed thee in the mount. In the earthly sanctuary 2 types of services were carried out: 1. The Daily Sacrifices - This is the normal sanctuary service where a sinner brings a lamb as an atonement for his/her sin and it was slain and the blood was sprinkled on the veil that separates the holy place from the most holy place - and the atonement wascomplete 2. TheYearly Sacrifices - There are 7 yearly festivals - Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, The First Fruits, Pentecost, Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, Feast of Tabernacle . Among these yearly sacrifices, the Dayof Atonement is intimately linked with permanent removal of sin. What was "Finished" at the cross? At the cross, the victim, the Lamb of God was slain - this is universally accepted by the christians. This is just the first part of the work of salvation. Who needeth not daily, as those high priests,to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this hedid once, when he offered up himself. Hebrews 7:27 So Jesus died as man's substitute taking the role of the "Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world" What is Jesus doing now? Continuing the illustration, the Author of the book of Hebrews further asserts: A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, whichthe Lord pitched, and not man... For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was aboutto make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. But now hathhe obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is themediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. Hebrews8:2, 4-6 So Jesus, on going to heaven started the work of mediation for the sinners. In the Old testament times before the blood of Jesus was shed, pardon for sin was offered on the hope of mediation by Christ. But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raisedagain for our justification. Romans 4:24-25 So this represents the daily sacrifices that was offered in the sanctuary. The Scape goat, which represents Satan, comes into picture in the Day of Atonement. On this day, all the sins of the people which have been pardoned would be transferred from the records of the sanctuary (in the heavenly sanctuary sanctuary there is a record,though in the earthly sanctuary there was none) to the Scape Goat through the blood of the Lord's Goat. The Lord's Goat is Jesus Christ. So at the end of the Day of Atonement through the blood of Jesus, all the sins of God's people which are pardoned willbe transferred to Satan. I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forthfrom before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened... I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven,and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away,and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. Daniel7:9, 10, 13, 14 As you can see from the passages above that Jesus receives the Kingdom only when the Judgement concludes. This is why Satan still has dominion over this earth. Because the Judgement is not yet over. God's people suffer in this earth till Judgement is over. Daniel 7:21 - 22: I beheld, and the same horn madewar with the saints, and prevailed against them; Untilthe Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. When this work is finished, Jesus says "It is done": Revelation 21:6 And he said unto me, Itis done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. Further Study I recommend the book of revelation: The various articles of the sanctuary are portrayed all over Revelation. The seven candle sticks, the alter of incense, the censor, the ark of covenant, etc... Hope this helped, may God help you in your endeavors to understand the book of Revelation more. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Satan and His Demons Roderick C. Meredith Is there a real Devil? Does he actually have millions of spirit beings at his command? Can they affect you? You need to know! It is fashionable nowadays to deny the existence of an actual spirit being called Satan the Devil. We are supposedly so "advanced" in our education and understanding of things, that even many otherwise intelligent people deny the very existence of the CreatorHimself—and they certainly think that the idea of a real Satan is an ignorant relic from the Dark Ages. But what is the truth of the matter? Leaving aside all sentimentality and intellectual pride, can we prove—from the inspired word of God and from documented human experience—that there is a real Devil?Of course, even using the Bible as a reliable reference is anathema to some. But if you, personally, have an open mind, you had better readon! For the effect of Satan and his demons is awesome—and Satan's actions are right now affectingthe world around you more than you may even begin to imagine! This civilization, this "age"—the 6,000-year period from Adam until the return of Jesus Christ—has been, and still is, a society dominated by Satan the Devil and millions of fallen angels or "demons" who followed him in rebellion against the Creator God. Satan is not just a generalized term for evil. Satan is not a blind force. Satan theDevil is a powerful spiritual personality—originally created by God as a cherub—who rebelled against his Creator. His original name "Lucifer" means "light bringer," but since his rebellionhe has been called "Satan"—which means "adversary." Notice how the mighty Lucifer plotted to overthrow God! His great capacity and his vanity made him decide to compete with his very Creator. "How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer,son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthestsides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.' Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit" (Isaiah14:12–15). Satan Has a KINGDOM After maneuvering to gain followers, Satan was cast out of the "mountain" or Kingdom of God. As Revelation12:3–4 indicates, Satan was able to draw after himself one-third of the angelic host in his rebellion against God! In the Bible, these fallen angels arecalled "demons." So, Satan now has literally myriads of fallen angels who are his followers—and, in that sense, he has a "kingdom" over which he rules in the spirit world. He also holds power on the earth. In Ezekiel28:10, we first read a description of the human prince of Tyre, a powerful man who—in the human sphere—was the absolute leader over this "New York" of the ancient world.But Ezekiel then shifts his focus to the real "power behind the throne"—the behind-the-scenes king ofthis pagan city-state. Notice, "Son of man, take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre, and say to him, 'Thus says the Lord God: "You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stonewas your covering: the sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created'" (vv. 12–13). Here we find a personality whoexisted millennia before Tyre—in the "Garden of Eden"! Yet this personality was a created being (v. 15), not amember of the God Family. In this way, Ezekiel reveals that Satan was the ultimate ruler of this Gentile city-state. Satan is also revealed as an extremely conniving personality. When Matthew describes Jesus' experience of being tempted by Satan in the wilderness, we see that this evilbeing is even willing to quote Scripture, twisted to his own purposes. Satan even had the audacity to quote Scripture to the author ofScripture, Jesus Christ! "Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, 'If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: "He shall give His angels charge over you," and, "In their handsthey shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone"'" (Matthew4:5–6). Then, Satan again tempted Jesus, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me" (v. 9). Notice how Christ acknowledged thatthe worldly kingdoms were under Satan's control. He did not dispute Satan's rule over the world's governments! Rather, Jesus knew the spiritual principles involved, and correctly applied the appropriate scripture, saying: "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord yourGod, and Him only you shall serve'" (v. 10). Jesus chose to obey His Father, and to receive His rewardin God's time and in God's way. Later, when Jesus' enemies accused Him of using Beelzebub to cast out demons, He replied, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. If Satancasts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his [Satan's] kingdom stand?" (Matthew12:25–26). Satan does have a kingdom! As we have seen, he is the invisible "god" of this world (2Corinthians 4:4). He is the prime deceiver of individuals and nations. "So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, whodeceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him" (Revelation12:9). Satan Wields Influence Satan is the spirit being who, in the very near future, will powerfully influence—and, finally, perhaps even possess—a charismatic political dictator who will lead a mighty world superpower arising in a revived and militant united Europe. Amazing! Satanwill be the "god" who animates and empowers the false religious system that will undergird this world-dominating economic and military power! Please do not just believe me or take my word for this—look at the Bible for yourself! God's word foretells that this coming oppressive system will literally be energized by demons."After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, 'Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling placeof demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth havebecome rich through the abundance of her luxury.' And I heard another voice from heaven saying, 'Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues'" (Revelation18:1–4). Satan will motivate these coming world rulers to fight against Christ Himself at His returnas King of kings and Lord of lords! But Christ will depose Satan, and the wicked rule of this evil being will come to a sure end. "These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those whoare with Him are called, chosen, and