Chapter VII. The Spirit World

            The Scriptures are full of the “Supernatural.” The only cure for the “Materialism” of the present day is to discover what the Scriptures reveal as to the “Spirit World.” There is but a step from the “Natural” World to the “Spirit” World. The dividing veil is our “fleshy” bodies. The “Heavenlies” are peopled with Spirit Beings. They are of two classes, good and evil. They are classified as “Seraphim,” “Cherubim,” “Angels” (Good and Bad), “Principalities,” “Powers, “ ”Age Rulers of Darkness, “ ”Wicked Spirits,” (Ephesians 6:12), “Thrones,” “Dominions,” (Colossians 1:16), “Fallen Angels,” (2 Peter 2:4), “Spirits in Prison,” (1 Peter 3:18-20), “Demons,” “Seducing Spirits.” (1 Timothy 4:1.)

            The Angels are “innumerable in number.” Hebrews 12:22. They are “mighty in power” but not almighty. 2 Thessalonians 1:7. They excel in strength. One angel destroyed 185,000 of the Assyrian army in a night. An angel rolled away the stone from the Tomb of Christ, and one angel shall bind Satan and cast him into the “Bottomless Pit.” They are “Glorious” beings (Luke 9:26), and have “great knowledge,” but are not Omniscient. The Angels are “Ministering Spirits” to them who are “heirs of salvation,” (Hebrews 1:13, Hebrews 1:14), and “Executioners of God’s Wrath” on the “wicked.” 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8. They will gather the “elect of Israel” from the four corners of the earth, (Matthew 24:31), and are commissioned to supply the physical needs of God’s people. Matthew 4:11; 1Ki 19:4-8.

Among the “Principalities and Powers” of the Spirit World there are three great leaders:

1. Michael.

            He is mentioned three times in Daniel (Daniel 10:13, Daniel 10:21; Daniel 12:1), where he is called a “Prince” who stands for Daniel’s People—the Jews. He is called in Jude 9 the Archangel. In Revelation 12:7 he is seen in command of the Angelic “Army of Heaven.” His work seems to be to deliver God’s people, particularly the Jews, from the power of Satan, and finally to oust him and his angels from the Heavenlies, and cast them down on to the earth. Revelation 12:7-9. He also has something to do with the resurrection of the dead, for he is associated with the “Resurrection” mentioned in Daniel 12:1, Daniel 12:2, and he contested with the Devil the resurrection of Moses (Jude 9), and the “voice” of the Archangel that will be heard when the “Dead in Christ” shall rise (1 Thessalonians 4:16), will be the “voice” of Michael, for he is the only Archangel mentioned in the Scriptures.

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2. Gabriel.

            He is mentioned by name four times. In Daniel twice, and in Luke twice. He seems to be associated with the redemptive work of God. He appeared to Daniel (Daniel 8:16; Daniel 9:21-27), to inform him as to the “time” of Christ’s “First Coming,” and when the “time had come” he announced to Zacharias the birth of Christ’s “Forerunner” – John the Baptist, and later to Mary the birth of Jesus. Luke 1:19, Luke 1:26, Luke 1:27. His position in heaven is lofty, for he said of himself to Zacharias – “I am Gabriel that Stand in the Presence of God.”

3. Satan.

            We speak of Satan last not because he is the least of the three, for in many ways he is the greatest, but because of his evil character. He is the source of all the anarchy and rebellion in the Universe. See the Chapter on Satan.

MAN’S RELATION TO THE “SPIRIT-WORLD”

            Man in his physical and spiritual makeup, was made for two worlds, the Physical and the Spirit world. Writing to the Thessalonians Paul says,

 “I pray God your whole ‘Spirit’ and ‘Soul’ and ‘Body’ be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23.

            Writing to the Hebrews he says—

“The Word of God is quick (alive), and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of ‘Soul and ‘Spirit,’ and of the ‘Joints and Marrow’ (body), and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12.

            From these references we see that man is a Trinity, and is composed of “Body,” “Soul,” and “Spirit.” Man was made in the “Image of God” and God is a Trinity.

