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~ Rejecting the gods of our culture since 1998.

cultural atheist

Tag Archives: Satan

The Temptation

09 Wednesday Mar 2016

Posted by braddahr in Inspiration, Spirituality

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christ, God, Good News, gospel, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Love, salvation, Satan, Temptation

Recently, I was with a group of young people and we were talking about Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. I asked them what is the take away from this story – what do we need to learn? They responded with the common things I have heard from many others: Jesus was showing us we can overcome temptation like he did, the devil is a liar, faith in God protects us from Satan; we need to know scripture so we are not deceived, and so on.

Those thoughts are not necessarily wrong or bad but something triggered in my mind. The Bible is the revelation of God; every story whispers Jesus name. Unfortunately, we often make the story all about us and from there we tend towards moralizing and even salvation and righteousness by works.

What if the story is all about Jesus and only there to tell us about him? If so, what does this story tell us about Jesus? As I look at the text through Jesus, what I discover is, it’s not about my abilities or overcoming, or my faith.

To me, it’s about Jesus, God with us, who was willing to do whatever it takes, to endure everything that can be thrown at him, so that he can set us free and bring us home.

What do you see in this Jesus story?

Claimed

26 Tuesday May 2015

Posted by braddahr in Inspiration, Observations, Spirituality

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acceptance, Character of God, Freedom, God, heaven, Jesus Christ, judgment, salvation, sanctuary, Satan

This is my last post in my short series on God’s sanctuary. It all began here.

I wanted to share with you that God directed the making of the sanctuary so that he could dwell with his people. That is his eternal desire. The message of the sanctuary was that God was demonstrating his love to us in that while we were sinners, Jesus Christ died to save us. Why did he do such a thing? So that we would dwell with him as he wants to dwell with us.

But then I shifted focus to the judgment. I’ve heard the judgment described in various ways, many of which make God look terrible and run contrary to the purpose and message of the sanctuary. Usually, the Son of God is having to convince God the Father to forgive, accept, and receive us.

In contrast, I suggested that the scenario I see in scripture reveals a God who stands between you and the Accuser, the hater of love and life, and not only defending you but claiming you as his child. Does that sound crazy?  Well, I got it from the Bible. Does it have anything to do with the sanctuary? Yes!

Let me set the mood with Psalm 109: 26-31
Help me, O Lord my God! Oh, save me according to Your mercy, That they may know that this is Your hand—That You, Lord, have done it! Let them curse, but You bless; When they arise, let them be ashamed, But let Your servant rejoice. Let my accusers be clothed with shame, And let them cover themselves with their own disgrace as with a mantle. I will greatly praise the Lord with my mouth; Yes, I will praise Him among the multitude. For He shall stand at the right hand of the poor, To save him from those who condemn him.

And now consider Zechariah 3. Here we find a high priest, standing before God, and he is being accused by Satan. God will have none of it and he shuts Satan down. Verse 2 says, “The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?””

Pretty cool, right? Here’s the thing, this short passage is talking about the high priest in the most holy place of the sanctuary on the day of atonement – judgment day! What’s really amazing is the high priest is wearing filthy garments (actually covered in excrement). This is despite all the cleansing and care he would have taken to stand in rightness before the LORD. And yet, it’s clear that it’s nothing the high priest did or said that commended him but it’s because of Christ Jesus who is promised in verse 9. The changing of his garments indicate he has been made right, he is accepted, God wants to dwell with him. And, in the end, we can see that this is our story, too

Behold what manner of love is this?!?

Badvocate

05 Tuesday May 2015

Posted by braddahr in Inspiration, Observations, Spirituality

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advocate, defender, Freedom, God, Jesus, judgment, Love, salvation, sanctuary, Satan, tabernacle

When I was in elementary school, a new kid moved into our neighbourhood and we became friends. During the school year, our class went on a camp out. That night, as we were in our bunks and supposed to be going to sleep, some of the kids started picking on the new kid. You see, his skin was darker than ours and he had an accent – he was different.

I was so angry at this bullying, that in the loudest voice I could muster, I shouted at them to leave him alone and to stop picking at him. (Insert applause and pats on the back here.) But wait, there’s a little more to the story. it’s the part that haunts me and I wish I could take back. If I ever remember that new kid’s name I will track him down and apologize.