faithful" (Revelation17:14). Can we even begin to imagine the depth of a deception so massive thatliterally millions of human beings will be seduced into fighting Christ Himself at the Second Coming? Surely this can help us recognize the reality of what it means whenthe Bible so clearly indicates that Satan the Devil massively deceives the "whole world"—far beyond what most people have realized! The inspired book of Daniel gives us an amazing insight into the spiritual dimension—often picturing Satan and his demons as in direct control of pagan nations, as we seethroughout the Bible. When Daniel set about to humble himself and seek God, an angel assured him that his "words were heard" and that God would soon intervene (Daniel10:12). Then, the angel told Daniel, "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia" (v. 13). Later, the angelconfided in Daniel, "Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come" (v. 20). Here we have a clear description of "spirit warfare" occurring—usually behind the scenes—as a powerful influence on the rise and fall of nations and leaders, and on which nations winand lose wars. These events are real. And similar events in the near future will also be influenceddramatically by spirit beings under the influence of Satan the Devil! That is why the Apostle Paul warned the Gentiles at Ephesus that they had "once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powerof the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience" (Ephesians2:2). Later in that epistle, he returns to that same theme, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenlyplaces" (Ephesians6:12). So Satan the Devil truly is the "god" of this world! He is a genuine spirit being who greatly influences the actions of human beings. Subject to God's overruling power, he is allowed tostrike at nations, influence the behavior of demented dictators and rulers—and cause this world to be heading for disaster! Satan's Religious Deceptions In the religious sphere, the Bible makes very clear that Satan has his own churches and his own ministers.For Satan has certainly been shown to be the actual power behind the "throne" of the great false church described in Revelation 17. And the Apostle Paul was inspired togive us this warning about Satan's false ministers: "If he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up withit!" (2Corinthians 11:4). Paul warned, "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselvesinto ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works" (vv. 13–15). Over the centuries, Satan has tried to ensure that most people would not recognize the true Church of God and the true Gospel it preached. To encourage religious confusion, Satan has inspired hundreds of sects, churches and religious groups each to have theirown special brand of religious thought—each church with a certain "personality," as it were—to appeal to just about any thought or feeling a person could have. In fact, there are realdemonic personalities from the spirit world guiding many false churches. A number of churches make claims to be the "true Church" Jesus established. Yet when the real truth is found, very few recognize the true Church for what it is, even thoughmost churches claiming to be the "true Church" teach a message totally different from the true Gospel that Jesus Christ and the early apostles preached. If you wouldlike to know more about how and why this came to be, please call us or write us immediately, or go to our www.tomorrowsworld.org Website, and request a free copy of our very informative booklet, Restoring Apostolic Christianity. In our day, Satan has used radio, television, film and the Internet to pander to the lusts of mankind, break up homes and otherwise influence human beings—such that billions are unable to recognize the Creator God or acknowledge that His word is truly inspired.Yes, most of mankind remains blinded and deceived (Revelation12:9). Satan Has Demons God clearly shows that fallen spirit beings are set by Satan over various worldly governments—often having great influence and power over their activities (Daniel 10). Also, many NewTestament scriptures clearly indicate that Jesus Christ was totally aware of Satan's demons and their activity, as we see in Mark's account of Jesus casting out a demon when His disciples could not do so (Mark9:17–29). In Mark's account, a demon had made a man's son unable to speak. This demon caused its victim to have epileptic-like seizures, inwhich he was at times thrown down to wallow on the ground and made to foam at the mouth. Jesus' disciples were unable to cast this demon out. Finally, Christ came and rebuked theunclean spirit: "Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more" (v. 25). Here, it is obvious that Christ did not speak to the person, but rather to the demon! Forsuch evil spirits may be responsible for a large number of cases of so-called "mental illness." Even though most mental illnesses may have come upon people because of birth defects, accidents