In our approach to the subject of God’s moral government of the universe, it is necessary for us to take a general review of eternity, because all things throughout the ages are more or less closely connected one with the other.<\/p>\n
A glance at the chart in Chapter 6, \u201cEternity, or the Plan of the Ages,\u201d shows that eternity is divided into three sections: in the beginning; time; and the ages of the ages. In the discussion we learned that there will be ages of the ages throughout all the eternity of the future after this present universe passes out existence. We also discovered that during time there has been the unfolding of the ages. From the Scriptures we see God’s \u201cpurpose of the ages,\u201d which usually refers to the future. Since there have been ages during the period called time, since there are ages in the future, and since there is a plan which is unfolding now and will continue to do so throughout the ages of the ages, it is a legitimate inference that there have been plans of the Almighty which have been unfolding throughout the eternity of the past \u2014 prior to creation of the world. Especially are we led to this conclusion when we hear the Saviour say: \u201cMy Father worketh hitherto and I work.\u201d<\/p>\n
As to what plans were unfolded in this past eternity, we must be silent. God has not seen fit to reveal any of His activities of those far-off past epochs. In Chapter VI we studied something about prehistoric times and the possible conditions which existed upon earth then. Moreover, we have seen that not only were these prehistoric time divided into ages but that historic times are likewise separated into seven dispensations, between the sixth and the seventh of which is the short period called the Tribulation. Moreover, we have learned something of the glorious future which lies ahead of us after the passing away of the present material system and of the creation of the eternal order, during the existence of which there will be the continual unfolding of His everlasting plan.<\/p>\n
In view of these vast, stupendous facts and possibilities, the question arises as to why God created the universe and why He is unfolding an infinite plan throughout the ages. What prompted Him to do these things? In searching for answers to such questions, we must be very careful because of our limited knowledge. We must have a \u201cthus saith the Lord\u201d for everything that we say. If possible we should be able to place our finger upon book, chapter, and verse for the things which we believe and teach. Such a rule and practice should govern us generally in regard to all our beliefs.<\/p>\n
There are, however, certain general trends of thought which we naturally discover when we study the Scriptures as a whole. For these we cannot always put our finger upon a verse or verses and say, \u201cHere is our authority for taking such a position.\u201d In other words, there are certain deductions which we make from clear statements in the Scriptures and which, when placed together and related properly, lead us to take certain positions. In this connection I wish to present the conclusions to which I have come in my general study of the plan of the ages. If these deductions are correct, one should be enabled to see the more clearly the scriptural teaching regarding God’s moral or ethical government of the world.<\/p>\n
As we shall see, the Almighty is free in every particular, being bound only by His own holy and divine nature. He is the very embodiment of righteousness, truth, justice, and love. He is the unchangeable one. Things temporal change and take on different complexions; but there is no shadow of turning with Him.<\/p>\n
As we have already learned, God created the celestial beings with freedom of choice. They were allowed to exercise their liberty in being submissive to Him or in rising in rebellion against Him. One-third of these creatures chose to pit their wills against Him, and under the leadership of Satan they revolted and fell from their high estate. On the other hand, the rest of these celestial beings were satisfied to fit in with God’s program and advance His plans and purposes.<\/p>\n
As we shall see more fully, God also made man a free moral agent. Being endowed with the power of choice, he has the ability to accept by faith the will of God and to bask in the sunlight of His love. On the contrary, he can and often does set his will in opposition to that of his Maker \u2014 as the majority of the human family seems to be doing. Those who accept the will of God and his special plan for their lives are blessed in time and will be throughout all eternity. Those, however, who refuse to yield their wills and lives to Him and pass into eternity in the state of rebellion miss the real joys of this life and will suffer throughout all eternity \u2014 simply because of their rebellion against God. The proof for this proposition will be presented at the proper place.<\/p>\n
The position stated above regarding the freedom of both angelic beings and man being true, we see that there will be a portion of the human family which will be saved, but vast hordes of people will be lost and will suffer throughout all eternity in banishment from the presence of God and the glory of His might. How can a holy, righteous, loving, just God, who knows the end from the beginning and who is the sovereign-potentate of the universe, launch such plans that reach throughout eternity, in the center of which man, with his freedom of choice, is placed, knowing all the time that many of His dependent creatures will exercise their God-given power of choice in rebelling against Him and be lost forever and ever? The one who looks at things only superficially cannot believe that a loving, righteous, heavenly Father could consign anyone to everlasting punishment simply because he did not choose to serve the Almighty God during the short span of life. In other words, it appears unreasonable to such a one to think that people will have to suffer throughout all eternity because of a few minor mistakes and sins (as man judges) committed during their brief early life. The institution of hell, therefore, to such thinkers, is an unbelievable doctrine.<\/p>\n
A deeper study and a more thorough canvass of the facts will lead to an entirely different conclusion. Let us accept the scriptural statements regarding God and the perfections of His character. He gave a portrait of Himself in Exodus 34:6,7:<\/p>\n
And Jehovah passed by before him, and proclaimed, Jehovah, Jehovah, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness and truth; keeping lovingkindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin; and that will by no means clear the guilty, <\/em>visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
As we have seen in Chapter 3, God is holy and cannot countenance sin in any form, but He is also a God of love. What His holiness demands His love provides. In Chapter XII we shall see how God maintains His holiness at the time He redeems man from his sins. By means, therefore, of the atonement He saves those believing in the Redeemer and maintains His perfect moral government.<\/p>\n
From what we know of the Almighty, we can easily believe that it is His very nature to engage in activity which will constantly unfold into larger plans and will continue to develop in a vaster way as the ages of eternity roll. This is not an unreasonable belief to one who notes for instance that a human being starts from a single cell and grows into a man with all his capacities, talents, and abilities, who under normal conditions, delights in achievements and accomplishments. In other words, we may, in observing God’s handiwork, see a reflection of His own character in the things which He has made, is doing, and purposes to accomplish.<\/p>\n
In order to carry out these plans and purposes, the Almighty needs persons who have certain traits of character, talents capacities, and abilities. These are to cooperate with Him throughout eternity and to assist Him in the carrying out of His eternal plans.<\/p>\n
Those who can thus fit in with the plans of the Almighty are they who have been created free moral agents, who have met certain conditions, have had the opportunity of making God their choice, and have yielded to Him rather than refusing submission to His will. In other words, those who can fit into the plans of the Almighty and assist Him in His purposes are the folk who have exercised their freedom of choice and who have chosen His holy and perfect will for their lives in both time and eternity. The Lord never forces anyone’s will. He does use moral suasion and brings to bear upon the individual everything possible in order to influence him for good. For the Almighty to transgress, to cross over the sacred threshold of man’s personality, and to force his will would be to thwart His own plans and purposes.<\/p>\n
Those who thus accept His plan of redemption and who yield their lives to Him develop certain traits of character that will fit and prepare them for positions of honor, glory, trust, and power throughout all eternity. What we do and the extent to which we enjoy the bliss of eternity will depend upon the spiritual growth and development to which we attain in this life. Of course, it is to be understood that we shall continually grow and increase in capacity throughout eternity, but those who make the greatest progress here will be in advance there of those who make less growth here.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, those who refuse to accept God and His salvation and exercise their wills against Him will be lost forever and ever. When however they come before the judgment of the great white throne before which all the lost will appear to hear their doom (Revelation 20:11-15) \u2014 every one of the lost, together with Satan and all the fallen angels, will see things as they are and every one of them will bow the knee and confess with their tongue that Jesus Christ, the lowly Nazarene, is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11). All will acknowledge that God in His wisdom and love could not have acted otherwise than He did in laying His plan of the ages. Each will admit that God created him the highest possible type of being, and that He was just and righteous in giving each the power of choice. They will also acknowledge that to force their submission would have been unrighteous and unjust. Moreover, every fallen angel and every lost person will concede that, in God’s consigning them to perdition, He is righteous and just and that He could not act differently. Throughout all eternity, whenever the question arises, they will confess that the Almighty was right in consigning them to that place of misery and torment. Such are the conclusions to which one comes when one takes a long range view of things. All intelligent beings will bow the knee and confess with their mouth that the plan which God unfolds through the ages, and which is based upon the principles of a moral and spiritual order, is the highest type of government possible, that there has been no injustice to anyone whatsoever at any time, and that all will be to the praise and glory of God throughout all eternity.<\/p>\n
Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; 10 that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.\u201d (Philippians 2:9-11)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
II. God an Omnipotent Sovereign whose Works<\/h3>\n
are Done in Righteousness and Holiness of Truth<\/h3>\n
Jehovah hath established his throne in the heavens;
\nAnd his kingdom ruleth over all.<\/p>\nBless Jehovah, ye his angels, that are mighty in strength, that fulfill his word,
\nHearkening unto the voice of his word.<\/p>\nBless Jehovah, all ye his hosts,
\nYe ministers of his, that do his pleasure.<\/p>\nBless Jehovah, all ye his works,
\nIn all places of his dominion:
\nBless Jehovah, O my soul.\u201d (Psalm 103:19-22)<\/p><\/blockquote>\nAccording to the statement above, God’s throne is established in the heavens, and His kingdom is ruling over all the universe. There is a special place which is called the \u201cheavens of Jehovah\u201d where God’s throne is located (Psalm 115:16). This is a definite area in the vast fields of unlimited space. God’s throne is undoubtedly in the north; that is, in a position north from this earth. Such seems to be the teaching of Psalm 75: 5-7:<\/p>\n
Lift not up your horn on high; Speak not with a stiff neck.<\/p>\n
For neither from the east, not from the west,
\nNor yet from the south, cometh lifting up.<\/p>\nBut God is the judge: He putteth down one, and lifteth up another.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Let the reader note that deliverance comes neither from the east, nor from the west, nor yet from the south. On the contrary, God is the judge who puts down one individual and lifts up another. The trend of thought and the inference here is that it comes from God who is in the only other direction \u2014 namely, in the north. From this conclusion there can be no escape.<\/p>\n
This position is confirmed by a quotation from Isaiah (14:12-14):<\/p>\n
How art thou cut down to the ground, that didst lay low the nations! And thou saidst in thy heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; and I will sit upon the mount of congregation in the uttermost parts of the north: I will ascend above the height of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Satan, who was, as we have seen in \u201cEternity, or the Plan of the Ages,\u201d the ruler of the primitive earth and whose throne was in \u201cEden, the garden of God,\u201d decided to revolt against the Almighty and to ascend \u201cin the uttermost parts of the north\u201d in order to exalt himself above the Almighty whose throne is in the north.<\/p>\n
This position is likewise confirmed by Ezekiel 1:1-4:<\/p>\n
Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month,<\/em> in the fifth day<\/em> of the month, as I was among the captives by the river Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. In the fifth day<\/em> of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s captivity, the word of Jehovah came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of Jehovah was there upon him. And I looked, and behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, a great cloud, with a fire infolding itself, and a brightness round about it, and out of the midst there of as it were glowing metal, out of the midst of the fire.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
David gives another view of God’s throne in Psalm 11:4-7:<\/p>\n
Jehovah is in his holy temple; Jehovah, his throne is in heaven;
\nHis eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.<\/p>\nJehovah trieth the righteous; But the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.<\/p>\n
Upon the wicked he will rain snares; Fire and brimstone and burning wind shall be the portion of their cup.<\/p>\n
For Jehovah is righteous; he loveth righteousness: The upright shall behold his face.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Although governments and principalities upon the earth may be overturned, God’s throne stands forever. Providentially He is overruling all things. He observes the actions of men and fathoms their purposes. He makes the righteous to pass through those experiences which will refine them as silver and gold are refined in the furnace, but the wicked He will punish. Eventually, in the Tribulation, He will rain down fire and brimstone upon the wicked; but when the tribulation judgments shall have spent their force, the righteous shall behold His face. From this scripture it becomes abundantly evident that God is supreme.<\/p>\n
Psalm 135:5-14 also contributes to our understanding of God’s sovereignty:<\/p>\n
For I know that Jehovah is great, And that our Lord is above all gods.<\/p>\n
Whatsoever Jehovah pleased, that hath he done, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps:<\/p>\n
Who causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth;
\nWho maketh lightnings for the rain;
\nWho bringeth forth the wind out of his treasuries;<\/p>\nWho smote the first-born of Egypt, both man and beast;<\/p>\n
Who sent signs and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt,
\nUpon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants;<\/p>\nWho smote many nations, And slew mighty kings,<\/p>\n
Sihon king of the Amorites,
\nAnd Og king of Bashan,
\nAnd all the kingdoms of Canaan,<\/p>\nAnd gave their land for a heritage,
\nA heritage unto Israel his people,<\/p>\nThy name, O Jehovah, endureth<\/em> for ever;
\nThy memorial name,<\/em> O Jehovah, throughout all generations.<\/p>\nFor Jehovah will judge his people,
\nAnd repent himself concerning his servants.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nIn verses 3 and 4 of this psalm the writer calls upon the people of Israel to praise God for three things. In verse 5 he urges them to praise Him because He is great and is above all gods. Then he proceeds to speak of His sovereignty in these words „Whatsoever Jehovah pleased, that hath he done, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.\u201d<\/p>\n
In all conceivable spheres of the universe, declares the psalmist, God does that which He pleases. Of course it is to be understood that He is pleased to do nothing but that which is right, honorable, just, and merciful. Continuing the discussion of the divine sovereignty in verse 7, the writer shows that God is the one who causes the rain to water the earth. In verses 8-13 he demonstrated His providential workings in behalf of Israel in that He dispossessed the nations, inhabiting Palestine and planted her therein. God is indeed the absolute sovereign of the universe.<\/p>\n
Another clear statement of His sovereignty and overruling providence is found in Psalm 146:5-10:<\/p>\n
Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help,
\nWhose hope is in Jehovah his God;<\/p>\nWho made heaven and earth,
\nThe sea and all that in them is;<\/p>\nWho executeth justice for the oppressed;
\nWho giveth food to the hungry.<\/p>\nJehovah openeth the eyes <\/em>of the blind;
\nJehovah raiseth up them that are bowed down;
\nJehovah loveth the righteous;<\/p>\nJehovah preserveth the sojourners;
\nHe upholdeth the fatherless and widow;
\nBut the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.<\/p>\nJehovah will reign for ever,
\nThy God, O Zion, unto all generations.
\nPraise ye Jehovah.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nGod is the one who has made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them. It is He who has created, who has sustained and guided the world throughout all the past, and will continue to do so during the present and throughout all the ceaseless ages of eternity. Moreover, His compassionate and providential care of His people is emphasized in this scripture. There is no one who can withstand His will or change His plans and purposes. During these turbulent days when dictators have attempted to force their wills and plans upon the world, men should know the message that is set forth in Psalm 33:8-19:<\/p>\n
Let all the earth fear Jehovah:
\nLet all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.<\/p>\nFor he spake, and it was done;
\nHe commanded, and it stood fast.<\/p>\nJehovah bringeth the counsel of the nations to nought;
\nHe maketh the thoughts of the peoples to be of no effect.<\/p>\nThe counsel of Jehovah standeth fast for ever,
\nThe thoughts of his heart to all generations.<\/p>\nBlessed is the nation whose God is Jehovah,
\nThe people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.<\/p>\nJehovah looketh from heaven;
\nHe beholdeth all the sons of men;<\/p>\nFrom the place of his habitation he looketh forth upon
\nall the inhabitants of the earth,<\/p>\nHe that fashioneth the hearts of them all,
\nthat considereth all their works.<\/p>\nThere is no king saved by the multitude of a host:<\/p>\n
A horse is a vain thing for safety;
\nNeither doth he deliver any by his great power.<\/p>\nBehold, the eye of Jehovah is upon them that fear him,
\nUpon them that hope in his lovingkindness;<\/p>\nTo deliver their soul from death,
\nAnd to keep them alive in famine.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nHere is God’s call to the entire world to stand in awe of Him because He has created all things. Moreover, He brings the counsel of the nations to naught and makes their thoughts of none effect; on the contrary, His plans and purposes stand fast forever. The one great lesson which the world in its present condition should learn is that Israel is the chosen and blessed nation mentioned in verse 12. He who touches this people touches the apple of His eye. The Lord is looking down from heaven and is considering the hearts and works of all men. He turns the tide of battle and brings deliverance. During supreme crises those who look to Him for deliverance, trusting His mercy and loving kindness, are delivered at the proper time. In this marvelous passage we see therefore the sovereignty and the majesty of Almighty God set forth in a most graphic manner.<\/p>\n
As a final passage from the Old Testament in this connection, to which I wish to call attention, I ask the reader to note carefully the following quotation:<\/p>\n
Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? 13 Who hath directed the Spirit of Jehovah, or being his counselor hath taught him? 14 With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed to him the way of understanding? 15 Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are accounted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing. 16 And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt-offering. 17 All the nations are as nothing before him: they are accounted by him as less than nothing, and vanity.\u201d (Isaiah 40:12-17)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Here we see that the Lord God whose coming to earth is to be announced to Israel (vss. 9-11) is the creator of the entire universe, the great architect, and the all-wise chemist. He therefore knew how to create and assemble His materials in order to make an ordered universe. He has no need for anyone to advise or instruct Him in regard to anything. Moreover, the nations of the world, with their proud boast of power, dignity, and majesty, are but a \u201cdrop of a bucket\u201d and \u201care accounted as the small dust of the balance\u201d \u2014 that might be blown away with the least breath. This great creator and controller of the universe is such an exalted being that it is impossible for men to offer any adequate sacrifice that would be in keeping with His divine splendor. In this passage therefore we see the unquestioned sovereignty of this God of the universe.<\/p>\n
The same teaching relative to His supremacy and unquestioned right and prerogatives is likewise set forth in the New Testament. We are utterly dependent upon Him for our very existence. To the philosophers on the supreme court bench of the Athenian state the Apostle Paul made the following matchless speech:<\/p>\n
Ye men of Athens, in all things I perceive that ye are very religious. 23 For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, To AN UNKNOWN GOD. What therefore ye worship in ignorance, this I set forth unto you. 24 The God that made the world and all things therein, he being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25 neither is he served by men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 26 and he made of one every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation; 27 that they should seek God, if haply they might feel after him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us: 28 for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain even of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. 29 Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and device of man. 30 The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now he commanded men that they should all everywhere repent: 31 in as much as he hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he hath ordained: whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.\u201d (Acts 17:22-31)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Passages that emphasize God’s unquestioned authority could be multiplied, but these suffice to establish the proposition under consideration.<\/p>\n
III. Created Beings Free Agents<\/h3>\n
In this section we shall examine the data relative to created beings \u2014 angels of all ranks and men.<\/p>\n
A. The Angelic Hosts<\/h2>\n
Numerous are the references which speak of the angelic beings who do the bidding of God. As we have already seen in the discussion of Psalm 103:19f, there are great hosts of angels who assist the Almighty in His administration of the affairs of the universe. In I Kings 22:13-23 we get a glimpse of the throne of God before which are assembled angelic beings. A like vision appears in Psalm 89:5-8. We see ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of angelic hosts in the scene of judgment found in Daniel 7:9-12.<\/p>\n
We have every reason to believe that all these created angelic beings were confirmed in holiness, but with minds capable of exercising their wills against God or in His favor. That certain of the angels sinned and that they fell from their high estate is set forth in II Peter 2:4:<\/p>\n
For if God spared not angels when they sinned, but cast them down to hell, and committed them to pits of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment …\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
From the context we see that Peter was speaking of a host of angels which fell during the days of Noah. Of this contingent we read in Genesis 6:1-8. They are called the Nephilim<\/em> or fallen ones. These beings formed unholy alliances with the daughters of men, and from these unions there sprang a race of giants or \u201cmen of renown.\u201d We read of these in Jude 6 and 7:<\/p>\n
And angels that kept not their own principality, but left their proper habitation, he hath kept in everlasting bonds under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them, having in like manner with these given themselves over to fornication and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Note that these angels \u201ckept not their own principality, but left their proper habitation.\u201d Like the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah they went after strange flesh, committing fornication. This language shows that they did it voluntarily,<\/em> without any compulsion whatsoever. They were not forced to do this; they could have remained in their own place and continued in the favor of God. A third passage which has bearing on this question is Revelation 12:4:<\/p>\n
And his tail draweth the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them about to be delivered, that when she is delivered he may devour her child.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
When this passage is read in the light of the entire context, also when it is illuminated by related passages, it becomes evident that John in this verse was speaking of the original contingent of angels that, under the leadership of Satan, rebelled against God. We have already seen that Satan, \u201cthe anointed cherub that covereth,\u201d became proud and vain; unrighteousness entered his heart; he therefore rose up in rebellion against the Almighty. It seems quite evident therefore that the angels were created free moral agents. They could choose to be faithful and true to God or, on the other hand, could rebel against Him. It seems that the majority of the heavenly hosts elected to be faithful and true to their Master, whereas the minority rose up in rebellion, pitting their wills against Him.<\/p>\n
B. Man<\/h2>\n
As a crowning work of God’s creative activities during the six days of reconstruction which followed the terrific catastrophe that is described in Genesis 1:2, the Almighty created man. He did not evolve from some lower order of animal, but was created by the Almighty. According to Genesis 1:26, the three persons of the Godhead consulted together and decreed to make man after their own image, in their likeness. There is a vast gulf between the highest forms of animals and the lowest of human beings.<\/p>\n
An examination of the account of the creation of man and of his position in the Garden of Eden yields conclusive proof that man was created a free moral agent. According to the Genesis account, chapters 2 and 3, the Almighty placed in that garden every kind of tree bearing fruit, including in the list the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Man was granted permission by his Creator to partake of every tree \u2014 even of the tree of life \u2014 except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. In prohibiting his eating of this particular tree, the Lord warned him that on the very day on which he might partake, \u201cdying thou shalt surely die.\u201d According to this Hebrew idiom death would set in the very day that man disobeyed this prohibition, that is, the forces that bring about death would begin to prey upon his body. Physicians tell us that there are operative in our bodies both the anabolic and the catabolic processes. The former are in the ascendancy in the individual until he reaches middle life. From that time onward until death the catabolic processes are in the ascendancy and finally accomplish his death. Along with physical death came spiritual death \u2014 separation from God and His fellowship. Of course, this death which is a present reality will culminate in eternal death to all those who do not make their peace with God through the one and only sacrifice which He has provided for their redemption.<\/p>\n
This tree of the knowledge of good and evil was somewhere in the garden in which man was placed. It was not protected by any fence or obstruction; Adam and Eve could walk up to it, reach for and pull its fruit, and commit the tragic act of eating it. That it was thus placed within easy reach of man proved that he was created a free moral agent. The Lord knew that Adam had the power of free choice, either to be submissive to the will of God or to oppose his will against that of the Maker. The entire situation changed upon man’s exercising his own free will.<\/p>\n
Throughout the Scriptures we read of God’s forbidding man’s doing certain things, and of His threatening punishment in case of violation of the divine prerogatives. On the other hand, the Lord holds out inducements to men in order to get them to yield their wills to Him \u2014 for their good, their blessing, and their eternal happiness. Thus the freedom of man is stamped upon every portion of the Scriptures. That fact is one of the basic teachings of the Word of God. This brief statement of the case will suffice to show that man is a free moral agent and that God will neither force nor restrain any man’s will.<\/p>\n
IV. The Focal Points of the Universe \u2014 God’s Sovereignty and Man’s Freedom of Choice<\/h3>\n
In the foregoing we have looked at some basic facts which prove beyond a peradventure the proposition that God is sovereign and that man is a free agent. We have reached that stage in the investigation where we must examine more minutely some special phases of the subject involved and then seek a harmony of the facts \u2014 if such can be found. If not we shall accept the facts as they stand and await further light. Theologians, however, have wrestled with the problem of harmonizing these two great central doctrines of the Scriptures. Thus far all confess their inability to discover perfect agreement.<\/p>\n
A. God’s Sovereignty<\/h2>\n
To the thoughtful observer who views the movements of the heavenly bodies in connection with the earth, it becomes immediately evident that the Supreme Being has everything under His control, and that each of the material bodies as it moves in space is being directed by His mighty omnipotence. Moreover, it is seen that each contributes its part to the general purpose and movement of the universe. Astronomers tell us that the various nebulae are moving in certain directions, all of which would seem to indicate an ultimate objective in view. Each of these bodies contributes its part to the whole in the advancement of said purpose. These facts indicate that God is sovereign over the material universe.<\/p>\n
An examination of any physical phenomenon reveals that each separate element exhibits certain characteristics. Each acts and reacts in a definite manner when brought into contact with other elements. For instance, water, the chemical formula of which is H2O, has a certain nature and acts and reacts to other elements in a given definite manner. Who gave the elements their nature? There can be but one answer, which is found in Isaiah 40:12:<\/p>\n
Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
God is the great chemist who first created all the elements, who compounded them into certain mixtures, and who gave them their inherent qualities. In doing this, He was not compelled by any external force of power. He alone is sovereign. It was His good pleasure thus to give to each substance its inherent characteristics and nature.<\/p>\n
Throughout eternity in the past, during time at the present, and throughout the ages of the ages in eternity of the future, our sovereign God is directing and overruling all things in order that they might contribute to His own glory and self-manifestation and to the good of His creatures. Numerous passages of Holy Scripture affirm this position. In creation as well as in the directing of the affairs of the universe and guiding them toward a great consummation, God therefore is exercising His sovereignty and His will. The truthfulness of these propositions is not only self-evident, but confirmed by the consideration given above.<\/p>\n
B. Man’s Free Will<\/h2>\n
That man was created a free agent is clear from the account which we have of his being placed in the Garden of Eden and having full and free access, not only to the tree of life, but to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Had God not wanted man to have the privilege of exercising freedom of will, He could have \u201cplaced at the east of the garden of Eden the Cherubim, and the flame of the sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life\u201d prior to the transgression of Adam. It is quite evident that God turned man loose in the garden and told him what he could and could not do. In giving the prohibition regarding the tree of the Knowledge of good and evil, He forewarned Adam in unmistakable terms against the rejection of His will.<\/p>\n
The Scriptures with unanimous acclaim teach the freedom of man. For instance, note John 3:16,17:<\/p>\n
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
\nthat whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.
