Mwanzo wa Lucifer

Miaka kadhaa iliyopita habari zilienea ulimwenguni kote kwamba Mungu amekufa. Pia kuna wazo miongoni mwa baadhi ya viongozi wa kidini kwamba kwa kweli hakuna mtu kama Ibilisi. Utu wa Shetani unapuuzwa kuwa uvumbuzi wa fikira za mtu fulani, ili kuwatisha watu ili wawe wema na kuwalazimisha watoto wadogo kuwa na tabia. Baadhi ya viongozi hao wa kidini, ili kuhalalisha kutomwamini kwao Shetani, hata walitumia maandiko kama vile Mathayo 15:19 kuonyesha kwamba mawazo, tamaa na matendo yote mabaya huanzia ndani yetu wenyewe, na hivyo ni upumbavu na utoto kumlaumu Shetani kwa ajili yao. .

Kwa kawaida, hoja zote mbili, (1) kwamba Mungu alikuwa amekufa na (2) kwamba Shetani hayupo, si sahihi na si za kibiblia kabisa. Ingawa mwanadamu anaweza kutumia mawazo mabaya, hii haibatilishi uwepo wa Shetani na wasaidizi wake waovu. Katika Mathayo 15:19 , Yesu hakuwa anakana kuwepo kwa Shetani, bali alionyesha jinsi hali ya moyo wa mwanadamu pia inaweza kumtia unajisi.

Unajimu, uchawi, nyota, na uwasiliani-roho zimewakumba mamilioni ya watu ulimwenguni pote. Mamilioni ya dola hutumiwa kwa mambo hayo, na maelfu ya watu hawataondoka nyumbani asubuhi au kufanya biashara yoyote bila kwanza kushauriana na nyota zao, ambazo huchapishwa katika magazeti na magazeti ya kila siku. Unajimu, uchawi, na uwasiliani-roho hujenga kundi kubwa la wafuasi ambao, kwa udadisi na kutamani kuona mambo yatakayojificha mbele yao, wanatumaini kugundua mambo ya wakati ujao ili wawe tayari kukabiliana na yale yanayokuja. Nani yuko nyuma ya haya yote? Kuna chanzo kimoja tu cha kupata jibu la kweli. Hiyo ndiyo Biblia Takatifu!

Ni takatifu kwa sababu Roho wa Mungu aliongoza akili za watu waliojiweka wakfu, wanaomcha Mungu kuandika kwa usahihi kile ambacho Mungu alikuwa amewapa. Maandiko Matakatifu si maandishi ya faragha yanayotoka katika akili za wanadamu tu, bali ni mawazo na maneno ya Mungu, yanayoonyeshwa kupitia Roho wake Mtakatifu na kwa hiyo ni ya kweli na sahihi (2 Pet. 1:20, 21).

1 Wakorintho 2:11-14 inaeleza kwamba bila msaada wa Roho wa Mungu, mwanadamu wa asili hangeweza kuelewa “mambo mazito” au siri za Mungu. Bila Roho Mtakatifu, mwanadamu angesoma Biblia kama vile angesoma riwaya au kitabu kingine chochote kilichoandikwa na mwanadamu. Mtu anayetafuta ukweli, hata hivyo, anahitaji Roho wa Mungu kuangaza njia yake na kumsaidia kuelewa maana ya mafumbo, mifano, na mafumbo mbalimbali katika Biblia. Tunaenda wapi ili kugundua utambulisho wa kiumbe ambaye anahusika na kutoelewana, huzuni, mateso, vita, magonjwa dhambi na kifo cha ulimwengu huu? Kwa Neno Takatifu la Muumba wetu!

Lusifa

Hapo zamani za kale, hata kabla ya kuumbwa kwa malaika, malaika wakuu, maserafi, makerubi, na majeshi mengine ya mbinguni, Mungu, kupitia Mwanawe, aliumba kerubi mwenye nguvu na kumpa hekima, uzuri na uwezo wa ajabu. Tazama Wakolosai 1:15-17.

Nabii Ezekieli, katika Eze. 28:11-19, ilivuviwa na Mungu ili kutupa maelezo ya kiumbe huyu mwenye nguvu wa kiroho, na katika Isaya 14:12 tunaambiwa kuhusu kiumbe huyu wa kiroho mwenye nguvu, mkamilifu kwa uzuri, aliyejaa fahari na hekima. Kerubi huyu mwenye nguvu kwa mara ya kwanza anaitwa kwa jina lake la asili: "Lusifa, mwana wa asubuhi" (KJV). Mistari ya 13 na 14 yaendelea kutuambia kile kilichotukia wakati huo: “Ulisema moyoni mwako, Nitapanda mbinguni; Nitakiinua kiti changu juu ya nyota za Mungu; Nitaketi katika mlima wa mkutano, katika vilele vya mlima mtakatifu. nitapanda juu ya vilele vya mawingu; nitajifanya kuwa kama Aliye Juu.'” Ni kimbelembele cha kipumbavu kama nini! 

Hii ilikuwa dhambi ya chukizo ya Lusifa! Hakutamani tu kuwa kama Muumba wake, Aliye Juu Zaidi, bali kuinuliwa juu ya kiti cha ufalme cha Mungu. Alitaka kunyakua mamlaka na utawala wa Mungu wa Milele! Alitamani kuabudiwa na kutumikiwa; lakini zaidi ya yote, alipanga kuchukua mamlaka na utukufu wa Mungu, akijifanya kuwa Mkuu Zaidi! 

