We continue with the subject of,
The Millennium and the End of Sin
In our previous post we were reviewing the following statement made by our Adventist friends:
“Before the earth was created, sin had its origins in the angel Lucifer’s heart. He became jealous of God’s sovereignty and he questioned God’s judgement. He even started a war in heaven (Revelation 12) when he indulged the thought that he could be better than God. Lucifer, now called Satan, started the Great Controversy—a spiritual war of good versus evil.”
Having determined how and when sin was first developed and manifested in Lucifer, we should now like to turn our attention more specifically to the “fall” or removal of Satan from the heavenly courts, as it relates to the remainder of the statement above.
The reason we bring this up is because some are of the opinion that Lucifer now referred to as “Satan”, (the Adversary) still had (has) access to the heavenly courts even after he had fallen, after his sin, and that he started a rebellion in heaven and war broke out between those angels who chose to follow him and the rest of the holy angels.
Note: Some don’t believe this war has even taken place yet, but is still a future event.
There are two possible reasons for this false assumption, one is based on an incorrect interpretation of Revelation Chapter 12 as evidenced by the opinions given in the statement above and another is erroneously conceived from an account mentioned in the book of Job.
We will take a look at this second assumption first it is taken from Job 1:6, 7 and repeated again in Chapter 2 verses 1 and 2.
“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So, Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”
First of all, note this scripture says nothing about where precisely the sons of God including Satan presented themselves before the Lord, it is only conjecture to imagine that it took place in heaven, it could just as well have taken place upon the earth, and so we believe. Satan stands as our accuser as well, but it is not necessary that he physically stand before the Lord in heaven to accomplish this act.
NOTE: the Lord with whom the sons of God presented themselves here in this text should not be misconstrued as being the heavenly Father Himself, but rather his representative, the Logos. As evidence note the following.
“We read in Exodus 23:20-21:
“Behold, I send an Angel (My angel: Verse 23) before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions (because he is faithful, true, unchangeable); for My name is in Him.” Jesus, the Logos, the representative of the Most High carried His name, Jehovah. This explains much, and solves many difficulties encountered elsewhere.”
And again, we read in Exodus 33 (especially Verse 14) the angel (Exodus 32:34: My angel) is called "My presence, " and we know that the Logos (Jesus) was this angel, this "presence of Jehovah." On careful examining Job 1:12 and Job 2:7 we will find that it is stated there also that "Satan went forth from the presence of Jehovah."
Who then was this Jehovah in Job?
We believe that the readers themselves will be able to find that scriptural answer.
But in order to assist them in this, we will ask if Jehovah Himself (the Father) in His holiness could have had intercourse with Job, a member of the sinful human race, without a mediator?
Note in this connection that "Jehovah" held a dialogue with Job later (Job, Chapters 38-42, see especially Job 42:7).”
“We have abundant proof in the Scriptures that the angels are divided into "ranks, " and that all the angels, of whatever rank (Cherubim, seraphim; compare, also Col 1:16) would treat the archangel, the Logos of God, with deserving respect (Heb 1:6; 1 Pet 3:22). Even the evil angels under Satan's dominion knew how exalted he was, and even acknowledged it (Mark 1:24). How much more those angels loyal to God!
We know further, that angels, as "doers of His pleasure" (Psa 103:20, 21) have been and are active upon the earth in great numbers, although we cannot see them with our human eyes. We need to refer only to Psa 34:7. The service of angels to men is much greater than we are aware of.
When this representative of Jehovah came to earth, in the days of Abraham or Moses, how did the angels who were active on the earth conduct themselves toward this high visitor? Did they take little notice of him?
Or did they show him becoming respect as the representative of Jehovah?
It was natural for them to present themselves before him, that they would do this without being requested. Such a position of honor for himself did Satan strive after, as shown in Isa 14:13, 14. The presenting of themselves before the ambassador of Jehovah took place especially when commands were to be received or resolutions passed (Dan 4:17; 7:10)”.
From the time of Satan’s fall he along with all the other fallen angels have been confined to tartaroo, our earth's atmosphere, hence Satan himself the leader of these fallen ones is referred to as “the prince of the power of the air" (Eph. 2:2) and the god of this world.
Actually, the Greek word tartaroo refers more to an act than to a place. They were all “cast down” to tartaroo, i.e., degraded, striped of their former honor, dignity and liberty, thus, separated from all the other holy angels in heaven. They were banished from heaven. They can roam the earth but not the heavens.
“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” (Isa 59:2)
“Here then, on the earth, was the meeting between Jehovah's representative (the Logos), and Satan. Satan was the despot of the air, and he was bold enough to step into the circle of those assembled (the sons of God, the holy angels).”
The Almighty Himself dwells in “unapproachable light” (1 Tim 6:16), light so intense (so pure and holy) that no darkness, evil can abide. This is why when dealing with fallen mankind (as well as angels) he speaks through his various representatives, predominately the Logos. Satan could not abide in the presence of the Almighty.
We will take a look at the second false assumption which has led many to believe Satan still has access to the heavenly courts in our next post.