\nFor God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world;
\nbut that the world should be saved through him.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\nGod gave His only begotten Son in order that the one believing<\/em> in Him might have everlasting life. God had only one purpose in sending His Son into the world; namely, that everyone might have life. As we shall presently see, it is not the will of God that any should perish, but that all might come to a knowledge of the truth. With this objective in view God sent His Son and offered eternal life to all who believe. These facts show most clearly that man is free to make his own decisions \u2014 even when his doing so involves his destiny throughout all eternity. This same freedom of choice is set forth in John 5:24:<\/p>\n
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word,
\nand believeth him that sent me, hath eternal life,
\nand cometh not into judgment,
\nbut hath passed out of death into life.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\nThus, he, who wills to listen, to meditate upon the message of life, and to believe God, who sent Christ to make atonement for the race, has eternal life and shall not come into judgment but has passed out of death into life. We see this same teaching set forth in John 5:40: \u201c… ye will not come to me, that ye may have life.\u201d Obviously the people to whom Jesus spoke could have come to Him if they had so desired and in their coming they could have had eternal life. He would not force them to come although He willed that they do so. The matter was left to them. Let us look at another instance. When Jesus went up to Jerusalem at the Feast of the Tabernacles, He spoke in the Temple. The Jews marveled at His ability to teach since He had not been educated in the rabbinical schools of the time. Explaining the situation, our Lord said, \u201cMy teaching is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether<\/em> I speak from myself\u201d (John 7:16,17). Both an understanding of the source of the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ and His apostles and a comprehension of the truth taught depend entirely on the will of the individual. If a person wills <\/em>to do his will, God guarantees that He will see that he shall know the source of the teaching of Jesus Christ. When one is convinced that His teaching is from God the Father and is therefore of divine origin, an honest heart will immediately accept and act thereupon. Man’s comprehension, therefore, of the divine origin of the Scriptures and their meaning is entirely contingent upon his will \u2014 willing to do the will of God.<\/p>\n
We learn from the Scriptures that God desires the salvation of every man. As proof of this position let us meditate upon this scripture:<\/p>\n
This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who would have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, himself<\/em> man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all; the testimony to be borne<\/em> in its own times; whereunto I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I speak the truth, I lie not), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.\u201d (I Timothy 2:3-7)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
There is but one interpretation that can be placed upon this statement: that it is the perfect desire of the heart of God that all men \u2014 come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved. Confirmation of this fact is found in II Peter 3:9: \u201cThe Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.\u201d Let the reader note especially these words: \u201cbut [the Lord] is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.\u201d We learn most positively God is not willing that anyone should be lost. His heartthrob is that all might be saved. For everyone who accepts the Scriptures as the authoritative Word of God, these statements settle the question. The responsibility for the lost condition of anyone does not fall back upon God nor does it arise out of the will of God.<\/p>\n
Further confirmation of this position is seen in the fact that God sent His Son to suffer and die for man and that Christ tasted of death for every man (Heb. 2:9). Christ underwent death \u2014 not only for those who accept, but for those who reject. In keeping with this thought is that expressed in I Timothy 4:10: \u201cFor to this end we labor and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of them that believe.\u201d In what sense is God the Saviour of all men? In the sense that Christ paid the debt and penalty for every man’s redemption, but in a different sense He is the Saviour of only those who believe \u2014 those who accept the purchased and offered salvation.<\/p>\n
Since it is not the will of God that any <\/em>soul should perish, but that all should come unto repentance \u2014 for Christ tasted death for every man and is the Saviour of all men \u2014 and since vast hordes of men will be lost, the irresistible conclusion to be drawn is that man, by his own will (by exerting his will against God) is lost. There may be and doubtless are other factors concerning man and his relation to God which enter into the question of his election, but for all practical purposes we are warranted by scriptural testimony in saying that man’s refusal to yield his will to God and to accept the salvation offered to him freely is the cause of the condemnation of the lost.<\/p>\n
Further light is thrown upon this subject by an investigation of the classic passage found in Romans 8:26-30:<\/p>\n
And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered; and he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will <\/em>of God. And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his<\/em> purpose. For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among the many brethren: and whom he foreordained, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
In Romans 5:12-8:39, Paul is discussing the matter of sanctification by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The pronouns, \u201cwe,\u201d \u201cus,\u201d and \u201cour,\u201d in this sentence undoubtedly refer to those who have accepted the redemption which has come through the Lord Jesus Christ. In verses 26 and 27 of Romans 8 he shows that the Holy Spirit makes intercession for the people of God in a most earnest manner and presents our petitions to the Father. We have been redeemed, as we shall see in Chapter 12, by the atonement of the Lord Jesus. The Holy Spirit is deeply concerned about our spiritual growth and development. He therefore makes intercession for us according to the will of God in the most earnest manner. God the Father will not turn a deaf ear to the petition which the Spirit makes. Thus we can be sure that all three personalities constituting the Godhead are laboring in behalf of every born-again person.<\/p>\n
In verse 28 Paul makes the statement, in view of the facts which he is discussing here, that all things work together for the good of those who are called according to God’s purpose and who love the Almighty. In order to explain his meaning he, figuratively speaking, lays before us a blueprint of the life everyone who accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. According to verses 29 and 30 God foreknew us. How long has He foreknown us? the answer is to found in such passages as Ephesians 1:3,4; I Peter 1:17-21; and Revelation 13:8. From these scriptures we see that God foreknew the saved before the foundation of the world (see Eternity, or the Plan of the Ages<\/a> chart). What is the meaning of the foreknowledge of God? Simply that God knows a fact or person before the event occurs or the person is born. But foreknowledge must not be confused with predetermination or foreordination. God can foreknow a thing without determining that it shall come to pass in a given way. I might illustrate this principle by a very imperfect example. Knowing my wife as I do, I can in a fairly accurate way tell how she will act or react to certain things; but my being able to arrive at certain conclusions regarding her reactions does not in the least necessarily determine her attitude to a given situation. If by my limited knowledge of her, I can forecast fairly accurately her reactions, is it to be thought unreasonable that God \u2014 who is omniscient \u2014 should know how human beings will act and react to various situations? If we admit the possibility of our forecasting with a fair degree of accuracy the actions of our fellow-men whom we know, it is only reasonable to conclude that God can foreknow and at the same time not predetermine that a thing shall be or that a person shall act in a given way. These truths are in perfect accord with the statement of Psalm 139:14-16:<\/p>\n
I will give thanks unto thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:
\nWonderful are thy works;
\nand that my soul knoweth right well.<\/p>\nMy frame was not hidden from thee,
\nWhen I was made in secret,
\nAnd<\/em> curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.<\/p>\nThine eyes did see mine unformed substance;
\nAnd in thy book they were all written,
\nEven<\/em> the days that were ordained for me, <\/em>
\nWhen as yet there was none of them.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\nHow could God foreknow the psalmist before he had any existence? This world and its events comprise an innumerable series of causes and effects. But I hasten to say that while this proposition is true, the freedom of man’s will is one of the causes which enters into this iterminable procession of causes and effects. In His calculations of the ages the Almighty makes allowances for man’s freedom of choice.1<\/sup> The Lord told Jeremiah that He knew him before he was formed in the womb and had appointed him a prophet to the nations (Jeremiah 1:4,5). Paul asserted practically the same thing of himself in Galatians 1:15-17. These passages are sufficient authority for the one who takes the Bible as the infallible Word, that God, does foreknow all events and persons \u2014 without coercing anyone’s will.<\/p>\n
According to Romans 8:29, those who God foreknew He also foreordained to be conformed to the image of His son that He (Christ) might be the first-born among many brethren. The word foreordained means to order or to determine a thing beforetime. But what is here asserted as having been foreordained? The statement is clear. God foreordained ahead of time that those whom He foreknew should be conformed to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ. In other words, God has determined that everyone who He foreknew shall be like our blessed Lord (in certain particulars at least) in order that He might be the first-born among many brethren. A similar thought is expressed by the apostle in Philippians 3:20,21:<\/p>\n
For our citizenship is in heaven: whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed <\/em>to the body of his glory, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things unto himself.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Those whom God has foreordained, whose bodies are to be fashioned according to that of the Lord Jesus, He has also called. Paul in I Corinthians 1:21 emphatically stated that it was God’s good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save them that believe. To the Thessalonian Christians he declared that they knew their election: \u201cHow that our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance; even as ye know what manner of men we showed ourselves toward you for your sake\u201d (I Thessalonians 1:5).<\/p>\n
According to Romans 10:17, \u201cbelief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.\u201d God has ordained that by the preaching of the gospel men shall believe and be saved. In this manner He calls those whom He has foreordained to be conformed unto the image of His Son.<\/p>\n
Those who He has called \u2014 those who accept the call \u2014 are justified. As we shall see in Chapter XII, God justifies those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and the efficacy of His atoning blood.<\/p>\n
And in none other is there salvation:
\nfor neither is there any other name under heaven,
\nthat is given among men, wherein we must be saved.\u201d (Acts 4:12)<\/p><\/blockquote>\nThere is salvation and life only in Jesus Christ. Hence those who accept the call through the gospel are justified.<\/p>\n
The word, justify, is a Roman legal term. It signifies the acquittal of the one who is accused of a crime. By a declaration of justification the one on trial stands free of the charge as if he had never committed the crime. Thus those who accept the call of the gospel and receive Jesus Christ as Saviour are justified on the basis of the merits of the shed blood of Christ. Those who are justified, declared the apostle, are also glorified. Of course they are not glorified yet and will not be until they receive their redeemed bodies, which event will occur at the rapture of the saints and resurrection of the dead in Christ.<\/p>\n
The apostle, in the verses which we have just reviewed, lays before us the blueprint of the life of every one whom the Lord has foreknown. Every one of them will be saved eternally. If a person is foreknown in the sense of this passage, he is foreordained to be conformed to the image of God’s Son. If he is thus foreordained, God calls him. If he is called, he is justified; and if justified, he will be glorified.<\/p>\n
How may I know that I am one of those whom God has foreknown? The answer is simple: I heard the gospel call; I believed it; I received Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour; He performed the miracle of regeneration in my heart. These facts having taken place, there can be no doubt about my salvation. I Know that when I accepted Christ, the miracle of regeneration was wrought in my heart. Moreover, I know that the joy which He put into my soul when I accepted Him has remained through the years. Since I know of a certainty that I was justified and regenerated, there is but one conclusion: I shall be glorified with all the saints and shall enjoy the blessed fellowship of the Holy Trinity and the saved from this earth through all eternity.<\/p>\n
V. The Complexity of the Present World Order<\/h3>\n
From time immemorial thoughtful people have been perplexed about the existence of evil in the world, the occurrences of calamities in the natural sphere, and the inequalities in the social and economic realms. Being unable to solve these problems to their satisfaction, many have become cynical \u2014 even to the point of severely criticizing the Almighty. Others have been perplexed and have been groping their way in the dark. Still others being unable to see and understand the situation, have accepted conditions as they are and have trusted God to work out the problems of life for their good and His glory. It is for everyone to seek for all the light on this most important subject and to fit his program into that of his Creator. To have an intelligent understanding of this subject will be of inestimable value to anyone as he faces the stern and harsh realities of life.<\/p>\n
Asaph, one of the inspired writers of the Psalms, was bothered with this question but could not understand the situation. He became perplexed and confused. After brooding over the matter and being unable to understand why the wicked prosper, whereas the righteous have difficulties in their struggle for existence, he allowed jealousy and envy to spring up in his heart and to poison his entire life. His view of everything became distorted. In this condition he reached the conclusion that the wicked are really successful ones in life and are able to meet death without flinching. Furthermore he also came to the conclusion that in vain one cleanses his hands and life in innocency. While he was in this backslidden condition and was cherishing bitter thoughts toward God because of the inequalities of life, the thought came to him that the only wise course which he as an intelligent person should pursue was to go to the house of God and there meditate upon this great problem. As he approached the Lord in sincere worship and adoration, the clouds of uncertainty began to dispel from his mind, and the light of truth in regard to the real situation began to dawn upon his soul. He soon saw that he had been looking at life from the wrong point of view, and that the conclusions which he had drawn when he was in his backslidden condition were erroneous. Instead of the wicked’s being established forever and prospering, he saw that the time for God’s stroke of judgment to fall upon them might come at any moment, and that the Lord at the proper time would take care of all injustices and inequalities.<\/p>\n
In order that my reader may see the full force of what I have just been saying, I am suggesting that he study carefully and prayerfully Psalm 73, which recounts these and many other things that I have just mentioned. I would also recommend in particular the study of the Book of Job for those who are perplexed regarding the problem of evil and associated ideas. The Book of Job, let me say, is as modern and up-to-date as if it had just issued from the press.<\/p>\n
Though there are many elements which enter into the complexity of the present world order, I shall, in the brief space which I have, call attention to seven of the most important principles that are involved in our problem.<\/p>\n
A. The Origin of Evil<\/h2>\n
From what did evil arise? In Chapter 9 we shall study the subject of \u201cSatan, the Kingdom of Darkness, and Sin.\u201d There we see that God created the anointed cherub that covereth and gave him supreme power over the vast multitude of angelic beings \u2014 seraphim, cherubim, and all ranks and orders of angels. As time passed, however, this anointed cherub caused everything to gravitate toward himself and he began to be filled with pride \u2014 to the extent that unrighteousness arose in his heart. He even came to the conclusion that he could match swords with the Almighty, depose Him, and mount the throne of the universe. He was given the power of free choice. He came to the point where he decided to oppose his will to that of the Almighty. In doing so, he introduced an element foreign at that time to the universe. One-third of the angels followed in his footsteps and rose in rebellion against the Almighty.<\/p>\n
Though we may not be certain on this point, it is quite likely that Satan took over some force that was then in the world and perverted it. This power became known as sin which has contaminated the entire physical universe. The exercise of Satan’s freedom of choice therefore transmuted some good power into an evil force that has been operative from that day to the present.<\/p>\n
Man also was created and given the power of free choice, but he abused this divine endowment and opposed his will to that of the Almighty. Thus, his nature became corrupted by sin, which entered the human family when Adam transgressed (Romans 5:12,13). In view of these facts we see that the origin of evil throughout the universe was, on the part of both Satan and man, the improper exercise of the God-given power of free choice.<\/p>\n
B. The Liberties and Limitations of the Powers of Evil<\/h2>\n
Though Satan was deposed from his high position which he occupied prior to his rebellion, he has not yet been shorn of all his authority and power. The teaching of the Scriptures leads one to believe that he still has great authority in the earth \u2014 though it is not equal to what he exercised before his rebellion. As we have already seen, Michael the archangel (because of Satan’s position, authority, and power) refused to enter into a controversy with the devil regarding the body of Moses. On the contrary he referred the entire matter to the Lord Jesus Christ. From this we see that Satan still has mighty power and authority.<\/p>\n
We must not, however, conclude that he enjoys the full liberty which he had before the rebellion, but that he does have freedom of action is evident from a study of the Book of Job, chapters 1 and 2. There we learn that he appeared in the presence of God after going to and fro in all the earth on an inspection tour. So he possess some privileges and can act to a certain extent as he chooses.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, from these two chapters we learn that he is limited in his activity, especially toward the children of God. Before he could touch this venerable patriarch and saint, he had to receive permission from the Almighty. In fact, he could not touch any of the vast holdings of Job, even his livestock, without special authority from the Lord. When this permission was granted, he worked mightily, using cruel, unscrupulous people to rob Job of his possessions. He finally employed the elements to complete the destruction of the patriarch’s property. Having accomplished this, he again came into the presence of God and requested permission to touch Job’s body. His petition granted, he came back to the earth and with one stroke put Job flat on his back; yet he was not permitted to take his life. In his dealings with this servant of God, Satan could go only so far as the Almighty would allow him.<\/p>\n
We observe this same freedom and limitation of Satan in the Gospel Records. For instance, in Luke 22:31-34 our Lord told His Apostles that Satan had appeared in the presence of God requesting permission to sift them as wheat. The Lord Jesus knew what had been going on behind the scenes. He therefore made supplication for the disciples that their faith might not fail. In the New Testament times, therefore, Satan still had liberty, not only to traverse the earth, but to go into the presence of the Almighty \u2014 and he still enjoys this liberty (Revelation 12:7-12). Before he can touch any of God’s saints, however, he must obtain permission. We know, therefore, the limitations of Satan under the present regime of grace.<\/p>\n
The same liberties and limitations are reflected in I Corinthians 10:13: \u201cThere hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.\u201d<\/p>\n
From this quotation it is, therefore, clear that the apostle had Satan and the powers of evil specifically in mind. Under certain conditions the Lord gives the devil permission to subject the children of God to temptation; but He always puts a limitation to his activity; he is never allowed to put a temptation before any saint which is too strong for him. On the other hand, whenever the Lord suffers a demon to tempt one of His children, He always opens up a way of escape in order that His own need not yield in the least but come off victorious.<\/p>\n
An account of our Lord’s visit to the country of the Gadarenes is found in Matthew 8:28-34. Upon His arrival, Jesus met a man possessed by demons who cried out: What have we to do with thee, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?\u201d Not far from them a herd of swine was feeding. The demons besought Jesus, saying \u201cIf thou cast us out, send us away into the herd of swine.\u201d Our Lord granted their request, \u201cAnd he said unto them, Go\u201d (Matthew 8:29-32).<\/p>\n
These demons recognized Jesus as the Son of God. They also realized that they were placed under limitations, and that their ultimate doom was a place of torment. Moreover, they knew that they had to get permission from Him before they could enter the swine. From the scriptural facts which we have been studying, we ascertain that the powers of evil under the leadership of Satan are granted certain liberties, but are confined within bounds. They are restricted especially in their approach and their activity toward the saints of God. For this glorious fact we praise God.<\/p>\n
Particularly in these days, which are the last of this dispensation, are we thankful that the Lord has put Satan and evil spirits under limitation regarding their activity toward the people of God. We who know God in Christ should in one sense of the term flee from the devil but in another sense should resist him, strong in our faith. He is a conquered foe and cannot prevail against the weakest child of God if the latter will but take his stand upon the Scriptures and trust God for strength to give him victory.<\/p>\n
C. God’s Permitting Evil to Run its Course<\/h2>\n
Frequently we are at a loss to understand why wrong conditions continue to exist, and evil, wicked men seemingly are allowed to prosper. We hear many people asking, Why does God permit evil since He is all-powerful and can banish wickedness from the earth with one fell stroke? The answer is that in His moral government He permits evil and wickedness to run their course. Under a moral regime He is forced to do this, otherwise His government would be unethical. In considering this question, let us remember that Satan and the forces of evil under him are endowed with the power or free choice \u2014 within the limitations that we have examined in the preceding section. God must of necessity respect this endowment of freedom.<\/p>\n
As examples of this principle, let us look at the antediluvians. In Genesis 6:1-6 we are told that the human family plunged to the depths of sin and became so very corrupt in their nature that the imaginations of their hearts were only evil continually. Their minds had become steeped in evil and immorality: the reflections of their thoughts \u2014 the imaginations of their hearts \u2014 were only evil continually. When mankind reached this point, evil had run its course, and the world was ripe for judgment. To permit such a wicked stock to propagate its species would have been an unkindness on the part of the Lord to unborn generations, who so coming into the world would only plunge to greater depths of sin in this life and go out into the future without God and without hope in the world. The Lord therefore exterminated that wicked generation as an act of mercy.<\/p>\n
When the Lord entered into a covenant with Abraham, He told him that his seed would be sojourners in a country not their own, that they would be afflicted for four hundred years, and that at the conclusion of this period, in the fourth generation, they would return from Egypt to their own land. The reason for their having to wait until that time is stated in these words: \u201c… for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet full\u201d (Genesis 15: 16). The Lord knew that the Canaanites were on the toboggan, so to speak, rushing madly to the depths of sin, but that they would not reach the depths until the expiration of the period foretold. In other words, He declared that He would allow evil to take its course and would not exterminate these degenerates until they had filled to overflowing the cup of their iniquity. When men or nations thus take the fatal plunge toward the abyss of sin and iniquity, the Lord allows them to continue in a seeming state of prosperity and peace. In studying the question of the problem of evil, we must bear in mind this important principle, which is always operative under God’s moral government.<\/p>\n
D. God’s Use of the Nations in Keeping Peace and in Punishing Aggressors<\/h2>\n
Immediately after the Flood God authorized the establishment of civil government to punish the wicked and to keep order. This fact is set forth in Genesis 9:5,6:<\/p>\n
And surely your blood, the blood of your lives, will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it: and at the hand of man, even at the hand of every man’s brother, will I require the life of man. 6 Whom sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Paul in Romans, chapter 13, sounded the same note with reference to civil powers and God’s using them to punish evildoers.<\/p>\n