Kutoka Lusifa hadi Shetani

Wakati mwanamume na mwanamke wa kwanza walipoumbwa, Lusifa alikuwa kerubi mlezi juu ya Edeni. Anatambua kwamba watu hao wawili, baada ya muda, wangeongezeka na kuijaza dunia. Dhambi ilipata mlango wa moyo wa Lusifa wakati, akitaka kuwadhibiti Adamu na Hawa, alipopanga kudanganya, kuwapotosha na kuwaongoza wale wanandoa wa kwanza kutilia shaka na kutomtii Muumba wao. Hivyo alifikiri watamgeukia kwa ajili ya ulinzi na ibada na kuwa raia zake. Matukio yalionekana kufanya kazi kwa niaba yake. Ilikuwa ni wakati huu ambapo Lusifa, maana yake nuru, akawa Shetani, maana yake ni adui, kwa kuwa sasa alikuwa adui wa Mungu. 

Je, Mungu alijua kile ambacho Lusifa alikuwa amekiweka moyoni mwake? Hakika Alijua, lakini Mungu sasa alikuwa akimpa nafasi ya kuonyesha rangi zake halisi. Mungu katika hekima yake, na kuujua mwisho tangu mwanzo (Isaya 46:10), pia alijua kwamba uzoefu wa mema na mabaya ungekuwa somo la milele kwa wanadamu na malaika—ndiyo, kwa viumbe vyote—somo kwa wote. milele. 

Majaribu

Siku ilikuja ambapo Shetani, akitumia nyoka kama msemaji wake, alimwambia Hawa katika Mwa. 3:1, “Je! kweli Mungu alisema, ‘Msile matunda ya mti wowote wa bustani’? Hapa ndipo palipokuwa mwanzo wa udanganyifu wake, kwani alijua vizuri sana kile ambacho Mungu alimwambia Adamu (Mwanzo 2:16, 17). 

Hawa alijibu kwa kusema kwamba Mungu amewapa ruhusa ya kula matunda ya mti wowote wa bustani, isipokuwa mti uliokuwa katikati ya bustani, akiwaonya kwamba wakila matunda ya mti huo watakufa. Mwa. 3:2, 3). Shetani akajibu kwa uwongo wa kwanza, na hivyo kupanda mbegu za mashaka juu ya wema na uadilifu wa Mungu, na kwa mpango wa kujionyesha kuwa rafiki yao wa kweli, akisema, "Hamtakufa, kwa maana Mungu anajua ya kwamba siku mtakayokula matunda. macho yenu yatafumbuliwa, nanyi mtakuwa kama Mungu, mkijua mema na mabaya” (Mwanzo 3:4,5 - NASB). Hawa, kwa kudanganywa, alikula tunda lililokatazwa, na hivyo kufanya tendo la kwanza la kutotii (Mwanzo 3:6). Ingawa Hawa alidanganywa, Adamu hakudanganywa. Alichagua kwa hiari yake mwenyewe kutomtii Mungu, kwa kula tunda alilotolewa na mke wake. Labda alikula kwa sababu aliogopa kuwa bila Hawa mpendwa wake na hivyo akachagua kufa pamoja naye. Mtume Paulo aliandika katika 1 Timotheo 2:14 kwamba Adamu hakudanganywa kama Hawa alivyodanganywa; kwa hiyo, dhambi yake ilistahili kulaumiwa zaidi machoni pa Mungu kuliko ile ya Hawa. Matokeo ya uasi wao yalikuwa ni hukumu iliyoahidiwa ya kifo kwa wawili hao waliokosa, ambayo ilianza kutekelezwa walipofukuzwa Peponi. Kwa wakati ufaao, ahadi ilitolewa kwamba kichwa cha Shetani kingepondwa na uzao wa mwanamke, Yesu Kristo (Mwa. 3:15).

Shetani alipojifunua kuwa adui wa Mungu, alipoteza cheo chake katika makao ya kimbingu, makao ya kiroho. Lakini hakuanguka katika dhambi peke yake. Alivuta pamoja naye majeshi ya malaika, ambao walimfuata katika uasi dhidi ya Muumba wao. Bwana wetu Yesu alimwita Shetani kuwa mwongo na muuaji, kwa kuwa alihusika na kifo cha wazazi wetu wa kwanza na kupitia wao, wote ambao wamewahi kuishi. ( Ebr. 2:14 ). 

Pepo Wabaya Wanafanya Kazi

Wanadamu walipoanza kuongezeka duniani, tamaa ya Shetani ya kuabudiwa na mwanadamu iliongezeka. Bila shaka, alipendekeza kwa wale malaika waliomfuata katika dhambi kwamba wajivike miili ya kibinadamu na kuoa wanawake warembo zaidi duniani, wakizaa nao watoto. Walifanya hivyo, kama tunavyosoma katika Mwanzo 6:1-4. Uzao wa malaika na wanawake hao uliruhusiwa lakini kamwe haukukubaliwa na Mungu. Hawa walikuwa jamii ya mseto, watu wa kimo kikubwa, wenye nguvu na akili, lakini waovu sana. Waliitwa Wanefili. Wazao hawa chotara, pamoja na baba zao (malaika walioanguka), walitawala ulimwengu wa kabla ya gharika na kuujaza kwa jeuri. Hali ilizidi kuwa mbaya sana hata Mungu akafanya uamuzi wa kuwaangamiza wanadamu wote -- kuifuta dunia kwa gharika ya ulimwengu wote na kuanza tena na Nuhu pekee na familia yake (Mwa. 6:7).

