Tag: Satan

Studies

Exposing the Millennium Reign Doctrine – Part 3

Pete

Exposing the Millennium Reign Doctrine – Part 3

“The Destruction of Satan”

The focus of this study is to expose and correct a twisting of Scriptures regarding Satan that is necessary to support the false doctrine of an outward Millennium Reign.

When one fails to keep the sound principles of rightly dividing the Word, a lie such as an outward millennium reign by Christ on a physical earth is easily spewed forth from our carnal lusts.  When this leaven creeps in, it brings with it even more lies and false doctrines including denying the Second Death, perverting the two resurrections all men experience and twisting the plan of God for the ages into another gospel entirely.

2Ti 4:3  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; [tickle their ears, tell them what they want their flesh love to hear]

2Ti 4:4  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 

Many fables have been invented about the Book of Revelation by failing to hold to sound principles we covered in earlier studies.  Some mistakenly view Revelation including chapter 20 by the letter, thinking outward and completely forgetting the repeated and clear instructions that all these things are within us, spoken of in signified language and will shortly come to pass.

Living by every word ensures that all of us will be first be snared by those lusts.  It is only by His mercy, that a few [Mat 22:14] in this age, will be drawn out of the error of chasing Christ in the secret or hidden places.  Christ who is the Word and the Truth, will not be found in what He has not revealed in the Scriptures no matter how many carnal men continue to search.  The Lord Jesus Christ is not in the things His Word does not reveal to us.  We are commanded not to pursue such lusts and deceivers.

Mat 24:24  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 

Mat 24:25  Behold, I have told you before. 

Mat 24:26  Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. 

Satan is not a single being that can only be in one place at one time as many of us have been taught and may believe to this day.   Satan represents evil spirits the Lord created and controls in working His work in bringing salvation to all men.  The lake of fire, the spiritual event that is God’s judgment was made for the destruction of the devil and his millions of messengers [angels] which are the carnal thoughts of men and all the world [the 200 million lies of the great harlot – 9:16].  The very purpose of the lake of fire is for the destruction of the adversarial spirit and the lies [carnal thoughts] contrary to faith.

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. 

Abiding in carnal thoughts is abiding in death [Rom 8:6-7] being at enmity with the Lord and operating contrary to faith. Such ones do not, in fact they cannot feed, give drink, cloth or bring freedom to men so imprisoned.  Thus, the Lord puts them all into the fire when our day of the Lord is at hand.  This is how all things carnal which is death, is destroyed in us in the Second Death that is the lake of fire.

Mat 25:41  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels [messengers]: 

Mat 25:42  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 

Mat 25:43  I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not

The spirit of Satan is the spirit of the world and is integral to the Lord’s plans in creating all men and then remaking those same men [pieces of clay] by way of destruction [Jer 18:4]. An adversary and tempter was needed to try the faith of the saints and teach us obedience through an experience of evil.

Gen 3:1  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? 

The heaven and the earth that begins the Bible at the Lord’s creation in Genesis 1:1 is within all men.  That is where Satan is operating in the kingdom of God within every man.  The parable of the sower shows us Satan at work within our hearts and minds deceiving and being a liar to our mind from the very beginning.

Mar 4:15  And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

Satan is “in there”, in your heaven [mind] and earth [heart/walk] and he is put there purposefully by the Lord to be used for our good and be an adversary and tempter, through which the Lord will bring salvation and destroy our flesh and carnal-mindedness.

Isa 54:16  Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy. 

The good fight of faith requires God’s people to do battle against Satan and all offspring of the father of all lies.  The battle rages in heaven and on the earth as the sum of the word tell us but it’s all made of God and used for good in the end.

Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 

Eph 6:12  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 heaven [high places].

 

Rev 12:17  And the dragon [Satan] was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. 

Until burned up in our day of the Lord, Satan is in the kingdom within us roaming about our earth seeking whom he may devour.  Which is why we need to stay on guard always.

1Pe 5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 

All demons [lying spirits] are considered to be Satan. You can see that in the story of Christ being accused of being under the power of Beelzebub when casting out devils.

Mat 12:24  But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. 

Mat 12:25  And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: 

Mat 12:26  And if Satan cast out Satan [evil spirit casting out an evil spirit], he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? 

