Posted on 10/21/2012 4:42:00 AM PDT by GiovannaNicoletta
There’s a theory, only hinted at in Scripture, that Planet Earth had been the domain of Satan prior to his rebellion. Although he was only a created being, Satan was an enormously powerful dignitary in God’s Universe (Jude 1:9). He was the overseer of the Cherubim (the guardians of God’s Throne) and a leader of the angelic host. He was God’s most impressive creation (Ezekiel 28:12-15). Because of his position, his power, and his beauty he became proud and rebelled (Ezekiel 28:17, Isaiah 14:13-14), bringing about a judgment that destroyed planet Earth.
All this seems to have happened between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2. Hints of this in Scripture are
1) an alternate (and some say more literal) rendering of Genesis 1:2 reads, “But the Earth became formless and void”, rather than “and the Earth was formless and void.”
2) In Isaiah 45:18 the Lord said He didn’t create the Earth that way, using the same Hebrew word that’s translated formless in Genesis 1:2, but formed it to be inhabited. Putting these two points together hints at a judgment sometime after Earth’s original creation.
3) The angels already existed at the time of the Genesis creation account. They shouted and sang for joy when the Lord laid the foundations of Earth (Job 38:4-7) so they must have been created earlier. If so, then Satan must have been created earlier was as well.
4) The serpent seems to appear out of nowhere in Genesis 3:1 although there’s no mention of him in the creation account. Also the Hebrew word translated serpent comes from a root meaning enchanter, which could mean it was not an ordinary animal. And Eve didn’t seem to be reluctant to converse with him, indicating she might have recognized him for who he really was.
Let me hasten to add that I don’t believe in a pre-Adamite civilization. The Bible clearly calls Adam the first man (1 Cor. 15:45). It also says the animals were created on the same day as Adam (Genesis 1:24-26) so I don’t believe dinosaurs or any other animals preceded Adam’s creation.
After Earth sat submerged in ruin and darkness for who knows how long, God said “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3) and the six day Genesis creation process began. It helps to remember that the Bible is not a book about eternity, it’s about the age of man. As such it begins with the creation of the first man and ends when the Millennium ends seven thousand years later. It gives only vague hints about what happened before the Age of Man began and what will come after it ends. All we really know is that there was an eternity past and there will be an eternity future.
God’s first instruction to Adam and Eve was to give them dominion over Planet Earth, telling them to subdue it and populate it (Genesis 1:28). Satan, whose domain Earth had formerly been, responded by causing them to sin (Genesis 3:1-13). As a result of their sin, Adam and Eve fell from immortality to being mortal, carrying all their descendants with them (Romans 5:12). The creation was also placed in bondage to sin (Romans 8:18-21), and Satan snatched control of Earth back from Adam Eve and has held it from then until now (1 John 5:19). This is why Jesus referred to Satan as the prince of this world (John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11) and Paul called him the god of this world (2 Cor. 4:3-4).
Jesus redeemed the creation (bought it back) with His own blood at the same time He redeemed us, but He won’t move to actually assert His claim to it until just before the beginning of the Great Tribulation at the sound of the seventh Trumpet.
The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever” (Rev. 11:15).
And in Rev. 12:10 we read,
“Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.”
In the mean time, the Bible tells us Satan is in charge here, and there are numerous references to demonic powers influencing life on Earth to confirm this.
In Governments
Satan had representation in all the Gentile Empires of Biblical times. He was called the king of Babylon in Isaiah 14:4 and the king of Tyre in Ezekiel 28:11. An angel spoke to Daniel about being detained by the “prince of Persia” and requiring help from the Archangel Michael to get free (Daniel 10:13). He also said he would soon be doing battle against the “prince of Greece” (Daniel 10:20) although at that time the Greek Empire was still 2 centuries into the future. And the Roman Empire became so evil that many see the Roman Emperor Nero as one of history’s clearest models of the anti-Christ.
Does anyone believe things are different today? After all, Gentile Dominion won’t end until the 2nd Coming. Adolph Hitler was another model of the anti-Christ, and Nazi Germany showed how pervasive evil can become when a nation is under the influence of the occult. Ronald Reagan called the Soviet Union an Evil Empire. George W. Bush referred to nations supporting international terrorism as an Axis of Evil. And since the United States entered its post Christian era, who can deny that evil has had a much stronger influence here as well.
In The Church
As for evil in the Church, Paul said those who introduce false doctrine into the body are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. (2 Cor. 11:13-15).
He said we would see this becoming more prevalent as the end times approach. In 1 Timothy 4:1 he wrote, The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
In Our Lives
On a personal level the Bible warns us about the influence of evil in our lives. In Ephes. 6:12 Paul wrote, For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
The fact is the world is an evil place where bad things happen without reason and it will be that way until the Lord comes to restore it (Matt. 19:28, Acts 3:21). It’s not because God created it that way or even because He wants it that way. It’s because when our first parents sinned they unleashed a force of evil on this world that has put all their descendants in bondage and contaminated even the creation itself.
