We are still searching the scriptures and observing our 21st century society for signs of the times that point to the fact that the end of the world is near. One of the major signs is the work of Satan in every nation on the planet. Is Satan merely a myth? Is he a figment of one's imagination? Is he merely someone to blame for our own evil thoughts and violent actions, so we don't have to take responsibility for the harm we have done to others --- the devil made me do it?
Since the Bible has so much to say about Satan, we needed to begin a new series to reveal all the evidence of his existence -- and his plans to separate mankind from their Creator. Down through the decades we have seen various cartoons depicting a human being with a caricature of an angel on one shoulder and a caricature of a devil on the other, influencing him to do good or to do evil. This image reveals the truth about the influence of the invisible spiritual world of God's angels and Satan's demons in the affairs of mankind on the earth.
Temptation to do evil is very real, and if we ignore the very real source of the power and authority behind this temptation, we do so at our own peril! All have sinned and come short of the glory of God...Rom. 3:23. Many years ago God sent me to a man's hotel room in the middle of the night to share the gospel with him, for he would die soon -- he was 103 years old and very ill. This man asked me, "How can I get to Heaven? I have always wanted to know God, but no one would help me."
It is a long story, but suffice it to say that when I shared this scripture with him he recoiled at the thought. He said, "I am not a sinner for I have given away millions of dollars to the poor and needy --- I have done many good works. I once asked a priest, to whom I had just given a million dollars, how can I find God? The priest turned around and said angrily, "You are a heathen, God doesn't want you!"
Softly and gently I asked him if I could read what the Bible says about the heavenly city. He gladly welcomed my reading from Revelation chapters 21-22, then I noticed tears flow from his eyes. While he still resisted the fact that we must repent and accept Jesus into our hearts in order to enter Heaven, he said he would read the literature I left that gave all the scriptures that would explain this truth.
About 1:30 AM, as I got up to leave this precious gentlemen, he grabbed my arm before I went out the door. With clear blue eyes, revealing a longing to know more about spiritual things, he said, "Will I ever see you again?" I said with confidence, knowing God was already doing a work in his heart, "Yes...I will see you in Heaven!"
Who is Satan? Satan equates to Sin - where you have one you have the other. Satan and Sin cannot be separated. The real world is the invisible spiritual world. God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, angels, Satan, demons and devils all reside in the invisible spiritual world. The reason that most people don't believe this is because God's Church -- born again Christians -- have neglected to teach this reality. They are more interested in fitting into the world, being tolerant or politically correct, so they will be accepted, rather than ridiculed.
They have seriously forgotten the warning from James, the brother of Jesus...Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?...whosoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God...James 4:4. Why does the modern Church, not all of course, ignore this warning? It seems that the developed world, who built their countries on the foundation of Christ, have prospered so much they don't need God anymore! Subsequent generations don't know God intimately, because they no longer have examples of godly men. They enjoy the glitz and glamor offered in the world -- no spiritual responsibility -- just fun and frolic.
The modern Church, as a whole, has pretty much eliminated any teaching about Satan and the Sin factor! In fact, the average church rarely speaks about Sin! After all, if a church teaches about Sin and how it separates men from God, some radical group may find out and try to shame them in the Press in order to silence them. Teaching gospel truth will always bring persecution and rejection from the world. But today, if a certain church teaches gospel truth, it brings persecution and rejection from other churches.
Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house...Luke 11:17. Look around, don't you see division in every country? This is Satan's quest -- his purpose -- and he is succeeding. Who is Satan? God revealed to the Prophet Ezekiel the answer to our question.
Satan began his spiritual life when God created him an anointed cherub, whom He called Lucifer. The word Lucifer in the Hebrew language is helel meaning: the morning-star; brightness; to shine. When he rebelled against God and was cast down to Sheol, he became known by the title: Satan. The word Satan in the original Hebrew language is satan. In the original Aramaic language it is satanas. The meaning of his title is the same in all languages: accuser, opponent, adversary, attack, the devil, enemy of good.
Have you ever been verbally attacked - accused? Or, have you ever verbally attacked or accused anyone? Now you know the source!
God described Lucifer to Ezekiel before he was known as Satan...You were the seal of perfection...full of wisdom and perfect in beauty...you were in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was 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...Ez. 28:12-13.
God didn't stop there in describing Lucifer...You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; you were on the holy mountain of God; you walked back and forth in the midst of the fiery stones...you were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you...Ez. 28:14-15.
How did Lucifer lose his favored position in Heaven? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
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