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God
judges
people
by
the
deeds
of
their
unrighteousness
God
judges
people
by
the
deeds
of
their
unrighteousness
God
judges
people
by
the
deeds
of
their
unrighteousness
God
judges
people
by
the
deeds
of
their
unrighteousness
God
judges
people
by
the
deeds
of
their
unrighteousness
God
judges
people
by
the
deeds
of
their
unrighteousness
God
judges
people
by
the
deeds
of
their
unrighteousness
God
judges
people
by
the
deeds
of
their
unrighteousness
God
judges
people
by
the
deeds
of
their
unrighteousness
God
judges
people
by
the
deeds
of
their
unrighteousness
God
judges
people
by
the
deeds
of
their
unrighteousness
God
judges
people
by
the
deeds
of
their
unrighteousness
God
judges
people
by
the
deeds
of
their
unrighteousness
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Bible says that God will Judge people according to how they lived their
righteous life on earth. Most
Christians
do not agree with it.
However, God is the most righteous judge.
Even good Christians
can not bribe, butter or deceive God. He will judge very righteously.
The topic of the final judgment of God is not a big deal to Christians.
However, Christian liberals argue their case to show that every person goes to
heaven and Christian conservatives argue their case to show that every Christian
goes to heaven. Jesus Christ taught about hell and heaven more than anybody. So,
hell or lake of fire and heaven are real. You and I will go either to heaven or
to the lake of fire. It is wise to find the truth about how to go to heaven,
rather than convincing people that they are on their way to heaven. The truth is better
than a positive attitude. It may save people from the lake of fire.
Recently, a story about the judgment of God was sent to me through e-mail. I
have heard the same story preached by a pastor eighteen years ago. This story
has been
in circulation for many years and I am afraid that it may continue to be in
circulation for many more years. The story is very convincing, but it is far
from the truth and it is deceptive. If it is just a fun story, which does not
bring any serious consequence, then it does not matter. But, this story is
deceptive, encourages people to live in complacency and sin. It brings upon them
the wrath of God and eternal damnation. So, it is important that we give the
truth about the judgment according to the word of God, so that you may
know the truth.
The judgment of God is a reality and every one
will have to face it.
"Rom 14:10
...we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ." Most preachers
do not tell the truth because the truth will not draw crowds. Instead, they make
up stories with a touch of scripture so that Christians may believe them.
Nevertheless, we rebuttal this false story and give the truth in such a way that
you may detect the errors in any such stories. Now, let us look into the story
and look at the errors as we go along.
This is the summary of the fake story. {After lived a decent life on earth, a
Christian was standing before the judgment seat of God to receive the eternal verdict.
The judge, God the Father, ordered to proceed. Satan, the
public prosecutor
(accuser of the brethren),
presented all the sinning history of the Christian and required eternal death as
the verdict. The defense attorney
(Saviour), Lord Jesus Christ, presented the following
argument. He said, "Satan was correct in saying
that this man had sinned, I won't deny any of these allegations. Yes, the wage
of sin is death, and this sinner deserves to be punished. But, I died on the
cross so that this person might have eternal life. He has accepted me as his
Savior. So, he is mine. His name is written in the book of life and no one can
snatch him from me. This man is not to be given justice, but mercy.
There is nothing else that needs to be done. I have done it all."
On hearing the defense, the Judge gave the following verdict.
"This man is free. The penalty for him is already
paid in full. Case dismissed." The sinner
is acquitted.
The sinning Christian is saved from hell by our
Saviour Jesus Christ.}
Since
most
Christians commit sin, we identify ourselves with this sinner.
As we hear the judgment, we are all happy, since we are all acquitted with him. This story has a happy ending. Every sinning
Christian is comforted. But this comfort is short lived since it is not
the truth of God. Christians write many such stories and deceive themselves.
God tells his workers to preach the word of God for doctrine and cautions them
not to preach stories for doctrine.
"2
Tim 4:2
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort
with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after
their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto
fables."
Word
of God says that false Christians desire stories (fables) to be preached, but
not the word of God.
In the story, God the
Father was the judge and Jesus Christ is the defense attorney. But according to
the Bible, Lord Jesus Christ is the judge. He is the most righteous judge, who judges by
truth and not by favor. "John
5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath
committed all judgment unto the Son: … 27
And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of
man.
