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God normally works through Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Bible and the Christians of the Church. But in special circumstances, God also works through his angels (teaching 3). Not everybody is happy with Gods work. The devil (teaching 1) and his demons (teaching 2) oppose God and his work and try to destroy it. Also many evil people in the world reject Jesus Christ and oppose God and his work.
www.dota.net - taken from the webpage http://www.dota.net/english/workbooks.html
Contents
1. Satan and spiritual warfare ...................................................................................................................... 1 2. Evil spirits and spiritual warfare ............................................................................................................ 10 3. Angels and spiritual warfare .................................................................................................................. 21
Like the king of Babylon, Satan was called Morningstar, because this star shines so beautifully in the morning and attracts the attention of everybody. However, he arrogantly desired to be enthroned in heaven over everybody on earth and make himself like the Almighty God. Because of his self-deification and desire to grab and possess what belonged to God alone, God cast him out of the highest heaven onto the earth. The wicked king of Babylon followed in the footsteps of Satan. He was humiliated and fell from his throne. The wicked king of Babylon also became a type or illustration of the future Antichrist. In Ezekiel 28:11-19 the fall of the wicked king of Tyre is described in terms of the fall of Satan. Tyre was for centuries the most renowned merchant city of the Phoenicians, which is situated in modern Lebanon. It was built on several islands and well fortified. It had a great fleet of merchant ships. The final fall of the king of Tyre and his kingdom is described in terms of what the prophet Ezekiel knew about the fall of Satan. Tyre fell because of its corruption in commerce and its violence in war. The king of Tyre fell because he became proud and corrupted his wisdom. Like the king of Tyre, Satan was originally created by God to be a guardian angel. He was wise and very beautiful. He dwelt in the presence of God and was also present in the Garden of Eden. He was blameless in his ways until wickedness was found in him. He became proud on account of his beauty and corrupted his wisdom on account of his splendour. In 1 Timothy 3:6 we read that the devil fell under Gods judgement because he became conceited. God opposes the proud (1 Peter 5:5) and drove him in disgrace out of his presence. He expelled him from being an angel in the highest heaven and threw him to the earth.
When Satan fell (Genesis 1:31; 3:1) At the end of Genesis 1, we read that God saw all that he had made and it was very good. However, in Genesis 3, before the fall of the man and the woman into sin, we read that Satan appeared to them as a snake and tempted them to distrust and disobey God. At that time Satan was already a fallen creature and opposed to God and his work. Therefore we must conclude that the fall of Satan must have happened somewhere between the completion of creation and the temptation of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. More than this we do not know about the origin and fall of Satan.
In his third temptation, Satan tempted Jesus to have a false trust in God and his Word. He tempted Jesus in the area of the super-natural. He tried to tempt Jesus to do something spectacular and sensational, namely to jump off a high building. Satan even quoted a passage from the Bible (Psalm 91:11-12), but completely out of context, in order to persuade Jesus to have a misplaced trust in God. He tried to tempt Jesus to substitute presumption for faith and shameless arrogance for submission to Gods guidance. He wanted Jesus to make an experiment with respect to God and test God to see whether God really was God and whether Gods Word really could be trusted. Satan argued that by jumping off a high building, Jesus would prove that God existed and did what he promised in his Word. He tried to tempt Jesus to have a misplaced confidence in God. But Jesus also overcame this temptation. Matthew closes this passage with the remark that Satan left Jesus, but kept waiting for another opportunity to tempt Jesus.
Satan opposes all people (Luke 8:11-12) In the parable of the sower in Luke 8:11-12, Jesus Christ describes the main goal of Satan. He says, The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Satans main purpose is to keep all the words of the Bible away from the people in this world! Satan does not want the people in this world to believe in the Bible and thus to be saved. He does not want them to be born again and become the best people they could be. He does not want them to serve and glorify the God of the Bible! Satan will work together with every science, philosophy and religion in the world that opposes the Bible! He will do everything in his power to destroy the Bible or to keep people from hearing, reading, studying and obeying the Bible! He will inspire false prophets to twist the Bible and to discredit the Bible. He will inspire evil leaders to prohibit the possession of a Bible or to confiscate the Bible. Why does Satan hate the Bible? Because the Bible exposes who Satan really is and foretells his final condemnation! Therefore, when you read, study and obey the Bible in spite of every political and religious opposition, you oppose Satan and are very pleasing to the Living God!
dead people, they begin to worship the spirits of dead people, conduct all kinds of ceremonies at graves or make pilgrimages to the graves of their dead spiritual leaders. Only perfect love for Jesus Christ drives away fear (1 John 4:17-18). Satan is immoral (1 Corinthians 7:5) Satan is immoral. He attacks the moral values of people. He tries to tempt people to commit sexual immorality, especially when they lack self-control. Sexual immorality always begins in the mind. The only way to counter sexual immorality is to immediately cut off the immoral thoughts in your mind and to allow Jesus Christ to take captive every thought in your mind and make it obedient to himself and his moral values in the Bible (2 Corinthians 10:5). Satan is a deceiver (2 Corinthians 4:3-4; 11:3-4; 1 Timothy 4:1-3) Satan is a deceiver. He attacks the faith of Christians. He tries very hard to keep the nonChristians away from the Christian faith. And he tries to lead the minds of Christians astray from sincere and pure devotion to Jesus Christ. He tries to seduce them to accept a different Jesus, a different Holy Spirit and a different gospel. He is the author of false teachings and false religions. He spreads his false teachings and lies everywhere, causing some people, who originally sided with Christians, to abandon the true faith and causing many other people to follow the false teachings in the philosophies and religions of the world. In all these above mentioned ways, Satan attacks especially the mind of people with lies, false accusations, fear of death, immoral thoughts and false teachings. Although Satan is the instigator of much evil, every human being remains responsible how he reacts towards Satans attacks. Besides Satan, the evil world and the sinful nature inside man are other instigators of evil. Christians are not exempt from the attacks of Satan, the evil world or their own sinful nature!
