Satan and his kingdom

Satan and his kingdom

Lucifer, the anointed cherub that covereth, a mighty Angel "Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God;..." [Ezekiel 28:14]

In the beginning Lucifer was given dominion over the Earth and the Kingdom of Heaven associated with the Earth. Lucifer committed the original sin [the mystery of iniquity] and rebelled against God.

Henceforth, he would be called Satan because he became the adversary of God. He is called by other names as well. Some of these other names are, The Devil, the Dragon, and The Serpent, but all of these names represent the original sinner and he is Lucifer.

[John 3]

3:8: He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

In order for God's children, to know more about our arch enemy, Lucifer, the original enemy of God, we must go back to "the beginning". As the Apostle John, by virtue of the Holy Spirit so indicates above, we must go back to the beginning where God begins His revelation of Himself and His purposes, [concerning Satan, Man, and the Kingdom of Heavens and Earth]. We must go back to the Book of Genesis.

[Genesis 1]

1:1: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

God created the heaven and the earth wherein we may surmise that God's creation was perfect in it's original form. When God creates something it is always created in it's most perfect form. Nothing can be done to make it more perfect for God is perfect and does nothing imperfectly.

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5

In the very next verse we read of a ruined creation.

1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.
And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

How was God's perfect creation ruined? "...the devil sinneth from the beginning."

In other words, Lucifer [the Devil or Satan], having been given dominion over the perfect creation of this dominion of the Earth and it's Heaven [The Kingdom of the Heavens], attempted to place himself over and above God's authority and thus usurp the power of God's overall Kingdom [all of the other collective dominions throughout God's over-all kingdom] and up to even seating himself on or above God's throne.

Isaiah 14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

Because of this rebellion, a small part of God's overall Kingdom, [the dominion of the Earth and the Kingdom of the Heavens - associated with the Earth], became defiled, and ruin was the result. Satan was cast down from his place in God's government [deposed]. Jesus testifies to the fall of Satan in [Luke 10].

[Luke 10:18] And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
Whole Chapter: [Luke 10] In context: (Luke 10:17-19)

Here Jesus is referring to Satan's fall from his station in the third heaven as a covering Cherub. Ezekiel 28:14

In [Ezekiel 28:1] the word of the LORD came unto Ezekiel and God told him to say certain things unto Satan, being addressed by the name "prince of Tyrus", for in reality Satan was influencing this King of Tyrus mightily from the heavenlies.

²   Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:
³   Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee:

Satan had access to the same writings [God's Word] to which Daniel had access and there was and is nothing in the Holy Writ that Satan has not gone over again and again. Satan, without a doubt has memorized the Holy writ from front to back and knows, very well, how to distort God's Word to the un-learned.

⁴   With thy wisdom and with thine understanding thou hast gotten thee riches, and hast gotten gold and silver into thy treasures:
⁵   By thy great wisdom and by thy traffick hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches:
⁶   Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God;
⁷   Behold, therefore I will bring strangers upon thee, the terrible of the nations: and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of thy wisdom, and they shall defile thy brightness.
⁸   They shall bring thee down to the pit, and thou shalt die the deaths of them that are slain in the midst of the seas.
⁹   Wilt thou yet say before him that slayeth thee, I am God? but thou shalt be a man, and no God, in the hand of him that slayeth thee.
¹⁰   Thou shalt die the deaths of the uncircumcised by the hand of strangers: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.

Then God continues:

¹¹   Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
¹²   Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.
¹³   Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.
¹⁴   Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
¹⁵   Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.
¹⁶   By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.
¹⁷   Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.
¹⁸   Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.
¹⁹   All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.

In [Zechariah 3] the Lord rebukes Satan and reinforces His claim to Jerusalem as the City of God. The actual events of this part if scripture are in the future and are the culmination of Satan's final destruction just before the judgment at the Great White Throne.

Zechariah 3:2 And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: ...?
(Whole Chapter: [Zechariah 3] In context: [Zechariah 3:1-3])

The mountain and City of God is in Jerusalem, Israel. Satan was cast out of the mountain of God in third heaven {past tense} "thou wast upon the holy mountain of God" [Ezekiel 28:14] and in [Ezekiel 28:16] God said "I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God" {future tense} and this will come to pass during the Great Tribulation [the time of Jacob's trouble] when Satan, having possessed the dead body of the anti-Christ, [in a type of false resurrection], will set himself up as God in the third temple; thus defiling the third temple which, at the time will be sitting on the earthly mountain of God in Jerusalem, Israel.

Daniel 9 ²⁷ And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

The "he" in [Daniel 9:27] above is the possessed body of the anti-Christ. He (Satan's seed, the anti-Christ) will confirm a covenant with the leaders of Israel and leaders of other nations, at some point in the future, for one week [a week of 7 years] or seven years [the tribulation years].

This is not your normal week as in [7] twenty-four hour days. No, this is a week of seven years, instead of days, and they are normally considered to be divided into [two parts]; 3.5 years in the first part and 3.5 years in the second part. This entire period is normally considered to be "the tribulation period" but the last 3.5 years are commonly known as the great tribulation" [also known as "the time of Jacob's trouble].

[Jeremiah 30:7] Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble, but he shall be saved out of it. (Whole Chapter: [Jeremiah 30] In context: [Jeremiah 30:6-8])

The "he" being referred to above "but he shall be saved out of it." is referring to the nation of Israel which came out of the loins of Jacob, their fore-father.

[Daniel 9:27] above, declares that in the middle of the [7] year week, [7 years divided by 2 = 3.5 years], the anti-Christ will break the covenant with Israel and cause the sacrifices [Bulls, Sheep, Goats], being made to Jehovah by the Levitical priests inside the temple, to stop [cease] and attempt to force the people of the Israel and the gentiles of the earth to worship the image of the anti-Christ (which has been possessed by Satan) instead and take the mark of the beast.

This will be the situation that Christ will find on the "Mountain of God" when He returns to defeat Satan and destroy the wicked armies of the world in the last great war, {"the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate" {Daniel 9:27}, [Armageddon Revelation 16:16] just before Christ establishes His kingdom upon the Earth for one thousand years.

