Is it right to teach that Satan fell first of all in Eden

Is it right to teach that Satan fell first of all in Eden’s garden?

Perhaps there is scarcely any subject which lends itself more readily to speculation, and concerning which speculation ought to be more carefully avoided, than the mysterious fall of Satan. No fact is more clear; hardly one mentioned with more reserve. If the above question means whether his fall took place in the actual Garden of Eden of Genesis 2" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 2: , the answer can only be, “No.” Satan comes on the scene in it as a fallen being, already the enemy of God and man. His fall had taken place long before, and, as I believe, in another scene. This fall is referred to by our Lord in Luke 10:18" TARGET="_blank">Luke 10:18: “I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.” This would indicate that heaven was his original abode. The reason of his fall is given in 1 Timothy 3:6," TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 3:6, to be pride, but nothing is said specially of his pride in the Eden episode. His fall is referred to also in Isaiah 14," TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 14, in words which must go far beyond the Assyrian: “How art thou fallen from heaven, 0 Lucifer, son of the morning!” Again in Ezekiel 28," TARGET="_blank">Ezekiel 28, his fall is described, no doubt in symbolic language: “By the multitude of thy merchandise, they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned” (Ezekiel 28:16)." TARGET="_blank">Ezekiel 28:16). “Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty; thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness” (v. 17). Pride, corruption, and violence characterised his fall, as they have also our fallen race. What has probably given colour to the idea referred to above are the words in Ezekiel xxviii. 13 addressed to Satan concerning his fall:
“Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God.” If God prepared for Adam, the head of the earthly creation, a delightful abode suitable for his highest enjoyment, is it not likely that He would do the same for the head of the angelic creation? Just as there is now, besides the earthly paradise that was, a heavenly paradise, so there may have been two Edens. It has been suggested that Lucifer’s Eden may have occupied the same site in the original earth of Genesis 1:1," TARGET="_blank">Genesis 1:1, as the Eden of the Adamic earth. Some think there would be a fitness in this. Certainly heaven and earth were not so wide apart once as now, but the idea seems to lack direct scriptural support. W.H.

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Were Old Testament believers born again?

All believers in any dispensation are born again. Without the new birth, no one can see the kingdom of God (John 3:3)." TARGET="_blank">John 3:3). The Lord teaches there must be a new life to enter the kingdom of God, whatever the dispensation (John 3:5)." TARGET="_blank">John 3:5). Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets will be seen in the kingdom of God (Luke 13:28)." TARGET="_blank">Luke 13:28). Abraham and Moses knew God in an intimate way. John 17:3" TARGET="_blank">John 17:3 teaches that knowing God requires eternal life (being born again).

J. Abernathy

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Did Moses build the Ark before ascending Mount Sinai a second time?

What Tabernacle is referred to in Exodus 33:7-11" TARGET="_blank">Exodus 33:7-11? According to the sequence of the chapters, the Tabernacle was not yet built. Some have inferred from Deuteronomy 10:1-5" TARGET="_blank">Deuteronomy 10:1-5 that Moses made the Ark during this interval, between his destruction of the first tables and the bringing down of the second, as a receptacle for the second tables which could not be entrusted to Israel. What do you say to this?

Certainly Deutenonomy 10:1-5 would bear the above interpretation, “and I made an ark of shittim wood. . . and I put them (the tables of the Lord) in the Ark which I had made.” Yet we must remember that in Deuteronomy, Moses is admittedly only giving a summary of things, so that events spread over a period, are compressed, as occurring almost synchronously. For dates and details we must consult Exodus and Numbers. In Exodus 25:10" TARGET="_blank">Exodus 25:10 the directions as to making the Ark are given to Moses, during his first sojourn on the Mount, but were only communicated to the children of Israel in Exodus 35:12," TARGET="_blank">Exodus 35:12, after his second sojourn there. Only in Exodus 37:1" TARGET="_blank">Exodus 37:1 does Bezaleel actually make the Ark of shittim wood, in which the tables were eventually placed. We cannot admit that there were two Arks; for it is evident in Deut. io. that the tables were to be permanently in the Ark which Moses is said to have made for them—”and there they be as the Lord commanded me.” This was actually done in Exodus 40:20" TARGET="_blank">Exodus 40:20: “And he took and put the testimony into the ark.” There is nothing really contradictory to this in the passages quoted. As for the tabernacle mentioned in Exodus 33:7-11," TARGET="_blank">Exodus 33:7-11, it could only have been a temporary tent of meeting called “The tabernacle of the congregation” (Exodus 33:7)," TARGET="_blank">Exodus 33:7), to which anyone went, who sought the Lord.” After the sin of the golden calf, God would not go up in the midst of the people, so this tent was pitched without the camp. When the actual Tabernacle was constructed and erected, Jehovah once more took His place in the midst of His people (Exodus 25:8;" TARGET="_blank">Exodus 25:8;Exodus 29:45; Numbers 2:2)," TARGET="_blank">Numbers 2:2), no doubt, on the ground of sacrifice. The other temporary tent would naturally fall into disuse.

