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A question derived from one of ray's papers.
seminole:
So it was Satan? I read what the link was and that's all I can see.
Deborah-Leigh:
Okay...here's the answer.
Paul’s splinter was a messenger of Satan. His purpose was to buffet Paul. Buffeting was the category that Paul said happened to him inordinately, which answers in kind to Paul’s transcendence in revelations. So Paul lived for twenty-five years, being "hit hard," "suddenly," constantly and incessantly (like an aggravating "splinter in the flesh").
A messenger of Satan...is NOT SATAN....its a demon...an appointed MESSENGER of Satan....
Peace to you
Arcturus :)
seminole:
A messenger of Satan and it was a creature? May be dense here but what is the creature or what was the creature?
YellowStone:
Hi Nole,
There can be no doubt that Paul was inflicted with a demon/angel/messenger of some nature because there is no escaping the word "aggelos" which means:
Strongs G32.
1. a messenger,
2. envoy,
3. one who is sent,
4. an angel,
5. a messenger from God
I think I can help you better understand the point Arcturus is making. Following is what Paul had to say about his "Splinter" and what he was told by God.
2Cr 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
2Cr 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
The key to understanding is in the 9th verse. Christ said himself that his strength is made perfect in weakness. Paul was not allowed to become conceited in his own glory.
The Scriptures give other examples of how Satan is used (not mesenger of) to bring others back to spiritual truth. Shocked? :) Please read on.
1Cr 5:3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, [concerning] him that hath so done this deed,
1Cr 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Really!! So Satan can destroy the flesh so that the spirit maybe saved. How could this happen. Well the "church" was recognized as a sanctuary from Satan, and obviously the man in this instance had commited a crime worthy of punishment / heart felt repentance. So Paul had the man thrown out of the church into the hands of Satan, who through demoralization and deparvity, will cause the man to repent and return to his former state.
This is not the only time we are told that Satan has been "used" in this way.
1Ti 1:20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
The similarities between these two examples and Paul are unmistakable; however, there is one major difference. Paul was a prominent member of Christ's church; it would have served no purpose to expell him from it; so Paul was given a "splinter" as a constant reminder so that the messagae of Christ would not be forgotten: My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.
Paul was happy with this arrangement, for he continued in his letter, saying:
2Cr 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
I hope this helps your understanding.
With Love in Christ,
Darren
seminole:
Yeah, makes sense. Sort of like the story of Job? You know where Satan went before God Himself to try to make Job a less than faithful servant of God.
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