This will fulfill the promise God made to Satan in [Ezekiel 28:16] above. "I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God": and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.

[Revelation 13 and 19] gives us a fairly good picture of the destruction of Satan's kingdom at the end of the great tribulation [the last 3.5 years].

[Revelation 13] begins with the appearance of the anti-Christ out of the sea of humanity.

¹   And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
²   And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
³   And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
⁴   And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
⁵   And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. {3.5 years}
⁶   And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

..................

¹¹   And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

This is the appearing of the False Prophet. The 'Earth' as it is used here is a type or a symbol indicating the false prophet will be appointed by a World Government.

¹²   And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

Remember the first beast is the anti-Christ and he will die, somehow, from a head wound but the deadly wound is healed by Satan and he will seemingly be raised from the dead, for Satan will possess the body of the anti-Christ.

The only way for this to happen is for Satan to actually possess, the body of the anti-Christ and in a type of false resurrection [to copy-cat the resurrection of Christ] and make it appear as if the anti-Christ cannot be destroyed. The people of the Earth will marvel at this turn of events but God's Word will be fulfilled even to the last jot and tittle. Did God not pronounce upon Satan the fact that Satan would become a man? "but thou shalt be a man, and no God, in the hand of him that slayeth thee." [Ezekiel 28:9]

¹³   And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
¹⁴   And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
¹⁵   And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
¹⁶   And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
¹⁷   And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
¹⁸   Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

So Satan will never have his wish. The Earth will not worship him, but, not because he didn't do his evil best to be worshiped. Was it worth the judgment that God will bestow upon him and his minions? [Revelation 19 and 20]

[Revelation 19]

¹¹   And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
¹²   His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

These crowns are Diadems which means Christ will now have all of the regal power, that is only God's to give, to rule and reign over the lost dominion that God had given to Adam and Eve to have dominion over , in the first chapter of Genesis. Adam and Eve were to take Satan's place if they could prove themselves worthy to rule but we now know the rest of that story.

¹³   And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
¹⁴   And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
¹⁵   And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
¹⁶   And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
¹⁷   And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
¹⁸   That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
¹⁹   And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
²⁰   And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
²¹   And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

[Revelation 20:10] And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

20:11   And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

20:13   And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

20:14   And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

20:15   And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

This is the ending of all who would rebel against God.

Arlen Chitwood, in his book "The Study of the Scripture" describes the location of Satan's kingdom.

Quote:

"From whence though do Satan and his angels presently rule? It is clear from both Old and New Testament Scriptures that they rule from a heavenly sphere over the earth. Satan and his angels have access to the earth (Gen. 6:2-4; Job 1:7; 2:2; I Peter 5:8; Jude 6), but they do not rule 'on' the earth.

1. Location of Satan's Rule -- Old Testament

Daniel, chapter ten, presents certain insights into how the present kingdom of Satan is structured, along with the location of those administering power and authority in the kingdom. In this chapter, a heavenly messenger who had been dispatched to Daniel on the earth from that part of the heavens where God resides and rules was detained at a point enroute. He was detained in the heavens above the earth by "the prince of the kingdom of Persia." Then Michael was dispatched from heaven, and the messenger remained there with "the kings of Persia" while Michael fought with the prince of Persia for his release (v. 13).

The picture presented is that of powerful angels in the kingdom of Satan ruling the earth from a heavenly sphere through counterparts in the human race on earth. There was a prince (ruler) of Persia in the heavens, and there was a prince (ruler) of Persia on the earth. Then, in the heavens, there were lesser rulers associated with Persia (the kings of Persia); and the same would have been true in the earthly kingdom.

Then beyond that "the prince of Greece," another heavenly ruler, is mentioned (v. 20). And the reason for the mention of this ruler is easy to see. Daniel, throughout his book, deals with the kingdom of Babylon, from the days of Nebuchadnezzar to the days of Antichrist; and {Dan. 10:20} ("...the prince of Greece shall come") anticipated that day when the earthly kingdom under Alexander the Great would conquer the kingdom of Babylon by the Medes and Persians.

Thus, there is not only a breakdown of powers in the heavenly kingdom under Satan corresponding to a breakdown of powers in various earthly kingdoms under fallen man but there is also a shifting of powers in the heavenly kingdom corresponding to a shifting of powers in the earthly kingdoms. In this respect, any person occupying a position of power in any Gentile earthly kingdom during the present age is merely occupying a position of power under Satan and his angels, ruling from the heavens through counterparts on the earth.

(Note that the nation of Israel is the lone exception to rulers among nations on earth presently holding positions of power and authority under angels in the kingdom of Satan. The prince over Israel is Michael (Dan. 10:21), an angelic prince in the heavens who is not numbered among those ruling in Satan's kingdom.)

2. Location of Satan's Rule -- New Testament

The Book of Ephesians presents the same picture of Satan's present kingdom as the Book of Daniel, though from a different perspective. Ephesians is a book dealing with the heavenlies, pointing to the place where the Christians' future inheritance lies (Eph. 1:3-23). Christians have been saved with a view to realizing an inheritance as co-heirs with Christ in a heavenly kingdom at a future date. That is one of two central messages in this book.

The other central message has to do with the present inhabitants of that heavenly sphere -- Satan and his angels (1:21; 3:9-11; 6:11ff). They are said to reside "in heavenly places" (3:10), and Ephesians, chapter six presents an existing, ongoing warfare between Christians and these angels.

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (6:12).

(The words "in heavenly places" [3:10] and "in high places" [6:12] are both translations of the same Greek words, meaning, "in the heavens." The reference, in both instances, is to angels holding positions of power and authority in a heavenly sphere within the present existing kingdom under Satan -- the present existing kingdom of the heavens.)

Thus, there is a present warfare between the heavenly rulers and Christians; and that warfare rages because Satan and his angels know the reason that the "one new man" in Christ has been called into existence. The one new man will comprise the co-heirs ruling with Christ in that coming day, following the time Satan and his angels will have been put down. And Christ, with His co-heirs, ruling in the stead of Satan and his angels, will exercise power and authority from the same realm where Satan and his angels presently rule.