Satan instigates lawlessness (John 8:44; 2 Thessalonians 2:9) Satan opposes peace and order in every society in the world by introducing, promoting and forcing lawlessness. He is called a murderer, because he delights in setting people up to hate and murder each other. He instigates every kind of lawlessness among political leaders, lawyers, judges, the police and other leaders in society. And he causes parents and social workers to depart from Gods laws in the Bible. He will make every effort to wipe the Ten Commandments from the memories of people. Satan opposes Gods moral laws, which he revealed in the Bible, because these laws are against lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for murderers, adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers and for whatever else is contrary to the sound Christian doctrine that is revealed in the gospel and in the Bible (1 Timothy 1:8-11). Satan looks for opportunities to attack and destroy (1 Peter 5:8; Ephesians 6:16) These passages summarise Satans strategy. Satan always prowls around Christians looking for an opportunity to attack and destroy them. Like a coward, he especially attacks Christians who are not yet firm in their faith or who are not self-controlled or alert. Satan constantly fires flaming arrows at all Christians. These flaming arrows represent persecutions and all kinds of destruction from the outside, but especially all kinds of attacks on the soul of Christians. These burning arrows represent all kinds of negative thoughts and feelings, like doubts, anguish and self-accusation on the one hand and all kinds of evil thoughts and feelings, like lust, greed, vanity, pride and envy on the other hand. Paul therefore urges Christians to put on the full armour of God so that they can stand against Satans schemes and attacks. Every Christian remains responsible how he responds to Satans flaming arrows!
beaten enemy in principle, it is clear that God has not yet removed him from the earthly scene. Satan still exercises a very powerful influence for evil. He will only be removed from the earthly scene on the Final Judgement Day at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
Satan is bound
Jesus Christ began to bind Satan by his incarnation at his First Coming 2000 years ago Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 3:8; Matthew 12:28 The reason Jesus Christ appeared on earth in his human nature was to destroy Satan, who holds the power of death and to destroy Satans work! To destroy means to reduce to impotence. During the whole period that Jesus Christ lived as a human being among people on earth (his incarnation), he had authority over all the power of Satan and his demons and he drove out demons by the Spirit of God. Satan was able to do no more than Christ suffered him to do. Luke 10:18-20 Jesus also gave that authority to his workers. In Luke 10:18-20, Jesus says, I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority () to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. Jesus meant that while the disciples were casting out demons from people, Christ saw their master, Satan, fall from his position of power within this world. Satans fall was like lightning, sudden and startling, because the disciples had not expected this victory and perhaps even Satan had not anticipated his defeat. What began to happen at the incarnation of Jesus Christ will continue until the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, when Satan will be finally defeated in hell. Jesus Christ completed the binding of Satan by his death, resurrection and enthronement Revelation 12:1-9 John describes the triumph of Jesus Christ over Satan in apocalyptic language. Throughout the Old Testament period, Satan had tried to destroy the messianic line and thus prevent the birth of the Messiah (Revelation 12:1-4). When the Messiah, Jesus Christ was finally born, he was snatched up to God and to his throne (Revelation 12:5). This snatching up is an apocalyptic picture of the death, resurrection, ascension and enthronement in heaven at the end of the First Coming of Jesus Christ. In the apocalyptic picture, the dragon and his army of evil angels stormed after him towards heaven in order to grab him, but the archangel, Michael and the army of good angels attacked them and hurled them out of heaven (Revelation 12:7-9). This war between the angels and the demons took place in heaven, that is, not in the heaven where God dwells, but high in the sky or atmosphere. Since there can be more than one heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2), angels dwell in the highest heaven, where God dwells (cf. Matthew 22:30; Revelation 18:1), and demons dwell in the lowest heaven, in the sky or atmosphere around the earth (cf. Luke 10:18; 1 Corinthians 8:5; Ephesians 2:2; 6:12). Nevertheless, this battle in heaven and the hurling down of the dragon and his demons are not to be understood literally, but figuratively. Satan literally lost his place in heaven as the accuser of the Christians (cf. Job 1:6-12). Because the sins of Christians have been atoned for and Christians have been redeemed from the dominion of Satan (Colossians 1:13), Satan has lost every semblance of justice for his accusations against Christians. Although he continues to accuse Christians, he is no longer able to point to the unaccomplished work of Jesus Christ! Revelation 20:1-3 This passage describes the same event as in Revelation 12:7-9 as a binding of Satan. The exact same Greek word for binding (tying up) is used in Matthew 12:29. The binding of Satan is not reducing Satan to a state of total impotence, but to a state in which Satan is no longer able to deceive the nations, that is, Satan is no longer able to keep people of the Gentile nations from hearing the gospel and turning to Christ! Satan is also not able to gather the nations for battle against Gods people! Figures of speech are often used in the apocalyptic language of the book of Revelation. The binding of Satan is also a figure of speech describing the literal limiting or curtailment of Satan in his sphere of influence. It does not imply that Satan is absolutely unable to harm people, because the rest of the New Testament (after Matthew 12:29) shows that he still has great evil influence. For example, Revelation chapters 13 and 17 (after Revelation 12:7-9) show that Satan still has great influence of evil through his agents, the Antichrist, the false prophet and the great prostitute. Satan remains bound, the gospel is spread throughout the earth (cf. Matthew 24:14) and all Christians, who have died, reign together with Jesus Christ in heaven (Revelation 20:4-6) during the whole period between the First and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Just before the Second Coming of Christ, Satan
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will be released from his prison. After the final battle (Revelation 16:14,16; 17:14; 19:17-21; 20:7-10) between Christ and Satan at Christs Second Coming, Satan will be hurled into hell, where he will be tormented forever (Revelation 20:7-10).