The Millennium and the End of Sin
In our previous post we were reviewing the following statement made by our Adventist friends:
“Before the earth was created, sin had its origins in the angel Lucifer’s heart. He became jealous of God’s sovereignty and he questioned God’s judgement. He even started a war in heaven (Revelation 12) when he indulged the thought that he could be better than God. Lucifer, now called Satan, started the Great Controversy—a spiritual war of good versus evil.”
Having determined how and when sin was first developed and manifested in Lucifer, we should now like to turn our attention more specifically to the “fall” or removal of Satan from the heavenly courts, as it relates to the remainder of the statement above.
The reason we bring this up is because some are of the opinion that Lucifer now referred to as “Satan”, (the Adversary) still had (has) access to the heavenly courts even after he had fallen, after his sin, and that he started a rebellion in heaven and war broke out between those angels who chose to follow him and the rest of the holy angels.
Note: Some don’t believe this war has even taken place yet, but is still a future event.
There are two possible reasons for this false assumption, one is based on an incorrect interpretation of Revelation Chapter 12 as evidenced by the opinions given in the statement above and another is erroneously conceived from an account mentioned in the book of Job.
We will take a look at this second assumption first it is taken from Job 1:6, 7 and repeated again in Chapter 2 verses 1 and 2.
“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So, Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”
First of all, note this scripture says nothing about where precisely the sons of God including Satan presented themselves before the Lord, it is only conjecture to imagine that it took place in heaven, it could just as well have taken place upon the earth, and so we believe. Satan stands as our accuser as well, but it is not necessary that he physically stand before the Lord in heaven to accomplish this act.
NOTE: the Lord with whom the sons of God presented themselves here in this text should not be misconstrued as being the heavenly Father Himself, but rather his representative, the Logos. As evidence note the following.
“We read in Exodus 23:20-21:
“Behold, I send an Angel (My angel: Verse 23) before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions (because he is faithful, true, unchangeable); for My name is in Him.” Jesus, the Logos, the representative of the Most High carried His name, Jehovah. This explains much, and solves many difficulties encountered elsewhere.”
And again, we read in Exodus 33 (especially Verse 14) the angel (Exodus 32:34: My angel) is called "My presence, " and we know that the Logos (Jesus) was this angel, this "presence of Jehovah." On careful examining Job 1:12 and Job 2:7 we will find that it is stated there also that "Satan went forth from the presence of Jehovah."
Who then was this Jehovah in Job?
We believe that the readers themselves will be able to find that scriptural answer.
But in order to assist them in this, we will ask if Jehovah Himself (the Father) in His holiness could have had intercourse with Job, a member of the sinful human race, without a mediator?
Note in this connection that "Jehovah" held a dialogue with Job later (Job, Chapters 38-42, see especially Job 42:7).”
“We have abundant proof in the Scriptures that the angels are divided into "ranks, " and that all the angels, of whatever rank (Cherubim, seraphim; compare, also Col 1:16) would treat the archangel, the Logos of God, with deserving respect (Heb 1:6; 1 Pet 3:22). Even the evil angels under Satan's dominion knew how exalted he was, and even acknowledged it (Mark 1:24). How much more those angels loyal to God!
We know further, that angels, as "doers of His pleasure" (Psa 103:20, 21) have been and are active upon the earth in great numbers, although we cannot see them with our human eyes. We need to refer only to Psa 34:7. The service of angels to men is much greater than we are aware of.
When this representative of Jehovah came to earth, in the days of Abraham or Moses, how did the angels who were active on the earth conduct themselves toward this high visitor? Did they take little notice of him?
Or did they show him becoming respect as the representative of Jehovah?
It was natural for them to present themselves before him, that they would do this without being requested. Such a position of honor for himself did Satan strive after, as shown in Isa 14:13, 14. The presenting of themselves before the ambassador of Jehovah took place especially when commands were to be received or resolutions passed (Dan 4:17; 7:10)”.
From the time of Satan’s fall he along with all the other fallen angels have been confined to tartaroo, our earth's atmosphere, hence Satan himself the leader of these fallen ones is referred to as “the prince of the power of the air" (Eph. 2:2) and the god of this world.
Actually, the Greek word tartaroo refers more to an act than to a place. They were all “cast down” to tartaroo, i.e., degraded, striped of their former honor, dignity and liberty, thus, separated from all the other holy angels in heaven. They were banished from heaven. They can roam the earth but not the heavens.
“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” (Isa 59:2)
“Here then, on the earth, was the meeting between Jehovah's representative (the Logos), and Satan. Satan was the despot of the air, and he was bold enough to step into the circle of those assembled (the sons of God, the holy angels).”
The Almighty Himself dwells in “unapproachable light” (1 Tim 6:16), light so intense (so pure and holy) that no darkness, evil can abide. This is why when dealing with fallen mankind (as well as angels) he speaks through his various representatives, predominately the Logos. Satan could not abide in the presence of the Almighty.
We will take a look at the second false assumption which has led many to believe Satan still has access to the heavenly courts in our next post.