Mat 12:28  But if I cast out devils [Satan] by the Spirit of God [Fire from heaven – the Word of Truth] then the kingdom of God is come unto you. 

When we walk contrary to faith, we are walking in the spirit of the god of this world who is Satan, who is the father of all lies who is also known as the prince of the power of the air.

Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 

1Jn 5:19  And we know that we are of God, and the whole world [kosmos] lieth in wickedness.

The spirit of Satan is destroyed in every man only in the lake of fire. Getting this spirit and enmity against God removed is the last milestone of our salvation. The one holding the power of death in us must be destroyed and that is what the Lord is doing when spiritual fire falls from heaven onto our earth bringing and truth and righteousness that burns up the adversary.

Rev 20:9  And they went up on the breadth of the earth [G1093], and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 

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. 

The burning up of Satan, in whom there is no truth [Joh 8:44] is the destruction of all lies and establishment of the truth upon our earth.  Revelation 20 is the transition to our hour of judgment which is a new day [one day is as 1,000 years] that is the day of the Lord that establishes truth as Satan is destroyed by spiritual fire.  This is all taking place within us, where the fire of God is making the new heaven and earth wherein will dwell righteousness.

Joh 4:23  But the hour [of our judgment] cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 

Some have made arguments to us that those in the third harvest cannot live by every word as they do not even have a tempter [devil/Satan] to tempt them when they go thru their judgment in the lake of fire.  Such false doctrine was supported by outward thinking, literal by the letter, reading of Rev 20.  Here is a paraphrase of that false teaching some have been exposed to that shows the errors of taking a literal approach to these Revelation 20 verses.

“The third harvest of men will not have a tempter to try and test them as Satan would have been destroyed earlier at the end of the millennium [Rev 20:10].  When those men are raised in spiritual bodies and enter into their judgment, there is no longer a Satan around to try and tempt them.  That means there is no longer even a wicked one for any of them to overcome.  Therefore, the final harvest of men will not experience the same trials and temptations as God’s Elect that overcome in this age simply because Satan is no more.”

This is all a big pile of lies.  Satan aka the devil and the dragon will be around as long as there are men still needing to be judged.  There is no Scripture that confirms this false teaching except for the carnal misread of Rev 20 outwardly and forgetting all His words are spirit and signified [Rev 1:1, Joh 6:63].  Such perversion twists and negates God’s plan for saving all men at many turns.

It is ALL, not some men, who will worship the beast who is given power by Satan aka the dragon.

Rev 13:4  And they [all men being called of God out of the sea in their appointed time] worshipped the dragon [Satan] which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 

Rev 13:7  And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 

Rev 13:8  And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

This leaven [false teaching] leads to even greater error and a complete butchering of God’s plan for saving all men.  We have witnessed this carnal and outward teaching of Revelation 20 leading to another lie of then denying that all men live by every word God spoke.  The false reasoning was if Satan was no more having already been destroyed in the outward fire and fulfillment of Rev 20:10; then Matthew 4:4, 1Co 3:21, Ecc 9:2 and other scriptures that witnesses to the one event for all, must now be “qualified”.  WOW. A little leaven does indeed lead to even bigger error and a complete miss of the gospel!

Such interpretation is literal and outward, completely missing the spiritual lesson that it is Satan who is a spirit and is in the hearts and minds of all men.  Every man is first a carnal man and is, therefore, is a liar [Rom 3:4] and has as his father the devil who was put there purposefully to be adversary and tempter to God’s people. All men commit sin thereby proving they are of the same mind as their carnal father called Satan aka the devil.

 1Jn 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. 

An adversary created by the Lord on purpose to try and tempt us must be overcome for salvation.   The adversary the devil is there roaming about our earth, the land within us as the story of Job tells in our day of judgment.  All men will have their Job experience.

Job 2:1  Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. 

Job 2:2  And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth [H776 – land, earth], and from walking up and down in it. 

It is the Lord who works all things, even evil things [Isa 45:7], even our very sins to work His purposes in every man whose end will be salvation. The adversary the Lord creates and puts into our earth treads down the sanctuary thus giving the Lord the occasion to come again for salvation.

Isa 63:17  O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants’ sake, the tribes of thine inheritance. 

Isa 63:18  The people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary

 

1Co 3:17  If any man defile the temple [sanctuary] of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 

Satan is one and the same known as Leviathan who lives in the deep, the bottomless pit, which is the sea which is symbolic of the flesh of every man.    Only the Lord can draw out this dragon and destroy that which He created and puts DEEP into our hearts and minds.