Rev 16:7
...Even so, Lord God
Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments."
In the story Jesus
Christ testifies that Satan told all the truth. But according to the Bible,
Jesus Christ says, Satan has no truth in him; he is a liar and the father of it.
"John 8:44
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.
He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth,
because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of
his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."
In this story, Satan was given the status of the public prosecutor. Probably
they got this idea from the fact that he was referred as the accuser of the
brethren.
"Rev
12:10
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."
Of course, in the period of Old Testament he was accusing the brethren since he
had access to heaven. But, the above verse did not just refer Satan as the accuser of
our brethren, but it was a statement that “the accuser of our brethren is cast
down.” The time Satan was cast down was the time of “the power of his Christ,”
which happened at the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
"Phil
2:8
And
being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto
death, even the death of the cross.
9
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above
every name:
10
That
at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in
earth, and things under the earth;
11
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of
God the Father."
So we, as New Testament believers, do not have to face what Job went through.
Satan is cast down for the last two thousand years from heaven and from the
presence of God. He can no more accuse anybody to God.
Further more, Satan will be thrown into the Lake of Fire even before the judgment of
Christ begins.
"Rev
20:10
… 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.
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."
Most Christians think that Satan is the master of hell. Christians even think
that Satan will punish Christians in hell. No, No, No!!! Satan will be punished
in hell and he will be burned in the lake of fire, for all his lies and
deceptions.
Such stories are not only the outcome of ignorance
but also the fabrications by sin loving false teachers, who are servants of
Satan.
"2 Cor 11:13
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the
apostles of Christ. 14
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great
thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness;
whose end shall be according to their works."
Outwardly they serve God, but truthfully they serve Satan for their own profit
and fame. God will judge them for their
deception at the end.
Most Christians do not believe in the judgment of
God, but they think they go to heaven by the mercy of God. Among those who
believe in the judgment, most think that either Jesus Christ stands before them
or his blood covers them at the judgment of God. That is, they think the Lord
Jesus Christ will appear before the judgment seat for Christians as a proxy for
them and God the Father, seeing the sinless Jesus Christ standing on criminal
stand, declared the verdict as not guilty. Such stories are preached to make the
judgment of God ineffective or void. Hell is not a topic of concern for
Christians.
Christians believe that
after death
they all go to heaven automatically. If you doubt this, please visit a few Christian funeral homes, hear the
messages, or ask the pastor whether the person just passed away goes to hell or
to heaven. Those who mourn the death of the person, mourns the physical
separation by death, but never for a concern of whether the person attained
heaven or hell. It is taken for granted that the person attained heaven. If you
still doubt this, you may visit a few churches and enquire whether any of its
members goes to hell after death. You will find that they all go to heaven. Even
if any of them have a problem, they have a very simple formula to correct it and
make the person qualify for heaven. If you have a concern about going to heaven, they fix
it for you also.
God saves those who strive to obey his commandments
and he punishes those who do not obey. "Heb
5:9 .. he became the author of eternal
salvation unto all them that obey him; 2
Thes 1:7… the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from
heaven with his mighty angels, 8
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that
obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
.
Rev 22:14 Blessed are
they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of
life,.."
So, the factor that determines whether to enter heaven is the
obedience to the commandments (gospel) of Jesus Christ. The gospel of our
Lord Jesus Christ is the gospel preached by the Lord Jesus Christ.
"Heb 2:3
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first
began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard
him;
Matt 4:23
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and
preaching the gospel of the kingdom,..Matt
28:19 Go ye
therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and,
lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
Preaching Jesus Christ is the introduction of the author
of the gospel. Preach the gospel is to preach the commandments of Jesus
Christ to people to obey it in order to inherit the kingdom of God, which is the good news.
The Lord Jesus Christ will
be the judge at the final judgment. "Matt
16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the
glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man
according to his works." The Lord Jesus Christ
will be the most righteous judge and he will judge all people according to what
they have done and not according to what they say.
"Romans 2:5
But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath
against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
6 Who will
render to every man according to his deeds:
2 Cor 5:10 …we must all appear before the
judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in
his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Matt 7:21 Not every
one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;
but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."
The final judgment by the
righteous Judge the Lord Jesus Christ is seen in the following verses.
"Rev 20:11 …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: 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."