The Lord also uses one nation to punish another for its sins. This principle is set forth in Isaiah 10:5-27. Here the prophet in the most dramatic manner addressed the Assyrian, calling him the rod of God’s anger, the staff in whose hand was His indignation. He explained his meaning in the following words:<\/p>\n
I will send him against a profane nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. 7 Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy, and to cut off nations not a few.<\/p>\n
12 Wherefore it shall come to pass, that, when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.\u201d (Isaiah 10:6,7,12)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The wicked nation was Israel, the chosen people of God. The Assyrian was none other than the cruel, ruthless Sennacherib, king of Assyria, whom God used to punish His disobedient people. According to this prophecy, after God had accomplished His purposes through this ruthless aggressor, He would punish him. In Isaiah 37:36-38 we find the record of the fulfillment of this threat. The Lord also used Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, in punishing Israel for her sins. In Jeremiah 51:20 He spoke of Babylon as His \u201cbattle-axe and weapons of war.\u201d<\/p>\n
His using one nation to punish another is again seen in Habakkuk 1:5-11:<\/p>\n
Behold ye among the nations, and look, and wonder marvelously; for I am working a work in your days, which ye will not believe though it be told you. 6 For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, that march through the breadth of the earth, to possess dwelling-places that are not theirs. 7 They are terrible and dreadful; their judgment and their dignity proceed from themselves. 8 Their horses also are swifter than leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves; and their horsemen press proudly on yea, their horsemen come from far; they fly as an eagle that hasteth to devour. 8 They come all of them for violence; the set of their faces forwards; and they gather captives as the sand. 10 Yea, he scoffeth at kings, and princes are a derision unto him: he derideth every stronghold; for he heapeth up dust, and taketh it. 11 Then shall he sweep by as a wind, and shall pass over, and be guilty, even<\/em> he whose might is his god.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The Old Testament is replete with examples of this divine practice, and what God did in Old Testament times, He is still doing today. He fights fire with fire. At the proper time He punishes the nation which He has already used because of its own sins.<\/p>\n
E. The Contribution of Evil to Man’s Good and God’s Glory<\/h2>\n
God rules the universe \u2014 He is sovereign. Man, too, is sovereign in the little sphere of his individual being. God rules and overrules. Man proposes; God disposes. \u201cThe lot is cast into the lap; But the whole disposing thereof is of Jehovah\u201d (Proverbs 16:33). Many men seek \u2014 in their own striving and conniving \u2014 to reach certain objectives by winning the favor of others who are in places of influence and importance. One who understands the real principle involved will never attempt to do this, in view of Solomon’s statement found in Proverbs 29:26: \u201cMany seek the ruler’s favor; But a man’s judgment cometh<\/em> from Jehovah.\u201d Why does the Almighty thus overrule the free acts of both righteous and wicked men. He is making all things contribute to the good of His people and to His own glory. Even man’s wickedness contributes ultimately to the advancement of God’s purpose. \u201cSurely the wrath of man shall praise thee: The residue of wrath shalt thou gird upon thee\u201d (Psalm 76:10). Jehovah hath made everything for its own end; Yea, even the wicked for the day of evil\u201d (Proverbs 16:4).<\/p>\n
The teaching of these quotations, studied in the light of Romans 8:28 \u2014 \u201cAnd we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose\u201d \u2014 is to the effect that God is overruling all the wicked acts of evil men and is making them contribute to the advantage of His saints and to the advancement of His personal glory. Ultimately, when we shall see and know fully even as we are known, we shall understand that even the wickedness of Satan and men, in the economy of God, have been potent factors in the accomplishment of His eternal plans and purposes. When a person sees this sublime truth, he can no longer be critical. On the other hand, knowing that God is protecting him and is making all things contribute to his good, he will rejoice in the decisions which God makes relative to evil and its touching his life.<\/p>\n
F. The Delay in the Execution of Judgment<\/h2>\n
Another fundamental principle which renders the present situation more complex is that of God’s delaying the execution of His wrath upon sinners. This principle is set forth in different ways.<\/p>\n
1. In the Case of the Children of God<\/h4>\n
The Lord in His prenatal state, together with two angels, appeared as a man to Abraham (Genesis, chaPsalm 18,19). After the departure of the angels for Sodom, the Lord remained behind and conversed with Abraham, divulging to him His plan for the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham immediately began to plead with Him to spare the cities of the Plain, especially Sodom, because of the presence of certain righteous individuals in it. Finally the Lord promised that He would spare the city if ten righteous people could be found therein. The facts as they were, showed that there were not even ten; hence the city had to be destroyed. Had there been but ten righteous citizens, judgment would have been stayed and evil would have been permitted to continue.<\/p>\n
The same principle is operative in II Peter 3:9,10: \u201cThe Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance\u201d (vs. 9). An examination of the context shows that the Apostle Peter was speaking of the Tribulation Period, when God’s judgments will fall upon the earth and purge the world of wicked, evil characters. In the verse just quoted the apostle urged the brethren to consider that a delay in bringing punishment upon evildoers is evidence of His long-suffering. Postponement of summary judgment upon the world is an indication that God is endeavoring to reach as many people as possible with the gospel, for it is not His wish \u201cthat any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another illustration of delaying judgment upon wickedness because of the presence of the children of God is the parable of the tares and wheat (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43). The servants asked their overlord if they should weed out the tares from among the wheat. His reply was in the negative, lest in the removal of the tares the wheat would be injured. Both were therefore allowed to grow together until the time of harvest. At that season the wheat would be gathered together into the garner, but the tares would be cast into the fire and burned. By this parable our Lord meant to teach that for good and sufficient reasons He allows the wicked to live along with the righteous. Life is so very complex that to uproot them would bring injury to the godly. Jesus enunciates this as one of the principles governing the present order and explains the presence of evil in the world today. At the close of this age, however, the Lord will purge out all the wicked, and the righteous shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of the Father \u2014 the millennial reign of the Messiah.<\/p>\n
2. In the Case of Israel<\/h4>\n
Why has Israel suffered as she has? Her history is written in blood. Why must she endure these unprecedented persecutions of the present day? Why does a righteous God permit the anti-Semites to triumph over His chosen, beloved people? The answer is found in the following quotation:<\/p>\n
And therefore will Jehovah wait, that he may be gracious unto you; and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for Jehovah is a God of justice; blessed are all they that wait for him. 19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem; thou shalt weep no more; he will surely be gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear, he will answer thee.\u201d (Isaiah 30:18,19)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The Lord God of Israel would like graciously to deliver her at this very moment, but under His moral government \u2014 which is the only one possible \u2014 He cannot. He must therefore wait, as He declares in this passage. What is the hindering cause? This: \u201c… and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you [Israel].\u201d God wants to be gracious; He desires to deliver His people; He longs to extend mercy to her like a flowing stream; but He cannot because she has not exalted Him. When, however, she realizes her sins, comes back to Him, enthrones Him in her praises, and accepts her rejected Redeemer, He will then most graciously and immediately bring the longed-for deliverance.<\/p>\n
According to the prophetic word, she will see her mistake, will confess her national sin, and will accept her long-rejected Messiah. Seeing her penitentially thus exalting the Lord, Isaiah in a vision most dramatically uttered this heart-thrilling prediction:<\/p>\n
Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, that hast drunk at the hand of Jehovah the cup of his wrath; thou hast drunken the bowl of the cup of staggering, and drained it. 18 There is none to guide her among all the sons whom she hath brought forth; neither is there any that taketh her by the hand among all the sons that she hath brought up. 19 These two things are befallen thee; who shall bemoan thee? desolation and destruction, and the famine and the sword; how shall I comfort thee? 20 Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as an antelope in a net; they are full of the wrath of Jehovah, the rebuke of thy God. 21 Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine: 22 Thus saith thy Lord Jehovah, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thy hand the cup of staggering, even the bowl of the cup of my wrath; thou shalt no more drink it again; 23 and I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee, that have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over; and thou hast laid thy back at the ground, and as the street, to them that go over.\u201d (Isaiah 51:17-23)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
In this prophecy Israel lies prostrate, having drunk of the cup of Jehovah’s wrath. In this helpless condition, the prophet hears Jehovah speaking gently to her, telling her that He has taken out of her hand the \u201ccup of staggering\u201d even the \u201cbowl of the cup\u201d of His wrath and that He is putting it into the hands of her enemies, who shall drink, to the dregs, His indignation and wrath. In this pictorial manner the prophet saw the time when God will deliver Israel and let the thunderbolts of His judgment fall in deadly accuracy upon the enemies of His people. The word of God with reference to Israel will be fulfilled, and she will yet be delivered.<\/p>\n
In His moral government God, respecting the freedom of choice, with which He endowed His creatures, is forced to allow evil to continue, and at times even to predominate over the righteous \u2014 until His people take the right attitude and permit Him to bring summary judgment upon the wicked. We should therefore endeavor to maintain our proper relationship and attitude toward our blessed Lord and toward the wicked, awaiting the time when He will deal with the problems of evil and purge the world of all sin.<\/p>\n
G. Final Expulsion of Satan and Evil from the World<\/h2>\n
According to Isaiah 24:21-23 the Lord will, at the end of the Tribulation, incarcerate the hosts of \u201cthe high one on high\u201d \u2014 Satan and all his evil forces \u2014 together with the kings of the earth, consigning them to the pit of the abyss where they will remain for \u201cmany days\u201d \u2014 the thousand years of the reign of our Lord. During this period the inhabitants of the world will not suffer any attacks from them. The reign of righteousness will be the order of the day. There will be no disorders in the realm of nature. All disputes between individuals and nations will be settled by Jehovah and His saints, who will reign with Him over this earth. The world’s Golden Era is yet before us.<\/p>\n
At the end of the millennial reign Satan will be unloosed in the earth for a short season and will attempt to deceive the nations. After that brief period the judgment of the great white throne will be set. Satan and all the wicked will be consigned to their eternal abode, the lake of fire which is the second death (Revelation 20:10-15). At that time the present material universe will pass out of existence (Revelation 20:11).<\/p>\n
After that event, God will create the eternal order. All things will be new. Nothing from the present contaminated universe will enter into the construction of that new everlasting creation.<\/p>\n
At that time the problem of evil will have been solved \u2014 once and for all. The Lord will have worked out the perplexing question of His permitting evil in His universe. Throughout the numberless ages in the future His plans will continually unfold, will prove an eternal blessing to saved humanity, and will be a demonstration of His holiness, righteousness, love, and mercy.<\/p>\n
\nFootnote:<\/h4>\n
1. I may illustrate this subject further by calling attention to the problems which face a construction engineer, who builds, for instance, a modern bridge such as the Golden Gate Bridge at San Francisco \u2014 one of the greatest feats of engineering skill in the world. Many different raw elements were used in manufacturing the construction materials in this bridge. The engineers had to know the essential qualities of each of these and how each would react to others under all conditions. They could not change the nature of a single element, but they could and did make allowance, in their calculations for the reaction of each of these elements to the others. Knowing the qualities of each, they made such combinations as were necessary to effect the results desired. In a similar manner the Lord, leaving man free to exercise his will, overrules all things for the advancement of His holy and beneficent plans, which are to bring the greatest blessings to the largest number in the shortest time.<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Chapter 08: Man Created in the Image of God<\/h1>\n
In Chapter 2 we saw from conclusive evidence that the Bible \u2014 the Old and New Testaments \u2014 is the very word of the Living God. It is the revelation of God to man. It does not give, as some suppose, a record of man’s quest for the Almighty; on the contrary, it is an historical account of God revealing Himself in His quest for man. With the firm conviction that the Bible is the infallibly inspired Word of the Almighty, in whom we live, move and have our being, and to whom we are responsible for our lives and actions, we turn to its pages to see what light it gives upon the various subjects which constitute the theme of this volume.<\/p>\n
According to estimates (printed 1943), which are doubtless based upon reasonably reliable statistics, there are approximately five billion people in the world today. Whence came they? Did they evolve, as some tell us from the lower forms of life? or were they created by an immediate, direct act of the Almighty? What is the testimony of the Scriptures?<\/p>\n
I. Man a Child of God by Direct Creation<\/h3>\n
And God created man in his own image,
\nin the image of God created he him;
\nmale and female created he them …
\nAnd Jehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground,
\nand breathed into his nostrils the breath of life;
\nand man became a living soul.\u201d (Genesis 1:27; 2:7)<\/p><\/blockquote>\nIn the first of these quotations we are told that God created man in His image, after His likeness. The word rendered create<\/em> is \u05d1\u05b8\u05bc\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 <\/strong> barah.<\/em> It occurs some fifty-odd times in the Hebrew Scriptures. Wherever it appears in the active voice, God is the subject. The reason for this literary phenomenon is that God alone can perform the act that is expressed by this term. This word occurs in Genesis 1:1 and refers to the creation of the universe. There was a time when God alone existed. He put forth the creative act, the result of which was the bringing into existence of the material universe. This earth, as we have already seen, suffered under a catastrophic disaster and was reduced to a state of desolation and waste. Following this wreckage, there were six days during which the Lord Almighty repaired <\/em>to a certain extent the damage wrought, and remodeled<\/em> the earth for the reception of man whom He purposed to create, and whom He did bring forth on the sixth day of this period of reconstruction. On the fifth day, however, according to Genesis 1:20, He created the fowls of the air and the sea monsters. This type of life was new, for the Lord stepped forward in His plan and brought forth that form of existence which had not been prior to that time. This fact is set forth by the word created.<\/em> As a crowning work of His labors, on the sixth day, He created<\/em> man in His image, after His likeness (Genesis 1:26). The personalities decreed that they would make man in their image after their likeness. In doing this, they brought forth a new type of life \u2014 something different from that which had been created. We cannot avoid this conclusion when we realize that the word create<\/em> means to bring into existence that which had no prior form or substance. Man was thus patterned in the image of God. According to Genesis 2:7 the Lord formed man’s body of the dust of the earth, breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul. Since it is evident that God is represented in the Scriptures as being a Spirit, He does not have a physical or material body. For example, in Isaiah 31:3 the Lord declared that the Egyptians were men and not God and followed this statement by a parallel one which He said that their horses were flesh and not Spirit. In this couplet of Hebrew poetry men<\/em> in the first line corresponds to flesh<\/em> in the second; and God <\/em>in the first, to spirit<\/em> in the second. In perfect conformity to this representation is the statement in John 4:23,24, which declares that God is a Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth. When the Scriptures therefore declare that man was made in the image of God, after His likeness, it is evident that his spiritual nature is the thing under consideration. The Apostle Paul, in Hebrews 12:9, spoke of God as \u201cthe Father of spirits.\u201d In Numbers 16:22 Moses and Aaron, having fallen upon their faces, said, \u201cO God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?\u201d These and other passages lay emphasis upon the fact that God is a Spirit and that He is the Father of the spirits of men. From these facts we conclude that man is a child of God by a direct creative act of the Almighty.<\/p>\n
This conclusion is confirmed by a further study of the word rendered create<\/em>. God alone existed in that portion of eternity which in the Book of Genesis is called \u201cIn the beginning.\u201d He put forth an act which is expressed by the word create<\/em>, the result of which was the coming into existence of the material universe. As we have already seen, on the fifth day mentioned in Genesis, chapter 1, He stepped forward in His activity and brought into existence animal life \u2014 both fowls and marine animals: He brought into being that which had no prior existence. By this statement I mean that there had not been any animal life upon the earth after the disaster mentioned in Genesis 1:2 until the fifth day when God created the fowls and fishes. As stated above, the Almighty, after a consultation in the Godhead, brought into existence man, who was created after His likeness and in His image. These are the facts as they are gleaned from the scriptural statements referred to and from others that might be mentioned.<\/p>\n
Confirmation of the position that man did not evolve from some lower form of life, but was the product of God’s creative activity, is found in the vast gulf separating man from animal life. We frequently hear people speak of the \u201cmissing link\u201d between man and the animals. This statement assumes that there is a very narrow chasm between them; the facts show that there is a vast expanse separating them.<\/p>\n
Dr. A. H. Strong in his Systematic Theology<\/em> shows that in eight outstanding ways man is differentiated from the animals and is occupying a much higher position. To these let us give special attention.<\/p>\n
The brute is conscious, but is not self-conscious. For instance, a dog cannot say, \u201cI am a dog.\u201d He does not differentiate between himself and his sensations. He perceives things, but unlike man he does not have apperception; that is, \u201cperception accompanied by reference of it to the self to which it belongs.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the second place, the animal has percepts \u2014 he sees and in a limited way comprehends what comes before him, but he does not have concepts. Abstractions are foreign to his limited way of thinking. The brute remembers things and persons, but does not give any evidence of remembering certain thoughts or abstract ideas. Man alone possesses this power.<\/p>\n
In the third place, beasts do not have language, in the strict sense of the term. Language is the vehicle of thought. Words are simply symbols of ideas or concepts. Where there are no concepts, there can be no language. The parrot’s being able to learn a few words or short sentences can in no wise be considered as its possessing language. Since language consisting of words is the symbol of ideas, the brutes that are unable to interpret these signs are incapable of language.<\/p>\n
In the fourth place, animals are incapable of expressing judgments. For instance, they cannot say in a categorical way, This is that, or this is the thing which I have mentioned. There is no evidence that the animals associate ideas of a similar nature. Man alone possesses this capacity.<\/p>\n
In the fifth place, animals have little or no reasoning power. They know nothing about the law of causation \u2014 the relation between antecedents and consequences. It is true that there are associations of such ideas with others on the part of the brute creation, but never is there evidence of an intelligent judgment. Man alone possesses this capability.<\/p>\n
In the sixth place, animals have no general ideas of space, time, substance, right, wrong. They cannot reason from the specific to the general; there can be therefore no progress or advancement. Observation of the various animals reveals that they do certain things simply by instinct. For instance, the bird’s first nest is as perfect as the last one it builds. The same is true with reference to the beaver, the honey bee, or any other animal or insect. It is not thus with man. He is able to form judgments, to make generalizations, to recognize the law of causation, and to make certain combinations of abstract or general ideas. Thereupon he puts these into practice and makes advancement. The animal can see the printed page of the newspaper or a book, but he can never understand the significance of the words \u2014 symbols of ideas. Man sees these words and reads the message. He thus goes from one state to another and makes progress.<\/p>\n
In the seventh place, let us note that animals have determination, but no self-determination. There is no evidence of a conscious planning or movement toward some desirable objective. Dr. Strong has called our attention to the fact that the donkey, for instance, has determination, but no self-determination. He is the victim of heredity and environment. \u201cMan, though implicated in nature through his bodily organization, is in his personality supernatural; the brute is wholly submerged in nature … Man is like a ship in the sea \u2014 in it, yet above it \u2014 guiding his course, by observing the heavens, even against wind and current. A brute has no such power; it is in nature like a balloon, wholly immersed in air, and driven about by its current, with no power of steering,\u201d \u2014 Harris, in Philosophical Basis of Theism<\/em>, as quoted by Strong.<\/p>\n
In the eighth and last place, let me call attention to the fact that the beast does not have a conscious nor a religious nature. For instance, a dog might bite a person; he does not give any evidence of being sorry for his act. The cat, which jumps upon the table and takes some food, running away with it, does not give any evidence of compunctions of conscience. Someone has said, \u201cThe aspen trembles without fear, and dogs skulk without guilt.\u201d Animals tremble and manifest fear in the presence of danger, but never act in such a way as to show any reverence for the Almighty, the reason being that they do not have a religious nature.<\/p>\n
From the above considerations it is quite evident to the candid truth seeker that there is a vast gulf which separates man from even the highest of the brute creation. John Burroughs in Ways of Nature<\/em> has put the situation thus: \u201cAnimal life parallels human life at many points, but it is in another plane. Something guides the lower animals, but it is not thought; something restrains them, but it is not judgment; they are provident without prudence; they are wise without knowledge; they are rational without reason; they are deceptive without guile… When they are joyful, they sing or play; when they are distressed, they mourn or they cry;… and yet I do not suppose they experience the emotion of joy or sorrow, of anger or love, as we do, because these feelings in them do not involve reflection memory, and what we call the higher nature, as with us.\u201d The animal looks inward, whereas man looks outward and upward. Though it is true that man shares with the brute animal life, man possesses an intellectual and spiritual nature which is conspicuously absent from the animal creation. The animal has a capacity only for those things which pertain to the fleshly nature; man, on the contrary, has a capacity for spiritual things and a yearning for his Creator; therefore he is a special creation and a child of God in that sense. These facts differentiate men from the animals.<\/p>\n
Man does occupy a place of dignity \u2014 even now \u2014 in the great economy of God. In our thinking of the great honor conferred upon us by our Creator, let none of us arrive at the false conclusion that there is a spark of divinity in the breast of each of us, and that we are by our own efforts and intelligence to develop into supermen or demigods; for such is contrary to the revealed revelation of God in the Scriptures.<\/p>\n
God is the self-existing one, the omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient one. He is the one in whom we live and move and have our continual being. By His grace, mercy, and love we are permitted to live upon this earth and to enjoy the good things which He confers upon us \u2014 even though we may not recognize the fact nor acknowledge it. I wish it were in my power to deliver the speech to all men which was given by the Apostle Paul at Lystra:<\/p>\n
Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good tidings, that ye should turn from these vain things unto a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is: who in the generations gone by suffered all the nations to walk in their own ways. And yet he left not himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness. And with these sayings scarce restrained they the multitudes from doing sacrifice unto them.\u201d (Acts 14:15-18)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
