SPELLING EDITED Q-8. WHO IS LUCIFER?-IS LUCIFER SATAN?
Now for ME, I was always taught that Lucifer was an anointed cherub, which is an angelic being. Some Christians say that Lucifer was an archangel like Michael the archangel. Nonetheless, Lucifer was a high ranking angelic being like an archangel. But unlike Michael the archangel, Lucifer was lifted up with PRIDE and he rebelled against God wanting to overthrow God's throne. And when that war broke out in heaven because of this rebellion Lucifer was cast out of the third heaven called the mountain of God which is where the throne of Yahweh resides in the City of God. And thus, Lucifer became God's enemy or adversary now known as Satan, the devil, which is also known as the dragon. The word “Satan” means the adversary or the enemy. This is what I was taught so I assumed that all Christians were taught the same. However, just recently it has come to my attention by one of my readers that bluntly stated on her website that Lucifer is NOT Satan. I read the study that she had written and sent to me to read. And I also looked at some other resources and found that there were more than just one person that held this point of view that Lucifer is NOT Satan. So I decided to take a closer look for myself to see which viewpoint was Biblical. So then, one of the purposes of this study is to find out if what I have accepted to believe as being the truth, which is that Lucifer IS Satan, a fallen angel, and that Lucifer led one-third of the angels to also join with him to try and overthrow God's throne? OR to see if I was taught incorrectly and what I have recently read that Lucifer is NOT Satan is what the Bible itself teaches? Let us begin this study in God's word by doing a word search and looking at the verses of Scripture that have the word “SATAN” in them. Using the Strongest Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible we find that the word “Satan” is found 55 times in the Bible and the word “Satan's” as in Satan's seat is found 1 time in the Bible making a total of 56 times. I will not quote all of them in this study, but if you want to read and study them all yourself you can find the Bible references for all these verses at the end of this study. But before we start examining some of these verses let us take a look at the Hebrew and Greek words that are translated as Satan to see what these words mean in their original languages. The Hebrew word that is translated as Satan is “SATAN” and is Strong's #7854. This word means ADVERSARY, ACCUSER, one who opposes, and slander. As a proper name, Satan, the spirit being who opposes God and God's creation is translated as “Satan” 19 times. It is also translated as “adversary” 6 times, as “adversaries” 1 time, and as “withstand” 1 time. The Greek word that is translated as Satan is “Satanas” Strong's #4566 and #4567 and means hostile opponent and is translated as “Satan” 36 times and 1 time as “Satan's”. It is not translated as “adversary” in the New Testament. So then, from just the meaning of the word Satan we can clearly see that this spirit being is an ENEMY of Almighty God and Yahweh’s creation. We know that Satan opposes, hinders, slanders, and accuses God's creation. In Revelation 12:7-11, we learn several more things about Satan. We learn that Satan is also known as a DRAGON, and that OLD SERPENT called the DEVIL. And we learn that Satan ACCUSES the brethren night and day before God. We also learn that there is WAR in heaven and that in the last days Satan and his angels will be cast down to the earth. We learn that when this happens Satan only has a short time left so his wrath will be greater than ever before. To me, the TIMING of this casting down of Satan from the first heaven where he is presently ruling with the principalities and the powers of the AIR correspond to the time when the son of perdition will be revealed.
Revelation 12:7-11.
“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 DECEIVES 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 OVER CAME him BY the blood of the Lamb, and BY the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”
We also see that Satan is the one who DECEIVES the whole world and has his angels to fight along side with him in this heavenly WAR. So then, Satan, the devil is our ADVERSARY or our ENEMY, who seeks to devour us. Please read 1 Peter 5:8,9 which teaches us that in order to OVER COME Satan we must RESIST him in the name of Jesus, because the BLOOD of Jesus has brought us victory over our enemy.
1 Peter 5:8,9.
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your ADVERSARY the DEVIL, as a roaring lion, walks about, SEEKING whom he may devour: 9. Whom RESIST steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”
I just wanted to establish this very basic fact that Satan is the devil and the devil is God's ENEMY before we get into the verses in question that most Christians teach that Lucifer is Satan while some other Christians interpret those same verses of Scripture differently to argue that Lucifer is NOT Satan. Now some of you may be thinking what does it matter who Lucifer is or is not? Well, if one holds the viewpoint that Lucifer is NOT Satan, then it can be easily argued that Almighty God created this being known as Satan specifically for the very purpose of bringing EVIL into the world. And one could argue that even Lucifer himself was tempted by this spirit being called Satan, the devil, that was supposedly created specifically for the express purpose of bringing EVIL into the world so that God could show himself to be Almighty and destroy the wicked. Some Christians argue that Jesus IS Lucifer. Please read the study “IS LUCIFER JESUS?-WHO IS LUCIFER?” However, on the other hand, if one holds to the belief that Lucifer IS Satan, the devil, then one can successfully argue that Almighty God did NOT specifically create Satan as an EVIL spirit being to bring evil into the world. But rather, the Bible itself teaches us that Lucifer by his OWN choice to become filled with PRIDE sinned against God. And, therefore, Almighty God is JUST in his decision to destroy Satan and the wicked into the lake of fire on the final Day of Judgment. So then, let us begin by reading Isaiah 14:3-24, which we see immediately is speaking about a yet FUTURE event.
Isaiah 14:3-24.
“And it SHALL come to pass IN the day that the LORD shall give you rest from your sorrow, and from your fear, and from the hard bondage wherein you were made to serve, (Speaking of the day of the Lord and the 1000 year reign of Jesus) 4. That you (Speaking of God's children, the humans) shall take up this proverb against the king of Babylon (Who we shall see is called Lucifer in verse 12) and say, How has the OPPRESSOR ceased! (Remember that Satan, the devil is the one who OPPRESSES mankind which will CEASE IN that DAY of the Lord, the 1000 year reign of Jesus) The golden city ceased! 5. The LORD has broken the staff of the WICKED, (Speaking or that wicked one who is the mystery behind all wickedness, namely Satan, and the scepter of the rulers. (The word “rulers” is in the plural referring to the principalities and powers and RULERS in heavenly places. Also, understand that there is an evil spirit ruler over every worldly kingdom called “princes”. In other words, there was a prince of Babylon that influenced the human king of Babylon) 6. He (Lucifer, the king of Babylon, as in the prince of darkness behind the human king of Babylon) who smote the people in WRATH with a continual stroke, he that ruled (Now past tense to show that the literal human king of Babylon is a figure to the future end time Babylon that will come to its end. The point that I want you to see is the prophetic antichrist king of Babylon will rule) the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hinders (Again, remember this is yet future when the whole earth is at rest because Babylon is fallen). 7. The whole earth is at REST, and is quiet: they break forth into singing. 8. Yea, the fir trees (A figure for the righteous people during 1000 year reign of Jesus. The fir trees could refer to the glorified Christians while the cedar trees refer to the Jews in their mortal bodies) rejoice at you, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since you are laid down (Or from the time you were cast down and bound for 1000 years) NO FELLER is come up against us. (Or no one has come to cut us down, no one is come to oppress us, no one has come against us to kill us, and no one has tried to destroy us) 9. Hell from beneath is moved for you to meet you at your coming: it stirs up the dead for you, even all the chief ones of the earth; it has raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. (Meaning that these who were once principalities and powers and rulers in heavenly places were the INFLUENCES behind the human kings of the earth) 10. All they shall speak and say unto you, Are you also BECOME weak as we? Are you BECOME like unto us? 11. Your POMP (Or your PRIDE) is brought down to the grave, and the NOISE of your VIOLS: the worm is spread under you, and the worms cover you. 12. How are you fallen from HEAVEN, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How are you cut down to the ground, which did weaken (Or OVERCAME) the nations! 13. FOR (Or BECAUSE) you have said in your 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.(Those that teach that Lucifer is NOT Satan, but rather, claim that Lucifer is the ANTICHRIST do so because he says I will ASCEND INTO heaven ABOVE the heights of the clouds. But remember that prophecy can have dual fulfillments. In other words, a prophetic verse of Scripture can be read as “history” that will ALSO be repeated in the future as a fulfillment of prophecy. So this verse is teaching us about the fall of Lucifer before the creation of the human race and ALSO this is a prophecy of the FUTURE when Lucifer will be CAST DOWN to the earth during the WAR in heaven prophesied in Revelation chapter 12. Also, note that the earth was Lucifer's throne BEFORE mankind was ever created and presently Satan is the god of this present world) 15. Yet you SHALL be brought down to hell, to the sides of the PIT (Speaking of being BOUND in the bottomless PIT for 1000 years. Also note that the ANTICHRIST and the false prophet were cast into the lake of fire and not brought down to the PIT.). 16. They that see you shall narrowly look (Or they shall STARE at you in wonderment or ASTONISHMENT) upon you, and consider you, saying, Is this the MAN (Now, This is where some Christians focus on this phrase of Lucifer being referred to as a MAN. And they argue that since this passage is talking about a MAN, then Lucifer CANNOT be SATAN, because Satan is a DRAGON and NOT a MAN. But this Hebrew word that is translated as the man means a MALE being. It means is this the ONE) 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 you are cast out of your 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. You shall not be joined with them in burial, because you have destroyed your land, and slain your 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. 22. For I will rise up against them, (The children of the DEVIL, the wicked) says the LORD of hosts, and cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant, and son, and nephew, says the LORD. 23. I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools of water: and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, says the LORD of hosts. 24. The LORD of hosts has sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:”
Now let us read Ezekiel 28:1-19 and then make some comparisons between these two passages to see if there is adequate similarities to conclude that they are speaking of the SAME being.
Ezekiel 28:1-19.
“The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying, 2. Son of man, say unto the PRINCE of Tyrus, Thus says the Lord GOD; Because your heart is lifted up, (Or self exalted with PRIDE) and you have said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet you are a MAN, and not God, though you set your heart as the heart of God: (We see in both passages that this being is lifted with PRIDE and boasts that he will be like God and sit in his throne or mountain) 3. Behold, you are wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from you: 4. With your wisdom and with your understanding you have gotten you riches, and have gotten gold and silver into your treasures: 5. By your great wisdom and by your traffic have you increased your riches, and your heart is lifted up (Again, self-exalted with PRIDE) because of your riches: 6. Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD; Because you have set your heart as the heart of God; 7. Behold, therefore, I will bring strangers upon you, the terrible of the nations: and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of your wisdom, and they shall defile your BRIGHTNESS. 8. They shall bring you down to the PIT, and you shall die the deaths of them that are slain in the midst of the seas. 9. Will you yet say before him that slays you, I am God? but you SHALL be a MAN, and no God, in the hand of him that slays you. (In both passages this being shall be brought down to the PIT. The Hebrew word here does mean human but this verse is talking about HOW Lucifer will DIE. Satan will die AS the wicked unsaved mortal MAN will die) 10. You shall die the deaths of the uncircumcised by the hand of strangers: for I have spoken it, says the Lord GOD. 11. 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 says the Lord GOD; You seal up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. 13. You have been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was your 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 your tabrets and of your pipes was prepared in you in the day that you were created. 14. You are the anointed cherub that covers; and I have set you so: you were upon the holy mountain of God; you have walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. (Which I personally believe is referring to the freedom of traveling among the stars or suns in all the galaxies. So to me, as in, my own opinion, this Luciferian war against God was once and “intergalactic war” that involved many galaxies. I say this because it appears that Lucifer was cast out of heaven three times which, to me, represents the three different heavens. The third and highest heaven in God’s throne which I believe is one of the galaxies. The second heaven is outer space or the universe with the rest of the galaxies, and the first heaven is the atmosphere of the earth. And BEFORE this war in heaven Lucifer was a GOOD angelic being who was made a ruler over the earth. And this was before God created Adam) 15. You (Anointed cherub which I believe is Lucifer) were PERFECT in your ways from the day that you were created, till iniquity was found in you. 16. By the multitude of your merchandise they have filled the midst of you with violence, and you have sinned: therefore I WILL cast you as profane out of the mountain of God: and I WILL destroy you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. 17. Your heart was lifted up (PRIDE) because of your beauty, you have corrupted your wisdom by reason of your BRIGHTNESS: I WILL cast you to the ground, I WILL lay you before kings, that they may behold you. 18. You have defiled your sanctuaries by the multitude of your iniquities, by the iniquity of your traffic; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of you, it shall devour you, and I will bring you to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold you. 19. All they that know you among the people shall be ASTONISHED at you: you shall be a terror, and never shall you be any more.”