W.H.

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Why did the Lord fast for 40 days when tempted by Satan?

Why did the Lord fast for 40 days when tempted by Satan?

Part of the answer to this question must lie in the significance of the number 40. The Lord tested Israel in the wilderness for 40 years (Deuteronomy 8:2)." TARGET="_blank">Deuteronomy 8:2). The rain came for 40 days in the Flood (Genesis 7:4)." TARGET="_blank">Genesis 7:4). After 40 days, Noah tested to see if the waters had receded (Genesis 8:6)." TARGET="_blank">Genesis 8:6). Moses’ 40 days on Sinai proved to be a test for the nation (Exodus 24:18; 32:1-8)." TARGET="_blank">Exodus 24:18; 32:1-8). The spies "tested" Canaan for 40 days (Numbers 13:25)." TARGET="_blank">Numbers 13:25). Goliath challenged Israel’s armies for 40 days (1 Samuel 17:16)." TARGET="_blank">1 Samuel 17:16). Nineveh had 40 days, given by God to test its response to His Word (Jonah 3:4)." TARGET="_blank">Jonah 3:4). So in the case of the Lord’s test or temptation, the Spirit associates with it the number 40.

When Ezekiel bore the iniquity of the house of Judah, God appointed his time as 40 days - a day for each year (Ezekiel 4:6)." TARGET="_blank">Ezekiel 4:6). In the Lord’s temptation is there, then, a connection of the 40 years of Israel’s independence of God, living with abundance in the wilderness, but demonstrating their own sinful hearts? Now in the wilderness with nothing material to sustain Him, the Lord experiences hunger, yet remains fully dependent on His God ("It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God," Matthew 4:4)." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 4:4). The 40 days - a day for a year - demonstrated His perfection. He was the Firstborn (the Beloved, Matthew 3:17" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 3:17 with 4:1) Who gave the pleasure to God that the nation, God’s son, His firstborn (Exodus 4:22)," TARGET="_blank">Exodus 4:22), failed to give during those 40 years. The fact that the Lord’s responses to Satan all came from Deuteronomy creates a further association between these two wilderness scenes.

D. Oliver

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Who are the beheaded saints of Revelation 20?

Question: I have a question re- the beheading reference in rev 20:4." TARGET="_blank">rev 20:4.

I am new to bible study, I had read the bible 4 times before but since June the words have different meaning to me. I do not now know if my new interpretations are in the correct direction or indicative of a misunderstanding. Or each person interprets the word differently, based on their experiences and stage in life.

I was studying Ephesians 1" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 1 and was then drawn to the letters addressed to the churches in Revelation 2 and Revelation 3" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 3 the letters seem to represent a systematic progression towards the kingdom of God while on earth.
then i was led to read Revelation 20:4" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 20:4

I have quietly approached people during conversation at my church to gauge their abilities or interests in bible interpretation, but it is hard to ask in-depth questions to people of differing backgrounds, everyone has their own opinion.

rev 20:4" TARGET="_blank">rev 20:4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5(The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

Here are my questions -

“beheaded because of their testimony” - is this the when a person surrenders completely to God and have died in the flesh, to be reborn in the spirit. the word (sword) of God has severed the spiritual head from the physical body. the person has passed through the inner door to the kingdom that exists within. The person then arrives at the realization that the kingdom inside, outside and the kingdom of heaven are one and the same.
“They had not worshiped the beast” - is the beast our "flesh body" that the holy spirit lives within. We die in the flesh , meaning give up wants, desires, defects, …
“They came to life” - a person dies to the body of flesh and awakens to the spirit within. we still walk the earth but our perspective has changed. like when the blind are given sight, it is the people blind to the kingdom of God are given sight and not blind to the kingdom of Gd
“This is the first resurrection” - is this a reference that some people enter the kingdom of God while alive as they have surrendered fully without reservation to the will of Gd. the 2nd resurrection is for others who remain blind spiritually to the kingdom of Gd. These blind people do not enter the kingdom until they die physically and are buried.
“they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years” - a person that has entered the kingdom while alive in the physical body. This person while dead in the flesh but alive in the spirit is given tasks to perform. Tasks/functions/callings (refer to Ep 4:11) while completing the will of Gd. while some people remain blind to the kingdom. The thousand years refers to the rest of the physical life which will be a period of time.

