The old idea of an
alliance between GOD and the devil to punish sinners, and more on spiritual
seeking and being spiritually sought are examined, today. The “Yahoo! Answers”
writer using the ID “Charles” (Level 2 with 265 points, a member since September
10, 2012) posted the following:
Christians, is the devil allies with God
since the devil is still going to punish the sinners in hell
too?
THE BATTLE AXE: Seeking and
Being Sought (11/04/2012)—There are many features of the earth that prevent the
exercise of dominion by any created being or living creature apart from Almighty
GOD. Divine process within the earth goes forward through frameworks of time
and space. Life for mankind, therefore, is not continuous, and goes forward by
activity that does not endure, and that is by episodes, discrete events, and
occurrences with frequent interruptions. Various limitations identify mankind
including frailty (that bones break), mortality, muscular exhaustion that
demands rest and refreshing, the cycle of sleeping and waking along with disease
and sickness. What we call “sovereign rule” by GOD, in fact, is the imparting
of life, awareness, and both actual and potential being. All things that exist
do not also have life; the living are endowed with spirit content that appears
through such features as consciousness, person, and self-will. The operation of
the imparted, indwelling Spirit is the government by Almighty GOD that generates
(1) obedience to divine law (2) acknowledgment and worship (3) expression of
divine person within and by the created as well as (4) union and a continuing
bond to the Creator. Saying this another way: One exists only as an emanation
from divine will, and the sacred person of GOD. Those living in the earth need
make no search for GOD as if he is lost, and must be recovered. Men need only
function, fulfill their purpose, complete their mortality, and correctly occupy
their given place in divine order. What men are forced to seek is assurance,
certainty and confidence in what is otherwise invisible and unknowable to
themselves. Mankind must embrace the continuous revelation of GOD through
activity, behavior, commitment, experience, social interaction, and spiritual
purification.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And there
was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the
dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found
any more in heaven. 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. 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. And they overcame him by the blood
of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives
unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in
them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come
down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short
time. (Revelation 12: 7-12, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Spirit
Matter (10/21/2012); Sin Unknown? (10/10/2012); The Spirit by Measure
(09/22/2012); Coveting the Throne (03/07/2012); A New Earth (02/14/2012); On
Being Careful (02/13/2012); Girdle 32: Worship GOD (12/17/2011); Binder 18:
Eternal Life (10/15/2011)
Mature believers who have had to answer this
question for the sake of their own faith and understanding generally agree the
Lord wants them and his church to share the following:
The Devil is not now or ever will be an
independent being who rules over mankind in the heaven, in the earth, under the
earth, or in the seas. While the beginnings of the Adversary (as he is called)
were as a prince and ruler in heaven, he has lost authority, estate, and
legitimate place there through sin. The devil continues as a finite being, who
is not endowed with either mortality or immortality. More than this, he and
those who support and surround him are not endowed with all knowledge, with the
human ability to increase knowledge by growing and learning through experience,
or with the ability to foresee and create the future. The full measure of
knowledge they would use throughout their functioning and service was supplied
to them at their creation; and in that sense, the angels are complete,
finished and sealed.
The angels were not given a knowledge of sin,
or an ability to repent from sin through the operation of an imparted,
indwelling spirit from GOD as we see granted to mankind by the ministries of
Jesus Christ. The angels all continue to have their being as a dispensation of
GOD. The holy scriptures do not describe the angels as having any agenda to
interact with mankind except at the direct command of GOD. Their legitimate
service includes visitation as divine messengers as well as appearing as destroyers
who enforce sacred law and divine judgment against sin. Heavenly beings in
rebellion against the divine will for mankind generally do so through the
manipulation of humans promoting corruption, deceit, disobedience, fear,
ignorance, lies, unbelief, and violence.
There is far more to be said, correctly
applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, hell is not a place where
created beings and living creatures are alive, and continue to have the
abilities and features of divine endowment that made them what they formerly
were (e.g., angels, animals, humans). Those that enter the lake of
fire do so merely as rubbish, and only continue there until the fire goes
out—when everything to fuel it is completely burned up.) 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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