IN THE WILDERNESS (11 OF 18)
Scripture: Revelation 13:1-18
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In the Wilderness (11 of 18)
Series: Revelation
Patrick Edwards
Revelation 13:1-18
Introduction
I'd like to tell you a story this morning, one that is thoroughly biblical, though is not anywhere near the main story that the Bible tells. This story requires some work to put together, because the Scriptures only occasionally refer to it. It's a story that has been treated often in one of two ways. C. S. Lewis put it well when he wrote, ''There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devil. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight'' (C. S. Lewis).
Yes, I'd like to paint a cursory picture of the devil in biblical history.
The Bible demonstrates no interest in telling us from where demons, and Satan, come. We know that God being holy and good does not create evil, rebellious creatures; we know that the demonic are not eternal like God, and so, the clearest conclusion we can draw is that demons are some sort of rebellious being. In their quest to ruin God's creation they target His images, humanity. Not fooled, but willing to reject God's order of things for their own order, humanity rebels against God, and not only do they fall under the spiritual blindness of evil but creation becomes corrupted with them.
You see, the Bible also tells us that because of humanity's fall into sin, or spiritual blindness, they have now come under the leading of Satan himself. Ephesians 2:1-3 is, perhaps, the clearest articulation of this reality. It's not that humanity becomes robots or under some sort of mind control, but all are under the leading of the evil one, ultimately serving idols and worshiping creation rather than the Creator. This extends from the individual all the way to governments and world powers. The book of Daniel, for examp ...
Series: Revelation
Patrick Edwards
Revelation 13:1-18
Introduction
I'd like to tell you a story this morning, one that is thoroughly biblical, though is not anywhere near the main story that the Bible tells. This story requires some work to put together, because the Scriptures only occasionally refer to it. It's a story that has been treated often in one of two ways. C. S. Lewis put it well when he wrote, ''There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devil. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight'' (C. S. Lewis).
Yes, I'd like to paint a cursory picture of the devil in biblical history.
The Bible demonstrates no interest in telling us from where demons, and Satan, come. We know that God being holy and good does not create evil, rebellious creatures; we know that the demonic are not eternal like God, and so, the clearest conclusion we can draw is that demons are some sort of rebellious being. In their quest to ruin God's creation they target His images, humanity. Not fooled, but willing to reject God's order of things for their own order, humanity rebels against God, and not only do they fall under the spiritual blindness of evil but creation becomes corrupted with them.
You see, the Bible also tells us that because of humanity's fall into sin, or spiritual blindness, they have now come under the leading of Satan himself. Ephesians 2:1-3 is, perhaps, the clearest articulation of this reality. It's not that humanity becomes robots or under some sort of mind control, but all are under the leading of the evil one, ultimately serving idols and worshiping creation rather than the Creator. This extends from the individual all the way to governments and world powers. The book of Daniel, for examp ...
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