Kingdom of Heaven Part 6
Who is Satan and what is his conflict with the kingdom of Heaven? Some say he is just a fictional character that was dreamed up to scare little children into behaving themselves. And some say that he is just the personification of the evil that is in mankind. The Messias Jesus reveals the great dragon that old serpent called the Devil and Satan really does exist.
John 8:38-45
38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and you do that which you have seen with your father.
39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus said unto them, If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham.
40 But now you seek to kill me, a man that has told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
41 You do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, you would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
43 Why do you not understand my speech? even because you cannot hear my word.
44 You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
45 And because I tell you the truth, you believe me not.
Many Jews believed that being a descendent of Abraham set them apart from all other men on earth. They did not understand that good works come from the mind or heart as they did from Abraham. And they cannot be passed from generation to generation through the genes of mankind. The Messias taught them when your heart is evil your father is Satan. Satan was a murderer from the beginning filled with lusts and a deceitful liar. He was not created with an evil heart but pursued his own evil thoughts and imaginations. When Jesus was tempted of Satan in the wilderness. The mind or heart of Satan was revealed by the words that he spoke.
Luke 4:1-4
1 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.
3 And the devil said unto him, If you be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.
4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
Satan consumed the power and the glory that God had given him on his own lusts. He rejected God and would not humble himself before him to keep his commandments. Satan is tempting the Messias to do the same as he himself. But Jesus reminded Satan that it is by Gods word and power that life is possible. And although he was very hungry he showed Satan that his heart was true to God.
Luke 4:5-8
5 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, showed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give you, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whom so ever I will I give it.
7 If you therefore will worship me, all shall be yours.
8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get you behind me, Satan: for it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.
Satan was perfect when God created him and gave to him power and glory. But Satan's heart became so filled with pride, lust and envy. He lusted to have what only belongs to God. He desired to be as God and to be worshipped as God who made him. The Messias knew there was no need to steal from God or seize his authority. He knew that those who love God could not begin to measure what he can give to them.
Luke 4:9-12
9 And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If you be the Son of God, cast yourself down from here:
10 For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you:
11 And in their hands they shall bear you up, lest at any time you dash your foot against a stone.
12 And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, You shall not tempt the Lord your God.
How subtle that serpent called the Devil and Satan was to make an attempt to subvert and overthrow the most high God. Through his lies and perverting of the truth he sought to make God as corrupt as himself. Jesus the Messias understood that you cannot force or manipulate God to take part in folly or sin. It is not possible to change the truth of God into a lie. It is however possible to cause others to believe lies even angels.
Revelation 12:3-4
3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
How many stars are out there in universe can they be numbered? If a third of them could be counted then the number of angels that Satan deceived would be known. Satan and his followers were cast out of their dwelling place in the Heavens. The angels that were not, rejoiced that he was gone. They also expressed great sorrow for mankind knowing the magnitude of his hatred and evil.
Revelation 12:12
12 Therefore rejoice, you heavens, and you 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 knows that he has but a short time.
The Messias chosen Apostle Peter also warned to beware that there is a raving mad predator that walks this earth.
1 Peter 5:8
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour.
In part seven of the kingdom of Heaven more of what Jesus the Messias revealed will be provided. Please take the time to read it and examine his words.