Tag Archives: devil

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Finding the End of the World, Uncategorized

When Two Kingdoms Collide

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Initially, God’s world and ours intersected and cohabitated. This was Eden until humankind rebelled and broke its relationship with the Creator. Now, the two separate realms (kingdoms) have two kings: God and Satan. Because we’re made of mammal fleshiness and God-made spirit, we feel the draw of this appealing-to-the-flesh earth ruled by Satan and heaven ruled by God. We can’t serve two masters and must choose one. And not choosing God’s Kingdom will put you in the other by default. Let’s learn more about each to help you choose well. By the way, I published “The Supernatural God: Rebellion & Disinheritance!” in May 2023. You might want to revisit it for more background.

Satan’s Kingdom. After the dispersion at Babel, God disinherited most of the earth and its people (except for Israel), giving them to others in His council (Deuteronomy 32:7-12; Psalm 82). Those other spiritual beings have managed most of humanity ever since. Satan is their ruler; he has authority over the earth and anyone who isn’t God’s. He couldn’t have offered Jesus his earthly kingdom in Matthew 4:8-10 otherwise! Other biblical examples of Satan’s rulership: “Satan, the ruler of this world . . .” (John 12:31) and “Jesus said, ‘The ruler of this world approaches . . .’” (John 14:30). Jesus also confirms “My kingdom is not of this realm” in John 18:36 and “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19) But, this won’t always be the case!

God’s (YHVH’s) Kingdom. Despite Satan’s temporary rulership of this earth, God’s Kingdom has been attainable since Jesus gave His life to satisfy our debt to the Creator. Why did He do that? To return us to our Maker (1 Peter 3:18). For now, His Kingdom is ‘already, but not yet’ because it is available through Jesus but isn’t physically among us. One day, the two kingdoms will engage in a final conflict, and the ruler of this world will be ousted and destroyed. God’s realm and ours will intersect again as they did in Eden. When? We don’t know for sure, but here are reminders of the certainty:

  • “Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.’” (Revelation 11:15)
  • “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come . . .” (Revelation 12:10)

To summarize, the Devil runs things on earth for now, establishing lots of wickedness inside and outside the churches. However, God will one day reclaim what’s His and recombine His realm and ours in a new world. Where should we go next? Let me share my Orthodox Lent journey with you in an enlightening multi-parter. Meanwhile, choose your king and kingdom wisely and stay!

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Finding the End of the World, Uncategorized

God Versus Evil: Part One

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Just as the word ‘God’ can conjure different ideas from a benevolent cosmic dude to a celestial judge, ‘evil’ may mean various things—usually because of different cultures and worldviews. The truth is that ‘evil’ probably doesn’t mean what you think, and its use By YHVH (God) has produced good. Let’s dig in by defining it first.

Evil defined. The word usually evokes responses like ‘scary’ or ‘spooky’ and images of fiery demons or people with spinning heads. However, these aren’t biblical representations of evil but imaginations working overtime. The truth is worse because evil is more subtle and can sneak up on you! Original biblical language and contexts suggest that it more or less represents something bad, adversarial, distressful, or disagreeable. Not spooky or frightening, but trouble often clothed in beauty that can be disguised as good despite the distress it brings.

Who’s evil, anyway? The disobedient Elohim (spiritual beings from God’s Divine Counsel) were evil. The devil we call Satan is evil. So were the ancients who opposed God’s instructions. And so is anyone behaving in wicked ways that oppose God whether they call their actions ‘good.’ Church leaders and teachers allowing distressful, adversarial, and disagreeable-to-God doctrine and people into the assembly of believers are evil. The apostle Paul called them out 2,000 years ago while also reminding Christ-followers that evil and its deceit can be beautiful: “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore, it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

Guarding against evil. It’s easy to be deceived by evil or call bad good if you don’t know what good looks like! This is why a solid Christian foundation is critical to discerning good from bad and righteousness from evil. Learn well and surround yourself with godly people, practicing what you see and hear. Deal with temptation in the mind before thoughts produce bad speech or behavior. Don’t give the adversary—the ‘evil one’ of Matthew 6:13 —a foothold! And always determine how your thinking or actions will affect your relationships with God or people.

Can evil be used for good? God doesn’t test or tempt people, trip them up, or do evil to them. However, He has used distress or adversity (often termed ‘evil’) and evil people to accomplish His plans. From Joseph’s brothers and Abimelech and Saul to the prophets of King Ahab, God has turned evil into good. I’ll explain more about this in Part Two.

In summary, evil can be anything opposed to good (e.g., God’s instructions). Next time, we’ll examine how God has used evil (adversarial things) for good in Part Two.  Meanwhile, behave, be kind, and beware of evil—inside the church and out!

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

The Devil Made Me Do It!

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Sometimes, unwilling to accept that we may cause our unhealthiness or unfortunate situations or feelings such as anger, depression, or sadness, we seek to blame someone else—even evil spirits or the devil. This is unfortunate because it allows us to ignore our responsibilities and repentance and growth as we deal with difficult people or circumstances.

The idea of blaming Satan is a weird one in my experiences. Here’s why:

  1. Christians who are in the middle of strife and the trials of life are often quick to say something like, “I must be doing something right because Satan’s after me!” Blaming Satan gives him way too much credit! Bad stuff happens all the time because we live in a broken, fallen world; we make bad choices; other people make bad choices; stuff just happens.

