#Isaiah 14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart

[impatient14]

Anthony J. Crowley as Lucifer: A Meta of Facts, Fiction, and Everything in Between

The theory that Crowley is Lucifer is hotly defended and contested, with naysayers typically casting the archangel Raphael as Crowley's identity in heaven (@vroomvroomwee's Crowley is Lucifer is particularly good-read the replies and reblogs too!) However, despite Raphael's notably absence in Heaven and the matchmaking plot of S2 (Raphael is traditionally associated with love and marriage), I think there is far more evidence that suggests he was Lucifer, instead. Yes, I know Crowley refers to Lucifer as someone other than himself in S1, but I'll get to that and everything else below the cut.

Full disclosure, I stumbled into this analysis from a different angle. Originally, I was just posting a quick little thought I had about Crowley's role on Earth. TLDR version, Crowley could have been acting not only as an agent of Hell on Earth to tempt humans but specifically ordered to tempt Aziraphale to Fall, an order he almost immediately succeeds in doing but chooses not to report. Since S2 made it clear that Crowley did not reserve his mercy for Aziraphale alone (i.e., his sense of fairness is intrinsic and not a characteristic obtained through his love for Aziraphale), it would be reasonable to think Crowley maneuvered himself into being assigned Hell's agent on Earth specifically to protect Aziraphale from Hell. This would not only mean Crowley remembered him from the beginning, it would mean he had the kind of power to assign himself that role. (It would also mean Crowley has been lying to both Hell and Aziraphale this whole time- a detail that would support Agnes Nutter's prophecy that "He is not who he says he is.")

This idea, that Crowley not only refused to send Aziraphale to Hell but actively protected him from it, screams rebellion--a characteristic Lucifer is most known for. Sure, you could argue all the angels who fell were rebellious (note here that Raphael never fell), but Crowley is the only demon in Hell who continued to rebel after he fell, making his association with the characteristic as notable as Lucifer's. This will be important in a moment.

Let's start with some history/translation issues.

The difference between Lucifer, Satan, and the Devil.

The conflation of these three names is a Christian phenomenon thought to have occurred in the process of organizing a conglomeration of "lost gospels" from numerous Christian sects, each one with their own translations and traditions. In the original Hebrew, "Satan" is actually ha-satan ("the satan"), defined as a role rather than a name (specifically the role of testing one's faith). At some point in the translation process, "the" is dropped and the tempter is simply, "Satan." Satan, before being completely subsumed by Lucifer, was considered Lucifer's vessel on earth-a separate entity.

Now, "Lucifer" is Latin for Venus' morning appearance. The word was taken from the Greek words Φωσφόρος (Phosphorus), "light-bringer", and Ἑωσφόρος (Eosphorus ), "dawn-bringer." So how did Lucifer become synonymous with a fallen angel? Folklore and metaphor. I could go really deep here, but instead I'll just say the Sumerian myth about the goddess Inanna's ability to descend into other realms including the underworld and then rise again to heaven. This myth is based in the synodic cycle of the planet--you guessed it--Venus (more specifically Venus in retrograde). Jump to the Book of Isaiah when the king of Babylon is condemned, Isaiah refers to the king as "Lucifer:"

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! [how] art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! {14:13} For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: {14:14} I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. {14:15} Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. {14:16}

Thus, the "morning star" falling from heaven is a motif born out of a long list of myths and translations that get thrown in a pot together, stirred up, and then served according to disparate cultures and traditions. Some of those traditions combined "the satan" and "Lucifer" into Satan/Lucifer, some others kept "Satan" and "Lucifer" as two separate beings, with Lucifer ruling over Satan who acts as an agent of temptation on earth. (Sound familiar? Hold that thought!)

In contrast to "Satan" and "Lucifer," "The Devil" can be deterritorialized more simply. The title comes from a series of translations of Greek's  διάβολος (diábolos), or "slanderer." Thus, how the Devil became synonymous with all things Satan, Lucifer, and Hell can be inferred via its etymology.

So, if in some traditions Satan's role is to tempt people's faith, that would mean Crowley is Satan, right? Under my thinking, yes and no.

In the Bible, "tempting" Eve simply meant asking why she hadn't eaten from the Tree of Knowledge and then telling her the truth about what would happen if did (i.e., she would not die as God claimed but would instead be granted the wisdom to know the difference between good and evil). This is important if you recall that "the satan" may act as an agent of hell, but it isn't inherently good or evil, it's there by God's design to test people. So in this way, sure. Crowley plays the role of "the satan." But in the Good Omen's universe, Satan is given definition as the King of Hell (aka Benedict Cumberbatch and a team of CGI wizards), while Lucifer is only mentioned once (I'm getting there, promise!). Given all the amalgamations we've just gone over, it isn't outside the realm of possibility that Gaimon and Pratchett switched their roles. If anything, it makes far more sense that "Lucifer" would become "Crowley" over "Satan." Lucifer was an angel not a deity, so he would become a demon, while the Satan of Good Omens is set up as a direct opponent to God.

But why does Crowley have to have been Lucifer? Couldn't he have been another fallen angel?

Sure. But it isn't a coincidence that Lucifer and Raphael aren't mentioned by name (except once, I know!). Crowley's physical characteristics are more inline with Lucifer's than Raphael's (according to literary tradition, i.e., Paradise Lost and Dante's Inferno); he was the first one to say "let there be light;" rebellion is intrinsic to him (continuously rebelling against hell); he's androgynous (Lucifer as the masculine fallen angel and the feminine Venus); and he has many faces (which he shows off more in S1). Plus, Lucifer is said to have committed the sin of Pride, something Crowley demonstrated a lot of after he cranked the cosmos.

Also, S2 has made perfectly clear that Crowley is insanely powerful for a demon. (I'm convinced the huge power surge they investigate is not the miracle that hides Gabriel but is in fact the burst of energy Crowley produces when he's angry. It occurs at roughly the same time and in the same place. Narratively, it'd be just as easy to have the blackout occur another way, so Crowley's power surge must have another purpose.) In the book, the Narrator of Good Omens (God) says, "Crowley has something no other demons have, especially not Hastur--an imagination." Crowley is repeatedly singled out as being different than the other demons. He is able to read the report that is locked to everyone but the highest of authorities in Heaven.

