The following story is fictional, it is not real. Yet imagine with me this thought-provoking picture of how Satan might have conspired against God and us as we listen in on an invisible, clandestine gathering of Satan & his demons centuries ago, shortly after the Resurrection of Christ. The story might be creatively made up; but the evil intent of the one in charge is right on target—in reality, it is likely incomprehensibly worse.
“I’m now calling this meeting to order. Are all leaders present, every quadrant represented? “
“Here, here,” was the loud chorus of voices
A slow chuckle began deep in the throat of this one dripping with evil intent, a sly gleam already present in his eye as he began.
“It may seem to some that this is a dark day, that the forces of the Holy One might have double-crossed us to such an extent that we are defeated. But do not think for one moment that we will concede defeat; we will rise to victory."
“But, Evil One”, a front row listener interrupted, “how can you deny that our grandest plan, to put Jesus Himself to death by the most painful of means, to have his own people, the Jews, turn on Him so as to crucify him---this magnificent scheme of ours—to eliminate the very Son of the Holy One, God Himself---”
‘Never speak that name in my presence’ the Evil One interrupted to remind him with a coldness in his voice that defied explanation or understanding.
“But, Evil One” the demon continued, “ He turned the crucifixion into a celebration. He mocked death by raising Christ on the Third Day. How could we not have seen it coming? How could we have been fooled. This Holy One conquered even death! What do we have left?!”
The gloom settled over the entire cavern as the rest of the entourage of demons nodded in silent agreement. Their centuries old plan to slay the Promised Messiah, the plan that had played out so perfectly with Judas and the Roman government playing right into their hand, even one of the disciples denying Christ during his arrest,..all this that was masterfully played out ….But now they had to see it as under the control of God Himself….the resurrection as the very means of securing salvation for all humankind?! Their plan seemed halted. The agony was nearly unbearable….nearly.
A sly turn of his mouth betrayed the grin that was to spread darkly over the Evil One’s face. ”I am not without a plan”, he informed them. “And this will be a most powerful one!”
All the leaders huddled closer, the wickedness in their hearts causing them to salivate with excitement at furthering the blackness.
“We have long known that many will be led away from the truth—away from the Holy One ---we’ll do this with enticements, alluring temptations & then the eventual chains of their sins. This plan has worked quite effectively for generations.
Loud cries of “This is true!” rang out throughout the crevices of the cavern.
“We will continue this plan.
How can we argue with our success in the Garden with Eve, with David taking Bathsheba, with Demas taking the pleasures of the world over the Holy One, with (and he paused to chuckle with pride) Judas who sold the Son of the Holy One for 30 pieces of silver…..Money, coins that would buy him nothing that would last for more than a few years at most…and we deceived him to sell his very soul. Ahh—hh—hh—!!!!???“ the Evil One cried out in momentary glee.
“This plan we will continue with humans as it is so very successful with many, many foolish beings. “
“But…”(he bent his head closer as if to shield the next part from any enemy listening in)…
“Our offense against the followers of the Holy One will begin with renewed energy. “
“But Evil One, shouldn’t we forsake those followers & just focus on deepening the evil in the hearts & lives of the others.? I am bloodthirsty for all the evil we can accomplish in the coming centuries: listen to my insidious plans...
A mass murdering dictator who tries to kill off an entire race of people through capturing, imprisoning them & eventually incinerating tens of thousands---all because he wants to create a ‘master race’
Religious zealots who throw true Christians to be destroyed & eaten by beasts---perhaps while hundreds watch in coloseums?!
Or perhaps the worst kinds of torture for those who proclaim to follow the “Holy One” …..Burned at the stake? Pullled apart by wolves? Frozen & drowned as they’re forced to walk into icy lakes, loved ones beaten before their eyes unless they recant….O, Evil One, there is so much to be done in the next few centuries as we unleash your powers. Must we really care about the small numbers of Christians?!!
“Fool!” He barked madly. “This is where we’ll have our greatest showcase against the Holy One. We will deceive & enslave, entice & destroy…to whatever degree we can while these followers of God are on earth. For once they are in Heaven, they are His forever. Our chance for destruction on earth lies in the subtlety of our attack. And this is my topic for today: the strategy to twist, mislead, trick, cheat, con & delude these simple beings. Listen closely for I have carefully thought out our plan.
The details of this mastermind continued for a long, long time. Notes were taken down as numerous areas were targeted in their attack against true believers. Let’s pick out one area, however, to listen in more closely….
(Stay tuned for the continuation in my next post....)