II. The Unity of the Human Race<\/h3>\n
The Scriptures teach that God created Adam in His own image after His likeness and that out of a rib removed from man’s side He built woman. According to the Scriptures Adam and Eve were the first couple upon the earth \u2014 after the catastrophe of Genesis 1:2. According to the Apostle Paul God:<\/p>\n
… made of one every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek God, if haply they might feel after him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us: for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain even of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.\u201d (Acts 17:26-28)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
In keeping with the Genesis account that the human family sprang from the first couple, Adam and Eve, is the statement concerning the sinfulness of the race which is traced back by the Apostle Paul to one transgression of our foreparents in Eden (see Romans 5:12-21).<\/p>\n
The Scriptural account of the beginning of the human race in the Tigris-Euphrates Valley (Genesis, chapter 2) is confirmed by leading ethnologists and archaeologists who concede that the oldest civilizations have been found in both the Tigris-Euphrates and the Nile Valleys. The most recent excavations, however, point to that of the Tigris-Euphrates Valley as being the older. From this center the early tribes and groups of men migrated to various parts of the face of the globe. In this connection it is well for us to note certain scriptural statements relative to the one original continent.<\/p>\n
In Genesis 1:9, we are told, \u201cAnd God said, Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.\u201d According to this verse there was but one original continent and one sea. This position is confirmed by II Peter 3:5-7. But we have five major continents. What is the explanation? It is found in Genesis 10:25. Here we are told that the earth was divided in the days of Peleg \u2014 the original continent was split up into the present land distribution. Of course, there have been various disturbances on the face of the globe from time to time, which have changed the boundaries of certain lands; but before this major disaster, both animals and men scattered out over this one original continent.<\/p>\n
According to the biblical account, before the disruption of the earth, God at Babel confounded the language of the people. At that time He likewise could have given them their several racial characteristics, which are in evidence at the present day. This position, however, cannot be proved. I am simply throwing out the suggestion as a possibility to account for these racial peculiarities. As is well known, climate, environment, and personal habits do to a certain extent, affect the general appearance of certain peoples. Thus archaeology and history confirm the biblical account in pointing to one origin for all races.<\/p>\n
When the languages of the various nations are studied and compared carefully, one discovers evidence pointing backward to earlier groups of tongues. By comparative philology these family groups are traced back into the distant past. The farther back the investigator goes the fewer the languages and basic root forms. The evidence therefore points back to a few original languages \u2014 small in number in comparison with those which now exist. This evidence is corroborative of the biblical account which traces the various languages to the judgment which fell upon the human family at Babel. Moreover, it points to the unity of the race.<\/p>\n
A study of the human family from the psychological point of view brings one to the conclusion that there is a kinship of races and peoples. The mental habits and moral characteristics, together with tendencies and capacities, all indicate a kinship of the peoples of the earth. When their traditions are examined and their philosophies studied, additional proof is afforded for the unity of the human race.<\/p>\n
Moreover, the evidence thus far adduced is strengthened from the physiological standpoint. Comparative physiology proves beyond peradventure that all tribes and races are from the one species \u2014 man. The cranial and osteological and dental characteristics of all races argue for kinship. Moreover, the fertility of union of any and all races prove the oneness of the species. Thus the evidence brought to us by science proves conclusively the unity of the human race as it is presented to us in the Scriptures.<\/p>\n
III. The Nature of Man’s Being<\/h3>\n
We are told that God made man of the dust of the earth and that He \u201cbreathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul\u201d (Genesis 2:7). The word rendered soul is also often used with respect to the animals. God created them and gave them life or a soul. When, however, He created man, He did something which was not performed at the creation of the animals; namely, he breathed into man’s nostrils the breath of lives (literally rendered) and man became a living soul. As we have already seen, the animals have a soul or life. But man has something more, according to the biblical account, than they have. The animals have a limited intellect. On the contrary, man has an intellectual and spiritual nature that is capable of great development and advancement. This fact man has demonstrated to his satisfaction.<\/p>\n
What is meant by the soul1<\/sup> of man? An examination of a few passages of Scripture will give us a very definite idea. According to Numbers 16:22 God is \u201cthe God of the spirits of all flesh.\u201d According to Zechariah 12:1 Jehovah God formed \u201cthe spirit of man within him.\u201d In keeping with this statement is one by the Apostle Paul which speaks of \u201cthe spirit of the man, which is in him\u201d (I Corinthians 2:11). From these passages it is clear that man has a spirit and that it is differentiated from the Spirit of God. But in such passages as Genesis 35:18, we read of the death of Rachel, concerning whom it is said, \u201cAnd it came to pass, as her soul was departing (for she died) …\u201d Here we are told that Rachel’s soul departed from her body. In I Kings 17:21 we find Elijah praying to God that the soul of the widow’s son might return into his body: \u201cO Jehovah my God, I pray thee, let this child’s soul come into him again.\u201d James, in speaking of a person, says \u201c… the body apart from the spirit is dead\u201d (James 2:26). The first of the passages cited above differentiates the spirit of man from the Spirit of God. The other quotations emphasize the spiritual nature of the soul and distinguish it from the material body.<\/p>\n
The terms, soul and spirit, are used interchangeably in the Scriptures. For instance, in Genesis 41:8 we are told that Pharaoh’s \u201cspirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof\u201d in order that they might interpret his dream. But in Psalm 42:6 the writer declared, \u201cMy soul is cast down within me.\u201d In the first passage Moses spoke of the spirit of Pharaoh and its being troubled, but the psalmist mentioned his soul and its being cast down. To what did he refer? It is quite evident that he was speaking of his spirit. Nevertheless he called it his soul. The Lord Jesus likewise spoke of His disquietude by saying, \u201cNow is my soul troubled.\u201d Of course He was using the Greek language. The word is properly rendered soul. Nevertheless, we know that He was speaking of His spirit. On the other hand in John 13:21, we are told, \u201cwhen Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in the spirit…\u201d In the first instance John says that Jesus was troubled in His soul, but in the second one He was troubled in His spirit. The trouble was the same in each case. It is clear from these quotations that Christ’s spiritual nature was in one instance called His soul and in the other His spirit. According to Matthew 20:28 the Lord Jesus came to \u201cgive his life a ransom for many.\u201d The term rendered life is the word soul. The emphasis is laid upon the spiritual sacrifice which the Lord Jesus made in His redemption of the human family. Regarding our Lord’s death, Matthew declared that He \u201cyielded up his spirit\u201d (Matthew 27:50). From these and many other passages it is quite evident that soul and spirit are used synonymously in the Scriptures in referring to the spiritual nature of man. Additional proof of this proposition may be seen from the phrase, \u201cspirits of just men made perfect\u201d (Hebrews 12:23). From the context it is quite clear that the author was speaking of saved people who will have received their spiritual bodies at the time foreseen in the vision. In speaking of these, he called them spirits of just men. John, in Revelation, declared that he \u201csaw underneath the altar the souls of them that had been slain for the word of God\u201d (Revelation 6:9). Soul, here, means the spirit. Many are the additional instances which might be cited and which show that the two terms are used interchangeably.<\/p>\n
Additional light on man’s constitution may be seen from such statements as Matthew 10:28. There the Lord Jesus warned His disciples, \u201cAnd be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both the soul and body in hell\u201d (Cf. Luke 12:4,5). In these passages the Lord Jesus spoke of man as consisting of body and spirit. The Apostle Paul spoke of himself as having a body and a spirit: \u201cFor I verily, being absent in body but present in spirit, have already as though I were present judged him that hath so wrought this thing…\u201d (I Corinthians 5:3).<\/p>\n
Further confirmation that the soul and the spirit are the same is seen by reference to such a passage as Amos 6:8 in which the prophet declared, \u201cThe Lord Jehovah hath sworn by himself, saith Jehovah, the God of hosts.\u201d In the original the word rendered himself<\/em> is soul. <\/em>Isaiah, in impersonating the Lord Jehovah declared: \u201cBehold, my servant, whom I uphold; my chosen, in whom my soul delighteth: I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the Gentiles\u201d (Isaiah 42:1). Here God speaks of His soul’s delighting in His Servant, the Messiah. Speaking through Jeremiah, God said, \u201cShall I not visit them for these things? saith Jehovah; shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?\u201d (Jeremiah 9:9). Concerning one who shrinks back and is not willing to go forward, the Lord declared in Hebrews 10:38: \u201cBut my righteous one shall live by faith: And if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him.\u201d From these and other scriptures it is clear that God speaks of His spirit as His soul.<\/p>\n
It is clear that Jesus, in referring to man’s spiritual nature, called it his soul, in Mark 12:29,30: \u201cThe first [commandment] is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God, the Lord is one: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.\u201d Here the highest functions of the human spirit are spoken of as being performed by the soul. The Virgin Mary in her jubilation praised God and said, \u201cMy soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.\u201d According to Hebrew parallelism, soul in the first line corresponds to spirit in the second and identifies them as one and the same thing. The conclusion is strengthened by the fact that this is a reference to worship, which is rendered by the soul. As a final citation, I wish to call attention to Mark 8:36,37:<\/p>\n
For what doth it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life?
\nFor what should a man give in exchange for his life (Greek word is soul)?\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\nFrom this passage it is abundantly evident that soul here refers to man’s spiritual nature which, if he loses, he loses everything.<\/p>\n
Our attention sometimes is called to such passages as I Thessalonians 5:23: \u201cAnd the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.\u201d From this passage it is assumed that man is a threefold being, consisting of body, soul, and spirit. This passage must be interpreted in the light of other facts that have already been brought out regarding man’s spiritual and corporeal nature. We have seen that man consists of soul and body or spirit and body. Moreover, we see that spirit and soul are used synonymously in the passages already cited and in many others that might be brought forth. According to the Lord Jesus, Israel was commanded : \u201c… thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all they mind, and with all thy strength.\u201d Our Lord here uses four nouns: heart, soul, mind, and strength. Are we to infer from this statement that man is a fivefold being, the argument being based upon these four nouns plus his fleshly nature? No one ever comes to this conclusion. An examination of all the passages in which these various words occur shows that the first three of them are used synonymously. In this citation, however, the fourth one, strength, is used as a synonym of the first three. In the same way we are not to conclude that man has a threefold nature from Paul’s use of spirit, body, and soul in I Thessalonians 5:23.<\/p>\n
Another passage that is sometimes interpreted as proof of this position is Hebrews 4:12:<\/p>\n
For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword,
\nand piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow,
\nand quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\nFrom the context we see that the writer of this passage was referring to Christ, the living Word, who as he asserted, is \u201csharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow.\u201d On this passage Dr. A. H. Strong makes the following comment \u201c ‚Piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow,‘ equal not the dividing of soul from spirit or of joints from marrow, but rather the piercing of the soul and the spirit, even to their very joints and marrow: i.e., to the very depths of the spiritual nature.\u201d On this passage Bishop Moule makes the following comment: \u201cSoul equals spirit organized, inseparably linked with the body; spirit equals man’s inner being considered as Gods gift. Soul equals man’s inner being viewed as his own; spirit equals man’s inner being viewed as from God. They are not separate elements.\u201d Since soul and spirit are used synonymously in the Scriptures, and since the word rendered soul in various connections shows a most intimate connection with the body taking everything into consideration a logical thinker reaches the conclusion that the word soul is applied to the spirit when it is thought of in connection with the body, but that spirit is used to refer to the same identical nature of man viewed in relation to God, who is pure Spirit.<\/p>\n
The understanding of this most important subject enables one to avoid many serious and grave errors and heresies which grow out of a forced interpretation of I Thessalonians 5:23,25 and Hebrews 4:12.<\/p>\n
IV. Whence The Soul or Spirit of Man<\/h3>\n
There are three leading theories regarding this question.<\/p>\n
A. The Hypothesis of Pre-existence<\/h2>\n
This theory was held by some of the outstanding Greek philosophers, such as Plato. Philo the Jew, and Origen \u2014 one of the great Church Fathers in the early Christian centuries-likewise espoused this view. Kant, Julius Mueller, and Edward Beecher in modern times accepted this position.<\/p>\n
Plato and those of his school of thought believed in the great archetype of all things. To them there was the great world of ideas that was the pattern after which material things were shaped. This philosophical contention lay at the base of the doctrine of the transmigration of the soul or its pre-existence. Some modern philosophers think that our intuitions are due to experiences in a former state. Some modern poets have expressed the same views. There is nothing in the Scriptures to support such fantastic ideas. In fact, the Bible is positively against this position. As we have already seen, it affirms that God created man in His image. Paul traced man’s present condition back to Adam’s sin. To assert the pre-existence of the soul is simply to throw back the question of transgression into a former state and to charge God with allowing the soul to be placed in the flesh under different circumstances which are most unfavorable to his development and advancement. The theory explains nothing; it simply befogs the entire issue. We shall therefore dismiss it as unscientific.<\/p>\n
B. The Creation Hypothesis<\/h2>\n
Aristotle, among Greek philosophers, and such men as Jerome of the early Latin Church Fathers, together with some Roman Catholic and Reformed theologians, held to this view, which asserts that there is a pure soul created directly by the Almighty and is placed in the body of the child either at conception, at birth, or between those two events. Those seeking support of this contention from the Scriptures call attention to certain passages which speak of God and of His being the Father of Spirits, of the one who formed the spirit of man within him. Such expressions do not prove that which is claimed. God is said to form the body of man. For instance, in Psalm 139:13,14 this fact is asserted. The Almighty spoke to Jeremiah and said that he formed his body in the womb (Jeremiah 1:5). Does He create by such an act the body of each individual? The facts prove exactly the opposite. Animals propagate their kind both as to body and the limited intellect that they have. To assert that man propagates the fleshly part of his being, but that God created a spirit for each person thus begotten is to place the brute creation on a higher plane than man. Such a thought as this is inconceivable. Other and more serious objections can be brought against this hypothesis, but this discussion must suffice.<\/p>\n
C. The Traducianist Hypothesis<\/h2>\n
Tertullian advocated this position. It was implied in the teaching of Augustine and seems to be held by the leading theologians of the present day.<\/p>\n
This theory holds that God directly created Adam, soul and body, and that he and Eve were given the power to propagate their species. This position is taught in Genesis 1:27,28; 2:7; 4:1; and in other places. When one looks at the vegetable and animal kingdoms, and notes that they reproduce after their own kind, it is only reasonable to suppose that man has the same powers of reproduction \u2014 to produce after his own kind. This position is further confirmed by observations innumerable. The offspring usually reflects \u2014 in both soul and body \u2014 the characteristics of the parents and ancestors. The Mendelian ratio seems to govern in all particulars the offspring. When all the facts are taken into consideration we are justified in believing that the offspring is begotten \u2014 both body and spirit \u2014 by the parents. The Mendelian ratio will account for all the celebrities2<\/sup> and distinguished ones in various lines of activity and also the subnormals.<\/p>\n
V. Man in the Image of God<\/h3>\n
An examination of our data shows that man was made in the image of God in a twofold manner: first, in the natural likeness of His Creator \u2014 personality; second, in the moral image of God \u2014 holiness. It is of the greatest importance that we distinguish between the elements of these two sides of his spiritual nature. By reason of his being in the natural image of God he possesses certain faculties: intellect, sensibility, will. By reason of his being in the moral image of the Almighty he possesses certain right tendencies: bent, proclivity, inclination, disposition. Because he has intellect, affections, and will, he has certain definite powers. Because of bent, proclivity, inclination, and disposition, he moves in a certain definite direction. Because he was created in this twofold manner in the image of God, he had a moral nature and a holy character.<\/p>\n
A. The Natural Image of God<\/h2>\n
As we have already seen, man’s personality differentiates him from the animal creation and places him upon the highest plane of beings inhabiting the earth. He therefore has self-consciousness. Moreover, he has world-consciousness and may move toward moral ends.<\/p>\n
Man’s natural likeness to God is an inalienable characteristic. When the Lord authorized human government (Genesis 9:6), He instituted capital punishment for all murderers. No man has a right to take the life of his fellow-man, because his victim is made in the image of God \u2014 even though he now is in a fallen state. According to I Corinthians 11:7, man in general is in the image of God. James deplores the fact that men with their mouths curse others \u201cwho are made after the likeness of God\u201d (James 3:9). From these and many other passages which could be quoted, we learn that man is still in the image of God and should be considered in this light. It is true that he is not at present in the perfect image of God because he is a finite being and because, as we shall later see, this image has been marred by the Fall. Nevertheless, he is still in this image, possessing the natural likeness of God’s spiritual image \u2014 personality. Regardless of man’s condition intellectually, socially, and morally, he is still in this image and should be respected because of this fact alone.<\/p>\n
Polish, culture, and education do not make the man. They are not essentials of personality but only incidental. The real personality lies in his intellectual and spiritual endowments which, as we have already suggested, are the very essence of his make-up. Men should therefore treat their fellow-beings with the utmost consideration, realizing that they are upon the same level and are placed in the same category notwithstanding the circumstances which may outwardly differentiate them.<\/p>\n
B. The Moral Image of God \u2014 Holiness<\/h2>\n
In addition to the powers inhering in man’s personal nature, there was that proclivity or inclination of his affections and will which inclined him toward God and gave him a bent in the direction of holiness. Since holiness is one of the attributes of God, and since man was created in the image of his Maker, naturally he possessed holiness of character when he was created. It is not a matter of speculation that man originally possessed this holiness, for we are told in Ecclesiastics 7:29 that \u201cGod made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.\u201d This statement gives us an insight into the righteousness of holiness which characterized man when he was created.<\/p>\n
The Apostle Paul urged the Christians at Ephesus to lay aside their former manner of life which was according to the old man and to \u201cput on the new man, that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth\u201d (Ephesians 4:24). From this passage we learn that man who is regenerated upon his acceptance of Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour is after God created in righteousness and holiness of truth. This passage has reference to man’s being re-created in the image of God. If laid beside the account in Genesis which asserts that man was created in the image of God, it becomes very luminous and in turn sheds much light on the original statement. In both instances God was the pattern after which man was first created or is now re-created. What is the full significance of the phrase, \u201cafter God\u201d? This same idiom occurs in Galatians 4:28: \u201cNow we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.\u201d Just as Isaac was a child of promise so are we who are born again, argues the Apostle Paul. God is a spiritual being. Man was created in His image. Hence he as a spiritual being has a spiritual nature. God is infinite and independent; man is finite and utterly dependent upon his Maker.<\/p>\n
When man is made after God at the time of his regeneration, he is created in righteousness and holiness of truth. We logically infer from this fact that man originally was created in the moral image of god, with the righteousness of his Maker stamped upon his very being. The impression is heightened by the addition of the phrase, \u201choliness of truth.\u201d From this scripture we see that man was thus created in the moral image of God and was in possession of pure righteousness and holiness.<\/p>\n
In Colossians 3:10 appears the following statement: \u201cAnd have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him.\u201d Man’s new nature which he receives at the time of accepting Christ, when he is regenerated, is renewed unto knowledge after the image of God who created him. One who is thus born again \u2014 regenerated, saved \u2014 is brought into a new relationship to God in which he can walk by faith with Him and thus be renewed unto a more perfect knowledge of the Almighty. Thus we can see and understand that man originally was created with a capacity and an aptness to learn more and more about his Creator as he had fellowship and communion with Him. As we learn in Genesis, chapter 3, such occasions were afforded man when his Maker visited him in the Garden of Eden.<\/p>\n
In our belief that man possessed this original righteousness \u2014 being made in the image of God \u2014 we are not to conclude that this holiness was a part of his real substance and essence: because, if this were true, when man sinned, he would have ceased to exist; for at that time he lost his original righteousness and holiness. Neither was this righteousness or holiness a gift that was conferred upon him at the time of his creation or by a subsequent bestowal. But it was a bent or inclination of the soul toward God and a delighting in doing His will. Had Adam remained in fellowship with Him, he would have transmitted this original righteousness to his offspring who were begotten after his likeness. But when he sinned, he lost this original righteousness, and the children born to him afterward were begotten in the likeness of their fallen father. So have all men since been begotten in the likeness of the depraved nature of their parents.<\/p>\n
In view of these amazing facts we can only say regarding man that which Dr. A. H. Strong proclaims:<\/p>\n
The dignity of human nature consists, not so much in what man is, as in what God meant him to be, and in what God means him yet to become, when the lost image of God is restored by the union of man’s soul with Christ. Because of his future possibilities, the meanest of mankind is sacred. The great sin of the second tablet of the Decalogue is the sin of despising our fellow-man. To cherish contempt for others can have its roots only in idolatry of self and rebellion against God. Abraham Lincoln said well that ‚God must have liked common people \u2014 else He would not have made so many of them.‘ Regard for the image of God in man leads also to kind and reverent treatment even of those lower animals in which so many human characteristics are foreshadowed.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
As has been seen, man was made in the natural and moral image of God. Since there was complete accord between man’s spirit and the body into which the perfect spirit was breathed (Genesis 2:7), we might properly conclude that man’s natural image likewise reflected the splendor and the glory of God. Some have concluded that man’s physical body was after the image of God from the fact that God in the cool of the evening (Genesis, chapter 3) visited man and conversed with him. Such a belief is erroneous and farfetched.<\/p>\n