Kisha Mungu alimwagiza Nuhu—mtu mwenye haki aliyetembea na Mungu—kujenga safina na kuijaza wanyama na chakula cha kuwatosha wote (Mwa. 6 & 7). Siku saba kabla ya gharika kuanza, wakati Nuhu na familia yake walikuwa ndani ya safina, Bwana alifunga mlango wa safina. Mvua ikanyesha na kuwazamisha wote waliokuwa nje ya safina. Mvua ilinyesha kwa siku 40 mchana na usiku (Mwanzo 7:16).

Ni nini kiliwapata malaika walioanguka, au roho waovu? Waliadhibiwa na Mungu, kwa kuwa aliwaweka katika minyororo ya giza, akiwaweka mpaka kwenye angahewa ya dunia hadi siku ile kuu ya hukumu ( Yuda 6; 2 Petro 2:4, 5 ). Haikupita muda mrefu watu walimsahau Mungu tena na kuanza kufanya uasherati na ibada ya sanamu, ambayo Mtume Paulo aliiita “kuabudu mashetani” ( 1 Kor. 10:19, 20 ). Ibada hii ya sanamu ilienea hadi Samaria, Kanaani, Misri, na Mesopotamia ambapo Ibrahimu alizaliwa, katika Uru ya Wakaldayo. Hata hivyo, Abrahamu alipendelea kumwabudu Mungu wa kweli wa babu yake Nuhu, kwa hiyo Mungu akamwita kutoka Uru na kumwongoza hadi Kanaani. Aliiacha nyuma nchi yake na watu na taratibu zao zote za kuabudu masanamu. (Mwanzo 12:1). 

Sheria

Katika kuwapa wana wa Israeli sheria yake, Mungu aliwaambia katika zile amri kumi kwamba wasiabudu miungu mingine, ila yeye tu, wala wasifanye sanamu, sanamu, wala sanamu, wala wasiabudu (Kut. 20). 1-6). Hivyo, Shetani na pepo wachafu wangenyimwa ibada waliyoitamani. Lakini pepo hao wabaya walifanya kazi kupitia wachawi, na wachawi, katika nchi ya Kanaani, na kupitia hao waaguzi walipanua ushawishi wao juu ya watu. Kwa hiyo Mungu alitoa sheria kuwahusu. (Ona Law. 19:31 na Kum. 18:9-14 .) Wana wa Israeli walikatazwa kuwa na shughuli zozote pamoja nao. Wale waliokuwa na pepo na wachawi walitolewa nje ya nchi (1 Sam. 28:3 & 9). 

Hata hivyo, uvutano wa roho waovu ulienea polepole ulimwenguni kote. Shetani, kiongozi wao, akawa “mungu wa ulimwengu huu (uovu uliopo)” ( 2 Kor. 4:4; Yoh. 12:31; 14:30; 16:11 ). Paulo anamwita “mkuu wa uwezo wa anga” (Efe. 2:2). Na Yohana anasema, ili “.... dunia yote iko chini ya yule mwovu” (1 Yohana 5:19). 

Chanzo cha Maovu Yote

Katika Enzi hii yote ya Injili, Shetani na pepo wake wachafu wamepigana vikali dhidi ya Wakristo wa kweli na wamekuwa sababu ya mateso makubwa, mateso, vifungo, mafundisho ya uongo, machafuko, n.k. Sasa tunapofikia mwisho wa Enzi ya Injili, haya pepo wachafu wanakuwa watendaji zaidi kuliko hapo awali, wakisababisha uhalifu, machafuko, vita na machafuko katika kiwango cha dunia nzima kuliko hapo awali. Wakristo wengine, imetabiriwa, hata wataanguka kutoka kwa imani, wakizingatia roho zidanganyazo na mafundisho ya mashetani (1 Tim. 4:1). Je, tunawezaje kujilinda sisi wenyewe na familia zetu kutokana na roho hizi mbaya? 

Haja ya Ulinzi

Maandiko hutupatia habari nyingi kuhusu jambo hilo. Katika Efe. 6:12 Mtume Paulo anafunua kile tunachopinga: “Kwa maana kushindana kwetu sisi si juu ya damu na nyama; bali ni juu ya falme na mamlaka, juu ya wakuu wa giza hili, juu ya majeshi ya pepo wabaya katika ulimwengu wa roho. milki.” Je, tunaweza kupigana na kushinda nguvu hizo kwa nguvu zetu wenyewe? Sivyo kabisa! Mtume Petro anamtaja Shetani kama “simba angurumaye, akizunguka-zunguka, akitafuta mtu ammeze” (1 Petro 5:8). 

Basi, tunaweza kufanya nini ili kujilinda wenyewe na wapendwa wetu? Huu hapa ushauri wa Kiungu: Kwanza kabisa, uwe na imani kamili na tumaini katika upendo, utunzaji, na ulinzi wa Mungu. Kisha vaeni silaha zote za Mungu, ambazo zimefafanuliwa katika Efe. 6:10-18. Ukishawasha, usiache kubishana na Shetani. Yeye ni mwerevu sana na mwenye uzoefu kwetu. Fanya kile Yesu alifanya na kusema kwa sauti, “Imeandikwa!” Ikiwa anakushambulia katika maeneo fulani kama vile tamaa, sema kwa sauti, "Ondoka kwangu, pepo wa tamaa. Ninakuamuru kwa jina la Yesu, toka kwangu." Hatuhitaji kupigana vita na Shetani. Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo tayari amefanya hivyo na ameshinda! Lakini tunahitaji kumpinga. “Mpingeni shetani naye atawakimbia” (Yakobo 4:7). 

