Filter by Categories
The Tyranny of the Majority: Satan's Tool to Destroy Nations
Commentary by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)Satan, as the destroyer of nations, wields deceptive ideologies to bring ruin, as foretold by God in Isaiah 14:12, where satan is described as one who lays the nations low. Among these destructive tools is the philosophy of the greater good, a lie that fosters tyranny by the majority and justifies imposing will on others, even against their own interests. This principle, attributed to satan's influence, has fueled catastrophic outcomes, such as the promotion of Germ Theory over Terrain Theory, leading to widespread harm through misguided medical practices. The devastating cost of such lies is evident in historical events like the Spanish Flu, where compromised immune systems and poor conditions amplified mortality, reflecting the high price of satan's deception over decades. In the current pandemic, this destructive force manifests as economic ruin in the West, showcasing satan's ongoing role as a destroyer through ideological manipulation.
Love's Basic Definition
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSatan, named as a destroyer by God, operates in stark contrast to God's nature of love. While God gathers all things to Himself to share what He is, Satan seeks to gather everyone to himself for the purpose of destruction. As described by Jesus in John 8:44, satan is a liar and a murderer, driven by a self-centered and destructive nature. Unlike God, whose actions are always for the good of those He acts upon, satan's acts are channeled in a direction diametrically opposed to God's, inevitably leading to ruin because he cannot help but act according to what he is.
Do Angels Live Forever?
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughSatan is named in Revelation 9:11 as the king of the bottomless pit, bearing the Hebrew name Abaddon and the Greek name Apollyon, both meaning destroyer. There is no destroyer greater than satan, who destroys life itself. Jesus declares in John 8:44 that he was a murderer from the beginning, embodying sin and continuously planning or committing it. Sin, as personified by satan, destroys everything life-giving, beautiful, beneficial, peaceful, and good, most tragically ruining relationships with God and among humans by eroding trust. The chaotic, lifeless state of the earth in Genesis 1:1 reflects the results of angelic sins, including those of satan and his companions. Jesus warns in Matthew 24:22 that mankind, due to its sins, heads toward destruction unless God intervenes by sending His Son. Satan and his demon spirits, unrepentant and defiled, will not survive the Lake of Fire, as prophesied in Revelation 20:11-15 and 21:1. In the New Heaven and New Earth, no unrighteousness in any form, including angelic sins, will exist, ensuring a pure moral and spiritual environment where nothing destroys loving relationships.
Do Angels Live Forever? (Part Two)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSatan is named by God as the enemy and specifically as a destroyer, with names like Abaddon and Apollyon, both meaning destroyer in Hebrew and Greek. There is no greater destroyer than satan, who destroys life itself. As a murderer from the beginning, satan embodies the essence of sin, continuously deceiving, persuading, and inspiring others to sin. Sin, driven by satan, destroys everything that is life-giving, beautiful, peaceful, and good, most tragically ruining relationships with God and among humans by eroding trust. The chaotic results of angelic sins are evident in the lifeless state of the earth, and the tragic beginning of human sin with Adam and Eve further illustrates satan's destructive influence. Unless God intervenes by sending Jesus Christ, mankind heads toward the same destructive path, with sin acting like a roaring forest fire consuming all in its way. Satan, as the personification of sin, will reap what he sows, facing the consequences of his actions. Prophecies foretell a major disaster for this anointed cherub, with destruction by fire explicitly stated, turning him to ashes upon the earth, to be no more forever. Demons, under satan's influence, express fear of God and of being destroyed by the divine powers of Jesus of Nazareth, aware of a set time appointed for their torment and destruction in the future. Ultimately, satan and his demons are to be burned up in the Lake of Fire, receiving everlasting death as the wages of their unrepented sins, aligning with God's law that the soul who sins shall die. In the New Heavens and New Earth, no unrighteousness will dwell, ensuring that unrepentant demons, including satan, will not survive beyond the Lake of Fire, preserving a pure, moral, and spiritual environment free from destruction.
The Adversary
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughSatan is called the angel of the bottomless pit. In Hebrew his name is Abaddon, which means destruction. In Greek his name is Apollyon, which means destroyer. Satan loves to slander, accuse, and destroy.
Who Do You Trust? (Part Three)
Sermon by Mark SchindlerSatan is called the destroyer in Revelation 9:11. Satan is by his very nature destructive. The gap in time and the confusion and chaos recorded in Genesis 1:2 was the result of the rebellious destruction of Satan and those demonic angels that followed him. Whatever forms of breathing physical life that existed at the time of that titanic destruction would have died in it. Satan the ruler of the earth as he became more and more perverted in his thinking may have turned what life forms did exist on the face of the earth into ferocious serpent-like animals. Did Satan become angry and destroy his perverted creation. He went from being Helel a shining light for the glory of God to Satan the adversary and destroyer. He made the world as a wilderness and destroyed its cities. His original rulership was to complete the construction of earth as a suitable habitat for physical man who were going to be in God's Family but his envy for what was never going to be his got in the way and ate away at him.
Eradicating Humanity
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughSatan the Devil aims at the abolition of man. Ever since God created the first man and woman in the Garden of Eden, Satan has pursued the eradication of humanity from his proper domain. He views mankind as interlopers in his realm. Satan knows that God intends humanity to replace him and his demons as rulers of this planet. He fights to retain his place and power. Though already defeated by Jesus Christ, Satan believes he can frustrate and ruin God's plan by deceiving, attacking, destroying, and killing as many human beings as possible. He especially seeks to derail and exterminate as many of God's children as he can. Satan has deceived the whole world into believing that he does not exist. He hides in plain sight. Mankind ascribes his malicious works to natural causes, unfortunate accidents, coincidences, delusions, mental illnesses, misunderstandings, and even progress. Satan has handed Western civilization a time bomb calibrated to render millions of people spiritually deaf to God's call. The serpent remains more subtle than any beast of the field. Adam and Eve's descendants prove just as gullible and sinful as their first parents. The god of this age has blinded the minds of those who do not believe. Humanity engages in a life-and-death struggle against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. The real enemy and his stratagems must be recognized in order to resist him, steadfast in the faith.
The Spirit World
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThough many popular notions of angels come from non-biblical sources, the Bible offers the most accurate insights into their role, nature, and function.
What Sin Does
Article by John W. RitenbaughSin is driven by the attitudes of Satan, the Adversary of God and man, and it is the cause of the misery and destruction we witness everywhere.
The Right Use of Power
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWith dominion comes responsibility to maintain. The sad history of mankind shows that he has mismanaged his power, bringing about disease, war, and famine.
Whoever Loves and Practices a Lie
Sermon by Charles WhitakerIn Revelation 21:8, Christ lists three spiritual conditions and four behaviors, all of which He links to deceit and which will lead to the Lake of Fire.
The Handwriting is on the Wall: Conspiracies
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Conspiracies by political actors have led to grasping at power. We must not worry about conspiracies, but instead align ourselves with God's Kingdom.
Purpose-Driven Churches (Part 6)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Purpose-driven churches at the end time will have joined in the effort of a one-world government and making no attempt to come out of the world.
Living Among the Ruins
Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)To tear down cherished institutions is to leave a nation culturally ruined. God's people, in choosing the old pathways, tread the roadway to eternal life.
How to Be a Bad Disciple
Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughLooking at discipleship from a negative perspective can help reveal errors in ourselves. Jesus shows four main attitudes that make for bad discipleship in Luke 9.
Could You Be a Spiritual Terrorist?
'Ready Answer' by David F. MaasTerrorism is commonplace today, yet we may be causing just as much destruction spiritually as the average terrorist through negligence and passivity.