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The shield of faith It is the soldiers ability to defend himself in spiritual warfare. It represents his faith in Gods promises when he is engaged in spiritual warfare. The Christian says, I am determined to defend myself against Satans attacks. Satans flaming arrows represent his persecutions and troubles and they are designed to cause doubt, suspicion, fear, anguish, greed, vanity, envy or lust in the minds and hearts of Christians. The Christians faith in action trusts that Gods words and promises are true and he acts on the basis of this assurance. The helmet of salvation It is the soldiers ability to protect his thoughts and feelings in spiritual warfare. It represents his assurance of Gods salvation in spiritual warfare and his assurance of the final victory. The Christian says, I am determined to protect my mind and thoughts with Gods promises against Satans attacks. The knowledge that God himself is fighting for him (Exodus 14:14), that God will be with him when he passes through water and fire (Isaiah 43:2) and that God will rescue him from persecutions and sufferings (2 Timothy 3:11), makes the Christian soldier strong enough to continue the fight. The assurance that God who began a good work in the Christian, will carry it on to completion (Philippians 1:6), makes him strong to persevere in the fight. The sword of the Spirit It is the soldiers means to conquer the temptations and traps of Satan during spiritual warfare. It represents his power to conquer in spiritual warfare. The sword of the Spirit is the words of the Bible as they are used in the various situations of life. The Christian says, I am determined to use Gods words in all my battles in spiritual warfare. As long as the Christian uses Gods words correctly, the Holy Spirit will use the Bible words to expose peoples sin (Ephesians 5:11), to convict them of guilt (John 16:8), to refute their arguments against the truth (Titus 1:9), to convince them of Gods truth (Acts 17:2-4), to dispel their doubts (John 20:27-31), to drive away their fears (Matthew 14:27-30), to put Satan to flight (Matthew 4:1-11) and to light up the path in which they should walk (Psalm 119:105). Prayer is a part of spiritual warfare Prayer is the soldiers ability to stay in direct contact with God during spiritual warfare. It represents his dependence on God throughout spiritual warfare. The Christian says, I am determined to remain dependent on God throughout spiritual warfare. Through prayer, God turns mans problems into Gods opportunities!
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teachers (Revelation 1:16; 2:12,16; 19:15). From these passages it seems that evil spirits have a great interest in particular cities and towns. Evil spirits in human cultures (Revelation 18:2; 19:20; 20:10) The city of Babylon is an apocalyptic picture of Satans anti-Christian immoral power expressed in human culture. The city is described as the great prostitute (Revelation 17:1-5). When this city falls, it is described as a home for demons and a haunt for every evil spirit. This does not mean that those evil spirits or demons would still be active after the fall of the city. This passage is an announcement that the future fall of Babylon is so certain that it is depicted as if it had already happened! So quickly and so certain will its fall and desolation be at the Second Coming of Christ, that even the evil spirits will not be able to escape! The evil spirits will, as it were, get imprisoned or trapped in the ruins of Babylon! The Bible teaches that the evil spirits will be judged and punished together with Satan and his demon princes at the Final Judgement! From these passages it seems that evil spirits have a great interest in the human cultures of nations. Evil spirits as territorial spirits Today, many tribes believe in their own territorial spirits. Nomads never make camp outside their own territory unless they have first secured permission from the spirit owner of that place. The nomads do not conceive themselves as owning that land, but they believe that they are only using it with the permission of its true spirit owners. They also believe that these territorial spirits in a sense adopt them while they live in their territory.
The New Testament does not picture these evil spirits as actually in control of any territories. It only describes these demons as active in many places on earth. Their major purpose is to try to prevent the spread of the gospel and the glorification of God in all these places. However, these evil spirits cannot prevent Christians from entering any place on earth. Whenever Christ ties up these evil spirits or demons through the prayers and the missionary work of Christians, then these demons loosen their grip and finally lose their grip on people and Gods kingdom takes hold (Matthew 12:29)! All territories are under sovereign control of Jesus Christ (Isaiah 14:24,27; Daniel 10:11-14, 20-21) God sovereignly controls every territory on earth Although it seems that evil spirits and their demon princes have tried to control certain territories (cf. Isaiah 14:13-14), the Bible clearly teaches that they never actually controlled whole territories, like for example the whole empire of Babylon, of Persia or of Greece. They never controlled everything that happened in those countries! For example, Daniel lived and served in the empires of Babylon and Persia and he was never under the control of evil spirits! Although many non-Christians and even some Christians believe that their territory is controlled by evil spirits and their demon-princes and not by God, the Bible clearly teaches that God in Jesus Christ is sovereignly in control of every territory on earth and in the whole universe (Matthew 28:18)! God sovereignly controls the historic events on earth Non-Christians often believe in a hierarchy of demons who control the historic events on earth. For example, in the Old Testament times, they believed that strong countries like the empires of Persia and Greece had demon princes who were stronger than the spiritual powers of the weaker countries like the small country of Israel. But the Bible clearly teaches that the hierarchy of demons in the air is not a replica of the hierarchy of kings on the earth! Although Israel was an insignificant nation and Persia and Greece were great world empires, Michael, the angel prince of Israel, was much stronger than the demon princes of Persia and Greece! It was not these demon princes of Persia and Greece, but our sovereign God who controlled the historic events of Persia, Greece and Israel! The Bible consistently teaches that it is God who sovereignly binds and destroys evil spirits and their demon princes. For example, we read that the Assyrian king of the mighty Assyrian Empire boasted that the gods of other nations could not deliver their nations from his mighty army. However, when king Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah cried out in prayer to God, God sent just one angel who completely annihilated the mighty Assyrian army (2 Chronicles 32:121)! God sovereignly reveals the future historical events on earth God revealed to Daniel that the spiritual warfare in the air was going to be directed against Persia first and then against Greece, because each of these countries would for a limited time have power over Israel, who was regarded as Gods people in exile. Although Gods people seemed defenceless, they had God and Gods angels on their side! Although the conflict on earth would be such as to cause doubt as to whether Gods people could survive, Gods vision
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to Daniel was intended to give Daniel the unshakeable assurance that however desperate the situation on earth might be, God is always in control of all the events on earth. The outcome of the spiritual war in the air had already been determined!