So, now let's talk about that quote from S1: "I never asked to be a demon. I was just minding my own business one day and then... oh, lookie here, it's Lucifer and the guys!"

It's reasonable to assume Crowley is referring to himself saying "lookie here" after he was the subject of the first part of that sentence. But in actuality, the suggestion that Crowley was "minding his own business" would contradict him then going up to a group of people and initiating a conversation. Therefore, the ellipses (as they are designed to do) represent an absent thought. In this situation, the transition of the subject. In this moment, Crowley is recalling the moments before he fell, when he was minding his own business (while in the company of others) when someone singled out him the other rebels/questioners.

Taken another way, it's also entirely possible that Crowley is referring to himself in the third person as an outside viewer of the situation because, in point of fact, even if Crowley was Lucifer, Lucifer no longer exists according to Neil:

What does all this mean?

It means that even if Crowley was Lucifer, Lucifer doesn't exist because Good Omens takes place after the Fall. Now, this may put a little hiccup in the idea that Crowley can read the top secret files because he was an archangel, but I think it can be explained away via the ineffable plan. It is obvious that God still loves Crowley and shows him preferential treatment. It isn't outside the realm of possibility that she allowed him to keep certain parts of Lucifer as he Fell--especially if he was going to play the role as tempter on Earth. Clearly Crowley retained some of his angelic "goodness," which includes a unique moral code on Earth. Otherwise he'd be just like all the other demons. Crowley has to have enough good in him to appreciate humans, to be able to differentiate who should be tempted and how. He has to understand them in order to tempt them. This, I would argue, is the perfect punishment for an angel that questioned God's creation of man (but we know now he was just questioning the subsequent destruction of the universe he created). For daring to challenge her plan, God sends Lucifer (aka Crowley) to Earth to live among the humans he didn't value in Heaven. But, as we've seen, Crowley can still go up to heaven even when he's not in Aziraphale's body. Just like "morning star" Venus, Crowley can rise to the heavens, idle at the horizon, or fall into darkness. Even as "Crowley," Lucifer is still God's favorite.

So to go back up to where we started, it's possible that Hell ordered Crowley to tempt Aziraphale into falling, but God allowed Crowley to retain a sense of justice, and, perhaps more notability, his ability to love. I think Beelzebub and Gabriel's coupling is a sign that Heaven and Hell's hold on angels and demons weakens when they are confronted with human experiences, which would explain Crowley's very loose allegiance and Aziraphale's increasing discontent with Heaven. The difference between them is that Crowley--on some level--remembers what it's like to be an authority but not THE authority in Heaven, and he knows how fruitless Aziraphale's mission is. As the serpent, he has all this knowledge but Aziraphale is still very naïve, still devoted to the idea of "good" vs. "evil." He needs to see for himself that this dichotomy doesn't exist, even with him in charge. Once he's able to see this and understand what it means for his identity, I think we'll see the most elaborate "I Was Wrong" dance in history.

(Note: I didn't proofread this before posting, because I don't wanna. Now I'm going to devote a stupid amount of time trying to see if I can figure out what the damn J stands for.)

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Why Do You Hide Yourself?

1 Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?

2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.

3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth.

4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.

5 His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.

6 He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.

7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.

8 He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.

9 He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.

10 He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.

11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.

12 Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.

13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.

14 Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.

15 Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.

16 The Lord is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.

17 Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:

18 To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress. — Psalm 10 | King James Version (KJV) The King James Version Bible is in the public domain. Cross References: Exodus 15:18; Exodus 22:23; Deuteronomy 8:20; 1 Kings 9:3; 1 Chronicles 29:18; Job 20:12; Job 22:13; Job 24:14; Job 38:15; Psalm 1:1; Psalm 7:16; Psalm 9:12; Psalm 13:1; Psalm 14:1; Psalm 17:4; Psalm 17:7; Psalm 17:12; Psalm 22:1; Psalm 22:11; Psalm 28:5; Psalm 30:6; Psalm 36:1-2; Psalm 37:17; Psalm 49:6; Psalm 49:18; Psalm 59:7; Psalm 146:9; Proverbs 24:15; Isaiah 29:15; Isaiah 29:20; Matthew 5:21; Matthew 13:19; Romans 3:14; Revelation 18:7

[oillampslit]

God looks on the heart is often used as a comforting verse and there is much truth to that but let us remember that if we harbor evil in our heart God will judge that.

But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Matthew 5:28

Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

1 John 3:15

For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

Isaiah 14:13

But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

1 Samuel 16:7

I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

Jeremiah 17:10

Sources:

[bills-bible-basics]

GOD SENDS THE RAIN -- KJV (King James Version) Bible Verse List #Scriptures #BibleStudy #BibleVerses Visit https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/ to see more. "And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth . . . And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain." 1 Kings 18:1, 41, KJV "Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields:" Job 5:10, KJV "When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder:" Job 28:26, KJV "Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out. For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof: Which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly." Job 36:26-28, KJV "God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend. For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength." Job 37:5-6, KJV "Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder; To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man; To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth? Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?" Job 38:25-28, KJV "Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary." Psalm 68:9, KJV "Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places. He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries." Psalm 135:6-7, KJV "Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God: Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains." Psalm 147:7-8, KJV "Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous cloth; thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence. Then shall he give the rain of thy seed, that thou shalt sow the ground withal; and bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures." Isaiah 30:22-23, KJV "For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." Isaiah 55:10-11, KJV "But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone. Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest." Jeremiah 5:23-24, KJV "He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion. When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures." Jeremiah 10:12-13, KJV "Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things." Jeremiah 14:22, KJV "He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding. When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth: he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures." Jeremiah 51:15-16, KJV "And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, that my fury shall come up in my face. For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel; So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground. And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD: every man's sword shall be against his brother. And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I WILL RAIN UPON HIM, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, AN OVERFLOWING RAIN, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD." Ezekiel 38:18-23, KJV "Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month." Joel 2:23, KJV "And also I have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered. So two or three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD." Amos 4:7-8, KJV "Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field." Zechariah 10:1, KJV "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." Matthew 5:44-45, KJV "Nevertheless he [God] left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness." Acts 14:17, KJV "For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:" Hebrews 6:7, KJV "Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit." James 5:17-18, KJV Before you complain about the rain, consider reading my KJV Bible Verse List called "God Causes Droughts" at the URL below: https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/verse656.html If you would like more info regarding the origin of these KJV Bible verse lists, go to https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/. Thank-you! https://www.billkochman.com/Blog/index.php/god-sends-the-rain-kjv-king-james-version-bible-verse-list/?feed_id=256986&GOD%20SENDS%20THE%20RAIN%20--%20KJV%20%28King%20James%20Version%29%20Bible%20Verse%20List

[findingjoythroughsuffering]

Why do good people suffer?

Well this might not make sense to most, but I believe I have the answer. See in the beginning of time God knew that in order to give people and even angels free will, evil and good must coexist. Everyone including angels must have the option to choose to love God or hate him, choose good or choose evil.

Lucifer chose evil. He wanted to be Him instead of be with Him.

Isaiah 14: 12-15

12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

This choice began the many choices we have today to choose evil. Every time we sin we choose evil. When Eve ate the apple she disobeyed God and then Adam followed in her footsteps.

Genesis 3 : 1-6

1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:

3 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.

4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Now am I saying that bad things happen to good people strictly because of their sin? No. However, I do believe it is because of the inherent evil in this world, the fall of man that caused all of the calamities that exist today. So blame Eve if you want to, but don’t blame God. This was not what he wanted for any of us. He wanted the beautiful garden of Eden. Paradise.

God loves us so much that he sent His only son to make things right and prove how much he loves us. Think about it would you endure torture or have your child do so for the rest of humanity to be saved from death? I don’t think so.

For there has to be consequence for choosing evil. The consequence is eternal death. God doesn’t see our evil choices if we simply believe in Jesus death and resurrection on the cross and accept his gift of eternal life in your heart. That is all it takes. You don’t have to believe Jesus loves you, but once you are given that gift, you will feel it and you will experience the joy that only the Holy Spirit can give you.

In my own life, I have suffered greatly. I have gone through 11 years of a war on my mind in a mental illness brought on by opening the door to demons by doing a past life regression. I asked God to reveal to me who I was in a past life. After that, I immediately was confused between the voice of God and the voices of demons. I became so emotional that I was diagnosed with bipolar I with psychotic features. Jesus has now set me free, but it has been severely traumatic throughout my journey. I have a lot of healing yet to do. Watch more about my mental illness journey on YouTube @findingjoythroughsuffering

Dear Lord,

Please help those who are reading this today. Help those who are suffering come to feel your love through it, be able to endure it as long as it is going on, and have patience with it. Lord, we know your plans are good for us even if we can’t see it and it makes no sense to us. Let us rely on you and help others come to know you. Amen.

[biblicalsignsith]

KANYE GONE CRAZY: Anti-Semitic Tirades, Having "Issues With Jesus" and Claiming to Be God Prove Kanye West Was Never Truly Saved

“Thou hast said in thine heart… I will be like the most High (GOD).” – Isaiah 14:13-14 “Jesus said, Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many…

[shammah8]

The Fall of Lucifer What made God so angry?

A rebellion so great it split the angelic hosts. A revolt against God led by the most beautiful being God had created, the archangel, Lucifer. The following passage describes him in the beauty of his creation.

EZEKIEL 28:12-15 12 ...Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.

13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, 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 prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.

14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: 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 iniquity was found in thee.

Where did the iniquity originate?

To meet the criteria for God's handiwork—perfect and glorious—the beings He designed to work with Him must contain a certain "thing." That "thing" is dangerous to the Creator. But His created beings would be nothing more than puppets without it. That "tiling" is a free will.

God is not a creator of Pinnochios or even of marvelous looking. The World That Then Was humanoid creatures programmed by microchips to worship and obey Him without fail. Indeed worship is only meaningful when the worshipper wills to worship. Obedience can bring God pleasure only when the "obeyer" chooses to obey.

One's will is his "chooser." With it he makes the choices which determine his eternal destiny.

God gave Lucifer—as He gave all the angels—a free will in the day of his creation. He must have used it to worship and please God for some measure of eternity. How long the Bible does not reveal. But it does reveal that he was the first to turn his will against the Father's and it caused his fall.

How did he fall? How did it happen? The following passage begins with those questions apparently asked by the kings of nations whom Satan deceived (Isaiah 14:9,10). And it supplies the answer.

ISAIAH 14:12-14 12 How art thou fallen from heaven, 0 Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

Lucifer's five treasonous "I wills" reveal much.

"I will ascend into heaven." His kingdom was in a place from which he had to go up to carry out his rebellious plan.

"I will exalt my throne above the stars of God." Lucifer had a throne, and therefore a kingdom.

"I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north." This describes the place of God's throne. Lucifer was after the The Blood and the Glory throne of God.

"I will ascend above the heights of the clouds." The atmosphere of Lucifer's kingdom included clouds—clouds he would surmount in an attempt to exalt his throne. Many Bible scholars agree that his kingdom was here on earth. It was "the world that then was."

"I will be like the most High." All this entails we do not know. But his later temptation of Jesus reveals that he wanted to receive rather than to give worship.

There was a real "star wars"!

Lucifer deceived even some of the angels and led an organized revolt against the Most High God.

What was the outcome?

Jesus told us. "And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven" (Luke 10:18).

I believe Lucifer's rebellion so angered God that He removed Himself from the environs of earth sending it into a chaotic wasteland covered with dark waters.☕️Billye Brim

[iyelife]

Isaiah 14:12-14

King James Version

12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of life: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. @barackobama ☀️

[jrhughes]

She Was Deceived, He Was Not!

(Sunday, February 26th 2023 A.D.)  

Genesis 3:1-24  

Message Text:     14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.- 1st Timothy 2:14  

At the end of Chapter 2, we find man and his wife in a perfect environment. God had provided all that Adam and Eve could ever need. Life was good, very good and beautiful. But then was introduced the enemy of our souls and of God. The one and only evil personified, a former arch angel Lucifer had been cast out of his place because he wanted to be God. (Isaiah 14:12-14) Lucifer was cast out of the position of arch angel (Isaiah 14:15). Where did this evil personified one end up coming? (Ezekiel 28:13-17)  

13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, 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 prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.  14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: 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 iniquity was found in thee.  16 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.  17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.  -Ezekiel 28:13-17  

This is the very sad story of the first real sin of mankind and it was not Eve taking the first bite of the forbidden fruit. WHAT?  You read that correctly: It was not Eve. That sin occurred as a result of the sin of Adam.  For centuries, most have blamed Eve and she did take the first bite of the forbidden fruit. However in her defense the devil, the father of lies, the fallen arch angel of heaven, deceived (beguiled) Eve. She was deceived.  

Yet, oh man of God, we have no such rationalization or excuse for the man, Adam (you are a “son” of Adam).  Adam was not deceived!   

Men we are not to emulate Adam, but to learn from Adam our shortcomings.   

Would we allow our wife (or family) to come under the influence of the devil? (Internet, TV?) What if we KNEW it was of the devil?  What if we were not deceived, but just allowed it to happen.  Some commentators tell us Adam was off somewhere. Oh, really, he would leave his beautiful wife and go where?  With whom? And what about verse six that says Adam was “with her”?  NO, friend Adam was without excuse.  He was the first sinner.  Adam did not protect the wife (Gift) God had given him. He allowed her to be deceived. HOW?  

Adam did not defend God when the devil (satan) called God a liar when the devil said, Ye shall not surely die. The devil was responding to Eve having said they were not to eat or touch the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  The devil not only messed with his wife, the Gift of God, Adam also did not come to the defense of Eve or God when the devil made out that God was a liar.   

How about you, oh man of God? Do you protect your wife (or family) from the devil? (Internet, TV, Phone). Do you correct those who teach another gospel, another way?  LEARN HOW NOT TO BE LIKE ADAM.    

Message Text Genesis  - Chapter 3, Verses 1 - 24  

1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?  

1) Failure ~ In the Face of Evil: As we look in on Chapter 3, God provides Adam and Eve everything. Man is at peace with God. God loved him and met all man's needs. Adam is the ruler of all he sees on Earth and all of God's creation. There is no government “swamp” that hinders all persons no matter your party affiliation. No taxes. No bribes. No crime. Just Peace, Joy and Love and the knowledge of only the good. GOD.  

PARADISE GARDEN: Adam has, as his wife, the most beautiful woman in all the world, a direct creation by God, a gift from God. Man had all the land in the world. It was paid off and was not taxable, no school, property or sales taxes. His garden grows without thorns and thistles. On the property God has given him, is every fruit tree that exists and is good for food. There is a natural irrigation system for plants, by the rivers flowing past and through the Garden. The flies, ticks and mosquitos do not bite.  There is no crime. There is no sickness, disease or death. Animals have plenty and they feed and water themselves. No animal fears man, nor does man fear any animal. All in all, not bad. Not bad at all.  

REBELLION: But, we must realize man was not created, unable to sin. Man has the power, but not the right, to sin; not the authority to sin. Sin is rebellion against God. Man is able to make a decision; able to choose right or wrong, evil or good. How will man react when confronted with evil? Will he become righteous when faced with evil? Will he do right? Will he obey or disobey?  

Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And then, along comes the evil one. The devil was created as Lucifer, an angel of light, son of the morning, who wanted to be God (Isaiah 14:12-14). God cast him out of heaven. This son of the morning, angel of light, comes as a serpent creature into the garden. Ser pent (sûr"p…nt) n. 1. A reptile of the order Serpentes; a snake. 2. Often Serpent. a. The creature that tempted Eve. b. satan. The serpent (devil Revelation 12:9) could not have been the hissing evil treacherous, looking animal we see today. The evil one often transforms himself into an angel of light. (II Corinthians 11:14). The devil must have chosen a beautiful, likeable animal and wise animal (wise as a serpent Matthew 10:16), an animal that was friendly with Eve and Adam; one that communicated with man. Eve was a direct creation of God. She was not stupid or simple as Charles Darwin asserts in Descent of Man (1871, Chapter 19). She was intelligent.  

Yet, the devil was able to deceive Eve. The devil is shrewd to do evil. Adam, who is with her (Genesis 3:6) watches this all happen. Adam was not upset at the appearance of the evil one. We must realize how shrewd is he today with your Eve and you. Eve, you should insist upon the protection of your Adam. (And we know  Adam was not deceived,... 1st Timothy 2:14) If you are not careful, he will invade your mind and tell you the sin you want to do, is just not that bad.  After all God loves you and will forgive you. Go ahead, just this once. (Famous last words: just this once)  

Who was this serpent?  God says he was more subtil (subtle, shrewd, crafty). This was a very cunning, ingenious creature. Why else would the devil have chosen him? This animal was one man would accept in his garden and not be upset.  

A Talking Serpent? First the evil one tempts Eve by asking her a question? DOING WHAT?  TALKING TO HER? An animal talks!?! What is the reaction of Adam and Eve? Are they surprised? NO, not at all. Why? Is it because man and animal could communicate before the fall? All we know for certain is: it spoke and they did not seem to be surprised.  

Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? The serpent asked, Hasn't God said you may eat of every (all) of the trees? Or was he really asking: Isn't it true God wants to restrict you from doing what you are fully able to do? Isn't that unfair of God?  If God did not say all of the trees, you should wonder why? Is God trying to restrict your full pleasure? Why? These are the things the evil one wants Eve to consider. And notice that the devil attacked the weaker of the two, but do not think for one second the devil did not know that he was going to use Eve to entice (lure, persuade) Adam to sin.  

Listen friend, the devil knew exactly what God said, so his is the perverted version of the word of God. The devil comes close, but only close enough to cause confusion and doubt. The devil wants to recruit you to be on his team. (Just this once, God should not mind.  God will forgive you... just this once).  

2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:  3 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.  

The woman said unto the serpent. What does Eve answer? She may even begin in a rather defensive posture, defending God. However, we do not see or hear Adam.  Why? Is he enjoying seeing his wife being tempted? Why does Adam stand around? I know a man who told his wife to go ahead and go out with his best friend to lunch (just this once). After all had he not been a groomsman at their wedding? And their marriage was solid. They were in church and overtime, had, had three young children. It was just a friendly gesture. RESULT: DISASTER! Adultery, divorce!   What should my friend have done? He should have said, you know lunch is a good idea. Why don’t we get a sitter and all go to lunch later this week.  Also call up best man and say Friend, do not mess with my beautiful wife. Find your own wife.  

Are you desiring the mate of another? (Just this once)?   DISASTER awaits you!  

Adam should have stepped up to this talking serpent and begin to tell the evil one where to go. Since Adam was not deceived, we can find no reason for his reluctance to become involved. But Adam sits along side and watches the two of them.  What will be the result?  DISASTER!  

 We may eat of the fruit of the trees, ... but, the tree in the midst of the garden, God hath said.  Eve concedes there is one tree God has told us to leave alone as it will bring death. Eve replies we may eat (Hebrew=eat, devour, feed) of the fruit of the trees that are in the garden, but there is one tree that is in the middle of the garden that God (Elohiym) has told us not to eat of it; neither shall you touch  (Hebrew = touch, reach, strike) it, for if you do, you shall die. (Hebrew = die, kill, have one executed).  

Lest you die. Eve knew what God had said. The penalty for partaking of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was DEATH. Some say Eve added to God’s word and it is not the same that was told to Adam at the first, but from where did she come up with her information? Was it when God was talking with them in the garden? We know God came to talk to them in the cool of the day (Genesis 3:8). Was the addition, something that Adam had added?  We just do not know. But all this time: Adam was not deceived.  

Again, we note Adam was with her (Genesis 3:6) and did not correct her or protect her. (Adam was not deceived,... 1st Timothy 2:14) Should Adam have defended Eve? What can you, man learn from this? Who is to be protector and Spiritual guide?  

4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:  

The serpent said unto the woman. When the devil contradicts the Word of God, he blasphemes and calls God a liar. Who is the real Father of lies? Who is the father of all lies? Jesus tells us that the devil is a liar and murderer from the beginning (John 8:44). God hates lying (Prov. 6:16-17).  

Here in the Garden, the evil one lies and tells Eve, God is a liar. (The serpent is talking again and no one is astonished). The devil says, in effect, HEY! GOD IS LYING TO YOU. You won't die (Hebrew=be killed or executed)!  

But, God cannot lie (Numbers 23:19) Remember Adam was not deceived. Yet Adam stood by and allowed the father of lies to mess with his wife. WHAT A JERK!  

As God had preached to Adam, so satan now also preaches to Eve... The object of satan was to draw away Eve (to recruit her to be on his deadly, God hating team). By his lying words is his assault. The devil has challenged God and His Truth. Here, as far as we know, this and his recruiting speech to Eve, are the first uttered lies on Earth.  

Ye shall not surely die: THERE IT IS. A LIE is a prevarication, untruth, misrepresentation. Because of a lie that was not challenged by Adam, the first sin and the fall from a perfect environment where all needs were met and only good was known. From peace, joy, love and regular fellowship with God to a hostile, hate-filled evil world.  What we call the fall of man takes place (rebellion, sin).  

Some commentators (in an attempt to make Adam look good) contend that he was not here at the conversation, in the beginning. But that can only be asserted by wrestling with Scripture.  Genesis 3:6 says Eve gave also unto her husband with her) Where was Adam?  WITH HER.    

Do we (you) protect our wife from sin, by challenging all lies told to her in our presence?  (And Adam was not deceived,... 1st Timothy 2:14) Note: But, when obeying God rather than man, deceiving seems to be allowed (Rahab lies to protect the spies.) But the last word in the Bible on lying is: all liars shall have their part in the lake of fire. (Rev. 21:8). Those who continue and love lying are lost, They have no right to the tree of life. (Rev. 22:14-15)  

5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.  

For God doth know... This all knowing God does know exactly what will happen to man. Man (male and female created He them) will experience immediate Spiritual death.  And being cut off from the tree of life, man will eventually die a physical death. But that is not what the devil warns. NO.  

ye shall be as gods. Devil you are such a liar. But apparently a very convincing liar: some of the angels joined you in rebellion against God. And here this sweet and innocent woman is being asked to partake in sin, to become another recruit for the devil. What a HUUUGE LIE!  

Where did this desire to be as God emanate? The devil, wished to replace God (Isaiah 14:12-14). A paraphrase of the devil is this: NO! WHAT GOD FEARS is that YOU will become gods (gods Hebrew= become Divine: rulers). They will be rulers?  

WAIT, THINK, God already made man ruler of Earth. They were not God, but were God's direct agents, they were rulers. Yet, neither Adam nor Eve defends God. -How about you?- How often do you defend or fail to defend God? Not that God needs your defense, BUT you need to defend Him, for your own GOOD and so you will know on whose side you are.  

Is God; good?  Either God is good and right and wants what is best for you or God is evil. WHAT WILL YOU CHOOSE?  The devil wants you on his team. If you agree with the devil, do not defend God. After all, if the devil speaks the truth, God is not your Friend. God is not your Provider and Sustainer.  

However, if you correctly believe that God would never lie, that God is our Creator, that in God we live and move and have our being; if HE is also the Preserver of all mankind; if HE is your Friend, One who sticketh closer than a brother, if HE is the One Who died in your place, Who paid your death penalty and offered you a ‘legal pardon' (greater Love hath no man than to lay down His life -St. John 15:13) and if HE has gone to prepare a place for you that where He is, there you may be also (John 14:1-3) then you need to defend HIM.  CHOSE GOD. SERVE HIM.  DEFEND HIM.  

You need to declare, how Good, how Great, how Wonderful is our God.  