Isa 27:1  In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea. [in the LOF]

The teaching of Satan being a single being that can only be tempting one person at a time is an invention of the carnal mind.  The first heaven and the earth must be done away with by fire; as a new heaven and new earth is being established [Rev 21:1] within every man in their day of the Lord.

Heb 10:9  Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 

The battle in heaven precedes the battle on our earth as true doctrine needs to first be established.

Rev 12:7  And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 

Rev 12:8  And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 

Rev 12:9  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. 

But the war and fight of faith continue in our day of the Lord as we overcome Satan within us by dying to the carnal mind [Second Death, dying to death] that is all taking place in our lake of fire experience.

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. 

Rev 12:11  And they overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. 

The defeat of Satan within every man is essential for death to be destroyed in every man.

Heb 2:14  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; 

Heb 2:15  And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 

Satan being cast into the lake of fire, where our beast and false prophet already abide completes the Lord’s plan of salvation and burns out all the remaining wood, hay and stubble.

Rev 20:13  And the sea gave up the dead [Satan, Leviathan operate in the deep] 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. 

Rev 20:14  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 

Like all Scriptures, the events of Revelation 20 are not to be avoided but instead are to be hastened unto [1Pe 3:12].  Living through the spiritual events of Revelation 20 is the way salvation is completed in us and the only way Satan is purged from our earth the result being all things made new.

Rev 21:1  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. 

It takes the second coming of the Lord, with fire to show us the Wicked and destroy him with the brightness of His coming.  A day comes to every man when the Lord implements His salvation plan and the end of the carnal age [world] within and puts down all rebellion and carnal enmity [2Th 2:3-9].

As long as there are men who have not completed their day of the Lord there will remain an adversary, a Satan, at work in their earth doing what the Lord has commanded be done. Satan is used to incite the Lord to finish His work and usher in righteousness by kindling this fire within all His people [Zion].

Lam 4:11  The LORD hath accomplished his fury; he hath poured out his fierce anger, and hath kindled a fire in Zion, and it hath devoured the foundations thereof. 

Lam 4:12  The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world, would not have believed that the adversary and the enemy [i.e. Satan] should have entered into the gates of Jerusalem. 

The result of our partaking of the lake of fire is the raising up of our new man to reign with Christ is our overcoming and resurrection to life.  This is the blessed and holy first resurrection. When death is no more, the carnal mind that is death is no more and all things are alive to Christ.

1Co 15:25  For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 

1Co 15:26  The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death [the carnal mind which is death by fire that falls from heaven].

Rom 8:6  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 

While there are deeper things to be learned regarding Satan and his messengers, my hope is everyone is clear of web of lies we once were taught regarding the end of the physical earth and humanity and the whole concoction called the outward Millennium Reign.

Let’s not be deceived from the simplicity of the gospel and the truth that all men will live by every word God spoke.  Even those in the third harvest will be tempted and tried by the same adversary and spirit that tempts and tries us in this age.  There truly is one event that comes alike to all.

Ecc 9:2  All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath. 

We have learned some valuable lessons from our trials.  Those that lust after spiritual money [which is all of us], which is KNOWLEDGE also are snared into the root of many evils and merchandise [Eze 28, Spiritual Babylon] the Lord’s treasures for carnal gain and profit.  Our learning contentment and waiting on the Lord to give us our spiritual food and bring the increase is a huge lesson we have been taught.

1Ti 6:8  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 

1Ti 6:9  But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 

1Ti 6:10  For the love of money is the root of all evil: [knowledge, spiritual riches] which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

The final Part #4 of this series can be found here:  Exposing Mill Reign Part 4

 

Articles

A Primer of Types of Evil Spirits

Ronel

(Compiled from existing posted teachings)

In today’s study, we look at evil spirits of doctrine (A) and evil spirits that manifest themselves as various sicknesses (B) and sexual manifestations (C).

A) False Doctrines

What influence do evil spirits have in our lives?  All evil spirits are sent by God to do what they do.

1Sa 16:14 But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.

1Sa 16:15 And Saul’s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.

