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Satan’s Modus Operandi in the Last Days
.
The
methods adopted by Satan are manifold - his activity is largely one of
deception. He plucks the seed of the Word of God away from hardened hearts,
sows tares among the wheat, places his emissaries in the branches of
Christendom and mixes the leaven of false doctrine in the belief systems of the
professing Church. Satan presents himself as “another Jesus”, “another spirit”,
and propagates “another gospel” to the one preached by the Apostles of our Lord
Jesus Christ
by
John R Ecob DD
Satan knows what his final end will be.
Meanwhile, his modus operandi (way of operating) is to act as the enemy of God
and all that God created.
He will continue thus
until he is finally cast into that lake of fire which is especially “prepared
for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41).
In this Church Age
In this Church age
his activity is largely one of deception.
The parables of
Matthew chapter 13 spell out how he plucks the seed of the Word of God away
from hardened hearts, sows tares among the wheat, places his emissaries in the
branches of Christendom and mixes the leaven of false doctrine in the belief
systems of the professing Church.
In this age Satan presents himself as “another Jesus”,
“another spirit”, and propagates “another gospel” to the one
preached by the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.
His tactic is to come “as an angel of light” and
though his agents “are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming
themselves into the apostles of Christ”, they appear as “ministers of
righteousness” (2 Corinthians 11:3-15).
How awful will be the
plight of these deceived agents of Satan when they finally stand before Christ
exclaiming, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name
have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful (miracle) works?”
– only to hear the sentence, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work
iniquity” (Matthew
7:22-23).
After the Rapture
Immediately after the true believers in the
Lord Jesus are raptured, Satan will continue his work with greater zeal for, at
that moment, every human soul on earth will be an unregenerate sinner.
Every vestige of restraint will be removed in
an instant as the saints rise into the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
But Satan will still have a major problem;
Israel.
The entire volume of Scripture is saturated
with promises of a coming day when Israel will crown Jesus Christ as King and
He will reign on the throne of David at Jerusalem.
If Israel can be deceived then Satan will
triumph over God.
At this point in history every saved Jew will
have departed with the Church and the remaining rulers of Israel will be
fertile soil for the seeds of deception.
It will be at this
moment that the rider on the white horse, Antichrist, will appear as John saw
him with “a bow; and a crown” and he will peacefully “go forth
conquering and to conquer” (Revelation 6:2).
The ungodly shepherds of Israel (Ezekiel 34) will fall for
Satan’s deception hook line and sinker.
They will welcome the protection of the Roman
prince to shield the nation from Islamic hordes that threaten them on every
side.
A seven-year covenant
will be willingly signed. Like Judah in Isaiah’s day, they will say, “We
have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we in agreement; when the overflowing
scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies
our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves” (Isaiah 28:15).
The treaty with
Antichrist and the Revived Roman Empire will appear to be a political master
stroke and when the “king of the south” (Egypt) invades, the Roman
prince will “come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen,
and with many ships” (Daniel
11:40).
The combined forces of Israel and Europe will
wreak havoc throughout the land of Egypt and Israel will bask in the glory of
an outstanding military triumph (Isaiah 19:1-17).
The Firstfruits of Israel
At last Satan will have the ancient “people
of God” in his hand but all is not well.
News will come from the four corners of the earth
of 144,000 Jewish men who are preaching the imminent return of Jesus Christ and
the establishment of Christ’s kingdom on earth.
These must be stopped and all who follow them
must be put to death.
While Antichrist is contemplating this, news
comes from the north and the east of Israel (Daniel 11:44); from Iran, Russia and Turkey; of a
massive Islamic army preparing to pour into the land intent on eliminating the
entire nation and there is nothing Antichrist can do to stop them.
At first Russia and the Islamists appear
successful and the false shepherds of Israel, with two thirds of the Jews in
the land, are wiped out (Ezekiel
34:9; Zechariah 13:9).
The remnant of Israel will cry out to God and
acknowledge Jesus Christ as Messiah, Saviour and King.
Immediately God shakes the world with a
global earthquake and meteorites rain down on the invaders.
In the confusion,
Israel’s enemies turn on each other until “every man’s sword shall be
against his brother” (Ezekiel
38:21)
and five sixths perish (Ezekiel
39:2).
The land of Russia is burned (Ezekiel 39:6).