            The Tabernacle was a tent surrounded by a court, which court was enclosed by a curtain fence. (See diagram of the Tabernacle.) The tent was divided into two parts’, one twice the length of the other, by a “veil” or curtain. The larger part was entered from without by a curtained doorway, and contained the “Table of Shewbread,” the “Altar of Incense,” and the “Seven-Branched Candlestick.” This part was called the “Holy Place.” The smaller part was entered from the “Holy Place” through the “veil” or dividing curtain, and contained the “Ark of the Covenant,” on the lid of which, between the “Cherubims,” God took up His residence in the “Shekinah Glory.” This part was called the “Most Holy Place.” There were no windows in the Tabernacle, and the only entrance was through the curtained doorway into the “Holy Place.” The Tabernacle and its Courtyard is a type of the “Threefold Nature of Man.” The “Courtyard” represents his Body, the “Holy Place” his Soul, and the “Most Holy Place” his Spirit, and as there could be no communication between the “Courtyard” and the “Most Holy Place,” only through the “Holy Place,” so there can be no communication between a man’s Body and Spirit only through his Soul. After the completion of the Tabernacle it remained empty of the “Presence of God” until the “Spirit of God” descended and took up His abode in the “Most Holy Place.” So a man may be complete as to body, soul and spirit, but his spiritual nature will remain unregenerate until the Holy Spirit enters and takes possession of the “spirit” compartment of his nature. This happens when the “New Birth” takes place.

            The “Threefold Nature of Man” is clearly brought out in the Diagram

“The Threefold Nature of Man.”

            The outer circle stands for the “Body” of man, the middle for the “Soul,” and the inner for the “Spirit,” or what Paul calls the “CARNAL” (1 Corinthians 3:1-3); the “NATURAL” (1 Corinthians 2:14); and the “SPIRITUAL” (1 Corinthians 3:1), parts of man. In the outer circle the “Body” is shown as touching the Material World through the five senses of “Sight,” “Smell,” “Hearing,” “Taste” and “Touch.” The Gates to the “Soul” are “Imagination,” “Conscience,” “Memory,” “Reason” and the “Affections.” The “Spirit” receives impressions of outward and material things through the Soul. The “Spiritual Faculties” of the “Spirit” are “Faith,” “Hope,” “Reverence,” “Prayer” and “Worship.” In his unfallen but when the human race fell in Adam, sin closed the state the “Spirit” of man was illuminated from Heaven, window of the Spirit, and pulled down the curtain, and the “chamber of the Spirit” became a Death Chamber, and remains so in every unregenerate heart, until the “Life” and “Light” giving power of the Holy Spirit floods that chamber with the “Life” and “Light” giving power of the NEW LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS. We see then why the “natural” man cannot understand “spiritual” things. He cannot understand them until his spiritual nature has been renewed.

            But the Spirit of the Natural man is not only darkened, his “Will” stands as a “guard” at the door, and prevents the entrance of the Holy Spirit, and it is not until the “Will” surrenders through the power. of the “Sword of the Spirit,” the “Word of God,” that the Holy Spirit can enter and take up his abode in the “Spirit” of man.

            When a man dies his “Soul” and “Spirit” separate from the “Body,” and the “Body” is laid in the grave, but the “Spirit” is not “bodiless,” it has what Paul calls its “PSYCHICAL” or “Soulish” Body. As this “Soulish Body” can hear, and speak, and think, and feel, it must have some “tangible” form. It is not a “ghostlike” structure. There are doubtless limitations in its use, or there would be no need for it to recover its “physical” body at the Resurrection.

            That there is such a thing as the “Soulish Body” is brought out in the story of the “Rich Man and Lazarus.” Luke 16:19-31. The story is not a Parable, but a description by Christ of something that really happened in the other world to his own personal knowledge. It declares that both Lazarus and the “Rich Man” died and were buried. That is, their bodies were left on the earth. What happened to them in the “Underworld” then, is descriptive of what happened to them in their “disembodied state.” In that state they were conscious and the Rich Man recognized Lazarus, which he could not have done if Lazarus had not a body, not his “physical” body, he left that on the earth, but his “Soulish” body. This is proof that the “Soulish” body is not simply a body, but that in its outward form and appearance it conforms to the earthly body of the owner, otherwise he would not be recognizable in the other world. Again the “Rich Man” could see, and feel, and thirst, and talk, and remember, proving that he possessed his senses and had not lost his personality. This proves that there is no break, as “Soul Sleep,” in the Continuity of Existence, or Consciousness, in passing from the “Earth-Life” to the “Spirit-Life.” Sleep in the Scriptures always refers to the “Body,” not to the “Soul,” and the expression “Asleep in Jesus” refers to the Believer only.

Let us trace the life of the “Soul” and “Spirit” after they have left the “Body.” In the account of the “Rich Man and Lazarus” we have a description of “THE UNDERWORLD.” See the Chart of “The Underworld,” just below.

