It is entirely necessary in understanding Scripture to be aware of the spiritual war between God and His fallen creation, Satan.

Without understanding this reality, it is perhaps impossible to understand the logic behind the overcoming goodness of God and the evil it prevails against.

Without this perspective, it is difficult if not impossible to understand the use of many figures of speech, including "idiom of permission" whereby God allows man to make choices, thus appearing to take credit, or blame, in a figurative way, for the consequence of man's doings.

And it is impossible to see the wondrous victory Jesus accomplished at Calvary.

ANGELS AND THEIR FALL

God created a perfect world, which became "without form, and void. As we have seen in an earlier study, God did not create it this way, for in Isaiah it is revealed God did not establish it "without form."

"For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited. I am the Lord, and there is none else." Isaiah 45:18

How did this happen? What event might have taken place to cause this damage to an entire universe?

It was Lucifer who accomplished this, rebelling against God. Lucifer? It is thought by most in Christendom that Lucifer was created as head of the angels. The name itself is used only once in Scripture, to refer to the king of Babylon.

"How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

"For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:" Isaiah 14:12-14

Many believe that this refers to the fall of Satan, the devil, and that for the pride of his heart he lofted himself to be as God and rebelled.

As we shall see, there are several good reasons to accept this view, but since it is not clearly spelled out, each has to reason within themselves, asking for God's guidance on this, and accepting or putting it aside as a matter of one's conscious.

"For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob.

"And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the LORD for servants and handmaids: and they shall take them captives, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors.

"And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve,

"That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased!" Isaiah 14:1-4

In Scripture there is what is known as "duel prophesy." It immediately refers to a very obvious situation, but also is a foretelling of a more important event.

Jesus Christ was so very often referred to in this manner, such as in Psalms.

"My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer."

Psalm 45:1

Psalm 45:1 was written, by revelation from God, about David, King of Israel. The Jews to this day recognize that this Psalm is in reference to David.

"Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.

"Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.

"And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.

"Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.

"Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.

"Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." Psalm 45:2-7

This Psalm is also a duel prophesy. Immediately it referred to King David, king over Israel. But it also refers to a point in time future to the original reference. Duel prophesies may refer to past or future events greater than the obvious reference.

The fulfillment of the double meaning in Psalm 45 is found in Hebrews.

"And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.

"But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

"Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." Hebrews 1:7-9

Jesus, Paul wrote by revelation, was the greater meaning of Psalms. Jesus fulfilled all the requirements of the original reference of the verses Psalm 45:6 and 7.

How? He was the one who inherited the throne of David, so he did not negate the original prophesy, he took it further.

He was in a similar though greater relationship with God.

And he was the intended recipient of the original praise, the original (David) being a figure, an analogy, of Jesus to come.

Does this reference to Lucifer fulfill these requirements?

First, would this as a reference to Satan negate any original details? Is a similar circumstance in the equation? Is it an accurate analogy?

"The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers.

"He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth."

Isaiah 14:5-6

It was said the King of Babylon ruled the earth, even though his rule was not absolute. But does Satan rule the world?

"And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

"And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

"And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.

"If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine."

Luke 4:4-7

Yes, the devil, Satan, rules the world. How did he get it? Well, who had it?

Adam.

Adam had been given dominion in Genesis, but when he fell, he relinquished dominion to Satan, who then offered it to Jesus in return for Jesus' worship.

Jesus told him "The Lord only shall ye serve." But Satan had dominion, he ruled the earth.

"The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing.

"Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us.

"Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations." Isaiah 14:7-9

When will these things come to pass? In a small scale as a pattern for what was to follow, as David was a type of pattern for the future king Jesus, the immediate meaning came to pass when the prophesy regarding the King of Babylon came to pass. But in entirety, in its second, greater significance and meaning, it will not occur until Satan is destroyed.

"And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

"And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

"And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season." Revelation 20: 1-3

Does Satan rule? Yes, but by deception.

The deception is that he hides the truth, the Word of God, the knowledge of God, from man.

He is as a roaring lion, Scripture says, going about seeking whom he might devour.

When Satan is bound, and can no more deceive, then shall nations have rest.

