The Failed Test of Lucifer

 

Introduction

I wish to advance a theory of the fall of The Bright and Morning Star. This individual is Lucifer, but more commonly known as Satan. This writer does not believe that Genesis 1:1-2  resulted from Lucifer’s fall and the later re-creation by God.

Creation & Theory

There is a theory that God had to recreate everything He once created. This destruction lies between Genesis 1:1 and 2 because of the void and darkness on the earth. Some say Lucifer caused this emptiness on the planet. If one believes this theory of the gap resulted from Lucifer’s playing havoc in the Earthly and Celestial Heaven, one would have to think that God lost control of creation. God and losing power are not options for God to entertain.

Genesis 1:1-2 says,

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters.

This writer thinks this devastation between Genesis 1:1-2 is not valid.

Genesis 1:31 says,

God saw all He had made; behold, it was perfect. And there was evening, and there was morning, the sixth day.

Scripture is clear that when God looked back, He said, “Very good.”

Had they cast Lucifer out between Genesis 1:1 and 2, God the creator could not say it was “very good,” now could He?

It could be as simple as not having the exact words to describe the beginning of creation. Now, go to a place like Lowe’s or Home Depot. There is everything one must have to build a home. It just does not look like anything yet. One can go to Lowe’s or Home Depot and see only building supplies, yet a contractor can see a beautiful building. God did the same thing, gathering everything needed to create everything we see. Everything that God needed was there, but we cannot see the beauty in God’s mind.

Men present complicated theories about the creation and then miss the obvious in front of their eyes.

Testing of Man’s Loyalty

God gave man one rule for living in the garden. Do not eat from the Tree of “the knowledge of good and evil.”

Genesis 2:16-17 said,

The Lord God commanded the man, saying, From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it, you will surely die.

In these two verses, God let us choose for ourselves, which amounted to free will. With this new free will, we are now responsible to the person who gave it to us. Will we obey and do his bidding, or do as we please?

“The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil” was the test set before all humanity. It was a test of our free will and of who we are. However, Adam and Eve failed the test and then passed the blame on to someone else, which is what we do today. One wonders what would have happened if they admitted their guilt before God for disobedience. What God would have done is an exciting idea to muse over.

We must admit our deficiencies without saying they made us do them. One can only speculate what God would have done if they had confessed to their sins.

Testing of Lucifer’s Loyalty

God tested man for his loyalty to the Tree of Good and Evil. God also tested all His Angelic creations for their devotion to Him. Maybe this trial was the man himself, and God, having created man by His hand, was Satan’s test.

Genesis 1:26 says,

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the sky and the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

Man is God’s unique, creative act, as He made us in His image. God did not create Lucifer in His image. The human species were to rule over everything God created. When one thinks of this vast power God placed into our hands for safekeeping, our humility should bring obedience and awe.

Only man has the divine right of dominion over every creation God made. However, Lucifer assumed he could take this power over.

Man, given a great responsibility to care for God’s creation, maybe Lucifer’s jealousy and pride got the best of him. At this moment, Satan surrendered to his great pride and said, “I will make myself like the Highest.”

Psalm 8:3-6 said,

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty! You make him rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet.

Man, favored by God, ran around in Lucifer’s head. Satan yielded to his pride and said, “I will make myself like the Highest.”

Isaiah 14:14-17 said,

I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High. Nevertheless, you will be thrust down to Sheol, to the recesses of the pit. Those who see you will gaze at you and ponder, saying, Is this the individual who made the earth tremble, shook kingdoms, made the world like a wilderness, overthrew its cities, and did not allow his prisoners to go home?

Lucifer lost everything because of his PRIDE

Conclusion

God tested the loyalty of both man and Lucifer. Man was the test of Lucifer’s faithfulness, and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was the test of man’s loyalty, and both failed.

Think about a loyalty test you have had from a family member, friend, spouse, or boss. If there were no tests of loyalty, how could they trust you? God, our family, friend, spouse, or boss must verify commitment out of necessity to acquire confidence in that individual. Something placed before you is alluring to test you; if there were no fascination, the test would be mute.

Proverbs 16:18-19 says,

Pride precedes destruction and a haughty spirit before stumbling. It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoiled with the proud.

Sola Scriptura–By Scripture Alone

Sola Fide–By Faith Alone

Sola Gratia–By Grace Alone

Solus Christus–By Christ Alone

Soli Deo Gloria–Glory to God Alone

Copyright George L Gallant, ©2021, updated: ©2024

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995)

 

The Day of the Lord

 Introduction

Laziness has blinded the Church in its study of God’s Word. The Church seems to believe it can quicken “The Day of the Lord.”

“The Day of the Lord” will not come without signs, so we must be vigilant in our faith.