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 “The Underworld” is made up of two compartments, “Paradise” and “Hell” (not the final Hell, that is “Gehenna” the “Lake of Fire”) with an “Impassable Gulf” between. At the bottom of the “Gulf” is the “Bottomless Pit,” or “Abyss.” This is a place of temporary confinement for “Evil Spirits” (Demons). It has a King – “Apollyon,” but is kept locked by God who commissions an angel to open it when He so desires. Revelation 9:1-16, Revelation 17:8, Revelation 20:1-3. Before the resurrection of Christ the Soul and Spirit of the “Righteous Dead” went to the “Paradise” compartment of “The Underworld.” There Christ met the “Penitent Thief” after His death on the Cross. On the day of His Resurrection Christ’s Soul and Spirit returned from “The Underworld.” But He did not return alone. He brought back with Him all the occupants of the Paradise compartment and locked it up, and He now has the “Keys of Death and Hell.” Revelation 1:18. [A reference to the Revised Version was removed here.] Here “Death” stands for the “grave” and “Hell” for “The Underworld.” Some of those who came back from “The Underworld” with Christ got their bodies, and ascended with Him as the “First Fruits” of the resurrection “from among the dead.” Matthew 27:52-53. The rest were taken up to the “Third Heaven” where Paul was caught up. 2 Corinthians 12:1-4. Paul called it “Paradise.” There all the “Righteous Dead” that have died since Christ’s resurrection go that they may be “WITH THE LORD.” Philippians 1:23. 2 Corinthians 5:8. There the souls of the “Righteous Dead” shall remain until the time comes for the resurrection of their bodies, then when Christ comes back to meet His Church in the Air, He will bring back the souls of the “Righteous Dead” from the “Paradise” of the “Third Heaven,” for we are told that He will bring them whose bodies “Sleep in Jesus” on the earth WITH HIM (1 Thessalonians 4:14), and they will continue on to the earth and get their “bodies” from the grave, and then ascend again together with the “Translated Saints” to meet the Lord IN THE AIR. See the Chart of “The Underworld.”

            So far as we know the souls of the “Wicked Dead” are still in the “Hell Compartment” of “The Underworld,” and will remain there until the “Second Resurrection,” when they will return to the earth and get their bodies, and then go to the “Great White Throne” Judgment. After judgment they will be sentenced to the “Second Death,” which means that they shall die again in the sense of losing their bodies the second time, and as “disembodied spirits” be cast into the “Lake of Fire,” (Gehenna, the “Final Hell”), to suffer in flames forever. As soul and spirit are impervious to flames, this explains how the wicked, after being disembodied again by the “Second Death,” can exist forever in literal fire. Mark 9:43-48.

            We are reading a great deal in these days about “Spiritualism,” or the communication of the living with the dead. What is called “Spiritism” is DEMONISM, and is forbidden in the Scriptures. Leviticus 20:6, Leviticus 20:27. Deuteronomy 18:10-11. Isaiah 8:19 ®. V.). The “Familiar Spirits” of the Old Testament are the same as the “Demons” and “Seducing Spirits” of the New Testament.

SPIRITISM

            Of the revival of “Spiritism” in these days we have been fully warned in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul, writing to Timothy, says –

“Now the Spirit (Holy Spirit) speaketh expressly, that in the ‘LATTER TIMES’ (the last days of this Dispensation) some shall depart from the Faith (that is, give up the Christian Faith) giving heed to ‘SEDUCING SPIRITS,’ and ‘DOCTRINES OF DEVILS’, * * * forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats.” 1 Timothy 4:1-3.

            The phrase “forbidding to marry” does not refer to “celibacy,” but to the abrogation of the marriage relation, the practice of “FREE LOVE” and the doctrine of “AFFINITIES,” which Spiritism leads to. The phrase “Abstain From Meats” is not a reference to fasting, but the requirement of a “vegetable diet.” It is a well-known fact that a “vegetable diet” renders the body more susceptible to spiritual forces than a meat diet.

            The close connection of this warning of the Apostle with the words – “Refuse profane and ‘OLD WIVES’ FABLES,’” in verse seven, is doubtless a reference to some of the “ISMS” of these last days. For “Christian Science” is but an “OLD WIFE’S” Fable, for Mrs. Eddy was an “Old Wife” in the sense that she had been many times married. It is an indisputable fact that most of the “Witches” and “Mediums” of Scripture, and these “Latter Days,” were and are women. It was through Eve and not Adam that Satan sought to destroy the race. The reason may be that the nervous and impressionable character of women is better adapted to demon influence.