Evil spirits try to destroy people by attaching themselves to certain things related to people
Evil spirits try to destroy the bodies and spirits of people Matthew 4:23-24; 12:22; Luke 11:14; 13:11,16. Sometimes evil spirits cause physical disabilities. Although not all sicknesses and physical disabilities are caused by evil spirits (cf. John 9:1-3), some evil spirits have the power to make some people blind (Matthew 12:22), deaf and mute (Luke 11:14) or cripple (Luke 13:11,16). Luke 8:27-29,35; Mark 9:20-22. Sometimes evil spirits cause spiritual disabilities. Some evil spirits have the power to make some people mad (Luke 8:27-29,35) or to drive them to commit suicide (Mark 9:20-22). However, we must make it very clear that not all sicknesses, pains, physical disabilities and mental diseases are caused by evil spirits, because the Bible clearly distinguishes between these in Matthew 4:23-24! Matthew 12:43-45; Luke 8:2,30. Sometimes evil spirits possess people. Some evil spirits sometimes enter the bodies of nonChristians, that is, of people who do not have the Holy Spirit living in them. Such people are then called demon-possessed. Although evil spirits attack born-again Christians (Ephesians 6:10,16), they can never possess a born-again Christian, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world (1 John 4:4; cf. Matthew 12:43-45; cf. John 10:28; 14:16-17). Evil spirits try to destroy the minds and spirits of people Deuteronomy 32:16-17; Psalm 106:34-39; 1 Corinthians 10:18-21. Evil spirits use especially idolatry to destroy the minds and spirits of people! Evil spirits attach themselves to idols and to the sacrifices made to these idols. Thus, idolatry is really a worship of evil spirits! 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 1 John 4:1-6; 2 John 7-11. Evil spirits attach themselves to false teachers and their false teachings in order to destroy the minds and spirits of people! Evil spirits are certainly involved in the false teachings of the religions, the philosophies and the ideologies of the world. Evil spirits are certainly involved in the lies and slander that are often spread by the mass media (John 8:44). Evil spirits are probably also involved in the deliberate false assumptions, which are sometimes made by scientists. Leviticus 19:26,31; 20:6,27; Deuteronomy 18:9-13. Evil spirits attach themselves to every kind of occultism in order to destroy people! Evil spirits control occultism, like sacrificing people in the fire, divination, sorcery, interpreting omens, witchcraft, casting spells, mediums and spiritists, consulting the dead and the other detestable ways of the nations that do not know the God of the Bible. Satanism is the worship of Satan, usually through all kinds of revolting practices, like occultism, sexual immorality and violent murder. Evil spirits try to destroy Gods people by political persecution, religious perversion and moral seduction (Revelation 16:13-14; 17:1-6) John describes three evil spirits (literally: three unclean spirits) who come out of the mouths of the dragon, the beast and the false prophet. They perform miracles in order to deceive the leaders of the nations and turn them against God. These evil spirits look like frogs in order to indicate their abominable, loathsome and repulsive characters. These evil or unclean spirits represent the satanic, hellish ideas, plans, projects, methods and enterprises, which are born in hell and are introduced into the minds of people through Satan himself and his two agents, the beast and the false prophet. Satans third agent is the great prostitute. The beast out of the sea represents Satans antichristian governments and its persecutions (Revelation 13:1-10), especially in the great world empires (the nations as political units)(Daniel 7:17) with their kings (all rulers) (Daniel 7:24) that follow one another throughout the period from the First to the Second Coming of Christ, symbolised by 42 months (Revelation 13:5-7). This 3 years period symbolises a demarcated period of time that begins with the First Coming of Christ (Revelation 12:5-6) and ends with the Second Coming of Christ (Revelation 11:2-12). Coming from the sea indicates the nations of the world that rage and roar
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(Psalm 65:7; Isaiah 17:12; Revelation 17:15). This beast is Satans antichristian political persecutor throughout this present New Testament period. The beast out of the earth or false prophet represents Satans antichristian knowledge, its misleading and its advocates (Revelation 13:11-18), especially in the religions, ideologies, philosophies and sciences of the world with their advocates throughout the period from the First to the Second Coming of Christ. Coming from the earth indicates lacking heavenly nature and significance (Philippians 3:19) and being unspiritual, devilish (James 3:14-15). The beast out of the earth represents all people and institutions, which advocate antichristian religions, ideologies, philosophies and sciences, which persecute Christians throughout the period from the First to the Second Coming of Christ, symbolised by the 42 months of the reign of the beast out of the sea (Revelation 13:5,12-13). The number 2 indicates witnessing or advocating (Deuteronomy 17:6; Matthew 18:16; Luke 10:1). The false prophet is Satans antichristian religious corrupter throughout this present New Testament period. The great prostitute or Babylon represents Satans antichristian world and its seductions, especially in industry and commerce, education and justice, luxuries and pleasures, art and sports, etc. (cf. Revelation 18:2-3,20,22). In short, it is a symbol of Satans antichristian culture connected to the world empires throughout the period from the First coming to the Second Coming of Christ. By means of all these seductions, she seeks to entice and seduce people, to infatuate and blind people, in order to turn them away from God (cf. Revelation 19:2). Babylon represents the world viewed as the centre of luxury, glamour and vice, as the embodiment of the cravings of sinful man, the lust of the eyes and the boasting of what he has and does, the world and its desires that pass away (1 John 2:16-17). Babylon, the great prostitute is Satans antichristian moral seducer throughout this present New Testament period.
During the first century A.D., the temptation to become worldly and to deny Christ came from three directions: From the side of antichristian persecution, like the sword, the wild beasts, the stake, imprisonment and the constant accusations before the Roman courts (Revelation 2:9-10,13; 3:9). From the side of antichristian religion, like the emperor worship, Gnosticism and the Mystery religions (Revelation 2:6,13-15). From the side of antichristian morality, like the temptations of the flesh. People were constantly invited to join in the immoral feasts of the heathen, in order to make their social position secure and to enjoy the pleasures of the world. In every age, Christians must consider who and what represents antichristian persecution, antichristian religion and antichristian morality in their own society! In the vision of John, these evil spirits go out to the nations of the whole world, thus also to your nation, in order to deceive them and to stir them up against God and Gods people, that is, against the Christians! The closer we come to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, the more active the antichristian persecution, antichristian religion and the antichristian morality will become! The activity of these three antichristian spirits will increase during the last days just before the Second Coming of Christ! The evil spirits are often called unclean, because not only in a religious sense, but especially in a moral sense, they pervert people. It is therefore possible that many evil spirits have a strong influence on the sexual moral corruption among people, like pornography, adultery, prostitution, homosexuality and any other kinds of sexual immorality. The activities of the third antichristian spirit, called Babylon, the great prostitute, point in the direction of enormous moral perversion. Again we must make it very clear that not all evil originates from Satan or his demons, because the Bible says that the greatest problem is not Satan or evil spirits or even the evil world. The Bible says that the greatest problem is the sinful heart of man (Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 8:5-8)! Conclusion. Evil spirits or demons like to attach themselves to some political rulers of nations, to idolaters and false teachers of antichristian religions and to sexual immoral people.