Uwe mwangalifu ili usikae mbali na wachawi, wachawi, wanajimu, wapiga ramli, wenye pepo, washiriki wa mikutano, na chochote kinachohusu uwasiliani-roho na uchawi. Daima kumbuka kwamba Shetani mara nyingi hujigeuza kuwa malaika wa nuru (2 Kor. 11:14). Anafanya ionekane kwamba kile kinachosemwa kinaonekana kukubaliana na Neno la Mungu na anaweza kufanya “ishara na maajabu” (2 Thes. 2:9). 

Mwisho wa Shetani na Malaika Wabaya

Ni nini kitakuwa kisasi na adhabu ya Mungu kwa uovu wote, huzuni, na kifo ambacho Shetani na pepo hawa wabaya wamesababisha duniani? Ingawa hawako tena mbinguni, wakiwa wametupwa chini katika sehemu ya chini ya hali ya angahewa ya dunia, kama inavyofafanuliwa katika Ufu. 12:7-9 , Shetani amejaa ghadhabu kuu, akijua kwamba wakati wake ni mfupi (fu. 12) )

Kwa wakati wake, Bwana atakomesha maovu yake yote. Malaika mwenye nguvu atashuka kutoka mbinguni na kumfunga Shetani katika shimo lisilo na mwisho kwa miaka 1000 "ili asiweze kuwadanganya mataifa tena" (Ufu. 20: 1-3). Mwishoni mwa utawala wa Kristo wa miaka 1000, Shetani atafunguliwa tena kwa muda mfupi na kwenda kwa mara ya mwisho ili kudanganya mataifa na kuwageuza dhidi ya Mungu. Lakini moto utashuka kutoka mbinguni na kuwaangamiza wote wanaofanya mapatano naye (Ufu. 20:7-9). Ufunuo 20:10 inatuambia Shetani ataangamizwa. Kwa uthibitisho zaidi wa kuangamizwa kwake, soma Isaya 14:4-11 & 15-20, pamoja na Ezekieli 28:16-19. Hii itakuwa Fainali Kuu ya pambano la ulimwenguni pote kati ya wema na uovu—ya Shetani dhidi ya Mungu. Ulimwengu utatakaswa na pepo wabaya wote na watenda mabaya. Kisha amani, utakatifu na furaha ya milele vitatawala milele mbinguni na duniani. Hivyo Sala ya Bwana wetu itatimizwa wakati “Ufalme wako utakapokuja, mapenzi yako yafanyike duniani kama mbinguni” (Mt. 6:10). 

Malaika Watakatifu wa Mungu

Tunahisi kijitabu hiki kisingekuwa kamili bila neno lolote kuhusu malaika watakatifu wa Mungu, viumbe hao wa roho ambao wamebaki waaminifu kwa Mungu, wakimtumikia kwa uhuru katika njia mbalimbali, na hasa kuitumikia familia yake duniani. Malaika ni wa mpangilio tofauti wa uumbaji kuliko mwanadamu. Wamepewa akili, maarifa, ufahamu, nguvu, na uhamaji wa hali ya juu kuliko vile tumepewa. Hawa ni Mitume wa Mungu (Angelos maana yake ni mjumbe) ambao wajibu wao mkuu ni kutekeleza amri zake katika ulimwengu. Malaika, katika nyakati zilizopita, walipewa uwezo wa kusema kwa niaba ya Mungu kama mabalozi wake na kufanya kazi za haki. Shughuli zao zilimsaidia Muumba wao katika utawala na udhibiti Wake wa ulimwengu. Hata leo, watoto wa kweli wa Mungu wana “malaika walinzi” kwa ajili ya ulinzi wao (Zab. 91:11). 

Biblia inasema nini kuhusu malaika? Inasema wazi kwamba malaika waliumbwa kwa mapenzi ya Mungu. Kuna wakati hakuna malaika na Mungu alikuwa peke yake. Kisha Mungu akamleta Mwanawe wa pekee, anayeitwa Neno (Logos). Leo tunamjua kuwa Bwana na Mwokozi wetu, Yesu Kristo. Yeye ndiye Mwana wa Pekee wa Mungu, na “... kwa yeye (Logos) vitu vyote viliumbwa, vilivyo mbinguni na duniani, vinavyoonekana na visivyoonekana, ikiwa ni viti vya enzi, usultani, enzi au mamlaka; vitu viliumbwa kwa njia yake, na kwa ajili yake, naye amekuwako kabla ya vitu vyote, na vitu vyote hushikana katika yeye” (Kol. 1:16,17).

Malaika ni viumbe wasioonekana walio na uwezo wa kujivika miili, wakienda na kurudi kati ya mbingu na dunia. Ijapokuwa malaika wamejivika miili ya watu mara kwa mara, hawakuumbwa kwa mwili na damu. Waebrania 1:14 huwaita “roho wahudumu.” Zaidi ya hayo, Mungu hakuwapa uwezo wa kuzaa baada ya aina zao. “Hawaoi wala hawaolewi” (Marko 12:25). 