We either join the devil and want to be gods or we acknowledge that God Only is God. We are to fear (reverence, respect, worship) God and keep all of His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. (Ecclesiastes 12:13).  

Some claim this Chapter 3 is an allegory, but if they are Christians what do they do with the writing of the apostle Paul, who says (2 Corinthians 11:3: But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.) He writing under the influence of God the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost), Who here in 2 Corinthians, New Testament, affirms the serpent beguiled (fooled, charmed, bewitched) Eve.  

6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.  

The woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise. WOW! She looks at the tree. Now, I assume the evil one waited until they were in the vicinity of the tree so they could see it,  before he tempted her. I do not believe the woman and her husband had to walk any great distance to see it. She looked at the tree, which God said was not to be eaten. The consequence of eating it was death. She is listening to this false angel of light figure in a talking-animal. She is being tempted to sin.  

She sees a tree. It is good (pleasant and agreeable) and pleasant (desirable) to her eyes. She may think, ‘Will my eyes be opened?' Now Eve begins concluding it is a tree to be desired (coveted after) to make wise (prudent and understanding). Would she have new knowledge? Would she have the wisdom of this world? (1st Cor. 3:18-20)  Would she become a god?  

What do her eyes behold as she looks on this forbidden (to eat) fruit tree? Her eyes are deceiving her.  She has apparently already believed the devil. Eve thinks this forbidden fruit is good. (Valid; legally firm; not weak or defective; having strength adequate to its support; as a good title; a good deed; a good claim. - Yet peradventure for a good man some would  even dare to die. Romans 5:7.- Webster 1828 )  

It was good for food (1. In a general sense, whatever is eaten by animals for nourishment, and whatever supplies nutriment to plants.  2. Meat; aliment; flesh or vegetables eaten for sustaining human life; victuals; provisions; whatever is or may be eaten for nourishment.) - Webster 1828  

She took of the fruit thereof, and did eat. Eve was sold. She had been recruited, by lies of the worst kind, lies that declared God out to be a liar. Yet, she was beguiled, deceived, bewitched. Eve took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, thus consummating sin. (14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.- James 1:14-15) ...   But Brother Hughes it is “just this once.”  

WHERE IS ADAM?  Adam was not deceived.  

And gave also unto her husband with her.  Adam was not deceived. For the first time Adam is announced as her husband. What is the significance of that? Is it like when we see a man who supposedly got saved last week, but we see him drunk and drinking? One man says to the evangelist: Look there is one of your converts. To which the evangelist replies, He must be one of my converts because if was a true convert of God, he would not be in such a sad situation.   

Was Adam now acting as a husband of Eve and not a son of God? And for those who want to give Adam a pass: he was off somewhere tending to the Garden: Read it, the Bible says her husband was with her. Eve was to be as a helpmeet for him. And we could here raise up our holy stance and say: Eve destroyed Adam and the perfect environment of Eden. Poor Adam, poor, poor Adam. Adam was not deceived.  

And he did eat, and so involved himself in the criminality of the acts of joining team devil. But likewise as Eve was being "persuaded by Satan's impostures," Adam was not deceived. Scriptures speak of Adam as the chief transgressor (Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:21, 22).  

And he did eat! Okay what does Eve (and Adam who was with her) do? (And Adam was not deceived,... 1st Timothy 2:14). Suddenly, she yields to temptation. She takes the fruit. She is deceived and does not realize the gravity of her sin. WAIT! Adam is not deceived (I Timothy 2:14). Will not Adam come like the ‘Lone Ranger' in days of old (or ‘Cavalry') to her rescue. (Hi-Ho Silver!)  

BUT NO!  He stands there. He allows her to eat (Hebrew =eat, consume, devour) Why? And why do we desire the forbidden? (Porn industry, prostitution, dangerous or fattening, neighbors wife/husband, new car, nice things, wealth without working. Do you play the lottery? Just this once. Will you be with your friend’s wife for lunch, just this once?  

And I cannot imagine how Adam had come to disregard Eve so much that Adam allowed her to take the first bite of the forbidden fruit, which God had told him would bring forth death (Genesis 2:17). Why would this husband allow his wife to take of the fruit and perhaps drop over dead? (And Adam was not deceived,... 1st Timothy 2:14) Aren't we sorry that we were not Adam? Surely "I" would have protected my wife. (We are but a bad copy of a bad copy of a bad copy of Adam. Only with God’s power can you find the way of escape.)  

1 Corinthians 10:13 King James Version 13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.  

Going, GOING, ...         But the sin is not yet completed.  

Eve gave to her husband Adam (who was not deceived). Okay here is where Adam will rescue Eve. Adam knows this is sin. He will refuse, and by his actions will redeem Eve from sin (if that be possible). NOPE!  

The big man sees the fruit, opens his mouth (not to speak and command the evil one to go); Adam opens his mouth to participate in the sin. And he did eat. Now the sin is complete. What are the results of sin when it is complete?  

DEATH! (Separation from God)  

What are the three deaths?  Spiritual Death, Physical Death, Eternal Death! This act brought forth immediate Spiritual Death. That led to Physical Death and if you (and I) do not resist the evil one, if we join his team and never leave it, you (or I) will end up in the torments of hell.   

King James Bible. And he (the recently dead rich man) cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. - Luke 16:24  

9 And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of His anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulphur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up for ever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshippers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.” - Revelation 14:9-11  

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.  

The eyes of them both were opened, and they knew they were naked. They were naked before each other and naked before God. They had sinned (disobeyed). Did they now realize the foolishness of their actions?  What to do?  

‘OH! I have a great idea,' man thought. ‘Let us hide our sin.' ‘Let us cover over that which tells us we are sinners.' ‘Let us make it right.' ‘Let us redeem ourselves'. So they took fig leaves and they sewed fig leaves together and made aprons. (Well there goes the false idea of a stone age, where men did not know how to use tools. Here Adam and Eve are sewing ~using tools).  

they sewed fig leaves together. I will make myself right before God. They had looked with their eyes. Our eyes often get us into trouble yet today. (Television,  internet, books, magazines, a new car, or combine, a shapely woman, a hunk). If thine eye offends thee, pluck it out ... rather than... be cast into hell fire. (Matthew 18:9) Suddenly, they both realized their sin. Shame had entered the world. Their understanding and eyes were opened.  