Now, one of the points I would like to make is that one of the main arguments that Lucifer is NOT Satan is that little phase in Isaiah 14:16 “Is this the MAN”. And thus, they REASON that since Satan is NOT a MAN, then Lucifer CANNOT be Satan because Satan is a fallen ANGEL. But did you notice that in Isaiah 14:10 that those in hell shall look upon Lucifer and ask the question are you ALSO BECOME WEAK LIKE US. Just because Yahweh creates or gives His creation immortality does NOT mean that it is impossible for the creator to DESTROY an immortal angelic being. So Satan will BECOME AS a mortal man on the Day of Judgment to DIE or be destroyed in the lake of fire AS a MAN, which means the same like a man. The lake of fire was not created for human beings originally but rather it was prepared for Satan and the fallen angels. Please read the study “IS THE DOCTRINE OF HELL BIBLICAL?” But for now, my point is that Satan will BECOME as a human so that he can be destroyed in the lake of fire.
Isaiah 14:10.
“All they shall speak and say unto you, Are you also BECOME weak as we? Are you BECOME like unto us?”
And I want you to also take note that if Lucifer was TRULY a MAN in a LITERAL sense then HOW did this so called MAN fall FROM HEAVEN? Now to ME, I see this phase “IS this the MAN” speaking of Lucifer AFTER he is cast down to the PIT to be bound for 1000 years. And, therefore, Satan will have BECOME LIKE a MAN that is weak and mortal. Clearly, to ME, Lucifer is that FALLEN ANGEL who fell FROM HEAVEN just like it is described in Ezekiel 28:1-19. I first want to point out that BOTH sides of this controversy between Lucifer being Satan or NOT being Satan BOTH AGREE that this passage of Scripture in Ezekiel IS, in fact, speaking of SATAN, the devil. Then I want to draw your attention to verse 9 where God says to Satan, YOU shall BE a MAN in DEATH.
Ezekiel 28:9.
“Will you yet say before him that slays you, I am God? but you SHALL be a MAN, and no God, in the hand of him that slays you.”
So then, the real issue here is that Satan does not LITERALLY BECOME a MAN, but rather is brought DOWN and made low LIKE a man. Keep in mind that we shall judge the angels, which I believe is speaking of the fallen angels, including Lucifer, which I personally believe IS Satan. Now after reading over these passages again, I have realized that it is in Ezekiel that this King of Tyrus, which again both sides of this controversy AGREE is speaking of SATAN who was created PERFECT in the day he was created. Therefore, to ME, this proves beyond any shadow of a doubt that SATAN was NOT specifically created for the express purpose of bringing EVIL into the world, but rather, Lucifer was lifted up by his OWN PRIDE. And because of his rebellion to make war with God to try and overthrow God's throne, he was cast down OUT of HEAVEN and he shall be destroyed on the final Day of Judgment. And the whole purpose of God creating the human race was to JUDGE Lucifer and the fallen angels. Please read the studies “UNDERSTANDING WHY?” and “THE GAP THEORY AND THE PRE-ADAMIC RACE!” Anyway, getting back to the subject at hand, just plain simple common sense should tell you that BOTH of these passages of Scripture are speaking of the SAME being, because logically how MANY rebellions does the word of TRUTH teach us about where this ANOINTED CHERUB exalts himself to be God and tries to over throw God's throne. I do not know about you, but I only see ONE WAR that is being waged in HEAVEN, which we KNOW without a doubt involves SATAN, the DRAGON called that OLD SERPENT the DEVIL. Please read Revelation 12:7-9 and notice that the word “WAR” is singular as in ONE WAR with many BATTLES.
Revelation 12:7-9.
“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 deceives the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”
Now, to ME, this matches perfectly with Isaiah 14:12 where LUCIFER because of his pride that caused him to fall FROM HEAVEN and be cast out of heaven down to the GROUND or cut down to the earth and, therefore, confirms that LUCIFER is that DRAGON that was cast out, that old serpent called the Devil, and Satan, which DECEIVES the whole world.
Isaiah 14:12.
“How are you fallen from HEAVEN, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How are you cut down to the ground, (Or how are you cast down to the surface of the earth to make war with mankind until he prevailed against them) which did weaken (Or OVERCAME) the nations!”
In Revelation 12:3,4 we learn that this great red dragon known as Satan, the Devil, DREW one third of the STARS from heaven and cast them to the ground. And in Isaiah 14:12 his NAME is called LUCIFER. So by comparing like verses of Scripture it becomes quite clear that Lucifer IS Satan.
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.”
Now the word “STARS” in the Bible can refer to both the literal stars in outer space and the ANGELS of HEAVEN. Obviously, it seems pretty illogical that literally one third of all the stars of the entire universe are going to be cast down to the earth. Just consider the fiery star that is nearest to us, the sun being cast down to the earth. So to ME, it is obvious that the word “STARS” here is speaking of the ANGELS in HEAVEN that Lucifer the anointed cherub drew or deceived into following him in a rebellion to take over God's throne and therefore become like Almighty God. Also, it is very interesting to me that the “constellations of the stars” actually tell the same events prophesied in the Bible. So when God recreated the earth to be inhabitable once again Yahweh also arranged the stars that can be seen from the earth to tell that same prophecies as His written word of prophecy in the Bible. Some Christians have claimed that the STARS are referring one third of the nation of Israel because of the crown of stars on the woman's head in Revelation 12:1, which according to Genesis 37:9, refer to Israel. I disagree but I believe I should make this known because it is a belief that is held by some Christians. I do believe that the WOMAN in Revelation 12 does refer to Israel.
Genesis 37:9.
“And he (Joseph, the TWELFTH STAR) dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven STARS made obeisance to me (The TWELFTH STAR).”
Revelation 12:1.
“And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a WOMAN clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:”
Joseph and his brothers make a total of twelve STARS, which make up ISRAEL. So to ME, I see this woman in Revelation chapter twelve as being Israel. But I do NOT agree that the “one third” of the stars of HEAVEN represents one third of Israel that Lucifer drew out of heaven to make war against God. Please notice that these STARS were cast out of HEAVEN down to the earth. Therefore, I my self conclude that the STARS are definitely speaking of the FALLEN ANGELS that fight with Satan the dragon that will rise in power again to make WAR in HEAVEN. So again, all three passages of Scripture speak of this angelic being trying to overthrow Almighty God who is cast down out of HEAVEN to the earth. And in one passage of Scripture this being is spoken of as an anointed cherub who was created PERFECT. In another passage this angelic being is called by the name LUCIFER. And in the third passage of Scripture this being is seen as a great red dragon with seven heads and ten horns known as SATAN, the Devil that old serpent which most Christians agree is referring to Satan in the Garden of Eden. Now in Ezekiel 28:13-17, we are told that this anointed cherub was in the Garden of Eden.
Ezekiel 28:13-17.
“You have been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was your 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 your pipes was prepared in you in the day that you were created. 14. You ARE the anointed cherub that covers; and I have set you so: you were upon the holy mountain of God; you have walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. 15. You were perfect in your ways from the day that you were created, till iniquity was found in you. 16. By the multitude of you merchandise they have filled the midst of you with violence, and you have sinned: therefore, I will cast you as profane out of the mountain of God: (The THIRD heaven which was the FIRST stage of casting out Lucifer, now called Satan) and I will destroy you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. (Speaking of the final two casting out of Satan. The second stage was Lucifer no longer belong allowed to travel freely throughout the universe or the second heaven. And the final third casting out of heaven is in the future when Satan will be cast out of the first heaven, the atmosphere of the earth) 17. Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty, you have corrupted your wisdom by reason of your brightness: I will cast you to the ground, (The THIRD casting of of heaven spoken of in Revelation chapter 12) I will lay you before kings, that they may behold you.”
Jesus said in Luke 10:17-19 that he saw Satan FALL from HEAVEN like lightning.
Luke 10:17-19.
“And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the DEVILS are subject unto us through your name. 18. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning FALL from HEAVEN. 19. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the ENEMY: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
So then, what we know for sure with absolute BIBLICAL assurance is that in Isaiah 14:3-14 we see this angelic being is spoken of as the king of Babylon in verses 3 and 4 to prophesy of a FUTURE event that he will FALL FROM HEAVEN in that DAY which I believe is speaking of the DAY of the Lord. In other words, Satan will be cast out of the third heaven right before the second coming of Jesus. Satan will possess a man that will be revealed as the antichrist who will unite the antichrist religious system of Islam to become “radical” Islam to make war against the Jews, the Christians, and anyone who is not a Muslim. This war will be centered in the Middle East but there might be small pockets of persecution by Muslims against Jews, Christians and all non Muslims in other parts of the world. Please read the study “COULD ISLAM BE THE MARK OF THE BEAST?”
Isaiah 14:3,4.
“And it SHALL come to pass IN the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from your sorrow, and from your fear, and from the hard bondage wherein you were made to serve, 4. That you shall take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How has the oppressor ceased! The golden city ceased!”
Then later in this same passage of Scripture in verses 12 through 14 we see that the writer is still speaking to this SAME king of Babylon and we see that this king of Babylon is called by the name LUCIFER who is the one who exalted himself because of PRIDE and FELL from HEAVEN as a result of his rebellion against God to try and take over his throne, but is brought down to the PIT, which I believe is speaking of when Satan is bound IN the DAY of the Lord for 1000 years.
Isaiah 14:12-15.
“How are you FALLEN FROM HEAVEN, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How are you cut down to the ground, (Or how are you cast out of heaven down to the earth?) which did weaken the nations! 13. For you have said in your 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 you shall be brought down to hell, to the sides of the PIT.”
So then, this one called LUCIFER, the king of Babylon will FALL from HEAVEN and be brought down to the PIT IN the DAY when God's people are at rest, which I believe is speaking of the 1000 year reign of Jesus and the events immediately preceding it. Now, if we COMPARE what we found here in Isaiah chapter 14 to what we read in Ezekiel 28:1-19, we find in verses 12 through 17 that the writer is speaking to the king of Tyrus as opposed to the king of Babylon. But basically, the SAME thing happens to this angelic being that is also addressed as the king of Tyrus. In other words, this king of Tyrus who is described as an anointed cherub that covers that has been lifted up or becomes filled with POMP and PRIDE and FELL FROM HEAVEN as a result of saying he is God.
Ezekiel 28:12-17.
“Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus says the Lord GOD; You seal up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. 13. You have been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was your 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 your pipes was prepared in you in the day that you were created. 14. You are the anointed cherub that covers; and I have set you so: you were upon the holy mountain of God; you have walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. 15. You were perfect in your ways from the day that you were created, till iniquity was found in you. 16. By the multitude of your merchandise they have filled the midst of you with violence, and you have sinned: therefore I WILL cast you as profane out of the mountain of God: (Which again is in the third HEAVEN where the throne of God is located. In other words, this king of Tyrus because of his pride and saying that he is God is CAST out of HEAVEN down to the GROUND or cast down to the earth) and I will destroy you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. 17. Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty, you have corrupted your wisdom by reason of your brightness: I will cast you to the ground, I will lay you before kings, that they may behold you.”
Now if we back up to verse 8 and 9 the writer is addressing the PRINCE of Tyrus as oppose to the KING of Tyrus and we see that because this prince of Tyrus exalts himself as being God that he shall be brought down to the PIT.
Ezekiel 28:8,9.
“They shall bring you down to the PIT, and you shalt die the deaths of them that are slain in the midst of the seas. 9. Will you yet say before him that slays you, I am God? but you shall be a man, and no God, in the hand of him that slays you.”
So to ME, there are a lot of similarities between these two passages of Scripture, but before we draw any definite conclusions let us take another look at Revelation chapter 12 where we read about this WAR in HEAVEN that is being waged between SATAN and Almighty God. In Revelation 12:7-9 we read where during the climax of this WAR in HEAVEN where Satan and his angels are CAST OUT of HEAVEN down to the earth, that is to say they are cast down to the GROUND.
Revelation 12:7-9.
“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 deceives the whole world: he (SATAN) was CAST OUT (Of HEAVEN) into the earth, (Or cast down to the GROUND and then later cast down INTO the belly of the earth known as the PIT of hell) and his angels were cast out with him.”