When we are being afflicted with demons, we are afflicted by an “evil spirit from the Lord.” Evil spirits throw us into the water, into the fire, or attempt to destroy us, God’s children, in our seasons. All of humanity lies in the wicked one.

Mat 17:15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.

1Sa 18:10 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul’s hand.

1Sa 18:11 And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.

It is given to the beast to perform miracles in the presence of those who dwell on the earth. We “dwell on the earth”, and we see and hear of actual miracles which are given for the purpose of deceiving us.

Rev 13:14 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.

Christ warns us to be filled with the Word and “His Christ” to fill the void which is left after casting out false doctrines from our havens.

Mat 12:43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

Mat 12:44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

Mat 12:45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

We live by “every word that proceeded out of the mouth of God,” including the entering in of “seven spirits more wicked than ourselves.” So, while the demon possession that causes us to become violent to ourselves and others around us at our appointed times, being under the law and it is real, it is still the work of the Lord. In His time, He sends His Word and heals us. In this study, we focus on the inward application. We know the whole world out there is crazy and without Christ being under the law.

Psa 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

The false doctrines of orthodoxy are being tried against the Word of God, and if we do not know that Word, then we do not know Christ and are in no position to carry on spiritual warfare such as Paul mentions.

Eph 6:12 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].

The word “places” is in brackets because it is added by the translators. Spiritual wickedness is in our heavens, and “heaven” are our hearts and minds where Christ dwells.

1Co 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

It is “in us” that spiritual wickedness of spiritual warfare takes place.

2Co 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

2Co 10:5 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;

The knowledge of God is found in His Word. We are never to think above what is written.

1Co 4:6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and [to] Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think [of men] above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

Without God’s written Word, which has endured the attacks of the best scholars of all times, it would be impossible to “try the spirits to see whether they are of God”. The demon possessions that provoke violent physical behavior are minuscule in terms of the damage they do and the deception they accomplish. It is the spirits of false prophets, bringing false doctrines into our heavens with which most of us are afflicted. Those are the spirits with which these verses are concerned.

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

Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

When we become familiar with Christ and our Father and our brethren in Christ, we come to know and think as they think. When that happens, we are able to try the spirits and cast out many of the evil spirits that have been sent to try us and to show us just how deceived we have been.

Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

B) Sicknesses

Diseases are common to all men but not every man is stricken with major diseases. While science tries to understand the biological, psychological, chemical and electrical causes of all of the diseases, Scriptures makes it clear that just as surely as Ahab’s prophets were prophesying lies because a lying spirit had led them to do so, so too, are all of the diseases of mankind, in the final analysis, nothing more than evil spirits sent to afflict us. First, let’s see how this is proven to be so for physical ailments, then we will see how it is also the cause of all mental ailments. Here are a couple of examples of physical ailments which Scripture attributes to evil spirits.

Luk 13:11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.

Mar 9:25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.

A crippled lady and a man who could neither speak nor hear, are both said to be afflicted by an evil spirit. Here are a couple of mental ailments which Scriptures also attributes to evil spirits.

Act 16:16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Neither soothsaying nor fear are physical ailments. Both take place in our minds and   Scriptures declare that both are actually spirits. What does this all teach us? It tells us that Christ is working all things after the counsel of His own will and that all we do, and all that happens in our lives, IS indeed “predestinated” to occur (Eph 1:11). The God- given ability to learn how to treat diseases is as much a part of the sovereignty of God as the disease itself. It is God who is “working all things after the counsel of His own will,” and mankind’s vanity over his great mental achievements is no exception to that sovereignty. Times of depression certainly are a byproduct of our tribulation experience and are common to all men, just as diseases are common to all men. But not all men are afflicted with a crippling affliction in which they are “bowed together” to the extent that they can “in no wise lift up” themselves, and not all men are stricken with fear and major depression. The extent of any physical or mental disease is, a sovereign work of a sovereign God, and that work is always being accomplished by means of the realm of the Spirit. Here are how the Scriptures explain this:

Heb 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Things which are seen were not made of things which do appear is another way of telling us that the visible world is controlled by the invisible world of the realm of the spirit. Here is what we are being taught concerning all suffering that is endured by any of God’s children, regardless of the degree of that suffering:

1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

The Greek word translated temptation is “pierasmos”, and it is the same word translated “try” in this verse.

1Pe 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

The way of escape does not keep us from trial. The fiery trial is to try us and we escape it only by enduring to the end of these fiery trials.