Man’s bodily nature was under the control of his spirit. As suggested above, there was no conflict between body and soul, but there seems to have been room for growth and development. This seems to be implied in the temptation which Satan placed before Eve in his saying that her eyes would be opened and that she would become as God, knowing good and evil, if she would only partake of the fruit of the tree of which she was forbidden. After the transgression the Lord God said that \u201cthe man is become as one of us, to know good and evil.\u201d From these facts we undoubtedly see that man was capable of growth and development \u2014 even though he was perfect, having been created in the image and likeness of God.<\/p>\n
Man being the highest of God’s earthly creatures, the Lord gave him authority and dominion over the fowls of the air, the beasts of the fields, and the fishes of the sea. Being of the nature that he was man was in a position to control the lower animals. This authority he lost; but, as we shall learn in a later chapter, this same authority will be given back to him in the great Kingdom Age in the future.<\/p>\n
Being in the image of God, man had blessed communion and fellowship with the Lord who paid frequent visits and conversed with him \u2014 doubtless for his spiritual growth and development. Created in the image of his Maker, man was placed in the Garden of Eden, which was a most suitable location calculated to contribute to his happiness, contentment, and joy. Here he was to grow and develop. Though he was holy and righteous, he was not confirmed in holiness but was rather in the state of innocence with a life of testing and temptation lying before him. Only one prohibition was placed before him. If he has resisted the temptation and had obeyed God, that fact would have strengthened him and he could have continued to grow and develop.<\/p>\n
It seems that in this condition he was nevertheless in a mortal state, for the natural precedes the spiritual and eternal (I Corinthians 15:45,49). If, on the other hand, Adam had maintained his integrity, it is altogether possible that his body might have been transfigured as those of the saints will be at the second coming of our Lord. But he did not do this. Although he was in a state of holiness, he substituted his will for God’s and brought wreck and ruin upon himself and his descendants. But this phase of his history we shall investigate later.<\/p>\n
\nFootnotes:<\/h4>\n
1. I am perfectly aware of various theories concerning the soul, which are built upon a materialistic conception of man. The facts of everyday experience disprove them. Hence I pass them by without further consideration.<\/p>\n
2. While the Mendelian ratio accounts for such unique characters as Hammurabi, Cyrus, Alexander, Caesar, Napoleon, Shakespeare, et al., it cannot give a scientific explanation of such men as Isaac whose birth, according to the Torah, was the result of a biological miracle which was performed by the Almighty upon the bodies of Abraham and Sarah when they were past the age of parenthood (Genesis, chapter 21). The same thing was true with regard to John the Baptist, of whom we read in the New Testament records. Moreover, Jesus of Nazareth cannot be accounted for upon biological principles, but solely upon the activity of God in fulfillment of Old Testament predictions.<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Chapter 09: Satan and the Kingdom of Darkness and Sin<\/h1>\n
One looks about and sees evidence of beauty, symmetry, order, and design throughout the entire realm of nature. At the same time one observes much distortion, disorder, disarrangement, decay, and corruption. These two sets of facts must be accounted for adequately and scientifically. We have already seen that the evidence in the world points to the fact that there is a Supreme Mind or Intelligence who brought into existence and who has preserved to the present day the great material universe and all things contained therein. Being the character that He is, He is doubtless the author of this symmetry, order, and beauty. But is He likewise the cause of all the disorder and corruption? Our answer must be an emphatic No! It is inconceivable! If He did not produce this disorder, who did? The philosophers through the centuries have been seeking an answer to the question, What is the origin of evil? This information can be found only in the Scriptures. To them we must now turn.<\/p>\n
I. Satan<\/h3>\n
From what we see of Satan and his work through the centuries, we are led to the irresistible conclusion that he has caused all the wreckage and ruin observable everywhere. Only such a powerful being, as we know him to be, could accomplish this devastation.<\/p>\n
A. Satan as Presented in Ezekiel 28:1-19<\/h2>\n
In Ezekiel, chapters 26-28, we find an oracle directed to the king of Tyre. This prediction is such an important one that it behooves every Bible student to study it most carefully in order to get its full import. We shall have to investigate more fully the being, character, and works of Satan as presented in Ezekiel, chapter 28, although we did, to a certain extent, investigate this phase of our theme in Chapter VI. I trust that the reader will bear with me because of the necessary repetition.<\/p>\n
Ezekiel prophesied in Babylon during the Exile. He was a contemporary of Jeremiah who remained in Jerusalem throughout the terrible days of the siege under Nebuchadnezzar and who finally was taken to Egypt.<\/p>\n
1. The King of Tyre<\/h4>\n
The word of Jehovah came again unto me, saying, 2 Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyre, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Because thy heart is lifted up, and thou hast said I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art man, and not God, though thou didst set thy heart as the heart of God; 3 behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that is hidden from thee; 4 by thy wisdom and by thine understanding thou hast gotten thee riches, and hast gotten gold and silver into thy treasures; 5 by thy great wisdom and by thy traffic hast thou increased thy riches, and thy heart is lifted up because of thy riches; 6 therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Because thou hast set thy heart as the heart of God, 7 therefore, behold, I will bring strangers upon thee, the terrible of the nations; and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of thy wisdom, and they shall defile thy brightness. 8 They shall bring thee down to the pit; and thou shalt die the death of them that are slain, in the heart of the seas. 9 Wilt thou yet say before him that slayeth thee, I am God? but thou art man, and not God, in the hand of him that woundeth thee. 10 Thou shalt die the death of the uncircumcised by the hand of strangers: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord Jehovah.\u201d (Ezekiel 28:1-10)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
According to verses 1 and 2 the prophet was to address an oracle to \u201cthe prince of Tyre.\u201d In these lines we learn much about the personal habits and the attitude of this heathen monarch.<\/p>\n
a. His Blasphemous Claims<\/h5>\n
In the beginning of the oracle, the Lord stated that the king’s blasphemous attitude was the reason for the pronouncement of the impending judgment: \u201cBecause thy heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a god, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas …\u201d This man was indeed conceited; he was puffed up with pride. No longer did he consider himself as an ordinary human being. On the contrary, he believed and asserted that he was a god and that he was sitting in the seat of God.<\/p>\n
It is difficult for us to understand how a man could become so very warped in his thinking as to believe that he is actually a god. Nevertheless, various monarchs, both in antiquity and at the present time, have become obsessed with this idea. Such exalted opinions can be only the result of the blinding of the mind on the part of evil powers and an exalted, and exaggerated estimate of one’s own worth and merit.<\/p>\n
b. His Wisdom and Knowledge<\/h5>\n
To this prince of Tyre the Lord made the following statement: \u201cBehold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that is hidden from thee,\u201d Daniel indeed was a wise, discreet, and prudent man. He was also very pious and godly. It appears to have been his daily habit to read the Word of God which makes men wise and gives them understanding. Moses assured Israel that by her studying the revelation given her, by teaching it to her children, and by observing it, she would become a nation recognized for great wisdom, possessing an understanding far above that of the nations round about her (Deuteronomy 4:5,6). This partly accounts for her superior intellectual endowments. Notwithstanding the fact that Daniel was one of the wisest men in the world, the prince of Tyre was wiser than he. Doubtless this man was an educated and cultured gentleman. In all probability he studied, as did Moses, the arts and the wisdom of the Egyptians (Acts 7:22), as well as the arts and sciences of other nations. In addition to his acquired wisdom and learning, he probably received special insight into the affairs of life by the aid of evil spirits, that were called demons by the Greeks. There were oracles through the priests and priestesses of which demons worked and to which the Greeks and other peoples resorted for advanced information regarding coming events. All heathenism is backed up by demonism, as one can see in Psalm 106:34-38:<\/p>\n
They did not destroy the peoples, As Jehovah commanded them,<\/p>\n
But mingled themselves with the nations, And learned their works,<\/p>\n
And served their idols, Which became a snare unto them.<\/p>\n
Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto demons,<\/p>\n
And shed innocent blood, Even the blood of their sons and of their daughters,
\nWhom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan;
\nAnd the land was polluted with blood.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\nEveryone who is acquainted with the occult world knows that there are those who are in touch with demons today and who can get much information from them. This should be no surprise to anyone who knows the Scriptures, for the Apostle Paul in I Timothy 4:1-3 warned Timothy that these demons would engage in extensive activity in the latter days. Though there is such a thing as one’s being in league with demons, let us not believe that everyone who makes claims to being able to foretell the future has such a connection with the powers of darkness and can reveal coming events. Of course no Christian, well-informed with regard to scriptural teaching, will ever consult anyone who dabbles in the occult. God hates spiritism \u2014 it is an abomination to Him. Our attitude should be the same (Isaiah 8:19-22; 47:12-15, I Timothy 4:1-3).<\/p>\n
And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits and unto the wizards, that chirp and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? on behalf of the living should they seek<\/em> unto the dead? 20 To the law and to the testimony! if they speak not according to this word, surely there is no morning for them. 21 And they shall pass through it, sore distressed and hungry; and it shall come to pass that, when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse by their king and by their God, and turn their faces upward: 22 and they shall look unto the earth, and, behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish; and into thick darkness they shall be driven away.\u201d
\n(Isaiah 8:19-22)<\/p><\/blockquote>\nc. His Wealth<\/h5>\n
By his wisdom and understanding, the prince of Tyre was able to build up a very extensive trade with the nations surrounding him. Eventually it became international in its scope and Tyre became the dominant emporium \u2014 in fact, the mart of the ancient world. It was by his wisdom and understanding that this prince was able to manipulate affairs and become the commercial czar of his day. Of course everything turned to his advantage, and he heaped to himself enormous riches and untold wealth. This fact is seen in verses 4 and 5 of Ezekiel 28.<\/p>\n
d. The Threat of a Stroke of Judgment<\/h5>\n
Because of the arrogance of this king, and because of his wisdom and great wealth, prestige, and power, the Lord hurled a threat at him, found in verses 6-10 of our quotation. First He called his attention to his having set his heart \u201cas the heart of God.\u201d He no longer thought of himself as being a mortal. On the contrary, he had climbed upon a self-built pedestal and thought of himself as God, assuming an attitude of infinite superiority to all men.<\/p>\n
The sentence of judgment because of this arrogance was \u201c… therefore, behold, I will bring strangers upon thee, the terrible of the nations; and they shall defile thy brightness.\u201d From all the circumstances we know that Ezekiel was carried by the Spirit of God something like two and a half centuries into the future and that he saw the king of Tyre who was on the throne at the time of the conquests of Alexander the Great. Thus the strangers, who are spoken of as being terrible, were none other than the invincible phalanxes of Alexander. We are told in verse 8 that they would bring this prince down to the pit; that is, they would slay him and he would be one of the slain \u201cin the heart of the seas.\u201d In the days of Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonians besieged Tyre for thirteen years, but were unable to conquer it. After that great ordeal the Tyrians moved their city to an island about half a mile from the shore and there built the strongest and most impregnable fortress of that day. Notwithstanding its great strength, the Lord declared that this king would die in the heart of the seas \u2014 in his island empire.<\/p>\n
Continuing this line of thought as he addressed the prince, the prophet asked, \u201cWilt thou yet say before him that slayeth thee, I am God?\u201d If he were a god, of course he could not be slain by men. The fact that these armies and conquerors would slay him would prove that he was not what he claimed to be. The guarantee that this prophecy would be fulfilled is: \u201c… for I have spoken it, saith the Lord Jehovah\u201d (vs. 10).<\/p>\n
From the history of the conquests of Alexander the Great we can see that this prediction was literally fulfilled. God watches over His word to perform it:<\/p>\n
Moreover the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou?
\nAnd I said, I see a rod of an almond-tree. Then said Jehovah unto me, Thou hast well seen:
\nfor I watch1<\/sup> over my word to perform it.\u201d (Jeremiah 1:11,12)<\/p><\/blockquote>\nGod will redeem and make good every promise that He has made and will carry out every threat that He has hurled against unrepentant sinners. It therefore behooves every one to seek the will of the Lord and in faith and loving obedience to conform his life thereto.<\/p>\n
2. The Anointed Cherub<\/h4>\n
Moreover the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, 12 Son of man, take up a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. 13 Thou wast in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, the topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was in thee; in the day that thou wast created they were prepared. 14 Thou wast the anointed cherub that covereth; and I set thee, so that thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. 15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created till unrighteousness was found in thee. 16 By the abundance of thy traffic they filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore have I cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God; and I have destroyed thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. 17 Thy heart was lifted up because of thy beauty; thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I have cast thee to the ground; I have laid thee before kings, that they may behold thee. 18 By the multitude of thine iniquities, in the unrighteousness of thy traffic, thou hast profaned thy sanctuaries; therefore have I brought forth a fire from the midst of thee; it hath devoured thee, and I have turned thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. 19 All they that know thee among the peoples shall be astonished at thee; thou art become a terror, and thou shalt nevermore have any being.\u201d (Ezekiel 28:11-19)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
a. The Uniqueness of the Character Portrayed in this Passage<\/h5>\n
In verse 12 the prophet was still addressing the king of Tyre. Notwithstanding this fact, he spoke of many things and experiences which far transcend anything that pertains to mortal man. For instance, in verses 13 and 15 this one is said to have been created: \u201c… <\/em>in the day that thou wast created they were prepared … Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created. …\u201d<\/p>\n
He was in Eden, the garden of God (vs. 13). This Eden must be differentiated from the one of which we read in Genesis, chapters 2 and 3. Adam was created and placed in this latter Eden, which was simply of the vegetable kingdom. But in the former Eden there was what might be called a \u201ccrystal Palace,\u201d built of \u201cevery precious stone\u201d (vs. 13), in which this mighty cherub resided.<\/p>\n
He was the perfection of beauty and full of wisdom (vs. 12). This statement could not be made in regard to any mortal man. He is also called \u201cthe anointed cherub that covereth\u201d and is said to have \u201cwalked up an down in the midst of the stones of fire.\u201d Certainly this statement could not be made of the king of Tyre of Alexander’s day. This language far transcends all human experiences.<\/p>\n
Moreover, this individual was perfect in all his ways from the day that he was created until unrighteousness entered into his heart. This statement could not be said of the king of Tyre, nor of any other mortal man since Adam’s fall. The facts just stated prove conclusively that, although the prophet addressed this unique being as the king of Tyre, he was not speaking to a literal king, but to a created <\/em>being who was associated with the throne of God and who was perfect at the beginning of his career.<\/p>\n
b. The Creation of the Anointed Cherub<\/h5>\n
The word create<\/em> in the Hebrew means to bring into existence that which has had no prior form or substance. As we have already seen in a former chapter, God alone can perform the act of creation. There was a time when this one<\/em> was not. God put forth the creative act, the result of which was his coming into existence. In verse 12 we learn that this one \u201csealest up the sum.\u201d The marginal reading of sum<\/em> is measure or pattern. In the original it literally means measurement, proportion. These ideas fundamentally mean that this one was perfect when he was created.<\/p>\n
In Job 40:15-24 we read of behemoth.<\/em> This word is rendered hippopotamus<\/em> in the marginal reading of verse 15. He is called, in verse 19, \u201cthe chief of the ways of God.\u201d The word translated \u201cchief\u201d also means head or first. This one then was the first one whom God created. In view of this statement we can see that the Lord was not thinking of a literal hippopotamus or some earthy monster, but was speaking of the first creature whom He brought into existence and was representing him under the symbolism of a terrible monster. Again, in chapter 41 God spoke of leviathan. Though the description seems to be that of a huge sea monster, the last verse of this chapter shows that we are not to take the description literally as referring to such a monster, but are to understand that the Almighty was referring to someone who was and is king over those who are designated \u201cthe sons of pride.\u201d It seems quite obvious that in both of these chapters God was speaking of the same being although two different symbols were used. As we have just seen, this one was the beginning of the ways of God. When these passages are studied in the light of Ezekiel, chapter 28, it seems obvious that the same individual is under consideration in the three chapters. It appears therefore that this one was the first created being whom God brought into existence.<\/p>\n
c. The Perfection of the Anointed Cherub<\/h5>\n
\u201cThou sealest up the sum [or measure], full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.\u201d This one was created perfect, since he filled up the full measurement of perfection. Moreover, he was the very quintessence of wisdom and prudence. In addition to this qualification he was perfect in beauty. The statement refers to his entire being and appearance (vs. 12). Being thus created, he was perfect in all his ways. No mistakes, no misjudgments, no errors, and no sin could at that time be found in anything that he thought, said, or did. Thus he was perfect in his entire being and in all his ways.<\/p>\n
d. The Abode of the Anointed Cherub<\/h5>\n
Every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, the topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was in thee; in the day that thou wast created they were prepared.\u201d (Ezekiel 28:13)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The word rendered covering is in the plural and means booths or abodes. This form of the word is kindred to the one that is regularly rendered booths and refers to the structures erected by Israel at the Feast of Tabernacles. Its use in this connection shows that the prophet was speaking about the abodes of this anointed cherub which were in Eden, the garden of God. These dwelling places or palaces were constructed of every precious stone (nine of which are mentioned) and gold.<\/p>\n
This Eden, as has already been suggested, must not be confounded with that one mentioned in Genesis, chapters 2 and 3. It existed during prehistoric times (the reader is urged to glance again at the Eternity, or the Plan of the Ages chart<\/a>). These palaces were indeed mansions which defy description by mortal tongue \u2014 yes, they surpassed our wildest imagination.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was in thee.\u201d This statement means that Satan was created with the ability of a master musician, a designer and architect, and that he built these magnificent crystal palaces. From the above data we know that this anointed cherub was not only in Eden, the garden of God, here upon this earth during prehistoric times, but that he was also in the very presence of God in heaven. The position which was entrusted to him when he was created, and which he occupied until the creation of the universe, was still held by him. He only accepted greater and larger responsibilities when he was given the lordship over this earth. When, however, he sinned, as we shall see presently, he lost both of these positions.<\/p>\n
e. The Position of the Anointed Cherub<\/h5>\n
\u201cThou wast the anointed cherub that covereth: and I set thee, so that<\/em> thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.\u201d This cherub is called the \u201canointed\u201d one \u201cthat covereth.\u201d The word rendered \u201ccovereth\u201d has a little different shade of meaning from that appearing in verse 13. It is true that the root form of the verb from which these terms come \u2014 the first a noun, the second a participle \u2014 are closely related. Nevertheless, the one appearing in verse 14 has a different shade of idea. It literally means to overshadow, to screen, or to cover. <\/em>It sometimes refers to a panoply or a canopy over some dignitary. Light may be thrown upon this passage by referring to the ark of the covenant in the Tabernacle and the cherubim that covered the mercy seat. The Shekinah of glory rested upon the mercy seat. It is altogether possible that this anointed cherub occupied a position with reference to the throne of God analogous to that of the cherubim over the mercy seat. But on this point I shall not be dogmatic. Nevertheless, we can see from this quotation that the anointed cherub occupied a very high position with respect to the throne of God and His government. In this connection one would do well to read Ezekiel, chapter 1.<\/p>\n
Another statement in this passage is, \u201c… and I set thee, so that<\/em> thou wast upon the holy mountain of God.\u201d What is meant by \u201cthe holy mountain of God\u201d? A reference to it is found in Isaiah 14:13,14:<\/p>\n
And thou saidst in thy heart, I will<\/strong> ascend into heaven,
\nI will<\/strong> exalt my throne above the stars of God;
\nand I will<\/strong> sit upon the mount of congregation, in the uttermost parts of the north;
\nI will<\/strong> ascend above the heights of the clouds;
\nI will<\/strong> make myself like the Most High.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\nAs has already been seen, the heaven of the heavens where God has His throne is in a position north from this earth. It is a very definite and specific locality in the universe. We can accept the Bible teaching on this point and at the same time believe that God is omnipresent \u2014 everywhere in the universe. We may not be able to understand how we can localize God in heaven and at the same time believe that He is everywhere; nevertheless, such is the biblical teaching which we most enthusiastically accept as true. Is this a literal mountain? Of course no one can be dogmatic in answering this question. One may draw an inference however, from the statement found in Ezekiel 40:2: \u201cIn the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel, and set me down upon a very high mountain, whereon was as it were the frame of a city on the south.\u201d This mountain here referred to can be none other than Jerusalem in the Millennial Age where the God of Jacob will reside as He reigns over the earth (Isaiah 2:1-4; Micah 4:1-8). It may be that there is likewise something which at least corresponds to a mountain in the heavenly region where God’s throne is located. We know that the Tabernacle and later the Temple were patterned after the spiritual realities in the heavenly region (see Hebrews 8:1-5). John caught a glimpse of this Temple of God in heaven (Revelation 11:19). Since the things on earth authorized by the Lord seem to be a replica of the things in heaven, and since during the Millennial Age the place where Christ will have His centralized government will be this great high mountain in Palestine (Jerusalem in its beauty and glory), it is altogether possible that the mountain in Ezekiel may refer to some exalted place of eminence where the Almighty sits enthroned in glory and sovereignty.<\/p>\n
If however \u201cmountain\u201d is not to be taken literally, it must be interpreted symbolically. When it is thus used, it signifies a government, as we see in Jeremiah 51:25. In this case the high mountain of God referred to by Ezekiel would indicate the government of the Almighty. This cherub would then occupy a very high position in the administration of the Almighty.<\/p>\n
One is led to infer that this cherub was the highest type of being that could be created; for, as we have already learned, he sealed up the measure of completion or perfection, was full of wisdom, and was perfect in beauty. This language can mean nothing other than that he was the highest type of creature who was placed over all other beings whom God brought into existence. He was the one who was next to God. Of course his life was derived from the Lord, and it was in Him that he lived and moved and had his being. Concerning the dignity, power, and authority which were given to him, we have a hint in the Book of Jude. Upon the death of Moses there was a dispute between Michael \u2014 the archangel and this cherub \u2014 \u201cthe devil\u201d as he later is called. Michael would not challenge the right and prerogatives of Satan, but turned the matter over to the Lord Jesus Christ to handle. Who did this? None other than the archangel<\/em>, the highest in authority among the good angels at the present time. The fact that he would not challenge the authority of Satan probably implies that the latter had even greater authority and power than did the archangel.<\/p>\n