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Jesus Christ rescued Christians from the dominion of evil spirits (Colossians 1:13-14)
The dominion of darkness refers to the control of Satan and his evil spirits. Colossians 1:13 says that God rescued Christians from the dominion of darkness once for all time and brought them into his kingdom. He did this through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which brought redemption and forgiveness to all people who believe in Jesus Christ. Colossians 2:10 says that from now on Jesus Christ is the head over every power and authority that exists.
Jesus Christ causes Christians to escape from the trap of evil spirits (2 Timothy 2:25-26)
God causes people to escape once for all time from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. God rescues these people from Satan and his evil agents by granting believers repentance that leads them to the knowledge of the truth and a coming to their senses. Every Christian, who remains in Jesus Christ and continues to depend on him, need not fear Satan or any of his evil spirits. Satan has been bound and his evil spirits have been disarmed. They cannot harm Christians unless Christians become disobedient to God and thus allow these evil spirits to harm them!
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the Bible. The purpose of Christians in spiritual warfare is to remain standing in the Christian faith and in victory over every kind of evil (Ephesians 6:13). b. Use spiritual weapons to demolish strongholds and to rescue captives (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) It says, Though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. Christians should use the wisdom, truths and arguments of the Bible to wage spiritual warfare against the devil and his evil spirits. The first purpose of Christians in spiritual warfare is to demolish the strongholds of the evil spirits. These strongholds of evil spirits are their false arguments, pretensions and thoughts. The second purpose of Christians in spiritual warfare is to rescue the people in the world, who have been taken captive by these evil spirits (2 Timothy 2:25-26).
rial of doubtful authenticity that was invented by a later writer to resemble the words of the Bible. In order to avoid abuse of the ministry of breaking the power of evil spirits by casting them out, this ministry should best be done only under the leadership of the elders of the church and in association with them. Christ invades the territories and strongholds of evil through the prayers and missionary work of his people (Luke 8:12; Matthew 12:29-30) According to Luke 8:12, the major purpose of evil spirits wherever they are in the world, that is, whatever territory or stronghold they defend, is to try to prevent the spread of the gospel and the glorification of the God of the Bible. However, according to Matthew 12:29-30, when Jesus Christ ties up these evil spirits through the prayers and the missionary work of Christians, these evil spirits loosen their grip on people and finally lose their grip on people. Then Gods kingdom takes hold of them instead!
b. Break the power of evil spirits by prayer and faith. The Bible does not teach that the tying up of evil spirits (Matthew 12:29-30) should be done by means of any specific method. Nevertheless, there are some Christians who advocate that the binding of evil spirits take place in a particular method, called strategic prayer. They describe the method as follows. Firstly, the names and aims of these evil spirits should be identified. Secondly, the evil spirits should be bound and exorcised in the name of Jesus Christ. Thirdly, this strategic prayer should preferably be done in exactly the place where these so-called territorial spirits operate. This view over-estimates the power of evil spirits and under-estimates the completed triumph of Jesus Christ over Satan and his evil spirits everywhere in the world. Moreover, the Bible does not advocate this view and does not teach this method of strategic prayer. Not the prayer of Daniel, but the sovereign action of God dealt with the evil spirits (Daniel 9:1-3; 10:1,12-14) From the book of Jeremiah, Daniel had understood that Israel would suffer exile for seventy years. Daniel had humbled himself before God and had prayed concerning the plight of Israel. He confessed the sins of Israel and acknowledged that Gods punishment of Israels sins was just. He pleaded with God to be merciful towards Israel and Jerusalem. God had sovereignly answered his prayer and through a vision had revealed to him what would happen to Israel in the near future. Daniels prayer was not about the binding of demon princes, but it was about understanding Israels plight. The angel who explained to Daniel what would happen to Israel in the near future, told him about the spiritual war in the air and its definite outcome. It was not Daniels prayer or anything the believing Jews did that bound or conquered these evil spirits and their demon princes in their territories. It was the sovereign God who sent his angel prince, Michael, to bind and conquer these demon princes and in this way fulfil his sovereign plan with his people! Although the conflict on earth would be such as to cause doubt as to whether Gods people could survive, Gods vision to Daniel was intended to encourage Daniel. God gave Daniel unshakeable assurance that however desperate the situation on earth might be, God was always in control of the events on earth and the outcome of the spiritual war in the air was already determined! The purpose of Daniel chapter 9 and 10 is not to teach Christians what they must do in the spiritual warfare, but is to encourage Christians what God has done and will do in the spiritual warfare! Of course, Christians may follow Daniels good example when he humbled himself, prayed and confessed the known sins of his people, but this passage does not teach the so-called method of strategic prayer against so-called territorial spirits. Not the prayers of Christians, but the sovereign action of Jesus Christ opens closed doors (Revelation 3:7-9; Isaiah 14:24,27; Matthew 28:18) The One who opens and closes doors is Jesus Christ and not Christians through their prayers. The following notions are not biblical: Some people believe in the idea that, because no one opposes the evil spirits, these territorial spirits are free to do as they please. The Bible does not warrant believe in such a notion. Some people believe in the idea that until Christians bind these evil spirits through their prayers, nothing spiritual like evangelistic or missionary work can be done in that territory. The Bible does not support this view. Some people believe that the sin of a particular country causes that country to be cursed in a particular way and that therefore that country needs to be set free by the prayers of Christians before the gospel will be accepted in that country. There is no justification in the Bible to believe this.