Mat 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

We are admonished that we ought not to suffer as evildoers, but nowhere are we ever told that our apparently self- inflicted sufferings are not part of the fiery trials which are to try us. We are all first hardened by God’s spirit and we “do that we would not”. But that is only for the purpose of chastening and scourging us to bring us to see ourselves for what we are, by God’s design. Even our sins, are His work in our lives.

Rom 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

Rom 7:16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it [the law of God, verse 22] is good.

Rom 7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not.

Rom 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

Rom 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

Rom 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

Rom 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

Our sins are the result of “a law”. God is the great lawgiver who sustains both the “law of sin and death” and the “law of the Spirit of life”. That is the meaning of the first and the last.

1Co 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

1Co 15:48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

1Co 15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

The “second man” is also called “the last Adam” just two verses earlier:

1Co 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

Christ tells us that He is the first and the last:

Rev 1:17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

Christ is saying that this is all a vital part of the revelation of Jesus Christ. Our trials as painful and as long as they seem to last, are all a vital and necessary part of that revelation. Christ uses evil spirits as part of His MO that leads to salvation.

We prefer to call our sicknesses ailments that are the result of genetics or a chemical imbalance in the brain, or epilepsy or germs; any of the diseases caused by these conditions. But Scriptures call them all “spirits of…” whatever.

1Ki 22:19 And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.

1Ki 22:20 And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.

In Kings 22, we learn of Ahab’s death but also see an example of how the Lord uses evil spirits to be lying spirits when He gives us over to the idols of our wicked hearts (Eze 14). The story is too long to include in this study, read it for yourselves and then we ask ourselves: “Was Ahab’s carnal mind schizophrenic”? Yes, he was, here is the example of spirits used one after this manner and another after that manner in accomplishing all the Lord is intending. Lying spirits are from the Lord who sends them. There is no peace.

1Ki 22:21 And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him.

1Ki 22:22 And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he [Christ] said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.

In His time, we are bearing the image of the heavenly when His work in our lives are being finished.

C) Homosexuality

Can homosexuals or lesbians help the way they are? Whether they are super masculine or super effeminate, they are what Christ made them.

Exo 4:11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?

A NT witness:

Rom 1:26  For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.

Rom 1:27  Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

Rom 1:28  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

Adultery is always listed ahead of fornication when the works of the flesh is listed.

Gal 5:19  Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,

Gal 5:20  idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,

Gal 5:21  envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Nevertheless, these verses condemn homosexuality, abusers of themselves with mankind:

1Co 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

1Ti 1:10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for men stealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

Lust is idolatry.

Col 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

God makes us “marred in the hand of the Potter [with] no good thing… in [our] flesh”. That is why we lust. It is not that we choose to do so, it is because “there is no good thing” in us because:

Rom 9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

Rom 9:17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh [the “old man” sitting on the throne of God in the temple of God, our bodies – 1Co 3:16 and 2Th 2:4], Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

Rom 9:18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. 

Now, here is the same question we and all men, ask of God:

Rom 9:19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

And this is the same answer Christ gave to Job:

Rom 9:20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

Homosexuality, like adultery and fornication is an abomination to Christ.

Lev 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

Lev 20:13 If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.

Homosexuality is an abomination and disciples of Christ are not conformed with this world and its increasingly evil ways.

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

We do not follow the crowd and avoid the persecution of the cross of Christ.

Exo 23:2 You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice.

Luk 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

1Th 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

Christ did not condemn the woman in adultery and neither do we condemn those that He is making this way. Christ is calling a few out of the many to be His people and fewer still will remain and are faithful to the end.

The spirit of homosexuality is the exact same spirit as the spirit of the Nicolaite’s, one man having dominium over another which Christ hates.

Rev 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

And here is Truth of Scripture:

2Co 1:24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

Mat 20:27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

Summary

What are we to do then when evil spirits get hold of us. We can get the words and thoughts of Christ to replace our evil thoughts, the evil spirits in our heavens. Then Christ will have “sent His Word and heals us.

Psa 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

The Lord turns up the heat before His coming to bring us to out wit’s end. Job learned to sacrifice the sacrifice of thanksgiving.

