Lesson 28 February 15, 2004

Review:

 

 

 

 

5.  God, as the Righteous Judge, would point out which laws that Satan violated, hence making clear to him his deviation from the truth.

 

6.  By clearly pointing out the laws that were violated, all the angels influenced by Satan,  would realize that they also stand condemned.

 

7.  And Satan's genius would seize upon this fact.

 

8.  An obvious attack would be, "Are You going to condemn all of us to separation from You (death)?"

 

9.  Then, "If You do, You are not Love and if You don't, You are not Righteous."  (Satan thinking, "HaHa, I have got You now, God")       (Attacks God's Veracity as well)

 

SATAN ATTACKS DIVINE ESSENCE - BASIS OF THE APPEAL:

1.  Satan filed a Lawsuit against God.    1 Pt 5:8

 

2.  In a status of being condemned, Satan put his great "wisdom" to work to try and protect himself and his own perceived interests.

 

3.  From his Original Sin (Isa. 14:12-14 = arrogance) and his subsequent sins (Ezk 28:16-18), we are able to deduce what he charged God with.

 

4.  Or, "How can a Loving God cast His creatures into a Lake of Fire?"  (Eternal judgment)

 

5.  He would claim that Love, Righteousness and Justice were not compatible with each other, i.e. that God had violated His +R/J by judging him.

 

6.  He would claim that Kingship (Sov.) and Volition were incompatible. 

 

7.   Believe that in the challenge to God's judging him, God gave him an overview of what He planned to do to in the appeals process. 

 

8.  Satan would respond and claim that a policy of Grace and Forgiveness would not  be compatible with Righteousness and Justice.

 

9.  He would also claim that if God is Omniscient, He would know that he  would fall before he was created.   Hence, by creating him God  caused him to fall.  And if God did not know that he would fall,  then God is not Omniscient. 

 

10.  Satan might have also used some lame arguments about his environment, claiming:

a.  No creature can rule without falling.

b.  His position was too much for any creature to handle.

c.  And hence, his environment was not perfect and since God created it, therefore He was not perfect.

 

11.  He would attack Omnipotence by saying that He did not use it to prevent him from sinning and when he did to eliminate him.

 

12.  He therefore claimed that he could be as powerful as God. (Satan elevated and God diminished)

 

13.  Since God was not there and did nothing until after Satan had acted;  Satan could in his view attack God's  Omnipresence  and Omniscience.

 

14.  Every accusation that Satan made attacked God's veracity.

 

15.  These kinds of attacks are noted in the various titles given to Satan:

a.  "Satan," which means adversary or one who opposes.  Rev 12:9; 20:2;  (36 times)

b.  The "Devil," which means the slanderer or accuser.  Rev 12:9

c   "Abaddon" and "Apollyon," which mean destroyer,  his lies will produce destruction.  Rev 9:11

d.  "Beelzebub," which means lord of the demons.  Mt 12:24; Lk 11:15

e.  "Belial," which means worthlessness, and wickedness.  2 Cor 6:15

f.  The "Dragon," which indicates his fierce nature of his attacks on his opposition.      Rev 12:9,10

g.  The "Evil One."  Mt 13:19,38; John 17:15;  1 John 5:18-19

h.  The "Father of lies."  Jn 8:44

 i.  The "Serpent," the term indicates his deceit, guile and craftiness.   2 Cor 11:3;          Rev 12:9

 j.  The "Tempter."  Mt 4:3; 1 Ths 3:5

 

 

16.  So, Satan basically claimed that they were creatures condemned from their creation, and, since they were thus created condemned.

 

17.  At this point, with the Truth having been presented  by God and Satan's charges stated,  Both having stated their positions. 

God would make clear that in the resolution of the issues He would create in His own image mankind and on the basis of grace offer salvation to them without God compromising His Essence.