or sickness, as the end of this age approaches it may become increasingly obvious that demonspirits are involved in some of the horrifying and outrageous behavior labeled as "mental illness" by God-rejecting observers! Yes, we need to be fully aware of the spirit world—and of Satan and his demons! What Should You Do? Throughout the Bible, Christ shows us that we need to be proactive in preventing Satan from deceiving us, taking us away from the Truth or even influencing or possessingus or our children or loved ones! God instructs us through the Apostle James, "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, youdouble-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up" (James4:7–10). Each of us needs to do everything we can to "draw near" to the true God of the Bible. As the end of this age approaches, we need to recognize that a genuine "spirit war"will soon occur in heaven and that Satan will come roaring down to earth—backed, probably, by millions of perverted spirit beings who will assist him in deceiving and disorienting a God-rejecting mankind (Revelation12:10–12). Scripture warns us—again and again—that we are in a "spiritual warfare" against Satan and his demons (Ephesians6:10–17). God inspired the Apostle Peter to remind us, "And above all things have fervent love for one another, for 'love will cover a multitude of sins.' Be hospitable to one another without grumbling" (1Peter 4:8–9). You and I need to go all out in seeking the God of the Bible! Frankly, it is time to quit "playing church," often "toying" with religion as a relativelyunimportant side issue in our lives. For, as the end of this age swiftly approaches, we really do need to be close to the God of the Bible, and to have His divineprotection—from human forces as well as from the spirit forces of Satan the Devil. We do not needto fear. But we must do our part to draw close to God, and then believe inHis promises of absolute protection during the difficult times ahead. As the Apostle Paul instructs: "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints" (Ephesians6:13–18). Do you, personally, really go all out "praying always"—truly seeking God, and trying to do what He says? Do you genuinely study theBible and ask God for the understanding and strength to obey His inspired word? Do you do all you can to "walk with God" as have His true servants through the ages? Each of us needs to ask, and to truthfully answer—these vital questions. For Satan does have a "kingdom."God has allowed His adversary to be the "god" of this world during the first 6,000 years of human existence—years that are now drawing swiftly to a close. At the very end of his influence, in desperation, this evil being will even influence millions to fightagainst Christ (Revelation17:14) before he is finally bound and cast into the "lake of fire"—never again to trouble humanity (Revelation20:10). Dear reader, you need to recognize the awesome power of Satan and his demons, and your need for the protection ofthe Creator God who has total power over Satan. Be sure to "seek" the true God, and He will deliver you and bring you into His everlasting Kingdom—if youdo your part. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "How, why, and when did Satan fall from heaven?" Answer: Satan’sfall from heaven is symbolically described in Isaiah14:12-14 and Ezekiel28:12-18.While these two passages are referring specifically to the kings of Babylon and Tyre, they also reference the spiritual power behind those kings, namely, Satan. These passages describe why Satan fell, but they do not specifically say when the fall occurred.What we do know is this: the angels were created before the earth (Job38:4-7).Satan fell before he tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden (Genesis3:1-14).Satan’s fall, therefore, must have occurred somewhere after the time the angels were created and before he tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Whether Satan’s fall occurred hours, days, or years before he tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden, Scripturedoes not specifically say. Thebook of Job tells us, at least at that time, Satan still had access to heaven and to the throne of God. “One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. The LORD said to Satan, ’Where have you come from?’ Satananswered the LORD, ‘From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it’” (Job1:6-7).Apparently at that time, Satan was still moving freely between heaven and earth, speaking to God directly and answering for his activities. Whether God has discontinued this access is a matter of debate. Some say Satan’s access to heaven was ended at the deathof Christ. Others believe Satan’s access to heaven will be ended at the end times warin heaven. Whydid Satan fall from heaven? Satan fell because of pride. He desired to be God, not to be a servant of God. Notice the many “I will...” statements in Isaiah14:12-15. Ezekiel28:12-15 describesSatan as an exceedingly beautiful angel. Satan was likely the highest of all angels, the anointed cherub, the most beautiful of all of God’s creations, but he was not content in his position. Instead, Satan desired to be God, to essentially “kick God off Histhrone” and take over the rule of the universe. Satan wanted to be God, and interestingly enough, that is essentially what Satan tempted Adam and Eve with in the Garden of Eden (Genesis3:1-5).How did Satan fall from heaven? Actually, a fall is not an accurate description. It would be far more accurate to say God cast Satan out of heaven (Isaiah14:15; Ezekiel28:16-17).Satan did not fall from heaven; rather, Satan was pushed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "IfGod knew that Satan would rebel, why did He create him?" Answer: Thisis a two-part question. The first part is “Did God know Satan would rebel?” We know from Scripture that God is omniscient,which literally means “all-knowing.” Job37:16; Psalm139:2–4, 147:5; Proverbs5:21; Isaiah46:9-10;and 1John 3:19–20 leaveno doubt that God’s knowledge is infinite and that He knows everything that has happened in the past, is happening now, and will happen in the future. Lookingat some of the superlatives in these verses—“perfect in knowledge”; “his understanding has no limit”; “he knows everything”—it is clear that God’s knowledge is not merely greater than our own, but it is infinitely greater. He knows all things in totality.If God’s knowledge is not perfect, then there is a deficiency in His nature. Any deficiency in God’s nature means He cannot be God, for God’s very essence requires the perfection of all His attributes. Therefore, the answer to the first question is “yes, Godknew that Satan would rebel.” Movingon to the second part of the question, “Why did God create Satan knowing ahead of time he was going to rebel?” This question is a little trickier because we are asking a “why” question to which the Bible does not usually provide comprehensive answers. Despitethat, we should be able to come to a limited understanding. We have already seen that God is omniscient. So, if God knew that Satan would rebel and fall from heaven, yet He created him anyway, it must mean that the fall of Satan was part of God’s sovereignplan from the beginning. No other answer makes sense given what we’ve seen thus far. First,we should understand that knowing Satanwould rebel is not the same thing as making Satanrebel. The angel Lucifer had a free will and made his own choices. God did not create Lucifer as the devil; He created him good (Genesis1:31). Intrying to understand why God created Satan, knowing he would rebel, we should also consider the following facts: 1)Lucifer had a good and perfect purpose before his fall. Lucifer’s rebellion does not change God’s original intent from something good to something bad. 2)God’s sovereignty extends to Satan, even in his fallen condition. God is able to use Satan’s evil actions to ultimately bring about God’s holy plan (see 1Timothy 1:20 and 1Corinthians 5:5). 3)God’s plan of salvation was ordained from eternity past (Revelation13:8);salvation requires something to be saved from,and so God allowed Satan’s rebellion and the spread of sin. 4)The suffering that Satan brought into the world actually became the means by which Jesus, in His humanity, was made the complete and perfect Savior of mankind: “In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whomeverything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered” (Hebrews2:10). 5)From the very beginning, God’s plan in Christ included the destruction of Satan’s work (see 1John 3:8). Ultimately,we cannot know for sure why God created Satan, knowing he would rebel. It’s tempting to assume that things would be “better” if Satan had never been created or to declare that God should have done differently. But such assumptions and declarations are unwise.In fact, to claim we know better than God how to run the universe is to fall into the devil’s own sin of promoting himself above the Most High (Isaiah14:13–14). --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Who Is in Control of Death? "When a Christian loved one dies, folks often say, “God called him home.” Yet scripture seems to say that the devil has the “power of death” (Hebrews 2:14). Who does cause death?" Let us first consider several general Bible truths. God is both the author and sustainer of life (Acts 17:25,28; 1 Timothy 6:13). Since Jehovah is all-powerful, he obviously has the ability to terminate human life, as he did in the case of Uzzah (2 Samuel 6:7). Too, he has the power to lengthen life. He extended Hezekiah’s time by 15 years (2 Kings 20:6), either providentially, more likely miraculously, or perhaps a combination of both. He can even restore life, as he did by raising Jesus from the dead (Romans 1:4). While it is clear that in ancient times God occasionally operated directly, in manipulating the cessation or restoration of human life, these events were supernatural (miraculous),with very specific designs in view. Such are not to be considered as divine