Psa 107:22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

Our trials which we endure is what all of this is, according to our Creator who has given us His Word:

Jas 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

The end of the Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy. We feel only the physical and mental pain of life, and we, of ourselves, are not capable of equating any of this with pity and mercy. But in time we will come to repent of contending with, reproving, and condemning our own Maker, and we will then understand that it actually takes trials which cause us to do just that to bring us to see ourselves and come to repent. Only then will we see that the Lord chastens and scourges every son He receives, and we will then understand that it was because of our trials that we are being able to come to repent of condemning our own Maker.

Rom 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

In the end, we come to see and understand that Christ is working with us all along and making us into vessels and instruments for His glorious use and purpose:

Isa 41:7 So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.

Isa 41:8 But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.

Isa 41:9 Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.

Isa 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee

It is better to gratefully appreciate and enjoy what Christ is given us. It is only those who have no hope in Christ who see no purpose in walking through this life which is known as “the valley of the shadow of death”. Simply put, it is better to be grateful for what we have, than to be ungratefully coveting that which we have not yet been given. It seems obvious that the Lord works with men in the physical realm through His spiritual realm. Joseph’s brothers thought that selling Joseph into Egypt was their own idea, but in reality, Christ had sent a spirit to induce them to do His will and this is the reason for all evil spirits:

Gen 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me but God meant it [your evil deed, which was actually the workings of God] unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

Here are examples of foul spirits which are being cast out through the Word.

  • A spirit of schizophrenia, we cast this spirit out through resting in Christ Heb 4:4
  • A spirit of homosexuality, we cast this out by being helpers of each other’s joy 2Cor 1:24
  • A spirit of lesbianism, we cast this spirit out not ever learning but doing also 2 Tim 3:1-7
  • A spirit of soothsaying, we cast this out by judging righteous judgement John 7:24
  • A dog spirit, we cast this out by being of the spiritual circumcision Rom 2:28-29
  • A spirit of a lunatick, we cast this spirit out through the one mind of Christ Phil 1:27
  • A spirit of antichrist, we cast this spirit out through the words of Christ John 6:63
  • A spirit of infirmity, we cast this spirit out through the power of Christ 1 Cor 1:18
  • A spirit of fear, we cast this spirit out through love, the bond of perfection Col 3:14

The dream is one, it is only the Word and His Christ that are able to cast out evil spirits and heal us. The sum of His Word is Truth.

Luk 21:33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Sincere comments and questions are welcome.  You call also email us at peterjwilson56@gmail.com

For a related post on CASTING OUT EVIL SPIRITS; principally focused on lies and false doctrines.  CLICK HERE

Articles

Who Is Responsible For Evil?

Pete

Who Is Responsible for Evil?

The absolute sovereignty of God is such an important truth it is useful to remind ourselves often as our own faith will be tested many times to see whom we are holding responsible.  All things are being lived and worked for God’s purposes in Jesus Christ.

Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

1Co 8:6  But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

Jesus is the Lord of heaven and the earth, both the outward and the inward being Lord of ALL.  The flesh will naturally glory in itself and take credit for its own works be they righteous or unrighteous.  Being converted of these lies will take us a long time and many trials. The Lord has purposed our rebellion and all the evil we will do to teach us in due time.

Isa 1:2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me

Is the Lord just a terrible parent or is our rebellion part of His plan all along?  We don’t have to guess as the Scriptures declare the Lord’s sovereignty in all things even our rebellion. It is the Lord who turns men into destruction, into sin and away from His ways and then in the appointed times calls us back home to Himself.

Psa 90:3  Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men.

The Lord both turns us away into wicked things and also is the one who grants and causes us to turn back or repent.  He is doing it all.

Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

As we grow in faith, our understanding and application of God’s sovereignty in ALL THINGS is also growing proportionately.  Our doubting questions get answered in due time and we learn that we truly do nothing outside of God’s grip on us.  Yes, even the evil we do, our very sins are given to us by the Lord.  Everything from A to Z is the Lord doing it!

Isa 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

Rev 22:13  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

It is the fate of all men to first learn the “other jesus” by horribly underestimating the Lord and His sovereignty and exalting the role of man in the affairs of life and the world.  The story of Joseph being sold into Egypt by his brothers is a powerful lesson in how God works evil for good.  At the end the story Joseph tells his brothers it was not really them that did the evil, instead it was God who did it for good in the end.