He was given this authority and power when he was created. There was no being in all the universe, with the exception of Deity, who could successfully challenge him. It became necessary therefore that Michael turn the matter in discussion over to the Lord Jesus, who, being one of the Holy Trinity, could deal adequately with him. We must always remember this high position, might, and unquestioned power that were granted to Satan in order that we might evaluate some of the most fundamental principles of the Word of God. The correct understanding of this teaching paves the way for the proper comprehension of the necessity of the incarnation, the death, burial, resurrection, and atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. Moreover, this doctrine will throw a flood of light upon almost every fundamental teaching of the Word of God. Thus we cannot have it too firmly fixed in our minds that Satan doubtless was created the most powerful and authoritative being of God’s creatures.<\/p>\n
f. The Sin of the Anointed Cherub<\/h5>\n
\u201cThou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till unrighteousness was found in thee.\u201d From these statements we see that this anointed cherub was perfect in every part of his being. He sealed up perfection. He was full of wisdom, was perfect in beauty, and was perfect in all his ways until unrighteousness was found in him. Whatever God does is perfect. On the contrary, what fallen man does is imperfect and marred with blemishes. When the Lord created this anointed cherub, he was a powerful, holy, righteous, just, loving, loyal creature. Notwithstanding these facts, unrighteousness was found in him and he sinned. How was it possible for such a holy, consecrated, loyal subject to commit sin and engage in unrighteousness? The answer to this question reaches the very heart of the age-old problem of the origin of evil and sin. Philosophers and theologians have speculated and guessed in regard to this matter. Many strange, weird, and unreasonable arguments have been advanced for the various positions taken by thinkers, but the proper understanding of this case will, in my judgment, give the answer.<\/p>\n
This anointed cherub was a being, possessing the attributes or characteristics of personality, which are intellect, sensibility, and free will. As stated above, he was a holy being, with his affections and loyalties directed to his Maker. The bent of his soul and mind, his inclinations, his sentiments, his loyalties were all definitely focused upon the Almighty, His plans, and His purposes. Blessed fellowship and communion existed between them. It was his will to do the will of God. Doubtless the following motto expressed the very sentiment of his heart: \u201cGod’s will; nothing more, nothing less, nothing else.\u201d This position is demanded by the fact that he sealed up the measure, completion, proportion and was full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. Nevertheless, he sinned and unrighteousness was found in him.<\/p>\n
How could such a being like him sin, and how could unrighteousness be found in him? This question is answered in the following quotation:<\/p>\n
By the abundance of thy traffic they filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore have I cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God; and I have destroyed thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. 17 Thy heart was lifted up because of thy beauty; thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I have cast thee to the ground; I have laid thee before kings, that they may behold thee.\u201d (Ezekiel 28:16,17)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The reader should notice carefully the statement, \u201cBy the abundance of thy traffic they filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned.\u2026 Thy heart was lifted up because of thy brightness.\u201d It was by the abundance of the traffic of this cherub that \u201cthey\u201d filled the midst of \u201cthee\u201d with violence. What is meant by traffic<\/em> in this verse, and the abundance<\/em> of this traffic? This meaning can be ascertained when we realize the parallel which is drawn between the actual king of Tyre, an adumbration of Satan, on the one hand, and this anointed cherub when he was the god of this world, living and reigning in Eden, the garden of God, during prehistoric times.<\/p>\n
Who are the ones referred to by \u201cthey\u201d? There are two possible answers. One theory is that this pronoun refers to the angels who were working under this cherub and serving him. The other is that there was a pre-Adamic race upon the earth. We have already seen the possibility of such a primitive people, though I would not affirm their existence. If, however, there was such an early race, it is altogether possible that reference is made to it. Then again, the pronoun, they, may refer to both the angels and also to the pre-Adamic race \u2014 if there were such.<\/p>\n
The creatures thus referred to were used by Satan in the abundance of traffic to fill his capital with violence. By the abundance of the trade carried on by the historic king of Tyre, he increased his riches, his heart was lifted up, and he set himself up as a god. In his doing this, he was simply following in the footsteps of the anointed cherub. The analogy thus drawn forces us to the position that there was some type of trade and traffic that was carried on by the inhabitants of the earth during prehistoric times under the management and authority of the anointed cherub. The traffic was abundant. Everything gravitated toward him and the gratification of his own desires and purposes.<\/p>\n
By the increase and abundance of the traffic the very heart of this anointed cherub was filled with violence; that is, those subservient spirits did the bidding and will of the anointed cherub to such an extent that thoughts of violence and a desire to be worshipped finally sprang into being in his very heart. These thoughts grew and became overpowering in his very soul. The result of this heart condition was that he sinned. Confirmation of this position is found in Job 41:34: \u201cHe beholdeth everything that is high: He is king over all the sons of pride.\u201d We have already seen that these passages (Job, chapters 40 and 41) are veiled references to this anointed cherub after his rebellion against God. Those who were serving him are called \u201cthe sons of pride.\u201d These doubtless were the angels who rebelled against God and who are mentioned in Revelation 12:4. Here they are called \u201cthe stars of heaven.\u201d A third of them fell from their high estate in this original revolt against God, being led by the dragon, the old serpent, the devil (Revelation 12:9). That Satan’s disloyalty to God and his rebellion were the cause of his sin seems to be hinted at in I Timothy 3:6. In this passage Paul gave Timothy the qualifications of those who should be appointed as bishops (elders) in the church of God. In describing possible candidates for the eldership, he declared that a novice should not be appointed \u201clest being puffed up he fall into the condemnation of the devil.\u201d It was pride and a haughty spirit that caused Satan’s downfall, together with the praise and adulation of those who were under him. This supposition is likewise strengthened by the analogy which Paul draws between Satan and the man who is appointed to the eldership without the qualifications necessary to that office. Should some man without these qualifications be thus appointed, he would be open to the temptation of pride engendered by the adulation and praise of those over whom he presided in the church of God. \u201cPride goeth<\/em> before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall\u201d (Proverbs 16:18). From the facts just seen, one may be absolutely positive that the cause of Satan’s rebellion was his manipulation of the traffic throughout his realm and his making it contribute to his glory and praise in the sight of those under his jurisdiction.<\/p>\n
The constant, continual heaping up of praise and adoration upon this anointed cherub led him to lose sight of his first love \u2014 devotion and loyalty to God \u2014 and caused him to have too high and exalted opinion regarding himself. We may infer from his being \u201cthe king of all the sons of pride\u201d that these servile spirits rendered homage, praise, and worship to him rather than to the Creator. The fact that he accepted the adulation, worship, and praise of these subordinate spirits is evidence that he substituted his own wishes, desires, and will for those of the Almighty. As is well known, the substitution of the will of the creature for that of the Creator is the essence of sin. Satan exercised his own free choice. He deliberately took the step of his choosing, substituted his own will for that of the Almighty, and received the worship of the creatures, which was due to God alone. To this conclusion all the data bearing upon this subject in the Scriptures point.<\/p>\n
Another factor contributing to Satan’s substitution of his will for that of his Maker was his beauty and brightness. These things gripped the souls of his admirers. Men are attracted to those who have good personalities and who have unusual mental and spiritual endowments along with an imposing, pleasing appearance. In the light of human experience we can readily see how these facts contributed to Satan’s rebellion and downfall. It was this act of substitution of his will for the will of God, which brought about the wreckage and the ruin seen throughout the entire universe today.<\/p>\n
3. The Significance of Ezekiel 28:18,19<\/h4>\n
By the multitude of thine iniquities, in the unrighteousness of thy traffic, thou hast profaned thy sanctuaries; therefore have I brought forth a fire from the midst of thee; it hath devoured thee, and I have turned thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. 19 All they that know thee among the peoples shall be astonished at thee: thou art become a terror, and thou shalt nevermore have any being.\u201d (Ezekiel 28:18,19)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
What is the significance of these verses? It is altogether possible that they refer to this anointed cherub who by his sin and rebellion was cast from his high place of responsibility and power. If this interpretation is correct, they refer to the wreckage that was wrought upon the primeval earth. That era of bliss and happiness was brought to a close by Satan’s rebellion. As the unchallenged ruler of the earth, he ceased to be. Such would be the implication of the clause in verse 19: \u201c… and thou shalt nevermore have any being.\u201d If these verses refer to Satan, we must accept this as the significance of these words; because we know from other passages (see Revelation 20:10) that this diabolical spirit will live forever and ever in the place to which he will be assigned.<\/p>\n
It is altogether possible that a new paragraph should begin with verse 18 and that this and the following one should be interpreted as referring to the king of Tyre of Alexander’s day. If it refers to him, these verses then foretell the complete destruction of the kingdom of Tyre as it was accomplished by Alexander the Great. That civilization was destroyed and passed away, and the king who claimed that he was God had no more being as an earthly monarch.<\/p>\n
As to which of the above-mentioned interpretations is the exact one, I cannot say. The latter, however, seems to be the more probable. Let us continue to study this question and seek for further light on it.<\/p>\n
4. Earthly Monarchs Who Walk in the Footsteps of Satan<\/h4>\n
As we have seen in the preceding discussion, what the king of Tyre of Alexander’s day did was nothing more than to follow in the footsteps of Satan, who by the abundance of his traffic which was conducted by his subjects for his benefit, was filled with violence and sin. Thus we see that material riches together with the praise, adulation, and worship of subordinates contributed most powerfully to the undoing of Satan.<\/p>\n
The same thing will bring about the downfall of anyone who follows in Satan’s footstePsalm A survey of the kings of the earth throughout the centuries reveals that in most instances human sovereigns have followed closely in the footsteps of Satan, in his plunge from the heights of glory to the depths of sin, rebellion, condemnation, and judgment. History shows that as a rule kings and earthly monarchs heap to themselves material wealth, prestige, and power. They consider the great masses of men only as their servants who are to labor and toil largely for their own fleshly aggrandizement, pleasure, prestige, and power. For example, look at the ancient Pharaohs, especially those who built the pyramids and the great temples at Karnak and Luxor. The common people lived practically in slavery, the fruits of the toil of their hands being seized by the government in order that the reigning sovereign might have everything for which his heart yearned. The pyramids, as we know, were the tombs of the kings. They laid great emphasis upon the future life which, according to their superstition, depended largely upon the preservation of the body. These monarchs were not interested in a future life for their subjects. They were looking out for their own selfish interests and cared practically nothing for the welfare of the masses. According to them their subjects lived solely for contributing to the pleasure and enjoyment of royalty. What was true of many of the Pharaohs was also true of the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Hittites, and the rulers of the ancient world. Even since the beginning of the Christian Era unfortunately all too many sovereigns have considered their subjects as nothing more than chattel and have ground them down by extreme taxation in order that they themselves might have all which they desired. The masses were therefore little more than slaves in the eyes of the monarchs.<\/p>\n
In carrying out such plans and in sponsoring trade, commerce, and traffic, these sovereigns have simply been duplicating \u2014 on a small scale \u2014 what Satan did to a practically unlimited degree in prehistoric days prior to the time when he openly, of his free will and choice, rebelled against God.<\/p>\n
We know that there will be yet one more world sovereign the Antichrist \u2014 who will enact the role of Satan even to a far greater extent than any king or ruler in the past has ever done. This man will come to believe that he is God, will oppose all that is called God, and will demand that all men render praise and adoration to him as God. This fact is not to be an occasion of amazement to us. As we learn in the Book of Revelation, he will be energized and possessed by Satan himself, who will give to him all his authority and power. Hence in the Tribulation will be completed the cycle which was begun by Satan in his arrogance, pride, haughtiness, and rebellion against the Almighty, which has been carried on by many kings and rulers since, and which will be terminated by the awful reign of the Antichrist. We, however, who know the Scriptures, rejoice in the knowledge that the reign of the Antichrist completes the circle of Satan’s diabolical machinations against God and will bring to a close his deceptive double-dealings, which have marred man’s pilgrimage through this life.<\/p>\n
B. Satan as Presented in Genesis, Chapter 3<\/h2>\n
In the foregoing discussion we have been learning of Satan and his career from the time of his creation to that of his rebellion and fall. In the present section we shall study his first appearance upon the historic scene when he approached our foreparents, Adam and Eve. The account of this epoch-making event is recorded in Genesis, chapter 3.<\/p>\n
As we have already seen, man was created in the image and likeness of the Almighty \u2014 the natural and moral image of the Creator. He possessed the powers of personality \u2014 intellect, sensibility, and will. He was, as we learned in Genesis, chapter 2, placed in the beautiful Garden of Eden, which was located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. (As has already been emphasized, this Eden is entirely different from the one about which we have been studying in Section A of this chapter. This latter Eden was in existence during prehistoric <\/em>times, whereas the one which we are now to examine was in existence during historic <\/em>times \u2014 at the beginning of the human race.)<\/p>\n
Man was placed in the Garden of Eden and was allowed access to all the trees growing therein, with the exception of \u201cthe tree of the knowledge of good and evil.\u201d He has access to the tree of life, the fruit of which seemed to be for the health and vigor of man’s physical nature. But regarding the tree of the knowledge of good and evil the Lord exhorted man not to eat thereof, warning him that the day on which he should eat of it he would die \u2014 \u201cdying, thou shalt surely die\u201d (literal translation).<\/p>\n
The serpent, which was the most subtle of all the beasts, came to Eve and planted a doubt in her mind regarding God’s character and His goodness toward her and her husband. \u201cAnd he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of any tree of the garden? (Genesis 3:1). To this query the woman replied, \u201cOf the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat: but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.\u201d Notice the deadly poison of doubt which biased Eve’s heart immediately and caused her to add to what God had said, \u201c… neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.\u201d To this the serpent replied, \u201cYe shall not surely die: for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as God, knowing good and evil.\u201d This last statement did its deadly work in Eve’s heart, for we are told; \u201cAnd when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat; and she gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat. 7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig-leaves together, and made themselves aprons. 8 And they heard the voice of Jehovah God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of Jehovah God amongst the trees of the garden\u201d (Genesis 3:6-8). Satan made approach to Eve in a psychological manner \u2014 through the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the vainglory of life (I John 2:16). Though Eve was deceived, Adam was not (I Timothy 2:13-15).<\/p>\n
When Adam and Eve thus partook of the forbidden fruit, their eyes were opened and they experienced feelings, emotions, and desires such as they had never known prior to that time. God had forewarned that on the day on which they violated that one prohibition, \u201cdying, thou shalt surely die\u201d (literal translation). He carried out this threat to the very letter. Man began to die on that day. As we shall see presently, death, in this warning includes both the spiritual and physical, the former of which will, if one does not receive the Redeemer, terminate in the eternal death of Revelation 20:14,15.<\/p>\n
The Lord then asked Eve what he had done. She threw the responsibility upon the serpent. Turning to it, He pronounced a curse upon it and at the same time gave the promise of the world’s Redeemer: \u201c… and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel\u201d (Genesis 3:15). Then to the woman he pronounced the special penalty for her sin, which found its fulfillment in the sorrows connected with conception and pain of childbirth. Next, turning to the man, He delivered a sentence of judgment upon him, informing him of the penalty that would come to him because of his transgression. The outstanding thing connected with this pronouncement was that man must labor, toil, and gain his food by the sweat of his face.<\/p>\n
After the Lord had declared these judgments upon Adam and Eve, He sent them forth from the Garden of Eden lest they might put forth their hands and partake of the tree of life and thereby live forever in their fallen state.<\/p>\n
In Genesis, chapter 3, we are told that the serpent, which was one of the beasts of the field, wiser than any of the rest, beguiled Eve into disobeying God. We must therefore conclude that this serpent was an actual animal. But was he simply and ordinary creature, even though he was more subtle than the rest? The Apostle Paul said that the serpent beguiled Eve (II Corinthians 11:3). Through the Apostle John was given a vision of the woman clothed with the sun (Israel in the time of the Tribulation), the man-child (the mystical Christ \u2014 Christ the head; and the church, the body), and the great red dragon. The dragon is interpreted as being \u201cthe old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world\u201d (Revelation 12:9). From these passages and others we see that there was another present with the serpent in the Garden of Eden who used the latter for carrying out his sinister purpose of deceiving man. Thus in Revelation 12:9 the adversary of man is call the old serpent, the devil, and the deceiver of the world. It was he who, working through the serpent, beguiled man and led him into transgression. Satan is very crafty and cunning. He uses camouflage whenever possible. His methods are always those of indirection, suggestion, insinuation. He always poses as a friend and if possible works through friends rather than enemies, \u201cfor even Satan fashioneth himself into and angel of light\u201d (II Corinthians 11:14).<\/p>\n
C. Satan as Presented in Various Passages<\/h2>\n
The Book of Job is one of the oldest in the Bible. It is the greatest drama ever written. In a vision of the presence of God we see the sons of God appearing before the Almighty to give an account of their ministrations. Among them Satan appears. To the question asked by the Lord regarding his activities, Satan answered that he had been \u201cgoing to and from in the earth\u201d and \u201cwalking up and down in it.\u201d Of course he knew of Job. In the course of the conversation, the Lord agreed to permit Satan to come to earth an subject Job to a series of severe tests. Each time, however, he had to stay within the limits prescribed by the Lord. From the information given in the Book of Job, we see that Satan is still motivated by the same purposes, and that he employs the same methods as he did in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve, as well as often calling into play the forces of nature. In the case of Job, he could not, however, go beyond the permission granted him. But we recognize him as the same diabolical, sinister, crafty, conniving spirit which beguiled Eve.<\/p>\n
In the Book of Zechariah we see this same evil personage as he opposes Joshua the high priest of the Jewish nation at the time of the restoration from the Babylonian captivity. He hates Israel with a venom and does all within his power to persecute her. He cannot, however, turn the Lord against His chosen servants. They are beloved for the fathers‘ sake \u2014 Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Romans 11:28). Again, we see Satan, this enemy of both God and man, in his attempt to lead Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God, into sin (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13).<\/p>\n
Notwithstanding efforts on the part of rationalistic critics to do away with the objectivity of the temptations of Jesus, the evidence is all in favor of our interpreting the accounts just as they are written. There is this personal, evil, malignant, sinister spirit known as Satan, the devil, the deceiver of the brethren, who came to the Lord Jesus Christ and endeavored to lead Him into a path of rebellion against God. The temptations were actual, real, and literal. They were very subtle and powerful. The devil approached the Lord Jesus as He did Eve in Eden through the serpent. He appealed to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the vainglory of life.<\/p>\n
Today Satan, \u201clike a roaring lion,\u201d goes throughout the world seeking whom he may devour. He has sworn eternal vengeance against the human family, as well as against the Almighty. He is enraged especially at man because the latter is destined to rule the world (Psalm 8; Hebrews 2:5-8). Thus man will succeed Satan in his rulership of this earth. This fact may explain one of the reasons why Satan has sworn eternal vengeance against the human family.<\/p>\n
A careful study of the Scriptures suggests the presence and activity of Satan in all the major crises of the world. Not only does he precipitate wars and disorders which affect the great masses, but he also attacks every individual over whom he hopes to gain a victory. Though he is very powerful \u2014 it is impossible for us to estimate adequately his strength, authority, and might \u2014 it is indeed gratifying to know that he is not all<\/em>-powerful. Moreover, he is limited in his activity and can never put forth his hand against any of the saints except as the Lord permits him to do so. For instance, he could touch neither Job nor his property without special permission from the Almighty. This same restriction is seen in Luke 22:31-34. Jesus revealed to Simon Peter that Satan had gone into the presence of God and had requested permission to sift the Apostles as wheat. But the Lord made intercession for them that their faith might not fail when thus subjected to trial. It is also a great comfort to know that the lord will not allow any of His children to be tempted above that which they are able to bear, but will with every temptation make a way of escape that they may be able to endure any ordeal through which they are called to pass (I Corinthians 10:13).<\/p>\n
The believer can look forward to the time when this infernal, diabolical spirit will be cast into the lake of fire where he will be forever and ever (Revelation 20:10). Nevermore will he be able to touch the world nor influence men for evil. Then, and only then, will the great, glorious future dawn when the will of God shall be done throughout the whole realm of nature.<\/p>\n
II. The Kingdom of Darkness<\/h3>\n
In the preceding section we have seen the origin of the anointed cherub, his high position, his sinless character and nature, and finally his rebellion against the Almighty, which was the occasion of his downfall. Of this sinister spirit we read in Genesis chapter 3; I Chronicles 21:1; Job, chapters 1 and 2; Ezekiel 28:11-19; and Zechariah 3:1-3. We also see him in the New Testament at the time of the temptation of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 4:10,11), his being cast out of heaven in the middle of the Tribulation (Revelation 12:7-12), his final doom, and his being cast into the lake of fire at the end of the Millennium. Of course in both the Old and New Testaments there are many allusions to where one may get rather full glimpses of this diabolical character.<\/p>\n
Men must know that there is such a character as Satan, that he has a kingdom, that he and it vitally touch them and affect them on every side. To be unaware of the existence of Satan and this kingdom of darkness is to invite defeat, sorrow, and disappointment on every hand. Logically in our study of this subject we next take up the origin of this kingdom of darkness.<\/p>\n
A. The Origin of the Kingdom of Darkness<\/h2>\n
A concise statement regarding the origin of the kingdom of darkness is that it is a split from the great and vast kingdom of God. He, as we have already learned, was the creator of all things and is the preserver of them to the present moment; for it is in Him that we live, and move, and have our continual being. That His kingdom is throughout the entire universe may be seen from the following quotation:<\/p>\n