I shouted at them to leave him alone and then I said, “He can’t help it that he was born that way.”

I still feel the sting of shame when I think about it. Sure, it was grade 5 or 6 and kids in grade 5 and 6 say dumb things. Add in the tension and the potential for an actual fist fight and it’s easy for a person’s mouth to get ahead of their brain.

And yet, the truth of the matter is, I wasn’t a very good advocate for my friend.

Have you ever been picked on or accused of something you didn’t do and you wished you had an advocate; someone who would rise to your defence, stand up for you?
I”ve been sharing some thoughts with you regarding God’s sanctuary. The ultimate purpose of the sanctuary is so that God coud dwell with us; he wants to be the centre of our lives. The ultimate message of the sanctuary is that even while we were far away from God, rebellious, angry, and separated, God was demonstrating his love for us through his self-sacrifice.

Next I want to tell you that the good news of the sanctuary is that you have an advocate who is on your side. I’ll show you how beautiful this truth is about God in my next post.

Deceptive Practices

03 Tuesday Mar 2015

Posted by braddahr in Observations, Spirituality

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Angel, Conflict, deception, Jesus Christ, Lies, Murder, Satan

One time, Jesus spoke very bluntly about Satan.

“He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44 NLT

The Bible makes it clear that this fallen angel has deceptive practices. What I have noticed is that we usually think of these deceptive practices in terms of theology – “the truth.” Certainly Satan has distorted the things of God, turning heaven’s blessings into things that lead to self-righteousness, confusion, and despair.

But is that it?

The first lies recorded (although we know he was already telling them in heaven) are the the lies about God’s character. He lied to Adam and Eve about God’s love and care for them. The lies were relational.

What if Satan’s deceptive practices begin with or are grounded in lies about others? It would be in his best interests if we think the worst about others – their beliefs, their practices, their intentions and character. I also suspect that we reveal our acceptance of the lies and our culpability in spreading them when we say, “All (insert person or group) are (insert belief, practice, intention).”

It makes it way more easily to demonize, pigeonhole, segregate, ignore, those who we deem to be one dimensionally evil. The end result is fear, mistrust, hate – poison to our Father’s Kingdom.

The Three – Coming to Rest

25 Monday Aug 2014

Posted by braddahr in Inspiration, Spirituality, Uncategorized

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Angels, Beast, God, Jesus Christ, Rest, Revelation, Satan, Worship

We’ve come to the end of this series. Thank for taking this journey with me. After this post we’ll go on to other things.

The Bible letter, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, is God’s last message to a dying planet. In Revelation 14:6-12, three angels shout a warning to “those who dwell on the earth;” people who hate God and hate those who love God. It’s a message given in great love because God is willing to go to the uttermost to reach even his most aggressive enemies.

Revelation 14:11 states that those who have completely aligned themselves with the Beast, becoming beast-like themselves, “have no rest day or night…” Why is that?

There is a contentment and peace that comes from resting in God’s love and grace. It’s about no longer striving to prove yourself to others and to God. Those who dwell on the earth do not have a sense of love and belonging with God.

Instead, they are driven to prove their value; to prove their worth and by extension they must prove their salvation. Exhaustion is a status symbol because it proves they are productive and therefore valuable; being tired is a source of pride. Value is found in grades, awards, promotions and raises; on things like homes and cars, even in their children. Those who dwell on the earth wake up saying, “I didn’t get enough sleep.” They go to bed saying, “I didn’t get enough done.” And all day long they were saying, “I’m not enough.”

You see, those who dwell on the earth are prone to worshipping the beast because the beast plays their song. The beast’s message, the maddening wine of Babylon, tastes good to the inner being because it’s all about self – self-worth, self-salvation, self-worship.

Are you willing to accept Jesus’ invitation when he says to you: “Come to me, my weary and burdened child, and I will give you rest.”? Do you know God’s rest today?

The Three – Forever Smoke

18 Monday Aug 2014

Posted by braddahr in Inspiration, Spirituality

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Angels, Beast, God, Hell, Jesus Christ, Mark, Redemption, Revelations, Satan, seal, Torment

The Bible letter, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, is God’s last message to a dying planet. In Revelation 14:6-12, three angels shout a warning to “those who dwell on the earth;” people who hate God and hate those who love God. It’s a message given in great love because God is willing to go to the uttermost to reach even his most aggressive enemies.

