Lucifer

Clyde Finklea, observing that the explanation of the 7,000-year plan of God has been in the public record from the time of the Apostles and their direct disciples, points out that the weekly Sabbath is a type of the future Millennium, when the entire world will be at peace. Over the years, confusion has existed about the identity of Gog and Magog, with some speculating that they could possibly refer to Russia and China. But a more likely explanation is that Gog refers to the chief demon of Satan's army of demons, who will be driving the Beast Power and those who have accepted the mark of the Beast. Hence, Gog will be in the vanguard of those fighting Christ when He returns to the earth. Gog will again attempt to bring destruction on God's people and God's creation after the Millennium, but will this time perish in the Lake of Fire. What makes God's called-out ones different from those who have accepted the mark of the Beast is the Spirit of God. Jesus Christ dwells in each one of His children. It is important that we look at each other as if we were looking at Jesus Christ. As we routinely do that, we will soon recognize a vast improvement in our relationship with others in God's family. If we look at each other as if we were looking at Jesus Christ, our love would indeed cover a multitude of sins.

Clyde Finklea, reflecting on Alan Jackson's hit song, "Remember When," a nostalgic ballad blissfully focusing back in time on happy life events, recalls his and his wife's calling into the truth. The focus is on the Holy Day of Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets) on the first day of the seventh month, a time depicting Christ's return to this earth, bringing all things together and putting Satan away. With a blast of trumpets, God wants us to remember when we were called out of bondage unto virtue, when He gave us the power of His Holy Spirit to do what our ancient forbears could not. Satan has tried to masquerade as the light bringer, but only Jesus Christ is the Light Bringer. Not only are we to remember the Source of light, and the reality of our calling out of this darkened world, but we must diligently resist the pulls of the flesh and the world, teaching these truths to our children.

Perhaps the Devil's greatest deception has been his ability to fool mankind into thinking that he does not exist. Even his "churches" officially declare him non-existent! Even so, Joseph Baity relates how Satanism and occult religions are flourishing under today's liberal worldview.

Clyde Finklea:  While the world is at odds, and leaders busy themselves with strategies to fight physical wars, it should come as no surprise to God’s people that we are engaged in a great spiritual battle. ...

Richard Ritenbaugh, responding to a challenge of our understanding concerning Satan the Devil, systematically substantiates Satan's existence. Christ was an eyewitness to Satan's fall from heaven, and Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 verify the veracity of this event. Jude and Peter add detail regarding the sins of the angels, and their confinement as demons. Sadly, we as humans share the prison cell inhabited by Satan and his fallen demons. Pride, vanity, presumption, and self-absorption led to Satan's demise—being cast out as a profane thing. Satan's madness (that he is his own god) is the spirit of this world, and he still possesses great spiritual and political power on this earth, even to deceive the very elect. We become protected from Satan's destruction by 1) the blood of the Lamb, implying our deepening relationship with God; 2) the conduct of our lives, constantly adding to our character; and 3) the willingness to sacrifice for righteousness.

The sin of pride underlies many of our other sins, and it is often the reason for the contentions we get into as brethren. John Ritenbaugh looks at the origins of pride and shows how it manifests itself in us.

It is revealed that Jesus was Emmanuel—that is, "God with us"—GOD in the human flesh. He was both God and man. He was divine, as well as human. Can God die? Was Jesus really dead, or did only His body die? Was Jesus the Divine One alive during the three days and three nights a body was in the tomb? Here is a brief, pointed answer.

Did God create a Devil? When God created the heaven and the earth, did He create this earth originally in a state of confusion? Here are the answers from God's Word!