Ufalme wa malaika watakatifu ni mkubwa kama uumbaji wa Mungu. Wanaweza kwenda popote Mungu anapowaamuru na kufanya chochote anachoamuru. Nguvu zao zinatoka kwa Mungu, na hakuna mwanadamu au roho mwovu anayeweza kuwalazimisha waache kazi zao zilizowekwa. 

Malaika wangapi?

Agano la Kale na Agano Jipya hutaja malaika, moja kwa moja au kwa njia isiyo ya moja kwa moja, karibu mara 300, lakini ni wangapi? Ufu. 5:11 inaeleza tukio ambalo kuna “maelfu kwa maelfu na elfu kumi mara elfu kumi” malaika. Maelfu ya malaika walishuka kwenye Mlima Sinai ili kuthibitisha uwepo mtakatifu wa Mungu kama alivyompa Musa sheria zake (Kum. 33:2). 

Katika Ufunuo sura ya 19 , twasoma juu ya majeshi ya malaika yatakayokuwa pamoja na Yesu katika pigano hilo kuu na la kutisha la Bwana Mungu Mweza-Yote wakati adui Zake watakapokusanywa pamoja duniani kwa ajili ya kusimama kwao kwa mwisho dhidi ya Mungu na Mwana-Kondoo. Wakati Adamu na Hawa walipotumwa kutoka katika bustani ya Edeni, kerubi aliamriwa kusimama mlinzi kwenye mlango wa Edeni ili kumzuia mwanadamu asirudi kwenye Bustani. Alikuwa na upanga wa moto ambao kwa huo aliilinda njia ya mti wa uzima, ili Adamu, kwa kula matunda yake, akaishi milele (Mwa. 3:24).

Malaika Leo

Hata wanasayansi fulani wanakubali uwezekano wa kuwepo kwa akili isiyoonekana, na watu wengi wanajua nguvu za uchawi na roho waovu.

Kupendezwa ulimwenguni pote katika nguvu za kiroho kumetokeza maelfu ya vitabu vinavyohusu kuwasiliana na pepo, kama vile “Gods From Outer Space,” na “World In Collision,” na sinema kama vile “Rosemary’s Baby,” na “The Exorcist,” ambazo zimekuwa maarufu sana, na kuleta mamilioni ya dola. Lakini, hadi hivi majuzi, nia ndogo sana imeonyeshwa kwa malaika watakatifu wa Mungu ambao ni wengi sana kuliko malaika walioanguka. Manukuu katika Biblia kuhusu malaika watakatifu ni mengi kuliko marejeo ya Shetani na roho waovu wake, malaika walioanguka.

Leo, utendaji wa Shetani na majeshi yake ya malaika walioanguka mara nyingi huwa kwenye habari na kutangazwa kupitia vitabu, magazeti, sinema, redio, na televisheni kulingana na unabii. Mauaji ya kutisha na mambo mabaya sana kuyataja hapa yanaathiriwa na mapepo haya. Hata hivyo, utendaji wa malaika watakatifu wa Mungu kwa ajili ya mwelekezo na ulinzi wa watu Wake hukaziwa bila kufutika katika akili za wale wanaotembea kwa imani. Tunapotumia macho yetu ya imani, tunaweza kuona uthibitisho mwingi wa wonyesho usio wa kawaida wa nguvu na utukufu wa Mungu. (Ona Zab. 91:11 na Ebr. 1:14 .) Mungu wetu halala usingizi! (Ona Zaburi 121.)

Wakristo wanapaswa kujua nguvu za Shetani, lakini wanapaswa kutambua hata zaidi nguvu na utendaji wa malaika watakatifu wa Mungu. Ikiwa wewe ni mwamini, hakikisha kwamba malaika wenye nguvu hukaa karibu nawe siku zote za maisha yako ya Kikristo. Malaika wa Mungu ni halisi sana! Hawavutii uangalifu kwao wenyewe na hawatafuti ibada (Ufu. 22:8, 9). Wanafanya huduma yao bila kuonekana na bila kutambuliwa na wanadamu, wakitekeleza kazi walizopewa kwa uaminifu. 

Je, tunaambiwa tuabudu malaika? Hapana! Katika Wakolosai 2:18, tunaonywa kuhusu kudanganywa (kunyimwa) malipo yetu ikiwa tutawaabudu. Je, malaika watakatifu wana wivu kwa wale wanaopata toba na wokovu kupitia Yesu Kristo? Hapana, tena! Kwa maana Luka 15:10 inatuambia juu ya furaha yao juu ya hata mwenye dhambi mmoja anayetubu. 

Katika Mathayo 13:41 tunajifunza malaika watatumiwa na Mungu kukusanya kutoka katika Ufalme wake vitu vyote vinavyowachukiza na watenda maovu. Kwa kumalizia, tunakusihi umwamini Mungu na Neno Lake Takatifu, Biblia, na hutalazimika kumwogopa Shetani au roho waovu, kwa maana malaika watakatifu wa Mungu wako karibu zaidi kuliko unavyofikiri. Ni ukiamua tu kujihusisha na ulimwengu wa uchawi, uwasiliani-roho, au uchawi ndipo unaweza kuumizwa kwa kuacha katikati ya mapenzi Yake. Wale wanaokaa ndani ya Kristo wamehakikishiwa usalama. Mungu wetu amewapa majeshi ya malaika watakatifu amri ya “kukusimamia, kukulinda katika njia zako zote” (Zab. 91:11). Watakuchukua juu ya mawimbi ya hasira hadi ushindi wa mwisho. Basi usiogope! Jiamini na utii tu! 

