SUFFERING, SATAN AND SIN

WHY?

George Burnside

www.CreationismOnline.com

THE EXTENT OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD

It is important at the very beginning of our study of the origin of sin that we obtain an adequate conception of the vastness of the kingdom of God. Viewing this subject of the existence of evil and the origin and work of Satan from the standpoint of this world only, we shall never find arty satisfactory solution to the great problem which it presents. But viewing it front the standpoint of the entire universe, with its unnumbered millions of created beings and its far-flung boundaries reaching out into infinite space, we may gain some slight idea of the majesty and justice of God in permitting Satan to work his will among the inhabitants of the earth.

And so in this chapter we shall launch out, upon a journey which will reveal to its something of the greatness of the dominion over which Jehovah rules as King. In imagination we shall travel through the vast reaches of space which separate the various parts of the kingdom until thought and imagination fall and the heart faints with the greatness of the mind of God, who spoke it all into existence.

Before starting upon this journey, let us view that part of the dominions of God upon which we dwell, the earth itself.

This earth is a globe 8,000 miles in diameter, and about 25,000 miles in circumference. Its surface contains nearly 200,000,000 square miles. It is diversified with great divisions of land and water, continents, oceans islands; mountains which push their mighty heads through the clouds; depths of mean which are unfathomed vast subterraneous caverns; volcanoes belching flame; lakes, rivers, forests, and swelling bills; animals of every form and size, from the elephant to the ant; unnumbered schools of fish, from the whale to the minnow, playing in the depths of the ocean; birds of all kinds and without number flying through the air above; and numerous tribes and nations of men who suppose themselves to be rulers of it all.

The Earth Is Vast

It is only with laborious thought that the mind takes in the vastness of the bulk of the earth. If we were to take our station on a mountain from which we could see forty miles in every direction, a circle eighty miles in diameter, and 250 miles around its outer rim, our eyes would cover an area of 5,000 square miles. With the hills, valleys, rivers, lakes, villages, farms, roads, and cities which such a scene would present to the view, we should find it difficult readily to grasp it at once. But when our eye covers such an area, we are looking at but one forty-thousandth part of the entire area of the earth’s surface. We must see 40,000 such views pass before us before we have seen all of the surface of the earth.

And if we were to keep our station on that lofty mountain peak while one such scene as this passed before our eyes every hour, and we devoted twelve hours every day, day after day, to this work, we should be compelled to remain there nine years and forty-eight days before we had seen the whole surface of this majestic ball upon which we dwell. And then most of the objects would have passed by us at a distance of from one to forty miles, which would make most of the view in distinct.

And should we be determined to see everything distinctly before we leave on our long journey to other planets and systems, and come down from the mountain top to walk through every square mile of the surface of the earth, and walk thirty miles every day, 18,264 years would pass before we had finished our journey. If we had started when Adam was created we should now he but one-third through.

And consider the bulk of the earth. It is eight thousand miles through it. That is, its solid contents amount to 263,858,149,120 cubic miles. After laborious effort the mind fails to take in the thought of such a vast amount of matter. How great must be the power of Jehovah who spoke it all into existence! How limitless must he his might “who bath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance.” Isaiah 40:12.

Thus, before we have left our own domain, we find ourselves bewildered at the immensity of a world which is among the smallest of the planets, and we have advanced but a single step upon our journey into the dominions of the God of all the universe. This globe of ours, yes, even the entire solar system, is but as “a drop in the bucket” in comparison with the material universe over which God presides.

The Solar System

Taking our flight out into the planetary system, the system that is controlled by our sun, which is its center, we find that one of the planets is 780 times as large as the earth, and is encircled by a ring which reaches out from its surface nearly as far as the moon is from the surface of the earth. Another of these planets is 1,400 times as large as the earth, though it appears but a bright star to the naked eye at night.

And that great ball which controls them all, and dispenses to them all light and warmth, the Sun is 740 times greater than all the planets together, and 1,300,000 times larger than the earth, throwing the light and warmth out from its surface to the outer most planet, which is 2,790,000,000 miles away.

Mercury is the nearest of the planets to the Sun, being 36,000,000 miles distant; Venus is 67,500,000 miles away; the Earth, 93,000,000; Mars, 141,500,000; Jupiter, 483,300,000; Saturn, 886,000,000 miles; Uranus, 1,780,000,000; and Neptune, 2,900,000,000. Taking a copper cent to represent the weight of the earth, Mercury and Mars, in comparison, would be as large as the old three-cent piece; Venus, as a ten-cent piece, Uranus, as a dollar and three quarters; Neptune, as two dollars; Saturn, as eleven dollars; and Jupiter as thirty-seven dollars.

The Stellar System

And now we have reached the outermost rim of our solar system, and look for new worlds to conquer. But where shall we begin? The universe before us is swimming with millions of stars and systems. Out at an inconceivable distance beyond our solar system is the stellar system, the system of the stars. On a clear winter night about two thousand of these stars can be seen with the naked eye, and as each one of these stars, is a great sun like our own, undoubtedly surrounded as ours is with planets controlled by this central luminary, there lies before us a mass of matter equal to two thousand solar systems, or to 1,500,000,000 globes of the size of the earth.

But when we realize that the stars which can be perceived by the eye do not compose one one-hundred-thousandth part of those which can be seen through a large telescope, some idea can be faintly grasped of the length of the journey before us. In parts of the sky where the eye cannot discern more than twenty stars, the telescope will reveal thousands.

And out beyond the uttermost reaches of human vision, aided as it is by powerful glasses, undoubtedly there are millions of vast orbs rushing through space, unknown to man. With each new telescope that is stronger than those which have preceded it, new vistas are being opened up, and new stars being found which are far beyond those which have been previously discovered.

Traveling with the Light

Traveling out to theme magnificent bodies we must, find some mode of traversing space faster than anything known on earth, for the fastest cannon ball ever shot from the mouth of a gun could not traverse this space in a million years. The very nearest star to the earth is 25,000,000,000,000 miles away. Its name is Alpha Centauri. And should we visit Polaris, or the North Star, we must travel over 276,000,000 million miles. So we must go with the light, which travels 186,000 miles, or more than seven times around the earth, in the space of a single second.

But traveling even at this terrific pace, it will take considerable time even to reach the nearest stars. At the rate light, travels, we should not reach Alpha Centauri until four and one-third years had passed, and it would take forty-seven years to get to the North Star. So after we had traveled the 2,697,000,000 miles from our earth to the outermost planet, or Neptune, we have taken only a faltering step into illimitable space, compared to the first step of the child beginning to walk. And when we have gotten this much nearer the stars, there appears no change in them, they seem as far away as before. There are still immense reaches of space between us and the stars. So great, in fact, that thought fails in the effort, to bridge it, and even our imagination is useless here.

The stars are suns. Our sun is a star itself, and seen from other stars its appearance would be that of a small star. All the stars, together with the sun and our entire solar system, are rushing through space at a very fast rate. The speed of the cannon ball is no more than a thousand miles an hour, which bears no comparison to the rate with which the heavenly bodies are moving. When it is considered that if the mean density of the earth were but two and a half times that of water, it would weigh 2,200,000,000,000,000,000,000 tons, and that just one of the planets is 89,000 miles in diameter, and would take into its vast circumference more than a thousand globes the size of the earth, it is wonderful that such vast masses of matter should move at all. But Jupiter, with all its immensity, is moving in its orbit about the sun at the rate of 29,000 miles an hour, Venus at 76,000 miles an hour, and Mercury at 150,000 miles an hour, or 1,750 miles a minute, hundreds of times swifter than a cannon ball. Surely we must exclaim with the redeemed whom John saw, “Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty” (Revelation 15:3), and ask with the Psalmist, “O Lord God of hosts, who is a strong Lord like unto thee? “ (Psalm 99:8), and say with Moses. “Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power” (Exodus 15:6).

The stars are at such distances from us in our rapid flight through space that no change can be noticed in their positions, though they are moving as fast as any of the planets, if not faster.

Arcturus with His Sons

Centuries ago, in the land of Uz, God asked Job the question, “Can you guide Arcturus with, his sons?” Job 38: 32. Arcturus is a star which is said to be 950 trillion miles from the earth. It is one of the brightest of the stars. So distant is it that it takes light, traveling at the rate of 186,000 miles a second, 181 years to reach this earth from it. The Sun is nearly a million miles in diameter, but Arcturus is said to be a thousand times as large as the sun. So much brighter is Arcturus than the sun that if the sun were placed at an equal distance from the earth it would be necessary to use a powerful telescope to find it.