Thus, the warfare rages because Satan and his angels will do everything within their power to prevent this transfer of power and authority; and it will continue to rage until Christians have been removed from the earth, anticipating Satan and his angels being removed from their heavenly realm ("cast out into the earth" [Rev. 12:4, 7-10]) in view of Christ and His co-heirs taking the kingdom (Rev. 19:11-20:6)."

End of Quote:

In [Isaiah 14] God uses a Proverb {notice I did not say parable} to describe the rebellion and subsequent fall of Lucifer. In this proverb He calls Satan "the king of Babylon", but He is again addressing an earth bound king who ruled Babylon at this time in the scriptures. He is using this title to indicate Satan with the application of this proverb. This scripture is quite fascinating. God speaks to Isaiah.

⁴   That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased!
⁵   The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers.
⁶   He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth.

God persecutes Satan and his kingdom and none hinders God.

¹²   How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
¹³   For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
¹⁴   I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
¹⁵   Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

How long the creation laid in a state of ruin, between verses 1 and 2 of [Genesis chapter 1], is not revealed to us, but at some point, God had already decided to restore the Earth and the Kingdom of Heaven associated with the Earth, back to an ordered state according to His ordered purposes and we see God's restoration process beginning in the last half of the second verse of chapter one of Genesis.

1:2 "...And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters"

Any time God moves to begin a redemptive process the Holy Spirit is always the first to move. Then God speaks and there is light and then light [truth] is separated from the darkness [untruth].

1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

1:4 And God saw * the light, that it was good: and God divided * the light from the darkness.

Notice now that God has again created a perfect work in the creation of light for God saw that it was "good" and then he separated His perfect creation [light] from the previously ruined creation [darkness] which from now on, represents the cursed kingdom of Satan, and later would become the habitation for the cursed heart/soul of man.

[Jeremiah 17]

17:9: The heart {soul} is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

17:10: I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

The whole Earth was at rest and quiet [ the earth was without form, and void ] and they [the two thirds of the Angels who did not rebel] sang God's praises and continue to do so forever. In [Revelation 4] we find 24 elders before the throne of God.

4:4
And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne,...

The crowns mentioned in verse 10 are 'Stephanos' crowns and thus have no regal authority.

I submit to you that these 24 elders are the two thirds of Lucifer's original compliment of 36 angelic principalities [Princes] that did not follow Lucifer in his rebellion against God. If one third of the original compliment followed Lucifer in his rebellion that would mean that there are 12 angelic princes that are still under the rule of Satan and along with Satan, continue to wear their [Stephanos] crowns.

Note: There are two types of crowns mentioned in Revelation concerning regality or rulership of the Heavens. In the Greek these crowns are differentiated from one another. A crown can be a "Stephanos" crown described as a wreath-like crown that is given to those who are promised an inheritance of regality, or those who have at one time had a position under regality, as is the case of the 24 elders in [Revelation 4:4].

Then there is a crown described in scripture that indicates the wearer is currently in a position of regal power; [is the current King over a dominion in God's over-all kingdom]. This crown in the Greek is called a "Diadema". The crowns that had been called "Stephanos" previously in [Revelation 4:4, 10] can be seen in [Revelation 19:12] but this time, they are sitting on the head of the KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

[Revelation 19:12] His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

The 24 elders had previously relinquished their regal authority to God and are seen in [Revelation 4:4] awaiting that time when Christ and His saints would be in a position to take control of the Kingdom of Heaven, associated with the Earth and the dominion of the Earth, from the present ruling authorities, [Satan and the one third of the angelic principalities that rebelled with him].

By the time we read [verse 10 of Revelation 4], the Judgment Seat of Christ is finished and Christ has welcomed those saints who have overcome and have earned the reward of the inheritance, into the Bridal Chambers and they will rule with Christ in His Millennial Kingdom and afterward will rule with Christ in New Jerusalem throughout eternity.

Christ who has been providing the office of High Priest can now step up and receive His inheritance of the Kingdom, [the book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals] [see Revelation 5:1], from the right hand of God, the Father, as we can see by the chorus of the 24 angelic elders and the 4 beasts [Cherubs] before the throne of Him that sat on the throne.

For more references concerning the saints inheriting Christ's inheritance with Him please check the following scriptures. [Ephesians 1:18, Ephesians 5:5, Colossians 3:24, Hebrews 9:15, Hebrews 11:8]

Let us now turn our attention back to Satan and those who make up the structure of his kingdom.

These are the powers and the principalities of the air and spiritual wickedness in high places that the Apostle Paul teaches us of in [Ephesians 6]

[Ephesians 6]

6:12 For we wrestle not against * flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

These powers and the principalities of the air are also called the "sons of God".

[Job 1:6] Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. (Whole Chapter: [Job 1] In context: [Job 1:5-7])

[Job 2:1] Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.
(Whole Chapter: [Job 2] In context: [Job 2:1-2])

[Genesis 6:4] There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. (Whole Chapter: [Genesis 6] In context: [Genesis 6:3-5])

Those rebellious, fallen angels that co-habituated with the daughters of men paid dearly for this particular transgression.

[Jude 1:6] And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

[2 Peter 2:4] For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;...

Now let us turn our attention back to the purpose for which God had began the process of the redemption or restoration of the Earth after Satan's rebellion.

Since God had dethroned Satan, God wanted to replace Satan's dominion over the Heavens and the Earth with an entirely new creature and that creature would be called Man.

[Genesis 1:26] And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
(Whole Chapter: Genesis 1 In context: Genesis 1:25-27)

[Genesis 1:27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (Whole Chapter: Genesis 1 In context: Genesis 1:26-28)

[Genesis 2:7]
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
(Whole Chapter: Genesis 2 In context: Genesis 2:6-8)

Then God created woman, but notice that God doesn't take another, or separate handful of clay and create the woman from the earth as He had previously done to create Adam.