Meanwhile, Satan’s “man of sin” is
watching from the sidelines. He is angry that all the nations acknowledge this
to be an act of God (Ezekiel
39:23) and
since “all Israel” has turned to Jesus Christ the now Godly nation will
no longer succumb to Satan’s deception.
The rebuilt Jewish
Temple that unbelieving Jews had operated, is now occupied by redeemed Jews who
“keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:17).
Satan’s plan to deceive Israel is in tatters
and there can be only one solution: wipe out the nation of Israel.
“Therefore he shall
go forth with great fury, and utterly to make away many” (Daniel 11:44).
War in Heaven
Satan’s plan to seduce Israel has failed and
drastic action is now required.
“There was war in
heaven”
(Revelation
12:7)
and Michael, the “great prince which for standeth the children of Daniel’s
people” (Daniel
12.1),
engages Satan and his angels.
The result is never in doubt.
“The great dragon was
cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the
whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with
him… Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come
down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short
time. And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted
the woman (Israel) which brought forth the man child (Christ)” (Revelation 12:9-13).
War on Earth Against the Lamb
At this stage Satan’s options are running
out. He cannot deceive the elect nation of Israel for Jesus said it was not
possible (Matthew
24:24).
He has failed to overthrow the throne of God
and his activities are now confined to the earth.
Furthermore, if God has His way, there
remains only 42 months before the Kingdom of Christ will be established on
earth.
The only chance of thwarting the purposes of
God is to occupy the throne of God in the Temple and totally eradicate every
last Jew.
However, Antichrist’s armies cannot subdue
Israel for, ever since the whole nation trusted Christ, the Lord has fought for
them.
In fact, the governors of Judah (are) like an
hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf (Zechariah 12:5).
These Godly Jews “devour
all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left” and they
reoccupy Jerusalem (Zechariah
12:5-9).
Satan has only one course of action left: it
is to mobilize all the nations of the world to finish the task of utterly
destroying these Godly Jews.
Three unclean spirits are sent from the
Dragon (Satan), Antichrist and his False prophet to deceive the nations and to
gather all their armies against Israel (Revelation 16:13).
With 200 million from Asia, surely it will be
possible to dispose of every Jew.
Antichrist’s own army from Europe will be
there for we read that the ten kings of the Revived Roman Empire “give their
power and strength unto the beast” (Revelation 17:13)
“and these shall make
war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords,
and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and
faithful”
(Revelation
17:14).
The dams in Turkey on the Euphrates River
close their floodgates and the river is dried up to allow easy passage for the
vast army from the kings of the east (Revelation 16:12).
A multi-pronged attack is planned and Satan’s
armies pour into the land from the north where a massive battle rages in the
valley of Esdralon near Megiddo (Revelation 16:16).
Another army gathers at Engedi on the western
shores of the Dead Sea, and drives up the Valley of Jehoshaphat (Berachah, 2
Chronicles 20:26)
toward Jerusalem.
This battle reaches all the way to Jerusalem
and is so fierce that the blood flows to the horses bridle (Joel 3:2,12).
Finally, Antichrist’s armies will reach
Jerusalem and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women
ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue
of the people shall not be cut off from the city (Zechariah 14:2).
If Satan can win this war he has triumphed
and God is defeated.
God’s promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
will never be fulfilled unless Israel is preserved and it seems as though the
elimination of the Jews has almost been accomplished.
But just when all
seems hopeless, “Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those
nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And his feet shall stand in
that day upon the mount of Olives” (Zechariah 14:3-4).
Christ Returns to Rescue His People
At that critical moment the sun and moon are
darkened, stars (meteorites) shower the earth and the blackened sky is set
ablaze with the glory of God as Jesus Christ appears with all the armies of
heaven proclaiming Him King of kings, and Lord of lords. Satan’s reign is
finished.
A sword proceeds from the mouth of the Lord
Jesus as He descends to the Mount of Olives and the armies of Antichrist are
smitten in a moment of time.
Vainly, Antichrist turns his attention to the
descending heavenly host but mighty angels appear and both he and his false
prophet are slain, given a resurrection body, and cast for ever into the lake
of fire.
Satan is powerless to resist the mighty power
of the Son of God as John described the scene in that future day.
“John saw an angel
come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain
in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the
Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the
bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should
deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and
after that he must be loosed a little season” (Revelation 20:1-3).