Inasmuch as Arcturus is so much larger than the Sun, it is reasonable to suppose it has a proportionately larger number of worlds circling it in their orbits than the sun. And with all these rushing worlds it sweeps grandly through space at the rate of two hundred sixty miles a second, never a second out of time, guided by that Master Mind whose throne, without doubt, it encircles. Well might Job say, “Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my month.” Job 40:4.

But the Outlying Borders of God’s Works

While we have begun the journey into space (for these are but the outlying borders of God’s works), yet here we must stop for a brief space, for we can not go farther with our finite wisdom. Let us pause here with reverence and wonder. Over all these rushing orbs God presides. This is his kingdom, and we have seen but a small part of it. Throughout all these objects, and among all these beings, He is ever present. All of its complicated movements are guided by his unerring wisdom. By his Word in the beginning it emerged from nothing.

 “He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast,” “By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.” Psalm 33: 9, 6.

Surely we can say with David, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows his handiwork.” Psalm 19:1. It is here in these vast realms of the universe, the chamber of the Eternal, that we behold the might of the Mighty, the strength of the Strong, the wisdom of the Wise, the lore of the Learned, the made of the Maker, the order of the Orderer, the glory of the Glorious; and we see, though our eyes be dim, and our minds untaught, the majesty of the Designer who so reflects himself in all his works. It is thus we should look upon the universe in all its awful grandeur-the earth, sun, stars, moon and planets. And we shall confess that these, without life, or power, or purpose, or thought, or will, unable to build up or destroy, to end or to begin, to hold or advance, to be or not to be, declare there is a God.

Architraves of Eternities

“An angel once took a man and lifted him up into space to show him the glory of the universe. The man ceased to be cowardly, and was ready to fly with the angel past galaxy after galaxy, and infinity after infinity, and so man an angel passed on, viewing the universe, until the sun was out of sight-until our solar system appeared but as a speck of light against the black empyrean, and there was only darkness. And they looked onward, and in the infinities of light before, a speck of light appeared and suddenly they were in the midst of rushing worlds. But they passed beyond that system, and beyond system after system, and infinity after infinity, until the human heart sank, and the man cried out: ‘End is there none of the universe of God?’ The angel strengthened the man with words of counsel and courage, and they flew on again until worlds left behind them were out of sight, and specks of light before them were transformed as they approached them into rushing systems.

“They moved over architraves of eternities, over pillars of immensities, over architecture of galaxies, unspeakable in dimensions and duration, and the human heart sank again and cried out: ‘End is there none of the universe of God?’ And all the stars echoed the question with amazement: ‘End is there none of the universe of God?’ And this echo found no answer.”

“ They moved on again past immensities of immensities, and eternities of eternities, until in the dizziness Of uncounted galaxies the human heart sank for the last time, and called out: ‘End is there none of the universe of God?’ And all the stars repeated the question. And the angel answered: ‘End there is none of the universe of God. Lo, also, there is no beginning.”‘

The universe speaks a language of its own, which we may learn to read and interpret to our doubting soul’s full satisfaction. More sweet than the music of the spheres is its varied wisdom if it tells us of Might which we cannot hold, of Power which we cannot reach, of Lore which we may behold but, not all contain, of Wisdom whereof we can scarcely know the measure, of Majesty, and Grace, and Grandeur which shall wrap our souls in speechless amazement, and fill our minds with vast consternation of thought, for we shall be as one devoid of wisdom. Yet amid all our confusion and deep amazement we shall discern a wisdom we cannot otherwise perceive, and shall discover it knowledge which shall banish all our thought of doubt and unbelief.

And this, my brother man, is our Father’s house. As I write of it for you to read I find in my heart a vast, longing to go home. I want to continue that journey with you through the ever-expanding regions of space, and press on to the uttermost borders of the Father’s dominion. May you make sure that in the time to come this journey shall be continued tinder the guidance of him who created all these things, and who upholds them all.

At the court of the King of this heavenly empire, Lucifer, the angel of light and glory, ministered the respected, loved leader of a great number of the angels. Like flashes of light they winged their way to the farthest stars and planets on errands for the great King. Love reigned supreme in the heavenly kingdom, and joy and happiness filled every heart. The cloud of the coming revolt against the Majesty of heaven had not yet cast its shadows over any mind.

THE OTHER WORLDS ARE INHABITED

THE other planets of the solar system and the millions of worlds of the stellar systems are inhabited by intelligent and reasoning creatures. This is more than a theory. It is a fact for which there is abundant evidence.

And it is important that those who study the question of the origin of Satan and of sin should be familiar with the truth that there is a plurality of inhabited worlds, for we shall not, be able to understand is why God permitted Satan to sin and to introduce sin into this world unless we realize that the decision of the great controversy between good and evil affects much more than one small planet. Not only are the inhabitants of this world learning lessons of eternal value by their experience with sin, but their experience is affording a demonstration of the love and justice of the Creator which could have been given in no other way.

It is, therefore, of the utmost importance to the student of this great, question fully to understand that the other worlds are inhabited. And in order that this truth may be clearly established, this chapter will be devoted to a consideration of the evidence which proves it.

In the preceding chapter we have caught a glimpse of the immensity of the dominion of the great King of kings. Such a wonderful system of worlds, suns, stars, and planets must have been brought into existence by the Creator for some purpose which would be worthy of his infinite wisdom and love. It would be utterly unreasonable to suppose all these rushing worlds and systems were created merely to afford a few astronomers in these days an awe-inspiring spectacle. Even men have some purpose in making the things which are formed by their hands. To say that God had no other purpose in the creation of the universe than to afford himself the pleasure of seeing these great globes whirl through space, would be to charge him with folly. The Creator himself informs us of the purpose He had in creating this earth. He says: “For thus said the Lord that created the heavens; God himself who formed the earth and made it; he has established it. He created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited.” Isaiah 45:18.

Here is a plain declaration that for the Lord to have created the world without the purpose of peopling it would have been a piece of folly. “He created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited.” If this earth had not been populated it would have been created in vain. If it had been left empty and useless it would have been created in vain. This world exists for the sake of intelligent and reasoning beings.

With this thought before us, and the additional consideration that the combined surface of all the planets of the solar system alone is equivalent to 27,000 such worlds as ours, we are forced to the conclusion that it would have been infinitely greater folly to create that vast amount of space to be useless and empty. From this verse alone we are led to conclude that, the other planets are inhabited.

The Vast Population of the Universe

As David, the sweet singer of Israel, viewed the glory of the heavens while out on the plains of Judea at night, he exclaimed: “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained; what is man, that You are mindful of him and the son of man, that You visit him?” Psalm 8:3, 4.

If all the planets and the unnumbered worlds of the stellar system were devoid of inhabitants, and there were no intelligent beings in the universe beside man and a comparatively small company of angels, such an exclamation as this of the Psalmist’s would be without reason or emphasis, for there would be nothing remarkable under those circumstances in the Creator’s exercising particular care over one-half of his intelligent creatures. If the inhabitants of this earth are the only rational beings in the Universe, the Psalmist would not be justified in uttering such an exclamation. But David knew that the universe was composed of many worlds, peopled with millions of intellectual beings of various orders, and when be thought of this he became so affected by the idea of the vast population of the universe did be seems to have been fearful lest his own race should be overlooked among the immensity of beings. Beings must come under the care and superintendence of Jehovah.

Guiding his pen by inspiration, Isaiah writes: “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, arid comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? Who hath directed the spirit of the Lord, or being his counselor has taught him? With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and showed to him the way of understanding? Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he takes up the isles as a very little thing. And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt-offering. All nations are before Him are as nothing, and they are counted to Him as less than nothing and vanity.” Isaiah 40:12-17.

The Local Group Of Galaxies

[Diameter and Distance = Millions of Light Years]

If the supposition that man occupies the principal station in the material universe, and is the only rational being within its vast confines, is correct, there would be no propriety in making such declarations is that “the nations areas a drop of a bucket,” and “the small dust of the balance,” and “are as nothing,” and 1ess than nothing.” For such statements would be contrary to fact. If all the rolling orbs of heaven were destitute of life, Isaiah would never have penned those verses. “You, even You, art Lord alone: You have made the heavens of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and You preserves them all: and the host of heaven worship You.” Nehemiah 9:6.

It seems clear that such words would not have been written by an inspired writer unless they were meant to teach what they strongly imply, that the universe is great and extensive beyond the limits of human comprehension; that its worlds and systems are peopled with millions of inhabitants. That these beings are in possession of intellectual natures, and fully capable of appreciating the perfection and attributes of their Creator; and that they unite in adoring and honoring him. “The host of heaven worship You.”