Tunapotembea na Bwana Katika nuru ya Neno Lake Ni utukufu ulioje anaotoa katika njia yetu! Tunapofanya mapenzi yake mema Yeye hukaa nasi bado, Na pamoja na wote waaminio na kutii. Hakuna kivuli kinachoweza kuinuka, wala wingu angani Bali tabasamu lake hulifukuza upesi; Si shaka wala woga, Si kuugua wala machozi, inaweza kukaa wakati tunaamini na kutii.

“Mtumaini Bwana kwa moyo wako wote, wala usizitegemee akili zako mwenyewe; katika njia zako zote mkiri yeye, naye atayanyosha mapito yako.” Methali 3:5, 6

Lucifer’s Beginning

Some years ago word spread around the world that God was dead. There is also the thought among some religious leaders that there is really no such being as a personal Devil. Satan’s personality is being dismissed as an invention of someone’s imagination, to frighten people into being good and force little children to behave. Some of these religious leaders, to justify their non-belief in Satan, even used such scriptures as Matthew 15:19 to show that all evil thoughts, desires and actions originate within ourselves, and thus it is silly and childish to blame Satan for them.

Naturally, both arguments, (1) that God was dead and (2) that Satan does not exist, are wrong and entirely unbiblical. While man can exercise evil thoughts, this does not nullify the existence of Satan and his evil helpers. In Matthew 15:19, Jesus was not denying the existence of Satan, but rather showing how a man’s heart condition can also defile him.

Astrology, occultism, horoscopes, and spiritism have engulfed millions of people around the world. Millions of dollars are spent on these things, and thousands of people will not leave home in the morning or contract any business without first consulting their horoscopes, which are published in magazines and daily newspapers. Astrology, occultism, and spiritism are building a great body of followers who, out of curiosity and desire to see what lies before them, are hoping to discover what the future holds so they can be ready to face what is coming. Who is behind all this? There is only one source from which to receive the true answer. That is the Holy Bible!

It is holy because God’s Spirit inspired the minds of dedicated, godly men to write down accurately what God had given them. The Holy Scriptures are not private writings coming from the minds of mere men, but are the thoughts and words of God, expressed through His Holy Spirit and therefore truthful and right (2 Pet. 1:20, 21).

1 Corinthians 2:11-14 explains that without the help of the Spirit of God, natural man would be unable to understand the “deep things” or secrets of God. Without the Holy Spirit, man would read the Bible much like he would a novel or any other book written by man. One searching after truth, however, needs the Spirit of God to enlighten his path and help him understand the meaning of the various allegories, symbolisms, and parables in the Bible. Where do we go to discover the identity of the being who is responsible for all the misunderstanding, sorrow, suffering, war, sickness sin and death of this world? To the Holy Word of our Creator!

Lucifer

Long ago, even before the creation of angels, archangels, seraphim, cherubim, and other heavenly hosts, God, through His Son, created a mighty cherub and gave him extraordinary wisdom, beauty and power. See Colossians 1:15-17.

The prophet Ezekiel, in Ezek. 28:11-19, was inspired by God to give us a description of this mighty spiritual being, and in Isaiah 14:12 we are told about this mighty spiritual being, perfect in beauty, full of splendor and wisdom. This mighty cherub for the first time is called by his original name: “Lucifer, son of the morning” (KJV). Verses 13 and 14 continue to tell us what then happened: “You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’” What preposterous presumption! 

This was Lucifer’s abominable sin! He desired not only to be like his Creator, the Most High, but to be exalted above God’s throne. He wanted to usurp the power and dominion of the Eternal God! He desired to be worshipped and served; but most of all, he planned to take away God’s authority and glory, making himself Supreme! 

From Lucifer to Satan

When the first man and woman were created, Lucifer was the guardian cherub over Eden. He realizes that these two persons, in time, would multiply and fill the earth. Sin found entrance in Lucifer’s heart when, desiring to control Adam and Eve, he planned to deceive, seduce and lead that first couple to doubt and disobey their Creator. Thus he thought they would turn to him for protection and worship and become his subjects. Events seemed to work in his favor. It was at this time that Lucifer, meaning light, became Satan, meaning adversary, for he was now an enemy of God. 

Did God know what Lucifer was harboring in his heart? Indeed He knew, but God was now giving him the opportunity to show his true colors. God in His wisdom, and knowing the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10), also knew that the experience with good and evil would be an everlasting lesson to both men and angels—yes, to the whole creation—a lesson for all eternity. 

The Temptation

The day came when Satan, using the serpent as his mouthpiece, said to Eve in Gen. 3:1, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” Here was the beginning of his deception, for he knew very well what God had told Adam (Genesis 2:16, 17). 

Eve answered by saying that God had given them permission to eat fruit of any tree in the garden, except of the tree that was in the midst of the garden, with the warning that if they did eat the fruit of that tree they would die (Gen. 3:2, 3). Satan answered with the first lie, thus planting the seeds of doubt about the goodness and integrity of God, and with the plan to show himself their true friend, saying, “You shall not die, for God knows that in the day you eat from it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Gen. 3:4,5 - NASB). Eve, being deceived, ate the forbidden fruit, thus committing the first act of disobedience (Gen. 3:6). While Eve was deceived, Adam was not. He chose of his own free will to disobey God, by eating of the fruit offered to him by his wife. Perhaps he ate it because he feared being without his beloved Eve and so chose to die with her. The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 2:14 that Adam was not deceived as Eve was; therefore, his sin was more deserving of blame in God’s sight than was Eve’s. The result of their disobedience was the promised sentence of death for the guilty pair, which began to take effect as they were banished from the Garden. In due time, the promise was given that Satan’s head would be crushed by the seed of the woman, Jesus Christ (Gen. 3:15).