Again, the question that I am compelled to ask is just how MANY beings are there in the Bible that are lifted up with PRIDE and rebel against God making themselves to be God, who make WAR with Almighty God to try to take over his throne? Now to ME, the LOGICAL answer is just ONE being, which we all know as SATAN, the Devil. Therefore, to ME, LUCIFER, when he himself made the choice to make WAR against God to take over God's throne and be God himself, then BECAME God's ENEMY. In other words, Satan was NOT created from the very beginning as a DESTROYER, DECEIVER, LIAR, ACCUSER, SLANDER, OPPRESSOR and ADVERSARY of God and mankind. But RATHER, Lucifer was created PERFECT in all his ways from the very beginning and AFTER Lucifer was lifted up by his own pride in his beauty and brightness he became God's adverstary which is what the word Satan means. One of the things that I see that may be a stumbling block to those who believe that Lucifer is NOT Satan is that they do not fully understand the TRUTH that Satan and his fallen angels are the ones who rule over this world system as the principalities and powers. Please read Ephesians 6:12, which teaches us that we do not war against our fellow man, but rather, our war is with Satan and his evil spirits.
Ephesians 6:12.
“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.”
Other translations say against rulers and spiritual wickedness in HEAVENLY places or HEAVENLY realms. In other words, there is more than just ONE HEAVEN. The Bible speaks of THREE HEAVENS. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:2 that he was caught up to the THIRD HEAVEN. 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 knows ;) such an one caught up to the THIRD HEAVEN.”
Now I personally believe that the THIRD HEAVEN in the realm is where the THRONE of Almighty God is situated. The first heaven is our own atmosphere where the clouds reside and the second heaven is outer space where the stars and planet reside. Remember that one of the main arguments for Lucifer NOT being Satan was that he was concluded to be a MAN because of the phrase “Is this the MAN who made the nations tremble?” However, when read in CONTEXT it can clearly be seen that Lucifer is NOT a MAN, because he FELL or was cast OUT of HEAVEN. So I have to ask myself the question WHEN is MAN ever CAST OUT of HEAVEN? Therefore since I myself cannot find anywhere in the Bible where MAN falls or is cast OUT of HEAVEN, then I must conclude that Lucifer is NOT a MAN, but rather is the FALLEN ANGEL called Lucifer who was cast out of HEAVEN down to the ground or down to the earth just like we are told in Revelation chapter 12.
Here is Isaiah 14:12-16 one more time.
“How are you fallen FROM HEAVEN, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How are you cut DOWN to the GROUND, which did weaken the nations! 13. For you have said in your heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne (Speaking of Satan's ruler ship or being the god of this world system) above the stars of God: I will SIT also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north (Speaking of God’s THRONE): 14. I will ASCEND ABOVE the heights of the clouds; (You see right now Satan and his fallen angels are RULING in the FIRST heaven, that is to say, they are no longer aloud the freedom to walk or travel among the stones of fire, which I believe is speaking about interstellar travel throughout the universe. This right was taken away from Lucifer when he rebelled against God to take over his throne.) I will be like the most High. 15. Yet you shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the PIT. 16. They that see you shall narrowly look upon you (Or shall stare at you in astonishment), and consider you, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;”
Now to ME, when read in CONTEXT this phrase “Is this the MAN” is simply saying “Is this the one who we were afraid of and who made us tremble? How could we have been so DECEIVED by this puny weak thing who caused us to live in fear by his LIES. Those in hell will STARE at him in wonderment and astonishment because they will see Satan as he really is, which is WEAK as a MAN in comparison to the ONE TRUE and ONLY Almighty God our heavenly Father. Another area of stumbling for those who hold to the belief that Lucifer is NOT Satan is that in Isaiah, Lucifer is addressed as the king of BABYLON and in Ezekiel 28 this being is addressed at first as being the PRINCE of TYRUS and then as the KING of TYRUS. So since the king of BABYLON fights against the king of TYRUS, then they MUST without fail be TWO DIFFERENT beings. Then they quote Ezekiel 26:7 as their Scripture to support their line of reasoning.
Ezekiel 26:7.
“For thus says the Lord GOD; Behold, I will bring upon TYRUS Nebuchadrezzar king of BABYLON, a king of kings, from the north, with horses, and with chariots, and with horsemen, and companies, and much people.”
So then what is going on here? First of all you have to remember that we do not war against flesh and blood but rather it is the SPIRITUAL wickedness that is working behind the scenes that are the cause of kings warring against other kings. Take a look at Daniel 10:2-3 where we see Daniel fasting for three full weeks or for 21 days.
Daniel 10:2-3.
“In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. 3. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.”
Then we read further down in Daniel 10:12-20 that there are PRINCES of the air or principalities and RULERS of darkness in the heavens or in heavenly places that rule over the kingdoms of this world. Now I believe that this realm of heaven that these WICKED spiritual princes rule from is in the FIRST heaven or the atmosphere of the earth. In other words, Satan, who is the king over all these princes of the air, is no longer aloud to ascend above the clouds to walk among the stones of fire as he used to before he became the ENEMY of God. Can you not see that this WAR in heaven has been raging from the very moment Lucifer first rebelled against God and exalted himself to have his throne be lifted up above the clouds of the earth so that he himself would sit on the throne of Almighty God and be God. Here in chapter 10 of Daniel we see one of the best descriptions of this TRUTH found in the Bible.
Daniel 10:12-20.
“Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the FIRST DAY that you didst set thine heart to understand , and to chasten thyself before thy God, your words were heard, and I am come for your words. 13. BUT the PRINCE of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days (Now anyone with a lick of common sense should CLEARLY and PLAINLY see that this ANGEL sent by Almighty God to answer Daniels prayer was NOT withstood by the HUMAN prince of the kingdom of heaven. So then, in the SAME way when we read Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 about the king of Babylon and the prince and king of Tyrus we should see a physical human king, but MORE importantly we should be seeing the SPIRITUAL wickedness that is ruling over these earthly kingdoms.): but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. 14. Now I am come to make you understand what shall befall your people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days. 15. And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb. 16. And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength. 17. For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? For as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me. 18. Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, 19. And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto you, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for you have strengthened me. 20. Then said he, Know you wherefore I come unto you? and now will I return to FIGHT (Or WAR with) with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.”
Remember reading. “Had THEY known THEY would not have crucified the Lord of glory”? Well the THEY here in this passage of Scripture is referring to the WICKED SPIRITUAL darkness that is RULING in this world over the lives of human beings everywhere that are ignorant of their devices. Let us read 1 Corinthians 2:6-8, which clearly teaches us that it was Satan and his fallen angels that were the INFLUENCE behind the crucifying of our Lord Jesus the Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:6-8.
“Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the PRINCE of this world, that come to nought: 7. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8. Which none of the PRINCES of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”
Remember the words Jesus spoke over those who were used by Satan to crucify him? Jesus said FORGIVE them Lord for THEY, speaking of the ones who actually did the dirty work for Satan and his fallen angels, THEY these Romans soldiers and the Jews who had Jesus put on trial, for THEY know NOT what they do. Well of course they KNEW what they were doing, but they did NOT know that they were being manipulated by Satan to do his dirty work. They were DECEIVED by the Devil to crucify the one sent to be their savior. Now some of you may be thinking well this was God’s PLAN all along for his Son to be crucified, and then FALSELY draw the conclusion that Almighty God created Satan for the express purpose of bringing evil into the world. NO, a thousand times, NO. Can you not see my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord that EVIL had ALREADY entered into the world BEFORE mankind was ever created? You see, when Lucifer sinned against God, then JUDGMENT was made by Almighty God to DESTROY him and those angels that followed him in his rebellion. Now there are many things in the Bible that I myself see that have made me ask the question WHY? Why did not God just destroy Lucifer right then and there? You see, to ME, I have to ask the question WHY? Why did Almighty God create mankind a little LOWER than the angels? We know that the student is not above his master or teacher, so then how can we being mere mortals be BETTER than Almighty God in that WE always strive to IMPROVE the things we make, rather than go BACKWARDS and make them INFERIOR then what we previously made them? So then, WHY, why did Almighty God make mankind a little LOWER or INFERIOR to the angels who were created before mankind? Please read Psalm 8, which teaches us that God created mankind and his Son Jesus a little LOWER than the ANGELS which were already created and that he did it for a REASON
Psalm 8:1-9.
“O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. 2. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings have you ORDAINED strength BECAUSE of YOUR ENEMIES (Speaking of Lucifer who is now known as Satan, which means the ENEMY, ADVERSARY or HOSTILE OPPONENT of God. In other words, the original ENEMIES of Almighty God BEFORE mankind was created were Satan and his angels that fought with him to rebel against God. But WHAT did God ORDAIN and WHY?), THAT (Or so that, or in order that) you might STILL the enemy and the avenger (This word that is translated STILL here in the Hebrew word “SABAT”, which is where we get the word Sabbath. This word means rest, PUT to an END, to cause to CEASE, to STOP. In other words, to SILENCE or put to an END the ACCUSATIONS that Lucifer is making against God. ACCUSING God that he CREATED him this way and therefore God had NO RIGHT to destroy him, because it was NOT his fault that he rebelled seeing that Almighty God CREATED him as an EVIL being). 3. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained; 4. What is MAN, that you art mindful of him(Or what is mankind that you are mindful of him)? and the son of man, that you visit him (Speaking of his Son, Jesus, whom he anointed with his Holy Spirit, so that later on he could also anoint other of mankind who believe on his Son Jesus)? 5. For you have made him (Speaking of both all of mankind and his Son Jesus) a little LOWER than the angels, and have crowned him with glory and honor (Jesus our brother is crowned now and we will be crowned when he come again. We will be exalted ABOVE the angels at this time to judge them). 6. You made HIM (Again speaking of all of mankind and his Son Jesus, but now this right is given to ONLY those who BELIEVE on Jesus and who OVERCOME the ENEMY, Satan the Devil) to have dominion over the works of your hands; you hast put all things under his feet: 7. All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; 8. The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passes through the paths of the seas. 9. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth!”
Now I want you to stop and THINK about this for a moment and let it SINK IN. We all AGREE that God is ALMIGHTY and ALL POWERFUL so WHY did he need to create a species a little LOWER, that is to say, INFERIOR to the ANGELS which were already created at the time God created mankind? Keep in mind that verse 2 says that the REASON that God created mankind a little LOWER than the ANGELS was to STILL his ENEMIES that had rebelled against him. Now HOW is creating an INFERIOR species going to STILL God's ENEMIES? Here is where some Christians MISS the boat so to speak and get there theology all twisted up. They take the words “BEFORE the FOUNDATION of the world” to mean BEFORE God created ANYTHING whatsoever. Now for ME, I personally believe that the TRUTH of the matter is that God ORDAINED that what his SON Jesus was to be an INNOCENT LAMB that would one day be SLAIN or crucified before the FOUNDATION of the world, which to ME, speaks of the RE-CREATION of the world AFTER it was destroyed in the WAR between Lucifer, which BECAME the ENEMY of God and was banished from traveling among the stars and entering into the throne room of Almighty God from that day forward. In others words, BECAUSE Lucifer or Satan, the ENEMY of God ACCUSED Almighty God for CREATING him EVIL and that it was not his fault that he SINNED against God, then it became God's burden to CLEAR his NAME, to STILL his enemies, to PUT AN END to the ACCUSATIONS once and for all. But HOW was God going to do this? If God simply IGNORED these accusations that he himself was to blame for his creation rebelling against him and go ahead right then and there DESTROY Satan and the fallen angels what would the angels who REMAINED FAITHFUL and who did NOT rebel think? What if PRIDE were to arise AGAIN later on down the road? Would they think, well maybe God did created us to be EVIL? I mean, to ME, it is CLEAR that God was considering all the possibilities that could arise if he just destroyed Satan right then and there on the spot. You see, to ME, if you do not answer this question CORRECTLY and with SOUND BIBLICAL LOGIC, then you open the door to the doctrine of Devils that speak this SAME LIE, which is that God MADE me this way. I can NOT help it if I was BORN this WAY. Yes, that is correct! I am saying that Calvinism or Reformed THEOLOGY that God ORDAINED and DECREED EVERYTHING, as in, God created CERTAIN SPECIFIC people to be EVIL and there is NOTHING that they can do to CHANGE their PREDESTINATION is a FALSE teaching! This is the SAME LIE that Lucifer used to FALSELY ACCUSE God of CREATING him EVIL. So HOW was God going to STILL or put to REST this LIE forever? So God came up with a PLAN and kept it SECRET from the FOUNDATION of the world, that is to say, from before he RE-CREATED the surface of the earth to make in INHABITABLE once again and REPLENISH it with a new species that God INTENTIONALLY created to be INFERIOR or LOWER than the ANGELS in order to PROVE to his creation, the angels, both faithful and fallen, that he creating them ALL PERFECT in all their ways and that he was being FALSELY ACCUSED by Lucifer who was saying that God created him EVIL. Now some of you may be wondering where the Bible says that Lucifer ACCUSED God for creating him EVIL. Well in Isaiah 28:9-13 we see that God hides the truth here a little and there a little, so you have to put the pieces of the puzzle together in order to see the BIG PICTURE. Isaiah 28:9-13.