Another problem with blaming Satan for our misfortunes is that we’re essentially stating that God cannot protect us from him. He does look around for weak and unfaithful Christians to destroy them:

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.—1 Peter 5:8-9.

But God is more than capable and willing to aid those who resist the temptation to sin and Satan!

  • On the other hand, I’ve heard Christians say this to other Christians who are suffering: “You must not be living right, or these things wouldn’t happen to you!” Funny how things change when the table is turned! Essentially, the faulty thinking is that Christians will be well and prosperous if they’re faithful and that the supposed unfaithful Christians will have trouble. This bad theology could not be further from the truth!!

God never promised that we’d be wealthy or well. The sun shines on the righteous and the wicked; the wicked prosper; we left God’s provision and protection a long time ago in Eden. He will, however, help us persevere as we go through trials and keep our eye on Him.

. . . knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.—Romans 5:3-5.

If you believe that you’re being troubled by a demonic spirit of ‘this or that’ or Satan, just remember that everyone who genuinely has given themselves to God through faith and obedience has nothing to worry about—we’ll remain beyond Satan’s reach. In addition to God’s protection, we also have wisdom and guidance through His Spirit.

Next week, we’ll take a look at healthy biblical finances in For the Love of Money.

Blessings and peace,

Ron Braley

Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss

Ghouls, Spirituality, and Jesus . . . Compatible?

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Christians are often conflicted over whether to celebrate Halloween.

For some, Halloween is a harmless time of fun when everyone can dress up and party. Their children love this time of year because of the costumes and quest for candy.

On the other hand, a growing number of Jesus’ followers are uncomfortable with the festival. They choose not to participate in it to avoid the appearance of a double standard once they learn of its origin. So, where did this contentious holiday come from?

Halloween is an ancient festival born of paganism and Christianity (Samhain for the pagans and Hallowmas for the Catholic Church – both 3 days long beginning on October 31st). The holiday was brought to the United States by European immigrants in the 19th century.

What does this have to do with God and our Christ? Embracing or condoning any kind of spiritualism, witchcraft, divination, or communication with the dead will bring certain judgment from God at the last days and open the door to demonic oppression or possession in the meantime. This could include the religious practice of praying to or for the dead, séances, or the pursuit of magical or astrological arts (i.e. consulting mediums, use of tarot cards, reliance upon horoscopes, etc.).

Should a follower of the Christ, celebrate the holiday? This is a personal decision that should be made carefully after consideration of its origin, current practices, and damage to a potential witness for Jesus.

 

Keep an eye out for “Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don’t Discuss!” scheduled for a mid-2015 publication. There, you’ll find roughly 60 topics related to daily life (such as sex, religion, finances, tattooing, and everything in between!) along with practical application of God’s guidance for navigating those difficult waters!

And, for a very comprehensive and detailed study of the very important topic of God’s judgment to come and being rescued from it, feel free to read my 2011 guide titled, “Finding the End of the World” available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and from www.ronbraley.com in paper and e-book formats. In the guide, you’ll find roughly 500 pages of building blocks to help you do your own complete and unbiased study based on Scripture and history!

Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss

What is Hell Like?

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Personal opinions on the subject of hell range from a profession of its existence as the fire-and-brimstone punishment for the person with unrepentant sin to a belief that it’s a mythical place since, “A good god would never kill his people!” The truth is that God is a just god who offered us a choice: follow Him and His Christ and live or don’t and die (spiritually). He created a place within the earth to serve as a means of destruction – a consequence that awaits the spirits of those who didn’t choose life through faith and resulting obedience.

Originally created for eventual judgment of the fallen angels (including their leader, Lucifer) hell will also be the final destination for the spirits of unrighteous humans. As well, this is the holding place of those spirits of the unrighteous awaiting judgment. Scripture is pretty clear about this. We also find references to this holding place and the fiery judgment from others like Enoch, the grandson of Adam.

  • Hell – holding place Hades = Sheol: holding place of the spirits of those whose names aren’t recorded in heaven as they await judgment. This place will be unnecessary and eliminated when death is abolished at God’s great judgment (cf. Revelation 20:15).

References include: Matthew 11:23 and 16:18; Luke 10:15 and 16:22-23; Acts 2:27 & 31; 1Corinthians 15:55; 2Peter 2:4; Revelation 1:18, 6:8, and 20:13-14

  • Hell – fiery judgment Gehenna & Lake of Fire: last-days consequences for the wicked after judgment. Scripture and the Book of Enoch describe this as a place within the earth that produces incredible heat and flames. Read Luke 16:23-24 and you’ll see words and phrases like ‘hades’ and ‘torment’ and “I am in agony in this flame”. So, for those who believe hell is figurative or a parable – I’d reconsider.
  • Gehenna references include: Matthew 5:22-30, 10:28, 18:9 and 23:15 & 33; Mark 9:43, 45, & 47; Luke 12:5; James 3:6

Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. —Matthew 10:28.

  • Lake of fire references include: Revelation 19:20, 20:10 & 14-15, and 21:8

Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. —Revelation 20:14-15.

Now that we know what hell is, let’s address what it isn’t. Contrary to popular opinion, hell isn’t a multi-layered furnace where sinners are divided and placed based on the bad things they did on earth. This concept is fantasy based on “Dante’s Inferno” – the first part of a poem titled Divine Comedy. It’s not even loosely based on Scripture and shouldn’t be taken as such. Anyone whose name isn’t recorded in heaven among the righteous at their time of death will find their spirit waiting in holding-place hell until their final disposition: hell as a fiery judgment.

What’s your destination?