Q. Do you believe the devil is real? I heard a priest say evil is just the absence of good. If you think the devil is a real being, can you explain why?
Answer:
We believe Satan is real and not just a “force” or the absence of good. Believing in a “force” of evil or good comes from humanism and the “age of reason.” However, we are now part of a post Modern world where once again people believe in invisible realities. Belief in parallel worlds and spiritual beings has become respectable “science” for those willing to listen to quantum physicists and theorists (Ross 1996, 55).
Daily News Confirms Satan’s Being
For confirmation that there is a personal devil just turn on CNN and watch the Middle East news. You will see biblical prophecy and satanic maneuvers played out hourly. When you watch the news ask yourself some of the following questions:
– Why do you think each U.S. President determines to divide Israel?
– What is the “Peace Plan” about? Asking Israel to give up more land is silly because Israel is about the size of a square inch in a football field of Arab countries!
– Why do men worldwide hate Jews and desire to completely destroy Israel?
– Look up Psalm 83 – particularly verse 4. “They say, ‘Come, let us wipe them out as a nation so that Israel’s name will no longer be remembered'” (HCSB). Doesn’t this sound like the current Iranian leader speaking today!
Proof of Schemes & Hostilities
All of the schemes and hostilities against Israel and the Jews is due to Satan’s hatred of God and His Son, Yeshua (Hebrew for Jesus). Invisible, real spiritual beings use men to accomplish their goals to destroy God’s chosen people, the Jews.
Invisible Realities
Let’s explore the subject of invisible realities.
First, all of us know and believe that the world around us is made up of invisible atoms, molecules, and swirling electrons even though we cannot see them. Yet, we believe in these tiny particles.
Alphabet of Info
Second, scientists also teach us that humans are made from an alphabet of information in breath-taking variety – like the letters which make up coherent words and chapters in an encyclopedia.
Scripture already teaches us these two points. “By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible” (Hebrews 11:3, NASB).
Parallel Worlds
Third, in a similar way we know Satan is real because the Bible tells us there are parallel realities. These are called rulers and authorities, spiritual forces of evil and angels. They operate right alongside us (see Ephesians 3:8-10, Eph. 6:12).
Satan’s Anti Semitism Apparent
While we rarely see these parallel beings, we see the effects of their work on a daily basis. We see it in the vicious anti Semitism infecting nations worldwide. Every time we hear the words, “Death to Israel” and “Death to the Jews,” we are hearing the voice of Satan working with his evil spiritual forces.
The Scarlet Thread
Satan has tried to thwart God’s plan for mankind since the beginning of history. We see this in our history books. Satan began by attempting to corrupt the bloodline through which Yeshua would be born. He did this through the inter breeding of wicked angels and women (Genesis 6). Over and over Satan attempted to kill off the male children of Israel. Pharaoh attempted to murder all male Hebrew children during the Exodus. Haman’s evil plan as told in the book of Esther is another example. Herod’s attempt to kill all male children under age two in Bethlehem is a continuation of Satan’s evil plan. (Missler 2002, 158).
Watch CNN & See Satan in Action
Hitler’s WWII plan to exterminate all Jews was a continuation of Satan’s work. We see it today in the current Iranian leader’s insane desire to “wipe Israel off the map” (see Psalm 83). All of this is a scarlet thread running throughout the fabric of history – It reveals Satan’s continuous attempt to destroy the Jews so that the Messiah cannot return to punish the devil and set up the Kingdom of God.
Centuries-Old Psychotic Rage
Because of centuries-old bitter, psychotic, insane hatred, Satan works overtime to persecute and destroy Christians, missionaries, and all attempts to establish Christ’s love and forgiveness to a dying world. Think of it: Satan has had centuries to become psychotic in his hatred of Jews and Christians. Scary thought!
This is a real being – Satan or the devil – with a clear agenda and M.O. operating full time worldwide. Just read the news and see for yourself…
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References:
Barnhouse, Donald Grey. 1965. The invisible war. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Missler, Chuck. 2002. Learn the Bible in 24 hours. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson. (See pg. 158-159, “The Scarlet Thread”).
Ross, Hugh. 1996. Beyond the cosmos. Colorado Springs: NavPress.