Contributed by Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain
July 4th is Independence Day. On this date in 1776, the United States declared their independence from British rule. This caused a conflict. Britain refused to allow the American colonists’ freedom from oppressive taxes, freedom of the press, and freedom to govern themselves. The American colonists wanted to be free. A conflict ensued which the American colonists won. Independence through conflict.
Since the beginning of time there has been another conflict brewing: The conflict between God and Satan. Genesis 1 tells how God created heaven, earth, vegetation, animals, and man and woman. He also created the angels. Ezekiel 28:13-16 tells us of Lucifer (Satan), his creation as a perfect angel, his beauty, his residence in Eden. Isaiah 14:12-15 tells of Satan’s rebellion against God. Revelation 12:4 tells of one third of the angels who followed Satan’s rebellion. Satan has been in conflict with God from the beginning.
Genesis 3 brings us the first confrontation. God told Adam not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Satan comes to Eve and tempts her with the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, pride of life. She takes the fruit, eats it, and gives it to her husband Adam. Adam knew what God had commanded and chose to ignore God. The first sin. An animal is sacrificed and blood atonement is made for Adam and Eve. God has given men and women a free will to choose to follow or reject Him.
Genesis 3:15 tells us of the coming redeemer, Jesus Christ, who died on the cross to be the once for all sacrifice for man’s sin.
This conflict is playing out for the souls of men and women. The Bible says in Ephesians 6:12,
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” This is Satan and his fallen angels (demons) in conflict with men and women.
Who wins? God does at the cross of Calvary.
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
Whose side of the conflict are you on? Whose would you like to be on?
Contact me:
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, chaplain@alaskaseniors.com, (907) 715-4001