Jehovah hath established his throne in the heavens;
\nAnd his kingdom ruleth over all.<\/p>\nBless Jehovah, ye his angels,
\nThat are mighty in strength, that fulfill his word,
\nHearkening unto the voice of his word.<\/p>\nBless Jehovah, all ye his hosts,
\nYe ministers of his, that do his pleasure.<\/p>\nBless Jehovah, all ye his works,
\nIn all places of his dominion:
\nBless Jehovah, O my soul.\u201d (Psalm 103:19-22)<\/p><\/blockquote>\nIn this passage we see that God’s throne is established in the heavens and that His kingdom is ruling over all. In this kingdom and under Him are the innumerable ranks and orders of angels. Some of them are indeed mighty in strength. It is their good pleasure to fulfill His will at all times.<\/p>\n
This sinister spirit whom we know as the serpent, the dragon, the devil as we have seen was the anointed cherub into whose heart there arose unrighteousness and rebellion against the Almighty. When he thus sinned, he was cast out of the presence of God and lost his original righteousness and his high position. Since then, as we shall learn a little later, he is \u201cthe prince of the powers of the air, the spirit that worketh now in the sons of disobedience.\u201d Although Satan has been deposed from his exalted state, and although his habitat is in connection especially with this earth and our planetary system, he still has access to the throne of God and goes at times into His presence. This may be seen from a careful study of Job, chapters 1 and 2. He appeared with the sons of God. These sons of God are none other than the angels who went into the presence of the Almighty to give in their report regarding their ministrations. Satan went along with them. He made the journey from earth to heaven. After conversation with the Almighty he was granted permission to test God’s faithful servant Job.<\/p>\n
Once again, as we have already seen we catch a glimpse of the throne of God in (I Kings 22:13-23). On the occasion which is discussed in this chapter, the Lord God Almighty took His seat upon the throne, and the hosts of heaven were standing at attention. The Lord asked if there was anyone who would go to the earth and entice King Ahab to battle. Instantly an evil spirit offered his services, which were accepted. Thus with dispatch he left the presence of the Almighty, returned to the earth, entered the prophets of Baal, and caused them to predict success for Ahab and his enterprise in his war against the Ammonites. From this passage it is quite evident that this evil spirit went into the presence of God and also returned to the earth and entered the bodies of evil men.<\/p>\n
We catch another glimpse of the throne of the Almighty. This time it appears in Psalm 89:5-18. Here one does not see any evil angels present. All those standing by seem to be obedient faithful servants of the Lord. Nevertheless, we do well in looking at this scene, because it adds to our knowledge of the great kingdom of God which embraces all. When we study Revelation 12:1-5 carefully, we see that Satan revolted against God and led in rebellion one-third \u201cof the stars of heaven.\u201d This expression, when studied in the light of the facts of the immediate context and parallel passages, shows that these stars of heaven were none other than the angels of god whom Satan led into rebellion. According to this statement one-third of the angels must have revolted against the Lord. Since he led the rebellion and is the most powerful of all created beings, Satan remains the dictator of these servile spirits. Thus it was his original rebellion that brought into existence this kingdom of evil which is diametrically opposed to God and all His plans and purposes.<\/p>\n
B. Glimpses of the Kingdom of Darkness in the Old Testament<\/h2>\n
We have seen in the preceding section of the faint outlines and intimations of the beginning of the kingdom of darkness. That there is such a spiritual realm is evident from various statements by Moses and the prophets. To some of these let us now turn.<\/p>\n
They moved him to jealousy with strange gods;<\/em>
\nWith abominations provoked they him to anger.<\/p>\nThey sacrificed unto demons, which were<\/em> no God,
\nTo gods that they knew not, To new gods <\/em>that came up of late,
\nWhich your fathers dreaded not.\u201d (Deuteronomy 32:16,17)<\/p><\/blockquote>\nThe oracle found in Deuteronomy 32:1-43 might properly be termed \u201cIsrael’s National Anthem.\u201d It was spoken by Moses to the great assembly of Israel when they were in the Plains of Moab just before passing over the Jordan into the Promised Land. Of course, Moses spoke this hymn by the infallible inspiration of the Spirit of God. In it he outlined the entire history of Israel from his day until the time when she, in genuine repentance-scattered among the nations-confesses penitentially the national sin of rejecting Messiah and pleads for Him to return. When she does that, He will come back and bring the longed-for deliverance. Moses, in these verses quoted above, shows that Israel, after having been settled in the Land of Promise, would turn from the worship of the true God to that of idols. Hence he foretold that the people would provoke God to jealousy by the worship of strange gods, those that would later be brought into existence by men. To these idols, according to verse 17, they would render worship. Thus Moses declared that, in offering sacrifices and worship to these pagan gods, the worshipers would be sacrificing to demons, evil spirits. This prediction was literally fulfilled soon after Israel was settled in the Promised Land. A glance at the Book of Judges shows that the history of Israel ran in cycles of apostasy from God and turning to idols, of chastisement from God for the defection of His people, of their crying to the Lord for deliverance, and of His sending a judge to bring about the deliverance from heathen oppressors. At various times during the period of the monarchy which followed that of the times of the judges, the nation lapsed into idolatry as is seen in the historical portions of the Old Testament. The psalmist interpreted Israel’s idolatry and their sacrificing their sons and daughters to the idols of the nations as worshipping demons:<\/p>\n
They did not destroy the peoples,
\nas Jehovah commanded them,<\/p>\nBut mingled themselves with the nations,
\nand learned their works,<\/p>\nAnd served their idols,
\nWhich became a snare unto them.<\/p>\nYea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto demons,<\/p>\n
And shed innocent blood,
\nEven the blood of their sons and of their daughters,
\nWhom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan;
\nAnd the land was polluted with blood.\u201d (Psalm 106:34-38)<\/p><\/blockquote>\nBy investigating the siege and fall of Jericho, we get another clear glimpse of the kingdom of darkness. While Israel was encamped at Gilgal in the Plains of Jordan on the west side of the river, Joshua, the leader of the Chosen People, was reconnoitering around the city. As a military leader he was doing this. Every good and wise general gets all the facts concerning the enemy against whom he is about to launch an attack and plans the battle according to the conditions. Doubtless there was an Intelligence Service which Israel had, even though it could not compare with such branches of service of an army of today. But Joshua was gathering all the information available, in preparation for the onslaught. While he was thus making this firsthand investigation, he had the surprise of his life \u2014 probably. It is true that he had witnessed the mighty works of God at the time of the exodus from Egypt. At that time the Lord communicated directly with Moses, but never with Joshua. The Lord’s appearing to the latter was doubtless the greatest experience of his life:<\/p>\n
And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? 14 And he said, Nay; but as prince of the host of Jehovah am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him. What saith my lord unto his servant? 15 And the prince of Jehovah’s host said unto Joshua, Put off thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.\u201d (Joshua 5:13-15)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The celestial being who appeared to Joshua on this occasion stated that he was the \u201cprince of the host of Jehovah,\u201d the Prince of Jehovah’s armies. The \u201carmies\u201d referred to can be none other than the celestial hosts, the angels.<\/p>\n
Joshua, in planning his attack \u2014 as any good general would do \u2014 did not realize all that was involved in this operation. He was doubtless thinking simply of his own armies and the clash that would result as the onslaught was made on the city. From what we know of Joshua, he doubtless believed in the overruling providence of God, as all the servants of God do. It is quite clear that he did not realize all that would be involved in the impending struggle.<\/p>\n
This Prince of Jehovah’s hosts urged Joshua to remove his sandals from his feet, \u201c… for the place whereon thou standest is holy.\u201d This reminds us of Moses at the burning bush, who was told by the angel of Jehovah to remove his sandals because the land on which he was treading was holy \u2014 holy because of the presence of Jehovah himself. The land whereon Joshua was standing was holy because of the appearance of the holy angel of Jehovah, Christ in His prenatal state.<\/p>\n
The people of Jericho were paralyzed with fear, we may believe. They saw the mighty host of Israel encamped there in the plain. They knew that their city though well fortified, would naturally be besieged by the oncoming Israelites. They therefore shut up the city and took every precaution for safety.<\/p>\n
Then this angel of Jehovah, the Prince of Jehovah’s hosts, spoke to Joshua saying: \u201cSee, I have given into thy hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valor\u201d (Joshua 6:2). This Prince of Jehovah is spoken of as Jehovah. We are then told that He, the Prince of Jehovah had given the city into Joshua’s hand \u2014 of course, in plan and purpose, which were carried out, we see in the sequel to the story.<\/p>\n
Why was this Prince of Jehovah’s armies present at that time? The answer to this question is found in the words spoken by him to Joshua who asked him, \u201cArt thou for us, or for our adversaries?\u201d He answered, \u201cNay; but as prince of the host of Jehovah am I now come.\u201d Since He had come as the Prince of the host of Jehovah, it is evident that the host of Jehovah was present, ready for the fray. But why was there any necessity for such a vast army of spiritual beings to be present on that occasion? Certainly this army was not there simply to fight against the literal city of Jericho, which was captured by God’s causing an earthquake to shake the city walls down. This earthquake was supernaturally caused (see Psalm 114). It was caused by the presence of Jehovah, just as will be caused the earthquake which will come when the Russians invade Palestine in the not far distant future (Ezekiel 38:1-39:16).<\/p>\n
Obviously this mighty host of celestial beings was brought there to oppose another host of spiritual beings known by Isaiah the prophet as \u201cthe host of the high ones on high\u201d (Isaiah 24:21). This host of high ones on high is the host of fallen, evil, wicked spirits under the leadership of Satan.<\/p>\n
Israel’s entering into the Promised Land was a red-letter event in her history and in the unfolding of God’s redemptive scheme through His Chosen People. Satan, realizing the significance of the unfolding drama of the moment, rallied his mighty hosts in order to thwart if possible, the further unfolding of God’s plan through Israel. There was therefore present, though invisible, mighty hosts drawn one up against the other in battle array, each army being under the leadership of its prince. If the spiritual vision of Joshua and the Israelites who were present on that occasion could have been open, they would have seen a mighty struggle between these spiritual hosts. It is needless to say that the hosts of Jehovah’s armies were victorious. We shall believe that what occurred in the atmospheric heavens over Jericho was far mightier than the throwing down of the city walls and the capture of the city and its destruction by the hosts of Israel.<\/p>\n
After the overthrow of Jericho Achan took of the spoils of the city \u201ca goodly Babylonish mantle, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight,\u201d which he coveted, as his own private property. But the Lord had forbidden the Israelites‘ taking anything of the spoils \u2014 instead, they were to destroy everything completely. Thus sin was brought into the camp of Israel. Sin, transgression, and wrongdoing always bring judgment and disaster. They always separate people from God and prevent the Lord’s going with them and strengthening them (see Isaiah, chapter 59:1 ff.) After the capture of Jericho Joshua sent his army against Ai, a fortified city in the mountainous region northeast of Jerusalem. When the battle was joined, the Israelitish hosts were thrown back in utter defeat. Why did such a calamity befall the army, victorious in the battle of Jericho? There is but one explanation: When sin entered the camp of Israel, the Prince of Jehovah’s host, together with His armies, forsook them! Joshua, not realizing that his hosts had been abandoned by these spiritual powers of Jehovah’s hosts, went against a minor enemy who, being assisted by the hosts of Satan, threw Joshua’s hosts back in utter confusion, disorder, and defeat. We may logically conclude that the outcome of a battle is not always a result of a clash between literal armies, but that the issue frequently \u2014 largely, if not entirely \u2014 depends upon the spiritual powers that are engaged in the conflict behind the scenes. Our fight is truly against the spiritual hosts of darkness, who contest every foot of ground.<\/p>\n
As Saul, the king of Israel, was approaching the final crisis in his life, he went to the witch of Endor, requesting that she communicate with the Prophet Samuel who had already died. While he was insisting, the Lord brought Samuel up from Sheol, who pronounced judgment upon Saul. This was actually Samuel the prophet who reappeared after death. I am calling attention to this witch, not because of this special occasion, but because of her being in touch with the occult world. She had established a reputation of being in touch with the other world, that of the dead. When she saw Samuel, she was frightened. His appearance was different from that of those with whom she was accustomed to communicate. She did not bring Samuel back from the dead. God did that. The thing which she was in the habit of doing was to get in touch with demons who impersonated the dead. When one passes out of this life \u2014 be he saint or sinner \u2014 he cannot return. No spiritist, no witch, nor any other person can bring the dead back to life.<\/em> God alone can do this, as He did in the case of Samuel. This is seen in the statement of our Lord regarding the rich man and Lazarus who died and went to the nether world. Neither could come back (see Luke 16:19-31). Of course God did use certain of His servants to raise the dead. This is indeed another matter.<\/p>\n
There are those people today who sincerely believe that they receive communications from the dead. They are deceived. The phenomena which they observe are nothing but the impersonations on the part of evil spirits of different ones.<\/p>\n
That there are such powers or such a kingdom of darkness may be seen from an examination of II Kings, chapter 6. Elisha, with his assistant, was in the little city of Dothan, which was being besieged by the Syrians. His young attendant was terrified by the appearance of a force of chariots besieging the city. In order to quiet the fears of this young man, Elisha revealed to him this most assuring fact: \u201cFear not; for they that are with us are more than they that are with them\u201d (II Kings 6:16). Then Elisha prayed to the Lord that He would open the young man’s eyes in order that he might see the angels who were actually present. \u201cAnd Jehovah opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha\u201d (II Kings 6:17). The besieging army was without the city. The inhabitants of the city were within its walls. There were then two groups of people \u2014 the Syrians and the Israelites. Elisha informed the young man that those who were with them, the Israelites, were more and stronger than those who were with the Syrians. When he was given a vision of the situation, he saw the spiritual hosts of God that were present, though invisible to mortal eyes, to assist them in their fight against the Syrians, who were, on the contrary backed by the evil powers of darkness which were with them.<\/p>\n
We get another glimpse of this kingdom of darkness in Isaiah 8:19-22. This passage was uttered at the time of the danger threatened by the Assyrian incursions into the west land. The people of Israel became frantic. They wanted to know what the future held for them. They therefore went to those who had familiar spirits in their quest for knowledge regarding impending events. Isaiah condemned this practice and told them that they should resort to the law and the testimony warning them, \u201cif they speak not according to this word, surely there is no morning for them: (Isaiah 8:20). All kinds of fortune telling, necromancy, and the like are the result of this kingdom of darkness and are bitterly condemned by the God of heaven. Of course, there are those who make bogus claims as to ability to foretell the future. They make a financial racket out of the gullibility of the unsuspecting public. At the same time there are those who are actually in touch with demonic powers and who can really, in a limited way, reveal the future. Such persons are actually in touch with the kingdom of darkness over which Satan reigns. God condemned man’s resorting to those with familiar spirits and said that, if the people wanted to know anything, they should go the law of God \u2014 the Bible.<\/p>\n
Once more, in the Old Testament we come into touch with this kingdom of darkness. This time it appears in Daniel, chapter 10. In answer to the prophet’s prayer God dispatched an angel to Daniel in order that he might make a further revelation to him. As this angel was speeding through space, he was stopped and hindered for twenty-one days by the prince of the kingdom of Persia. He was not permitted to resume his journey until Michael, the archangel, came to his rescue. Thus being assisted and speeding on his way the angelic messenger appeared to the prophet and delivered his message. He knew what was ahead of him upon his return journey; therefore he said that he would have to fight with the prince of Persia, that evil spirit who under Satan was exercising authority over the Persian Empire. In verse 20 of this chapter we also see another high-ranking fallen spirit who had control over the kingdom of Greece. Though there are other references in the Old Testament to this kingdom of darkness, these will suffice.<\/p>\n
C. Glimpses of the Kingdom of Darkness in the New Testament<\/h2>\n
In the gospel records we read of people who were demonized and who were afflicted with various physical diseases and mental disorders, many of which were attributed to demon possession and evil spirits. We need only to call attention to such a passage as Luke 8:26-39 where we read of the Gadarene demoniac. This man was possessed by a legion of demons \u2014 six thousand of these evil, fallen spirits. Because of this condition he could not be bound with chains. He had supernatural strength which was imparted to him by these demons. They were actual evil spirits, fallen angels.2<\/sup><\/p>\n
We see instances in the Acts of the Apostles of demon possession and of the activity of these evil spirits. For instance, a man by the name of Simon in Samaria was dabbling in the occult, not withstanding the fact that he nominally had accepted Christ. According to church history he went to Rome and, like the sow returning to her wallowing in the mire, plunged into the occult. Paul met the same at Philippi (Acts, chapter 16). We see the same thing at Ephesus (Acts, chapter 19).<\/p>\n
In Ephesians 2:2 Paul speaks of \u201cthe prince of the powers of the air,\u201d the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. In Ephesians 6:10f we learn that there is a real spiritual kingdom opposed to the people of God. In this passage the Apostle Paul warns us that our wrestling is not with flesh and blood, but that it is \u201cagainst the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts<\/em> of wickedness in the heavenly places<\/em>.\u201d Satan has a thoroughly organized government which is in opposition to all that is good, true, and noble. His united hosts are set against everyone who is endeavoring to do the will of God. This fact explains many of the reverses and the difficulties into which good people are thrown from time to time. Especially will there be demon activity in the time of the end-in our own day. This is set forth in I Timothy 4:1f. In II Peter, chapter 2, and the Epistle of Jude we see statements regarding these angels who left their own estate and went after strange flesh in the days of Noah. Just as the Sodomites left the natural use of women and went after strange flesh, so these angels before them left their own principality and also went after strange flesh. This is an echo of what was done in the days of Noah \u2014 that which precipitated the Flood (Genesis 6:1-3).<\/p>\n
Finally, in the Apocalypse, we see demon activity and the powers of darkness revealed very clearly. During the Tribulation, an innumerable host of evil spirits will be turned loose upon the world and will bring untold suffering and sorrow upon men. Their plagues will be all but unbearable (Revelation, chapter 9).<\/p>\n
D. Limitations upon and Restrictions to the Kingdom of Darkness<\/h2>\n
As has already been stated, neither Satan nor the demons can touch any of the saints of God nor hinder the onward march of the plan of the Almighty except by special permission. The Lord knows His own and understands how to deliver each one from the attacks of the powers of evil. \u201cThe angel of Jehovah encampeth round about them that fear him, And delivereth them. Oh taste and see that Jehovah is good: Blessed is the man that taketh refuge in him\u201d (Psalm 34:7,8). In special crises in the lives of God’s saints angels are dispatched, according to this passage, to give assistance and grant deliverance to the besieged servants of the Lord.<\/p>\n
Michael the archangel is the representative of the Jewish race and is the one who stands for and protects it. This fact is seen in Daniel 12:1:<\/p>\n
And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who standeth for the children of thy people;
\nand there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time:
\nand at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\nDoubtless Israel owes her preservation through the centuries to the presence and activity of this mighty angel.<\/p>\n
When we come to the New Testament, we see that the angels are ministering spirits sent forth to do service for the sake of those who shall inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14). Doubtless many evils would have befallen all of us who are standing for the right if it had not been for the ministry and the assistance of these angels dispatched at certain times for our assistance and deliverance. In the Book of Revelation we see that there are good angels who are very active during the Tribulation, notwithstanding the fact that the powers of evil will at that time be turned loose upon the earth. For instance, in Revelation 7:1f we read of the four angels who have control of the winds of the earth. These seem to be faithful and true servants of God who are standing for the right. In Revelation 14:18 we read of the angel who has power over fire. Again, in 16:5 we see the angel of the waters, who executes God’s judgment upon the world in giving them blood to drink instead of water. These and other hints show that there are those who are on our side and who know how, under God, to do that which will contribute to the advancement of His cause and to the protection and blessing of the saints of God.<\/p>\n
In this short survey of the kingdom of darkness we have learned some very vital facts. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. Let us recognize the existence of Satan and all his diabolical emissaries \u2014 this kingdom of darkness \u2014 and let us have nothing to do with them whatsoever. Let me warn every believer in God and in the Scriptures against consulting those who are in league with demons and who receive messages from diabolical sources but not from a person’s departed loved ones. These evil, wicked spirits simply impersonate the dead. This warning is especially necessary at this time because at the conclusion of this war many will seek to receive messages from their departed loved ones, and there will arise a mighty host of spiritists and fortunetellers who will prey upon the credulity of the people, as was the case following World War I.3<\/sup> The admonition of the Apostle Paul to the church at Corinth is especially appropriate for Christians at the present day who wish to serve the Lord Jesus Christ:<\/p>\n
Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers; for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what portion hath a believer with an unbeliever? 16 and what agreement hath a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you. 18 And will be to you a Father, And ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 7:1 Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.\u201d (II Corinthians 6:14-7:1)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
III. Sin<\/h3>\n
What is sin? <\/em>To this question various and sundry answers are given. The usual one is that it is a transgression of law. This statement is correct, but it by no means includes all that is known as sin. In the Old Testament the word meaning fundamentally to sin<\/em> primarily indicates to miss the mark<\/em>. This basic conception is found in Judges 20:16: \u201cAmong all this people there were seven hundred chosen men left-handed; every one could sling stones at a hair-breadth, and not miss.\u201d In a spiritual sense sinning is to miss the mark of absolute and perfect conformity to the will of Almighty God. This conception lies beneath every statement in the Scriptures that refers to man’s sinning and doing wrong. We shall have occasion to refer to this more particularly in the next chapter. Here we shall be content to look at some general and fundamental facts regarding sin.<\/p>\n
A. Sin’s Existence Before Adam<\/h2>\n
In the preceding discussion relative to Ezekiel 28:1-19 we have seen the real origin of evil and wrongdoing. The crux of the entire matter was Satan’s substituting his will for the blessed, holy will of God. Thus, in speaking of his disobeying God, we would say that he \u201cmissed the mark\u201d and thus sinned. By the substitution of his will for the will of the Almighty, he set in motion a power or force that corrupted or contaminated the entire universe. His rebellion against God and its effect are referred to in Job, chapter 25. It was necessary for the Lord drastically to suppress this insurrection and to restore peace throughout His vast domains. In speaking on this point, Bildad asserted that the moon and the stars are contaminated for none of them are pure in the eyes of the Almighty. This is not simply poetry but the statement of a sober fact. The disorder, the dislocation, and the disarrangement of things generally throughout the universe are a silent testimony to this mighty rebellion, which set in motion forces and powers that corrupted or rendered impure the physical universe.<\/p>\n