            The revival of “Spiritism,” or “DEMONISM,” is one of the “Signs of the Times,” and should be a warning to every true child of God of the approaching end of the Age. The “Demons” belong to the “Powers of Darkness.” They are not few in number, but are a great “Martialed Host,” veterans in the service of Satan. Their central camp or abode is the “Bottomless Pit” from which they “sally forth” at the command of their leader. Revelation 9:1-11. They are not angels. Angels have bodies. But the fact that demons can enter in, and take possession of, and control human beings and animals (swine), is proof that they are “Disembodied Spirits.” They are supposed by many to be the “spirits” of the inhabitants of the “PreAdamite Earth,” whose sin caused its wreck, and whose bodies were destroyed in the catastrophe that overwhelmed it, and their desire and purpose in entering human bodies is to re-embody themselves again on the earth where they once lived. That the “Demons” have a personality is clear from the fact that Jesus conversed with them, asked them questions, and received answers. Luke 8:26-33. They are possessed of more than ordinary intelligence. They know that Jesus is the “Son of God,” and that they are finally to be confined in a place of “Torment.” Matthew 8:29.

THE POWER OF DEMONS OVER THE HUMAN BODY

            They can cause DUMBNESS (Matthew 9:32-33), and BLINDNESS (Matthew 12:22), and INSANITY (Luke 8:26-35, and the SUICIDAL MANIA (Mark 9:22), and PERSONAL INJURIES (Mark 9:18), and impart SUPERNATURAL STRENGTH (Luke 8:29) and inflict PHYSICAL DEFECTS AND DEFORMITIES. Luke 13:11-17. Once they have got control over a human body they can come and go at will. Luke 11:24-26.

            The Devilish character of “Demons” is seen in the use they make of their victims. They use them as “instruments of unrighteousness,” (Romans 6:13), for the proclamation of the

“DOCTRINES OF DEVILS,” (1 Timothy 4:1), and the teaching of “DAMNABLE HERESIES.” 2 Peter 2:1. The effect of such use of the victim is not only unmoral, it is IMMORAL. It leads to vicious and inhuman conduct. The conduct of “demonized” men and women seems to indicate that the “Demon” takes possession of them for the purpose of physical sensual gratification, thus letting us into the secret of the cause of the wreck of the Pre-Adamite Earth, the SIN OF SENSUALITY. This accounts for the desire of the victim to live in a state of nudity; to have lustful and licentious thoughts. In these days of increasing tendency to yield to “Seducing Spirits” it may account for the immodesty -L of fashionable attire, and the craze of dancing. The pur- ‘ pose of the “Demon” is often to alienate husband and wife, and break up homes by preaching the doctrine of “FREE LOVE.” In short, the “Demon,” for personal gratification, has the power, once he is in control of his victim, to derange both mind and body, and wreck the victim’s health, and if deliverance is not obtained by turning to Christ, who alone has power to cast out the Demon, the victim will be lost soul and body.

            Demon-possession must not be confounded with diseases, such as “Epilepsy,” which causes the victim to fall in convulsions, foam at the mouth and gnash the teeth, for the Scriptures make a clear distinction between them. Matthew 4:24.

In 1 Corinthians 10:20-21 we read –

“But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they SACRIFICE TO DEVILS, and not to God; and I would not that ye should have FELLOWSHIP WITH DEVILS. Ye cannot drink the ‘Cup of the Lord’ (Communion Cup), and the ‘CUP OF DEVILS’; ye cannot be partakers of the ‘Lord’s Table,’ and of the TABLE OF DEVILS.”

This passage proves that behind all heathen worship there is the “Spirit of Demonism,” or “DEVIL WORSHIP,” and accounts for the “wild orgies” and voluptuous and licentious mode of worship of the heathen.

            The story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) reveals the fact that communication with the spirits, of our departed dead, is not only unnecessary, but is not permitted. It is not necessary for we have Moses and the Prophets, that is, the Holy Scriptures, to give us all we need to know of the state of the dead. And it is not permitted, or Lazarus, or the rich man himself, would have been allowed to return to the earth and warn his brethren. The inevitable conclusion to be drawn from this story is, that the spirit of a good man MAY not, and the spirit of a bad man CANNOT return to this earth. If this be true then Spiritism is a fraud, and is one of the devices of Satan in these latter days to lead astray the unwary. Those who dabble in Spiritism are in great danger of having their “understanding darkened” (Ephesians 4:17-19) and come under the power and control of Demons.

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Chapter VIII. Satan

            There are many who deny the existence of Satan. They claim that what we call Satan is only a “principle of evil.” That this “evil” is a sort of “malaria,” an intangible thing like disease germs that floats about in the atmosphere and attacks people’s hearts under certain conditions. The existence of Satan cannot be determined by the opinions of men. The only source of information is the Bible. That is the reason why Satan tries to discredit the Word of God. He is not a “principle of evil” he is a – Person.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the Devil, as a roaring lion,’ walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8.

            He “walketh,” he “roareth,” he is to be “chained.” Revelation 20:1-3. These could not be said of a “principle of evil.” He has many names or aliases—“Satan,” “Devil,” “Beelzebub,” “Belial,” “Adversary,” “Dragon,” “Serpent.” He is mentioned by one or the other of these names 174 times in the Bible.