Various Fellowships say that their missionary endeavor is to quicken the day of the Lord. Quickening, “The Day of the Lord” is a wrong motive for spreading the Word of God; saving the lost soul is the real purpose of missionary pursuits.

Matthew 24:4-14 says,

            And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must occur, but that is not yet the end. For nations will rise against nations, and kingdoms against kingdoms, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. Then they will deliver you to tribulation and will kill you, and all nations will hate you because of My name. Many will fall away, betray, and hate one another at that time. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness increased, most people’s love will grow cold. “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

 Proclaiming the Word

The Church cannot hasten Christ’s return, as catastrophic events will happen, so Christians must prepare and never lose hope. Christ will come back according to God’s timetable. God will command his angel to proclaim the everlasting gospel to all humanity. God will complete the evangelism of the world, not the Church.

Revelation 14:6-7 says,

And I saw another angel flying in mid-heaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; and he said with a loud voice, Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters.

Why do Christians ignore or skate around these verses in Revelation? God will declare the gospel to all people and languages by the voice of an angel. Christians are only workers and cannot spread the Good News as commanded. God will perform this task at His convenience. Humanity will hear the truth through the voice of one who cannot lie.

Humanities Judgment

When the Lord returns, He will judge all humanity. The Lord will settle all accounts.

Romans 14:9 says,

Christ died and lived again to be Lord of the dead and the living.

Acts 10:42 says,

And he commanded us to preach to the people and testify that God appointed him (Jesus Christ) to be judge of the living and the dead.

God’s Day Approaches

Matthew 24:36 says,

But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven or the Son, but the Father alone.

God’s day is coming, and one day this world will end. God will persevere only so far, then the end. Jesus commanded the Church to spread the gospel to all. But remember, one must keep one’s ego in check, so this work is not in the flesh. Many devout Christians fall prey to their ego in frustration because few souls will enter the kingdom.

Acts 1:8 says,

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.

Matthew 22:14 says,

For God called many, but few chosen.

One must be a faithful witness of Jesus Christ while still on earth. Eventually, God will be responsible for the delivery of the gospel to humanity. In Corinthians, God will cause growth, not man.

1 Corinthians 3:7 says,

So then, neither the one who plants nor waters is anything but God who causes the growth.

Our part is to plant the seed of life, or we water. It is God’s responsibility for the increase in His salvation plan.

So, the day of the Lord will come, and here is a question from Luke’s Gospel.

Luke 18:8 says,

I tell you, He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, will He find faith upon the earth when the Son of Man comes?

The Rapture

So, in Scripture, where is this secret delight where all Christians will avoid God’s wrath and not see the tribulation? Only this is possible with a stretch of the imagination or a blatant misinterpretation of the Word of God.

The Pre-Tribulation Rapture started around the 1800s and had no early church fathers supporting this alternative. A clandestine joy is only a few hundred years old. This idea of a Secret Rapture may have developed in Scotland. Christians cultivated this belief that God would disconnect them from the persecution soon to be on earth.

The Origin of the Concept of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture

2 Timothy 3:12 says,

All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will see persecution.

Various believers only see this misery of seven years of sorrow and pain for the unbeliever. The book of Daniel shows the first half of these seven years as a peaceful time. We may understand the books of Daniel and Revelation through serious Bible study.

Many Christians embrace a Secret Rapture, knowing they will avoid suffering. Scripture teaches something different from the way men look at the end times. If one is God’s child, they will suffer persecution. Look at what is happening to the Christians in the Arab and African world today with their persecution. (see 2 Timothy 3:12) One should also look at what is happening in America today and see what the United States Government is trying to do by taking away our freedom of religion.

Christians alive during the tribulation will go through it, but it is the Wrath of God we will not go through when it comes. After opening the sixth seal, terror will fill the earth as it never was and will be again. Christians will not go through the Wrath of God because God will remove the Holy Spirit, and without the Holy Spirit, NO ONE could survive.

Revelation 6:12-17 says,

I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind. The sky was split apart like a scroll when rolled up, and every mountain and island moved out of its place. Then, the kings of the earth, the great men, the commanders, the rich, the strong, and every enslaved person and freeman hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They said to the mountains and the rocks, Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?

Revelation16:17 says,

Then, the seventh angel poured his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple from the throne, saying, “It is done.”

There was no more hope for humanity, for the Holy Spirit was no longer on earth to convict humanity of unrighteousness. God gave them several opportunities to confess their sin, but they rebelled and cursed God. God destroyed man at the seventh bowl of wrath poured out.

2 Timothy 3:12 says,

All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will see persecution.

However, true believers will not see the Wrath of God that will come upon humanity. But believers will see persecution in this life.

The Armor of God

As warriors of God, we must wear armor that protects us from harm. This defensive and offensive armor is honoring God through His Word.