So small and insignificant in number are the inhabitants of this earth in comparison with the entire population of the universe that they are said to be “as grasshoppers.” “It is he that sits upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers: that stretches out the heavens as a curtain, and spreads them out as tent to dwell in.” Isaiah 40:22. The far outspread heavens, therefore, exist for the specific purpose of being dwelt in.

That the heavens are inhabited is seen again in the verses penned by John on the Isle of Patmos: “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world. He

was cast out into the earth and his angels were cast out with him. Therefore, rejoice, you heavens, and you that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants 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.” Revelation 12:9, 12.

Legions of Intelligences

The following passages of Scripture all bear on the subject of this chapter, and need little, if any, comment: “And the heavens shall praise thy, wonders, O Lord: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints. For who in the heaven can be compared unto the Lord? Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord?” Psalm 99: 5, 6. “The Lord has prepared his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.” Psalm 103:19. “Praise you the Lord. Praise you the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the heights. Praise you him, all his angels, praise you him, all his hosts. Praise you him, Sun and Moon: Praise him, all you stars of light. Praise Him, you heavens of heavens and you waters that be above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created. He has also established them forever and ever: he has made a decree which shall not pass.” Psalm 148:1-6.

“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.” 1Chronicles 29:11. “And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he does according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What does thou?” Daniel 4: 35.

There are numerous other passages which might be pointed out as bearing on this subject, but these that have been selected will serve as a key to illustrate many others, as they may come under the observation of the student of the Bible. Attention is directed to the force of such expressions as Jehovah doing according to his will “in the army,” or armies, “of heaven,” as well as “among the inhabitants of the earth;” and to the thought that the entire population of this earth “is reputed as nothing in his sight.” Notice also the expressions found in different parts of the Psalms regarding the inhabitants of the heavens, and “the heaven of heavens,” the “angels who excel in strength,” “all his hosts,” or legions of beings, “in all places of his dominion, who do his pleasure, hearkening to the voice of his word.”

All these ranks of intelligent creatures are exhorted to unite in one glorious song of praise and thanksgiving to “him whose name alone is exalted, and whose glory is above the earth and heaven.”

The book of Job contains many descriptions of the grandeur of Jehovah. Among them we read that “by his Spirit the heavens are garnished,” and that the astounding displays of his omnipotent power which are revealed in the heavens “are but the outskirts of his ways: and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?” Job 26:13, 14, A. R. V.

Surely these verses, and the many others which bear on the subject, and which we have no space to quote, indicate that there are many inhabited worlds existing in the universe, all of which are included in the territory of the kingdom of God.

It cannot be disputed that there are numerous bodies in the universe of God which have a surface area adequate to contain vast hosts of intelligent beings, and to give them enjoyment. A study of many of these bodies has revealed conditions strikingly similar to those of this earth itself, such as daily and yearly motion, moons, atmospheres, light, heat, and color, which things would be necessary only to provide happiness and existence to intelligent beings. These same conditions seem to exist on this earth solely for the sake of living beings.

When these passages of Scripture and the arguments adduced from them are considered in connection with the wisdom and other attributes of God, they surely appear to amount not only to a high degree, of probability, but to an actual certainty, that the great systems which swing through space under the direction of Jehovah are peopled with millions and millions of created beings, created for their happiness and his glory, and of every rank and order.

Highest in rank above them all was Lucifer, the. “Son of the Morning,” the leader of the great choir of heaven, standing in the presence and in the court of the great King of the universe.

THE APOSTASY OF SATAN

THERE was a time when Satan was “in the truth.”’ But he “abode not in the truth.” John 8: 44. That is, he became an apostate, the leader of a great apostasy against God.

The Bible contains several references bearing on the causes of his apostasy, and from a study of these passages a clear idea can be gained as to the reasons for the transformation of Lucifer into the devil.

In speaking of the qualifications of a bishop, or elder, in the church of Christ, Paul uses this language: “Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.” 1 Timothy 3:6.

Such a remark would be without point unless it had been a known and accepted fact that the devil had been condemned for pride.

While Lucifer in heaven occupied a highly exalted station, there were beings who were far above him. These were the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The angels worshiped the Father as Creator of all things, and the Son was co-equal with the Father in creation, and the Father had said, “Let all the angels of God worship him.” Hebrews 1:6. Therefore the Soil also received the worship of the heavenly host, and, with the rest, the worship of Lucifer.

The Son of God was supreme over all the works of creation, for he was “the express image” of the Father’s person, “the brightness of his glory,” and he upheld “all things by the word of his power.” Hebrews 1:3. High over all the angels of heaven He reigned, and over the unnumbered beings of the other worlds, and his rule was a rule of love. The angels delighted to serve and obey him.

A Service of Love

This service and obedience was that of love, a love which was the result of their knowledge and appreciation of the character of Christ. This is the only kind of service that God desires, and he does desire this from all his creatures. He takes no delight in forced obedience and all the creatures whom he has brought into existence have been given freedom of will to serve him or not as they may choose. But until Lucifer apostatized, all the angels had chosen to obey and serve God, knowing, as they did, the beauty and righteousness of his character. Everything throughout the vast reaches of the heavenly kingdom had been perfectly harmonious. The utmost joy and delight was taken by the heavenly host in fulfilling the purpose of their Creator. They loved God supremely, and each other unselfishly.

But a change came. Lucifer found the adoration and high regard of the angels who were under his leadership very pleasant and gratifying, and earnestly desired it to continue and increase. But there was One whom they honored and adored more than they did himself, yea, they even worshiped him, the Prince of the kingdom, the Son of God. Dissatisfaction crept into the heart of Lucifer, and he began to look upon the high position of the Son of God with envy and desire. Instead of banishing these thoughts at once, he cherished them, turning them over in his mind, until he became convinced that for such a bright and glorious and wise being as himself to be kept in a subordinate position was the height of injustice. Your heart was lifted up because of thy beauty; thou has corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness.” Ezekiel 28:17.

Little by little this dissatisfaction grew upon him, and the feeling took possession of him that the more exalted position which he believed his talents and ability and attributes entitled him to occupy was being unjustly kept from him. His heart grew sore and resentful, he coveted the honor and worship which was rendered to Christ.

This mighty angel forgot that all his talents and ability and glory came from his Creator. He forgot that he had nothing and was nothing except as it had been given to him by God. He came to believe that his attributes pertained solely to himself, and he began to look upon himself as a rival to God in the government of the universe who had been unjustly deprived of his rights by One stronger than himself. He determined to secure these rights at all hazards. “You have said in your heart, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will he like the most High.” Isaiah 14: 13, 14.

Having conceived this purpose in his heart, Lucifer did riot come out openly, against God at once, but went silently about the work of sowing seeds of rebellion among the other, angels. Heretofore he had sought to make God supreme in the thoughts and affections of those under his leadership. But he now sought to secure their allegiance and loyalty to himself.

Thus was broken that perfect harmony which had existed in heaven. So insidiously did Lucifer press his insinuation, and covert suggestions against the justice of God that they were not at first recognized by the other angels in their true light. Some manifested sympathy for Lucifer, and took his side. It is believed that Revelation 12: 4 indicates that the number of the angels who united with Lucifer in his revolt against the government of God was one-third of the total number of the angels in heaven.

The Harmony of Heaven Broken

And now began that war in heaven of which John, in his vision on Patmos, was given a view which covered its entire history, from the time of its origin in heaven to its close and the destruction of the enemies of God in the lake of fire at the close of the millennium.

God did not permit this disaffection to spread to all the universe. This would have been unwise. He made provision for it to be limited within certain confines. To this end, as the first result of the, rebellion, Satan and his angels were expelled from heaven, being cast, out into this earth. “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 deceives the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12:7-9.

Satan knew that it was the plan of God to people this earth, as the other worlds had been peopled, with a race of intelligent creatures, and he determined to thwart this plan by causing the human race to join him in his revolt against the Majesty of heaven.

THE FALL OF MAN

THE purpose of God in creating the earth was that it might be inhabited by a pure and holy race of beings. He declares: “He created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited.” Isaiah 45:18. In accordance with this purpose, “God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Genesis 1:27. His purpose for the human race is outlined in this language: “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 moves upon the earth.” Genesis 1:28.

Man was placed upon the earth and he was crowned with “honor and glory,” and made but a “little lower than the angels.” Psalm 8:5. And God meant that men should continue to retain this likeness to himself not only in physical form, but also in character. Man was to multiply on the face of the earth. That, is, he was to bring into existence a great multitude of beings such as he was himself, pure and holy, all of them retaining their likeness to God. These beings were never to die, for they were to have access to the free of life which was placed in the midst of the Garden of Eden, the fruit of which they might “freely eat.” And as they increased and filled the earth they were to constitute the kingdom of God on earth, which, as each subject possessed eternal life, was to remain on the earth forever.