procedure for today (1 Corinthians 13:8-10). For example, during the days of Moses, a man named Korah (who was Moses’ cousin) initiated a rebellion against the prophet of God and his brother, Aaron (Numbers 16:3). As a result, they stood in opposition to Jehovah himself, because Moses and Aaron representedthe Lord (see v. 30). Accordingly, God determined to punish these rebels by taking their lives. A sign was to be given to document the fact that the judgment was divinely imposed. Moses said: “If these men die the common death of all men. . . Jehovah has not sent me” (v. 29). Of special interest is the term “common.” It signifies the ordinary end of human life in which God is not directly involved. Ordinarily, when people die, it is not because the Lord intervenes and takes the spirit from the body (James 2:26) — regardless of whether the person was “good” or “evil.” It simply is a natural process, ultimately resulting from man’s rejection of divine lawat the beginning of human history (Genesis 2:17; 3:22; Romans 5:12). The Lord, therefore, allows death to take us as a process. But we are not empowered to say, in any specificcase, God “took” him or her, unless divine revelation indicates it (cf. Genesis 5:24). Having said that, what does the text mean which declares that the devil “has the power of death” (Hebrews 2:14)? First, it must be stated emphatically that Satan does not possess the power to directly take human life. If such were the case, all Christian people would be dead, for he is our “enemy” (Matthew 13:28). The book of Job demonstrates this truth as well. Satan could only afflict the patriarch as Jehovah allowed, and the Lord refused to grant permission for Job’s life to be terminated (Job 2:6). God is greater than his adversary (cf. 1 John 4:4). The reference to Satan’s “power of death” is doubtless an allusion to the Tempter’s role in the fall of humanity at the beginning of time. Death reigns as a result of sin (Romans 5:12). Since the devil introduced sin, he is characterized as the “murderer” ofthe human family (John 8:44). Death, therefore, is an appointment for us all (Hebrews 9:27 — with the exception of those who are alive at the time of Christ’s return — 1 Corinthians 15:51). Inasmuch as Satan ultimately shares a heavy responsible for the sin-death equation, in a manner of speaking, he thus is said to have “the power of death.” Not in a direct sense,but only in an historical, associated sense. The happy ending to this tragedy, however, is seen in the fact that Jesus, by his own resurrection from the dead, and the inspired promise that he is the “firstfruits” of those who are to follow, has, through the gospel, “brought life and immortality to light” (2 Timothy 1:10). And that blessed “hope” (cf. Acts 24:15) has delivered his people from the slavish “fear of death” (Hebrews 2:15). In our finer moments, therefore, we are able to say, “I desire to depart and be with the Lord, for it is very far better” (cf. Philippians 1:23). Again, we “are willing rather to be absent from the body,” so that we may be “at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians5:8). Our sweet refrain can be, therefore: “Happy are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth, yes, says the Spirit, they may rest from their labors, for their works follow with them” (Revelation 14:13). Let us, therefore, attempt to put these matters of this “life” and “death” into a sharper focus, and prepare for our own demise. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why didn't God destroy the devil before he had a chance to do anything evil? And where did the devil come from anyway? Did God create him, or has he always existed? No, the devil hasn’t always existed; he had a beginning, and some day his work will come to an end. Only God is eternal. Where did the devil come from? The Bible doesn’t answer all our questions about the devil – but it does indicate that before the worlds began God created a host of mighty angels who were to serve Him. Satan was one of them – but pride and greed consumed him,and he led a rebellion against God, hoping to overthrow God and take His place as ruler of the universe. The prophet Isaiah recalls this event: “You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven…. I will make myself like the Most High'” (Isaiah 14:13-14). His rebellion failed – but Satan continues to oppose God and lead people astray. And he will continue to do so until the end of time, when he will be bound forever and ever (see Revelation 20:10). Don’t be deceived by his temptations, no matter how attractivethey seem! Never doubt that the devil is real, or that he is powerful. But he also is a defeated foe, because by His death and resurrection Jesus Christ overcame the powers of sin and death and hell. Make sure of your commitment to Christ, for when we give our lives toHim, God frees us from Satan’s grip and makes us part of His family forever. The Bible’s words are true: “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work” (1 John 3:8).