"All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us?

"Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee." Isaiah 14:10-11

Satan is bound in a bottomless pit. Brought to the grave, with the worms? Yet while they say he will be dead, covered with worms, they say he is fallen first.

"How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

"For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

"I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High." Isaiah 14:12-14

Yes, Lucifer has fallen from heaven. He is called "son of the morning." Some texts read "morning star."

Morning Star, the Bright and Morning Star, is a name or title also given to Jesus.

"I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star."

Revelations 22:16

This is the first great connection, that relationship to the greater meaning intended by this duel prophesy.

Lucifer, in heaven, was the "son of the morning," the Morning Star. He was a covering cherub, angel of light, at the right hand of God, unmatched in creation in wisdom, beauty, and power.

After Lucifer's fall, God created man to take his place!

The first Man, Adam, fell also, and failed.

Jesus did not.

Jesus the first begotten son of God took the place God had made Lucifer for, and more.

And in rage and jealousy, Satan will wage war against heaven once more, for in Revelation 12:7 John saw war in heaven, Michael against the Dragon called Satan and his angels.

Many say this battle was when Lucifer first rebelled against God, but Revelations 12 reveals that after the battle in question, Satan has no more place in heaven. But we know from Job that Satan still has audience with God in Heaven, or else how could he accuse? And we know he still is the accuser of the brethren of our Lord.

But he is fallen, and when the nations look upon him as fallen, that fall will be complete.

Was the king of Babylon in heaven? No. He had glory, figuratively he was in a celestial position, and figuratively it was said "he fell from heaven"

But as generally is true of duel prophesy, the greater, later meaning is more true to life, less figurative, than the first meaning. As David was in some ways a pattern for the King to follow, the World's king of Babylon was a pattern for the king of this world, Satan.

The Devil will fall from heaven, his place no more found.

"Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

"They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;

"That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?

"All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house.

"But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet." Isaiah 14:15-19

The sword Satan will be thrust through with, will be the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.

He will not find a grave because a) he is a spirit and b) he will be cast into the lake of fire.

"Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, and slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned.

"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.

"For I will rise up against them, saith the LORD of hosts, and cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant, and son, and nephew, saith the LORD."

Isaiah 14:20-22

And here you find the second relationship of this section to Satan

Why was the king of Babylon used in this duel prophesy? One (of perhaps many intertwined reasons) is because Babylon is often used to connote all wickedness.

Babylon is called the Great Whore, Mother of abominations, for the religions of idolatry that began in Babylon.

Babylon, known then as Babel, was where men tried to "invade heaven."

Babylon was the first hegemon nation, and the place where the "course of this world, " (the way of the nations of the Gentiles,) was forged. Systems of economics, of politics, of war, of theology, and of philosophy first arose in Babylon and from there, all others have been patterned.

These are the ways Satan deceives the world.

He is the King of Babylon, Father of Lies.

Those spirit beings which sided with him are called, "diamonion," and a few other names, which we know as "devils" or "demons."

They are called "spiritual wickedness from on high," spirit beings, similar or identical to angels once, who joined Lucifer's rebellion.

"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." Ephesians 6:14

And,

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;" I Timothy 4:1

These are rebellious spirits, whether fallen angels or other types of spirit beings, all of which are enjoined to Satan. They form the power, the spiritual government, over Satan's kingdom.

Not all angels fell with Lucifer, but many did.

They rule by convincing men to hold to and act upon seducing lies and doctrines.

Are there false and lying wonders?

Yes. Jesus warned of even those doing false wonders in his name.

But the kingdom ruled by Satan is ruled by seduction and doctrines of devils, by lies.

It is that which we fight.

"But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

"(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" II Corinthians 10:1-5

These strongholds, these imaginings, these high things are the seductions, the idolatries, and the doctrines of spirits and devils.

They are not carnal. We do not wage war like the world does, with armies and swords or guns. Our weapons are spiritual, and are mighty through God.

How do we counter the kingdom of this world and the power of our enemy?

First, by our obedience.

We "revenge" the disobedience of Man to God by our obedience.

