Peace and grace to you in Jesus name!
Today I will answer two questions from folks who have written with provacative questions having to do with both the church and the end times. First, a short note on our Web sites. Brandy is only a few days away from getting the revised Comfort Israel Web site up and running. This week she is scheduled to take classes on the new iMac computer which will help us get the Prophetic Sword Web site posted within approx. 3 weeks. In the meanwhile, Please consider sending this Blog site link to your email lists: http://www.lastdaysreview.blogspot.com/
Question #1 is from a dear lady that sent the following request for information.
She writes "We have a pastor in training at our church who told us that there in no actual entity who is "satan". I do not feel that this is entirely correct, and even my husband tells me that his existence is contested by many. He says that the Old Testament talks of an "adversary" while the New Testament talks of satan and demons. So there was no satan in the garden, and there is no discussion of lucifer being expelled from heaven. Can you tell me what you think?"
Signed: GW
My answer:
Dear GW
1). Regarding your young pastors statement that there is no actual entity who is "satan"!
There are in fact 53 very clear and distinct references to "satan" in the Bible (KJV). Of these, 35 are in the New Testament and 18 are in the Old Testament. The O.T. scriptures that list "satan" are in 1 Chronicles 21:1, several in Job, many of which God Himself is having a very in depth conversation with "satan". Also "satan" is seen in Psalm 109:6 (some bibles use the word "accuser" rather than satan) and ZECHARIAH 3:1-2.
2). There are some people that contest the very existance of "satan" but frankly I have found in over 25 years of full time ministry in several countries, that those who say there is no "satan" will also tell you that there is no "hell" and if pressed for an answer will also tell you that the Bible itself is not really the Word of God. In my opinion, these statements are generally made by people that have never actually read and studied the entirety of the Bible for themselves and in many cases cannot accept the very existence of God because if they do then they must also face their own responsibilities "TO THAT GOD"!
That does not change the fact of 2 Timothy 3:16 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work"!
If the existance of "satan" is denied by anyone, particularly a man of God, then he must also deny the very existance of God who is the one that says "satan" exists in His Holy Word.
3). Job 2:7 tells us the "satan" went out from the presence of God------"!
4). Regarding the word "ADVERSARY". There are 22 references to the word "adversary" in the Bible. Many of these are actually refering to phyisical people who are "an adversary" to another person or to Israel. However 1 Peter 5:8 also specifically identifies the "adversary" as the devil. "Be sober, be vigilent; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour"
5). Revelation 12:9 tells us specifically that "satan" was cast out of heaven. Revelations Chapter 12 verses 7-9 tell the story: " And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, "THE SERPENT OF OLD", CALLED THE DEVIL AND SATAN, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him"!
6). Revelation 20:2 also describes "satan"--- as the dragon, the serpent, the devil and "satan". "He (verse 1---an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the bottomless pit) laid hold of the dragon, THAT SERPENT OF OLD, who is the devil and satan------!
7). Genesis 3:1 describes the "serpent" who we already know is the serpent of old from Revelation 12:9. Genesis 3:1-7 tells the story of the serpent---called the devil and satan (Rev 12:9) deceiving Eve and untimately Adam, leading them into sin. Genesis 3:14-15 describe God's punishment for the serpent which includes affliction by the womans seed (we know that this seed is the Messiah---Jesus Christ) , verse 15 "----He (the seed) will bruise your head and you (satan) will bruise His (Christ's) heal"! 2 Corinthians 11:3 confirms that Eve was deceived by the serpent: Paul speaking---"But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ"!
8). Serpents are generally used in the Bible as a sign for evil.
9).Romans 16:20 confirms that the crushing of "satans" head (the serpent of old) WILL take place and it will be God---Christ that does it. "And the God of peace will crush satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen"
10). Luke 10:18 confirms that JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF saw satan fall from heaven. Red letters= Christ speaking in scripture---"I saw satan fall like lightening from heaven".
11). Regarding "lucifer" and the statement that "there is no (Biblical) discussion of "lucifer" being expelled from heaven: Isaiah 14:12 specifically speaks of "lucifer's" fall from heaven: "How you are fallen from heaven O lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations"!
GW, it is abundantly clear through scripture that there is a "satan", he did fall from heaven and that "satan's" other names include dragon, devil and adversary.
I hope this helps. You might remind anyone who asks you that ultimate spiritual truth can only be verified through ONE source, Holy Scripture!
Question#2 is from a sweet lady in Canada who relayed a question from her daughter and son in law:
Hi pastor Rance,
My daughter is sooo worried about the end times and being a new woman in Christ, she has many questions. She has read the woes In the Bible and is worried about the woe to those carrying babies in their arms. She can't remember where it is in the bible and I can't find it either. They are wondering about starting a family and that verse is bothering her. Could you please tell us where to find it and also if you could please give us your opinion, it would be a blessing for her.
Signed: RC
Please tell your daughter and son in law to have that baby and dedicate him or her unto the Lord without fear. The issue is THEIR relationship with the Lord and if that is in place then their children are sanctified. The specific scripture that she is refering to is found in Chapter 24 of Mathew verses 15-28. In this context Jesus is SPECIFICALLY speaking to the Jews and to believers that accept the Lord AFTER THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH. Verse 15 sets the stage because it says "Therefore when you see the abominnation of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet,standing in the Holy Place" and then it goes on to talk about nursing babies and so forth.
Daniel the prophet speaks in Chapter 9 verse 27 about the future antichrist who will confirm a covenant with many for one week. In Bible speak that means that the antichrist will work out a peace deal between Israel and Her neighbors for one week which prophetically speaking---in reality is a 7 year period of time---the tribulation years just prior to the Lord coming back to stop the battle of armageddon. Now going back to Daniel chapter 9:27, the prophet talks about the very abomination of desolation that Jesus spoke about in Mathew Chapter 24:15-28. Daniel SPECIFICALLY states that this abomination of desolation will occur in the "middle of the week" or once again in Bible speak, 3 1/2 years into the 7 years of tribulation.
In the meanwhile, 2 Thessalonians 2:7-8 tells us that the rapture of the church happens just prior to the revealing of the antichrist. Please tell your dughter and son in law to "FEAR NOT" (2 Timothy 1:7), because I do not believe they will ever see the antichrist while they are on this earth, The Lord will come for His bride (the church) prior to that time including ALL the children of believers who are sanctified by their believing parents. There are references in Revelation chapters 19 & 21 to the Bride coming back to earth with Jesus at His second coming. I believe that the actual rapture happens in Chapter 4 of Revelation and the church is never again mentioned in the book of revelation until it speaks of the Lambs wife in chapter 19:7. RIGHT AFTER THAT, the Lord returns to the earth beginning in verse 11.
Someone reading Revelation may become confused because Chapter 7:9-17 speaks about a GREAT MULTITUDE who have obviously been killed for their faith during the tribulation years and are now standing before the Throne of God arrayed in white robes that have been made white in the blood of the Lamb. Some people mistakenly think that this is the church that had to go through the tribulation. That however is distinctly incorrect. The church has already been raptured and those spoken about in Revelation chapter 7 are those (both Jew and Gentile) who have come to faith DURING THE TRIBULATION YEARS and paid for their faith with their lives at the hands of the antichrist.
I hope this helps. As they say in the country, trust in the King and "BIRTH THEM BABIES AND PRAISE GOD"!!!
I will be out of town for the remainder of the week so my next article will post on Monday March 1.
God bless you all and keep the faith.