God also instructed them to “subdue” the earth. As children were born and went out over the earth, they were to take the Garden of Eden which God had planted in the east as an example of what they were to make the entire earth. It was the design of God that the whole earth should become a great paradise for the dwelling-place of the creatures he had made. In the Garden of Eden, “out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.” Genesis 2: 9. There was nothing lacking in the garden which would have been for the welfare of man.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall he no more death, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4

“And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat: but, of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it: for in the day that you eat thereof you shall surely die.” Genesis 2:15-17. This tree was placed there as a constant and ever-present reminder of the sovereignty and ownership of God, and as a test of their love and obedience to their Creator. The warning not to cat of this tree was the only restriction placed upon them as to the use of all that was in the garden. Therefore it was the only possible point of attack on the part of the devil.

Perfect in symmetry, beauty and stature, the first pair were the head of the creation. All things were placed under their feet. Under their dominion was placed every living thing on the earth. And they enjoyed unrestricted communion with their Creator, speaking with him face to face. Their visitors and companions were the angels of heaven, who doubtless fold them of the fall of Satan and his hosts, and warned them to be on their guard against, his wiles.

Satan saw the peace and joy of the holy pair in the garden, and was tormented by this reminder of the happiness which he had forever forfeited. Determined to thwart God’s plan, he set himself to undermine the loyalty and allegiance of mankind to God, and to take him captive, thus ruining his happiness, while at the same time gaining him as an adherent in his controversy with the Father. Fondly hoping to defeat the plans of God in the creation of the earth and the race, he laid his plans to deceive and cause the fall of man.

The Temptation of Eve

Knowing that the man had been warned against him as the one who had been east out of heaven, he realized that he could not appear to him openly. So he chose as his instrument, one of the creatures which God had made, hoping if he succeeded that, the man would be led to charge God with fault. The serpent at that time it was one of the most beautiful of animals, having wings with which it flew where it nourished itself with fruit. Speaking through the serpent, Satan caused Eve first to doubt the wisdom of God in withholding the fruit of this tree from them, boldly declaring that God knew all the time that if they did eat it they would become as wise and powerful as himself. Then, leading her on, he told her that God merely designed to frighten her by telling her that she should die if she ate of the fruit, that there was no truth in such a statement, and no harm in the fruit.

Believing the words of the arch-deceiver, which ran so closely by the side of her own desire, Eve took the fruit of the tree as it was handed her by the serpent, and ate it. Under the influence of the devil, she imagined that she was becoming like a god. Rejoicing in what she mistakenly thought was a new and higher state of existence, she immediately thought of Adam, and gathering more of the forbidden fruit she hastened to him with it, urging him to eat. Relating her own experience, assured him that the fruit was harmless.

In utter dismay Adam listened to his wife, fully recognizing that she had been overthrown by the very enemy against whom the angels had warned them. He realized that this sin of hers would eternally separate her from him, unless he ate with her of the fruit, and he resolved that if she was to die he would die with her. He would at least join her in her fate. Taking some of the fruit, he ate of it.

It was not long until the guilty pair in the garden fully realized what they had done. A fear of the consequences of their transgression took possession of them, and when they heard the voice of Jehovah in the garden they hastily hid themselves, feeling that they could not look into his face. They saw themselves as they were, and they were afraid of God.

In answering the question God asked him, “Have you eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded you that you should not eat?” Adam was forced to tell of his sin, but in doing so he laid the blame on the woman and on God by saying “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.” Turning to the woman, God said, “What is this that you have done?” And site also joined in a covert reproach against God by saying, “The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat? “ Genesis 3:11, 12.

By this sill of our first parents the sentence of death was passed upon all mankind. A curse was pronounced upon the ground, and man was condemned too life of toil. The right to eat of the tree of life was taken away, and the first pair were driven from the garden, angels being placed at its entrance to keep them from entering and partaking again of the tree of life. With deepest sorrow they left their Eden home.

But here, at the very beginning of their new life, a gleam of hope was given to them which kept them from being altogether cast down. In cursing the serpent for his deception, God had said: “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed. It shall bruise thy head, and you shall bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:15. In these words the exiled pair found a promise of ultimate victory over sin and death, though they saw also that there would be constant strife and warfare and their mighty foe. But if they knew that the way would opened so that they would not be utterly abandoned to the power of the devil, and in this promise they rested in hope.

WHY DID GOD PERMIT SIN?

It is impossible to discuss the origin of sin without the question arising, Why was sin permitted? If God knows all things, the end from the beginning-he surely knew what the result of sin would be if it were permitted to obtain a foothold in this earth. Why, then, did he allow it? We are instructed that God loves his children even more than human parents love their children, and that he continually seeks to bring blessings into their lives and guard them against harm. Why, then, knowing, as he did, all that sin would mean, did he permit this flood-tide of evil, sin, misery, anguish, disease, sorrow, and death to sweep over the world where He had placed the human race?

We may be sure that God has a purpose in it all, and that his purpose is good. As we study this purpose and the reasons why He permitted sin to find in entrance into this world, we shall see that this, too, is but in addition demonstration of the unfailing love and justice of God for all his creatures.

We must consider at the very outset of our study that the angels were in a much more difficult position to judge what the outcome of sin would mean than we are. They knew nothing of sin, while we have had a practical demonstration of evil and its consequences during the entire period of our lives, and we, know from experience that sin is an evil thing, and will result only in evil. None of the created beings of the other worlds had known anything of sin. They had never seen anyone sin. No such thing existed.

Freedom of Choice

They were under a beneficent government which they knew was good, but there was no way by which they could be sure that another form of government would not be better, for there was no other form, and never had been. They had never known anything but the principles which governed the great kingdom of heaven. It is true that the knowledge of these principles was sufficient, for their eternal happiness. But as they were free moral agents, who could choose to disobey God as well as obey him, there is no question that thoughts must have entered their minds as to what the results of disobedience would be. Doubtless there was a tendency to experiment with the law of God, and a wonder as to what would occur if it was broken. Even before Lucifer permitted such thoughts to lead him into outright rebellion arid revolt, there may have been other angels who had struggled with the same impulses. But these others had suppressed them, and resisted them, and put them away as unworthy, and continued their unswerving loyalty to God.

Lucifer, however, turned these things over in his mind and cherished them, and permitted his mind to dwell long on them, until with his desire for self-exaltation they swept him from his moorings and out into open rebellion against God. God saw that in the sight, of all the inhabitants of the universe, there must be such a demonstration of what sin is and what its results would be, as would enable them to see and know and understand that the principles of the kingdom of God were based upon love and mercy and justice, and that no better form of government was possible. Until such a demonstration was made before the angels, it is plain that there would always be the tendency upon their part to experiment with sin. There was but one way for them ever really to know what the result of sin would be, and that was to permit them to see a demonstration of it with their own eyes.

So when one of their number, Lucifer, began to question the justice of God and the wisdom of the principles underlying his government, for the sake of the eternal happiness of all his creatures God permitted Lucifer to carry forward his work of rebellion. He permitted him fully to develop his plans, though the time came when it would have been folly to allow him to develop them in heaven itself, and thus involve some from all the worlds in the destruction which must inevitably come upon sin and sinners. Hence God limited the field of Lucifer’s operations by casting him and his angels out into the earth.

When it became plain that there was no hope of saving Lucifer himself, instead of immediately destroying him God permitted him to continue his work of rebellion, and thus demonstrate before all the universe the righteousness and holiness and love of God.

It will help us to understand the wisdom of God in permitting Satan to continue his work if we consider the results which would have followed if God had taken the opposite course and destroyed him at once when it became evident that he would not return to his allegiance to God.

Voluntary, Not Compulsory Service Desired

Suppose, then, in order to protect the inhabitants of heaven and of all the worlds from contact with sin, God had destroyed Lucifer at once. There is no question that he could have done so, and the fact that he did not do so is evidence that there was a wiser course to follow. To have destroyed Satan at once, while it would have checked one rebel, would not have destroyed the spirit of rebellion. In fact, it would have spread it. As soon as such an act had been performed, all of the remainder of God’s creatures would have served God indeed for a time, but from the motive of fear rather than love. Their service would have been based upon the fear of punishment if they did not render service, and in their minds all the charges which Lucifer had advanced against God and his government would have been substantiated, and the government of God would have appeared to them nothing less than a despotism. The rebellion would not, have been destroyed, for other angels would have arisen to lead their fellows in throwing off what would have been considered an intolerable yoke of bondage.