When Satan revealed himself to be the enemy of God, he lost his standing in the heavenly courts, the spiritual realm. But he did not fall into sin alone. He drew with him legions of angels, who followed him into rebellion against their Creator. Our Lord Jesus called Satan a liar and a murderer, for he was responsible for the death of our first parents and through them, all who have ever lived. (Heb. 2:14). 

Evil Spirits at Work

As mankind began to multiply on the earth, Satan’s desire to be worshipped by man increased. Undoubtedly, he proposed to those angels that followed him into sin that they materialize as human beings and marry the most beautiful women on the earth, fathering children by them. This they did, as we read in Genesis 6:1-4. The offspring of these angels and women was permitted but never approved by God. These were a hybrid race, men of giant stature, strong and intelligent, but very wicked. They were called the Nephilim. These hybrid offspring, with their fathers (the fallen angels), ruled the prediluvian world and filled it with violence. The situation grew so terrible that God made the decision to destroy all of mankind -- to wipe the earth clean with a universal flood and start all over again with only Noah and his family (Gen. 6:7).

God then instructed Noah—a just man who walked with God—to build an ark and fill it with animals and enough food for them all (Gen. 6 & 7). Seven days before the flood began, when Noah and his family were in the ark, the Lord shut the door to the ark. The rain burst forth, drowning all those outside the ark. It rained for 40 days and nights (Gen. 7:16).

What happened to the fallen angels, or evil spirits? They were punished by God, for He placed them in chains of darkness, limiting them to the earth’s atmosphere until the judgment of the great day (Jude 6; 2 Peter 2:4, 5). It was not long before people again forgot God and began to practice immorality and idolatry, which the Apostle Paul called “demon worship” (1 Cor. 10:19, 20). This idolatry expanded into Samaria, Canaan, Egypt, and Mesopotamia where Abraham was born, in Ur of the Chaldea’s. However, Abraham preferred to worship the true God of his ancestor Noah, so God called him out of Ur and led him to Canaan. He left behind his country and people and all their idol worship rituals. (Gen. 12:1). 

The Law

In giving His law to the children of Israel, God told them in the Ten Commandments that they should worship no other gods, but Him only, and that they should not make any images, statues or idols, nor worship them (Exod. 20:1-6). Thus, Satan and the evil spirits would be denied the worship they hungered for. But these evil spirits worked through wizards, and witches, in the land of Canaan, and through these mediums they expanded their influence over the people. So God gave a law concerning them. (See Lev. 19:31 and Deut. 18:9-14.) The children of Israel were forbidden to have any dealings with them. Those who had familiar spirits and wizards were put out of the land (1 Sam. 28:3 & 9). 

Nevertheless, the evil spirits’ influence gradually spread to the whole world. Satan, their leader, became “the god of this (present evil) world” (2 Cor. 4:4; John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). Paul calls him “the prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2). And John says, so that “.... the whole world is under the control of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). 

Source of All Evil

All throughout this Gospel Age, Satan and his evil spirits have battled hard against true Christians and have been the cause of great persecution, suffering, imprisonment, false teachings, confusion, etc. Now that we are reaching the end of the Gospel Age, these evil spirits are becoming more active than ever, causing crimes, chaos, wars and confusion on a world-wide scale as never before. Some Christians, it is prophesied, will even fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons (1 Tim. 4:1). How can we protect ourselves and our families from these evil spirits? 

Need For Protection

The Scriptures furnish us with much information on this matter. In Eph. 6:12 the Apostle Paul discloses what we are up against: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Can we battle and overcome such powers in our own strength? Absolutely not! The Apostle Peter describes Satan as a “roaring lion, walking about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). 

What, then, can we do to protect ourselves and our loved ones? Here is Divine advice: First of all, have complete confidence and trust in God’s love, care, and protection. Then put on the full armor of God, which is described in Eph. 6:10-18. Once you have it on, don’t stop to argue with Satan. He is too clever and experienced for us. Do what Jesus did and say aloud, “It is written!” If he is attacking you in definite areas such as lust, say out loud, “Depart from me, you demon of lust. I command you in the name of Jesus, depart from me.” We do not have to wage a war against Satan. Our Lord Jesus Christ has already done that and won! But we do need to resist him. “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). 

Be careful to stay far away from wizards, necromancers, astrologers, fortune tellers, mediums, séances, and anything that deals with spiritism and occultism. Always remember that Satan often transforms himself into an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14). He makes it seem that what is said appears to agree with the Word of God and he is able to do “signs and wonders”(2 Thess. 2:9). 

The End of Satan and Evil Angels

What will be God’s retribution and punishment for all the evil, sorrow, and death Satan and these evil spirits have caused in the world? Though they are no longer in heaven, having been cast down into the lower part of the atmospheric condition of earth, as described in Rev. 12:7-9, Satan is filled with great wrath, knowing his time is short (vs. 12).

