THE FATHER OF SIN

     On Earth tyrants are commonplace.  They are found in the family setting, churches, corporations and governments.  The Bible tells of the greatest tyrant of all, a self-imposed dictator that arose to prominence in heaven: the angel GOD named “Lucifer” (meaning Day Star).  Through a campaign of deception he began a revolt in heaven with the claim that his authority should be exalted above GOD’S.  He began by declaring the Ten Commandments as laws of bondage and not liberty.  Because of his scheme to overthrow GOD and substitute himself he was given a new name, Satan (meaning Adversary). 

     The Bible identifies every aspect of his life and character.  He is the author and instigator of sin (transgression of the Ten Commandments) and the leader of a crusade against life’s tranquility and perpetuation.  Because of his rebellion “there was war in heaven.” Rev.12:7.  And after losing this battle for the supremacy of heaven he was cast out, along with his army of one-third of heaven’s angels that he deceived into following him (Rev.12:4,9).  He then carried his rebellion to the Earth, luring our Premier Parents, Adam and Eve, into joining his war against GOD, of which we today are drawn in by the law of inheritance, and would be therefore condemned to the same fate of destruction that is pending for the devil had not GOD stepped in to save His innocent children who did not give their consent to be born into a life surrounded with heartache and death. We did not ask to be born who we are and what we are. It is this fundamental oppression imposed on us that commanded Jesus Christ to come and save His children from this present system of life and restore His intended destiny of tranquility and joy.

     The rest of the universe is free from Satan’s moldering influence.  The Earth is his only throne.  Jesus Christ called him, "the prince of this world." Jn.12:31.  And what is the result of his dominion and control over the natural forces of his realm?  He has led men to continuously war with each other, lie to each other, and steal from each other!  The Bible teaches that he has the power to create hurricanes, tornados, floods, earthquakes, thorns, poison ivy, mosquitoes, ticks, lice and disease.  All of these ravage the earth through his cruel manipulation of life.  All of the afflictions and atrocities of this world are the deliberate work of Satan, not The GOD of Heaven!  His liberties include the exercise of mind control over his victims, for his presence is hidden from human view; and through his artifice of temptation and impulse, even using his power to create false visions and miracles given to deceive men, women, and children, he leads life to every form of degradation and false belief that we see today—hardening men in their sinful ways.  He exercises his rage against life through the creatures of earth to carry out every conceivable atrocity.  And the suffering of man is his supreme entertainment!  All sadistic glee has its origin in him.  No matter what despicable thing you can imagine it is being carried out every moment of every day because of his insatiable lust to maximize the suffering of life.  This is the system of government that has held sway since Satan seized the dominion of Earth from Adam and Eve, and then claimed it as his own.  He is the supreme tyrant. 

     There is only one reason why total anarchy does not rule where crime would be continuously flooding the streets of every nation: the restraining hand of GOD!  It is GOD’S protection that any peace endures. It is GOD’S protection that good health is maintained. It is GOD’S love and protection that has secured our deliverance through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the sins of man!  The rules of engagement between Christ and Satan center on the Ten Commandment Law. Within its boundaries lies our safety. Outside its boundaries lies destruction. This is why it is so important to be Bible literate. Paul said of Satan, “for we are not ignorant of his devices” (II Cor.2:11). And yet, today, billions of people are ignorant of the threat. And multitudes from all walks of life encourage that ignorance. The LORD warned, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Hos.4:6.

     Because of Satan’s temptations and power to display his open manipulation of life there are many who openly worship him and believe his promises.  All throughout history and from all walks of life large numbers have given their allegiance to him.  Yet, behind their backs Satan mocks their foolish trust because he knows full-well GOD’S prophecy of his own destruction in “the lake of fire” when the day finally comes where the LORD turns the surface of the earth into a seething ocean of lava, cleansing the Earth from all deformity caused by sin.  The prophecies are sure: “I [the LORD] will bring thee [Satan] to ashes on the earth…and never shalt thou be anymore.” Eze.28:18;

     How can Satan be so successful deceiving angels and men?  By concealing his true purpose.  He always cloaks his temptations in a façade of care and benefit, when treachery against GOD and His Holy Law is his true motive.  “From the beginning” of his rebellion (Jn.8:44) Satan determined to exalt himself as the ruler of life in the Universe, and he is willing to destroy all others who oppose his ascent, including the Creator Himself!  And this explains why we see the constant conflict between our cherished ideals and the “dog-eat-dog” manner of society.  Whenever you see ambitious men eager to exalt themselves, whether in business, politics or religion, and who use unethical standards to gain success, they are merely following the pattern set forth by Satan.  This is what lies at the heart of the Antichrist system of government; for it is the antithesis of GOD’S Utopian Government set forth “In the beginning.”  GOD established the government that says, Give of yourself to benefit others, no matter the personal cost to you; and only by this are they safe with you.  Satan's government is the opposite: Sacrifice others for yourself, no matter what it costs them.  As Satan concealed his true objective in heaven he conceals his chilling influence on the Earth.

     But the day of recompense is coming: the prophecies will be fulfilled and Satan will be exposed before the entire host of those condemned to die on Judgment day: “All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us? Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble , that did shake kingdoms; That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?” Isa.14:10-17. “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire.” Rev.20:10.

     “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” Rev.21:1-5.