“Whom shall he teach knowledge? And whom shall he make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. 10. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: 11. For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people (You see Almighty God speak to our spirit through his Holy Spirit as we pray and speak in other tongues. Yes we speak to God in mysteries, but at the same time God also speaks to us, giving revelation knowledge of his word). 12. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith you may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. 13. But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they (Speaking of those in verse 7 that ERR in their vision and understanding) might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.”
So then, in Ezekiel 28:12-17 we read a couple of times already that God created Lucifer PERFECT in all his ways in the day that he was created.
Ezekiel 28:12-17.
“Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus says the Lord GOD; You seal up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. 13. You have been in Eden the garden of God; (So was Satan, that OLD SERPENT called the Devil in the Garden of Eden? Yes he was, because it is Satan who TEMPTS mankind to SIN) every precious stone was your 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 your tabrets and of your pipes was prepared in you in the day that you were created. 14. You are the anointed cherub that covers; and I have set you so: you were upon the holy mountain of God; you have walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. 15. You were PERFECT in your ways from the day that you were created, till iniquity was found in you. 16. By the multitude of your merchandise they have filled the midst of you with violence, and you have sinned: THEREFORE (Or for this REASON that I created you PERFECT and YOU YOURSELF have SINNED against me) I will cast you as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will DESTROY YOU, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. 17. Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty, you have CORRUPTED you wisdom by reason of your brightness: I will cast you to the ground, I will lay you before kings, that they may behold you.”
Now to ME, why would God even bother to make it PLAINLY known to us that he created Lucifer PERFECT? To ME, it is obvious that God's name was being dragged through the mud. To ME, it is clear that the BLAME is trying to be put on God. Why else would God tell one of his creations and us at the same time that he created him and us PERFECT? Because since we are created or born PERFECT, then when sin is found in us we are without EXCUSE. You see as long as Lucifer could place the BLAME on God, then it is would be up to God to prove that he created Lucifer PERFECT. Therefore God created another being LOWER than Lucifer and the other angels. In other word's, if MAN, even just ONE MAN, were to live his entire life WITHOUT rebelling or sinning against God, then CASE CLOSED, this LIE would be forever put to REST and Lucifer and his fallen angels could JUSTIFIABLY be destroyed in the eyes of his creation. Now I can just hear some of you saying, particularly Calvinist, “God IS God and he can do whatever he PLEASES. God does NOT have to JUSTIFY himself before ANY of his creation, not the angels nor mankind”. Well then WHY did God NOT destroy Satan right then and there on the spot? WHY wait? WHY then in the future when Satan will be BOUND in the PIT for 1000 years and these is NO FELLER to OPPRESS mankind will God turn Satan LOOSE to DECEIVE the nation once again? WHY would an ALMIGHTY and all power God need to keep his PLAN of salvation a SECRET from one of his inferior creations? WHY does Satan always ACCUSE mankind? Every one of these questions is answered with SOUND BIBLICAL LOGIC when the BIG PICTURE is in focus. Can you not see the BIG PICTURE that mankind was created to STILL or put to REST the LIES of Lucifer who BECAME Satan, where the name Satan means the ENEMY of God? You see, it was Lucifer who was FALSELY accusing God for CREATING him EVIL, but God who said, Oh no, in the day you were created you were created PERFECT my anointed cherub that covers. You see, all God needed was just ONE MAN to live without sin to prove to Satan, the fallen angels and to the angels that remained faithful that he had created them PERFECT and therefore God would be justified in his judgment to destroy those who rebelled against him. So now can you see, had Satan and the fallen angels KNOWN this PLAN of God, then they would NOT have crucified the Son of God who was unjustly slain, because he did nothing against God. Therefore, Almighty God gave all of mankind as a ransom or reward for his willingness to lay down his life freely for his fellow brothers and sisters. If you will just stop and CONSIDER all the questions, WHY, Like WHY would an ALMIGHTY and all powerful God need to keep his plan SECRET? I mean THINK about these questions and let them sink in. WHY is Satan and the devils given a certain amount of TIME before judgment is executed? WHY is it now mankind, that is to say those who chose to be wicked of mankind, cast into the lake of eternal fire, when the lake of fire was created for Satan and the fallen angels? To ME, it is blatantly obvious that God did NOT create Lucifer EVIL, nor did God create any of mankind WICKED or EVIL. Now some of you may be thinking, well who is saying that God created Lucifer EVIL? Or where in the Bible does it say that God created Lucifer EVIL? Well there are a few verses that certainly SEEM to be saying that Almighty God created EVIL. And the REASONING of the Calvinist or the Reformed Theologian CONCLUDE based on what these few verses say, “Since God created EVIL and Satan or Lucifer is EVIL, then God created him this way and there was NOTHING he could have done to avoid being EVIL” Please read the study “EXAMING CALVINISM in the LIGHT of the WHOLE WORD of GOD” for a deeper understanding on this subject of God supposedly creating certain specific individuals to be WICKED and there is nothing that they can do to CHANGE their PREDESTINATION and why this goes against what the whole word of God teaches. But for now let us continue this study to learn more about WHO is Satan? Is Lucifer Satan? And then we will get into HOW we are to OVER COME Satan the Devil in every area of or life. Now some, as I have said before, believe that Almighty God specifically created Satan the DESTROYER for the very purpose of DESTROYING and they quote Isaiah 54:16 from the New International Version to support their theology.
Isaiah 54:16 from the New International Version (NIV).
“See, it is I (Almighty God) who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I (Almighty God) who have created the DESTROYER to work havoc;”
Now as I have said many times any verse when taken out of context and used alone apart from the whole word of God may SEEM to be saying something that it is NOT truly saying. Especially when someone puts THEIR words into your brain by telling you their OPINION of what a verse means in such a way that it becomes DOGMATIC and there is NO OTHER way to INTERPRET the verse. So yes, on the surface this verse, particularly from the NIV, certainly APPEARS as if Almighty God is saying that he himself created SATAN, which we know elsewhere in the word of God as the DETROYER, to work HAVOC or to do EVIL. But what does the CONTEXT teach us? Let us read this verse in its CONTEXT from the version that I myself prefer to read and study, the King James Version. Please read Isaiah 54:13-17 which is speaking of God's people Israel during the 1000 year reign of Jesus and the WRATH of God that follows at the END of these 1000 years when Satan is loosed once again to DECEIVE the nations.
Isaiah 54:13-17.
“And all you children shall be TAUGHT of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of your children. 14. In righteousness shall you be established: you shall be far from OPPRESSION; for you shall NOT fear: and from terror; for it shall NOT come near you. 15. Behold, THEY (Speaking of the nations at the END of the 1000 year reign of Jesus) shall surely gather together, BUT NOT BY ME: whosoever shall gather together against you shall FALL for your sake. 16. Behold (Or look and see), I have created the SMITH (Or the MAN) that blows the coals in the fire, and that brings forth an INSTRUMENT for HIS work (Speaking of an instrument to be used for GOOD or for EVIL; the CHOICE is OF the MAN'S OWN CHOOSING); and I have created the WASTER to destroy (Or I Almighty God have created the WASTER or that which DESTROYS for the very purpose to DESTROY. But you have to ask yourself the question is the WASTER a WHO or is the WASTER, that which DESTROYS a WHAT? Then compare Scripture with Scripture to learn WHAT Almighty God created to DESTROY Satan the Devil and all who follow his WICKED ways). 17. No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall condemn (ALL the ACCUSATIONS of the Devil that ACCUSES God's people night and day shall be CONDEMNED or put to REST once and for all time, when God pours out the FINAL part of his WRATH, which is the ETERNAL LAKE of FIRE, which Almighty God SPECIFICALLY created to DESTROY Satan and the fallen angels, but hell has ENLARGE herself, because some of mankind was DECEIVED by Lucifer to REBEL against Almighty God one final time at the END of the 1000 year reign of Jesus). This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, says the LORD.”
Please read Matthew 25:41 that teaches us that Almighty God did NOT PREDESTINE some of mankind to be DESTROYED in the EVERLASTING FIRE and there is NOTHING that they can do to CHANGE their supposed PREDESTINATION.
Matthew 25:41.
“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand (Speaking of those who CHOSE to do WICKEDNESS in the eyes of God), Depart from me, you cursed , into everlasting fire, PREPARED FOR the devil and his angels:”
In other words, the LAKE of FIRE was CREATED by Almighty God for the very PURPOSE of DETROYING the DEVIL and HIS angels and for no other reason. But BECAUSE some of mankind made the CHOICE to REBEL against Almighty God who made EVERY EFFORT to REDEEM them back to himself has no other option but to DETROY the WICKED is this EVERLASTING FIRE that was originally created to destroy ONLY Satan the Devil and the FALLEN ANGELS. Please read Isaiah 5:13,14 which teaches us that hell has ENLARGED herself because some of God's people have REJECTED knowledge and therefore have become CAPTIVES of Satan the Devil.
Isaiah 5:13,14.
“Therefore my people are gone into CAPTIVITY, because they have no KNOWLEDGE: and their honorable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst. 14. THEREFORE (Or for this very REASON) HELL has ENLARDGED herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp (Or PRIDE), and he that rejoices, shall descend into it (Speaking of HELL which shall be cast INTO the LAKE of FIRE at the END of the 1000 year reign of Jesus).”
Please read Revelation 20:6-15, which teaches us about this WASTER or this DESTROYER spoken of in Isaiah 54:9, which was created by Almighty God specifically for the PURPOSE to DESTROY and be an EVERLASTING REMEMBRACE for those who have remained FAITHFUL to God.
Revelation 20:6-15.
“Blessed and holy is he that has part in the FIRST resurrection: on such the SECOND DEATH has NO power, but they (Those who remain FAITHFUL to God) 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 and THEY shall be gathered together, BUT NOT BY ME says the Lord: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9. And they went upon 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 (Remember when the devils asked Jesus, Are you come to torment us BEFORE our TIME?). 11. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and ANOTHER book was opened, which is the book of life (Keep in mind that the dead IN Christ Jesus have ALREADY been found RIGHTEOUS): and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their WORKS. 13. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their WORKS. 14. And death and HELL were cast into the LAKE of FIRE. This (Speaking of the EVERLASTING LAKE of FIRE) IS the SECOND DEATH (Which remember has NO power over the dead IN Christ Jesus who have ALREADY taken part in the FIRST resurrection at the BEGINNING of the 1000 year reign of Jesus). 15. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire (Speaking of ALL the WICKED from Adam to the END of the 1000 year reign of Jesus shall be JUDGED at this time for their WORKS).”
Please read Psalm 18:20-26, which teaches us that God will REWARD us ACCORDING to our RIGHTEOUSNESS and God will punish the wicked for the reason of their frowardness.
Psalm 18:20-26.
“The LORD REWARDED me ACCORDING TO my RIGHTEOUSNESS; according to the cleanness of my hands has he recompensed me. 21. For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. 22. For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me. 23. I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity. 24. THEREFORE (Or for this very REASON) has the LORD recompensed (Or has REWARDED) me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight. 25. With the merciful you will show yourself merciful; with an upright man you will show yourself upright; 26. With the pure thou will show yourself pure; and (Or more precisely BUT or HOWEVER) with the froward you will show yourself froward.”
In other words, with those who have chosen to become EVIL God will be forced or made to show himself EVIL, thus the meaning of the verse that says I the Lord CREATE EVIL. You see the word “EVIL” in the Bible means that which is contrary to God's WILL or INTENT. I will explain what I mean by this after we read Isaiah 45:7, which to ME, simply says in other words, The Lord creates and the Lord destroys.
Isaiah 45:7.
“I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.”
But the TRUTH of the matter is that God did NOT FOREORDAIN for EVIL to exist as his WILL, his INTENT, or for his PLEASURE. Now those that teach Calvinism and Reformed Theology jump all over verses like the ones that follow that SEEM to be saying that God IS God and he WILL without fail DO whatsoever he PLEASES.
Ephesians 1:5.
“Having PREDESTINED us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, ACCORDING to the good PLEASURE of his WILL,”
Ephesians 1:9.
“Having made known unto us the mystery of his WILL, ACCORDING to his good PLEASURE which he has purposed in himself:”
Philippians 2:13.
“For it is GOD which WORKS in you both to WILL and to DO of his good PLEASURE.”
Revelation 4:11.
“You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for you have created ALL things, and for your PLEASURE they are and were CREATED.”
