1. THE APOSTASY OF SATAN
Where did Sin originate? Could it have been prohibited? Why does sin exist today? Each of these questions can be answered. There need be no perplexity. What does the Bible say?
Did God
create the devil?
There is not scripture to indicate God created a devil. All that God created was good and perfect.
Whom
did God create?
“Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast
created, till iniquity was
found in thee.”
Ezekiel 28:15.
Note: In this chapter the Prince of Tyrus represents Lucifer. This is a prophecy of the literal King of Tyre, but a careful a careful study shows it has a wider meaning because of certain inferences such as “Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God.”
Ezekiel 28:13, first part.
What
was Lucifer’s position before he sinned?
“Thou
art the anointed cherub [Angel] that
covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast
upon the holy
Ezekiel 28:14, first part.
He is called the “covering cherub” in Ezekiel 28:16. Because of his position near to God’s throne he seems to have been the leader of the angels.
How did
Lucifer become the devil?
“Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.”
Ezekiel 28:17, first part.
“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.
Note:
Here Satan is presented under the figure of the King of Babylon. Just as God
was the King behind
What
did Satan’s apostasy lead him to do?
“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels.”
Revelation 12:7.
What
was the result of this battle in heaven?
“And
prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 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.”
Revelation 12:8, 9.
This corresponds to what Jesus said, “And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.”
Luke 10:18.
Where
is the devil now?
“Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”
Revelation 12:12.
What is
Satan doing on earth?
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
1 Peter 5:8.
Conclusion
The controversy between Christ and
Satan continues on earth. The devil is especially angry with the person who endeavors
to keep God’s commandments (Revelation
2. HOW MAN SINNED
Sin Originated when Lucifer and his angels forsook their allegiance to God. When they were cast out of heaven (Revelation 12:9). Satan devised a plan to get man to follow him. This is what the controversy between Christ and Satan is all about. Both are seeking converts.
What
did the serpent do in the Garden of Eden where man was?
“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die.”
Genesis 3:1-4.
Note: The serpent was the medium by which Satan attracted Eve’s attention. He handled truth loosely. He knew they could eat of the trees but he tried to make it appear God had forbidden this. When Eve told him it was only the fruit of the tree in the midst of the garden they were not to eat or touch lest they die then Satan contradicted God and told a lie. “Ye shall not surely die.”
Whom did Adam and Eve believe, God or the
serpent?
“And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”
Genesis 3:6.
Because
Adam sinned how did this affect the human race?
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”
Romans 5:12. Read Romans 3:23; 1 Corinthians 15:22, first part.
What is
sin?
“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”
1 John 3:4. Read Romans 4:15.
God’s law helps us to know what sin
is (Romans
Conclusion
Disobedience to God’s command was sin in the Garden of Eden. That same principle holds true today. However, a person need not continue to disobey and sin. Whenever a person sins he makes that choice. Read Joshua 24:15.
3. WHY DID GOD PERMIT SIN?
Many have been perplexed because sin and its author, Satan, still exist. Some even charge God with the responsibility for it since He permitted sin. God is good, merciful, and all powerful but He is also love. Each created being was endowed with freedom of choice. God wants people to serve Him because they choose to do so and not because they cannot do otherwise.
Why
didn’t God kill the devil when he first sinned and prevent sin from entering
this world?
“God is
love” 1 John 4:8.
Note: The government of God is based on love. If God had destroyed Satan immediately heavenly beings would have served him through fear. Free moral agents were given time to judge the nature of Satan’s rebellion.
Read Hebrews
Note: Christ’s life and death exposed Satan’s true nature and the results of sin. Thus in the proper time God will be able to destroy Satan and sin with the consent of the universe.
Will
the devil be destroyed?
“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.”
Hebrews 2:14.
Note: Since Christ has not yet returned, the time has not come for Satan’s destruction. God is permitting Satan to run his course. Furthermore, the destruction of the devil will not take place until everyone has had the opportunity to choose to accept Christ and live forever. Satan’s destruction will take place before the earth is recreated after the second coming of Jesus.
Can we
be successful in the battle against the devil, if so, how?
“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.”
Ephesians 6:10, 11.
Note: Read Ephesians 6:12-18 where the apostle talks of the necessity of putting on the entire armor of God. It is made up of seven parts and is the assurance of victory. It consists of truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the Bible, and prayer.
How can
we overcome the devil’s temptations?
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
James 4:7.
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Philippians 4:13.
Note: You can live right even though the devil is constantly around to tempt.
But how? You can be victorious by surrendering your will to Christ. Take courage, Christ was tempted in all points, yet He never sinned. There is victory over the devil by following the instruction found in Isaiah. “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.”
Isaiah 45:22.
Conclusion
God’s original purpose will one day be fulfilled. There will be a sinless world. God’s hand has been placed upon the nations as the Bible says “This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations. For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? And his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?” Isaiah 14:26, 27. As the conflict between Christ and Satan continues God’s purpose and plan for man is being developed. Read John 3:16, 17. Put your will on God’s side for victory over sin “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.” 1 John 4:4.
4. GODS PLAN FOR THE RESTORATION
OF MAN
The Creator made man upright (Ecclesiastes
In
“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.”
Genesis 3:15.
Note: When
man sinned, Christ who created all things, (John 1:3) offered to die
for him. Christ offered to pay the wages of sin and in this sense he was the “the Lamb slain from the foundation
of the world.” Revelation
13:8, last part.
Read 1 Peter 1:18-20.
Of whose seed was man’s deliverer to come?
The seed of woman was to bruise the serpents head (Genesis
Was Christ made of a woman?
“But when the
fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under
the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the
adoption of sons.”
Galatians 4:4, 5.
“Wherefore
in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and
faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for
the sins of the people.”
Hebrews 2:17.
When Christ was born of Mary did He partake of Mary’s
nature?
“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.”
Hebrews 2:14.
Note: The
Bible plainly states he took upon Himself human nature “yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15. He became weary (John
4:6). He became hungry (Mathew 4:2). He became thirsty (John
What is Christ’s relationship to both God and man?
“Let this mind
be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God,
thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation,
and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto
death, even the death of the cross.”
Philippians 2:5-8.
Note:
Christ was in the form of God but he took the form of man. He who was equal
with God became equal with man. He was Creator and Lord but He became creature
and servant. He who was God became man and flesh (John 1:1, 14).
What was Christ made?
He was made flesh (John
What prompted Christ’s entrance into the human family?
“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.” John 3:16.
Note: When
Jesus died on the cross He paid the death penalty for our sins. This makes
forgiveness and eternal life possible for those who by faith accept His blood.
Read Romans
3:23; 1 Peter 2:24; Romans 3:24, 25.
What assurance is there that Christ can help me to meet
temptations successfully?
“Wherefore in
all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a
merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make
reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered
being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.”
Hebrews 2:17, 18.
Conclusion
Christ came to seek after and then to save lost men and woman (Luke