XXVI CONCERNING THE SALVATION OF It is blessed to think that probably a large proportion of angels never fell. In the book of Revelation, 12: 3, 4, it is prophesied that a third of the stars of heaven will be cast to the earth, as the name "star" is an angelic name (Job 38:7), one may infer that two thirds of the angels did not fall. These are interested in redemption, and are God's special messengers in helping those who are heirs of salvation. There is no doubt that they are advancing in knowledge, in faith and fidelity. They have an eager desire to learn more of redemption (1 Peter 1:10-12), and their humility is so great that they are willing to learn and to work unseen. All the angels were originally good, and as "God is no respecter of persons," we believe that they were all created equal; but through faith and faithfulness some became greater than others, in fact, some became exceeding great and mighty. In Ezek. 28:12-19 the reference is not only to an earthly king, but also to Satan who inspired and possest him. Here one can learn how great an angel Satan was. In Isa. 14:12-15, the reference is to the earthly ruler of Babylon and also to Satan, the unseen and invisible ruler. This text gives some cine to Satan's greatness and fall. He is the greatest sinper in the universe. Sin began with him and he led multitudes astray. There is one passage of Scripture that speaks of twɔ hundred millions of evil spirits (Rev. 9:16), and this is but a part of their great number. Satan has real personality, but he is only a creature. He and the angels ani demons were created sons of God, Job 1:6; 2:1, etc, "Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.” In Job 38:6, 7, we read of God's laying the foundation of the earth. When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.” Satan and his coadiutors are the great simmers in the universe. They were sons of God, now they are prodigal sons. God does not hate any of His creatures, even when they sin; He hates the sin, but not the simmer. His heart still yearms over them. The fight of time does not change God's love, Death and Hell do not alter His affection. The hosts of fallen angels are fallen sons of God. The Scripture tells us that Adam was created a son of God and that he and his descendants also fel (Lake 3:38; Gen. 3:1-6). In fact, it is dimcult to see that in the original creation man and angel differed, because they are both called **sons of God." Through sin and diverse experiences they may have different outer forms; but they must have been essentially the same, else it would not be proper to call them both "sons of God." This fact is further attested by the Word of God showing us that when man is restored and resurrected, he will be "as the angels" and "equal unto the angels" (Matt. 22:30 and Luke 20:36). The argument for the justice and fitness of Christ's having all judgment committed to Him, is founded upon the fact of His similarity of nature; viz., that He is Son of man (John 5:27). The Scripture teaches in 1 Cor. 6:3 that man shall judge angels, justice demands a similarity of nature. It may seem difficult to think of man as having a nature as glorious as an angel, but this difficulty arises from looking at man as he is. It is easier to understand this when we consider what man was originally, and this can be further apprehended by what he is to be when he is fully redeemed, restored and glorified and even still further advanced. Does God love fallen man? "God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8). There is no text in Scripture that tells us to hate Satan, nor any of God's creatures, no matter how fallen they are. We are to resist him, give no place to him; but we are not commanded to hate him, nor any of his company. In fact, the plain teaching of the Word is that we should not bring any "railing accusation" against him, for even an archangel dared not do this, but had to say, "The Lord rebuke thee" (Jude, verse 9). Many over-zealous Christians need to guard their speech on this line. When there is anything left in any one that is worthy of respect, no matter how sinful he is, there is something for God to work upon; God has put limits to evil in that one, and he is therefore not incapable of being saved. There is such an abhorrence against the evil wrought by Satan that in many cases it has turned into a personal hate. It is most healthy to love righteousness and to hate iniquity; but it is not in the spirit of Christ to hate the sinner no matter how vile he is. If there is a revolt in the heart of any against these considerations, there must be something there that needs the cleansing of the precious blood and the help of His Spirit. Again we read in God's Word that "the devils (demons) also believe, and tremble” (Jas. 2:19). In the trembling there is hope. They are not "past feeling." They will be hard to reach, it may take a long time. Only God has the patience, love, and power. "His grace is sufficient." The harder the case, the greater the glory. In Acts 19:14-16 we read, "And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, . . . and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded." Here are evil spirits on this occasion and in various other places of the Bible (Matt. 8:31; Luke 10:17), who acknowledged the authority of our Lord and His servants. We do not say that they were converted: they were far from that, but they fought for the authority of Christ. Their motives may not have been the highest; but we do affirm that if missionaries who were in a savage country should hear some vile man insisting upon the authority of Christ and His Name being used by those alone who had the right to use it, they who witnessed it would say that there was something in that savage upon which God could work. In the chapter on The Limitations of Human Freedom we see that God always limits sin in the creature, so that there is a nidus or ground left for Him to work upon, and whatsoever He can not overrule for good, He restrains. Satan is not yet confined to the pit nor cast into the lake of fire. He has not yet gone as far into sin as he will go, for God has always limited his activities. We are not asserting that the fires are not already kindled in his own breast, but he still is in the heavenlies (Eph. 6:12); Christians know this not only by Scripture, but also by experience. In the highest and most heavenly approach to God |