In our last post, we talked about how Elijah and Moses are archetypes of those who will enter Christ’s future Promised Kingdom. If you haven’t read it, you can access it here: The Hope Given Us Through Moses.
In that post, I raised two important questions: (1) Why are these examples important? and (2) Why were these acts achievable by these and not by others?
While I guess there are many proposed answers one could give, I think there are four that we should consider so we can understand this better.
1. God had to overcome what mankind thought was the natural order of things.
Experience is not always the test of how things are supposed to be. People were living under a system they did not know was not the intended system for them. They had come to accept the world system for how they experienced it.
2. But the world was not as it was supposed to be. Something changed.
Mankind was now operating under Satan’s rule and not under Adam’s. God had originally offered Adam a theocracy: an earthly rule with God leading Adam in his rule. Why was that not what was being experienced?
3. God had to get mankind’s attention.
God needed to provide examples for mankind to ponder so they would recognize how their proper relationship was to be with Him. When things go against the norm, it makes one pause and ponder. Was it just a fluke, an abnormality, or is there something greater, something deeper, to consider?
4. They reveal that the power of God is needed to restore what was lost.
These examples match with other scriptures to what God had planned for mankind’s future. As stated previously, these were examples of hope and as time went on, God provided more Scripture that further supported and substantiated what he had demonstrated through these examples.
So, if the world was not as it was to be, what caused it to change? For that, we need to go back to the beginning. In Genesis chapter 3, we find that Adam disobeyed God. Yet, the implication is that the act was more than just disobedience. Scripture tells us Adam actually rebelled against God. How do we know this? Consider these two verses:
As at Adam, they [Israel] have broken the covenant; they were unfaithful to me there (Ho 6:7, NIV). God was saying Israel had rebelled against him just as Adam had rebelled.
And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner (1Ti 2:14). Some say this puts the responsibility of mankind’s consequences on Eve, but actually, Paul is implying just the opposite. He is saying Eve was deceived but Adam was not. He was there and did not stop her. He was in rebellion.
What was the consequence of rebellion brought onto the kingdom Adam was to receive? It seems mankind lost its dominion and power to Satan because Adam turned his dominion over to Satan by his act of rebellion. How do we know this? Consider the following Scripture references:
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only,’” (Mt 4:8-10, NIV). Christ did not tell Satan he did not have that authority. If he did not have that authority, it is very likely Christ would have called him out on that fact. So, for Christ not to do that, it means Satan really had the authority to offer this to Christ.
In addition, if Satan did not have this authority, then this would not have been a temptation to Christ. Satan was telling Christ he did not need to go to the cross and suffer so horrifically. He had the solution: he would give these earthly kingdoms to Christ and he could rule right then and there. Would that have been something to ponder? No suffering but still get an earthly kingdom. Christ did not even ponder this offer because it would mean utter ruin as Christ, the second person of the Godhead, would be subservient to Satan, a created being! No, that would never have worked and achieved what Christ came to accomplish. So, Christ’s answer was appropriate. Satan would not get worshipped. Christ is the one whom Satan should worship.
We then have this somewhat strange conversation in Job chapter 1: Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied, ”Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has in in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord (Jb 1:8-19, NIV).
It was only God’s hedge of protection that prevented Satan from doing as he pleased. What did Satan now have the power to do?
1. Satan had the Sabeans attack and steal Job’s donkeys and oxen.
2. Satan had fires destroy Job’s sheep and servants.
3. Satan had the Chaldeans steal Job’s camels and kill his servants.
4. Satan had a mighty wind collapse the house on Job’s sons and daughters where they were banqueting together.
This would indicate that Satan had the power to kill and destroy like any monarch of a kingdom would have the power to do. This lets us know Adam gave up quite a lot by his act of rebellion.
So, was all hope now gone? Oh, no. Of course not. That is not how God is or how he operates. In the midst of gloom, he always provides hope. Join me next week when we will see what amazing hope God provided. Until then. God bless.
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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens