The Daily Word of Righteousness

A Missing Element, #6

And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. (Daniel 7:25,26)

The concept of the saints being given into the hand of Antichrist until God decides in their favor is of the greatest importance if the believer is to be oriented properly to the Divine redemption.

The concept is stated in the New Testament:

And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. (II Corinthians 10:6)

Before God will bring judgment on Satan the obedience of the Church first must be fulfilled.

Notice carefully the following:

So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: (II Thessalonians 1:4,5)

The persecutions and tribulation endured by the saints in Thessalonica were a "manifest token of the righteous judgment of God." The suffering of the saints was caused by the Lord's judgment on them. God will not bring judgment on Satan until first the saints have been judged.

We do not have much information concerning what happened in the darkness before God created light. Our impression is there was a rebellion in Heaven against the Father's will. Satan encouraged a number of high-ranking angels to question God's righteousness and wisdom.

Apparently the challenge to God's righteousness still is taking place.

We notice the satanic challenge and accusation in the case of Job. Satan desired to tempt Job, to test Job. God permitted Satan to harass Job, to try his soul.

What actually is taking place in this instance? God has condemned Satan and his angels to the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. Satan and his followers feel this is unjust, just as the wicked of today believe they should not be punished. After the wicked have corrupted and destroyed their environment they cry, "Amnesty! We demand a full pardon. There must be no punishment for what we have done." In this they are expressing Satan himself.

Job was a righteous man. God has appointed him to glory. Therefore Satan was endeavoring to justify himself and his followers by showing God that Job would rebel if he were placed in painful circumstances.

Satan was more successful with David. David's sin gave Satan and his angels an opportunity to revile God, claiming David was as wicked as they and therefore God was unjust in blessing David and cursing Satan.

And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die. (II Samuel 12:13,14)

To be continued.