Gen 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

The Lord works evil for good. Look at how powerful and expansive the one true God that only the Elect know who is not dependent upon his creation for anything.

Act 17:24  God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

Act 17:25  Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

Act 17:26  And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

Act 17:27  That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

Act 17:28  For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

The Truth of God working evil has always been right in front of us, yet we were blinded to see it until we are given the gift of faith and spiritual ears to hear and eyes to see. It is our ability to show these pivotal truths to those God brings to us that opens the eyes of a brother and sister and heals them of their spiritual blindness.  Let’s look at some of the black and white verses about the origins of evil.

Isa 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

It does not get any clearer than Isa 45:7 but when we show most this Scripture they are dumbstruck.  But there are more, many more witnesses to this immutable truth.

Amo 3:6  Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?

Pro 16:4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

Lam 3:38  Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?

We will be hated for merely suggesting this most basic truth, yet there will be a few who are given to find the narrow way.  The Lord tells us He makes wicked people on purpose.

The Purpose of Evil 

We must experience evil to learn about evil as indeed to become like God’s we must know both good and evil.  Knowing good and evil is of paramount importance for God’s Elect and why we are made to sin.

Gen 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Evil is used of the Lord to give opportunity to chasten us and to bring judgment, the very process and fiery grace that will save all men (Eph 2:8).

Ecc 1:13 (CLV) I applied my heart to inquiring and exploring by wisdom concerning all that is done under the heavens: it is an experience of evil Elohim has given to the sons of humanity to humble them by it.

Jer 2:19  Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

This truth is everywhere once our eyes are open to see it.  Who purposefully planted the tree of the knowledge of good and evil right in front of Adam and Eve?

Gen 2:9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Who conceived David and by extension all mankind in sin from birth?

Psa 51:5  Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me

Who added the crooked serpent to tempt Adam and Eve in the weakness of their carnal mind and sinful flesh?  Satan is the epitome of evil and look who made Satan.

Gen 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made.

Job 26:13 By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.

Sending Forth of Evil Spirits

It is the Lord who commands and sends forth Satan and his messengers (evil spirits) to accomplish His will in our lives.  The story of Job is perhaps the best example demonstrating the Lord commanding the evil to work His work within us.

Job 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.

Job 1:7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

Job 1:8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

Job 1:9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

Job 1:10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

Job 1:11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

Job 1:12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

Satan and his demons are nothing more than servants of the Lord.  He is using them, His own creation, to bring about good and to accomplish all his good pleasure in our lives.  Let’s check in at the end of the book and see how the experience ends.   Evil was worked for good.

Job 42:11  Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold.

Job 42:12  So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning ….

Here is a verse most have never seen and hate in defense of the false doctrines that God has nothing to do with evil.

Psa 78:49 He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them.

Psalm 78 is not talking about the bad people out there. It is talking about ISREAL, God’s own people and you and me if we are God’s people.  The Lord sends evil spirits to His own people. The Lord is doing it, He is working all things for good in the end, even sending evil. This is the truth and you are blessed to remove the plank that represents the lie that God is not responsible and is not the author of evil, maybe you will begin to see the truth much more clearly. Here are a couple of more, but there are many others in the sum of God’s word.

1Sa 19:9 And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand.

1Ki 22:23 Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.

Jdg 9:23 Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:

Who was behind the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ which was the most evil act of all time?  The Scriptures tell us the Truth that is was God who orchestrated the death of Jesus Christ.

Act 4:26  The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

Act 4:27  For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

Act 4:28  For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

Many in orthodoxy (our ministry field) can easily believe that the Lord is responsible for tornado’s and hurricanes and outward things, but cannot make the connection about the inward events in our heavens and earth.  Evangelizing we learn quickly to wait on the Lord to bring us those prepared who have had their eyes and ears opened to receive the truth.

Pro 20:12  The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.

Psa 10:17  LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:

When one is so blessed the concept of God’s sovereignty greatly expands and are given power over all the lies and false doctrines (spirits) and our spiritual healing begins.

Luk 10:21  In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

All Things Truly is All Things

We already shown the truth via multiple witnesses but know there are many more to support this pivotal truth that apart from the Lord we truly do nothing.  It is blasphemy to speak truth in an orthodox Babylonian setting and especially to suggests that man is not responsible for his own sin.  But what say the Scripture?

Isa 63:17 O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants’ sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.

Pro 16:1  The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.

Pro 16:9  A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

Jer 10:23  O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

Psa 37:23  The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

The New and the Old Testament agree and truth (treasure) is found in both to prove via the sum of God’s Word what the Truth is (Psa 119:160 ASV).

Eph 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Rom 11:36  For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever.

The Lord made all things and works all things all the time. He is not a Plan B God that responds and reacts to the messes that man makes.  ALL THINGS means exactly what it says and as one grows in the truth faith, your boundaries of all things will continue to expand.

Col 1:16  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

Col 1:17  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

Col 1:18  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Col 1:19  For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

Col 1:20  And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

When we read about Israel’s rebellion and doing evil against the Lord, we are reading about OUR rebellion and the evil we are doing.  The Scriptures make clear that Israel sin and rebellion was caused by the Lord.

Jer 32:42 For thus saith the LORD; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them.

Living in the vine, the Lord causes things to bear fruit (good) and some to not bear fruit (evil).  But the point is, even the bad things are done in Christ and all work towards the greater good of bearing more fruit in the end.

Joh 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Rom 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

All things are caused by the Lord.  Whether it be our obedience unto life or our sinning unto death.  It is all His work in us and will all be used to teach and correct us in our day of the Lord which is our day of judgment.

Isa 26:9  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. 

Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Judgment is the true grace which is chastening us and teaching us the right ways of God in response to us first doing it the wrong way and disobeying.

Tit 2:11  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

Tit 2:12  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

The pouring out of grace (judgment) by the implanted truth was the promise of the New Covenant and how the Lord is working righteousness and causing us to obey Him.

Eze 36:27  And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

The Lord causes us to err and stumble in judgment.  In the same way a child learn by making mistakes and be disciplined, so it is in the spiritual and how we learn.

Psa 119:66  Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.

Psa 119:67  Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

God raises up evil within us so God’s wrath (scourging) will rightly fall upon our old man and destroy the wickedness that is innate in our marred flesh (Jer 18:4).  The story of Nathan exposing David for his adultery is our story and our spiritual adultery will be confronted and judged when our day of the Lord has come.

2Sa 12:10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.

2Sa 12:11 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house  ….

These acts of the Lord are His mercy and are the wonderful works of God to the children of men (Psalm 107) that bring us to our wits end where we cry out for a Saviour.  Seeing the evil within and our need for a Saviour is a necessary prerequisite of salvation and the Lord’s mercy.

The story of Samson intermarrying with a forbidden Philistine is our story as are all the stories of good and evil in the Bible.  For brevity, we won’t cover that story but we are told the Lord did it so He could have the occasion to bring judgment upon our flesh and the Philistine nations and mindset within us (Luk 17:21).

Jdg 14:4 But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.

God’s chosen people, His Elect and the Spiritual Jews are those being made righteous by His judgments.  Our trials and all the evil we are given to endure are working for the counsel of His will to remake us into mature sons of God.

Psa 34:19  Many are the EVILS (“Ra” not afflictions) of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

Evil being manifest within us is necessary for us to be stripped of the self-righteousness of the law that we all find first in trying to perfect ourselves in our own strength.  But when judgment has come to God’s house, which house His Elect are, then we will not be able to stand and will come to see that we are the man of sin, an abomination and in great need of a Spiritual Physician.

Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

Ecc 3:18 I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

Mat 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

CONCLUSION

Contrary to Billy Graham’s famous sermon after 911, where he unequivocally said “The Bible says God is not the author of evil”, God most certainly is the author of evil as the Scriptures declare. If one is so blessed (Mat 13:17) to begin to see and receive the truth of God’s working all things, even evil things; then one is being made ready to lose their old way of life and learn a new one via grace.  The world indeed looks different viewed through the lenses of faith and the truth of the Scriptures.  We are being made into the image of Jesus Christ who knew what we are learning.

Joh 5:19  Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

We need to be wise with whom and how we share these truths not cast pearls to swine or engage with heretics. We also need to be prepared for rejection, persecution and false accusations that we are promoting sin with our doctrine.  Finally, even though God works all things even evil, we are commanded to strive and resist evil at every opportunity. The sum of God’s word makes clear we are to be careful to maintain good works and not turn God’s grace into lasciviousness and an excuse for living in sin.

Gal 2:17  But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

A servant of Jesus Christ,

PETE