Thank you for your time and consideration,
al

Answer:

The questions you pose appear can be answered with another question:

"How does one interpret the Bible, especially in regards to prophetic writings like Revelation? Literally? figuratively? Alegorically? Contextually? Culturally?

The best answer to the question of how to interpret the Bible is to view how the New Testament interprets the Old Testament.

OT prophecies and events were taken literally unless there were specific, clear, obvious reasons to do otherwise.
For example, in the Book of Daniel, there are dreams which carried figurative meanings (tall statue, tall tree cut down), yet actual supernatural events (fiery furnace, lion's den). Daniel 3," TARGET="_blank">Daniel 3, Daniel 4," TARGET="_blank">Daniel 4, Daniel 5" TARGET="_blank">Daniel 5

The King had actual dreams and Daniel was thrown to real lions, the three friends walked in literal fire.
It is not as if the fire represented a trial and the Lions were a figure of Daniel battling Satan.
In the same way, your questions about the saints who were beheaded are literal believers who John sees in the future.
The beast is the world leader - known as the antichrist.
They are real people.

In Revelation, however, there is a lot of figurative language. Fortunately, we can tell when John is describing these images because he uses the words "like" or "as". Revelation 9" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 9: 7 "And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men."

I would recommend that you start your quest by determining how you should interpret the Bible. A good book to read on the subject is "Things to Come" by J. Dwight Pentecost. It's become a standard, comprehensive reference book on Bible prophecy. However, it is different from many other prophetic books in that the first 65 pages deal with the issue of how to interpret the Bible.

Specifically, the answers to your questions:

There is no indication in the chapter to say these bodies, resurrections and people are not real. What they experience is a miracle. While the "beast" is a name given to indicate a person's beastly character, he is a real human.

“beheaded because of their testimony” - is this the when a person surrenders completely to God and have died in the flesh, to be reborn in the spirit. the word (sword) of God has severed the spiritual head from the physical body. The person has passed through the inner door to the kingdom that exists within. The person then arrives at the realization that the kingdom inside, outside and the kingdom of heaven are one and the same.

This means there will be believers in the Tribulation that will be executed for disobeying the antichrist's decree to worship his idol.
There is nothing in the context of Revelation about surrendering oneself to God.
This teaching is taught quite straightforwardly in Romans 12:1" TARGET="_blank">Romans 12:1

“They had not worshiped the beast” - is the beast our "flesh body" that the Holy Spirit lives within. We die in the flesh, meaning give up wants, desires, defects, …

This beast is a real person, a world leader who demands worship as a god.
Again, read the context of the chapter.

“They came to life” - a person dies to the body of flesh and awakens to the spirit within. We still walk the earth but our perspective has changed. like when the blind are given sight, it is the people blind to the kingdom of God are given sight and not blind to the kingdom of God

These believers are raised back to by physically alive again.

“This is the first resurrection” - is this a reference that some people enter the kingdom of God while alive as they have surrendered fully without reservation to the will of Gd. the 2nd resurrection is for others who remain blind spiritually to the kingdom of Gd. These blind people do not enter the kingdom until they die physically and are buried.

There are two literal resurrections - firstly for believers who will live in heaven.
They are saved eternally. The second resurrection is described Revelation 21" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 21 where the eternally lost are given a just sentence for their sins and condemned to a literal Lake of Fire.

“they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years” - a person that has entered the kingdom while alive in the physical body. This person while dead in the flesh but alive in the spirit is given tasks to perform. Tasks/functions/callings (refer to Ep 4:11) while completing the will of Gd. while some people remain blind to the kingdom. The thousand years refers to the rest of the physical life which will be a period of time.

There will be a literal throne, a literal calendar that can mark of a literal thousand years and a literal group of people who will participate in the administration of the earth with Christ.

Shad Sluiter

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Is the Spirit of God equal to the Father and the Son?

Is the Spirit of God equal to the Father and the Son?