Ephesians 6:10-17 says,

Finally, be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God so you can stand firm against the devil’s schemes. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. So take up the whole armor of God so you can resist the evil day and, having done everything, stand firm. Stand firm hence, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with preparing the gospel of peace; besides all, taking up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Conclusion

Here is a question: are you awaiting the Rapture or the return of Jesus Christ? These two events are unique; one is cowardly, and the other brings joy. The one you choose will change how they understand the Word of God. Persecution will happen while in the Army of God on earth.

The Church must prepare for battle every day, awaiting the Lord's return. God's only protection is His armor, so use it well.

Fight the good fight, stay the course, and eternal life with Jesus Christ is the reward.

Even Jesus did not want to go to the Cross and suffer persecution, yet He did His Father’s will.

In Luke 22:42, it says,

Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours.

Jesus must suffer pain before going back to His Father. The Lord shows us we must endure to the end, and then we receive the prize.

Sola Scriptura–By Scripture Alone

Sola Fide–By Faith Alone

Sola Gratia–By Grace Alone

Solus Christus–By Christ Alone

Soli Deo Gloria–Glory to God Alone

Copyright George L Gallant, ©2021, Update: ©2024

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995)

Relationship v. Religion

 Introduction

The pitfalls of religion over a relationship between oneself and the Lord Jesus Christ of Creation must be supreme. Some people believe that religion is superior to a relationship. This author believes that a personal relationship over human-made religion becomes paramount.

Many will reject what I am saying to embrace a religious denomination, that my friend is their choice, and I respect what they believe, but I disagree with them about this choice. Religion will tie one’s hands, but a relationship sets us free.

Religion

During this stage, people in a crisis will turn to a religious denomination that comforts them. However, when this predicament ends, those same individuals who embraced religion will fall back into their old ways of life.

According to the dictionary, religion is a belief in some superhuman controlling person. This control could be why people run to faith when a catastrophe presents itself. Religion is a set of rules laid out by the founder of that religious sect, or today, we call them denominations.

List of Christian Denominations

Each has its regulations that the devotee must adhere to or face ex-communication.

James 1:26-27 says,

If anyone thinks himself to be religious and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

It speaks of a “Pure and undefiled religion,” but not all human-made religions are pure or undefiled. Many religions seem laced with the beliefs of the Pharisees of old, with an extensive list of “do’s and don’ts.” A “Pure and undefiled religion” is a relationship between individuals.

Relationship

According to the dictionary, a relationship is how people connect or how individuals act toward each other. When one connects with the Lord Jesus, it is not about “do’s and don’ts!” It is about how one shows one's love and respect for each other.

If we love the Lord Jesus Christ, obeying Him will be easiest. Our first task should be as the scripture teaches.

Matthew 22:37-40 says,

And He said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. And this is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as you love yourself. These two commandments depend on the whole Law and the Prophets.

If one loves the Lord, then all else will fall into place. There is no religion here, but a relationship between God and people. There are no “do’s and don’ts” to follow in a relationship because one does it out of love.

Husband and Wife

The first relationship was between God and Adam, out of pure love. Then God created a woman, and now, a relationship was among humans, and no religion was involved here.

Ephesians 5:25, 33 says,

Husbands love their wives, just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her. Still, each individual among you must also love his wife even as he loves himself, and the wife must see that she respects her husband.

It has always been important for relationships, not the human-made religion of today. If one has love and devotion to an individual, one will do anything to make them happy.

That is why a relationship is far superior to any religion.

Family Relationships

It is all about relationships with all humans, regardless of their color.

Ephesians 6:1-9 says,

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (the first commandment with a promise) so it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Enslaved people, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart and with good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether enslaved person or free. And masters do the same things to them and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

The above passage is not about religion but the relationship of children toward their parents and vice versa; it is also about servants and their relationship to the master and how the master treats his servants. All healthy relationships are from the Lord and must be from the heart.

The author contends this whole passage is about relationships with other individuals. Religion will not work because it has too many rules.

The Ten Commandments

Relationships with others are so meaningful that even in God’s Commandments of Moses, most were to show how our relationship was to be with our fellow man.

Exodus 20 says,

Relationship Toward God

You shall have no other gods before me.

You shall not make idols.

You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.

Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.

Relationship Toward Man

Honor your father and your mother.

You shall not murder.

You shall not commit adultery.

You shall not steal.

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

You shall not covet.

There are more commandments towards man than God; as God shows us, it is a relationship superior to religion.

Conclusion

The relationship is far superior to any religion. Religion only translates into denominationalism. Religion, denominationalism, or whatever one wants to call it, is a tool that has caused divisions in the body of Christ called the Church. Genuine relationships bring only one closer to each other in love and devotion.