[Genesis 2:18]
And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.   (Whole Chapter: [Genesis 2] In context: [Genesis 2:17-19])

[Genesis 2:21]   And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

[Genesis 2:22]
And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.   (Whole Chapter: [Genesis 2] In context: [Genesis 2:21-23])

Notice three things here. God first creates the woman from the rib of Adam and then God "Himself" presents the woman back to Adam. She is to be his consort queen and to rule and reign with him over the Earth. And, all of this is done by the works of God [divine works]. Man had nothing to do with God's gift to Man which is the "Grace of God".

The person who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ today is also a new creature. The new creature of the dispensation of the church has been given everlasting spirit salvation as a free gift by the divine act of God once more and again man had no part in that divine act of God's Will.

[Genesis 1:26]
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
(Whole Chapter: [Genesis 1] In context: [Genesis 1:25-27])

[Genesis 1:28]
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
(Whole Chapter: [Genesis 1] In context: [Genesis 1:27-29])

This is very important for us to understand.

God wants us to understand that this is a type and shadow of things to come.

As Eve was taken from the first Adam, {Adam being divinely created as one of God's Sons}, God, will one day remove His bride from the last Adam's body, Christ's body, {the general assembly of all believers from the church dispensation} [that great body of believers known today as the Church], just before the Judgment Seat of Christ.

It is that body, the Bride, which will be presented to God's Son, (just as Eve was presented to Adam), so that they (Christ and the Bride) may rule and reign throughout the Millennial Reign of Christ [the next age to come] and throughout the ages beyond.

Paul describes this removal process in {Philippians 3}.

3:11: If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Paul is not referring to the rapture of the church in verse 11. Believers do not have to do anything but believe what God has to say about His beloved Son to be raptured. No, Paul is talking here about a resurrection wherewith [we] have to do something in order to attain it. This resurrection is dependent upon "our works" of dying to self, not Christ's work on the cross, but rather the works of the Spirit of God through us during our lifetimes upon the Earth. Paul reiterates the issue of attainment and then further clarifies by adding the word "apprehended" in the 12th and 13th verses.

3:12: Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

So we see that Paul cannot possibly be referring to what we normally refer to being saved because we know that Paul is saved. Paul say's: "Not as though I had already attained" and therefore, is talking about something else that a believer must attain.

3:13: Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Then, Paul gives this resurrection a unique label.

3:14: I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

This resurrection is reserved only for believers who are found worthy or accepted to inherit the Kingdom of the Heavens with Christ. This is the removal of the Bride of Christ from the body of Christ. We have seen this in the type, when God removed Eve from the body of the first Adam and now we see the Bride of the 'last Adam' removed from the body of the 'last Adam'. [Revelation 20:6]

The main purpose of the Holy Spirit in the Earth today is to find the "potential bride" [assembly of Saints] and present that bride to Christ just before the Judgment Seat of Christ. It is there where those who have been found faithful and true, will be given their rewards and invited in to the bridal chamber [Matthew 25] to inherit the Kingdom of the Heavens with Christ as depicted in the parable of the ten virgins.

Contrary to the teachings of the Laodicean church today the parable of the ten virgins is a depiction of believers who will or will not enter into Christ's inheritance with Him, just after the rapture of the Church. Please notice that they are all virgins. The Scriptures never refer to the un-saved as virgins. Why? Because believers have trusted God's Word thus they are accounted as being cleansed and pure while the un-believers have not trusted God's Word and therefore are considered to be defiled, not pure, and cannot be considered to be virgins.

But notice too that of these virgins, five have an extra portion of oil {oil being a depiction of the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit} and five of these virgins do not have the extra portion of oil but they want those who do have an extra portion to share theirs with those who do not have the extra portion.

⁹ But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
¹⁰ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

The 'type' for this office of the Holy Spirit can be found in the part of Abraham's life beginning from the point where Abraham [as the 'type' of God the Father] sends his eldest servant [the 'type' of Holy Spirit] into a far country [a 'type' of the world] to find a bride, Rebecca [a 'type' of those chosen from the family of God that will be separated from the general assembly of the saved just before the Judgment Seat of Christ] for Isaac [a 'type' for the bridegroom, Christ Jesus].

Abraham made the servant vow that the bride would be taken from "his" family just as in the anti-type the Bride of Christ will be chosen out of the general assembly of the saved [God's family or adopted children] which are called out of the world.

Genesis 24:4   But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.   (Whole Chapter: Genesis 24 In context: Genesis 24:3-5)

³⁷   And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell:

³⁸   But thou shalt go unto my father's house, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son.

Notice that in verse 37 the servant is forbidden to go to the daughters of the Canaanites [a type of the world and the unsaved]. The bride of Christ cannot be taken from the unsaved but will be taken from the saved peoples [God's adopted children].

You can now see that God had intended for Adam and Eve to have dominion over the Earth in the place of Satan and his rulers. Satan wasn't going to allow that to happen though and in [Genesis 3] we see that he chose to attack Adam through the deception of the woman [Eve]. If Satan could be successful at his deception then he would retain the crown of the Kingdom of the Heavens and rule over men for the next six thousand years [six days] according to [2 Peter 3:8] and this is exactly what we have seen happen.

[Genesis 3:1] Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

Remember, one of the names of Lucifer is "The Serpent". So Satan [Lucifer] uses one of the commandments that God had given to Adam to deceive Eve and to thus dethrone Adam and Eve.

3:2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:

3:3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Adam had to partake of the fruit. He had not been deceived [1Titus 2:14]. Adam knew that He and Eve were "one flesh".

2:23
And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

2:24
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

This meant that, if He and Eve were to ever have a hope of having everlasting life together, and for Man to ever have dominion over the Earth, Adam would have to take on sin for Eve's sake in order that, one day in the future, a Saviour or God-man [Christ] would step down, take sin upon Himself, become sin, to not only redeem their lives, but indeed the lives of the entire human race if they would only believe, thus giving them everlasting life and Christ with His consort queen [Christ's Bride] would have dominion over the Heavens and Earth just as God had purposed from "the beginning".