A year ago, we went to Florida. It was a nice trip but wherever we went we were waiting forever and ever. We would go to the Golden Corral for supper and we had to stand in a line waiting forever and ever. We went to Universal Studios and just to get in we had to wait forever and ever. After we were in the park, guess what – we were in more lines waiting forever and ever.

So let me ask you a question: if we were waiting forever and ever – how can can I be back home and writing this blog today?

In Revelation 14:11 we read that those who have aligned mind and body with the Beast will come to an end “And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever…” How long? Forever and ever.

Take a look at Isaiah 34:8-10. From what we can tell, John lifted this phrase about the smoke ascending forever and from Isaiah and used it to describe what he was seeing in God-given vision. In this case, the place being discussed is Edom, modern Jordan. If you were to go there would you find places still burning? No.

In my last post, I asked you to consider Genesis 19, the destruction of Sodom by fire and sulphur. In verse 28, Abraham sees smoke rising up from where Sodom was. What does this tell him? That the destruction has happened. Sodom isn’t burning or smoking today. It only burned as long as it took to consume it (see verse 15).

Remember that in the Bible, fire is never intended to preserve, prolong or maintain something; it’s always to cleanse and consume. Smoke is the sign that the consuming fire has completed it’s task.

Forever and ever is expression that we don’t take literally; we say it for things that might even just be seconds or minutes. In a sense, what we are talking about is the quality of the experience rather than actual time.

How does that perspective impact how you see God?

The Three – Fire and Brimstone

11 Monday Aug 2014

Posted by braddahr in Inspiration, Spirituality

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Angels, Beast, God, Hell, Jesus Christ, Mark, Redemption, Revelations, Satan, seal, Torment

The Bible letter, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, is God’s last message to a dying planet. In Revelation 14:6-12, three angels shout a warning to “those who dwell on the earth;” people who hate God and hate those who love God. It’s a message given in great love because God is willing to go to the uttermost to reach even his most aggressive enemies.

In Revelation 14:10 we read that those who have aligned mind and body with the Beast will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the Lamb. Why fire and brimstone?

What’s brimstone? It’s sulphur. When I was about 12 years old, I went though an explosives phase – rocket engines, gunpowder, etc. It was winter, I was bored, and I had some extra sulphur. Obviously, I had to see what happens when sulphur burns. A snowbank on my parents driveway was my laboratory. It made perfect sense at the time.

Have you ever put your finger in melted wax? Well, there in the snow I had a little puddle of melted sulphur. Kind of the same, right? The thing about sulphur is it burns hot and it sticks. (Cue video of boy running around screaming and then jamming hand into snowbank.)

In Genesis 19, concerning the destruction of Sodom through fire and sulphur, verse 15 says, “When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, “Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.””

Do you catch the word “consumed”? In the Bible, fire is never intended to preserve, prolong or maintain something; it’s always to cleanse and consume.

In Revelation 14, God’s last message to those who dwell on the earth, those who have given themselves completely to the Beast and by extension the Dragon, those who are intent on doing evil against others and are opposed to love and life: their path is leading to self-destruction; turn back lest they be consumed. This is a loving last call to repentance.

For those who will feel like the Beast is unstoppable, who will be the target of hatred and violence, this is a message of deliverance. No matter how bad it gets, no matter the circumstances, they will be rescued from this terrible evil.

The Three – Tormented 3

04 Monday Aug 2014

Posted by braddahr in Inspiration, Spirituality

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Angels, Beast, God, Hell, Jesus Christ, Mark, Redemption, Revelations, Satan, seal, Torment

The Bible letter, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, is God’s last message to a dying planet. In Revelation 14:6-12, three angels shout a warning to “those who dwell on the earth;” people who hate God and hate those who love God. It’s a message given in great love because God is willing to go to the uttermost to reach even his most aggressive enemies.

In Revelation 14:10 we read that those who have aligned mind and body with the Beast will be tormented in the presence of the Lamb. Why would they experience torment in the presence of the One who is love, compassion, forgiveness, acceptance?