            He is a great “Celestial Potentate.” He is

“The Prince of the Powers of the Air.”

Ephesians 2:2.

“The God of this World” (Age).

2 Corinthians 4:4.

I. His Origin.

            This is more or less shrouded in mystery. One thing is certain, he is a “created being,” and that of the most exalted type. He was before his fall

“The Anointed Cherub That Covereth.”

            That is, he was the guardian or protector of the “Throne of God.” He was perfect in all his ways from the day that he was created, until iniquity was found in him. In him was the “fulness of wisdom,” and the “perfection of beauty,” but it was his “beauty” that caused the pride that was his downfall. He was clothed in a garment that was covered with the most rare and precious gems, the sardius, topaz, diamond, beryl, onyx, jasper, sapphire, emerald, carbuncle, all woven in with gold. He dwelt in Eden, the “Garden of God.” This probably refers not to the earthly Eden, but to the “Paradise of God” on high, for Satan dwelt on the “Holy Mount of God.”’ All this we learn from Ezekiel 28:11-19, where the Prophet has a “foreview” of the Antichrist under the title of the “King of Tyrus,” and as Antichrist is to be an incarnation of Satan, the Prophet here describes Satan’s original glory from which he fell. There never has been as yet such a King of Tyrus as is here described.

            The cause of Satan’s fall is given in Isaiah 14:12-20. He is there called –

Lucifer, Son of the Morning.

            This was his glorious title when he was created, and this world of ours was made, at which time –

“The ‘Morning Stars,’ (probably other glorious created ruling beings like himself), sang together, and all the ‘Sons of God,’ (angels), shouted for joy.” Job 38:7.

            It is well to note that the one here called “Lucifer, Son of the Morning,” is in verse four (Isaiah 14:4) also called the “King of Babylon.” As there never has been a King of Babylon like the one here described, the description must be that of a “future” King of Babylon. And as “Antichrist is to have for his Capital City Babylon rebuilt,” this is probably a “foreview” by the Prophet of Antichrist, as indwelt by “Lucifer,” or “Satan,” in that day when he shall be “King of Babylon.”

            Some think that when this world was created and fit for habitation Satan was placed in charge of it, and it was then, as Isaiah declares, that Satan said in his heart – “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the ‘Stars of God’ (other ruling powers); I will sit also upon the Mount of the Congregation, in the sides of the North. I will ascend above the clouds; I will be like The MOST HIGH:” and that it was for this presumptuous act that the “Pre-Adamite World” became a chaos, and “without form and void,” as described in Genesis 1:2. This would justify the claim of Satan that this world belongs to him, and that he had the right and power to transfer the “kingdoms of the world” to Christ, if He would only acknowledge Satan’s supremacy. (Matthew 4:8-9.) And it accounts for the persistent war Satan is waging against the Almighty to retain his possession of the earth.

II. His Present Location.

            The common notion is that Satan and his angels are imprisoned in Hell. This is not true. The angels described in 2 Peter 2:4, and Jude 6, as having left their “first estate,” and being “reserved in everlasting chains under darkness,” are not Satan’s angels. They are a special class of angels whose sin caused the Flood. They are the “Spirits in Prison” of whom Peter speaks in 1 Peter 3:18-20. See the chapter on “Rightly Dividing the Word,” under the cause of the Flood. Satan and his angels are at liberty. We read in the first and second chapters of Job that it was the custom in Job’s day for the “Sons of God” (angels), to appear at stated times in the presence of God to give an account of their stewardship, and that Satan always appeared with them. When the Lord said to Satan – “Whence comest thou?” he replied, “From going to and fro in the earth and from walking up and down in it.” Job 1:7; Job 2:2. Satan then was at liberty “on the earth,” and had “access to God,” and was “not cast out of Heaven” in Job’s day, B. C. 2000, and as he has not been cast out since, he must still be at liberty in the heavenlies and on the earth. See Chart of “Satan”.

III. His Kingdom.

            Satan is a King, and has a Kingdom. “If Satan cast out Satan he is divided against himself; how shall then his ‘kingdom’ stand?” Matthew 12:24-30.

“We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against Principalities, against Powers, against the Rulers of the Darkness of this World (Age), against Spiritual Wickedness in High Places (the Heavenlies).” Ephesians 6:12.

            From this we see that his Kingdom consists of “Principalities,” “Powers,” “Age Rulers of Darkness,” and belongs to him, and that he had the right and power to “Wicked Spirits in the Heavenlies.” These “Principalities” are ruled by “Princes,” who control certain nations of our earth, as in the days of Daniel the Prophet, when a heavenly messenger was sent to Daniel, but was hindered “three weeks” from reaching him by the “Prince of the Kingdom of Persia,” Satan’s ruling “Prince of Persia,” until Michael the Archangel came to his rescue. Daniel 10:10-14.