Then the Calvinist and the Reformed Theologian will REASON and CONCLUDE, with his or her TUNNEL vision, that since God's word plainly says that Almighty God created EVIL and that ALL things which God CREATED are FOR his PLEASURE, then it was and IS God's WILL and good PLEASURE for EVIL to EXIST. Therefore, God desires to create certain specific individuals to be SAVED from BEFORE the foundation of the world based upon NOTHING these individuals do or do not do. And at the same time also PREDESTINES other to be WICKED and created specifically to be destroyed in the eternal fire and there is NOTHING they can DO to CHANGE their PREDESTINE destination of hell. Can you not see my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ how one ERROR in CORRECT interpretation can lead to GROSS misinterpretation of the Scripture in other areas? So if you truly believe with all your heart that Almighty God created Lucifer or Satan EVIL, and you CONTINUE along this line of FALSE reasoning, then you will have to conclude what the Calvinist and the Reform Theologians believe and teach. Prayerfully, I believe you are here because you are seeking the TRUTH. So then, is this ALL the word of TRUTH has to say about WHAT PLEASES God or what brings God PLEASURE. All the above verses are subject to INTERPRETATION, but this following verse CLEARLY and PLAINLY spells out WHAT does NOT bring Almighty God PLEASURE. Please read Ezekiel 33:11-20, which teaches us that God does NOT take PLEASURE in the death or the DESTRUCTION of the WICKED, but rather PLEADS with them to TURN from their wicked WAYS, because God has DECREED and ORDAINED that all of mankind be JUDGE according to their WAYS. So then, if your WAY is RIGHTEOUSNESS you will receive the reward of ETERNAL LIFE. BUT if you choose for yourself that your WAY will be WICKED and you do NOT TURN from your wicked WAY, then you shall be DETROYED in the lake of FIRE which is the second death.
Ezekiel 33:11-20.
“Say unto them, As I live, says the Lord GOD (It is as if Almighty God swore an oath on himself, AS I LIVE says Almighty God), I have NO PLEASURE in the DEATH of the WICKED; BUT (Or but RATHER, or in other words what WILL bring me good PLEASURE IS) that the wicked TURN from HIS WAY and LIVE (Almighty God DESIRES that ALL MEN would NOT perish, but RATHER that ALL men should have ETERNAL LIFE, so THEREFORE Almighty God is PLEADING with you who have chosen to fulfill your OWN pleasure and be WICKED before the eyes of God for you to TURN from your wicked WAYS): TURN you, TURN you from your evil WAYS; for (Or for what REASON is there that is preventing you from TURNING from your wicked WAYS) WHY will you die (Or why do you harden your own heart and reject my love for you by giving you my only begotten Son Jesus to die for your sins in order to redeem you to myself), O house of Israel? 12. Therefore, you son of man, say unto the children of your people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall NOT fall thereby in the day that he TURNS from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sins. 13. When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; IF (Or HOWEVER IF) he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousness shall NOT be remembered; but FOR his iniquity that HE HAS committed, he (Speaking of the one who was RIGHTEOUS before he committed SIN) shall DIE FOR IT. (In other words, a true born again Christian can be DECEIVED by the deceitfulness of SIN and fall back into SIN after living years and years RIGHTEOUSLY before Almighty God and ALL that will be REMEMBERED is his or her LAST WORK, whether it be a good work of righteousness, or whether it be an evil work of wickedness) 14. Again, when I say unto the wicked, You shall surely die (The wages of SIN is DEATH); IF (Or IF HOWEVER) he (Speaking of the one who has chosen to work wickedness, if HE) TURN from his sin, and DO that which is lawful and right; 15. If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, WITHOUT committing iniquity (Or without committing sins even as Jesus lived as an EXAMPLE for us to FOLLOW); he shall surely LIVE, he shall NOT die. 16. NONE of his sins that he has committed shall be mentioned unto him: he has DONE that which is lawful and right; he shall surely LIVE. 17. Yet the children of your people say, The WAY of the Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal. 18. When the righteous TURNS from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, he (Speaking of a true born again Christian that falls back into SIN and does NOT REPENT or TURN AWAY from sinning) shall even DIE thereby.(Meaning exactly what Jesus WARNS the CHURCH when he says, Depart from me you WORKERS of SIN. Can you not see that it will be as if God NEVER KNEW YOU IF you turn back again to living in SIN?) 19. But IF the wicked turn from his wickedness (Even if the wicked TURNS from sinning the last hour before he dies), and DO that which is lawful and right, he shall LIVE THEREBY. 20. Yet you say, The WAY of the Lord is not equal. O ye house of Israel, I will JUDGE you every one AFTER his WAYS (Whether his of her WAY be RIGHTEOUS or whether his or her WAY be WICKED. Almighty God will JUDGE you by your LAST WORK. So do NOT be DECEIVED by the FALSE ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED doctrine of men).”
Before I get to far off the main topic by continuing down this road of whether or not God created MOST to be EVIL and only CHOSE a few to be SAVED from BEFORE the foundation of the world, or whether God's ORIGINAL INTENTION was for ALL his creation to be RIGHTEOUS before him I want to back way up to when we read Ezekiel 26:7.
Ezekiel 26:7.
“For thus says the Lord GOD; Behold, I will bring upon TYRUS Nebuchadnezzar king of BABYLON, a king of kings, from the north, with horses, and with chariots, and with horsemen, and companies, and much people.”
I highlighted this verse awhile ago, but got off tract and never made my point. If you remember, and I am sure those who teach that Lucifer is NOT Satan have NOT forgotten that Lucifer in Isaiah chapter 14, verses 4-17 is referred to also as the king of BABYLON in verse 4.
Isaiah 14:4.
“That you shall take up this proverb against the king of BABYLON, and say, How has the OPPESSOR ceased! the golden city ceased !”
So then, we clearly see that Lucifer is a king of kings. Or in other words, Lucifer, the king of BABYLON is the king OVER others who are also in authority. With that being said let us now go to the book of Revelation and see who else is a king OVER others. Please read Revelation 9:11 which teaches us that this ANGEL that come out of the BOTTOMLESS PIT, and who is the KING OVER these locusts that also come out of the pit that have a sting like a scorpion. And the NAME of this ANGEL who is KING OVER these others in called Abaddon in Hebrew and Apollyon in the Greek.
Revelation 9:11.
“And they had a KING OVER them, which is THE ANGEL of the BOTTOMLESS PIT, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue has his name Apollyon.”
The Hebrew word “ABADDON” means DESTRUCTION. And the Greek word “APOLLYON” means DESTROYER. So then, clearly to ME, this is speaking of Satan, the Devil, who also known as the great red DRAGON. Well then, is Satan a LITERAL dragon, or is this symbolic language? Lets us read Revelation 12:3 and 4 again to refresh our memories.
Revelation 12:3-4.
“And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold (Or take a close look and see) 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 (Which we have already learned are one third of the ANGELS of God who followed Lucifer in his rebellion that caused him and his angels to fall or be cast out of heaven): and the dragon (Who has SEVEN HEADS) stood before the woman (Speaking of Israel) which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born (Speaking of Jesus who came out of the seed of Israel).”
Now let us move on to chapter 13 of Revelation and read verses 1 through 7, which teaches us that the DRAGON, which is that old serpent called the Devil, and Satan.
Revelation13:1-7.
“And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a BEAST rise up out of the sea, having SEVEN heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 2. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the DRAGON gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. 3. And I saw ONE of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. 4. And they worshiped the DRAGON which gave power unto the beast: and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him? 5. And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months (Or 1260 days, or 3 1/2 years). 6. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 7. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindred, and tongues, and nations.”
Now many Bible scholars agree that these SEVEN heads are seven KINGDOMS and they come to this conclusion by comparing Scripture with Scripture and letting the word of God interpret itself.
Please read Revelation 17:3-14.
“So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast (Or a great RED DRAGON), full of names of blasphemy, having SEVEN heads and ten horns. 4. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: 5. And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. 6. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. 7. And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carries her, which has the SEVEN heads and ten horns. 8. The BEAST that you SAW was, and is not; and shall ASCEND out of the BOTTOMLESS, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. 9. And here is the mind which has wisdom. The SEVEN heads are seven mountains (The word “mountain” in the Bible is sometimes used as symbolism for KINGDOMS), on which the woman sits. 10. And there are SEVEN KINGS: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he comes, he must continue a short space. 11. And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the EIGHT, and is OF the SEVEN, and goes into perdition. 12. And the ten horns which you saw are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. 13. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. 14. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.”
At the time John wrote what he saw the KINGDOM of ROME was in power, which fits the phase, “and one IS” meaning that ROME was the 6th empire or kingdom that reigned in the earth in that area of the world. In short the SEVEN heads or the SEVEN KINGDOMS are as follows: 1st kingdom is Egyptian 2nd kingdom is Assyrian 3rd kingdom is Babylonian 4th kingdom is Medo-Persian 5th kingdom is Grecian 6th kingdom is Roman 7th kingdom is Islamic empire that has also fallen since the time that John wrote down what he saw. Now remember that ONE of the SEVEN heads, that is to say, ONE of these seven kingdoms received a WOUND and appeared as if it died or was completely put down forever, but later we learn that this deadly wound was HEALED. In other words, there is coming an EIGTH kingdom that is OF the SEVEN, which I personally believe is speaking of the RISING AGAIN of the ISLAMIC empire. Just do a Google search on the fall of the Ottoman Empire or go to my YouTube channel AMATTEROFTRUTH and view all the videos I have posted on this subject of ISLAM being the MARK of the BEAST. So then, to ME, the 8th kingdom is Islam, which will at first come in PEACABLY, which clearly we have seen the world speak how Islam is a religion of PEACE! But when they say PEACE, PEACE, then sudden destruction shall come upon them. I have heard those in other countries make comments like, how can one make WAR with Islam? In other words, every last Muslim would have to be killed in order to be victorious over Islam, and this is not going to happen by the hand of man. My point is this, to ME, Satan is NOT a LITERAL DRAGON, but rather is a FALLEN ANGEL that RULES as a king over the other fallen angels in the atmosphere of the earth. It is Satan who RULES and INFLUENCES the sons of PERDITION. Let's take a look at how Judas became a son of PERDITION. Jesus calls Judas a son of PERDITION in John 17:12.
John 17:12.
“While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name: those that you gave me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.”
Now HOW did Judas become a son of perdition? Please read John 13:21-27, which CLEARLY shows us that Satan ENTERED INTO Judas Iscariot and Judas became the son of PERDITION.
John 13:21-27.
“When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 22. Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. 23. Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. 25. He then lying on Jesus' breast said unto him, Lord, who is it? 26. Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27. And after the sop Satan ENTERED INTO him. Then said Jesus unto him, That you do, do quickly.”
We read about another son of perdition, which most all agree is speaking of the final antichrist, that man of sin, and that WICKED ONE.
Please read 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 you 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 (In other words, do NOT be DECEIVED or PREMATURELY be shaken in mind about WHEN the DAY of CHRIST or the DAY of the Lord where Jesus comes as a THIEF in the night in flaming fire taking vengeance upon the disobedient to the gospel). 3. Let NO man DECEIVE you by ANY means: for that DAY (The DAY of the Lord when Jesus comes as a THIEF in the night) shall NOT come, except there come a falling away first, and that MAN of SIN be revealed, the son of PERDITION; 4. Who opposes and EXALTS himself ABOVE all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. (This compares almost exactly with Isaiah 14 that tells us about Lucifer saying he is God and with Ezekiel 25 that tells us that the king of Tyrus, which many believe is referring to Satan ALSO exalts himself to be God) 5. Remember you not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6. And now you know what withholds that he (Speaking of Jesus Christ and NOT the antichrist as many falsely teach) might be revealed in his TIME (Remember you just read, and that DAY of CHRIST shall NOT come UNTIL TWO things happen FIRST). 7. For the mystery of iniquity does ALREADY work: only he (Speaking of SATAN) who now lets (Or HINDERS) will let (Or HINDER. Remember how Satan and the fallen angels hindered Daniels prayer? Also Satan is the one who INFLUENCES of TEMPTS mankind to SIN and when one is overcome by temptation and sins, then that sin HINDERS his walk with God. So then, the MYSTERY that is behind or the cause of sin that is ALREADY at work will continue to be at work in this hidden or secret way), UNTIL he (Speaking of Satan and his fallen angels) be taken out of the way. (Which literally translates as be cast out of the MIDST of. This compare exactly with the future climax of the WAR in heaven when Satan the dragon and his angels are cast out of the earth's atmosphere DOWN to the GROUND of the earth to make war with the saints and God's people Israel.) 8. And THEN shall that Wicked be revealed (In other words, it will no longer be a MYSTERY because I personally believe that at least part of this WAR in heaven will quite possibly be SEEN. Please read the study “Does the BIBLE speak of the year 2012?”), whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9. Even HIM (The beast that goes into PERDITION), 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 (The HOLY BIBLE), but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
Now the BIBLICAL meaning of UNRIGHTEOUSNESS is to do that which is NOT PLEASING to the ONE TRUE and ONLY Almighty God. So then, when Muslims KILL the Jews and Christians for the cause of Allah, while all the while they are THINKING that they are doing this for the ONE TRUE and ONLY Almighty God of the Holy Bible, because they teach that Allah and the Almighty God of the Bible are ONE and the SAME. However the word of TRUTH, the HOLY BIBLE, teaches us that this KILLING of God's people does NOT PLEASE Almighty God. Please read John 16:2 where Jesus is telling us, his disciples, that the Jews will put their fellow brothers and sisters who are Jew OUT of the synagogues and KILL them thinking or BELIEVING that they are doing Almighty God a SERVICE. In other words, ANY person that KILLS God's people, the Christians and the Jews, even though they truly believe with all their heart that they are killing us for the cause of Almighty God, they are in fact doing it AFTER the WORKING of SATAN and Jesus will DESTROY then AT his COMING.