"And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled." II Corinthians 10:6

This is how we become free from, and free others from, the kingdom of the god of this world. We are also given supernatural abilities we will explore in greater detail later in these studies.

And what will become of this evil kingdom?

"I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools of water: and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the LORD of hosts." Isaiah 14:1-23

God is Almighty, and will prevail.

ADAM'S DOMINION

Adam was created as sovereign ruler over the re-created world, having dominion in this world, even over Lucifer. Lucifer had no power in Adam's kingdom, and had to use stealth and cunning.

"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

"And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." Genesis 1:26-28

Adam and Eve were God's chosen rulers of earth. They were not weak and helpless to be easily deceived. They freely chose an unrighteous path God warned and armed them against.

"And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?

"And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

"And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat."

Genesis 3:11-13

How did this give Satan Adam's authority?

"Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" Romans 6:16

Adam gave Satan dominion simply by obeying Satan's deception!

Satan still rules by deceiving man into acting upon his lies.

It really is as basic as that.

And the temptations of Satan to get man to deny God are always either disguised as bribes or threats, blessings or curses.

"And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

"And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

"Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:

"And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

"And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

"But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

"Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." Matthew 13:3-9

Jesus made a point of saying this was important, "Who hath ears to hear let him hear."

Many hear the word. Some reject it, some seem to accept it but fall away, some profit from it. Why the different receptions?

This will tell us.

"And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

"He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

"For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

"Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

"And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

"For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

"But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

"For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them." Matthew 13:10-17

Again, this message, how to receive the Word of God, is emphasized. We do not want to have gross hearts and dull ears and blind eyes.

"Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

"When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

"But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;

"Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

"He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

"But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." Matthew 13:13-23

Some are simply so committed to the ways of this world, to its religions and philosophies and "isms," that Satan simply keeps the Word from finding any place to sit.

But some actually hear the Word, yet soon fall away.

Why?

For some, there is no depth of earth. The tribulations, the pressures, the "threats" get to them.

For others, the promises of prosperity, the "blessings" of the world rather than of God lure their attention.

For those who hear but stray, they are pushed by threats, false curses, or pulled by promises, false blessings.

Adam was tempted by one of these false blessings, and relinquished his authority to Satan when he accepted Satan's premise. He bowed, so to speak, to Satan's "logic" and his dogma.

"Ye shall be as God," "Ye shall not surely die."

These are the two great lies Satan deceives man into acting upon, and upon these he rules a world.

"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

"In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." II Corinthians 4:3-4

Satan rules by blinding men, and rules therefore through those men he blinds.

In a sense, man still has dominion, but man does not have the "spiritual battery" to play the game because he is dead in sins, and he does not have the compass with which to steer because he acts on Satan's lies.

Rather than ruling, he is ruled, because man obeys the lies of Satan, and he acts on them.

He walks according to the philosophies, and the "moral codes," and the religions, and the choices offered, of Satan.

How then does one not be ruled by Satan?

Obey God's word.

God promised a seed, who would be Jesus Christ. For us, obeying God starts with accepting the truth, the reality, of Jesus Christ as risen and as Lord, and continues in us walking accordingly.

GOODNESS OF GOD

God is Light. All good comes from God. The bad, the darkness, comes from Lucifer, now known as Satan, or the Devil. When God allows evil, the consequence of man's sin, to come upon man, He tells us he allows it by the figure of speech "idiom of permission."

"Idiom of permission" means taking the credit (or blame) for something one does nothing to prevent. It simply means the consequence has been allowed. It adds emphasis on the offense: If God allowed it, you really messed up.

"If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good. " Joshua 24:20

"He will turn and do you hurt." Some read this and still understood that God did not bring evil on man. It is the figure of speech "idiom of permission," whereby God accredits to Himself what He allows to befall man, although He did nothing to literally bring it about.

Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ, understood this.

"Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

"Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme."

I Timothy 1:19-20

Paul understood that it was that "deliverance unto Satan," not a literal act of God, that brought about destruction of the flesh unto a wayward believer. When Man rejects the truth, rejects goodness to that degree, God simply allows a person to reap the consequence of their actions.

