I like to write about an issue I’ve titled “The holy Sinner.” But before I begin shall we pray:
Our Heavenly Father we thank you for your love that reaches around the world and engulfs all of mankind. Thou hast loved the Chinese and the Russian as much as Thou hast loved the British or the African or the American. Thou hast loved the whole world. And Thou hast sent Thy Son to die for the whole world. And By His name, death, and resurrection we are included in Thy redemption plan. And at this moment we can only proclaim the Good News that God is Light and there is no darkness at all in Him. Amen.
Indeed, the “holy Sinner” is a cunning persona. All across our campuses, streets and homes many people are talking about him. They are asking the questions: “Who is the holy Sinner?”, “Why is he in our minds and his influence on us so pervasive?” “Why can’t we escape him?”
First, the holy Sinner is called Lucifer. His other names are Satan, devil, ancient serpent. Each name evokes fear in people, leaving others so faint to recover. Lucifer continues to pop up in the minds of people in order to influence their actions negatively.
He had a grand beginning in Heaven. Before his fall, Lucifer was first of the covering Cherubs, holy and undefiled. But he chose to pervert his freedom. Sin originated with him, who, next to Christ, had been most honored by God.
“Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering … Thou art the anointed Cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou was created, till iniquity was found in thee … Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God.” “Thou hast said … I will exalt my throne above the stars of God. I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation… I will ascend above the heights of the cloud; I will be like the most High.” Ezekiel 28:12-17; 28:6; Isaiah 14:13, 14.
A note of discord now marred the celestial harmonies. The heavenly councils pleaded with Lucifer. But pride nourished his desire for supremacy. With mysterious secrecy he diffused discontent among the angels and urged them that since their natures were holy, they should obey the dictates of their own will. Many joined him in the great rebellion against their Maker. Discontent had never been known in heaven. Lucifer himself did not at first understand the real nature of his feelings. If he had been willing to return to God, satisfied to fill the place appointed him, he would have been reinstated in his office. But pride forbade him to submit.
It was his policy to perplex the angels with subtle arguments concerning the purposes of God. Everything simple he shrouded in mystery, and by artful perversion cast doubt upon the plainest statements of God.
In His dealing with the holy Sinner, God allowed time to manifest all of his wicked works. His own works must condemn him. The whole universe must see the deceiver unmasked.
When it was decided that he could no longer remain in heaven, Infinite Wisdom did not destroy Satan. Had he been immediately blotted from existence, the angels would have serve God from fear rather than from love. Stubborn and defiant, yet blasphemously claiming to be innocent victims of oppressive power, the arch rebel and his sympathizers were banished from the abodes of bliss. See Rev. 12:7-9.
Satan’s spirit still inspires rebellion on earth in the children of disobedience. Like him they promise men liberty through transgression of the law of God. Reproof of sin still arouses hatred. Satan leads men to justify themselves and seek the sympathy of others in their sin. Instead of correcting their error, they excite indignation against the reprover, as if he were the cause of difficulty.
But God be praised for giving mankind hope for triumph over evil. It is said “I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:15.
This enmity is not natural. When man transgressed the divine law, his nature became evil, in harmony with Satan. Fallen angels and wicked men united in desperate companionship. Had not God interposed, Satan and man would have entered into an alliance against Heaven, and the whole human family would have been united in opposition to God.
When Satan heard that enmity should exist between himself and the woman, and between his seed and her seed, he knew that by some means man was to be enabled to resist his power.
I therefore beseech my friends of the world that as we have approach the close of time, when the Devil is to work with greatest power to deceive, he spreads everywhere the belief that he does not exist. He fears that we shall become acquainted with his devices. To disguise his real character he has caused himself to be so represented as to excite ridicule or contempt. He is pleased to be painted as ludicrous, misshapen, half animal and half human. He is pleased to hear his name used in sport and mockery.
It is because Satan can readily control the minds of those who are unconscious of his influence that the Word of God unveils before us his secret forces, thus placing us on guard.
From this day forth, be safe under the watch care of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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