Humankind has gotten so wrapped up in religion it has forgotten people. Do not let religion rule your life; commit to a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, and see the results soar to the next level.

God has no religion with us, but He has a relationship waiting if we ask.

Sola Scriptura–By Scripture Alone

Sola Fide–By Faith Alone

Sola Gratia–By Grace Alone

Solus Christus–By Christ Alone

Soli Deo Gloria–Glory to God Alone

Copyright George L Gallant, ©2021, Updated: ©2024

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995)

We Have No True Religious Liberties

Introduction

There is much debate about religious freedom and exemptions in America today being ripped away only because of how one believes. Yet, this event seems to target the Christian faith only. Why is this happening?

Persecution

Individuals with no firm root in God’s Word will fall at the first sign of trouble. Persecution of any type is a gift from God, as He thought the individual worthy of suffering for Him. The God of creation also knew the individual would come out triumphant on the other end, giving God all the glory.

2 Timothy:12 says,

All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will see persecution

 Matthew teaches us this from the parable of the Sower, which is a great lesson.

But there is one who will fail God.

Matthew 13:20-21 says,

The one on whom seed was sown in the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, he falls away.

The poison jab that governments worldwide are trying to force on individuals is a precursor to the mark one will receive to buy or sell anything at the end of the age. These individuals (the rocky places) quit without a fight.

In contrast to the individual who fails, now we see the one who pleases God.

Mathew 13:23 says,

And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it; who bears fruit and brings forth some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.

The ones who fell away were people who wanted all the benefits of being a Christian but not the maltreatment resulting from being a Christian, either verbal or physical.

Persecution on a grand scale is about to enter the United States and the world, and if the Christians are not ready, they face great danger of rejection by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Luke 12:8-9 says,

And I tell you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man, will confess him also before the angels of God; but he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.

The author believes that a genuine follower of Jesus Christ cannot deny the Lord. Therefore, we must overcome the world as Scripture teaches. We must overcome the world to the end—that is, to the end of our lives; to this author, it means death.

1 John 5:4-5 says,

Whatever is born of God overcomes the world, and this victory has overcome the world—our faith. Who overcomes the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Dear fellow believers, are you willing to give up everything for the Lord Jesus Christ? In reality, you give up nothing because all things on earth have only a temporal value. But your salvation has eternal value and is bought with the blood of Jesus Christ.

Paradise

Paradise is only for those who overcome. Remember the marriage feast in Matthew’s Gospel? Scripture teaches God calls many, but He chooses few.

Matthew 22:14 says,

Many are called, but few are chosen.

The faith of individuals in America has not seen the ultimate testing. Now, the time has come for that challenge. Are you ready? Will one overcome the world, enter paradise, and be with the Lord Jesus Christ for all eternity? If one believes in the Lord Jesus Christ and gives themselves to Him, they will overcome this world.

We must keep on with our faith to receive the reward God has promised us. Seven times throughout the book of Revelation, it states, “he who overcomes,” the Lord says, “I will grant” salvation. Salvation is a gift given to us now, yet we must be overcomers standing firm for the Gospel and keeping faith in Jesus Christ.

Revelation 2:7b says,

To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.

Revelation 2:11b says,

The second death will not hurt him, who overcomes.

Revelation 2:17b says,

To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone and a new name written on the stone, which no one knows but he who receives it.

Revelation 2:26 says,

He who overcomes and keeps My deeds until the end, I will give authority over the nations to him.

Revelation 3:5 says,

He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments, and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and His angels.

Revelation 3:12 says,

He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.

Revelation 3:21 says,

He who overcomes, I will grant him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I (Jesus) also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

God vowed to give us all these things if we believed and to stay the course to the end. That is death. These are the things God will provide us with if we “overcome.”

Conclusion

Romans 8:35 says,

Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword?

My dear fellow believer, understand that no place in the Holy Scripture guarantees us this freedom. The only thing we have is the power of God, who will fight on our behalf if we believe. Thus, the United States Constitution may grant us religious freedoms. However, if one changes the Constitution, we can lose those freedoms in a heartbeat with little say.

2 Timothy 3:12 says,

All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

NO RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS found anywhere in this Bible verse is there. But believers will see persecution in this life. It speaks of abuse because we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Revelation 21:7 says,

He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be my son.

Luke 18:8b says,

When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?

A word of encouragement: stand firm. It will be worth it all in the end. We will suffer persecution, so stop crying and wanting to escape it. God is on our side; remember, Jesus Christ won the battle; it is over, and now the triumphal entry into God’s Kingdom.

Sola Scriptura–By Scripture Alone

Sola Fide–By Faith Alone

Sola Gratia–By Grace Alone

Solus Christus–By Christ Alone

Soli Deo Gloria–Glory to God Alone

Copyright: George L Gallant, ©2017 updated: ©2024

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995)