There are no witnesses to hear the case but some books
are opened. The works, good and bad, of all people are written in one set of
books and the people are judged according to what they have done.
The names of those who feared the Lord, who have the mind of the Lord
and the
overcomers
are written in another book
that is called book of life.
"Mal 3:16
Then they that feared the LORD spake often one
to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of
remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and
that thought upon his name. 17
And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my
jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Rev 3:5
He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in
white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life,
but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels."
The names of sinners are blot out from this book.
"Ex 32:33
And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I
blot out of my book.
Rev 21:27
And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither
whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which
are written in the Lamb's book of life.
Rev 22:19
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy,
God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy
city, and from the things which are written in this book."
This book is also referred for judgment. If the name
of a person is not in this book, this person is thrown into the lake of fire.
"Rev 20:15
And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the
lake of fire." In short, past sins are
forgiven to them who overcame sins and they enter the kingdom of heaven.
"Rom 3:25
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to
declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past,
through the forbearance of God;
Rev 3:21
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also
overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne."
Christians think that salvation is to get the verdict of acquittal at the
judgment of God. Jesus Christ says that as long as a person is in sin he/she is
not saved, but face eternal death. Salvation is an escape from sin. A person who
escaped sin will do the works of righteousness. Heaven and the glory in heaven
are given as the reward for the works of righteousness. Those who are
unrighteous will receive their rewards in the lake of fire.
Christians are taught to
say that they are saved while they are serving sin. They are deceived by false
teachers. Listen to the statement of Jesus Christ himself: “John
8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily,
I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
Listen to the statement of Apostle Paul:
Romans 6:16 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?
Listen to the statement of Apostle Peter:
2Peter 2:19 While they promise them liberty, they
themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of
the same is he brought in bondage.
Listen to the statement of Apostle John:
1John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil;
for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God
was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. The
Son of God will destroy the sinning of his people that is caused by the devil.
This is the salvation of God. "Matt
1:21 ... thou shalt call his name JESUS: for
he shall save his people from their sins."
Bottom line is that we have to be saved from sin itself. Present day Christians
are not saved from the bondage of sin, but are taught to proclaim
themselves as saved. This is the subtle deception of the devil. They are
taught to say that they have accepted Jesus Christ as the Lord and Saviour,
but not to obey his commandments.
"Luke
6:46
And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"
They will not become servants of Jesus Christ, but will still remain as the
servants of sin. They call Jesus Christ as Saviour. They think that Jesus Christ
will keep them in their sins and will take them to heaven. They are taught to
say the lies of the devil and they believe those lies. They should know that all
liars will go to hell.
“Rev
22:14
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to
the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15
For
without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and
idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
Rev
21:8
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and
whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have
their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the
second death.”
Most Christians live in lies, because of the deception of Satan. Jesus Christ
says that the blind and those who follow the blind both will fall into the
ditch. God cursed not only Satan but also Eve and Adam. The deceiver as well as
the deceived is punished.
As the people are saved
from their sins, they will be doing the works of righteousness.
"Romans 6:18
Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness."
These righteous people will be rewarded for their righteous works.
This reward is heaven and the glory which will be given to them. At the same
time the ungodly people will have their part in the lake of fire.
"Rev 21:7
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall
be my son. 8 But the
fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers,
and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake
which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Rev 22:12
And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man
according as his work shall be." The judgment will be a
reward
ceremony
for the righteous works or for the unrighteous works of the people which they
did while they lived on earth.
The Bible says that the Lord Jesus
Christ advocates, intercedes, and mediates with God the Father. But, he will
also be the Judge in the final judgment. Let us see how he does it all.
Most Christians think that Jesus Christ is an
advocate as our attorneys are. Our attorneys favor their clients and work for
their fees and fame. But the Lord Jesus Christ is holy and righteous. He is not a
respecter of persons. He does not have brokers (ministers) to receive any fee.
"Matt 10:7
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
8 Heal the sick, cleanse the
lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give."
You can neither give money to God nor convince God
by giving money to evangelists, pastors, churches, etc.
"1John
2:1 My little children, these things write
I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an
advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:" The first
portion of the verse says that the word of God is written with the purpose that
his people should not commit sin. So, God’s people strive to live without sin.
