An
Accusing Spirit
Stephen
Terry
When
we read about the angels in Revelation their numbers are vast. It speaks of
"ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands"
(Revelation 5:11). But these are only two thirds of the angels, for one third
was cast out with Satan who drew a third of the stars with him. (Revelation
12:14) John tells us that those stars are symbolic of angels. (Revelation 1:20)
Ten thousand times ten thousand alone is one hundred
million, so even if we take one half which would be one third of the original
total before the rebellion, we would have 50 million at the very least. And
where are these millions of fallen angels? Right here on the Earth, working
against the Kingdom of God and the moving of the Holy Spirit. We might want to
think that these are found among the sinful masses, keeping them enslaved to
their lusts and addictions. However, we are warned that they are more likely to
be posing as "ministers of righteousness." (2 Corinthians 11:15)
Their work is to infiltrate the church and cause division and despair, to
create doubt and distrust. How do we recognize them if they are so cleverly
disguised?
Jesus told us how. He said, "“Watch out for false
prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious
wolves." (Matthew 7:15-16) They wear sheep's clothing. They feign an air
of righteousness to deceive the flock, but as ferocious wolves they tear at the
sheep in an attempt to cast them down as they themselves once were cast from
heaven. How do they do this?
The Bible tells us how, for it warns us of the work that
their master the Devil directs and they implement. We are warned that the
"accuser of the brethren" is amongst us. (Revelation 12:10) They
never relent in their accusations, accusing the saints "before God"
of their sins. It does not take much to look about us and see many who are
engaged in this very work. Their spirit of accusation comes into our Sabbath
Schools, our church meetings, our socials. They are implacable in their
accusing hatred of those who have been set free in Christ. (John 8:36)
But we should not lose heart, for their very existence
and their unrelenting accusations are testimony to the value of the
relationship with Jesus that we hold dear, and as their attacks and accusations
increase, the end is drawing ever nearer. If we do remain faithful in spite of
the onslaught from Satan's minions in the household of faith, if we remain
steadfast and our love and compassion can endure to the end, we will one day
find it was worth everything we had to endure.
This Article is Provided
by Still Waters Ministry
