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Jonah's Gourd
hillsbororiver:
From LOF Part 9;
SATAN ALWAYS SHOWS UP WHERE HE IS NEEDED
Satan entered Eden as "that Old Serpent [Satan]" and deceived Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit. Satan didn’t sneak into the garden against God’s will. He performed a needful task with our first parents. God knew what Satan was going to do to Adam and Eve. God did not try to prevent it. It is all part of God’s master plan.
Just as God has provided food for mankind, He has also provided food for Satan. And just what kind of food does Satan dine on? Satan dines on mankind.
"And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because you have done this, you are cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon your belly shall you go, and DUST SHALL YOU EAT all the days of your life" (Gen. 3:14).
This is, of course a parable. That "serpent" in the garden was none other than
"…that OLD SERPENT, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world…" (Rev. 12:9).
And this is the same serpent that "deceived" Eve.
Man is the "dust of the earth" upon which Satan dines: "The first man [Adam] is of the earth, earthy [dust]…" (I Cor. 15:47). Man IS ‘dust.’
"…for DUST you are, and unto DUST shall you return" (Gen. 3:19).
When God told the serpent devil Satan that he would eat DUST, He was telling him that he would eat MAN (adam). And this is exactly what Peter tells us in his epistle:
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour [Gk: swallow down/eat]" (I Pet. 5:8).
Satan dines and thrives on the meat of the "carnal [Greek: sarx; flesh] mind [which] is enmity [hostility/hatred] against God: for it is not subject to the [spiritual] law of God, neither indeed can be" (Rom. 8:7).
Satan does not seek to devour everyone for food; only those who are carnally [fleshly] minded represent a great steak dinner to him.
Satan even had King David for dinner:
"And SATAN stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel" (I Chron. 21:1).
But always remember, Satan never operates beyond his God-given parameters as we will see in the case of Job.
God gave Satan charge over Job, his body, and all his possessions, to try him severely before God:
"And the Lord said unto SATAN, Behold, he [Job] is in your hand; but save his life" (Job 2:6).
It was GOD’S idea to severely try Job, not Satan’s. But Satan took strict orders from God as to just how he could try Job. Satan got permission from God at each and every step of this severe trying of Job. Do we think God does it differently today? Do we think Satan now has "free reign"- "free will?" Do we think that God "changes?" Nonsense: "For I am the LORD, I change not…" (Mal. 3:6).
David prayed for God to use Satan in judging his enemies:
"Set you a wicked man over him: and let SATAN stand at his right hand" (Psalm 109:6).
Are not these activities of Satan necessary? Does God use Satan for no good purpose? Then why can’t men see that God also CREATED Satan for these very purposes?
Satan is constantly finding fault with God’s Chosen ones:
"And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and SATAN standing at his right hand to resist [accuse] him" (Zech. 3:1).
Remember, Satan can do NOTHING without God’s approval. When God completed His creating, He said
"And God saw EVERY THING that He had made [including Satan, the Adversary], and, behold, it was VERY GOOD…" (Gen. 1:31).
Satan was not only necessary, but he was, in fact, PERFECT for the job that God created him to fulfill.
http://bible-truths.com/lake9.html
hillsbororiver:
From LOF Part 10;
THE FOLLOWING FOR MATURE READERS ONLY
I stated that Satan has his part in the spiritual salvation of mankind. When God created our first parents in the Garden of Eden—Satan was there. When God called out the nation of Israel—Satan was there. When God wanted to test Job, one of the most perfect and righteous men who have ever lived—Satan was there. Whenever God chose to show mercy rather than condemnation on His people—Satan was there. When our Lord was being tested in the wilderness in preparation for His ministry—Satan was there. When Jesus chose Peter to possess the keys to the kingdom of God—Satan was there. Wherever God’s true gospel is preached in the world—Satan was there. Whenever God first shines the light of His Truth in man’s heaven—Satan was there. When God wanted to Sacrifice His Son for the sins of the world—Satan was there. When Ananias and Sapphira lied to God’s Holy Spirit—Satan was there. When Paul needed assistance in correcting a fornicator and a blasphemer—Satan was there. Whenever saints are tempted to disobey—Satan was there. When Paul himself was in danger of being lifted up because of transcendent spiritual revelations—Satan was there. Whenever, even the saints are fooled by great power and lying signs and wonders—Satan is there. When we look for the source of all the lying deception of the whole world—again, Satan is there.
BUT WHERE IS SATAN NOW?
