Why Satan?

FUTILITY OF REBELLION AGAINST YOUR CREATOR

Have you ever wondered why God created a being called Lucifer, the chief of the angelic realm? Scripture indicates there was none in all God’s creation above him (Ezekiel 28:13-15) . But he was created. God made him.

The Scripture reveals him as the chief rebel of God’s creation. He is described as being full of pride (Isaiah 14:13,14; 1 Tim. 3:7). His fall, along with a great number of angels, was great (Luke 10:18; Rev. 12:3-9).

Jesus calls him a murderer and a liar (John 8:44). Hebrews 2:14, refers to him as having power over death. His goal has always been to destroy life and separate mankind, who is lower than angels, from God. He has done all that he could to derail the purpose of God in creation. 

But we know that Satan will not win. He knows he will not win (Rev. 12:12). From the beginning it was prophesied by God that a seed would come from the woman, without the aid of a man, that would crush the head of that old serpent, the Devil (Gen. 3:15). That seed which came was the Son of God...that he might destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). We know that this Prince of darkness was judged at the Cross. His place, along with the angels who fell with him, is reserved in everlasting chains under darkness (Jude 6).

Yet, his rebellion continues as he seeks to keep unbelieving ones in darkness, blind to the only hope for sinful man (2 Cor. 4:3,4). And so all who continue to follow him in his rebellion against God will be cast into the same place of eternal judgment prepared for the devil and his angels (Matt. 25:41).

Satan is not God’s equal. God is not competing with Satan. Satan is going about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). Satan is targeting as many as he is able, seeking to do as much damage as possible. But God is not threatened by Satan. God is not trying to defeat the Devil. His doom is sure.

Why then has God permitted him to operate so freely and with so much power in His world? There are other answers, but I would suggest that Satan represents to us the futility of rebelling against our Creator. Though he is the most powerful of created beings, his destruction is certain.  He will be bound and confined to a place of absolute misery forever.

What do you hope to accomplish in the end by continuing in your rebellion against God? Learn from Satan! He is held forth by God as the ultimate example of rebellion against Him. He will not succeed. Nor will you! Continue in love with your self and sin, controlled by the pride of your heart, and you will receive the same judgment as the devil.

This is not a cosmic game. Satan was not made so that God would have competition in His universe. God has put before us a clear example of the futility of rebellion against Him. Repent and believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ.  

DON'T BE AN ACHAN

Do you remember the judgment that fell upon the children of Israel because Achan took of the accursed thing? God had instructed Israel not to take of anything from Jericho for personal use. The gold, silver, brass, etc. were to be deposited into the treasury of the LORD (6:19). Achan took some for himself. The consequence was felt by the nation as they were defeated in their attack against Ai. The anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel on account of the sin of Achan in the accursed thing (7:1).

God spoke to Joshua and the nation as if they all were accountable. Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled (deceived) also, and they have put it even among their own stuff…neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you (7:11,12). The sin of one affected the whole. The whole was held accountable.

It is very difficult for our individualistic mindset in the Western world to process how the sin of one can be in any way linked to anyone beyond that one. But God obviously sees the link. As in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive is a basic theological truth revealed by God. But I don’t see that to be the truth to be gleaned from the account of Achan.

At every level of life there are relationships which are affected by our actions. No person is an island unto himself. Whether speaking of family, society, workplace, nation or church, the sin of one affects the whole in some way, small or great. Achan’s sin, called Israel’s sin, is given to us in part to remind us how significant our individual choices are before God in relation to others. Sin committed and tolerated in one life will affect more than just that life. God is calling our attention to the significance of the sin of the individual in relation to the whole.

Paul recognized this as he spoke of the church as a body. Each member affects the whole. He compared the sin tolerated by the Corinthian church in one member to a little leaven leavening the whole lump (1Cor 5:6). The church is affected by and is responsible to deal with sin in the camp.

Shouldn’t this thought produce personal carefulness and lives of obedience? To make decisions in life as an autonomous, unaffiliated human being is to miss a bigger picture that is important before God. Your actions are not just about you. In relation to the church, sin in your life (secret immorality, idolatry, unbelief, etc.) could be a reason for God’s judgment or withholding blessing. The church must not tolerate it if known. You need to confess it and repent. May each of us take seriously the impact that our individual lives and choices has upon the church.  Don’t be an Achan!