And God does not desire the service of fear. He takes no pleasure in compulsory obedience. He is not a monster whose anger must be appeased. He delights in voluntary service, the service which is prompted by love for him which dwells in the hearts of his creatures. This is the only worship which is acceptable to him. God considered the fall of a race a lesser evil that compulsory obedience, a fact which some churchmen and some statesmen would do well to consider when they attempt to compel obedience by law to certain religious observances. Thus in order to win voluntary service and allegiance on the part of all the created beings of the universe, God permitted Satan to continue in his course of rebellion, thus affording the universe a demonstration of God’s unchangeable love and righteousness.

And so this world became the lesson-book of the universe. The rebellion against the government of God was confined here. Satan led his hosts of evil angels to this planet, and laid before them his plans to strike a blow against the government of God by conquering the race which God was to bring into existence here. And all the creatures in heaven and on other planets are permitted to view the conflict between sin and righteousness, between Christ and Satan, on this planet, where they have been given a view of its entire course, its terrible consequences, and its ultimate destruction. And when the controversy is finished, and sin is finally destroyed, they will have been convinced that God is just and true.

And the inhabitants of this planet, the human race, were not utterly abandoned to their great foe. In the very beginning they were warned of the danger of his attacks, and had they stood firmly against his temptations they need never have been overcome. Even after yielding to Satan, and thus becoming his lawful captives, they were assured of a great Deliverer who would break the power of sin for every soul who accepts him. No human being is left to cope with sin alone. Everyone has the assurance of help from God to overcome the devil. Not one need be lost. God gives this promise: “Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? But thus said the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered. For I will contend with him that contends with you, and I will save thy children.” Isaiah 49:24-25.

In consequence of this experience with sin upon this planet, the inhabitants of this world who accept the salvation which has been provided for them through Christ will be highly exalted, and will occupy a higher station in the world to come than they would have occupied if sin had not entered this world. The great King of kings himself is to dwell here. The capital city of the new earth, the heavenly Jerusalem, is to come down from God out of heaven to rest upon the earth. And the redeemed of the Lord are to constitute a special bodyguard for King Emmanuel, when sin and sinners are to be no more and everything is, made new.

CHRIST REGAINS THE WORLD

SATAN, though he had gained the world by causing the fall of man, was not to be left in undisputed possession of it. In the promise given the woman in the Garden of Eden that her seed should bruise the serpent’s head, there was an assurance that an attempt would be made on the part of God to win back this earth to its first allegiance. Satan saw in this promise an indication that his control of the world and of the human race would be disputed.

Satan attempted to prevent the coming of the Seed of the woman, but in this he was defeated. And as the time drew near for the Seed, when God was about to send His only begotten Son into the world to wrest it from the grasp of the devil and give it back to its allegiance to his Father, Satan drew his lines closer and planned with grim determination to overthrow Christ if possible.

Satan had studied the prophecies of the Bible and knew that Christ would be born in Bethlehem. When his birth took place, and Satan was certain that the child was indeed the Christ (for he heard the message of the angels to the shepherds and beheld the coming of the wise men from the East), he immediately attempted to destroy the infant Savior by arousing the jealousy of Herod. Herod sent soldiers to Bethlehem to destroy all the male children under the age of two years, in the hope that the One who was to be “the king of the Jews,” might perish with the rest.

But God protected the helpless child from the wrath of Satan, and Joseph, being armed by an angel, fled with Mary and Jesus into Egypt. Here they remained until Herod died, and then returned and took up their residence at Nazareth in Galilee. Here the young child received his early training from his mother, and grew in knowledge and grace. At the age of twelve he was taken by his parents to Jerusalem, and in witnessing the sacrifice of the lamb in the temple saw his own great life mission opening before him.

For eighteen years after this journey to Jerusalem he remained with his parents in the home at Nazareth, quietly doing the work of a carpenter in the humble little village. And then at the age of thirty, recognizing his call in the preaching of John the Baptist, he started upon his work of ministry, which was to lead him to the cross.

The Temptation in the Wilderness

Immediately upon the beginning of his ministry, as soon as he was anointed as the Messiah at his baptism, he was met and opposed by Satan. Having fasted forty days in the wilderness, and being very hungry, he was visited by a being in the form of a bright, beautiful angel. This being talked with him, and said that if he were indeed the Son of God, as he had just been told at his baptism, it would be all easy matter to demonstrate that fact by turning stones into bread, and thus appeasing his hunger. But Christ had come to take the place of mankind, and to suffer with those he came to save, and therefore he was not to use his divine power to help himself. He refused to exercise his power in his own behalf.

After his failure in tempting Christ to cast himself down from a pinnacle of the temple and thus presume upon the protecting care of God, Satan revealed himself to Christ in his true character. He openly avowed himself to be Lucifer who had sinned in heaven. And, he declared, he knew full well why Christ had come into the world. He knew he had come to try to regain the world from the power of Satan. He pointed out that to do this Christ would be compelled to undergo almost unbearable suffering and to die a most ignominious death. And then he declared a to be entirely unnecessary. If Christ had come to obtain the world, he need not travel such a blood-stained path and die such a terrible death. The world was in Satan’s power, and he could give it to whomsoever he would. Taking Christ to a high mountain, he “shows him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and said unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.” Matthew 4:8, 9.

It was a temptation indeed. The world was the very thing Christ had come to win. He was now told that he could have it all, and need not endure the shame and ignominy of the cross in order to secure it. But he saw at once that to take it on such terms as were offered by Satan would be to acknowledge all that Satan had contended for in heaven-that he was superior to Christ, and that he must hold the dominion of the earth subject to Satan. Seeing that the great conflict of the ages would be eternally decided in favor of Satan if he accepted this proposition, he turned to him with the words, “Get thee hence, Satan.” He determined to go on with his work of establishing a kingdom of righteousness and truth, though the decision meant, that he must go down into the valley of the shadow of death.

Defeated in his purpose, Satan nevertheless was determined that even yet he would prevent Christ from gaining the victory. He buffeted him at every step, harassed him wherever he went. He caused the Jewish leaders to reject him. He did all he could to oppose and destroy his work. And finally he moved Judas to betray him into the hands of his enemies. He was betrayed for the price of a slave-thirty pieces of silver.

The Weight of the Sins of the World

The strongest temptation with which Satan wrung the heart of Jesus was when he came into the garden of Gethsemane. Here the weight of the sins of the world was felt by Christ with all its awful force. He saw that he must, die with these sins upon him, bearing also the frown of God because of these sins. Tempted to think that this might mean that he was never to have a resurrection, but must bear the frown of God forever, and thus be forever separated from his Father by death, Christ cried out, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me.” Matthew 26:39. He was unable to see that he could ever be brought from the tomb if he died with the sin of the world upon him. His own future was all dark.

It was here that the fiercest temptations of the devil wrung the agonized heart of Christ. Almost he was tempted to let man bear the consequences of his own guilt, and die for his own sins, while he gave up the attempt and returned to that place which he occupied with the Father before the world was created. The sacrifice to be made for sinners seemed almost too great, if it meant that he must be blotted out of the universe. “The wages of sin is death.” And eternal death. And Christ volunteered to suffer for sin in the place of the sinner. Now sins of the world were upon him, and he was realizing all their terrible guilt for the first time. He experienced what the sinner will feel when he suffers the consequences of’ transgression.

It is taught by many that the punishment of the wicked will be eternal torment in hell fire. But this cannot be true, for if it were, then Christ, in taking our punishment upon himself must have remained forever in torment. If eternal conscious punishment is the lot of the lost sinner, then Christ could never have been released from the suffering which it, would be necessary for him to bear in order to save us from it. But eternal death and separation front God, and not eternal torment, is the wages of sin. And it is evident that Christ could not take our place as our sin bearer without experiencing the awful fear and dread of separation from God. It was this thought that forced from his pores while in the garden the sweat which “was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Luke 22:44. His Father’s face was hidden from him, he was conscious of his Father’s frown, he felt that the burden of the world’s sin which he bore was separating him from God and that if he should die with these sins upon him he could not hope for a resurrection. He was unable to see through the grave, his hope in the future was dimmed, and the agony seemed more than he could bear.

Will he make the sacrifice? Will the Son of God take the place of the human race and die in man’s stead? The fate of the world hung upon the answer.