Later we see God establish this very thing when he cursed the serpent.

[Genesis 3]

3:14
And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

3:15
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Now since Adam had fallen from his place of dominion over the Earth, the crown of ruler-ship would have to remain in the possession of Satan; [2 Corinthians 4:4] {Satan is the god of this world} for in God's over-all kingdom the rule of order calls for an incumbent ruler to continue in power until that one who will take the place of the incumbent ruler can be made ready to take over the incumbents throne.

This is indeed the over-all picture that we get from the written Word of God. Our Lord, Jesus Christ, was tried and found worthy to take the crown from Satan and today we are waiting on the Holy Spirit to finish the process of calling out of the world a potential bride [from the family of God]. Again this can bee seen from the type found in Genesis.

[Genesis 24:4]
But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.
(Whole Chapter: [Genesis 24] In context: [Genesis 24:3-5])

³⁷ And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell:
³⁸ But thou shalt go unto my father's house, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son.

Later we see that, just as one who answers the call of the Holy Spirit today, the one who would become the bride of Isaac said she would go to be Isaac's bride.

[Genesis 24]

⁵⁷ And they said, We will call the damsel, and enquire at her mouth.
⁵⁸ And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.

But, the bride to be isn't accepted and taken into the bridegroom's tent until later.

⁶⁷ And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.

So, just like in the type, Christ cannot accept the bride until after the Holy Spirit delivers the potential bride [at the time of the rapture of all Church dispensation believers] to the kingdom of the heavens in the air {into the presence of Christ}, at which time, the Saints found worthy to rule and reign will be accepted and separated from the general body of believers the scripture calls [the body of Christ].

Let us now turn to some scriptures to find out what separates overcomer Christians from non-overcomer Christians.

[2 Corinthians 5]

5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

5:11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men;...

[1 Corinthians 3]

3:11
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

3:12
Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

3:13
Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

3:14
If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

3:15
If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

3:16
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

3:17
If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

The reward is the inheritance of ruling and reigning with Christ for one thousand years in His kingdom and on into eternity.

[Acts 20:32]   And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

[Galatians 3:18]   For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

[Ephesians 1:11]   In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Refer to [1:18] for Paul seems to corrects himself because he said "have obtained" in {1:11} as if we have already obtained yet in [1:18] he emphasizes that our inheritance is only a hope and that is because one doesn't win a reward until they have finished the race [1:14, "until the redemption"], that is, until the day they die or are raptured. In reality, only God Himself knows the beginning from the end and therefore knows those Christians who will overcome from those Christians who will not overcome.

[Ephesians 1:14]   Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

The word "earnest" denotes a type of "down payment" until the full price [complete redemption] can be paid for the possession [all Christians]. This transaction begins with the rapture of all Christians.

[Ephesians 1:18]   The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

[Colossians 1:12]   Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

[Colossians 3:24]   Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Notice the word "shall" here. Paul reiterates here that the inheritance for Christians is not actually "obtained" until the Lord 'shall' give the worthy saint their reward of the inheritance into the Kingdom of the heavens at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

[1 Peter 1:4] To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

So we see that Christ is in waiting for His consort queen [His Bride and Wife to be]. The Bride must be made ready to help Christ rule the Kingdom of the Heavens over the Earth.

We find the type in the anointing of David [the type of Christ] to be the King of Israel but King, Saul [the type of Satan] retains the crown until David is ready to take possession of the crown from King Saul and the taking of the crown will be violent just as Saul and his son's were violently deposed. The type begins in {1 Samuel 16:1} and ends at {2 Samuel 2:4} where "the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah."

The violence can be seen in the anti-type.

[Revelation 12]

12:7
And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

12:8
And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

12:9
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

You will notice that "Michael and his angels fought against the dragon". The Bride does not have to fight because those who have been found worthy of the inheritance of ruler-ship don't have to fight anymore. The fight the Christian fights is fought during their individual lifetimes against the lusts of the flesh, the wiles of the world, and Satan's powers and principalities [Ephesians 6:12] before they stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

Someone else does the fighting in Revelation 12 and in this case it is Michael and his angels. This battle also shows us that the Angels will be holding a lower status in Christ's Kingdom of the Heavens and yet Christ and all Christians began their works in a form of Man, a creation lower than the Angels.

What hath God wrought indeed?

[Psalm 8:5]   For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.   (Whole Chapter: [Psalm 8] In context: Psalm 8:4-6)

[Hebrews 2:7]   Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:
(Whole Chapter: Hebrews 2 In context: Hebrews 2:6-8)

[Hebrews 2:9]   But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
(Whole Chapter: Hebrews 2 In context: Hebrews 2:8-10)

[Colossians 3:24]   Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

[1 Corinthians 6:3]   Know ye not that we shall judge angels?.....
(Whole Chapter: 1 Corinthians 6 In context: 1 Corinthians 6:2-4)

Have you noticed throughout our study, so far, that no one has ever questioned that Satan "currently" reigns over [this dominion] [the Heavenlies and the Earthly domain]. Even Christ when He was tempted of Satan in the wilderness, never told Satan that he had no authority to offer the things he was offering to Jesus at this time, but Christ did put Satan in his place where it concerned God's over-all Kingdom. [Matthew 4, Mark 1, Luke 4]

And when Christ rebuked the Pharisees in [Mathew 12] notice what he had to say about Satan's kingdom.

²²   Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
²³   And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?
²⁴   But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
²⁵   And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
²⁶   And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
²⁷   And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.
²⁸   But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

So it is the same Kingdom of God {the kingdom of the heavens and the Earth associated with that kingdom} from where Satan now rules the Earth, that Christ and His Bride will rule during the Millennial Reign of Christ and into eternity beyond through the inheritance that is in Christ Jesus.

Now at this point one might ask: What can I do to be reasonably sure that my works will be found acceptable to Christ at the Judgment Seat? Well, God answers this question in several ways.

First and foremost, we must realize that it is absolutely essential that we have that foundation under us that will never fail.

[1 Corinthians 3] ^{: 11}   For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Dear reader, do you believe what God has to say about Jesus?