In due time, the Lord will put a stop to all of his evil deeds. A mighty angel will come down from heaven and imprison Satan in a bottomless pit for 1000 years “so that he cannot deceive the nations any more” (Rev. 20:1-3). At the end of the 1000-year reign of Christ, Satan will be loosed again for a little season and go forth one final time to deceive the nations and turn them against God. But fire will come down from heaven and destroy all those who are in league with him (Rev. 20:7-9). Revelation 20:10 tells us Satan will be destroyed. For further confirmation of his destruction, read Isaiah 14:4-11 & 15-20, as well as Ezekiel 28:16-19. This will be the Grand Finale of the universal struggle between good and evil—of Satan against God. The universe will be purified of all evil spirits and evil doers. Then peace, holiness and everlasting joy will forever rule in both heaven and earth. Thus will our Lord’s Prayer be fulfilled when “thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is done in heaven” (Mt. 6:10). 

God’s Holy Angels

We feel this booklet would not be complete without a word about God’s holy angels, those spirit beings who have remained faithful to God, freely serving Him in various ways, and in particular serving His family on this earth. Angels belong to a different order of creation than man. They have been given higher intelligence, knowledge, understanding, power, and mobility than has been given us. These are God’s messengers (angelos means messenger) whose chief duty is to carry out His orders in the universe. Angels, in times past, were given power to speak for God as His ambassadors and perform works of righteousness. Their activities assisted their Creator in His rule and control of the universe. Even today, the true children of God have “guardian angels” for their protection (Psa. 91:11). 

What does the Bible say about angels? It clearly states that angels were created by the will of God. There was a time when no angels existed and God was alone. Then God brought forth His only begotten Son, called the Word (Logos). Today we know him as our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the Only Begotten Son of God, and “... by him (the Logos) were all things created, that are in heaven, and in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, dominions, principalities or powers: all things were created by him, and for him, and he is before all things, and by him all things consist” (Col. 1:16,17).

Angels are invisible created beings who have the ability to materialize, going back and forth between heaven and earth. Even though angels have materialized on occasion, they are not made of flesh and blood. Hebrews 1:14 calls them “ministering spirits.” Furthermore, God did not give them the ability to reproduce after their kind. “They neither marry nor are given in marriage” (Mark 12:25). 

The holy angels’ empire is as vast as God’s creation. They can go wherever God commands them and do whatever He orders. Their power is from God, and no man or evil spirit can force them to retreat from their appointed tasks. 

How Many Angels?

Both the Old and New Testaments mention angels, directly or indirectly, nearly 300 times, but how many are there? Rev. 5:11 describes a scene where there are “thousands upon thousands and ten thousand times ten thousand” angels. Myriad of angels came down on Mt. Sinai to confirm the holy presence of God as He gave His laws to Moses (Deut. 33:2). 

In Revelation chapter 19, we read of armies of angels who will be with Jesus in that great and terrible battle of the Lord God Almighty when His foes will be gathered together on earth for their last stand against God and the Lamb. When Adam and Eve were sent forth from the Garden of Eden, a cherub was commanded to stand guard at the entrance of Eden to bar man’s return to the Garden. He had a flaming sword with which he guarded the way to the tree of life, lest Adam, by eating of its fruit, should live forever (Gen. 3:24).

Angels Today

Even some scientists admit the probability of the existence of invisible intelligence, and many people are aware of occult and demonic powers.

A world-wide interest in spiritual forces have brought forth thousands of books dealing with spiritism,  such as “Gods From Outer Space,” and “World In Collision,” and movies such as “Rosemary’s Baby,” and  “The Exorcist,” which have become very popular, bringing in millions of dollars. But, until recently, very  little interest has been manifested in the holy angels of God who are immensely more numerous than  fallen angels. Quotations in the Bible about holy angels far outnumber references to Satan and his  demons, the fallen angels.

Today, the activities of Satan and his legions of fallen angels are often in the news and publicized through books, magazines, movies, radio, and television according to prophecy. Heinous murders and things too evil to mention here are influenced by these demons. Nevertheless, the activities of God’s holy angels for the direction and protection of His people are indelibly impressed in the minds of those who walk by faith. When we exercise our eyes of faith, we can see many evidences of the supernatural display of God’s power and glory. (See Ps. 91:11 and Heb. 1:14.) Our God does not sleep! (See Psalm 121.)

Christians should be aware of Satan’s power, but they should take notice even more of the greater power and activities of God’s holy angels. If you are a believer, be assured powerful angels stay close by you all the days of your Christian life. God’s angels are very real! They don’t draw attention to themselves and don’t seek worship (Rev. 22:8, 9). They do their ministering invisibly and unnoticed by men, carrying out their assigned tasks with faithfulness. 

Are we told to worship angels? No! In Colossians 2:18, we are warned of being beguiled (deprived) of our reward if we worship them. Are the holy angels jealous of those finding repentance and salvation through Jesus Christ? No, again! For Luke 15:10 tells us of their joy over even one sinner who repents. 

In Matthew 13:41 we learn the angels will be used of God to gather out of His Kingdom all things that offend and them which do iniquity. In conclusion, we exhort you to believe God and His Holy Word, the Bible, and you will not have to fear Satan or the evil spirits, for God’s holy angels are nearer than you think. Only if you choose to become entangled in the world of occultism, spiritism, or witchcraft can you be harmed by leaving the center of His will. Those abiding in Christ are assured safety. Our God has given the hosts of holy angels the command to “take charge of you, to guard you in all your ways” (Ps. 91:11). They will bear you up above the angry waves to final victory. So fear not! Only trust and obey! 

When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His Word
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise,
not a cloud in the skies
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt nor a fear,
Not a sigh nor a tear,
can abide while we trust and obey.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5, 6