One thousand years of confinement in the
bottomless pit in hades with the souls of the unsaved who await the
resurrection to damnation, will teach Satan nothing for as soon as he is
released he immediately goes out to deceive men and gather the nations against
the saints and the holy city of Jerusalem, where Christ is reigning.
Satan’s Final Judgment
No longer can Satan be allowed to continue
his efforts to overthrow the throne of God. Fire falls from heaven and the
enemies of God are burned.
Mighty angels take
the fallen Lucifer and fling him into the lake of fire where “the beast and
the false prophet are” (Revelation 20:10).
When Satan sinned, he sinned against God in
the full knowledge of God’s presence.
He had been there as a sinless creature and
had perfect knowledge of the God of heaven. There is no salvation for those who
sin against light.
When men blaspheme the Holy Ghost they sin
against light and there is no forgiveness (Matthew 12:32).
Christ did not “take
on Him the nature of angels; but He took on Him the seed of Abraham” (Hebrews 2:16).
Adam was deceived and
so Christ took upon Himself the form of man to deliver mankind from the snare
of Satan that “through death, He might destroy him who had the power of
death, that is the Devil” (Hebrews 2:14).
Why Wasn’t Satan Judged Long Ago?
The Almighty God has chosen to use Satan to
test mankind.
Mankind has a choice: dwell in Satan’s
kingdom under Satan’s rule or choose Christ the Redeemer and dwell in His
kingdom.
Have you chosen Christ? Remember that the
lake of fire is prepared for Satan and his angels and all who choose sin and
Satan will be cast into the lake of fire with him.
At Calvary Jesus purchased your freedom from
Satan’s dominion but you must respond.
“Whosoever shall call
upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).
John
R Ecob
Editor
Herald of Hope Inc.
Mr John Ecob is the second son of the late Pastor Russell Ecob. He was born at Leeton NSW 28/2/33.
John was savingly converted to Jesus Christ under his father's preaching on the 1st August 1948 in the Hurstville Baptist Church. From the very beginning he committed his life to Christ and began preparing for whatever service the Lord should choose.
For many years he was involved in open air preaching, open air Sunday schools, and lay preaching through the Lay Preachers Association in Sydney Australia.
While indentured as an apprentice in engineering drafting, he completed 2 years at the Sydney Bible Night School under the ministry of T.R. Ford BA.
On completion of his apprenticeship he served one year as a student in Evangelist John Ridley's Australian Institute of Evangelism, one year at the NSW Baptist Theological College and one year as pastor of the Balmain Baptist Church.
He returned to engineering studies with the Institution of Structural Engineers UK, and was employed in the design and construction industry as Design Engineer, Project Engineer, Chief Estimator, Design Manager, Marketing Manager, Consultant, and finally concluding his secular career as General Manager of The First Australia/China Consortium which was formed to take the Australian Construction Industry into Mainland China. He has lectured in Marketing Seminars at New South Wales University.
Mr Ecob is conservative in his theology, dispensational-premill.in eschatology, non-charismatic, and Bible centred. His desire is to effectively serve the Lord Jesus Christ till He comes.
Editor
Herald of Hope Inc.
Mr John Ecob is the second son of the late Pastor Russell Ecob. He was born at Leeton NSW 28/2/33.
John was savingly converted to Jesus Christ under his father's preaching on the 1st August 1948 in the Hurstville Baptist Church. From the very beginning he committed his life to Christ and began preparing for whatever service the Lord should choose.
For many years he was involved in open air preaching, open air Sunday schools, and lay preaching through the Lay Preachers Association in Sydney Australia.
While indentured as an apprentice in engineering drafting, he completed 2 years at the Sydney Bible Night School under the ministry of T.R. Ford BA.
On completion of his apprenticeship he served one year as a student in Evangelist John Ridley's Australian Institute of Evangelism, one year at the NSW Baptist Theological College and one year as pastor of the Balmain Baptist Church.
He returned to engineering studies with the Institution of Structural Engineers UK, and was employed in the design and construction industry as Design Engineer, Project Engineer, Chief Estimator, Design Manager, Marketing Manager, Consultant, and finally concluding his secular career as General Manager of The First Australia/China Consortium which was formed to take the Australian Construction Industry into Mainland China. He has lectured in Marketing Seminars at New South Wales University.
Mr Ecob is conservative in his theology, dispensational-premill.in eschatology, non-charismatic, and Bible centred. His desire is to effectively serve the Lord Jesus Christ till He comes.