[John 3:3]   Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.   (Whole Chapter: [John 3] In context: [John 3:2-4])

Notice that Christ said "see" the kingdom of heaven. A Christian is saved but that does not guarantee that a Christian will enter into Christ's Kingdom to rule and reign.
[John 3:5]   Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.   (Whole Chapter: [John 3] In context: [John 3:4-6])
Notice now that Christ says cannot "enter into" the kingdom of God. Something else has been added here as well. Water has been added to the mix. What Scriptural representation does water have? The washing of the "water" of the Word of God.

[John 6]

²⁸   Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
²⁹   Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

This is being born again of the Spirit of God. It's result is a new creature in Christ which now has a spirit body, a soul body and a physical body.

[Acts 8]

³⁶   And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
³⁷   And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
³⁸   And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

As son's of Adam we are separated from God [spiritually dead]. God will not hear us though we do every kind of work under the Sun to get Him to hear us. All of our works in the natural "sin state" are a stench unto God.

[Isaiah 64:6] But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
(Whole Chapter: [Isaiah 64] In context: [Isaiah 64:5-7])

[John 3:18] He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
(Whole Chapter: [John 3] In context: [John 3:17-19])

It is only after we have believed [that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He, in His death on the cross, took our sins upon himself, and then was raised up on the third day, {because God the Father accepted His work upon the cross as the price paid for all men's sins}], that we are "born of the Spirit" or "born again" and can then begin to build our works upon that foundation which is the free gift of God's grace through faith.

Just think about this subject for a minute. God in His infinite wisdom created a new creature through the death of Christ on the cross.

[2 Corinthians 5:17] Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
(Whole Chapter: [2 Corinthians 5] In context: [2 Corinthians 5:16-18])

[Galatians 6:15] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

And you don't believe in evolution??? The Bible says God created a new creature in Christ, but he doesn't stop there. Those who overcome and are rewarded with entry into the Kingdom of Heaven will be changed from a redeemed body {like Adam's body before he sinned} to a body that is like Christ's after He was resurrected. A spiritual body.

What creature do you know of, has God created in some lower state, and then changed that creature into a creature like unto Christ. The life of a butterfly is only a shadow compared to this great spiritual truth.

[1John 3:2] Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

You see, the Nation of Israel had refused Christ and being defiled by the rejection of Christ and by the body of their dead Messiah, Israel has disqualified themselves from inheriting the Kingdom of the Heavens. But, God has promised them the inheritance of the Earth {the land}. Therefore the kingdom they will rule over during the Millennial reign of Christ will be Earthly while the kingdom that Christ and the Bride will rule over will be heavenly.

On the other had, the only other creature that belonged to the family of Man, in existence at that time and still in existence today, is the Gentile and the Gentile man is unworthy for he is separated from God through the curse of Adam and his own sins. He is spiritually dead.

[Genesis 2]

2:16
And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:

2:17
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Every man born of woman since Adam is labeled a sinner because they were born of Adam but they have also sinned themselves, [the Lord Jesus, the Christ was not born of Adam but of the Spirit of God], and therefore the son's of Adam have been born spiritually dead {having no spirit body} and thus separated from God without hope of ever having a personal relationship with God ever again.

This is why God had to create a new creature. Christ had to take the sins of the accursed [Jew and Gentile] to himself. Only Christ was worthy to take on Man's sin, for Christ was the only man, since the fall of Adam, that had not been born from a man's seed and therefore not under the curse of Adam. Christ is the only man who has ever lived a sinless and perfect life according to the Law of Moses and the Ten Commandments. In Christ the Law was fulfilled.

Therefore, when we believe God, in faith, that Christ is God manifested to us in the flesh of Jesus, the Christ, we are made a new creature.

[2 Corinthians 5:17] Our spirit is born again from above. We become spiritual baby's and must now begin to feed on the "milk" of God's Word and then when we are ready move on, we must begin to feeding on the "meat" of God's Word and then, finally, move on to the strong meat of God's Word.

Once we have decided to trust Christ's work on the cross [the foundation] then we may begin our work which entails our building something upon that foundation that is Christ.

[1 Corinthians 3]

3:9
For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

3:10
According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

3:11
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

3:12
Now if any man build upon this foundation....

Now don't be deceived, our works, if done in the flesh without the working of the Holy Spirit through us, is in vain and unacceptable to Christ.

The Apostle Paul calls the works of the flesh "wood, hay and stubble".{1Corinthians 3:11} Notice that all of these things are subject to being burned up if fire were set to them and there is an assurance that, if these works were burned up, we would lose all that we had accumulated in the works of the flesh.

However, God provides some conditions. If we confess our sins continuously, if we pray without ceasing, if we allow Christ to rule over our lives, if we read His living Word and are thus filled to over-flowing with His Word {Spirit of Christ}, if we love God and we obey His commandments] we will be accepted. The Apostle Paul likens these works to "gold, silver, and precious stones". These are the works of the Spirit of Christ through us.

Notice this time that these things do not burn up if fire is set to them and there is an assurance that the Works of the Spirit done through us, [by our yielding ourselves to the Holy Spirit], will not be lost, but rather, will result in the reward of inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven with Christ .

[1 Corinthians 3]

¹²   Now if any man build upon this foundation       gold, silver, precious stones,       wood, hay, stubble;
¹³   Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

The day mentioned in verse 13 is the day of the Judgment seat of Christ for the overcomer. But for the non-overcomer that day of judgment will be the Great White Throne of Judgment.

¹⁴   If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

The reward is entrance into the Kingdom of the Heavens via Christ's inheritance of His Kingdom.

¹⁵   If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

The born again spirit is saved but the soul is lost.

These are the unfaithful and disobedient of the saved who suffer loss of entrance into the Kingdom to rule and reign with Christ. Paul adds more light to the subject by adding "but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire". The word "yet" in this verse is key to understanding what will become of the unfaithful that stand before Christ at the Great White Throne. The word "yet" indicates that there is still something else that the unfaithful will experience in the not to distant future. The Holy Spirit speaking through Paul say's "yet so as by "fire"!