"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

"And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." Hebrews 2:14-15

God does not kill. It is the Devil, the enemy of God, that kills. When the Bible attributes killing or destruction to God, it is this idiom of permission whereby God allows the natural course of events to transpire.

"Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling-block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand." Ezekial 3:20

He, the man, will die in his sin. Death is simply the natural consequence of sin, for sin is obedience not to God but to Satan, and Satan, the Devil, has the power of death.

"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

"Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

"Do not err, my beloved brethren.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." James 1:13-17

God does not tempt. Satan tempts, and when through lust man sins to do that which is sin, the consequence is death.

God gives good gifts: death and destruction man brings upon himself.

Even guilt and condemnation comes from Satan. First he gets man to sin, then he accuses man of the sin he tempted him to commit!

For God sent His son not into the world to condemn man, but through him man might rather be saved!

There is no condemnation to those in Christ!

Even in the Revelation period of tribulation,

"And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth." Revelations 11:18

Here is that "idiom of permission": "destroy them which destroy the earth" is saying that God, when His wrath is known, shall allow the consequence of the sin, the consequence of Man's destructive actions, to fall back upon Man.

God does not will that men should die. His will is for men to trust Him, and live. But Man, meaning women too, have choice, they have will.

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up."

II Peter 3:9&10

See? God would that all be saved. But there will be a time when all that is in the heavens and earth shall simply disintegrate. Only those clinging to God will be saved, all others shall pass, shall perish, with the fallen world they have clung to.

Who then would deny God? And remain in a doomed world?

Those who refuse to believe God, that's who. For, God gives men free will. He will not force men to accept His grace in Christ.

Some will use this free will to reject God. And when one rejects God as their source for truth, they are left only with the ideals given to them by this world.

And Satan is the god of this world.

"Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

"But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

"In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

"For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." II Corinthians 4:1-6

God is true. Satan is a liar and the father of lies. In Christ we have the light of God. In the systems of world religion and world philosophy, we have blindness and darkness.

When you know Jesus, you walk in light and in truth. In darkness, many will cling to their rejection of good and light. This is why many will reject salvation in favor of death.

They may say, "I want to follow God, but I really like my promiscuity." Or, "I really like having the money I gained by scamming others." Or, "I just can't cope sober."

Lies, but many will cling to them.

How many will reject a Koran they were willing to kill or die for, even when faced with Jesus himself? Or socialism? Or some other religion or philosophy they have come to identify themselves in?

But as we obey the Word, we are to come to actually know God and His Son. We are to do things on their behalf that serve their interests (love, compassion, sacrifice, giving) and not our own theology or philosophy.

Jesus obeyed God, and the truth was proven to him in power.

"Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.

"And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

"As he spake these words, many believed on him." John 8:28-30

Jesus did those things that God his Father had him do. As he did, God taught him. God was Jesus' sole source of truth.

"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31-32

Jesus did the will of God, thus God revealed Himself and His truth to Jesus. As we then keep the words of Jesus, Jesus will do the same for us.

And we will know the truth.

Not question, not doubt, but know. The Greek word for "know," (epignosko) means "Know by experience." We get the proof.

And the truth will make us free.

Yet many will choose to reject this.

"They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?

"Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

"And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever." John 8:33-35

One who makes himself his god is not free. The servant of sin will not abide in the house forever, for, as we read in II Peter, one day the "house," this universe, will melt.

But the son abideth forever, as do we, for we have clung to him!

"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." John 8:36

And you shall be free.

These are good gifts, gifts from God through his son Jesus Christ.

All good gifts come from God, evil comes from Satan. There is no in-between.

God gives life, death is an enemy from Satan.

"But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:22-23

The consequence of sin is death, but Jesus was hung on a tree to pay for our sins. And this payment was greater than all our sins, that we now stand in victory, that not of ourselves, but of God through Jesus Christ.

VICTORY IN JESUS

Jesus accomplished total victory over our enemy Satan.

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." I John 4:1

That's right. The reality of life is spiritual, not carnal, and there are many false sources of information claiming to be truth. And all these lying sources are tapped into spiritual sources, lying sources, for their philosophies and teachings.

"Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

"And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world." I John 4:2-3

How do you tell? The first way is, do they confess that Jesus was actually come in the flesh?

Some say Jesus was not the son of God, and stand against the heir of God. They are antichrist.

Some say, "well, he was here in flesh, but that was not his origin. You see, he was already around in spirit."

Yet Scripture says Jesus was "made a quickening (lifegiving) spirit," he did not start out that way. He started out the son of God begotten in the flesh, conceived of Mary.

They deny his origins were in the flesh: they are antichrist, against what he really was and did, and is and does.

Some say Jesus was perhaps a real man, but only a man: they deny the truth that he was, and therefore still is, the firstborn son of God. They are antichrist, against Christ.

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." I John 4:4

Yet in spite of all opposition, we have victory. Greater is He in us than he in the world.

Does this frighten you? It should not. We have no need to fear or dwell on Satan. While he is a roaring lion, seeking whom he may to devour, we have the victory. And as we learn to walk in truth, as we shall see in this class, we shall learn other tools we have in recognizing, neutralizing, sometimes even rebuking evil forces.

We are not to hate those who disagree, but to simply speak truth, and reach out to them the way someone reached out to us.

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

"Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

"And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" Ephesians 2:4-6

We are far above the evil one, seated in the heavenlies. As we walk therefore in love and grace, keeping the will of Jesus and thus of God, we need not fear the boogeyman of the dark.

We are more than conquerors through Christ. Walk in the Lord Jesus, and in the spiritual enablements he gives, and we need not fear the wicked one. Want to see power in your life, the power of God? It starts with these basic steps. Whatever else you need will be given as needed.

"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31

If God is on our side, does it matter who is against us? As Christians, our only concern is to bask in the love of God: we do this by seeking out Him and His way.

"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" Romans 8:32

He already gave us the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Imagine how great things God longs to do for us! All we need do is seek out the walk in that tremendous grace!

"Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

"Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." Romans 8:33-34

"Oh, I'm not good enough."

Oh, horse hooey! God justified you already: you just have to believe it and act like it.

And is the very same man who hung spiked to a tree for you going to condemn you?

No, even now he pleas on your behalf!

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

"As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." Romans 8:35-36

Oh, we're just poor little distressed Christians, led by Satan as sheep for the slaughter, right?

Nay!

"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

"Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-39

See? There is no way to lose, because when all is said and done, even if, as one preacher, John Lynn, puts it, you "fall dead, being malnourished, distressed, persecuted, naked and run through with a sword," you will rise again victorious in Christ!"

And we were given tools to fight with. God is with us. Jesus is our head. We have the holy spirit comforter. We can do all things through Christ.

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

Phillipians 4:13

We are not ignorant of Satan's devices. We are not left helpless before an enemy we cannot comprehend, who dwarfs us.

We are seated in the heavenlies.

We are given authority in the name of Jesus Christ, and literal power in the gift of holy spirit!

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

"And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

"They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

"So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

"And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen." Mark 16:15-20

Yes, the name of Jesus. It is in his holy name the devils are cast out, and when the Lord works with you, you can speak in new tongues, you will lay hands on the sick and they will recover.

Working with the Lord Jesus, if you should accidentally be poisoned or snake bitten, you can, you should, be unharmed, for the Lord is not slack regarding his commitment to you.

These things are as real for those who believe today as they were for Paul. We've seen it over and over again.

This, friends, is the authority in the name of Jesus!

FUTURE RULE OF JESUS

Jesus will soon establish his rightful place as Lord over earth.

Until then, Satan will continue to rule by deceit, but as Christians, filled with the power of God and walking in truth, we need not be subject therein.

"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

"That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;" II Thessalonians 2:1-3

We "suppress" or "withhold" the revelation of the son of perdition. Once we are "fallen away" ("out-falling") we no longer suppress him, and he will then be revealed.

"Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

"Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

"And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time." II Thessalonians 2:4-6

Now you know what keeps him suppressed. Simply put, our continued presence on earth! Why? You see, all of the mechanics of politics and society are already in place for the son of perdition to rule. Many refer to this "son of perdition" as "the antichrist." But we have read there are actually many antichrists, but only one called "son of perdition."

