Written by Peter Reekie

Brethren Of Christ Articles - Articles Expounding Biblical Subjects

Because people have little time for God and his word, they ignore checking just what the Bible says; and instead prefer to accept what they are told. The following passage, which are taken from the literature supplied by one of the 'Christian' churches, illustrates how confused they are, and how their beliefs conflict with the Bible teaching.

“Satan deceived one-third of the angels of heaven into rebelling against God. He tried to throw God off his throne and was consequently cast down by God to the earth where we now find him trying to deceive Adam and Eve into rebelling against God."

Now nowhere in the Bible do we find these words, so how came these teachings? They come from people who do not understand what God has revealed and therefore make up things to suit themselves! Harsh words you may think, but see the proof in the following details. Revelation 1:1, “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John." Read the verse however you like, and no-way can it refer to things in the past. Anything it contains is connected to events subsequent to the time of the Revelation. Bearing this in mind, let us then turn to Revelation 12. Any intelligent reader will soon appreciate that it is what it purports to be, a sign representation or symbols of things. The nature of any symbolic writings requires that the sign and the things signified be analogous, but different. This being so we must look not to the natural heaven but the political heaven or aerial. However when we read verses 7,8 and 9 which are "And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.” Verse 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." We find the 'church' had changed this to mean it is describing what happened at the beginning of Creation! In verse 3 we read that the dragon, which was red, "having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his head." Now have you seen any such illustration depicting 'Satan'? Of course not, for they are symbols connected with the future adversarial system that will oppose Christ on his return. Check for yourself in Revelation 17:9-18.

Accepting the fact that you may still not accept they are wrong, let us continue with their teaching for a moment. Jude v.6 "And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgement of the great day". Let us be quite clear and positive about what the passages have NOT implied. It does not say the Devil and his angels were 'free agents' able to move about as they will, between 'heaven' and 'earth'. Quite the opposite in fact, so look now at Luke l0:18, "And (Jesus) said unto (his disciples), I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.” This is obviously absurd if he was already cast to earth and no opportunity given for him to return! Matthew 11:12.

In Isaiah God reveals that there is no one like him, Isaiah 40:25. "To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? Saith the Holy One." Isaiah 45:5 "I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me." Isaiah 46:9 "for I am God and there is none else; I am God and there is none like me." Only God’s presence is everywhere. Jeremiah 23:24 "Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? Saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? Saith the LORD.” (Also Proverbs 15:3). God is all seeing, all powerful, the ONLY ONE possessing these attributes. Yet, we see these 'churches' proclaiming that Satan has the same power, It is THEY that are elevating Satan to be equal with God. It is THEY who degrade God by ignoring Psalm 9:16, 119:62 and 2 Peter 3:9, saying that he has made a pact with Satan. 1 Timothy 1:20, "Of whom is Hymenǽus and Alexander: whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme." Will provide ample evidence that Satan does not mean what the 'churches' teach, and why they become reliant on the explanation 'It's a Mystery' for so much of what The Bible reveals. These words are not however without significance. Revelation l7:5 brings home with incredible impact the 'MYSTERY' significance, showing that the identity of the beast (17:3) is the same as Satan of Revelation 12 by word of explanation in verses 9,12, 16 and 18 of Revelation 17.