Then in Paul's second epistle to the Corinthians he adds this light to the subject matter:

[2 Corinthians 5]

⁹   Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
¹⁰   For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Appearing before the Judgment Seat is not the same thing as appearing at the Great White Throne. All Christians will appear in the heavenlies before the Judgment Seat is convened but not all Christians will stand up from the second death worthy to be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Many Christians will be hurt of, or held by the second death for 1000 years and then they will stand up at the Great White Throne to find that they have been saved "so as by fire" for their names have been written in the Lamb's Book of Life from the foundation of the world.

¹¹   Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men;...

Now one might ask: What are the works of the Spirit? Or, How does one go about allowing the Spirit work through us in obedience to the commandments of Christ? And God's answers are these.

[2 Peter 1]

⁴   Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
⁵   And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
⁶   And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
⁷   And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

Note: the word "charity" here in the Greek means "unconditional love".

¹⁰   Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for "if " ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

This verse does not refer to making sure that we have been born again from above (been saved). How can one make sure that Christ has done His work perfectly? We are not saved by our works but by the works of Christ. Therefore, there is nothing we can do to insure that we have been saved nor to insure that we continue to be saved. Christ declared that His work is finished! Therefore, we can do nothing to add to, nor do anything, to take away from His finished work.

This verse is referring to making sure that we do not fall away from 'the faith' unto which all Christians have been called. Christ wants every Christian to overcome and to rule with Him. But will we give up our own desires and allow Him to mold us into fit vessels for His service?

¹¹   For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Look at what James has to say about this same subject.

[James 1]

²   My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
³   Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
⁴   But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
⁵   If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

This is a promise.

⁶   But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
⁷   For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
⁸   A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
⁹   Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
¹⁰   But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
¹¹   For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
¹²   Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

The Crown of Life here mentioned is the "Crown of Kingdom Life" not everlasting life. It is a wreath or garland which was given as a prize to victors. So, it is a "Stephanos" crown. It is a reward promised to them that love God [based on the works of the Spirit of God through us] not the works of Christ which is a free gift of eternal life from God to Man. The gift of everlasting life does not promise a crown. That promise is everlasting life. The crown is a reward not a gift. One must work for a reward. One does not work for a gift!

Remember, regal authority, identified by those wearing the "Diadem" crown, isn't given to the saints until after Christ receives His inheritance {His Crown}.

Let us continue.

¹³   Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
¹⁴   But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
¹⁵   Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

For the Christian the "death" referred to here is the "second death" not loss of everlasting salvation. [Revelation 2:11, Revelation 20:6].

Note: The second death is a term used to denote a separation from God. It can be for the moment of a twinkling of an eye, 1000 years, or for the everlasting ages. For the Christian overcomer it will be for the moment of a twinkling of an eye [1 Corinthians 15:52 Revelations 2:11]. For the Christian non-overcomer it will be for 1000 years [Revelation 20:5], but for the un-saved it will be for the everlasting ages [Revelation 20:14 Revelation 21:8].

¹⁶   Do not err, my beloved brethren.
¹⁷   Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Let us also be reminded here that the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. [Romans 11:29] This means that God does not change His mind. Once He has given you a gift you can't give it back and you can't lose it. He insures that His gift stays put. We have nothing to do with His work. He found us; we did not find Him!

¹⁸   Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
¹⁹   Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
²⁰   For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
²¹   Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Note: here we see that salvation of the Soul is associated with filling one's self with the "word of God". It is distinct from the salvation of the spirit which is a "free gift.

²²   But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
²³   For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
²⁴   For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

He forgets that he was ever saved in the first place. Verse 24. also see [2 Peter 1:9]

²⁵   But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
²⁶   If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
²⁷   Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Christ had some other things to add to this "to do" list.

[Luke 18:16] But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. (Whole Chapter: [Luke 18] In context: [Luke 18:15-17]

[Luke 18:17] Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. (Whole Chapter: [Luke 18] In context: [Luke 18:16-18]

You see children are humble and teachable. they have not learned to be proud and puffed up. One must be humble to be obedient.

[Matthew 6:33] But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Whole Chapter: [Matthew 6] In context: [Matthew 6:32-34]

[Mark 10:23] And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! (Whole Chapter: [Mark 10] In context: [Mark 10:22-24]

It very hard indeed for the rich not to say to themselves "I am rich and in need of nothing". They can and are, many times, much to proud to trust in Christ's way instead of their own ways. How very, very sad.

[Luke 9:62] And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (Whole Chapter: [Luke 9] In context: [Luke 9:61-63]

Remember Lot's wife? Let us never forget this lesson, for Christ expects His Bride to be faithful. We must ever look forward keeping our eyes on doing the Father's business. We should not be looking back to the fleshly, carnal things of this world from which we should be fleeing.

This world is corrupt. Satan rules this world and if you chose the things of this world over the call of Christ you have chosen Satan as your king and have rejected Christ as your King.

There are more of these examples given to us by our Saviour but I want to place one more before you and I will move on with our study.

[Matthew 7:21] Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Every day that we wake up before we begin our prayers we need to [take ourselves off of the throne of our life] and {place Christ Jesus on the throne of our life} so that we may ever be doing His Will and not our own will. In this way we develop a "correct relationship" with our Lord. If you have this correct relationship with Him you will never hear Him say "I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity". [Matthew 7:23]

Why do we need to make Christ the Lord over our lives? Because it is only the Lord that can deliver us from the power of Satan, the current reigning King over the Heavens and the Earth.

Consider the following Scriptures if you don't believe Satan has power greater than that of your own.

[Job 1:12] And the LORD said unto Satan, (speaking of Job) Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
(Whole Chapter: [Job 1] In context: [Job 1:11-13]

[Job 2:6] And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.
(Whole Chapter: [Job 2] In context: [Job 2:5-7]

[Job 2:7] So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. (Whole Chapter: [Job 2] In context: [Job 2:6-8]

[Zechariah 3:1] And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. (Whole Chapter: [Zechariah 3] In context: [Zechariah 3:1-2]

[Mark 4:15] And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
(Whole Chapter: [Mark 4] In context: [Mark 4:14-16]

Note: The "word" being sown here is the " inheritance of the Kingdom Truths" [soul salvation], not truths concerning everlasting life. [spirit salvation].