The Apostle Paul gives us a very clear idea concerning the existence of sin prior to the creation of Adam:<\/p>\n
Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that all sinned: 13 for until the law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the likeness of Adam’s transgression, who is a figure of him that was to come.\u201d (Romans 5:12-14)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Paul is here assuming the reality of sin and of its existence as a force, a power, prior to the creation of Adam. When he sinned and trespassed the one prohibition of the Lord, this sin-power entered into the human family and corrupted man’s nature. With it came death to all men. The apostle conceived of sin as a reality before, and apart from, man’s transgression \u2014 though doing wrong and transgressing God’s commandments are sin. Sin was in the world, and its deadly effects were observable throughout the universe; yet it was a force foreign to man prior to his transgression. By man’s disobedience he, figuratively speaking, opened the door and this alien power entered the human race, and with it came death, which has passed unto all men, \u201cfor that all sinned.\u201d<\/p>\n
In what sense did all men sin and bring death upon themselves. There are difficulties connected with this subject. Nevertheless, when all facts are taken into consideration, one comes to the conclusion that all sinned in Adam. How could we sin in him, since we had no existence at that time? The answer is this: God made Adam a perfect creature, with a bias and bent toward holiness and fellowship with Himself \u2014 as we have already seen. If He had made you or me, dear friend, He would have made us exactly in the same condition as He did Adam. If we had been in Eden and had been approached by the devil as he was, we would have acted as he did, being of the same nature. But in the trial of Adam humanity was on trial. To be more explicit, you and I were on trial when Adam was tested. You and I sinned when he sinned, because, as just stated, we would have acted exactly as he did, had we been there in person and had we been tested as he was. Thus all men truly sinned in the one transgression of Adam. By this transgression the door was opened, and sin with its fatal consequences entered the human family and brought death with it. For this reason physical death passed upon all men in that they in the person of Adam sinned.<\/p>\n
According to Genesis, chapter 1, all things having life were to produce after their kind. This statement is the biblical method of expressing the Mendelian ratio. At the Fall, as we have already seen, man’s being was corrupted and all nature came under the power of the curse. This law of propagation is still operative \u2014 everything produces after its own kind. Adam in his fallen condition \u201cbegat a son in his own likeness after his image.\u201d His son Seth inherited the same fallen nature as that of his father, as did all of Adam’s descendants. All people today propagate the species in their fallen nature, since death passed unto all men through Adam’s fall. The Lord Jesus knowing this fact declared:<\/p>\n
By their fruits ye shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but the corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.\u201d (Matthew 7:16-18)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Until the law came, sin was in the world, \u201cbut sin is not imputed when there is no law.\u201d Sin was in the world from Adam’s transgression onward to the giving of the law, and since then to the present time. It will continue to be here until Satan is bound and cast into his eternal abode \u2014 the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10). God held people responsible for their sins, wrongdoings, and iniquities during the time from Adam’s transgression to the giving of the law. For instance, in the days of Noah the human family had plunged to the depth of sin and degradation so that the very imaginations of the hearts of people were only evil continually (Genesis 6:1-5). When man reached that point, the Lord by the Flood blotted out that generation. This fact shows that God did hold men responsible for their actions and deeds. But in our quotation we are told that until the law sin was in the world, but that it was not imputed where there was no law. In view of what we have just seen, this statement must be interpreted as meaning that from Adam to Moses there was no specific enactment to which the death penalty was attached for the infraction of said law or legislation. To Adam God said that in the day on which he ate of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil he should surely die. He ate of it, and the judgment immediately fell upon him. There was no such law given after that, with the threat of death attached to its infraction, from Adam to Moses. Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses over mankind who had not sinned against a single prohibition as did Adam. But men died. The reason was that they in Adam transgressed and that sin with death came into the human family and began to take its horrible toll. As far as we know, there was in this period only one exception to this rule \u2014 Enoch, who walked with God and who was taken, without dying, by the Lord to Himself (Genesis 5:21-24).<\/p>\n
In Romans 5:15-17 we have a parenthetical discussion of the subject, which interrupts the main argument regarding the entrance of sin into the human family and its effects upon man. A reading of Romans 5:12-21, with the omission of verses 15-17, will show that the continuity of thought dropped in verse 14 is resumed in verse 18:<\/p>\n
So then as through one trespass the judgment came unto all men to condemnation; even so through one act of righteousness the free gift came unto all men to justification of life. 19 For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one shall the many be made righteous. 20 And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly: 21 that, as sin reigned in death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.\u201d (Romans 5:18-21)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
In verse 12 the apostle began to draw a parallel between the transgression of Adam with its evil effects upon the race and the \u201cone act of righteousness\u201d of the Lord Jesus Christ with its blessed results for the human family. A comparison of verse 12 with verse 18 makes it clear that the apostle resumed in verse 18 the comparison begun in verse 12 but dropped in verse 14. In verse 12 he said, \u201cTherefore, as through one man sin entered into the world …\u201d; in verses 18 and 19 he declared, \u201cSo then as through one trespass the judgment came<\/em> unto all men to condemnation; even so through one act of righteousness the free gift<\/em> came unto all men to justification of life. 19 for as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one shall the many be made righteous.\u201d Adam’s one trespass had far-reaching effects \u2014 it brought death and condemnation to all men; the one act of Christ’s righteousness brought the free gift unto all men to justification of life. The effect of the one act of Christ’s righteousness was coextensive with that of Adam’s transgression. One was all-inclusive as the other. According to verse 19 all men were made sinners by the one trespass of Adam. Condemnation came unto all men \u2014 the peoples of all races \u2014 by the one act of Adam’s transgression. As stated above, Adam opened the door by his transgression, the power of sin entered the human family and with it came death, and all men were made sinners. On the other hand, by the one act of righteousness of Jesus Christ the free gift came unto all men to justification of life. To how many did the free gift come to justification of life? To as many as condemnation came through Adam’s transgression \u2014 to all men, the entire human family. How can this be? Will all men be saved? The answer to the first question is that the Lord Jesus Christ tasted death for all men (Hebrews 2:9). Christ the righteous died for the unrighteous (I Peter 3:18). On this point, Dr. John A. Broadus declared, \u201cChrist’s atoning death made it compatible with divine justice that all should be saved if they would accept it on that ground; and in that sense He ‚gave himself a ransom for all‘ (I Timothy 2:6), ‚tasted death for every man‘ (Hebrews 2:9; comp. I John 2:2); but His death was never expected, nor divinely designed, actually to secure the salvation of all, and so in the sense of specific purpose He came ‚to give his life a ransom<\/em> for many,‘ \u201d In answer to the second question, believers only, I reply, will be saved (John 3:16; 5:24).<\/p>\n
Continuing his discussion in Romans 5:19, Paul declared, \u201cFor as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one shall the many be made righteous.\u201d Does the term, \u201cthe many\u201d in this verse have the same broad meaning which it has in verse 15? \u201cBut not as the trespass, so also is the free gift. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound unto the many\u201d (Romans 5:15). In this quotation the facts of the context make it plain that Paul referred to the entire human family as being affected by both the trespass of Adam and the free gift of Christ. \u201cThe many\u201d here embraces all men. But in verse 19 this same expression is limited to those who shall be made righteous \u2014 the saved. This point will be taken up and dealt with in Chapter X.<\/p>\n
From this passage we learn that all men were constituted sinners by the one act of Adam’s transgression. The sin which entered the world when Adam transgressed remained in the human family from that time and onward. But from Adam to Moses it wrought its deadly work, as seen above, even on all who did not sin in the same way as Adam did.<\/p>\n
When the time arrived for God to step forward in His revelation to man, He gave the law to Israel through Moses at Sinai. What was the purpose of the law? the answer is that the exceeding sinfulness of sin might be revealed. Concerning the nature of sin and its deadly work in the human family let us consider the following quotation:<\/p>\n
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Howbeit, I had not known sin, except through the law: for I had not known coveting, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet: 8 but sin, finding occasion, wrought in me through the commandment all manner of coveting: for apart from the law sin is dead. 9 And I was alive apart from the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died; 10 and the commandment, which was unto life, this I found to be unto death: 11 for sin, finding occasion, through the commandment beguiled me, and through it slew me. 12 So that the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good. 13 Did then that which is good become death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, by working death to me through that which is good; \u2014 that through the commandment sin might become exceeding sinful. 14 for we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I know not: for not what I would, that do I practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 But if what I would not, that I do, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 so now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me. 18 for I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me, but to do that which is good is <\/em>not. 19 for the good which I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I practice. 20 But if what I would not that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me. 21 I find then the law, that, to me who would do good, evil is present. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me out of the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then I of myself with the mind, indeed, serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.\u201d (Romans 7:7-25)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
In this quotation the personal pronoun, I, occurs more often than in any other passage of similar length. The Apostle Paul was the writer. Was he speaking of his own personal experiences and declaring that he was being dominated by sin? My answer is, No. The reason is found in verse 9 of this quotation: \u201cAnd I was alive apart from the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.\u201d In round numbers, the law was given fifteen hundred years before Christ. If Paul were speaking of his own personal experiences, he was living fifteen hundred years before our Lord’s birth \u2014 back in the days of Moses. If he were speaking of his own experience, he was indeed the oldest man who ever lived \u2014 as far as we have any information. But, since Luke in Acts 7:58 tells us that Paul at the stoning of Stephen was a young man, I know positively that Paul was not alive when the commandment came \u2014 when Israel was at Mount Sinai and Moses delivered the law.<\/p>\n
If Paul was not relating his own experiences in Romans, chapter 7, why did he use the personal pronouns, I, me,<\/em> and my<\/em>? The answer is this: He was prophet as well as an apostle and used the prophetic method of speaking. For instance, in Psalm 16 David used the personal pronouns I, me, my, and mine, throughout. Nevertheless, in the last four verses, it is quite evident that he was not giving his own personal experience, but rather that of the Messiah. This position is confirmed by the fact that the Apostle Peter, on the day of Pentecost, quoted these verses and interpreted them as the language of David concerning the resurrection of the Messiah (Acts 2:25-31). David, being a prophet and knowing that God had sworn to him that of the fruit of his loins He would raise up one to sit upon his throne, foretold in this passage the resurrection of Christ. Nevertheless, he used the personal pronouns I, me, mine,<\/em> and my<\/em>. This is simple. Paul the prophet, the spokesman for God, projected himself backward \u2014 prior to the coming of the law \u2014 and spoke of himself as if he actually were living at that time. Thus ideally he placed himself in the historic past. He thought of himself as alive when Moses delivered the law. Then he recounted the effect that the law had upon his sinful nature.<\/p>\n
Additional proof that Paul was not speaking of his own experience, but was in a figure transferring to himself the universal experience of man is seen in the fact that the apostle in another connection spoke of the victorious life he was living in Christ: \u201cI have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me: and that life <\/em>which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith<\/em> which is in the son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me\u201d (Galatians 2:20). Let us remember that Paul wrote Galatians and Romans at the same time. To the Galatian brethren he asserted that he was living a victorious life in Christ. In fact, he declared that Christ was living His life in him. It is inconceivable to suppose that Paul would make a statement like this in writing to the Galatians; and then, in the Roman Epistle written at the same time, he would declare that he was living in defeat all the time. Paul was a truthful man and stated facts as they were. Moreover, he spoke the following words to the church at Thessalonica: \u201cYe are witnesses, and God also, how holily and righteously and unblamably we behaved ourselves toward you that believe …\u201d (I Thessalonians 2:10). These two passages show that Paul was not living a defeated life. On the contrary, they prove that he was being led by Christ in triumph in every place.<\/p>\n
How must we interpret the passage from Romans, chapter 7, quoted above? The answer is this: dispensationally<\/em>. Let us remember that Romans 5:12-8:39 constitutes a single literary whole, in which the apostle discussed the matter of sanctification by faith in Jesus Christ. In doing this, however, he drew a parallel and at the same time a contrast between Adam and his transgression on the one hand and Christ and His act of righteous obedience on the other. The blessings flowing from the one act of righteousness on the part of Christ not only counteract the evil influences flowing from Adam’s sin to those who receive the abundance of grace, but they abound more and more. In Romans 5:14 the apostle showed that sin, which entered with Adam’s transgression, was in the world from Adam to Moses. During that time death took its horrible toll.<\/p>\n
When Moses came, he delivered the law to Israel. What was the immediate effect? It brought the knowledge of sin, showing the exceeding sinfulness of sin. The coming of the law was the occasion of sin’s becoming more active and displaying its true nature. That we might see and realize the true character of sin, I shall again quote Romans 7:14-17:<\/p>\n
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin 15 For that which I do I know not: for not what I would, that do I practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 But if what I would not, that I do, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 so now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
According to this statement the law is spiritual but man is carnal and is in bondage, sold under sin. The reason for this statement is expressed in these words: \u201cFor that which I do I know not: for not what I would, that do I practice; but what I hate, that I do.\u201d The man who has such an experience certainly is impelled by a power other than that of his own will. But what is this power? The answer is found in this statement: \u201cSo now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me.\u201d Sin, then, according to this statement, is a force, a power, a dynamic that drives people and forces them to do things that they would not, apart from it, do under any conditions. Moreover, it has a gripping and impelling force upon them, and at the same time a restraining power, so that it prevents their doing the things that they in their very souls would like to do. \u201cFor the good which I would I do not; but the evil which I would not, that I practice\u201d (Romans 7:19). The reader should notice carefully that the desiring and the willing to do the right is present, but the ability to perform is lacking. This statement is a most revealing one and must be accepted at its face value. This fact is what was uttered by the old Greek philosopher who said, in substance, that men did not need to be told what to do but needed the power to enable them to do that which they knew was right. Of course, he was in heathen darkness, but he had enough light from Him who lighteth every man coming into the world to realize the fundamental principles of right and wrong. Moreover, he realized that his one great need was ability to do that which he knew positively was right.<\/p>\n
The law, then, was the occasion of the sinful nature’s asserting itself and showing its diabolical character. It was a mirror into which man could look and see their great sinfulness.<\/p>\n
In Romans 7:7-25, the apostle was discussing man and his condition during the Mosaic Economy. Those having the experience set forth in this passage realize that they are in the bondage of spiritual death (the result of Adam’s sin). Paul, impersonating fallen man \u2014 still speaking as if it were his own experience, though it was not \u2014 cries out, \u201cWretched man that I am! who shall deliver me out of the body of this death?\u201d Instantly he asserts that this desired deliverance and freedom come through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Man had been in the bondage of sin under the law. It was making him wretched and miserable. He could not obtain deliverance. But now, since Christ has come, has won the victory over the powers of the unseen world, and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, He offers deliverance to all who will accept Him. The apostle therefore, answering his own question as to the way in which deliverance will come, shouts \u201cI thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. … There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus\u201d (Romans 7:25-8:1).<\/p>\n
From this little survey, we can see that the three dispensations are clearly in view: The Patriarchal, from Adam to Moses; The Law Dispensation, from Moses to Christ; and the Christian Dispensation, from Christ onward to his second coming. Thus in our study of this section of Romans, we must keep clearly in mind these facts and realize that the apostle, especially in chapter 7, was speaking dispensationally, and was in a figure transferring to himself the experience of the man under the law, who was in a wretched, miserable condition and living a defeated life.<\/p>\n
From the facts which we have gleaned thus far, we see that sin was in existence before the creation of Adam; that by Adam’s transgression it entered the human family; that with it came death to all men; that all men became sinners by that act of rebellion; that the law proved a stimulus to arouse into greater activity this sinful nature which was in the soul of man; and that deliverance from this wretched, miserable condition is to be had only through the Lord Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n
It is evident from what is here said of sin that it is a force, a power, a dynamic, a principle, that is dominant in the lives of all men, of all races, of all times \u2014 since Adam transgressed. It prevents man from doing that which he knows is right and which he wills to do and impels him to do that which he does not want to do, even that which he hates. It might appropriately be compared to the power of gravitation which was stated by Newton. This force was in the world and was a power affecting all material bodies, pulling them toward the center of the earth. But its real nature was never adequately known until Newton made his important, epoch-making discovery. This sin-power entered the human family and corrupted man’s nature, but he did not realize the deadly power that it is until the law came. Sin then took on a new life. It revived, as the apostle has stated. Sin, therefore, is spiritual gravity, which pulls all men downward toward a life of sin and degradation and prevents their doing the things that they know they should do. It drives them to do things that they hate. While the soul is in an unregenerated state, it is under the power and domination of Satan and sin, \u201cbecause the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be …\u201d (Romans 8:7).<\/p>\n
Christians who are really regenerated by the Holy Spirit have access to the power of the Spirit of God which enables them to live the victorious life \u2014 when they are wholly yielded to Him and are implicitly trusting Him.<\/p>\n
Though man in his unregenerate state does have this spiritual evil power in his very being, pulling him downward, we must not forget that he also has that light in his soul, \u201cthe light which lighteth every man, coming into the world\u201d (John 1:9) and also a conscience which continually urges him toward God and the good (Romans 7:25). This fact accounts for the moral characters and the philanthropic deeds of so very many people whose hearts have never yet been regenerated by the Holy spirit.<\/p>\n
B. Death the Result of Sin<\/p>\n
The Lord warned man that on the day in which he partook of the forbidden fruit, he should certainly die: \u201cdying, thou shalt surely die\u201d (literal translation). Man actually began to die on that day. The catabolic processes began to tear down his body. On account of his strong nature this destructive force was not able to wear down the anabolic processes (the building-up powers) until Adam reached nine hundred and thirty years. Evidently the forces of death were preying upon his body all the time. They are preying upon the body of each one and finally result in the physical death of every individual. Death is one of the grave results of the entrance of sin into the world (see also the study on The Sin Doctrine<\/a>).<\/p>\n
Physical death was not all that came into the human family by Adam’s transgression. Spiritual death was also a result. When Adam transgressed, he was sent forth out of the Garden of Eden. Cherubim were placed there, together with a flaming sword, to prevent man’s returning to the tree of life, eating thereof, and becoming crystallized, figuratively speaking, in his sinful condition. Communion and fellowship with his Maker were broken off. His nature became corrupted. There was a great revolution which took place throughout his entire being. His heart became deceitful above all things and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). David referred to the sinful condition of the entire race in the following quotation: \u201cBehold, I was brought forth in iniquity; And in sin did my mother conceive me\u201d (Psalm 51:5). The psalmist did not mean for us to understand that his mother was immoral. On the contrary, he was simply stating the fact that his mother, together with all others of the human family, was in the fallen, depraved condition which is the result of sin.<\/p>\n
This spiritual condition will culminate in eternal death for all who do not accept the redemption which was wrought for man by the Lord Jesus Christ. The way back to God has been opened since Christ abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (II Timothy 1:8-11). All whose names are not written in the Lamb’s book of life will be sent into that outer darkness from which they shall never return (Revelation 20:11-15).<\/p>\n
II Timothy 1:8-11:<\/p>\n
Be not ashamed therefore of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but suffer hardship with the gospel according to the power of God; 9 who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal, 10 but hath now been manifested by the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought, life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 whereunto I was appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Revelation 20:11-15:<\/p>\n
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the<\/em> book<\/em> of life; and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead that were in it; and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them; and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, even the lake of fire. 15 And if any was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nFootnotes:<\/h4>\n
1. The meaning of the word in the original translated almond-tree is \u201cwatcher.\u201d When the prophet pronounced this word, the Lord immediately, by a play on the word, declared that He watches over His Word to perform it. History proves the accuracy of this statement.<\/p>\n
2. Some scholars make a distinction between the fallen angels and demons. On account of the lack of space I cannot enter into a discussion of this point. It is immaterial to our present study whether or not these demons are the same as evil angels. Of this we may be certain; namely, that they are both of the kingdom of darkness and are afflicting men, bringing them into every type of bondage.<\/p>\n
3. Let me further warn the saints against pleading with God for spiritual power which in many instances their bodies are too unholy to contain and which if granted to them would consume them in an instant. Satan many times takes advantage of such an one and counterfeits God’s power, giving the seeker an evil power instead. In such an instance one has unwittingly exposed oneself to the torment of demons.<\/p>\n
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