History has shown that God only lets sin and rebellion go to a certain point before reigning it in. Even during the Great Tribulation, when He will remove His agency of restraint altogether (2 Thes. 2:7), He will put an end to evil’s reign before it can completely destroy mankind (Matt. 24:22).
Is God In Control?
This brings us back to the original question, and here’s my answer. I believe things will turn out exactly like God said they will because He’s already seen the end, and He saw it from the beginning. But does that mean I believe God is in total control of everything that happens in the mean time? No I don’t, and I think I’ve shown above that the Bible supports my opinion.
I believe when we become Christians we become aliens behind enemy lines. I believe we can expect God’s help in surviving if we turn over control of our lives to Him. But I think there’s a lot more to that than most people understand.
When Jesus said to take up our cross and follow Him (Luke 9:23) He was calling us to do what He was doing. And what was He doing? Matt. 26:39 tells us He laid down His will in favor of His Father’s will. Romans 12:1-2 explains that’s exactly what we’re called to do.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
We’re to lay down our will for our life and embrace His will for our life instead.
In Ephesians 4:22-24 Paul put it this way.
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
I’ve seen a lot of people who give lip service to this command, and a few who actually obey it. But even those who do obey realize the world remains an evil place, and bad things can still happen.
Jesus said that in this world we will have trouble (John 16:33), but He also said He came so we can have an abundant life (John 10:10). We gain this blessing by laying down the life we have planned for ourselves and picking up the life He has planned for us. In this way we can experience a personal world where He is in total control no matter what is happening in the world around us, and where He is working even the bad things that happen together for our good (Romans 8:28).
Paul said our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18). For that reason, he said, “we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18). This life is temporary. It’s the next one that’s permanent.
This is also why Paul told us to live by faith not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7), because even when we’re experiencing the adverse effects of this evil place, we can know that God has promised to work everything together for our good. Therefore, no matter how bad things might be, we can take heart in the fact that He has overcome the world, and through faith in Him we will too. Selah 10-20-12
Ping!
Man has free will (as did the Angelic Beings), God allows choices that go against His own will, but has ultimate control since He creates the consquences for those choices.
We know that God can control everything because we are told in Scripture that He ultimately will, but only after sin has run it's course and the time allowed for Satan (who is still on a leash even while being the god of this age) to deceive those who refuse to choose God's path for salvation and eternal life has reached it's end.
>>> Let me hasten to add that I don’t believe in a pre-Adamite civilization.
1st 4 points do suggest that... and neanderthals are not necessarily “man”. Maybe man-like, and capable of speech, but not made in God’s image.
I cannot say that I believe in it either, but I find it a difficult position to ignore as well. The bible only gives hints in this area. If it were important enough to argue about, I think God would have revealed more than He did already.
Nevertheless, It is the best explanation I’ve ever seen to the question of what the differences are between a demon and fallen angel. Angelic bodies are far superior to ours. There is absolutely no reason why an angel would want to inhabit a human.
Again, I’m not trying to push the theory as truth. I just find it a plausible explanation for 1 of the many gaps God left for us to wrestle with. If you are aware of a better explanation to the question of “where do demons come from?”, I would like to hear it.
Have you read these two books:
Martin, Malachi, Hostage to the Devil: The Possession and Exorcism of Five Living Americans. New York: HarperSan Francisco, 1992
Amorth, Father Gabriele, An Exorcist Tells His Story. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1999
Discusses this very fact that you put forth here! Man has choice and those choices have consequence laid out by God.
I found this disturbingly true while in Iraq. The enemy, Islam, with their false prophet, thought they were the light - but since they carried a false messenger has their supreme leader forward - the counter to Christ - they lost and are now left in total ruin - but they can’t see it or acknowledge it - because of the false light that blinds them.
Event the fallen angels retained their powers...but that does not mean those of us adherent to Christ will be defeated, for that has been laid out on the choice we make...
Evil is on the loose at the top of America's government and we stand ready to be cast into the pit.
What happens is still up to us.
Since they were half-angel, the theory goes, they do not have eternal souls that go to hell after death so they are the "demons" that have the ability to inhabit the bodies of human beings.
On the other hand, God does say that Satan (and presumably the fallen angels), to paraphrase, roams the earth, seeking whom he may devour. No other created being is said to do that. And, when Jesus encountered the demon-possessed man who was possessed by, as the spirit responded when questioned by Jesus, the "legion", they begged Him to allow them to go into a herd of pigs rather than being sent to hell at that moment. That seems to suggest fallen angels whose appointed time to start their eternity in the hell that God created for them hadn't begun yet.
Those are the two hypotheses I've heard as to the identity of demons. I wish God had been more specific on this!
>>> I have heard that demons are the disembodied spirits of the Nephalim.
Well that makes sense... but doesn’t the scripture say that these creatures were imprisoned? I’m not sure. Anyway, I can buy this as an alternate explanation.