The Great Decision

When the struggle seemed about to become too great for his strength, he was given a view of the human race which he came to save. He saw it lost in sin, tinder condemnation of death and eternal separation from God. He saw that unless he took upon himself its guilt and its punishment, the race must perish. He saw that it could never enter the pearly gates of the heavenly city unless he laid down his life for it. He said that no human being could ever walk on the streets of gold throughout all the ages of eternity unless He should carry out the purpose for which he came to the Earth. It was either his life or theirs. It was separation from God for himself or for them.

Someone must, die for that, broken law, and it was either the race as a whole or the sacrifice which God had freely offered and which Christ had volunteered to be.

With the vision of the lost race before him unless he should make the sacrifice, and facing the darkness shrouding his own future, Christ made his decision. He would go forward upon his great mission at any cost to himself. “Having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.” John 13:1. He faced again the great decision for which he came into the world, and he decided in favor of the race which he loved. That his people might live with God throughout eternity, though he might not be there himself, he decided to take their place, and their guilt, and their fate, upon himself and die in their stead. And so he set his face steadfastly toward the cross, and as he rose front the ground for the last time he cried: “If this cup may not pass away from me except I drink it, thy will be done.” Matthew 26:42.

And so while his disciples; slept, the great decision was made, Alone, with none to help or comfort, he drained the last scalding drop of the fiery cup, the cup which none else could drain. If men were to be saved, there was no way for him but this. And having made the decision, his temptation was over, the temptation to escape by his own divine power the fate in store for the human race. From this time onward the flesh was conquered. He had determined to meet the full penalty of sin, and no lesser pain could now make him afraid. The priests and rulers might insult and jeer him, the whole nation might taunt and gibe, but not one cry will be forced from those lips by pain, or thirst, or glaring noonday suit, or thorns, or nails, or prison chains, or smiting by sin-stained hands. As a sheep before its sheerer, so be would be dumb.

The World’s Redeemer

And so they hurried him before Annas and Caiaphas, and then before Pilate, and oil to Herod, and back again to Pilate, always in the midst of the vociferating crowd, who buffeted him, and smote him with the palms of their hands, and spat in his face, speaking sneeringly of his birth, and demanding that he perform for them a miracle. Coming the last time from Pilate’s judgment hall after the sentence of crucifixion bad been pronounced, they crushed down upon the weary head the cruel crown of thorns and bowed the knee in mockery, and cried, “Hail, King of the Jews!” With no rest through the long night, hurried from one proud ruler to another, travel stained, weary, footsore, and bruised and lacerated with the cruel scourging he had received, now in addition to it all he is laden with the weight of the heavy cross, and, with no covering on his head from the broiling midday sun but the crown of thorns which had torn his brow in heavy gashes, he staggers on, the world’s Redeemer, through taunts and jeers and mockery. Reaching the place of Calvary, they stretch him upon the cross and drive the nails through his quivering flesh. Then raising the cross with the Savior upon it they let it drop into the hole they had prepared for it, tearing wider the wounds of the hands and feet where the nails had pierced. With jeers and mockery they watch his dying agonies. And thus the Son of God gave up his life for you.

If Jesus had committed one sin himself he never would have been brought from the tomb, and the human race also would have been hopelessly lost. But because his own life was spotless, and there was not the stain of one sin upon his own character, he was brought up again from death.

In this way Jesus gained the world which had been lost by sin. He became the second Adam, and won the victory over sin which the first Adam had failed to win. He met the devil on his own ground, in his own dominion, and wrested the control of the world away from him. He regained the lost dominion, and made a way of escape for all who had fallen under subjection to the devil.

And in consequence of his victory he drove Satan out of the courts of heaven. Satan cannot now appear in the great council of heaven, for he does not now represent this earth. His dominion has been taken away from him by Christ, and now “we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2:1. Our representative in the councils of heaven now is the Lord Jesus Christ. We have a friend at court. It is of this time that John in the Revelation speaks when he says: “And I beard it 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. Therefore rejoice, you heavens, and you that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants 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.” Revelation 12:10, 12.

A MODERN REVIVAL OF DEVILISM AND SORCERY

ONE of the strongest and most successful attempts of Satan to ensnare the people of the world in the last days is the present revival of the condemned and prohibited sorcery and witchcraft of old. Under the attractive title of “Spiritualism” he is sweeping millions into the chains of error and thus leading them away from God. Through this system he is performing miracles which are attracting the attention of the scientists of the world. Any attempt to deal with the work of Satan would be incomplete if it did not consider the phenomena of Spiritualism.

Every candid person must admit that a considerable portion of these phenomena is fraud, pure and simple, nothing but deception and imposture contrived by craft and cunning and imposed on the credulity of the simple-minded for the purpose of personal profit. But there are phenomena connected with this system which cannot be accounted for on these ground. There is a supernatural power connected with it. This supernatural power, we believe, is of Satan, and not of God.

Spiritualism is not a new development. It is as old as the human race. It had its origin in the Garden of Eden. The first spirit medium on record was the serpent in the garden. The fall of man and the ruin of the world was caused by heeding the counsel of a spirit medium.

We are told that the serpent was “more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made.” Satan selected this “subtle” beast as a medium through which to manifest his first spiritualistic phenomena. Through the serpent he spoke to Eve, the first woman, thus using the serpent as a medium to deceive her. He spoke to her only in order to deceive her. This, in fact, is the purpose of all medium ship.

Of Ancient Origin

It is worthy of more than passing attention that it was by believing a spirit medium that this world has been overwhelmed with such a flood of sin, disease, sorrow, grief, misery, trouble, and death.

And it is also worthy of notice that if Satan then could take possession of the body of a reptile, and so control that reptile as to make it appear different from what it really was, and then through his control of that reptile deceive and delude an innocent and sinless being, we certainly are justified in believing today that he can and does exert his power now in a similar way to deceive and delude human beings; for his power and craft and malice during the six thousand years since this first spiritualistic manifestation have not diminished, but rather increased. Today he still deceives and deludes the world through mediums.

From the time of this first spiritualistic deception until the present, Spiritualism has been known and practiced. Spiritualism is not a new revelation, notwithstanding the claim made by Spiritualists that its manifestations today are calculated to introduce a new era in the affairs of men and produce a much more advanced stage of civilization. It is an ancient falsehood. It has existed for ages in the midst of heathen darkness. And its presence in heathen and savage lands has been marked by no march of progress, by no advance of civilization, by no development of education, by no illumination of the mental faculties, by no increase of intelligence, but its acceptance has been productive of and coexistent with the most profound ignorance, the most barbarous superstitions, the most unspeakable immoralities, the basest idolatries, and the worst atrocities which the world has ever known.

Its Modern Development

The development of Spiritualism in its modern phase is of interest, and we here record it.

Modern Spiritualism had its beginning in Hydesville, New York, in the year 1848. The first intelligible communication of Spiritualism in modern times came in response to a direct appeal to Satan himself. In the year mentioned, a farmer, by the name of John D. Fox, lived in Hydesville, near Rochester, New York. He was the father of six children, two of whom were living at home. These were the youngest children of the family, and their names were Margaret who was 15 years of age, and Kate, aged 12. They had but recently moved, and they their home disturbed, especially at night, by peculiar noises. They attributed these noises at first to mice and rats, and then to a loose board. They soon discovered that these noises were distinct and intelligent rappings.

After retiring on the night of March 31, 1848, the parents and children sleeping in the same room, these rappings commenced with greater violence than usual. Mr. Fox arose, tried the window sashes, and finding them all secure, was about to return to his rest, when Kate, observing that, when he shook the sashes the rappings seemed to reply, turned in the direction from which the sound seemed to come, and snapped her finger several times, saying, “Here, Old Split foot, do as I do.”

Instantly the rappings replied with sharp, distinct taps. This frightened the girls so that they had no further desire to continue the conversation with “Old Split foot.” But the mother continued to cultivate his acquaintance until she received a message which professed to come from the spirit of a man by the name of Charles B. Rosma. This message informed her that this man, Rosma, had been murdered in that very house some years before. An exact location in the cellar of the house was given as the place where his body had been buried. On digging there, a considerable portion of a human skeleton was discovered, and it was later ascertained that a man answering to the description given had visited the house and had not been seen again.

The conclusion was reached that the Fox family were in communication with the spirits of the dead. From this beginning Spiritualism has developed through various stages to its present manifestations. Through table tipping, rapping, levitation, moving of material objects, and playing on musical instruments, it, has passed through the years until today it manifests itself, not only in all these older forms, but in what has come to be its chief deception, the materialization of spirits which it claims are the spirits of the dead.

