Satan, Who Deceives The Whole World

                                                 When The Door Slams

And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.                                                             (Revelation 12:7-9 NKJV)

            It is our nature to believe that we are right, especially when it comes to religion. Yet, sheer logic tells us that all religions cannot be correct, unless we believe that God bows to us and lets us decide for ourselves how to worship Him. Consider the vast array of religious beliefs in our world, Including Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Satanism, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. The last of these--the one claiming Christ's own name--is divided into Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestantism, along with other smaller sects. Ignoring the other divisions we find in Protestantism alone a tremendous number of different strains: Lutheran, Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Evangelical, Pentecostal, and other charismatic varieties, just to name a few. 

            The list of different ideas about how to worship God is almost endless! Some use icons or images in their worship, while others see this as a violation of the Second Commandment--or the First Commandment, since different denominations number them differently. Most observe the day the Roman emperor Constantine set aside as the day of worship, Sunday. Others observe the seventh-day Sabbath on Saturday. And many claim that all that salvation requires is a "decision"--a raised hand during an emotional altar call--while others notice a conflict between that idea and Jesus' own cautions about a "narrow" and "difficult" way (Matthew 7:13-14), involving instruction and discipline.  

            These differences only scratch the surface. "Christianity" in all its strains is currently the largest category of religion on earth. But how can it be in line with God if Satan has deceived the whole world? And Jesus answered and said to them: Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, "I am the Christ," and will deceive many (Matthew 24:3-5). 

            As we see, that is exactly what Satan has done. As we read in the book Revelation (12:9). Consider the magnitude of that claim: "who deceives the whole world." That widespread deception represents Satan's greatest advantage in his ongoing efforts to destroy mankind, you and me. Imagine--Satan has his ministers, and they do not come advertising that they are ministers of Satan. No, they appear as ministers of righteousness. Is this not deception and spiritual warfare of the highest level? 

            Think about this: A deceived person does not know that he or she is deceived. Could that be you? If Satan has deceived the whole world, as we read in Revelation 12:9, the vast majority of those we think of as "Christian" must be part of that deception. You cannot "come just as you are"--not according to Christ. His command is to repent, to change from what you are (Mark 1:14-15.

            Adoration: You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, The heaven of heavens, and all their host, The earth and all that is on it, The seas and all that is in them. You gave life to all that is in them, And the host of heaven worships You. (Nehemiah 9:6)   

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.     

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