The fact that legion begged to be allowed to inhabit pigs to me further suggests that these spiritual creatures are not angelic. There would be no need nor desire for an angel to inhabit a human let alone swine. I wonder what the difference is between the encounter with legion and other demon possession accounts where the demon simply left upon command?
As far as the pit goes, It is clear to me from scripture that God actively releases and imprisons demons/Satan/fallen angels multiple times... even after the millenial reign of Christ it is mentioned that Satan would be released again. Obviously, returning to the pit was a fear of legion, but just as obvious is the fact that legion had already been there. Otherwise how else could legion be so fearful of it?
Our pastor spoke on this encounter not long ago. Interestingly, he described the encounter as a request for mercy by legion, and one that Jesus granted. What happened to legion once the pigs died? Seems to me they simply went back to being disembodied spirits again, free to seek out their next victim.
Personally, I do not believe that demons are allowed to possess anyone unless that person opens up a door for them.
Most likely as a result of drug use and/or witchcraft.
>>> No other created being is said to do that....
Satan is the ultimate authority where God appointed him to be. There would be no need for God to specify any further who and what was under his dominion and control.
Yes.... God designed and created Hell specifically for them.
But it is Satan’s ultimate goal to bring as many others with him as he can... including us.
Point being, I believe God’s exclusive reference to Satan/fallen angels is inclusive of all followers.
Quote from Mr. Kelley:
“But does that mean I believe God is in total control of everything that happens in the mean time? No I don’t, and I think I’ve shown above that the Bible supports my opinion.”
I must disagree with this statement.
Either God is sovereign or He is not.
If He is not, then there would be a power higher than Him, and that is NOT the case.
There are two speculations about this in posts 3 and 4.
I take that as a sign of God's perfect humility. He could control every aspect of His creation, but is content to allow His beloved creations make their own choices. It is already known that He will vanquish Satan (for Him it has already happened as He lives outside time). We have to wait for it.
All this seems to have happened between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2. Hints of this in Scripture are
1) an alternate (and some say more literal) rendering of Genesis 1:2 reads, “But the Earth became formless and void”, rather than “and the Earth was formless and void.”
2) In Isaiah 45:18 the Lord said He didn’t create the Earth that way, using the same Hebrew word that’s translated formless in Genesis 1:2, but formed it to be inhabited. Putting these two points together hints at a judgment sometime after Earth’s original creation.
Wow! It's taken me a good while to catch my breath! I used to teach college biology and sooner or later my students wanted to know my opinion on the formation of the earth. How did I match the ages of rocks with the story of creation? I never had an answer that truly satisfied me, at least not until today! I need to take the time to think it through and do a timeline, but I can easily see the creation of the planet, its descent into chaos and darkness for however long it took, then the creation of man. Had you ever wondered when, in v. 9, God ordered the waters to be gathered and the dry land appeared, where did that land come from? It almost sounds like it was there, just covered by the waters.
I'm home today with my sick husband, missing Sunday school and church, so your post brought a blessing to my soul. And I cannot wait to be back in Sunday school and suggest this theory to my students there! Do you have any references for that alternate translation of 1:2?
I'm sorry, I know that was not the point of your post, but all I can say is that it hit me like a sledge hammer :-) One could spend a lifetime studying Gen 1 and don't come anywhere near close to getting everything that is in there!
Jer:4:23-26: I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light. I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly. I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the LORD, and by his fierce anger.This seems to suggest that something happened before God said "Let there be light."
Jeremiah 4:19-26
There is some teaching that demons are a race of beings that existed prior to mankind and were destroyed when whatever happened between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2 happened.
Their bodies were destroyed but their spirits still live on on the earth. They are not fallen angels but a different race of beings who are trying to live out their lives vicariously through us.
Henry Wright has some interesting teaching on this using this passage on a CD of his called Spirit World Realities. (IIRC the name) I find the passage he uses somewhat weak in support of his teaching and would not have come to the same conclusions about the Jeremiah 4 passage myself, but he does make some interesting points.
God is in absolute total control, ultimately.
However, He also allows others to exercise some limited control.
A friend was recently discussing this concept of God’s will and the difference between His actual will, as in what He really wants to be, and His permissive will, that which He allows to happen for the time being. We get hung up on the difference when talking about God’s will.
So when someone gets blindsided and sick with a MRSA infection, just as an example, did God make it happen or let it happen?
He clearly knew it WOULD happen either way. And how does that fit in with all the teaching that God’s will for us is to be healed and whole? If it’s God’s will for us to be healthy, why doesn’t He heal every sickness when we ask?
Thanks for that reference
I’m sure there is good reason why God doesn’t give us more detail on this... but clearly there is something to it.
For me, it goes a long way towards explaining geological findings that suggest that life actually did exist on earth more than 6000 years ago, without contradicting scripture.
However, I find no use for it beyond that.
Just interesting stuff.
Exactly.
I think the writer addressed that in that he believes that Satan’s rebellion caused the earth to be “without form and void”.
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