Without a doubt some of these wonders and antics are frauds, tricks, and impositions done by sleight of hand, but many of them are so mysterious and remarkable that they have produced conviction in the minds of some of the world’s profoundest thinkers that some strange and unseen intelligence is thus performing marvels and communicating information to them. They are led to seek the aid of these invisible spirits and to submit to their control.

The fundamental teaching of Spiritualism is that, there is a survival of consciousness and identity after death, and that affords it means by which the spirits of the dead can communicate with the living. All of its other teachings are subordinate to this. All of its phenomena seem to be performed for the sole purpose of creating in the mind of the inquirer the belief in, the conscious existence of the dead and the possibility of communicating with the spirits of the dead through the medium of Spiritualism. Everything that it does tends to this one end, leads in this one direction. And remarkable have been its manifestations, and so unaccountable on all natural grounds have been its phenomena, that skilled investigators, melt of science, publicists, statesmen, religious leaders, and leaders in the world of thought have been profoundly convinced of the survival of conscious intelligence after death, and of its ability to communicate with the living.

We admit that there are mysterious and supernatural manifestations in Spiritualism, and freely concede that there are evidences of physical power and mental Intelligence in this system which cannot be explained by ordinary scientific principles. We concede also that communications are received from spirits and from the spirit world. But we insist that the power thus exercised is an evil power, the intelligence thus manifested is an evil intelligence, and the spirits from whom messages are received are not the spirits of the dead at all.

We know these spirits are not the spirits of the dead because the Bible teaches that the dead cannot communicate with the living. The doctrine upon which the whole system of Spiritualism is based, the doctrine of the natural immortality of the soul, is in contradiction to the plainest statements of the Word of God. There is no greater evidence of the fact that Spiritualism is a delusion than the inspired teaching of the Scriptures regarding the condition of man in death.

In as much as this system is sweeping many people from their moorings out into a great overwhelming sea of deception, it is well that we study what God has to say about it. It is a most powerful delusion, and we cannot combat its power successfully in our own strength. God has given much instruction concerning it in his Word, and this instruction will be of the utmost value to every person in meeting the lying claims of Spiritualism and overcoming them.

God Prohibited Spiritualism

God said to his ancient people, the Israelites. “Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 19:31.

The possession of familiar or controlling spirits is the very claim upon which the so-called communication with the spirits of the dead is based by spirit medium. In the above verse God forbids his people to have anything to do with those who make such claims, and further admonishes them that any such connection will be defiling to his followers. “And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers.” Malachi 3:5.

Sorcery was a pretended familiarity with the spirits of the dead; that is, it is one of the ancient names of modern Spiritualism. And in the passage just, quoted God sets himself against it, and declares that his witness and his judgment will be against all who practice these abominable occult arts.

“Therefore hearken not you to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreamers, nor to your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers, for they prophesy a lie unto you.” Jeremiah 27: 9, 10.

Spiritualism pretends to be able to foretell the future accurately. This is mere pretension, for it does not know the future, much less can it foretell it. Mediums, reasoning from cause to effect, and the spirits which control these mediums, knowing vastly more of the working out of the principles of cause and effect, may surmise something of what may come to pass, and so may we all, but they have no divine knowledge of the future. If Spiritualism knew what would happen tomorrow and the next day the mediums would undoubtedly be the most successful manipulators of the stock market, for they would be able to tell whether stocks and bonds were going up or down, and thus be far in advance of their competitors. They do not know the future; “they prophesy a lie unto you.”

A Divinely Appointed Test

And it is just on this point that Spiritualism fails to establish the truth of its claim to be a divine system of truth God himself has appointed a test which Spiritualism fails to meet. This test is m follows: “Produce your cause, said the Lord; bring forth your strong reasons, said the King of Jacob. Let them bring them forth, and show us what shall happen: let them show the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come. Show the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that you are gods.” Isaiah 41:21-23.

If Spiritualism desires to prove that it has not only supernatural power, but also divine authority, let it meet this test. “Let them show us things to come.” The One who proposes this test has submitted to it himself, and the very thing which neither man nor evil spirits can do, God has done again and again through his prophets. A large portion of the Bible consists of prophecies made ages ago, which deal with the history of nations, empires, and cities, and accurately foretell that history. And as the history has unfolded through the centuries, these forecasts have proved true, thus establishing the fact of God’s omniscience, and confirming the faith of the people of God in the inspiration of the Bible.

Egypt, in harmony with God’s ancient Word, has become the “basest of the kingdoms,” and has not had a native king or prince to reign over it for thousands of years. Ezekiel 29:15; 30; Isaiah 19. Babylon, that proud city which set itself up against God, has become a desolate heap, uninhabited, and a lair for the beasts of the desert. Isaiah 13: 19-22. Tyre, which once handled the merchandise of the world, has had her walls destroyed, her dust scraped from her, and become like the top of a rock, a place for the spreading of nets. Ezekiel 26:1-5. Nineveh, the magnificent capital of a magnificent empire, “the bloody city,” the city “full of lies and robbery,” has become empty, void, and waste. Nahum 3. These prophecies have been fulfilled, with scores of others, and some are now being fulfilled, though the men who wrote them under inspiration have been dead for thousands of years.

It is upon evidence such as this that the Christian rests his faith. Spiritualism has never been able to produce their equal, nor does it offer us anything similar upon which to base our belief in its divine origin. Its pretensions vanish into thin air when compared with these majestic prophecies of the Word of God. The communications received through spirit mediums are no more to be compared with the messages of the prophets than a counterfeit note can be compared with a true note.

In place of meeting this divinely appointed test to show us things to come, Spiritualism tells us merely those things which are in the past or present. It is willing to give us the names of our fathers, mothers, grandmothers, uncles, aunts, children, the dates of their death, and the place of their-burial. But all such things might be known to those in the flesh as well as to the evil spirit which roam through all creation to gather information at their leisure. Such information is open to all who may care to acquire it. Nor is it sufficient for the spirits to give us truthful of happenings which are then taking place at some considerable distance, for it must be remembered that, mortals have produced inventions by which information may be sent around the world like a flash of lightning. Let them show us things to come. This is the divine test. And it is a test no spirit medium has been able to endure, or cares to invite.

Certainly there are some events which spirit mediums may be able to foretell. An astronomer can foretell the exact time of an eclipse. A criminal can foretell the exact time of a murder which he intends to commit. An evil spirit can foretell to a medium the exact time of some transaction which the spirits intend to bring about. An incendiary can foretell the exact time of a fire which he intends to kindle. Those who know may foretell the financial ruin of some individual when they are planning to bring it about at a certain time. But such predictions would not prove the possession of supernatural intelligence. And it must be evident to all that no proof of divine inspiration is given when predictions are fulfilled, unless it can be shown also that they are not based upon previous predictions of similar character from which the information may have been drawn.

An Abomination to the Lord

“A man also or a woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.” Leviticus 20:27. This was the ancient penalty for attempting to communicate with the spirits of the dead, and there are those today who never cease to deride the Bible for containing such a law. But when men talk, it is well for them to know what they are talking about; and when they take a little time and trouble to find out, they will discover that the occult and devilish practices of ancient Spiritualism not only tended, as they do now, to disease, insanity, immorality, and death, but that those who practiced these occult arts were too often guilty of the most horrible, abominable, and revolting crimes and barbarities, which in themselves were sufficient cause to prohibit the practices which gave rise to them. Note the estimate which the Lord places upon Spiritualism. “There shall not he found among you any one that makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that uses divination or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer or a consultant with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord.” Deuteronomy 18:10-12.

Surely at the present time consulting with familiar spirits cannot be pleasing to God, when anciently it was an abomination to him.

In the New Testament Spiritualism is also found in doubtful company, under its old name of witchcraft: “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulation, wrath, strife, sedition, heresies, envying, murders, drunkenness, reveling, and such like. Of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21.

And with this statement that those who are deluded by the falsehoods, and who practice the devilish arts of Spiritualism shall not inherit the kingdom of God, agree the words of John, who, after describing those who enter the New Jerusalem, the capital city of the kingdom of God, declares that “without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whore mongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loves and makes a lie.” Revelation 22:15. This, then, is the ultimate destiny of Spiritualism. It will perish in the company of those who follow Satan.

The phenomena of Spiritualism are produced by fallen angels. As has already been shown in this volume, before the creation of man a rebellion broke out among the angels in heaven against the authority of God. This rebellion was led by Satan. At that time Satan was a beautiful and glorious angel, a loved and honored leader of great multitudes of the heavenly host. His name was Lucifer. Exalted by his Maker to a position of great prominence and influence, he was able to lead many of the angels astray when sin found an entrance into his heart and mind. These angels were cast out of heaven with Satan. Revelation 12:7-9.