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Some people believe that Christians should first identify a particular evil spirit or demon and its foothold in that country before they can pray against it. Such a notion cannot be deduced from the Bible. The above-mentioned views with regard to evil spirits and their demon princes over-estimate the power of evil spirits and under-estimate the sovereignty of God! They also over-estimate the responsibility and prayers of Christians and under-estimate the completed and continued work of Jesus Christ! The Bible teaches that, not evil spirits and their demon princes, but our sovereign God through Jesus Christ is in control of all places on earth, of all events in history and of all people on earth (Isaiah 14:24,27; Matthew 28:18). The Bible teaches that it is not Christians through their prayers that open up territories or countries for the preaching of the gospel, but that it is Jesus Christ who holds the keys and that it is he who sovereignly opens all the doors to closed places in the world and to opportunities to proclaim the gospel! Not prayers, but Gods answers to the prayers of Christians break the power of evil spirits (Colossians 4:2-4; Ephesians 6:10-11; Matthew 12:29; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5) What is the place of prayer? The Bible teaches that we Christians should devote ourselves to prayer, so that our sovereign God may open doors of opportunity everywhere for our preaching of the gospel! Prayer is not the means of opening doors, but it is the means of asking God to open doors, if he wishes to open them! Prayer is not a human power that automatically moves the hand of the sovereign God. Such a notion is arrogance and would make man more powerful than God. Prayer is rather the open hand of man that receives from the sovereign God whatever he is pleased to give! The Bible teaches that we Christians must put on the full armour of God so that we can stand against the devils schemes when we pray and when we do missionary work in any territory on earth! And it teaches that due to Christs completed salvation work on the cross, Christ will sovereignly continue to bind the evil spirits and their demon princes and draw people to himself (John 12:31-32). He will do this in answer to the prayers of Christians and through the missionary work of Christians! God is even able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20)! Faith in Gods promises causes Christians to pray with confidence and to wait with trust (Matthew 6:9-10; 18:19; Luke 22:42; John 14:13; James 4:15) What is the place of faith in relation to prayer? In Matthew 18:19 Jesus promises, If two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you. And in John 14:13 he promises, I will do whatever you ask in my name. Such promises are intended to bring Christians with confidence into the place of prayer. Christians need courage and encouragement when they pray for open doors of opportunity or against evil spirits. These promises speak of a God who hears all our prayers, who is able to do all things, and who is so generous that he will withhold nothing from us that is good! But the one thing these promises do not encourage or allow, is that we should pray with a stubborn insistence that we know what is right and that our will must be done! Gods promises do not intend to promote human arrogance. The essence of faith in prayer is to pray with confidence and then to rest in Gods sovereign will with trust. James 4:15 teaches that the essence of life and of prayer is, Not my will, but your will be done (Luke 22:42). Jesus teaches that this attitude is essential in all our prayers. He teaches, This is how you should pray, Hallowed be your name; Your kingdom come; Your will be done (Matthew 6:9-10)! Therefore, in the prayer of faith, our faith is not that we believe that God will automatically do what we have asked or what he has promised, but that we rest trustfully in the will of our sovereign, faithful and loving God. It is for this reason that Christians must say in all their prayers Your will be done! Whenever we Christians pray, Your will be done!, we remove all human limitations from our prayers! Our knowledge of the real situation of any territory or country, person or group of people is always limited! Our proposed solutions and our understanding of Gods sovereign will are always limited! Sometimes we impose a limitation on our prayers by our knowledge of what needs to be done. Sometimes we impose a limitation on our prayers by our proposals of what will meet the needs. And sometimes we impose a limitation on our prayers by our sense of what is the best for a particular situation. To pray, Your will be done is not a sign of weakness or doubt, but rather a sign of strength and faith! Whenever we Christians pray, Your will be done, we do not impose any restriction on our prayer, but rather lift our prayer above all human limitations and earthly restrictions! The petition, Your will be done, places the situaPage 19 of 29
tion, the territory, the individual or the group of people unreservedly into the hands of God and his infinite wisdom, love and power. There is no safer place to leave a person or a group of people than to place them in the hands of God. And there is no solution to any problem that is more fitting, more beneficial and more glorious than the solution that God has in mind for that person, that group of people or their country! Revelation 8:3-5 teaches that our limited and imperfect prayers on earth are mixed with the incense of Christs perfect prayer in heaven for us (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25). Thus our limited and imperfect prayers reach the throne of God in absolute perfect form! He always gives mercy and grace to help us exactly at the time we need it (Hebrews 4:16). God always answers our prayers, but not by doing what our imperfect prayers suggest, but by doing what his perfect will has planned!
Christ will finally judge the devil and all his evil spirits (Revelation 16:13-16 and 20:7-10)
Just before the Second Coming of Christ, during the Great Tribulation, Satan and his demons will be the driving force of rebellion against God. However, at the Second Coming, Jesus Christ will throw them all into hell, from where they will never escape and where they will be tormented day and night for ever and ever!
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ANGELS
The nature of angels
Angels are mentioned 108 times in 17 books of the Old Testament and 165 times in 17 books of the New Testament. The word angel (Hebrew: malak, Greek: angelos) means one sent, messenger, or envoy. When God created the universe, he also created the different kinds of angels. Angels were created by Christ and for Christ, that is, for the realisation of Christs purposes (Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:14). Angels are also called sons of God, because they were created by God, just as believers are called sons of God, because they are being recreated by God (Job 1:6; Rom 8:9-16). However, in Genesis 6:2, the term sons of God does not refer to angels, but to believers, while the term daughters of men refers to unbelievers. Angels are higher than people in the order of creation, but lower than people in the order of grace (Hebrew 2:7,16). Angels are spiritual beings and have no flesh and bone (Hebrews 1:14; Luke 24:39). They are persons, because they can reason, speak, choose and act. They do not marry and are therefore neither male nor female (Mark 12:25).
