How could angels fall (Satan) if there was no tree of knowledge of good and evil in heaven?
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@David G.. “Satan is the tree of knowledge of good and evil”
Most Christians hold that Satan is the serpent.
@Gerri.. “When Satan enticed Eve to disobey God and slandered God by calling him a liar.”
Wouldn’t the serpent (Satan to Christians) had to have eaten fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil first though, otherwise how would he know good from evil?
THE BATTLE AXE: Jesus and the Pharisees (07/14/2013)—(6) Where the Pharisees insisted upon the covenants of Abraham and Moses with law and promise, John the Baptist and Jesus advanced the earlier prophets, particularly Isaiah, Joel and David, declaring inheritance and outpourings of divinity to mankind. See, Jeremiah 31: 32-37, Isaiah 11: 1-16, Isaiah 35: 1-10 and Joel 2: 23-32, KJV. (7) The “leaven” of the Pharisees was lack of faith, and unseen sin that was blended in with sacred practice and traditional doctrine. Despite their strict discipline and insistence upon purity, the examples from the lifestyles of the Pharisees and leadership of Jerusalem included such hidden ingredients as ambition, doubt, fear of divine wrath, lust for authority, and pride. Together, these amplified Israel’s resistance to Jesus, multiplied the questions, puffed up their challenges, and finally resulted in a blood-thirsty determination that Jesus must be killed. See Matthew 16: 1-12, Luke 12: 1-12 and Luke 22: 1-7, KJV. (8) What we speak of as “sins of the heart” are also called “cherished sins.” This class of behavior against the Gospel includes addiction, attitudes and ways of posturing, dependency, habits (e.g., alcohol consumption, gambling, smoking) regarded as giving a person their inner character and personality, prejudices, racism, offenses continued in secret, unhealthy sexual relationships, and long-practiced violations of sacred law exalted as “religious” custom or tradition. See Mark 7: 1-13, Colossians 2: 6-23 and 1st Peter 1: 13-23, King James Version.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them. He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity. His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor. He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net. He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones. He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it. Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble. Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it. (Psalms 10: 4-13, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Unseen Sin? (06/18/2013); Teachings on Judgment (06/06/2013); An Earth to Fix A Heaven? (05/18/2013); Not of Legal Age? (04/26/2013); Repentance Must Come Before Resurrection (04/27/2013); The Common Danger (01/02/2013); Sin Unknown? (10/10/2012); When Prayer Works (10/11/2012); Sin Without Wrongdoing? (08/28/2012); The Price of Humanity? (12/13/2012)
Edward, many of the things now known among men regarding the universe we exist in were established within the eternal person of GOD, and before the creation of mankind. What we are to know about the holy angels has been revealed through the ministry of Jesus Christ and by the Holy Spirit for the admonition, comfort, edification, and warning of those upon the earth who participate in the divine priesthood that continues in the heavens. Here are some points many believers are careful to consider:
(1) In Scripture, the language of “falling” also speaks to rapid and sudden action by GOD among created beings and living creatures after a long period of silence; prompt and swift movement from heaven above to the earth by messengers, watchers and others dispatched; the collapse and complete failure of ones commitment, conviction, faith and acceptance of unseen things as well as ones steadfastness (we say, apostasy and falling away). To “fall from grace” is not so much to displease GOD, and thereby lose favor, as to forget GOD, and thereby deny the importance and power of his grace.
(2) Sin has not been created by GOD, angels or mankind. Sin did not “pop into being” simply because someone’s appetite or self-will were challenged and tempted. We say sin is “no thing” (that sin contains no carnal, material or spirit substance), yet, sin has direction, effect and presence. The finite endowment of knowledge bestowed upon the living at Creation did not include full awareness of divinity, nor were all given consciousness of sin, forgiveness and repentance. Through the Word and by operations of the Holy Spirit sin was revealed (i.e., discovered, detected) as an influence that dominates the finite will of created beings and living creatures. The will of GOD is not subject to sin
(3) Sin opposes the very existence of divine law, the expressed will of GOD, the eternal person of GOD, and of all that GOD has created. Sin is not a logical, rational, thinking entity or life form; and, often appears as a force or impetus to restore the chaos, flux and non-being that were in place before the spheres of Creation supporting mankind were divinely established. “Evil” is sudden and widespread change, often described as calamity, catastrophe, destruction, devastation and upheaval. In Scripture, GOD identifies himself as a source of evil, however, not of sin or wickedness.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. For example, (4) Sin cannot be eliminated through operations of finite will. However, using the sacred tools provided by GOD, created beings and living creatures may recognize the presence and action of sin, resist its influence, and continue pursuit of sacred operations and eternal purpose. Included are covenant, divine law, family, judgment, nation, the Cross, the holy writings, and the falling of the Holy Ghost.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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