Thus in our study of Spiritualism we must ever bear in mind the fact that there are on earth a vast multitude of invisible beings clothed with supernatural power, called “demons” by the Scriptures of truth, wholly evil in character, and who with the most intense hatred toward God and man, are constantly engaged in the most bitter warfare against the welfare of human beings and the glory of God.

These unseen yet intelligent beings can work equally as well in the darkness as in the light, while their presence remains unperceived and unrecognized. They can conic into a room like the viewless air, and are, able to work through visible and bodily forms as well as to control living beings. They can change their location with the rapidity of thought. Having lived for thousands of years, they have the advantage of the wisdom and experience of the ages; they can recall facts that are past long ago, which no living man could possibly know, but which may be found afterwards to be true. They can assume disguises innumerable, impersonate any character, and can call to their assistance at any time a vast multitude of other beings like themselves. This vast confederacy of evil is presided over by a chief who once dwelt in the courts of heaven, but whose present supreme aim is to ensnare the human race to its eternal destruction, and who aims at pressing every event and circumstance of human life into his fiendish service.

A Vast Amount of Harm

It is evident, when these things are considered, that these evil angels, under such a superior and intelligent control, organized as they are into companies, divisions, “principalities” and “ powers “ (Ephesians 6:12) and inspired only with the object of doing mischief, deceiving, and misleading, possess faculties and opportunities for doing a vast amount of harm. By such spirits the unwary can be easily controlled, terrorized, deceived, and injured. They can lay and execute the most dangerous plots. They can cause their enemies to render them service unconsciously and ignorantly. They can take the credit for good which they have never done, and put off upon others the blame for evil which they have themselves performed. In this way they are able to confuse all conceptions of right and wrong, calling evil good, and good evil. And especially is this true when they work among those who deny the very existence of such beings. Under such circumstances they are able to accomplish an amount of mischief and deceit too great for mortal man to comprehend.

Through all the ages of the past these wicked spirits have unsettled the minds of multitudes of people, and have led many into madness, insanity, and ruin. Through all their history they have never yet been known to reveal any truth of importance which has not already been revealed in God’s Word, or discovered by the aid of good men of science. Not one sinner have they ever led to Christ for forgiveness of sins, nor is there one among the millions of Spiritualists who has been savingly converted to God by Spiritualism, or with the help of the spirits. Their invariable testimony is against the Word of God. They repudiate the plan of salvation which that Word reveals. Their attitude toward Jesus Christ is today what it has always been – “Jesus of Nazareth, let us alone; what have we to do with thee?” See Mark 5:7; Matthew 8:24; Luke 8:28. By their denial of the fall of man, the atonement of Christ, and the salvation of man by that atonement, they sweep away at one stroke the whole plan and purpose of God as revealed through Christ and the Bible.

Scientists Baffled

Scientists have found themselves perplexed and baffled in their investigations of this system, and have reached some amazing conclusions. But this is not to be wondered at when scientists come to such an investigation denying that such mighty forces exist. An infidelity and skepticism which doubts everything for which it cannot find an explanation, and which denies everything which it cannot weigh in a balance, or measure with a foot rule, we may expect to see imposed on and deceived when it comes to dealing with the mightiest forces in the universe. If unseen, imponderable, indefinable, incomprehensible energies lie about us everywhere, in the mysteries of electricity, the forces of gravitation, the vegetative secrets of nature, many of which are still inexplicable, invisible, unmeasured, and immeasurable, but which, notwithstanding this, still rule in our material universe with incalculable power and mathematical exactness, why should it he considered unbelievable that other forces and powers and influences and beings of which our learning and philosophy take little or do account, may rule and control the hearts, minds, souls, and bodies of men.

Scientists who deny the existence of such forces simply because they cannot explain them are centuries behind the times. What can they explain? What explanation have they been able to give us of the mysteries of seed, of plant, and of flower? True, they can trace the steps of the growth of such things, but can they explain those steps? Can they explain the germination of life, the growing of fruits, flowers, colors, odors, poisons, from the same identical soil? Can any scientist tell why a mere whiff of air or the odor of a flower produces on some constitutions just as powerful an effect as a strong drug? Can they explain why a heart should be broken or a life ruined and destroyed because of an evil passion, a disappointment, a harsh speech, or a look of hatred? Can they explain the connection between mind and body, and thus reveal why wrong habits of thought will produce physical disease?

And if, as all scientists well know, the sensitive minds of some persons can be depressed and deranged by the will, the glance, the word, or even by some secret influence or thought of others, why should it be thought a thing impossible that impossible spirits, cunning as the devil, swift as electricity, subtle as magnetism, and as unaccountable as gravitation, may work on minds and bodies until the mental equilibrium is reason is subverted, and life itself is destroyed?

Those, who today deny the existence of such agencies of evil, and say that the working of such forces is an impossibility, in the face of the clear teachings of the Bible, are merely asserting omniscience for themselves while they are demonstrating ignorance.

An Attending Angel

The Bible teaches that each child of God has an attending angel from the courts of heaven. Matthew 18:10; Acts 12:12-16.

We may reasonably suppose that each person has also an evil angel attending him constantly. This evil angel would know all that the person has ever said or done, and while impersonating the individual in a Spiritualist seance could tell all that the person himself could tell if he were actually there. He could reveal secrets known only to the one who is dead and the inquirer at the seance, and this revelation would appear of such a supernatural character to the inquirer, that, not being fortified by the truth of the Bible regarding the condition of the dead, he would be convinced that he is in actual communication with the spirit of the dead. He is then led on to believe “doctrines of devils” (1 Timothy 4:1), because, once convinced that it is one who loves him who thus speaks to him, he is then ready to believe any message he may receive. Thus he is drawn away from God into this terrible delusion.

The spirits which appear in the dim light of the Spiritualist seances are not the spirits of the dead, but are the spirits of devils. Revelation 16:14. This movement is the latter-day working of the one who was cast out of heaven, and all the people of God should guard themselves against it with the utmost care.

As many will be brought into contact with these spirits which impersonate the dead, they will find themselves confronted by a power which they will be utterly unable to withstand or resist. Appeals will be made to their sympathies, and before their eyes miracles will be wrought which will convince them that this fearful delusion is the great power of God. They will be led to disbelieve the Word of God, which opposes the false claims of Spiritualism, and will thus be led on until God departs from them, as he did from King Saul, and they are completely entangled in the snares of the devil. Thus thousands and hundreds of thousands will lose their souls in this final effort of Satan to deceive the whole world and take it captive. Our only protection against this powerful delusion is an acquaintance with and a firm belief in the inspired teachings of the Bible concerning the dead.

The Bible solves forever the dark problem which has so long brought perplexity and distress to the world. It lights a lamp of hope for all who are weary and heavy laden. It gives assurance of life beyond the grave, a glory that shall never end. It strengthens the hearts of those who mourn, brings comfort to the bereaved, and points us forward to the better, brighter day which is so near at hand.

It shows to be false the revelations which are made by Satan and his angels through spirit mediums. In order to save from the snare of Satan those who have been trifling with spirit manifestations, it-sends forth this awful warning: “For this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believe not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:11, 12. It commands us to “resist the devil,” and promises us that he will flee from us. James 4:7.

With Paul, “I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple [or blameless] concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ he with you. Amen.” Romans 16:20.

www.CreationismOnline.com

WHAT THEN?

When all the great plants of our cities
Have turned out their last finished work;
When our merchants have made the last bargain,
And dismissed the last tired clerk;
When our banks have raked in the last dollar,
And have paid out the last dividend;
When the Judge of the Earth says.
Close for the Night
And asks for a Balance, WHAT THEN?

When the choir has sung its last anthem.
And the preacher has said his last prayer;
When the people have heard their last sermon.
And the sound has died out on the air;
When the Bible lies closed on the pulpit.
And the pews are all empty of men;
When each one stands facing his record.
And the Great Book is opened, WHAT THEN?

When the actors have played their last drama,
And the mimic has made his last fun;
When the movies have flashed the last picture,
And the billboard displayed its last run;
When the crowds seeking pleasure have vanished.
And have gone into darkness again;

And the world that rejected its Savior,
Is asked for a reason, WHAT THEN?

When the bugle’s last call sinks in silence,
And the long marching columns stand still;
When the captain has giving his last order,
And they’ve captured the last fort and hill;
When the flag has been hauled from the masthead,
And the wounded afield have checked in;
When the trumpet of Ages is sounded,
Avid we stand up before Him, WHAT THEN?

www.CreationismOnline.com