“I’m now calling this meeting to order. Are all leaders present, every quadrant represented? “
“Here, here,” was the loud chorus of voices
A slow chuckle began deep in the throat of this one dripping with evil intent, a sly gleam already present in his eye as he began.
“It may seem to some that this is a dark day, that the forces of the Holy One might have double-crossed us to such an extent that we are defeated. But do not think for one moment that we will concede defeat; we will rise to victory."
“But, Evil One”, a front row listener interrupted, “how can you deny that our grandest plan, to put Jesus Himself to death by the most painful of means, to have his own people, the Jews, turn on Him so as to crucify him---this magnificent scheme of ours—to eliminate the very Son of the Holy One, God Himself---”
‘Never speak that name in my presence’ the Evil One interrupted to remind him with a coldness in his voice that defied explanation or understanding.
“But, Evil One” the demon continued, “ He turned the crucifixion into a celebration. He mocked death by raising Christ on the Third Day. How could we not have seen it coming? How could we have been fooled. This Holy One conquered even death! What do we have left?!”
The gloom settled over the entire cavern as the rest of the entourage of demons nodded in silent agreement. Their centuries old plan to slay the Promised Messiah, the plan that had played out so perfectly with Judas and the Roman government playing right into their hand, even one of the disciples denying Christ during his arrest,..all this that was masterfully played out ….But now they had to see it as under the control of God Himself….the resurrection as the very means of securing salvation for all humankind?! Their plan seemed halted. The agony was nearly unbearable….nearly.
A sly turn of his mouth betrayed the grin that was to spread darkly over the Evil One’s face. ”I am not without a plan”, he informed them. “And this will be a most powerful one!”
All the leaders huddled closer, the wickedness in their hearts causing them to salivate with excitement at furthering the blackness.
“We have long known that many will be led away from the truth—away from the Holy One ---we’ll do this with enticements, alluring temptations & then the eventual chains of their sins. This plan has worked quite effectively for generations.
Loud cries of “This is true!” rang out throughout the crevices of the cavern.
“We will continue this plan.
How can we argue with our success in the Garden with Eve, with David taking Bathsheba, with Demas taking the pleasures of the world over the Holy One, with (and he paused to chuckle with pride) Judas who sold the Son of the Holy One for 30 pieces of silver…..Money, coins that would buy him nothing that would last for more than a few years at most…and we deceived him to sell his very soul. Ahh—hh—hh—!!!!???“ the Evil One cried out in momentary glee.
“This plan we will continue with humans as it is so very successful with many, many foolish beings. “
“But…”(he bent his head closer as if to shield the next part from any enemy listening in)…
“Our offense against the followers of the Holy One will begin with renewed energy. “
“But Evil One, shouldn’t we forsake those followers & just focus on deepening the evil in the hearts & lives of the others.? I am bloodthirsty for all the evil we can accomplish in the coming centuries: listen to my insidious plans...
A mass murdering dictator who tries to kill off an entire race of people through capturing, imprisoning them & eventually incinerating tens of thousands---all because he wants to create a ‘master race’
Religious zealots who throw true Christians to be destroyed & eaten by beasts---perhaps while hundreds watch in coloseums?!
Or perhaps the worst kinds of torture for those who proclaim to follow the “Holy One” …..Burned at the stake? Pullled apart by wolves? Frozen & drowned as they’re forced to walk into icy lakes, loved ones beaten before their eyes unless they recant….O, Evil One, there is so much to be done in the next few centuries as we unleash your powers. Must we really care about the small numbers of Christians?!!
“Fool!” He barked madly. “This is where we’ll have our greatest showcase against the Holy One. We will deceive & enslave, entice & destroy…to whatever degree we can while these followers of God are on earth. For once they are in Heaven, they are His forever. Our chance for destruction on earth lies in the subtlety of our attack. And this is my topic for today: the strategy to twist, mislead, trick, cheat, con & delude these simple beings. Listen closely for I have carefully thought out our plan.
The details of this mastermind continued for a long, long time. Notes were taken down as numerous areas were targeted in their attack against true believers. Let’s pick out one area, however, to listen in more closely….
(Stay tuned for the continuation in my next post....)
"Our chance for destruction on earth lies in the subtlety of our attack"
ReplyDeleteI think this ties in very well with your sunday school lesson yesterday. The things we consider "small sins," "not that important," are where satan gets a wedge into our lives. Pride, anger, a lack of self-control, are things we often let slide or gloss over, but when we realize that all sin is destructive in our relationship and communion with Christ, and we seek to be obedient to Him, then Satan's hold will be broken. Our strength is in the Lord and he will help us to stand against the wiles of the devil.