It is bad to sin, but not totally bad to know your sin. It is how you deal with it. Do you confess and forsake your sin striving to never do it again? (1st John 1:9)  

OR do you say, well, we all sin, God expects it, so we will continue in our sin?  

Just this once...  

Which is the proper attitude? Jesus warns us to repent or perish. (Luke 13:2-5) Here we see innocence lost. They knew (Hebrew= perceived, learned, discerned) and now they understood they were naked (nude, exposed, stripped).  

I will make ME right, cover sin and shame. When sin is exposed we find our first Earthly parents tried to "cover it" (their nakedness with leaves). Some commentators believe Adam and Eve were at creation clothed with THE righteousness of God, in the form of light (perhaps as the transfigured Christ and His Face did shine and His raiment was white as the light. Matthew 17:2). If that is true, then the covering of righteousness was gone also.  

They disobeyed God (that is sin). The childlike wonder for his wife (and Eve for her husband's body) was broken. The innocence of being created (without knowing evil) was gone. They knew good from God BUT now also knew evil from the devil.  

They made aprons (Hebrew=girdles, belts, loin cloths) of the leaves of a fig tree to cover those parts of difference, those parts meant by God for good, for the procreation and pleasure of the man and his wife and for the filling of the Earth with images of God. (Genesis 1:26-28)  

But without shedding of blood is no remission of sin. (Hebrews 9:22) Man's best efforts, man's solution, ...cover what now had been exposed. and then . . . (read Genesis 3:8)  

Prayer: Father God, I know You love me.  But I must confess that I do not understand that wonderful agape love. I do desire it and I do accept it.  I need You every hour, every minute, every second, every nano second. Please never leave me nor forsake me. I need Your strength to resist the temptation that is before me. Yes, I am confident that You will forgive me. BUT, I do not know why. Also, I do not want to be recruited by the devil. I do not even want to hear from him. He is a liar.  He is the prince of just this once. I now reject him and in Your Name, Lord Jesus, I cast him out from me and ask You to make it so he never, ever returns or exercises authority over me, ever again.  I want to be Your child. I want to be more like Jesus. HELP ME, I pray. Make me into the person that You want me to be. No fig leaves, no aprons. Please forgive me for all my sins and unrighteous thoughts, speech, ideas and deeds, I pray in the Mighty Powerful, Wonderful Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen and amen  

May God bless you in all that you do for Him, Brother J.R. Soul winner, Bible teacher, Defender of the Faith

[terrytiger]

Isaiah 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground,

which didst weaken the nations!

Isaias 14:12  Cómo caíste del cielo, oh Lucero, hijo de la mañana! Cortado fuiste por tierra, tú que debilitabas a las naciones. 

Isaiah 14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart,

I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

Isaias 14:13 Tú que decías en tu corazón: Subiré al cielo; en lo alto, junto a las estrellas de Dios, levantaré mi trono, y en el monte del testimonio me sentaré, a los lados del norte; 

[scorelaine]

Today in my devotions I read Psalms 73 (“Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.” Psalms‬ ‭73:17, 23-26, 28‬ ‭KJV)

which to me is exactly what I needed to hear in the face of the aftermath of our corrupt government’s decision.

-To know there is an incorruptible God ( “And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.” Romans‬ ‭1:23‬ ‭KJV)

-who loves me and who saved me (“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”‭‭John‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬ “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” 1 John‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬)

-who promises to protect (“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” Revelation‬ ‭3:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬ “I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;” Isaiah‬ ‭42:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬ “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew‬ ‭10:29-31‬ ‭KJV‬‬)

-and to provide (“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Matthew‬ ‭6:25-34‬ ‭KJV‬‬)

-and to never leave (“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews‬ ‭13:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬)

- to know that that is Jesus and that Jesus is and always will be king (“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” Colossians‬ ‭1:16-18‬ ‭KJV)

-and that He is coming to reign for eternity where there’ll be no more crying or darkness (“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation‬ ‭21:4‬ ‭KJV‬‬, “And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.” Revelation‬ ‭22:5‬ KJV)

-to know in spite of everything that may happen on this earth it is only temporary in the face of the endurance and eternal quality of God (“They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations. In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed. Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.” Psalms‬ ‭72:5, 7-8, 17-19‬ ‭KJV‬‬)

As Christians we often get caught in the day-to-day things and forget there is a happily ever after at the end of our story, that our Hero on a steed is coming and going to save us from the villain, and He will be Victorious so go ahead consider their end, they might have won this little skirmish but the battle isnt over so keep the faith, keep the hope, because it still lives, as long as there is God there is always hope (“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.” Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11, 14‬ ‭KJV‬‬)

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Pashhur Persecutes Jeremiah

1 Now Pashur the son of Immer the priest, who was also chief governor in the house of the Lord, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things.

2 Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the Lord.

3 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Pashur brought forth Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then said Jeremiah unto him, The Lord hath not called thy name Pashur, but Magormissabib.

4 For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will make thee a terror to thyself, and to all thy friends: and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and thine eyes shall behold it: and I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall carry them captive into Babylon, and shall slay them with the sword.

5 Moreover I will deliver all the strength of this city, and all the labours thereof, and all the precious things thereof, and all the treasures of the kings of Judah will I give into the hand of their enemies, which shall spoil them, and take them, and carry them to Babylon.

6 And thou, Pashur, and all that dwell in thine house shall go into captivity: and thou shalt come to Babylon, and there thou shalt die, and shalt be buried there, thou, and all thy friends, to whom thou hast prophesied lies.

7 O Lord, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived; thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.

8 For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the Lord was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily.

9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.

10 For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.

11 But the Lord is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.

12 But, O Lord of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause.

13 Sing unto the Lord, praise ye the Lord: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers.

14 Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be blessed.