In previous lessons I spent a great deal of time proving that although the Seven Churches of Asia had specific characteristics, nonetheless, all of these characteristics are representative of ALL the churches down through the centuries. It is stated that Ephesus "left her first love." Did not Sardis also "leave her first love." How could the Sardis church be "dead" except that they too, left their first love? And so, they all left their first love, and they ALL committed ALL of the sins that all the rest of the seven churches committed. Likewise, Ephesus was promised the "tree of life" for those who repented and "overcame." ALL OF THE CHURCHES ARE PROMISED THE "TREE OF LIFE" if they repent and overcome. What applies to one church applies TO ALL!
http://bible-truths.com/lake10.html
Kat:
Hi Joe,
I just wanted to make a comment on Matthias. There was a necessary requirement in who they would consider.
Act 1:21 "Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
v. 22 beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection."
It had to be someone who had been a disciple for the whole ministry of Christ and was a witness to it all and His resurrection.
It seems that the casting of lots is shown used in the OT and here is a reference in Proverbs.
Pro 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from the LORD.
I believe that this lot casting was done before Pentecost when they received the Holy Spirit. So I think that they resorted back to a common practice, but after they received the indwelling of the Spirit they would not have needed to used lots any more.
I'm just thinking that as Matthias' being added is a part of the Scripture, so then that seems proof it was the right choice. But I just thought I would add this on the subject.
mercy, peace and love
Kat
hillsbororiver:
Hi Joe,
Hi Kat,
I just wanted to make a comment on Matthias. There was a necessary requirement in who they would consider.
But who's requirement was it? This is Peter speaking as you noted before Pentecost, before being filled with His Spirit. Didn't Jesus tell His disciples that it was He who did the choosing? What I have found interesting is that perhaps this office of the 12th apostle belonging to Judas/Satan continued to be held by Satan after the death of Judas. So maybe the Synagogue of Satan had it's beginning (conception) at the very start of the church and only got worse as the other disciples died and the only original "chosen" (by God) apostle still around after 2000 years is Satan!
Act 1:21 "Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
v. 22 beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection."
It had to be someone who had been a disciple for the whole ministry of Christ and was a witness to it all and His resurrection.
What caught my attention was actually the lack of a directive from Jesus or Jesus Himself choosing a replacement during the 40 days He spent with His disciples after the resurrection, if this was a matter of supreme importance it is interesting that Jesus never addressed it. Look at the verse preceding the one you quoted.
Act 1:20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate and let no man dwell therein: and his bishopric let another take.
No Man? Could this be saying this bishopric would be filled by another who is not a man and even Peter did not understand the full implication of this?
(Here is the verse from Psalms: Psa 69:25 Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.)
Is it a stretch to say Satan has been the Bishop of the church through the years and even at this time?
It seems that the casting of lots is shown used in the OT and here is a reference in Proverbs.
Pro 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from the LORD.
That is very true but do an Esword search on casting lots and you will see more often than not that good results were the exception rather than the rule.
I believe that this lot casting was done before Pentecost when they received the Holy Spirit. So I think that they resorted back to a common practice, but after they received the indwelling of the Spirit they would not have needed to used lots any more.
As Ray has taught the apostles were not truly converted until after Pentecost so resorting to common practice was actually reverting to the wisdom of man, it seemed to be the right thing to do.
Pro 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Peter is/was well known for being impulsive and impatient, that he made this decision before actually being converted (at Pentecost) has made me rethink this traditional doctrine about this choosing of Matthias.
It kind of struck me that it (Matthias' appointment) takes one's eyes off of the placement of "a devil" into the church from the very beginning, by the will of God!
I'm just thinking that as Matthias' being added is a part of the Scripture, so then that seems proof it was the right choice. But I just thought I would add this on the subject.
Kat I always appreciate your input, I don't think that this idea conflicts with what the scriptures say and Ray teaches, Satan is always right there to thwart those who are called by God, Peter was mistaken about the inclusion of the Gentiles (and other things) until he was corrected by His Spirit.
Of course everything fits perfectly into God's ultimate plan but the more I study the more it becomes apparent that everything the church(es) teach is wrong, that there is so much to rethink, reevaluate as we pray for a deeper understanding.
mercy, peace and love
Kat
His Peace to you Sister,
Joe
Kat:
Hi Joe,
I must say I have not thought of all the implications that you brought up. Interesting subject indeed and that gives me a lot more to consider.
mercy, peace and love
Kat
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