"For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

II Thessalonians 2:7

This word "let" is translated from the word for "suppress" in the texts. As long as we are here, we "suppress" the rule of this world. That is how much effect we have. But we will be gathered, and the son of perdition will be revealed.

Yes, we are to be taken out of the way, gathered unto Christ. Then?

"And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

"Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

"And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved." II Thessalonians 2:8-10

At the end of this time, Jesus will first call us to his side, and he will then return to rule earth.

"And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,

"And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:

"But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets." Rev. 10:5-7

After this seventh angel which blows the seventh and last trumpet, we will see the Beast and the False Profit. Before this, these religious icons, these spiritual entities, are suppressed. But after this last trump, we are called to the side of Jesus Christ. The Age of the Mystery of God, the mystery of the Body, the "Age of Grace," is finished.

"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

"In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

"For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." 1 Cor. 15:51-53

We will be called up, and the the son of perdition, the Beast, the False Prophet and the mark of the Beast will all come to pass. The mechanics are here but we have suppressed these things.

Then, after the Bema judgement of the Church, we are with Christ evermore.

He returns from the air the way he left. But there will be a mighty war, and many will reject him, as many rejected him his first time here.

"And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

"That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" II Thessalonians 2:11-12

The men on earth will be forced to choose sides. God will call men to the side of His son, and the ruler of this world, Satan, will attempt (and generally succeed) to force people to swear fealty to him via "the mark of the beast".

"And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

"And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

"And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

'And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

"And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

"And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

"And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name."

Revelations 13:11-17

We have a choice today, to accept the Lord that God raised from the dead, Jesus. And when we accept him, he will come for us, and we will meet him in the air before the day of this son of perdition.

But to those who wait, they will have to resist the power of this world in order to be saved.

Even in God will be found no absolute safety, for it is a time of wrath. It is better to accept him today.

And after great tribulation and warfare both in the natural realm and the spiritual, Jesus will triumph and establish the "Kingdom of God," on Earth during what is called the "Millennial Kingdom."

"And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

"And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

"And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh." Revelations 19:19-21

He who will ride the horse is Jesus Christ.

"And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

"And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

"And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

"And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years." Revelations 20:1-4

This will be the Millennial Kingdom. And after, one more terrible revolution against God will occur.

"And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

"And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

'And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

"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." Revelations 20:7-10

Then man will be judged. The spiritual war is over. It is time to "count the casualties."

"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." Revelations 20:11

(I believe this is the "melting of the elements" we read about in II Peter 3:10.)

"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: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." Revelations 20:12

Then the third heaven and earth will be established.

"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

"And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." Revelations 21:1-2

This will again be paradise, heaven on earth, and through Jesus Christ men and women who believe will get to the place God intended for him to be when He created Adam. There will be no tears, no sorrow, no pain, and no death.

Hallelujah!

GREATER IS HE IN YOU

Abraham was given promises. Like him we can believe and trust in God. This is how we can stand in this day of spiritual conflict between God and Satan.

"What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

"For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

"For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." Romans 4:1-3

Paul was given a better way. Like him, we can do the right thing and preach Christ.

"And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

"And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

"But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?

'But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ." Acts 9:19-22

Jesus himself, moreso even than Abraham and Paul, was faithful to the uttermost, and obeyed unto victory. In him, as Christians, we are to walk in victory, for in Jesus it is victory we have been given.

In Jesus is the truth that will make us free, and keep us righteous in this spiritual conflict.

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

"(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

"And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled." II Corinthians 10:3-6

We live in the flesh, but this is not how we wage our part in this spiritual war.

We reject our carnal ideals, our carnal patterns of living, and revenge our old ways by now being obedient to God.

When we know God wants something of us, we do it.

That is exactly how we fight!

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

"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.

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." Ephesians 6:10-13

Finally, brethren, be strong in the Lord, be strong in Jesus Christ.

Not strong in your own wisdom, but in his.

This is how we stand against our enemy.

We simply put on the whole armor of God, and walk with our Lord Jesus.

In him, in his strength, we will stand in this evil day, we will stand in this spiritual war, for in Jesus is our victory, amen?

Amen!

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