IV. His Methods.

1. He Is the Deceiver of the World.

             By the “World” is meant all those who belong to the “Satanic System,” all those who are entangled in Satan’s mesh.

“And we know that we are of God, and the whole World (the Satanic System), lieth in wickedness” 1 John 5:19, [A reference to and a quote from the Revised Version was removed here]

Satan deceives by “blinding” the eyes of the world.

“If our Gospel is hid, it is hid to them that ‘are lost’; in whom the ‘God of this World’ (Satan), hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2 Corinthians 4:3-4.

            To this end Satan has his preachers who preach “another gospel.” Galatians 1:6-9. That gospel is the “doctrine of devils.” 1 Timothy 4:1. He is the instigator of “The Great Apostasy.” Peter, speaking of the “latter times” says –

 “There shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in ‘Damnable Heresies,’ even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their ‘Pernicious Ways,’ by reason of whom the ‘WAY OF TRUTH’ shall be evil spoken of.” 2 Peter 2:1-2.

            These “false teachers” are to be seen on every hand. They are those who deny the “Virgin Birth,” “Deity,” “Bodily Resurrection” and “Personal Premillennial Return” of the Lord Jesus Christ.

            Satan is very subtle in his methods, and if it were possible he would deceive the very elect. He knows all the great Scripture subjects that are of universal interest to humanity, and he is too wise to attack them openly, so he adulterates them with false doctrine. He has tried to rob the Church of her “Blessed Hope” of the Lord’s return by mixing with it a lot of false teaching and “time setting” as seen in “Millerism,” “Seventh Day Adventism” and “Millennial Dawnism.” To prevent mankind from turning to the Lord for healing, he has invented the systems of “Christian Science” and “New Thought.” To satisfy the craving of the human mind to know what is going on in the Spirit World, Satan invented “Spiritism.” Satan seeing that he could not stamp out the Church by violence and persecution has changed his tactics and is now trying to seduce her into conformity to the world, and to try to better an “Age” that God has doomed to destruction. His present purpose is to build up a “magnificent civilization,” and he has deceived the Church into believing that it can bring in the “Millennium,” without Christ, by the Betterment of Society. His hope is that the “Gospel of Social Service” will take the place of the “Gospel of Grace,” and by diverting the attention of Christian people to “secondary” things, they will neglect the primary work of soul saving, and thus delay the evangelization of the world, and postpone the Return of the Lord, and his own confinement in the Bottomless Pit.

2. He is the Adversary of God’s People.

            The warfare between “Good” and “Evil,” as recorded in the Bible from Genesis 3:15 to Revelation 20:10, is most intensely interesting reading. Satan tempts Eve. She eats and Adam with her. Result the Fall. Satan to prevent the birth of the “Promised Seed” causes Cain to kill Abel. To bring about the destruction of the human race Satan gets the “Sons of God” to marry the “Daughters of Men.” Result the Flood. To destroy the unity of the race Satan suggests the building of the “Tower of Babel.” Result the “Confusion of Tongues.” But the story is too long. All down through the Old Testament we see Satan at work trying to frustrate the plan of God for the “Redemption of the Race.” When the time came that Christ was born it was Satan who prompted Herod to destroy all the male children at Bethlehem under two years of age. It was Satan who tried to overcome Christ when weakened by fasting in the wilderness, and who suggested that He throw Himself down from the Pinnacle of the Temple. The attempt of the people to throw Christ from the hilltop at Nazareth, and the two storms on the sea of Galilee were plans of Satan to destroy Christ; and when foiled in these Satan renewed the fight through Priests and Pharisees, and succeeded at last in getting Judas to sell his Master. Then, amid the shades of Gethsemane, he sought to kill Christ by physical weakness before He could reach the Cross and make atonement for sin. When Christ was crucified Satan thought he had at last conquered, but when Christ rose from the dead Satan’s rage knew no bounds. In all probability Satan and his angels contested the Ascension of Christ, and the history of the Christian Church is but one long story of the “Irrepressible Conflict” between Satan and God’s people.