Here’s a quick overview starting in Genesis 2:25. The Bible says, “And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.” Unfortunately, this didn’t last and because of their choices they became separated from God. They began to blame each other and God for what happened and they were ashamed.

Shame is toxic. If you dig into our stories you will find that shame is behind much of the pain the in the world. Thankfully, Jesus is the shame remover. At least three times, the writers of the new testament tell us that the one who believes on Jesus will by no means be put to shame (for example 1 Peter 2:5-7).

Even the author of Revelation, the apostle John, wrote in 1 John 2:28, “And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.” Deliverance from shame is an important part of our relationship with God and in meeting him face to face at the great reunion.

Sadly, even though Jesus is the shame remover, there are those who hang on or remain in their shame. Paul writes in Philippians 3:18-19, “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.”

When we are close to God our glory is his righteousness – his character in us. Not so for those who worship the beast. What is their glory? Shame.

Shameful experiences are very traumatic. When it happens it really is a full on physical torment: our stomach churns, we get tunnel vision, our heart pounds and our face burns.

Those who will not release their shame to Jesus get to keep it all. And in the presence of the Lamb; the slain Lamb; the Lamb of glory, and grace and love; those who worship the beast are in shame to an infinite level. It will be a horrific torment.

My favourite author puts it this way:
”Like Israel of old the wicked destroy themselves; they fall by their iniquity. By a life of sin, they have placed themselves so out of harmony with God, their natures have become so debased with evil, that the manifestation of His glory is to them a consuming fire.” White, Great Controversy

This is key: Nobody is “put” in this position. God destroys no one. Those who are destroyed have done it to themselves by a life of consistent choices – choices that lead the to deliverance from shame or immersed in it.

What choice are you making today?

The Three – Tormented 2

31 Thursday Jul 2014

Posted by braddahr in Inspiration, Spirituality

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Angels, Beast, God, Jesus Christ, Mark, Revelation, Satan, seal, Shame

The Bible letter, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, is God’s last message to a dying planet. In Revelation 14:6-12, three angels shout a warning to “those who dwell on the earth;” people who hate God and hate those who love God. It’s a message given in great love because God is willing to go to the uttermost to reach even his most aggressive enemies.

Please consider the second half of Revelation 14:10: “He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.”

In my last post, I wanted note that it doesn’t say that the person with the mark of the beast is being tormented by the lamb. Rather, for this person who was given themselves completely to the Dragon and the Beast, simply being in Jesus presence is torment.

I suspect you have experienced a small taste of this at least once in your life.

When I was a student at Canadian University College there came a point when I was overwhelmed. I had taken on too many tasks. I was Yearbook editor. Hebrew class was killing me. In my English Literature class, I was late completing the last assignment. I even skipped a couple classes before the weekend trying to get caught up. That Sabbath I was happy to be worshiping with my church family and not having to think about school when I came to face with… My English Lit instructor.
Being in her presence was torment.

Now she wasn’t mean to me; she didn’t scream at me or hit me. So what was going on?

The Three – Torment

28 Monday Jul 2014

Posted by braddahr in Inspiration, Spirituality

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Angels, God, hope, Jesus, Love, Peace, Redemption, Revelation, Satan, Torment, Wrath

The Bible letter, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, is God’s last message to a dying planet. In Revelation 14:6-12, three angels shout a warning to “those who dwell on the earth;” people who hate God and hate those who love God. It’s a message given in great love because God is willing to go to the uttermost to reach even his most aggressive enemies.

Please consider the second half of Revelation 14:10: “He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.”

If you’ve ever read this passage before, even if you are reading it for the first time, did you get a picture that sounded like: he will be tormented BY the lamb? If you did, you wouldn’t be the first. It’s a picture that has been painted by those who don’t like God, pop culture, and even Christians.

However, if we remember that the “he” in this verse is anyone who has chosen to be “those who dwell on the earth.” These are those who have so completely aligned with the Beast (a symbol of a Christian looking politcal-religious institutional power on earth that is the Dragon’s main agent in the world now) they have become beast-like. As worshippers of the Beast, they manifest it’s character or in other words, receive it’s mark.

Does it make sense that, for such a person, being in the presence of the lamb would be torment?

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