John 16:2.
“They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time COMES, that WHOSOEVER (Which INCLUDES Muslims killing their OWN family members who confess Jesus as their Lord and savior, and who also have an extreme HATRED for God's people the Jews. Therefore WHOSOEVER) KILLS you will THINK that he does God service.”
1 John 3:13-15 teaches us that he that even HATES his brother is the SAME as being a MURDERER.
Here is 1 John 3:13-15.
“Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 14. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we LOVE the brethren. He that loves NOT his brother abides in DEATH. 15. WHOSOEVER HATES his brother is a MURDERER: and you KNOW that NO MURDERER has eternal life abiding in him.”
Then we read in 1 John 4:15-21 which teaches us that WHOSOEVER confesses that Jesus is the SON of the ONE TRUE and ONLY Almighty God dwells in God, or truly knows the one true God. 1 John 4:15-21.
“WHOSOEVER shall confess that Jesus is the SON of God, God dwells in him, and he in God. 16. And we have known and believed the love that God has to us. God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him. 17. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love. 19. We love him, because he first loved us. 20. If a man SAY, I love God, and HATES his brother, he is a liar: for he that loves NOT his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21. And this COMMANDMENT have we from him, That he who loves God LOVE his brother ALSO.”
Therefore, ANYONE who KILLS another human being THINKING that they do the ONE TRUE and ONLY Almighty God a SERVICE is being DECEIVED by Satan the Devil. And this INCLUDES all those Muslims who HATE the Jews, and also HATE us Christians who are reaching out to teach you the TRUTH so that you can have ASSURANCE on the DAY of JUDGMENT. Now that we have seen that Lucifer IS Satan, the Devil, I would like to continue with the remaining part of this study so that you will not be ignorant of Satan's devices and will OVER COME him in every area of your life, because ONLY those that OVER COME will obtain their reward of ETERNAL LIFE in the world to come. In this first part of this study you may have noticed that I emphasized the word OPPRESSOR in the passage of Scripture in Isaiah 14 speaking about Lucifer and the king of Babylon being the OPPRESSOR. Some of you may already know that Satan is the one who OPPRESSES people, but you might find some interesting points you may have never heard before so keep reading, I am sure you will be blessed. Besides it never hurts to refresh our inner man with the TRUTH of God's word. Also for you who may believe that it is Almighty God who CHASTISES is children with sickness and disease to teach them something get ready for your eye of understanding to be opened to the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of God. Let us begin this part of this study of learning WHO Satan is by reading those passages of Scripture where we are taught that Satan, the DEVIL, is the ONE and ONLY one who OPPRESSES all of mankind and NOT just the children of God. Please take a CLOSE look at Acts 10:38, which clearly teaches us that Almighty God the Father ANOINTED his Son Jesus with the Holy Spirit to empower Jesus to HEAL all those that believed his word who were OPPRESSED, or who were MADE SICK BY the DEVIL and NOT Almighty God himself as some FALSELY teach.
Acts 10:38.
“How God (Speaking of the one true and only Almighty God the Father) ANOINTED Jesus of Nazareth WITH the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and HEALING all that were OPPESSED OF the DEVIL; for (Or for this reason, or this is HOW Jesus healed others. FOR or BECAUSE) God was WITH him.”
I want to make some of these points that I have found few people make or even see, because of what they have been TAUGHT by religious doctrine. You see my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, the POWER that Jesus had to HEAL the sick was GIVEN to him BY his God and Father, ALMIGHTY God. I am sure most if you have read before where Jesus himself said I can do NOTHING OF MYSELF. The Father IN me, HE DOES the WORKS that I do. Please read John 5:17-19, which is when Jesus was ACCUSED by the Jews of making himself EQUAL with Almighty God, but then Jesus basically says NO you have it all wrong. I am NOT making myself EQUAL with Almighty God. On the contrary, I MYSELF can do NOTHING. I tell you plainly it is Almighty God who lives IN me that is the ONE who is doing these mighty WORKS, NOT ME.
John 5:17-19.
“But Jesus answered them, My Father works hitherto, and I work. 18. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, (And therefore by simply giving the glory for the healing that he had just done to Almighty God his FATHER he was ACCUSED of) making himself equal with God. 19. Then answered Jesus (Or in other words, Jesus defended himself against this FALSE ACCUSATION that he himself was exalting himself to be God or even EQUAL with Almighty God and ANSWERED their ACCUSATION) and said unto them, Verily, verily, (Or TRULY TRULY) I say unto you, The Son can do nothing OF himself, but what he SEES the Father do: for what things so ever he does, these also does the Son likewise.”
I want to point these things out to you even though they may be CONTROVERSIAL and go against what many of us have been TAUGHT in the mainstream churches, because Almighty God the Father and his Son Jesus desire US to do these very SAME kinds of WORKS that Jesus did. Some Christians don't even know God LOVES them in the same way that he LOVES his Son Jesus.
Please read John 17:20-23, which teaches us.
“Neither pray I (Your Son Jesus) for these alone (Speaking of his 11 disciples), but for them also which shall believe on me through their word (Which includes EVERY born again believer, so that me and YOU); 21. That they (YOU) all may be ONE; AS you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they (YOU and I) ALSO may be ONE in us (Meaning that WE are ONE with Almighty God and his Son Jesus, EVEN AS Jesus and Almighty God the Father are ONE): THAT (Or so that) the world may believe that you (Almighty God) have sent me. 22. And the glory which you GAVE me I have given them; THAT (Or so that) THEY (Speaking of YOU and I and ALL true born again believers in Jesus Christ) may be ONE, EVEN AS (Or in the same exact WAY that) WE (Speaking of Almighty God the Father and his Son Jesus) ARE ONE: 23. I in them, and you in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and THAT (Or so that) the world may KNOW that you have sent me, and have LOVED THEM, AS (Or EVEN AS) you have LOVED ME.”
Jesus came to show us the LOVE of his Father by going about doing GOOD and HEALING all who were OPPRESED BY the DEVIL. Now in the same way that you and I are not the ones who are ACTUALLY doing these works of HEALING, but RATHER it is the Holy Spirit of Almighty God the Father DWELLING IN us that is the ONE who is ACTUALLY DOING the HEALING, so it was with Jesus the Son of God. You see Jesus was not the one who was ACTUALLY healed those OPPRESSED of the DEVIL, but more precisely is was the Holy Spirit of Almighty God, his God and Father, who was the one who was ACTUALLY doing the HEALING of those being OPPRESSED of SATAN, the DEVIL. When you see this TRUTH and you let it sink in, then you will find it much easier to DO the WORKS that Jesus did THROUGH the eternal Spirit that DWELLED in him. The word of God teaches us that Jesus even did the WORK of living his life WITHOUT SIN THROUGH the power and anointing of the eternal Holy Spirit of Almighty God, his God and Father. Please read Hebrews 9:14, which teaches us that Jesus the CHRIST, which means Jesus the ANOINTED one of Almighty God, lived his life WITHOUT SIN or without spot or blemish so that he could lay down his life as a sacrifice for our sins as a perfect Lamb.
Hebrews 9:14.
“How much more shall the blood of CHRIST (Meaning the ANOINTED one Jesus), who THROUGH the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot (Or WITHOUT SIN) to God, purge your conscience (Your thinking, the RENEWING of your mind) from DEAD WORKS to (Or in order to) SERVE the living God?”
In other words, WE, YOU and I and EVERY single born again Christian ought to be DOING the WORKS that Jesus did INCLUDING living our lives WITHOUT SIN. We are NEW creatures IN Christ Jesus and the OLD things are PAST AWAY. But somehow Satan the Devil has blinded the eyes of some of us so that he can keep us BOUND, not only with SICKNESSES and DISEASES, but also keep us BOUND with the mentality that ONLY Jesus can live without sin and ONLY Jesus can heal people. I want you to SEE that YOU my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus the Christ have been set FREE from the BONDAGES and DOMINION of Satan, the Devil. Now I may jump back and forth between being set free from the bondage of SIN and being bound by SICKNESS and DISEASE, but the main point is that it is SATAN and NOT Almighty God that binds you. We already saw in Acts 10:38 that it was SATAN, the DEVIL who OPPRESSED people with SICKNESS and DISEASE and that it was Almighty God himself who HEALED these people THROUGH his Son Jesus BY the power of the Holy Spirit. Now I want YOU to KNOW that YOU have the SAME Holy Spirit of Almighty God DWELLING IN YOU, if so be that you are a born again believer. Yes, EVEN IF you have not received the FULLNESS of the Holy Spirit as in being BAPTISED in the Holy Spirit or being FILLED with the Holy Spirit with the EVIDENCE of speaking in other tongues. YOU as a believer do have the Holy Spirit DWELLING IN you. The word of God teaches us to be FILLED with the Holy Spirit and even if you have experienced this FILLING or BAPTISM of the Holy Spirit and have spoken in other tongues and even continue to speak in other tongues does NOT mean that you are CONTINUALLY FULL of the Holy Spirit. The word of God teaches us that we must STIR UP this GIFT of the Holy Spirit within us to BE BEING FILLED with the Holy Spirit. You see, as we WORK the works of Jesus, VIRTUE or POWER goes OUT of us. In other words, we are sort of like BATTERIES that need to be placed in a charger and be charged back up to FULL POWER in order to keep on DOING the WORKS of Jesus. If you would like greater understanding on this subject please read the study “The POWER and AUTHORITY of the BELIEVER.” But for now let us continue this study so that your eyes will be OPENED to the TRUTH that Almighty God does NOT chastise his children with the OPPRESSION of SICKNESS and DISEASES. Please take a CLOSER look at Hebrews 12:4-14, which some Christians use to FALSELY teach that Almighty God puts sickness and disease on his children as a PUNISHMENT or to teach them something.
Hebrews 12:4-14.
“You have NOT yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. (Keep in mind that this is the main topic being discussed in this entire CONTEXT) 5. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks unto you as unto children, My son, despise not you the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are rebuked of him: 6. For whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every SON whom he RECEIVES. 7. If you ENDURE chastening, God deals with you as with SONS; for what son is he whom the father chastens not? 8. BUT if ye be WITHOUT chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are you BASTARDS, and NOT SONS. 9. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10. For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 11. Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of RIGHTEOUSNESS unto them which are exercised thereby. 12. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 13. And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. 14. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:”
The thing that I want to point out to you is this. Do not people in the WORLD get OPPRESSED with SICKNESS and DISEASE? The unsaved are NOT sons and daughters of God in that Almighty God has RECEIVED them as sons or as his children because they have accepted his Son Jesus as their savior. But yet the unsaved get SICK which means that the chastisement of God is NOT sickness and disease because the world is WITHOUT chastisement. So then, since the word of God says that if you as a SON or DAUGHTER of Almighty God whom he has RECEIVED be WITHOUT CHASTISEMENT, then you are a BASTARD and NOT a SON or DAUGHTER of God. Then HOW can SICKNESS and DISEASE be the CHASTISEMENT the word of God is speaking of, because those in the WORLD are CERTAINLY NOT WITHOUT the OPPRESSION of SICKNESS and DISEASE. In other words, the word of God here is saying that Almighty God CHASTISES ONLY his SONS and DAUGHTERS, because those in the WORLD as still yet BASTARDS and NOT SONS and DAUGHTERS as yet, because they have not yet BELIEVED in Jesus in order to be RECEIVED or ADOPTED in as God's sons or as God's children. THEREFORE sickness and disease CANNOT be the method in which God CHASTISES his children whom he has received, BECAUSE those in the world suffer from the OPPRESSION of sickness and disease. Now some of you may be thinking, well that is your interpretation and that I am splitting hairs so to speak, but if you read the CONTEXT you will see that ONLY those who ENDURE THROUGH the CHASTISEMENT will bear fruit of RIGHTEOUSNESS. Hebrews 12:7,11.