[Luke 13:16] And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
(Whole Chapter: [Luke 13] In context: [Luke 13:15-17]

[Luke 22:3] Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
(Whole Chapter: [Luke 22] In context: [Luke 22:2-4]

[John 13:27] And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. (Whole Chapter: [John 13] In context: [John 13:26-28]

[Luke 22:31] And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: (Whole Chapter: [Luke 22] In context: [Luke 22:30-32]

[John 8:44] Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
(Whole Chapter: [John 8] In context: [John 8:43-45])

[Acts 5:3] But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? (Whole Chapter: [Acts 5] In context: [Acts 5:2-4])

[Acts 26:18] To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. (Whole Chapter: [Acts 26] In context: [Acts 26:17-19])

[1 Corinthians 5:5] To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. (Whole Chapter: [1 Corinthians 5] In context: [1 Corinthians 5:4-6])

Why did Paul say that only "the spirit" may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus? To answer this we must go to the book of James again. [James 2:17, 20, and 26] Paul is indicating here that the person delivered unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh has no "fruits of the Spirit" based on a life of faith in Christ and therefore all they have is the everlasting "spiritual life" given to them when they first believed in Christ Jesus and any mercy that Christ might have for them at the Judgment of the Great White Throne. But remember Christ [God in the flesh] must and will be just. [1 Corinthians 3:12 -15]

[2 Corinthians 2:11] Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

(Whole Chapter: [2 Corinthians 2] In context: [2 Corinthians 2:10-12])

[2 Corinthians 11:14] And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

(Whole Chapter: [2 Corinthians 11] In context: [2 Corinthians 11:13-15])

[1 Thessalonians 2:18] Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

(Whole Chapter: [1 Thessalonians 2] In context: [1 Thessalonians 2:17-19])

[1 Timothy 1:20] Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. (Whole Chapter: [1 Timothy 1] In context: [1 Timothy 1:19-21])

Note: Here is an instance where the Apostle Paul has prayed for the early death of two saints that they may be [ delivered unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh]. These two who have blasphemed and while we have crossed paths with this word blasphemy, let me add that blasphemy is not the unforgivable sin. The only unforgivable sin is not believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. [John 3:18]

[1 Timothy 3:7] Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. (Whole Chapter: [1 Timothy 3] In context: [1 Timothy 3:6-8])

Revelation 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
(Whole Chapter: [Revelation 2] In context: [Revelation 2:8-10])

[Revelation 2:10] Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
(Whole Chapter: [Revelation 2] In context: [Revelation 2:9-11])

[Revelation 2:13] I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
(Whole Chapter: [Revelation 2] In context: [Revelation 2:12-14])

[Revelation 3:9] Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. (Whole Chapter: [Revelation 3] In context: [Revelation 3:8-10])

Satan also has messengers.

[2 Corinthians 12:7] And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

(Whole Chapter: [2 Corinthians 12] In context: [2 Corinthians 12:6-8])

Satan is the author of confusion

[James 3:16] For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
(Whole Chapter: [James 3] In context: [James 3:15-17])

[1 Corinthians 14:33] For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

(Whole Chapter: [1 Corinthians 14] In context: [1 Corinthians 14:32-34])

Satan is the spirit of anti-Christ and can call forth deceivers [demons].

[1 John 4:3]   And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

(Whole Chapter: [1 John 4] In context: [1 John 4:2-4])

[2 John 1:7]   For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

Note: the positive deliverance of the verse below to the two verses above which were delivered in the negative.

[1 John 4:2]   Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

Let us continue.

[2 Thessalonians 2:9] Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, (Whole Chapter: [2 Thessalonians 2] In context: [2 Thessalonians 2:8-10])

[1 Timothy 5:15] For some are already turned aside after Satan.
(Whole Chapter: [1 Timothy 5] In context: [1 Timothy 5:14-16])

[Revelation 13:4] And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? (Whole Chapter: [Revelation 13] In context: [Revelation 13:3-5])

[Revelation 16:13] And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. (Whole Chapter: [Revelation 16] In context: [Revelation 16:12-14])

[Revelation 16:14] For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. (Whole Chapter: [Revelation 16] In context: [Revelation 16:13-15])

Even the saved can do things that support Satan's efforts to defeat the purposes of God. In the following verses Peter unwittingly gets into trouble.

[Matthew 16:23] But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
(Whole Chapter: [Matthew 16] In context: [Matthew 16:22-24])

[Mark 8:33] But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men. (Whole Chapter: [Mark 8] In context: ]Mark 8:32-34])

I get the idea that Peter, like the rest of us when we try to 'help' God by works of the flesh, was being somewhat carnal and undiscerning.

Well, after all of that, isn't it good to be saved and to be able to turn to God's Word where He reveals to us the end that belongs to Satan and his kingdom.

Satan's power will be destroyed and he will be cast into the lake of fire for the everlasting ages along with his fallen angels, [former powers and principalities that ruled under him] all demons and all of the unsaved souls of mankind as well.

[Isaiah 27:1] In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea. (Whole Chapter: [Isaiah 27] In context: [Isaiah 27:1-2])

[Revelation 20]

[2] And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, (Whole Chapter: [Revelation 20] In context: [Revelation 20:1-3])

¹⁰ And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

¹¹   And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
¹²   And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
¹³   And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
¹⁴   And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
¹⁵   And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

We can't end this study without it's proper ending. We started this study with where God begins and we will end it with what God deems the proper ending.

[Revelation 22]

⁷   Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
¹⁰   And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
¹¹   He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
¹²   And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
¹³   I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
¹⁴   Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
¹⁵   For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
¹⁶   I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
¹⁷   And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

God's Word is so beautiful that there is just no way, humanly possible, to describe His beauty other than to simply say..

even come now our Lord Jesus.

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