War in Heaven

Revelation 12:7-9

Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.  And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.  …

War in heaven, yes, in heaven.  So those of you who have thought war was an earthly evil only, now you know.  We must realize that the battle between God and Satan takes place in both heaven and on earth.  

Satan was in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve.  His attack on mankind was to create confusion between man and God.  In an attempt to draw them away from God and to himself.  Evil has ever since existed in this world.  So, then we draw that Satan had the ability to be in both earth and heaven at that time.  His actions in Genesis 3 to deceive Eve and Adam were a complete betrayal of God, the Father.

We see Satan in the heavenly realm in Job 1:6-12, discussing with God about the loyalty of Job, a follower of God, the Father.  God allows Satan to test Job.  Even here, we see that Satan is subject to God, the Father’s, authority and sovereignty.  But, we draw from this that the war between God and Satan (good and evil) is an enduring battle that has always been and will continue through the end days.

Isaiah 14:12 and Luke 10:18  also reference imagery that represents Lucifer (Satan, Morning Star) falling from heaven.  In a prophetic statement, they are also referring to Satan being removed from the heavenly realms, just as John sees in his vision.  The reign of Satan is on the earth for a time.  That time is finite, and only God knows the day on which it will end.

The red dragon pursued the child to devour it, then pursued the women (nation of Israel), and finally the followers of Jesus Christ (referenced in Revelation 12:16).  We are in this window of time now, but there will come a day when Satan and his evil will be cast completely from heaven forever.  This will come at the end of time, when Jesus Christ will return for one last battle on earth.

We see his evil surrounding us today, and know that it is getting worse with the passing of more and more time.  God is patient, though that more may come to know Him.  But I fear, time is short, and soon we will see these things roll out before us, just as John has said. 

Will there Be Peace on Earth?

Click Here: Read Luke 12

“Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.”  – Luke 12:51

It was a crisp night in the small town of Bethlehem.  The stars in the sky were brilliant and the moon lit up the desert hills.  In the distance you could hear the bleating of sheep, the noise of the crowds in the city center, fire crackling here and there as stander-bys warmed their hands.  When the young couple enter into the city, tired from a long journey of nearly 100 miles on foot.  Several days if not a week or more, by donkey, over the hills, mountain passes and desert terrain. 

In that day, the people of Judah were expecting a Saviour, a King to rule for them against the tyranny of the Roman Empire.  What they weren’t expecting was a baby, born in the humble setting of an animal stable.  Lying among the hay, troughs and obvious animals in that stable; Mary gave birth to the King of the Jews, the Messiah, and our Saviour.  It was anything but peaceful on that first Christmas Eve.  The city was abuzz, the crowds had amassed, and the Romans were taking a census.  Thieves ran to and fro through the night.  Marketers sold their goods to the passersby for exorbitant fees, ladies sold themselves for the company of another.  God, stepped into the world amidst the chaos of the world, and set out on a path of redemption that would take 32 years (or so) to complete.

Did Jesus come into this world to bring peace?  No, not at all.  He came into this world to bring justice, to bring salvation, to bring a hope of redemption for the evil that lives in this world.  He came to separate the chaff from the grain on the threshing floor (Matt 3:12) of man’s heart, and burn the chaff in an unquenchable fire.  The division Christ speaks of is between the righteous and the unrighteous, between the good and the evil. 

I hear from the world today, if God, then why….. (fill in the blank).  Why death, why suffering, why poverished, why sick, why fired, why rape, why evil, why floods, why earthquakes, and so on.  It’s as if they believe because God is love, then God wouldn’t allow these things.  What they fail to recall is that mankind is inherently evil, and only through God can they become good.  Man must choose right or wrong in every situation.  We make decisions, or others make decisions that influence us, which instinctively lead to an outcome.  God is Love.  Could He, as the single omnipotent, sovereign authority wave His hand and make it all go away?  Yes.  Then why doesn’t He? 

His timetable is infinite and His existence is eternal.  Romans 8:28 tells us: He works all things to His good.  We may not and often times do not understand the how or what, but with faith in His eternal plan, we can know that this is true.  I don’t know why some things happen, but I do know that God wants our love and worship; and this is evidenced by His action in sending Jesus Christ as a single means of redemption.  We are given every opportunity to accept Him and turn from evil, and by doing so, find an eternal peace.  So, no, there will never be Peace on Earth.

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37 Days – A Promise of Heaven

Pastor Randy’s devotional:

Jesus said, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house; I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you. After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you may be where I am. John 14:1-4

February 4^th Prayer:
Jesus, you have prepared a place for me that is more wonderful than I can imagine. In Your presence is fullness of joy and at Your right hand are pleasures for evermore (Psalm 16:11). When fear of death tries to cripple me and discourage me, I will trust in Your promise of a more wonderful place than earth. I am so excited to see You in heaven. And yet, it brings me joy and peace on this earth knowing that I will live eternally with You in a wonderful, beautiful place. I love this earth that You’ve made and consider it glorious. I can only imagine how much better our eternal home will be. Thank You, Jesus!

My thoughts:

Look around your surroundings.  Yes, right now, just look around.  Do you see furniture, electronics, food, animals, family members; perhaps outside of a window - trees, grass, snow, and bushes; perhaps on the road – cars, buses, bicycles, people walking or running?  Now imagine one day sitting in heaven and looking around yourself. What might you see?  Jesus, Paul, Abraham, Moses, Peter, John, Mary.  Perhaps your parents, grandparents, siblings and family.  Perhaps your friends, co-workers or people from church.  Do you see trees, grass, bushes, electronics, furniture, cars, buses or bicycles?  Are there sports stadiums, golf courses, fitness gyms, airports, office buildings, shopping malls, bars, movie theaters?  What about poverty housing, projects, drug houses, strip clubs, brothels, dark alleys or war zones?

Can you decipher the heavenly places from the earthly places?  There are obvious ones which aren’t likely to be in heaven, yet are very common here on earth.  If these are so obviously wrong from God’s Kingdom view, why are we even entertaining the idea and considering participating in such things.  You see, inherently you know what is “of God” and what is not.  Jesus tells us He will prepare a place for you in His Father’s Kingdom and then come back to take you there.  Can we not be patient in our waiting to join with Him at the appropriate time?

Choose wisely my friends.  Choose spiritually, that which is of God and resist that which is not of God for in the end, your treasure is in heaven, not here on this earth.

Be Blessed,

Rich

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