“7. If you ENDURE chastening, God deals with you as with SONS... 11. Now NO CHASTENING for the present (Or while you are being CHASTENED) seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless AFTERWARDS it (The CHASTISEMENT) yields the peaceable fruit of RIGHTEOUSNESS unto them which are exercised thereby.”
Therefore IF you TRULY believe that Almighty God is the one that sends sickness and disease upon his children as the method he used to CHASTISE his children, then the next time you are oppressed with sickness or disease then you are being UNRIGHTEOUS by going to the doctor and having this SO CALLED valuable teaching tool removed from you. You see, the context of this passage of Scripture is speaking of RESISTING the TEMPTATION of SATAN and ENDURING unto the END of that temptation and NOT giving into it. Now most of us think of temptation as being related to SIN, which the word of TRUTH teaches us to RESIST and the Devil WILL flee from us. In other words, very few of us see sickness and disease as being a TEMPTATION, because we see the word “temptation” as only referring to SIN. But when you see SIN as being a BONDAGE and OPPRESSION from Satan the Devil, you will understand better that EVERY WORK of the devil is an OPPRESSION or BONDAGE. You see part of the meaning of the word “temptation” is to DECEIVE. Satan's lie to Adam and Eve was God doesn't want you to eat of the tree of knowledge because he knows you will be like God to know good and evil. So then the tree BECAME appealing to them as something to be desired. I remember when I first learned about divine healing I did not let any sickness in my household. Then one morning I woke up with the symptoms of the flue and the first thought that came to me was YES! Now I can stay home from work and stay in bed. At that moment being sick was very tempting to me, but something on the inside was telling me that it would be a big mistake to give in and accept this flue. I wrestled with the idea of staying home for a bit, then I obeyed the voice of the Holy Spirit and rebuke the symptoms of the flue in the mighty name of Jesus, got dressed, and before I got in the car to go to work all the symptoms of the flue had left me. Praise God! My point is this, I may have enjoyed the first few moments of staying in bed, but when those flue symptoms became full blown I would have been one miserable person. Now if you have never been taught about divine healing, then you most likely would not know that you have been given the AUTHORITY in the name of Jesus over every sickness and disease. Or if you have been taught that sometimes God sends sickness on his children to teach them something, then there may have been some DOUBT as to whether this PARTICULAR time is from the Devil or perhaps it is from God. The TRUTH of the matter is that if you truly believe that sickness comes from God, then you can never TRULY have FAITH to believe for your healing. Because there will ALWAYS be that little bit of DOUBT lying to you, are you SURE this is NOT from God trying to teach you something. Let us take a look at what Jesus himself taught us in when he was ACCUSED by the Pharisees of casting out devils and healing BY Beelzebub, which is another name that Satan the king over or prince of all the devils. Here is what Jesus says is Matthew 12:22-28.
Matthew 12:22-28.
“Then was brought unto him one possessed with a DEVIL, blind, and dumb: and he HEALED him, in so much that the blind and dumb both spoke and saw. 23. And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? 24. But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow does not cast out devils, but BY Beelzebub the prince of the devils. (In other words, Jesus is being ACCUSED by the Pharisees that he was healing people BY the power of Satan) 25. And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, EVERY kingdom DIVIDED against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall NOT stand: 26. And (Or so then) if Satan cast out Satan, he IS DIVIDED against himself (And therefore shall NOT stand, but be brought to desolation); how shall then his kingdom stand? 27. And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. 28, But if I cast out devils BY the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.”
Now Jesus is teaching us in verse 28 that he is casting out devils and healing the sick BY or THROUGH the power of the Holy Spirit of Almighty God. Therefore IF Almighty God is TRULY the one, who inflicts and OPPRESSES people with sickness and disease, then God would be casting out God and thus God's kingdom would be DIVIDED and therefore would not stand but be brought to desolation. Can you not see my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus the Christ that it is IMMPOSIBLE for God to be the one who OPPRESSES mankind with sickness and disease, because Jesus and every believer who has ever prayed the prayer of faith in the name of Jesus and people received their healing would have DIVIDED the kingdom of Almighty God. The TRUTH of the matter is that all sickness and disease comes FROM Satan, the Devil. Please read Luke 13:10-16, which teaches us that not ONLY is it Satan who BINDS people with infirmities and sicknesses, but Almighty God sees it as his OBLIGATION to HEAL his children and as something that he MUST do without fail.
Luke 13:10-16.
“And he (Jesus) was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. 11. And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity (Or an EVIL spirit that OPPRESSED or BOUND this woman for) eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself (To ME, this sounds a lot like arthritis). 12. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity. 13. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. 14. And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. 15. The Lord then answered him, and said, You hypocrite, does not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? 16. And OUGHT not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom SATAN has bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?”
Now it is CLEAR that it is SATAN and NOT Almighty God who has BOUND this woman with an evil spirit of infirmity for 18 years, but what is not so clear is that Almighty God sees it as his DUTY to heal this woman whom his ENEMY Satan, the Devil has BOUND. Let me explain what I mean. You see, this word that is translated as “OUGHT” is the Greek word “DEI” which means it is a MUST, it is NECESSARY, one should, one MUST and one ought. Just think about this for a moment, any good and loving human parent would gladly trade places with their sick CHILD, so then how much MORE is the LOVE that Almighty God has for US! We all know John 3:16.
John 3:16.
“For God SO LOVED the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
And we all know that God sent his Son into the world to redeem us from our SINS, but not as many Christian know that they know that they know that Jesus bore those stripes upon his back for THEIR HEALING, the healing of their BODIES. I want you to take a look at 1 John 3:8, which teaches us that Jesus came for the VERY PURPOSE to DESTROY the WORKS of the DEVIL.
1 John 3:8.
“He that commits sin is of the devil; for the devil sins from the beginning. For this PURPOSE the Son of God was manifested, that he might DESTROY the WORKS of the DEVIL.”
Now once you settle it in your heart once and for all that one of the WORKS of Satan the Devil is to OPPRESS and BIND people with sickness and disease and you see that Jesus came to DESTROY not ONLY the WORK of SIN but ALL the WORKS of the Devil, then you will RESIST sickness and disease in the SAME manner that you RESIST SIN. Jesus said in John 10:10 that he came for the purpose of us to have LIFE, and not ONLY eternal life but a more ABUNDANT life right here and now on the earth in this present world. And that it is the THIEF, speaking of Satan, the Devil who comes but to do nothing but steal from us, kill us, and destroy us in what ever way he can deceive us into accepting these as an act of God.
John 10:10.
“The thief (Satan, the Devil) comes not, but for (In other words, the ONLY reason Satan comes is) to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I (Jesus in the name of Almighty God on the other hand) am come that they might have LIFE, and that they might have it (Speaking of not only ETERNAL LIFE in the world to come but also have life in this present world) MORE ABUNDANTLY.”
Some Christians put off everything that God has ALREADY provided for them until they die. They go through their entire lives never seeing the truth of all the BENEFITS that Almighty God has already provided for those who BELIEVE. Perhaps no one has ever taught you anything like this before. If this is the case, then I implore you to read some of the other studies here at AMatterOfTruth.com such as “It Is ALWAYS God's WILL to HEAL YOU!” and “PRAYER LESSON #1 The FAITHFULNESS of Almighty God!”. But for now I would like you to take a look at a passage of Scripture in the book of Job that some Christians bring up as their reason why it is NOT always God's will to heal people and EVEN that it was God himself who puts sickness and disease upon people. I want you to read just two verses from the book of Job first so that you can SEE what Job and his wife said about WHO was RESPONSIBLE about all of Job's TROUBLES. Please read Job 2:9,10, which says.
Job 2:9,10.
“Then said his wife unto him, Do you still retain your integrity? curse God, and die. 10. But he said unto her, You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. 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.”
Now Job, his wife and the other four people that came to visit Job during his time of trouble all thought and BELIEVED that it was Almighty God that brought, put or sent ALL these troubles upon mankind. Job's friend's believed that it was BECAUSE Job had SINNED that Almighty God was punishing or CHASTISING him and all he needed to do was repent of his SIN and God would heal him. But WHAT does the WHOLE word of God say and truly teach on the WHO that OPPRESSES mankind with TRADGEDY, DEATH and SICKNESS and DISEASE? Please read all of Job chapter 1 and Job 2:1-10 for now and you will clearly SEE that it was SATAN who smote or oppressed Job and his family with everything that they suffered.
Job 1:1-22.
“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. (In other words, Job was WITHIOUT SIN) 2. And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. 3. His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east. (Job was truly BLESSED of God) 4. And his sons went and FEASTED in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. 5. And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It MAY BE that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job CONTINUALLY. 6. Now there was a day when the sons of God (I believe is speaking of the fallen angels that rebelled against God with Lucifer, who became the ENEMY or SATAN of God) came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. 7. And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence come you? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. (I believe this is speaking of Satan walking about as a roaring lion SEEKING whom he may devour) 8. And the LORD said unto Satan, Have you CONSIDERED my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that fears God, and eschews evil? 9. Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Does Job fear God for nought (Or there has to be a reason WHY Job fears you. Basically Satan is saying that the ONLY reason Job fears you and does not SIN is that you have BLESSED him)? 10. Have not you made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he has on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.(In words Satan is saying besides I cannot devour Job because you have put a hedge or wall of PROTECTION all around him and all that he has.) 11. But put forth your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he WILL CURSE you to your face. (This whole conversation between Almighty God and Satan is centered around the RIGHTEOUSNESS of Job and how God has PROTECTED Job from Satan because Job maintained his RIGHTEOUSNESS. And in this verse Satan is ACCUSING God that the only reason Job loves and serves you is because of all the BLESSINGS that he has RECEIVED from you.) 12. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold (Or look and see, or take another CLOSER look Satan), all that he has is in YOUR power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So SATAN went forth from the presence of the LORD (NOT the throne room of God as some falsely teach). 13. And there was a DAY when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house (Or there came another time when Job's children were quite possibly SINNING as Job had FEARED): 14. And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: 15. And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain (The THIEF went forth to KILL or devour like a roaring lion) the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell you. 16. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven (Probably lightning, a SO CALLED ACT of God), and has burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell you. 17. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword (The THIEF comes not but to STEAL and KILL); and I only am escaped alone to tell you. 18. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house (Again suggesting that quite possibly Job's children were DRUNK): 19. And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell you. 20. Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshiped, 21. And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; BLESSED be the name of the LORD (And NOT CURSED be the name of the Lord as Satan had said Job WOULD DO to God's FACE). 22. In all this (Speaking of EVERYTHING that SATAN brought upon Job the man that FEARS God and FLEES from every hint of EVIL) Job SINNED NOT, nor charged God foolishly.” (Now some who believe that God sends sickness and disease upon his children to CHASTISE them or teach them something would argue that IF Job FALSELY accused God for all this EVIL by saying The Lord gives AND the Lord TAKES AWAY, then WHY does it say here, Job sinned NOT, nor CHARGED God FOOLISHLY?)
Before we read Job 2:1-10, I want to address this SEEMINGLY rather good argument. As with any verse, when taken OUT of CONTEXT and viewed ALONE and APART from the WHOLE word of God they may SEEM to be saying something that they are not TRULY saying. The word that is translated as “foolishly” means repulsive. You see Job was IGNORANT of Satan and ONLY had knowledge of an Almighty God, so then to Job and all who lived at that time naturally believed that Almighty God was responsible for EVERYTHING, both good and evil. The Bible teaches us that there is no transgressing or sin without the law or KNOWLEDGE of the law. Plain and simple Job did NOT KNOW Satan even existed. Also take note that Job did NOT CURSE Almighty God as Satan FALSELY ACCUSED God that he would do. This would have been considered REPULSIVE or FOOLISH before God and therefore considered SIN. But in all this, Job did NOT CURSE God. Can you not see my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, that there is a WAR between Almighty God and Satan? Can you not see that it is Satan and his fallen angels who are on TRIAL for FALSELY ACCUSING Almighty God for CREATING them EVIL, so therefore THEY THEMSELVES are NOT to be BLAMED for their rebellion to take over God's throne? This is WHY God created mankind a little LOWER or INFERIOR to the ANGELS to PROVE to all the angels that God created them PERFECT in all there ways and that THEY THEMSELVES are RESPONSIBLE for the CHOICES that they make. Why else would Satan ACCUSE mankind night and day before God? And WHY does Satan and the fallen angels need to PRESENT themselves before God and then God ask them the question have you CONSIDERED my man Job who has remained SINNLESS before me? WHY are Satan and the devils given a SPECIFIED period of TIME that they KNOW WHEN it will be UP, and in this space of TIME they are ALLOWED to roam the earth and SEEK whom they may devour and then have to report back to God? And WHY is Satan BOUND for a 1000 years and there is NO FELLER or OPPESSOR during this 1000 years, then God lets him LOOSE again at the end of the 1000 years to DECEIVE the nations once again? To ME, it can only mean one thing, and that is that Satan and his angels are on TRIAL for their rebellion to take over God's throne. This is the ONLY thing that makes sense to ME as to WHY God ALLOWS all this EVIL in the world. Let us go ahead and finish reading Job 2:1-10 now before we get to far off track.
