Angels are part of cosmic reality. They are spiritual beings but also have the ability to take on physical bodies that appear and function as human bodies. God has given them free will just as he has given us free will. We know this because there are evil angels (demons) and there is a hierarchy of angels, good and evil.
An evil archangel, Lucifer (Satan, Devil) was instrumental in bringing sin into this world by deceiving Adam and Eve. We also know that before the creation of the Cosmos, Lucifer led a rebellion of one third of all angels against those angels loyal to God. The rebellious angels were of course defeated and are now called demons but God has allowed the warfare to continue on earth. Under Lucifer’s control, demons are enemies of God intent on deceiving and destroying mankind. The following scripture reveals that archangel Michael understood God had given Satan authority (within God’s boundaries – Job) to stage warfare on earth.
“But when the archangel Michael, contending with the Devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” Jude 1:9
The reason is given for Lucifer’s rebellion; he wanted to be God. Is this not mankind’s major problem, we want to be God, at least of our own lives.
“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, I will ascend to heaven, above the stars of God: I will set my throne on high: I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the most High.” Isaiah 14:12-14
Sadly, most of mankind is oblivious to the existence of angels and demons and therefore of the spiritual warfare taking place and yet God’s Word makes it crystal clear that without the whole armour of God we are unable to stand against the schemes of the Devil.
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:11-12
Most of mankind is following the Prince of this World (Satan) dead in their trespasses and sins.
“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the Prince of the Power of the Air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.” Ephesians 2:1-3
How foolish it is that most people are unwilling to repent and accept their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.“ John 3:16-17
“Jesus said to him (Thomas), “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:6-7
Why has God allowed Satan and his demons to exist and wage warfare against us, His creatures, made in His image?
God has revealed in many Scriptures that He knew the outcome of all that would happen in His world before He even created it. The following Scriptures make this point clear.
“He (Jesus) was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.” 1 Peter 1:20-21
“Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.” John 17:24
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.” Ephesians 1:3-4
“Also it (the Antichrist in the last days before Jesus returns) was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it (Antichrist) over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it (Antichrist)), everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. Revelation 13:7-8
Think on it; God planned for Jesus to come to earth at the appointed time to pay the price for the sins of mankind for all who repent and acknowledge Him as their Saviour and Lord. Surely this demonstrates the extent of God’s love for His creation as well as His grace and His mercy. Perhaps in no other way could God reveal to us His full character but in the history that has and is still playing out in His world. Through the stories of the Bible we get to know God, what He did and what is important to Him. We get to know; He is trustworthy, He is holy, righteousness, He disciplines individuals and nations, His judgement (Noah’s Flood), His mercy, grace and love (Jesus). God’s Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin and His Holy Spirit makes it possible for all believers to live the Christian life. All has been revealed to us. God wants a people who will see His character and choose Him above all else regardless of the cost. Will you be one of His children that will live eternally on the new earth and heaven? The choice is yours.
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