V. His Doom

            As we have seen Satan still has his abode in the “Heavenlies” and has access to God. But the time is coming when he shall be cast out of the “Heavenlies” on to the earth (Revelation 12:9-12), and there shall be great “WOE” on the earth because of Satan’s wrath, that he shall exercise through the “Beast,” the “ANTICHRIST” (Revelation 13:2-8), for he will then know that his time “IS SHORT,” only 3 ½ years. At the close of the “Tribulation Period,” the “Beast” and the “False Prophet” will be cast “alive” into the “Lake of Fire,” and an angel from . Heaven will seize Satan and bind him with a great chain, already forged, and cast him into the “Bottomless Pit,” where he shall remain for 1000 years. Revelation 20:1-3. At the end of which time he shall be loosed for a season, and then with his angels he shall be cast into the “Lake of Fire” prepared for him in the long ago to spend the Ages of the Ages. Revelation 20:7-10. Matthew 25:41.

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Chapter IX. THE SATANIC TRINITY

            After the Apostle John had seen and described the “Beast” that came up out of the SEA, he saw another “Beast” come up out of the EARTH. Revelation 13:11-17. This “Second Beast,” while John does not say it was a lamb, had “Two Horns” “like a lamb,” that is, it was LAMB-LIKE. Because of this resemblance many claim that the “Second Beast” is the Antichrist, for Antichrist is supposed to imitate Christ. While the LAMB (Christ) is mentioned in the Book of Revelation 22 times, the description given of Him in chapter 5:6, is that of a lamb having “SEVEN HORNS” and not “TWO.” This differentiates Him from the “lamb-like Beast” that comes up out of the earth, who, though he is “lamb-like in appearance SPEAKS AS A DRAGON.” See the Chart “The Satanic Trinity”.

The “Second Beast” has a name. He is called the “FALSE PROPHET” three times. First in chapter 16:13, then in chapter 19:20, and again in chapter 20:10. Twice he is associated with the “First Beast” (Antichrist) and once with” the “Dragon” (Satan) and the “First Beast,” and as they are PERSONS so must he be. The fact that he is called the “False Prophet” is proof that he is not the “Antichrist.” Jesus had a foreview of him when He said—“There shall arise ‘FALSE CHRISTS’ and ‘FALSE PROPHETS,’ and shall show GREAT SIGNS AND WONDERS; insomuch that, if it were possible they shall deceive the very elect.” Matthew 24:24. Here Jesus differentiates between “FALSE CHRISTS” and “FALSE PROPHETS,” therefore the “ANTICHRIST” and the “FALSE PROPHET” cannot be the same.

            That the “Second Beast” comes up out of the EARTH may signify that he will be a resurrected person. There will be two persons who shall come back from Heaven as the “Two Witnesses,” Moses and Elijah, why not two persons come up from “The Underworld,” brought up by Satan to counteract the work of the “Two Witnesses?”

The fact that the “First Beast” (Antichrist), and the “Second Beast” (False Prophet) are cast ALIVE into the “Lake of Fire” (Revelation 19:20) is further proof that they’ are more than ordinary mortals, and that the “First Beast” is more than the last ruling Emperor of the revived Roman Empire. He is the Antichrist, Satan’s SUPERMAN.

In the “Dragon,” the “Beast,” and the “False Prophet,” we have the “SATANIC TRINITY,” Satan’s imitation of the “Divine Trinity.” In the unseen and invisible “Dragon” we have the FATHER (the ANTIGOD). In the “Beast” we have the “SON OF PERDITION” (the ANTI-CHRIST), begotten of the Dragon, who appears on the earth, dies, and is resurrected, and to whom is given a throne by his Father the Dragon. In the “False Prophet” we have the “ANTI-SPIRIT,” who proceeds from the “Dragon Father” and “Dragon Son,” and whose speech is like the Dragon’s. The “Dragon” then will be the “ANTI-GOD,” the “Beast” the “ANTICHRIST,” and the “False Prophet” the “ANTISPIRIT,” and the fact that all three are cast ALIVE into the “Lake of Fire” (Revelation 20:10) is proof that they together form a “Triumvirate” which we may well call – “THE SATANIC TRINITY.

            Again the “Antichrist” is to be a KING and rule over a KINGDOM. He will accept the “Kingdoms of this world” that Satan offered Christ, and that Christ refused. Matthew 4:8-10. He will

also EXALT himself, and claim to be God. 2 Thessalonians 2:4. But the “False Prophet” is not a King, He does not exalt himself, he exalts the “First Beast” (Antichrist). His relation to the “First Beast” is the same as the Holy Spirit’s relation to Christ. He causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the “First Beast.” He also has power to give life, and in this he imitates the Holy Spirit. And as the followers of Christ are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the “Day of Redemption” (Ephesians 4:30); so, the followers of Antichrist shall be sealed by the False Prophet until the “Day of Perdition.” Revelation 13:16-17.