Job 2:1-10.
“AGAIN there was a DAY when the sons of God (The fallen angels) 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 (The king or leader over the other fallen angels), From whence come you? 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, Have you CONSIDERED my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that fears God, and eschews evil? And STILL he holds fast his integrity (Or and STILL he has not CURSED me as you have Satan), although YOU moved me against him, to destroy him WITHOUT CAUSE. (Now HOW can an ALMIGHTY and ALL POWERFUL God be MOVED to do something he does NOT want to do by one of his beings that he himself CREATED? But even if God ALLOWS Satan to oppress mankind with EVIL, the question of WHY does God permit it?) 4. And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man has will he give for his life. 5. But put forth your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will CURSE you to your face. 6. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold (Look and see, or take a CLOSER look and see), he is in YOUR hand; BUT save his life. (In other words, I will not allow you to tempt him ABOVE that which I say) 7. So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and SMOTE (Or oppressed) 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, Do you STILL retain your integrity? CURSE God, and die (Now WHO do you think PUT these words into the mind of Job's wife in order to TEMPT Job to CURSE God to his face? To ME, there is no doubt that Satan INFLUENCED Job's wife to say these words to Job, because it is Satan that wants so desperately for mankind to CURSE God). 10. But he said unto her, You speak as one of the FOOLISH women speak. What? shall we RECEIVE good at the hand of God, and shall we not RECEIVE evil (In other words Job BELIEVES that it is the Lord that BOTH gives AND takes away so WHY should I CURSE God)? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.”
For a deeper understanding on the book of Job please read the study “WHAT ABOUT POOR OLD JOB?” But for now just know that Job was IGNORANT of the fact that there even was an ENEMY of Almighty God WORKING in the lives of mankind. You see the Bible teaches us that things in the Old Testament were WRITTEN for our EXAMPLES to teach us about the kingdom of God. So you see from the book of Job we learn about God's ENEMY, which is what the word “SATAN” means. We use it as a proper name, which there is nothing wrong with except sometimes we forget that it means a violent opponent or enemy of God and mankind. The same is true of the word “CHRIST”. Some Christians seem to think that Christ is Jesus' last name, but the word “Christ” actually means the ANOINTED one of Almighty God. Christ means Messiah or the one that Almighty God chose to be the one who God would SAVE or redeem mankind back to himself. Now to ME, this raises yet another question of WHY would an Almighty and ALL POWERFUL God NEED to purchase back something that he himself CREATED. I discuss many of these question in the study called “UNERSTANDING WHY?” if you would like to go deeper in this subject, but for now I just want to point out that at least ONE of the very reasons the book of Job was written was to teach us that Almighty God is NOT the ONLY INFLUENCE in the earth. Some scholars believe that the book of Job was the very FIRST book of the Bible that was written, even BEFORE the book of Genesis. To ME, this would make sense, but even in Genesis we see that old serpent called the Devil and Satan or Devil and ENEMY of God who is the one who TEMPTS mankind to REBEL against God with a LIE or DECEPTION. You see, HOW could one KNOW something is DESIRABLE if one has NEVER EXPERIENCED it before? Some Christians want to blame the Devil for EVERYTHING while leaving themselves out of taking any responsibility. And other Christians want to blame themselves for EVERYTHING not even putting Satan in the picture at all. And yet other Christians place ALL the BLAME on Almighty God just like Lucifer saying that God CREATED us this way, or that we were BORN this way and there is NOTHING we can do ourselves to CHANGE the way we were BORN. But the TRUTH of the matter is that God CREATED us PERFECT in all our ways, and God's ORIGINAL INTENT is for mankind to continue to live PERFECT before him. However God KNEW that his VIOLENT OPPONENT or ADVERSARY the Devil would NOT abide by the rules that God established BEFORE he ever created mankind to prove to Satan and the fallen angels that he created them perfect in all that ways, so therefore he has ever right to destroy them. And KNOWING his ADVERSARY, God formed a PLACE of raising up a MAN from among mankind some day that would live PERFECT before him and DO EVERYTHING that Almighty God ASKED of him to do and then he KEPT this PLAN SECRET. So again we see yet another QUESTION of WHY? Why would an ALMIGHTY and all powerful God need to keep his plan a SECRET? And WHY would Satan and his principalities of the air NOT have crucified Jesus IF they had KNOWN God's plan? In truth Almighty God was satisfied with just ONE of mankind living before him without sin, and this would have been enough for God's angels to SEE that a LOWER or INFERIOR being was perfectly capable of living without rebelling against God. So then they now KNOW without a doubt that they are without EXCUSE and must therefore take responsibility for their own actions. So to ME, I personally see TWO INFLUENCES in the lives of mankind. God on the side of GOOD and God's ENEMY, the Devil , or Satan on the side of EVIL that wants mankind to be like him and CURSE God, which would then prove that Almighty God is the one to BLAME and therefore has no right to destroy him. I also see that mankind is given a CHOICE as to WHOM they wish to follow. I also see that the side of EVIL does not always abide by the rules so to speak. God gently speaks with a small still voice and the side of EVIL relentlessly torments the mind, until a person cannot discern whether these thoughts are of the Devil or they are their own. I want you to read 1 Kings 19:11,12, which CLEARLY teaches us that DISASTERS like tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis, storms, high winds, and earthquakes are NOT ACTS of God, but rather are PERVERSIONS of nature brought about by God's ENEMY the Devil.
1 Kings 19:11,12.
“And he (Almighty God speaking to his servant and prophet Elijah) said, Go forth , and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind RENT the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; BUT the LORD was NOT in the WIND: and after the wind an earthquake; BUT the LORD was NOT in the earthquake: 12. And after the earthquake a fire; BUT the LORD was NOT in the fire: and after the fire a STILL SMALL VOICE.”
Now the voice of the Lord God Almighty will not always strive with mankind as this small still voice. God has in the past had his voice THUNDER from heaven to bring FEAR upon his people, because they had given themselves over to SIN. God does NOT desire to be ANGRY nor pour out what to us appears to be words of threat, but rather they are WARNINGS that are PLEADING with us to REPENT and TURN from wickedness and to quit listening to the INFLUENCE of Satan the Devil. You can see this from the very beginning when God is pleading with Cain to take authority over this SIN or this INFLUENCE that keeps hounding Cain to MURDER his brother. God is WARNING Cain that if he does not MASTER or OVERCOME this INFLUENCE of SIN, then Satan will win this particular battle and God will be FORCED or MOVED by Satan to ALLOW him to OPPRESS Cain, BECAUSE of what Cain DID. Please read Genesis 4:6-8, which teaches us that SIN, which I believe is speaking of Satan DESIRES to have us by CAUSING us to OBEY this seeming unrelenting voice hounding us to disobey God. But also teaches us that WE ourselves must take action and OVER COME this SIN or INFLUENCE that is compelling us to SIN.
Genesis 4:6-8.
“And the LORD said unto Cain, Why are you wroth (Or angry)? And why is your countenance fallen? 7. If you do well, shall you not be ACCEPTED? And if you do not well, SIN lies at the door (Or the INFLUENCE behind SIN). And unto you shall be HIS desire, and YOU shall RULE OVER HIM (Or YOU must OVER COME and be MASTER over the one who TEMPTS you to do that which you know displeases me your creator). 8. And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain ROSE UP (Or Cain was ROUSED UP) against Abel his brother, and SLEW him.”
Remember the ONLY reason Satan the THIEF comes is to KILL, STEAL and DESTROY. Satan the Devil is YOUR ENEMY and he desires to HAVE YOU, but GREATER is he that is IN you than he, speaking of Satan, which is in the world. But YOU must JOIN with the Lord God and USE what he has GIVEN you to MASTER and OVER COME the Devil. We are CO-LABORERS TOGETHER WITH GOD.
Satan is a LIAR. Satan is a DECEIVER. Satan is a THIEF. Satan is a MURDER. Satan is your ADVERSARY or ENEMY. Satan desires to DESTROY YOU.
The good news is YOU do NOT have to REMAIN in DARKNESS any longer and ALLOW Satan to keep you held CAPTIVE. Please read some of the other studies that I have written like “The WEAPONS of OUR ENEMY”, “IN THE NAME of JESUS” and “The POWER and AUTHORITY of the BELIEVER”. Thanks for reading and may the Lord God bless you richly as you continue to seek the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of God.
Your brother in our Lord Jesus Christ, Brother Mark.
RETURN TO HOMEPAGE AT
Below are all the Scripture references and Scripture with the word Satan in them for you to check out for yourself. 1.) 1 Chronicles 21:1 “And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.” 2.) Job 1:6 “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.” 3.) Job 1:7 “And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence come you? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said , From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.” 4.) Job 1:8 “And the LORD said unto Satan, Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that fears God, and eschews evil?” 5.) Job 1:9 “Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Does Job fear God for nought?” 6.) Job 1:12 “And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he has is in your power; only upon himself put not forth your hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.” 7.) Job 2:1 “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.” 8.) Job 2:2 “And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence come you? And Satan answered the LORD, and said , From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.” 9.) Job 2:3 “And the LORD said unto Satan, Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that fears God, and eschews evil? And still he holds fast his integrity, although you move me against him, to destroy him without cause.” 10.) Job 2:4 “And Satan answered the LORD, and said , Skin for skin, yea, all that a man has will he give for his life.” 11.) Job 2:6 “And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in your hand; but save his life.” 12.) Job 2:7 “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.” 13.) Psalm 109:6 “Set you a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.” 14.) Zechariah 3:1 “And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.” 15.) Zechariah 3:2 “And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke you, O Satan; even the LORD that has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?” 16.) Matthew 4:10 “Then said Jesus unto him, Get you hence, Satan: for it is written. You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.” 17.) Matthew 12:26 “And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?” 18.) Matthew 16:23 “But he turned , and said unto Peter, Get you behind me, Satan: you are an offense unto me: for you savor not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” 19.) Mark 1:13 “And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.” 20.) Mark 2:23 “And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?” 21.) Mark 3:26 “And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but has an end.” 22.) Mark 4:15 “And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan comes immediately, and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.” 23.) Mark 8:33 “But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get you behind me, Satan: for you savor not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.” 24.) Luke 4:8 “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get you behind me, Satan: for it is written, You shalt worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.” 25.) Luke 10:18 “And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.” 26.) Luke 11:18 “If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because you say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.” 27.) Luke 13:16 “And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?” 28.) Luke 22:3 “Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.” 29.) Luke 22:31 “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:” 30.) John 13:27 “And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That you do, do quickly.” 31.) Acts 5:3 “But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?” 32.) Acts 26:18 “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” 33.) Romans 16:20 “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” 34.) 1 Corinthians 5:5 “To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” 35.) 1 Corinthians 7:5 “Defraud you not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.” 36.) 2 Corinthians 2:11 “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” 37.) 2 Corinthians 11:14 “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” 38.) 2 Corinthians 12:7 “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.” 39.) 1 Thessalonians 2:18 “Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.” 40.) 2 Thessalonians 2:9 “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,” 41.) 1 Timothy 1:20 “Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.” 42.) 1 Timothy 5:15 “For some are already turned aside after Satan.” 43.) Revelation 2:9 “I know your works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but you are rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.” 44.) Revelation 2:13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, even where Satan's seat is: and you hold fast my name, and have not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwells.” 45.) Revelation 2:24 “But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.” 46.) Revelation 3:9 “Behold , I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.” 47.) Revelation 12:9 “And the great dragon was cast out , that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” 48.) Revelation 20:2 “And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,” 49.) Revelation 20:7 “And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,” |
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