"Luke 13:24
Strive to enter in at the strait gate:" The
second portion of the verse says that if any man sin, which denotes that the
rest of the people in this group do not commit sin. Jesus Christ is the advocate
only to such
people, if anyone sin among those who strive not to commit sin, but he is not
advocate to all Christians. Further, he will be the Righteous
Judge in the final judgment, but not an attorney.
"Romans
8:34 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." The verse says that
nobody can condemn us since Jesus Christ intercedes for us. Who
are these “US?” Are they Christians, or everybody in the whole world, or whoever
read this verse? Let us look at the preceding verses.
"Romans 8:29
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image
of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he
also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified,
them he also glorified. 31
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against
us?" God foreknow and approved a group of people who will live as
Jesus lived while he was a man. God calls them and makes them righteous as Jesus was
righteous as a man. Jesus Christ intercedes for them and God will glorify them
as he glorified Jesus Christ. "Heb
12:14 …holiness, without which no man shall see
the Lord: Heb
7:25 …he is able also to save them to the
uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make
intercession for them." Jesus Christ
intercedes for those who come to God through him with holiness. That is, he intercedes for
those who come to God with righteous works that is holiness.
God the Father so loved the whole world, he sent
'God the Word' to become a man as his beloved Son and to die for the whole
world, as a propitiation for sinners. God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
wish that all people are saved. God the Father gives grace and power through
Jesus Christ and uses him as the mediator between him and men.
"1Tim 2:3
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and
to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5
For there is one God, and one mediator
between God and men, the man Christ Jesus:"
So, as the mediator Jesus Christ preached
the truth as
his gospel (good news) to make the people free. "John
8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed
on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the
truth shall make you free." Believers should continue to obey the
word of God in order to become the disciple of God. Then they will know the
truth. The Truth will make them free.
The Lord Jesus Christ, who is God, will judge
righteously without favoritism.
Romans 2:11 For
there is no respect of persons with God.
12 For as many as have sinned without law shall
also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged
by the law; Acts 10:34
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no
respecter of persons: 35
But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is
accepted with him. Matt 7:21
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of
heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Rev 16:7 And I heard
another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous
are thy judgments."
Jesus Christ rewards obedient servants
while taking vengeance on disobedient people. "Matt
19:28 ... Jesus said unto them, Verily I say
unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the
Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon
twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29 And every one that hath forsaken
houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or
lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit
everlasting life. 2 Tim 2:11
It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also
live with him: 12
If we suffer,
we shall also reign with him:
if we deny him, he also will deny us:
Rev 3:21 To
him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even
as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
2 Thess 1:8 In flaming
fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the
gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9
Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction."
God the Father has initiated all things from the beginning, even our
salvation plan.
"Heb 10:7
Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do
thy will, O God... 9
Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God." So, it is not
proper to think that we need 'God the Son' in the middle to convince 'God the
Father' to favor us. If only we learn to understand the scripture verses in
their contexts then, there will be no confusion.
The salvation of men was ordained by God the
Father even before the foundation of the world. "1Peter
1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of
a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20
Who verily was foreordained before the
foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you."
'The Most High God' gave 'God the Word' to the world as his 'only
begotten son' so that the world may be saved. "John
3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his
only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life." God the Father desire that
all people be saved. "1
Tim 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the
sight of God our Saviour; 4
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the
truth." It is the good pleasure of God the father to give the kingdom to
the little flock, which is the flock of the Lord Jesus Christ.
"Luke 12:32
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the
kingdom." So, God the Father is for his people.
God the Father will
judge nobody and the Lord Jesus Christ will be the judge. However, the
Son will judge according to the will of the Father.
There will be no lawyers. "John
5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath
committed all judgment unto the Son: 27
And hath given him authority to execute
judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
30 I can of mine
own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because
I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me
Acts 10:42 And he commanded us to preach unto the
people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the
Judge of quick and dead. Romans 2:16
In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according
to my gospel. 2Tim 4:1
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall
judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
John 8:16 And
yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the
Father that sent me." Thus the will of God
the Father will be executed in the final Judgment.
Satan is always glorified in such false stories.
Christians do not discern it, but believe the stories. So, it is proper to
explain the Bible facts about Satan and his ways to Christians so that they may
detect Satan and his made up stories.
God created Satan as a cherub, an angel. God
anointed him as the covering archangel. God made him wise and perfect with
beauty. Satan had access to the Garden of Eden, even to the mount of God.