            The False Prophet will be a “Miracle Worker.” While Jesus was a “miracle worker,” He did all His mighty works in the “power” of the Holy Spirit. Acts 10:38. Among the miracles that the False Prophet will perform he will bring down FIRE FROM HEAVEN. During the Mission of the “Two Witnesses” (Revelation 11:1-14), there will probably be a “FIRE-TEST” between Elijah and the “False Prophet,” similar to the one on Mount Carmel (1Ki 18:17-40), to prove who is God, the Lord or Antichrist. That Satan, who will then energize the False Prophet, can do this is clear from Job 1:16, where Satan, having secured permission from God to touch all that Job had, brought down “fire from heaven” and burned up Job’s sheep and servants.

            The False Prophet then commands the people to make an

IMAGE OF THE BEAST.”

            This is further proof that the “First Beast” is the Antichrist. It is a strange weakness of mankind that they must have some VISIBLE God to worship, and when the Children of Israel, who had been delivered from Egypt under Moses’ leadership, thought he had forsaken them because he did not come down from the Mount, they called Aaron to make them gods which should go before them, and Aaron made for them the “GOLDEN CALF.” Exodus 32:1-6. So the False Prophet will have the people make for the purpose of worship an “IMAGE OF THE BEAST.” But the wonderful thing about the “IMAGE” is that the False Prophet will have power to give LIFE to it, and cause it to SPEAK, and to demand that all who will not worship it shall be put to death. In other words the “IMAGE” will be a living, speaking, AUTOMATON.

This “Image” reminds us of the “GOLDEN IMAGE” that Nebuchadnezzar commanded to be made and set up in the “Plain of Dura,” in the Province of Babylon (Daniel 3:1-30), before which, at the sounding of musical instruments, the people were commanded to bow down and worship under penalty, for those who disobeyed, of being cast into a “BURNING FIERY FURNACE.” Doubtless there will be many in the “Day of Antichrist” who will refuse to bow down and worship the “Image of the Beast,” and who will not escape as did the “Three Hebrew Children,” though God may interpose in a miraculous way to deliver some. And as if this was not enough the False Prophet shall cause – “ALL, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a ‘MARK’ in their RIGHT HAND, or in their FOREHEAD; and that no man might BUY or SELL, save he that has the ‘MARK’ or the ‘NAME OF THE BEAST,’ or the ‘NUMBER OF HIS NAME.’” This “MARK” will be known as the

“BRAND OF HELL.

This is what the world is fast coming to. The time is not far distant when the various “Trusts” and “Combinations of Capital” will be merged into a “FEDERATION OF TRUSTS,” at the head of which shall be a “NAPOLEON OF CAPITAL.” Ultimately this “Federation of Trusts” will extend to the whole world, at the head of which shall be THE ANTICHRIST, and the producer and consumer will be powerless in the tentacles of this OCTOPUS, and no man shall be able to BUY or SELL who has not the “MARK OF THE BEAST” either upon his “right hand” or on his “forehead.” This “Mark” will be BRANDED or burnt on. It will probably be the “NUMBER OF THE BEAST” or “666.” The number “666" is the “NUMBER OF MAN,” and stops short of the perfect number SEVEN. Man was created on the SIXTH day. Goliath the opposer of God’s people, a type of Satin, was 6 cubits in height, he had 6 pieces of armor, and his spearhead weighed 600 shekels. 1 Samuel 17:4-7. Nebuchadnezzar’s Image, a type of the “Image of the Beast,” was 60 cubits in height, 6 cubits wide, and 6 instruments of music summoned the worshippers. Daniel 3:1-7.

            In that day men will doubtless prefer to have the “MARK” on the back of their right hand so it can be readily seen in the Acts of signing checks, drafts, and receipts. There will doubtless be public officials in all public places of business to see that no one buys or sells who has not the “MARK.” This will apply to women as well as men. No one can shop, or even buy from the huckster at the door, without the “MARK,” under penalty of DEATH. Those will be awful times for those who will not WORSHIP THE BEAST. If they can neither buy nor sell without the “MARK,” they must beg, or starve or be killed. The instrument of death will be the guillotine (Revelation 20:4), and the daily papers will contain a list of the names of those who were beheaded the day before so as to frighten the people into obedience to the law. The doom of the “Satanic Trinity” will be, that at the close of that awful time of Tribulation the Lord Jesus Christ will return, and the “Dragon,” the “Anti-God,” will be cast into the “BOTTOMLESS PIT” for a thousand years (Revelation 20:1-3), and the “Beast,” the “Anti-Christ,” and the “False Prophet,” the “Anti-Spirit,” will be cast ALIVE into the “LAKE OF FIRE.” Revelation 19:20.

            Two good men, Enoch and Elijah, were translated to Heaven without dying, and two bad men, spoken of officially as the “Beast” and the “False Prophet,” shall be cast into the “Lake of Fire” WITHOUT DYING.

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