15 Cursed be the man who brought tidings to my father, saying, A man child is born unto thee; making him very glad.

16 And let that man be as the cities which the Lord overthrew, and repented not: and let him hear the cry in the morning, and the shouting at noontide;

17 Because he slew me not from the womb; or that my mother might have been my grave, and her womb to be always great with me.

18 Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame? — Jeremiah 20 | King James Bible (KJV) The King James Bible is in the public domain Cross References: Genesis 19:25; Genesis 21:6-7; Deuteronomy 32:35-36; 1 Kings 19:2,3 and 4; 2 Kings 20:17-18; 2 Kings 25:18; 1 Chronicles 9:11; 2 Chronicles 36:10; 2 Chronicles 36:16; Nehemiah 6:6; Job 3:3; Job 3:10-11; Job 3:20; Job 10:18-19; Job 12:4; Job 18:11; Psalm 7:9; Psalm 11:5; Psalm 22:7; Psalm 31:13; Psalm 34:6; Psalm 69:33; Isaiah 8:3; Jeremiah 6:7; Jeremiah 6:25; Jeremiah 13:10; Jeremiah 14:14-15; Jeremiah 15:10; Jeremiah 18:22; Jeremiah 28:15; Acts 4:20; Acts 16:24; Romans 8:31; 1 Corinthians 4:9; Hebrews 11:36

[evangelistdag]

The next step forward for your life...humility

Now SOME ARE PUFFED UP, as though I would not come to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, NOT THE SPEECH OF THEM WHICH ARE PUFFED UP, but the power. 

1 Corinthians 4:18-19 

Lucifer is the first and best example of someone who was puffed up, swollen with pride, arrogance and delusions. People who become puffed up and swollen with pride are following the example of Lucifer. So how did Lucifer become puffed up? 

1. You can be puffed up like Lucifer when you have unholy and evil ambitions. Exalting yourself like Lucifer is to aim for greatness that God has not given you. Lucifer was puffed up because he had unholy, ungodly and evil ambitions for greatness. This evil ambition of satan is exposed clearly through the words of Lucifer: I will ascend into…! I will ascend above…! I will exalt…! I will sit also …! I will be like ���! 

For thou hast said in thine heart, I WILL ASCEND into heaven, I WILL EXALT my throne above the stars of God: I WILL SIT ALSO upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I WILL ASCEND above the heights of the clouds; I WILL BE LIKE the most High. 

Isaiah 14:13-14

 I remember being corrected by a Jewish man. He pointed out to me that I should not use such words like ‘I am’, ‘I will’, ‘I can’, ‘I have’ and ‘I will not’. He explained to me that it is only God who can say, ‘I am’, ‘I will’, ‘I can’, ‘I will not’ and ‘I have’. I realized that he was right. I felt ashamed of myself because I had known how Lucifer had used such language to express his evil ambitions. What ambitions do you have? Do you want to be great? Do you want to have lots of money? Do you want to be a powerful rich man? Do you want to be a famous man of God? Do you want to be a senior pastor of your church? Do you want to move out of the position of an assistant and become the senior pastor? Do you want to become your boss? Do you want to become the wife of your boss? Do you want to replace your pastor’s wife? Do you want to become the first lady? Do you want to be the girlfriend of that famous soccer player? If these ambitions are not God given and God ordained, they are evil and they will get you into big trouble. Everyone has secret ambitions and unvoiced goals. What dreams do you have? You must always watch your heart! Your visions and dreams reveal your heart. When satan gives you visions and dreams, you will be a man filled with wrong evil ambitions. These wrong ambitions are what show that you are filled with arrogance and pride. These evil ambitions will make you fight and struggle for supremacy. You can be dangerously puffed up because of your demonic ambitions.

2. You can be puffed up like Lucifer when you forget why and how you were appointed. 

Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I HAVE SET THEE SO: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. 

Ezekiel 28:14 

Once you have been appointed into a position, you must maintain a certain level of humility. Every position that you occupy is an appointment from God. Sometimes it is an appointment from other human beings. These realities must make us humble. One of the signs of pride is seen in people who forget that they were appointed or set into their positions. Sometimes, someone is appointed as a pastor but he quickly forgets how he was favoured and elevated to occupy that position of honour. Indeed, the pride and rudeness exhibited by appointed officers reveals how people have forgotten that they were appointed and can be removed!

[bills-bible-basics]

WHY POISONOUS SNAKES SPIDERS AND SCORPIONS -- KJV (King James Version) Bible Verse List #Scriptures #BibleStudy #BibleVerses Visit https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/ to see more. "And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." Genesis 3:17-19, KJV "And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair. The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house. And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels. And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife." Genesis 12:14-17, KJV "And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me. For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth. For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth." Exodus 9:13-15, KJV "And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins. I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your high ways shall be desolate. And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things, but will walk contrary unto me; Then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins." Leviticus 26:21-24, KJV "And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died." Numbers 21:5-6, KJV "Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;" Deuteronomy 8:15, KJV "If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD; Then the LORD will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses, and of long continuance. Moreover he will bring upon thee all the diseases of Egypt, which thou wast afraid of; and they shall cleave unto thee. Also every sickness, and every plague, which is not written in the book of this law, them will the LORD bring upon thee, until thou be destroyed. And ye shall be left few in number, whereas ye were as the stars of heaven for multitude; because thou wouldest not obey the voice of the LORD thy God." Deuteronomy 28:58-62, KJV "I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things." Isaiah 45:5-7, KJV It is likewise because of sins and rebellion, that great plagues occur in the Book of Revelation as well. If you would like more info regarding the origin of these KJV Bible verse lists, go to https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/. Thank-you! https://www.billkochman.com/Blog/index.php/why-poisonous-snakes-spiders-and-scorpions-kjv-king-james-version-bible-verse-list/?feed_id=214993&WHY%20POISONOUS%20SNAKES%20SPIDERS%20AND%20SCORPIONS%20--%20KJV%20%28King%20James%20Version%29%20Bible%20Verse%20List

[alicerei]

Lucifer - Guillaume Geefs

Isaiah 14:13-14 ;

For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven,

I will exhalt my throne above the stars of God:

I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation,

in the sides of the north:

I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I

will be like the most High