"Ezek 28:12
...Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.
13 Thou hast been in
Eden the garden of God; every precious stone
was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and
the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the
workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that
thou wast created. 14
Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have
set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and
down in the midst of the stones of fire. 15
Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day
that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee."
Satan, the beautiful wise covering archangel, was perfect in all his ways until
he deceive Eve at the Garden of Eden. Eve deceived Adam without even knowing
that she was deceiving her own husband.
God cursed all three of them. Some Christians consider Satan as a rival to God
and an enemy of equal status with God. They do not realize that Satan is also a
creation of God. Satan, Adam and Eve, all stood before God in the same status
of created beings, and God cursed them. However, Satan has more power than
man since he is an angel, a spirit being. That does not mean that Christians
should give undue respect to Satan.
Many books are written either to say that Satan is
god of hell or Satan rules in hell. Most Christians believe it. The famous epic,
'Paradise Lost' put words in the mouth of Satan to say, "It is better to reign
in hell than to serve in heaven." Milton presents this statement as a motto of
Satan and Satan made the statement while he was giving a speech to the angels
that followed him. But, John Milton presents Satan as a rebel and not as a king.
But some readers misunderstood the epic, and think that Satan is the ruler of
hell. But Satan was and still is a criminal, who will end up in the lake of fire
for his crimes.
The name Abaddon (Hebrew) or Apollyon (Greek) appears as the angel who serves
God in the Bible, who is king in the bottomless pit.
This
king is not Satan, but he is an angel and a servant of God. Yet Christians are
taught that this angel is Satan.
"Rev
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 hath his
name Apollyon."
Satan is a fallen angel, evil spirit, a devil. God created hell to punish the devil in the everlasting fire, not to make him a king in
hell.
"Matt
25:41
... into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:"
God cursed Satan at the Garden of Eden as soon as he deceived Eve. But, God did
not cast him out of heaven at that time. It gave Satan chances to accuse the
brethren to God. But, God did not curse the brethren in the fashion as
he cursed Satan, Adam and Eve. So, Satan continued his efforts to kindle
people against God and his beloved son, Jesus Christ and took an active part in
his crucifixion.
"John
8:40
But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have
heard of God: this did not Abraham.
41
Ye
do the deeds of your father.
44
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will
do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the
truth,...
Luke
22:3
Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the
twelve.
4
And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he
might betray him unto them."
Jesus was crucified and dead. God raised Jesus
from the dead. God made him Lord, Christ and God. "Acts
2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know
assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord
and Christ. Rev 12:5
And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of
iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne."
At the glorification of Jesus as Lord and
Christ, God send the archangel Michael and cut down Satan and his followers from
the heaven of God. Their place in heaven was destroyed and they will have no
more access to heaven. They are confined to earth, sky (heaven of earth) and
surroundings. So, the accuser of the brethren was cast down.
"Rev 12:7
... there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon;
and the dragon fought and his angels, 8
And prevailed not; neither was their place found any
more in heaven. 9
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent,
called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out
into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
10 And I heard a
loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the
kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our
brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night."
So, for the last two thousand years, there has been no accuser of
brethren before God. As usual, even before his crucifixion, Jesus Christ told his
disciples about the casting down of Satan and he gave them power over all evil
spirits. "Luke 10:18
... 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."
Lucifer had no knowledge of how God
will set a precedent for humans to inherit his kingdom.
But, he would have guessed that the plan of God will be fulfilled through Jesus
Christ and God would raise Jesus
Christ
above all. Satan wanted to stop
the plan of God and desired to get the place of the Son of God in heaven. Without knowing how God would
raise Jesus Christ to the top, Satan took an active part in the crucifixion of
Jesus to destroy the plan of God, where as the crucifixion was the plan of God.
"Gen
3:15
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her
seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
1Cor
2:7
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."
He was too proud that he wanted to sit in the high place. So, he bruised the heels
of the seed of woman, Jesus of Nazareth, at the cross. Therefore, God cut the
devil to the ground and
the devil
will be locked into hell for a thousand years.
"Isaiah
14:12
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou
cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13
For thou hast said in thine heart,
I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of
God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides
of the north:
14
I
will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
15
Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit."