Angels see the face of God (Matthew 18:10) and are examples of absolute obedience to God (Psalm 103:20-21; Matthew 6:10).
world to angels. In Deuteronomy 32:8 in the original language of the Bible is written, When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when he divided all mankind, he set up boundaries for the peoples according to the number of the angels of God. The administration of the various nations had been parcelled out among a corresponding number of angelic powers. After the fall of Satan and many of his evil angels, some of these evil angelic governors of countries are portrayed as hostile principalities and powers (Daniel 10:12-14,20; cf. Daniel 10:21; 12:1). The apostle Paul calls them the powers of this dark world (Ephesians 6:12). Before the First Coming of Christ the angels present themselves before God when they are called to give an account of their service (Job 1:6). The extraordinary service of angels. Angels are Gods instruments to carry out Gods salvation of his people. They are sent to serve believers, that is, those who will inherit salvation in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:14). They watch what is happening with believers, talk to believers, protect believers, rescue believers, care for believers, guide believers, strengthen believers, fight on behalf of the believers and carry believers after death into Gods presence. They are present in the Church and learn from the Church about the wisdom of Gods plan. They mediate some special messages of God to certain people, communicate blessings to Gods people and execute judgements upon Gods enemies. The activity of angels was most prominent in the great turning points of the history of salvation. Angels were prominent in the days of the patriarchs (Abraham), during the time of lawgiving (Moses) and during the period of exile and restoration of Israel (Ezekiel). They were prominent at the birth (Mary), resurrection (Matthew 28:1-7) and ascension (Acts 1:9-11) of Jesus Christ and during the ministry of the apostles (Acts 5:19). They will again be prominent at the Second Coming of Christ (Matthew 24:30-31). There are many accounts of non-Christians from the other world-religions that have been visited by an angel in a dream or in a vision and have thereafter turned to Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord.
The angel of the LORD is the Judge from the LORD. In 1 Chronicles 21:15-19,27, the LORD sent the angel of the LORD to destroy a part of Jerusalem as a judgement of king Davids sin. Here the angel of the LORD is the Judge from the LORD. Read Revelation 19:11-16. Compare the angel with the LORD with Jesus Christ, who will judge the unrepentant nations. The angel of the LORD is the Mediator between the LORD and his servants. In Zechariah 1:8-11, the LORD sent a group of riders on horses to go throughout the earth in order to survey it. When they returned, they reported to the angel of the LORD. Here the angel of the LORD is the Mediator between the LORD and his servants. Read 1 Timothy 2:5. Compare the angel of the LORD with Jesus Christ, who is the Mediator between God and men. The angel of the LORD is the Intercessor for others with God. In Zechariah 1:12-13, the angel of the LORD addressed the LORD Almighty, pleading for mercy for Jerusalem and the towns of Judah. Here the angel of the Lord is the Intercessor for others with God. Read Hebrews 7:25. Compare the angel of the LORD with Jesus Christ, who always lives to intercede for us. The angel of the LORD is the Advocate, who speaks to the LORD in anothers defence. In Zechariah 3:1-7, the high priest Joshua stands before the angel of the LORD while he is accused by Satan. The angel of the LORD, who is called the LORD in verse 2, defended him and took away his sins. Here the angel of the LORD is the Advocate, who speaks to the LORD in another persons defence. Read 1 John 2:1-2. Compare the angel of the LORD with Jesus Christ, who speaks to the Father in our defence. The angel of the LORD is the Mediator of the covenant. In Malachi 3:1-5, the angel of the LORD is called the Lord (Adonai) as an indication of his majesty as King and Judge and he is called the angel or messenger of the covenant, because he is the Mediator of the covenant (cf. Hebrews 8:6). Here the angel of the LORD is the Mediator of the covenant in both the Old and New Testaments. In verse 5 he is identified with the LORD himself, who comes to refine and purify as well as to judge. Compare the angel of the LORD with Jesus Christ, who is the Mediator between God and men, who came to purify Israel and the Gentiles and who will come again to judge everybody. Conclusion. It is clear that the angel of the LORD is not a created angel. The angel of the LORD is the visible revelation of the LORD (JaHWeH) himself in the Old Testament. He is to be identified with the Lord Jesus Christ before he took on a human body. Like the angel of the LORD in the Old Testament, the second Person of the Trinity, the Son of God in the New Testament, was the visible manifestation of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). After the incarnation of Jesus Christ, the angel of the LORD does not appear again. Both the angel of the LORD and Jesus Christ were sent by God and had similar ministries, namely, revealing, mediating, interceding, leading, protecting, saving and judging. The angel of the LORD is distinct from the Father and the Holy Spirit, because they never take a visible form as he does. (See also Genesis 16:7-14; 22:11-18; 31:11-13).