Jesus Christ characterizes the devil primarily as
the liar and a murderer. Also, the devil is identified as the father of religious people,
including ungodly Christians and even Jews. "John
8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and
the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the
beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he
speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of
it. Acts 13:10
And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou
enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the
Lord?"
The inherent
desire of people is to enjoy everything including the things God has told
them not to do. Somehow, Christianity offers people license to enjoy the things
that God told them not to do, escape hell and go to heaven.
But, if they believe what God says, they will fear God and obey God. So, the
devil preaches another gospel which has no fear. He teaches simple counterfeit
salvations to declare sinning
people
as saved.
"2Cor 11:13
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the
apostles of Christ. 14
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his
ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall
be according to their works." But, the Bible says that the true gospel is
the gospel preached by the Lord Jesus Christ.
Satan and his followers are
evangelizing the world with another gospel which has neither fear of God nor obedience
to God but the love of God toward all Christians, whereas the Lord Jesus Christ
calls us to obey and fear God. "Luke
12:4 …Be not afraid of them that kill the body,
and after that have no more that they can do. 5
But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear:
Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I
say unto you, Fear him. John 14:15
If ye love me, keep my commandments. 24
He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings. 2
Thess 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on
them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus
Christ:"
Satan continues to rebel against God. Because of
his rebellion, when Jesus Christ starts his thousand year rule, Satan will be
bound in hell for thousand years. "Rev
20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven,
having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old
serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut
him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more,
till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a
little season." At the end of the thousand years, God will let Satan go
free from hell. "Rev
20:7 And when the thousand years are expired,
Satan shall be loosed out of his prison" Satan will deceive people
again and will start a war. At this time God will throw Satan into the lake of
fire. "Rev 20:10
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."
Satan, the devil, the Old Serpent, was thrown into
the lake of fire, and then God will destroy the earth and heaven. Then the Lord
Jesus Christ, God of gods and Lord of lords starts the judgment to the people.
"Rev 20:11
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: and the dead were judged
out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works."
So, when the judgment starts, Satan will not be the public prosecutor
(accuser of brethren)
arguing cases in equal status with the Lord Jesus Christ, but he will be busy
burning in the lake of fire.
The word of God admonishes that the man of
God must preach the word to reprove, rebuke, exhort with the doctrine of Jesus
Christ. But the same word says that people will bring false
preachers to teach them stories (fables) and the false teachers will turn
the people away from the truth of God. How true is the word of God!!!
“1Peter 4:11
If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; …
2 Tim 4:2 Preach the
word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all
longsuffering and doctrine. 3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but
after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching
ears; 4 And
they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto
fables.”
The
truth of God is not necessarily the things we believe with our common sense. As
we believe God, we should continue to study his word to obey them. If we
continue to obey Jesus Christ, then we will become his disciples. Then only, we will know his truth.
This truth will set us free. "John
8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which
believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples
indeed; 32
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
Evangelical formulas will set nobody free. Ceremonial or religious worships will
set nobody free. Good (little white) lies will set nobody free. The truth of God,
which will be understood by the humble obedient people, will set them free.
"Matt 1:21
... call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their
sins." As we become free, we will live a holy life. Then, the
judgment day will be a day of ceremony of rewards.
Let me remind you about the false story that
started this article. The grant finally of that story is the following verdict:
"This man is free. The penalty for him has
already been paid in full. Case dismissed." This is a very good Christian
cliché, rather than the truth of the Bible. Most Christians accept this as
the truth because this idea is often repeated to Christians in different forms. The truth in this
matter, according to the word of God, is this. All of us are born as
sinners. But we have to be delivered (saved) from our sins, by receiving
the grace of God, and by receiving grace upon grace from God as the Spirit of
God lead us. If we are lead of the Spirit of God we will be
delivered from sin and we will become the sons of
God. If we are sons of God we are heirs of God and then we inherit the kingdom
of God. "Matt 1:21 thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people
from their sins.
Romans 8:13
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do
mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
17 And if children,
then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer
with him, that we may be also glorified together."
If we are children, then judgment will be the ceremony of our official adoption
into the family of God in heaven. God's children will look like the glorified
Lord Jesus Christ, shining as a sun. This judgment will be a proclamation of
rejoicing.
"1 Cor 15:54
So when this corruptible shall have put on
incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then
shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in
victory.
55 O death, where is thy
sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the
law.
57
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ."
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