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The position and title of Jesus Christ is superior to that of the angels. In Hebrews 1:4-14, facts are stated about Jesus Christ, which show that he is superior to all the angels. Jesus Christ was exalted to the right hand of God and he inherited the title Son of God as he inherits all things (Hebrews 1:2), by the eternal appointment of God the Father. The various Old Testament quotations firstly show that the final message of God, which was communicated by the Son, is safeguarded by even more majestic sanctions than those that attended the law, which was communicated by angels (Hebrews 2:2). And secondly it shows that the new world over which the Son reigns as Mediator far surpasses the old world in which various nations were assigned to angels for administration (Hebrews 2:5). This emphasis of Christs superiority to angels was probably given to avoid the Hebrews from being carried away by all kinds of strange teachings (Hebrews 13:9). Remember, a false doctrine of worshipping angels had also been introduced among the Colossian Christians (Colossians 2:18). Angels worship Jesus Christ. In Hebrews 1:6 we read that angels, who are called to worship the LORD (JaHWeH) in the Old Testament, are in the New Testament called to worship Jesus Christ. They are called to do this from the time of his introduction to the world as the Son of God, that is, at his exaltation and enthronement as sovereign ruler of the inhabited universe (Hebrews 2:5; Ephesians 1:20-21; 1 Peter 3:22; Revelation 5:6-14). Angels serve Jesus Christ. In Hebrews 1:7-8 we read that angels, although they have a high place in the divine administration of the universe, are far inferior to the supreme position given to Jesus Christ. While in the Old Testament (Psalm 104:4), the natural elements, wind and fire, fulfilled the commands of God, in the New Testament the angels execute Gods commands with the swiftness of wind and the strength of fire. In contrast to the servant function of angels, Jesus Christ is addressed as God. And in contrast to the temporariness of angels, the divine rule of Jesus Christ will last forever. In Hebrews 1:13-14 we read that, while the most exalted angels may stand in the presence of God (Daniel 7:10; Luke 1:19; Revelation 8:2), none of them has ever been invited to sit in the unique place of honour at Gods right hand as Jesus Christ has. Their posture of standing is a sign of their promptness to execute the commands of him who is seated on the throne. Their service is especially performed for the benefit of a favoured group of people, namely, the Christians. Angels mediated the law, while Jesus Christ mediated the gospel. In Hebrews 2:1-4 we read that the superiority of Jesus Christ to angels is based on the fact that, while the Old Testament ceremonial law was communicated by angelic intermediaries to prophets (Deuteronomy 33:2; Acts 7:53; Galatians 3:19), the New Testament gospel was mediated by Jesus Christ. Angels administrated the old world-order, while Jesus Christ administrates the new worldorder. In Hebrews 2:5 we read that, while angels executed the administration of the universe before the incarnation of Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ inaugurated his reign over the new world-order from the time of his exaltation and enthronement and he will complete it at his Second Coming (Acts 3:21). This new world-order of realities far surpasses the old world-order of shadows (Hebrews 8:5-8,13; 10:1). Jesus Christ reduced the fallen angels to impotence and came to save people. Angels cannot save anyone. In Hebrews 2:7 we read that by his incarnation Jesus Christ was made a little lower than the angels. Jesus Christ fulfilled the words of Psalm 8, by becoming the true representative of the human race. He humbled himself to a state lower than that of the angels and took on the state of sinful and lost man. In Hebrews 2:14-16 we read that by his death and resurrection, Jesus Christ reduced the devil, who is a fallen angel, to impotence. For people who recognise death as the penalty of sin, death is the greatest terror. And the devil uses this fear of death as a means of intimidation, compelling people to do his will. However, for people who believe in Jesus Christ, the meaning of death has been transformed from being a judgement for sin and a terrible bondage to being a blessing and the final liberation from the suffering in this world. When their death comes, it will take the character of the death and resurrection of Jesus
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Christ! Death can never separate them from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39)! Jesus Christ was incarnated, not to help and deliver angels, but people who believe in him!
cies are reflected and the angels are very interested in the progress of the Church. Gods wisdom reconciles seeming irreconcilables: God in Jesus Christ produces life by means of death and reconciles Jews and non-Jews (Gentiles), who believe in Jesus Christ. Angels see and rejoice when sinners from any religious or secular background come to repentance (Luke 15:10). Angels continuously watch to see whether Christians live their Christian life according to the biblical instructions and if they serve God without partiality (1 Timothy 5:21). Angels watch and they see how Christians are persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 4:9). Nevertheless, God has forbidden his angels to act as a freedom army (cf. Matthew 26:52-53), because the moment of definite victory over the forces of evil has not yet arrived. God has also forbidden Christians to fight so-called holy wars! Angels were present at the creation of woman from man and they are still watching today to see whether women are continuing to recognise Gods creation ordinance or not (1 Corinthians 11:10). Gods creation ordinance is that Christian women should recognize that they were created for man and for the glory of man and that therefore they should recognize that God made man the head of the woman (Genesis 2:18; 1 Corinthians 11:2,7,9). This means that women should be subject to men in the Christian marriage (Ephesians 5:22-25; Colossians 3:18-19) and in the functions in the Christian Church (1 Corinthians 14:33-38; 1 Timothy 2:11-14; 3:2). Knowing that the angels of God are constantly watching her should make it easier for a woman to be subject to her husband in marriage and to the elders in the church.
verse does not teach that every individual Christian has his own individual guardian angel, but it does teach that all the angels in heaven watch over all the Christians in the world. These angels are also not mediators between people and God and they do not speak to God on behalf of these people. Angels only take care of Gods people and are deeply interested in the salvation and progress of Christians (1 Peter 1:12). During the tribulation of Christians between the First and Second Coming of Jesus Christ, angels put the seal of the living God on the foreheads of the servants of God, that is, on all Christians (Revelation 7:1-4; cf. 22:3). This is a figurative sign that God protects them from harm, probably so that they can live for God and serve God and that they will not fall under Gods present judgements on the earth (cf. Ezekiel 9:3-6; Revelation 9:4). Angels rescue Gods people. An angel rescued the apostles from prison in order to ensure the continuous proclamation of the gospel (Acts 5:17-20). An angel rescued Peter from prison, breaking the chains around his wrists, opening the doors and shutting the eyes of the prison guards, in order that Peter could continue to preach the gospel (Acts 12:5-11)! Angels provide Gods people with basic needs. The angel of the LORD provided the tired, hungry and despondent prophet Elijah with water and food. He touched him and strengthened him so that he could travel a very long and difficult journey (1 Kings 19:1-19). Angels guide Gods people. An angel guided the journey of Abrahams servant and helped him to find a suitable wife for Isaac (Genesis 24:7,40). Angels strengthen Gods people amidst their trials. An angel strengthened Jesus Christ during his prayer on the night before he was crucified (Luke 22:40-44). An angel encouraged Paul when he was caught in a violent storm at sea and was being shipwrecked (Acts 27:21-26). Angels are present when a believer dies. They carried a dead believer directly into the presence of God (Luke 16:22). Angels fight on behalf of Gods people. The angels of God fight against the angels of the devil (Daniel 10:12-14,20-21). Although the earthly empires of Persia and Greece had great power over Gods people in exile, their corresponding evil angelic princes were conquered by the holy angelic prince of Gods people. God is in complete control of people and events on earth and announces ahead of time that Gods people will be completely victorious (Daniel 10:12-14,20-21; Romans 8:37-39; Revelation 17:14).
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