Called "the Lord, the Spirit" (2 Corinthians 3:18," TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 3:18, JND), lying to Him and to God are equivalent (Acts 5:3, 4)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 5:3, 4). He is equated with God in the creation (Genesis 1:2; 2:2)," TARGET="_blank">Genesis 1:2; 2:2), incarnation (Luke 1:35;" TARGET="_blank">Luke 1:35; Galatians 4:4)," TARGET="_blank">Galatians 4:4), anointing (Acts 10:38)," TARGET="_blank">Acts 10:38), miracles (Matthew 12:28;" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 12:28; Luke 11:20)," TARGET="_blank">Luke 11:20), crucifixion (Hebrews 9:14)," TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 9:14), resurrection (Acts 3:15;" TARGET="_blank">Acts 3:15; 1 Peter 3:18)," TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 3:18), saints' resurrection (Romans 8:11;" TARGET="_blank">Romans 8:11;1 Corinthians 15:38," TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 15:38, and operation of gifts (1 Corinthians 12:6, 11)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 12:6, 11).

The Lord equates the Spirit's deity with His own by saying, "another (of the same kind) Comforter" (John 14:16)." TARGET="_blank">John 14:16). In 1 Corinthians 12" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 12-4-6 the Spirit, the Lord and God are parallel (see also Matthew 28:29;" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 28:29; 2 Corinthians 13:14;" TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2;" TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 1:2; Jude 21)." TARGET="_blank">Jude 21). hi the same chapter, He "wills" (verse 11), as does God Games 1:18). His omnipresence and God's are equivalent (Psalm 139:7)." TARGET="_blank">Psalm 139:7). He is omniscient (1 Corinthians 2:11)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 2:11) and omnipotent (Romans 8:11;" TARGET="_blank">Romans 8:11; Matthew 22:29)." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 22:29).

He wills (John 3:8)," TARGET="_blank">John 3:8), knows (1 Corinthians 2:11)," TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 2:11), acts (Acts 16:7)," TARGET="_blank">Acts 16:7), speaks (1 Timothy 4:1)," TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 4:1), and feels (Ephesians 4:30)." TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 4:30). He is a distinct person, though equal with the Father and Son. When the Son stood at Jordan, the Spirit descended, and the Father spoke from heaven, this distinction was visible (Matthew 3:16, 17," TARGET="_blank">Matthew 3:16, 17, paralleling the Old Testament revelation in Isaiah 42:1)." TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 42:1).

D. Oliver

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Do people become angels after death? Do children become angels?

No. Angels are spirit beings, while humans are composed of a body and spiritual part consisting of soul and spirit.

Christ taught in Matthew 22:30" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 22:30 that angels do not get married nor have children.

In heaven, there are two distinct groups who live there. Hebrews 12:22-23" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 12:22-23 mentions a “myriads of angels” and “the spirits of righteous men made perfect”.

The story of the Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31" TARGET="_blank">Luke 16:19-31 tells us that at death a person either goes to the agonies of Hades or to the bliss of God's presence. The Rich Man even asked Abraham to send Lazarus to his father's house, but believers who have died do not return to earth to communicate with anyone. In contrast, God sends his angels to protect and communicate with believers who are still alive (Hebrews 1:13-14;" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 1:13-14; Psalm 91:11-13;" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 91:11-13; Acts 27:23-24;" TARGET="_blank">Acts 27:23-24; Matthew 2:13;" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 2:13; Acts 5:19)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 5:19).

Children who die do not become angels. They die like adults who are saved. They are covered by Christ's work at the cross. A related question to this is "Are children saved who die young?"

Shad David Sluiter

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Printable Bible word search puzzles

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Printable Bible word search puzzles is a program that allows you to turn a Bible verse into a printable word search puzzle worksheet.

Click here to go to step one of the printable Bible word searches page.

You may also want to print one of 350 Pre-made Printable Bible Word Searches on this site. Almost every Bible story is included in this series. In addition to a printable Bible word search, you will find Bible Crossword worksheets, Wordfind, Fill in the Blank and coloring worksheets for various age groups.

If you prefer to create your own Bible worksheets, then choose one of the following Bible worksheets creators...

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What is a woman's "meek and quiet spirit" in 1 Peter 3?

What is a meek and quiet spirit, spoken of in 1st Peter 3:4" TARGET="_blank">1st Peter 3:4?

Peter uses Sarah as an example for godly wives. The recorded occasion when she called Abraham "Lord" (Genesis 18:12)" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 18:12) took place when her husband and their guests discussed Sarahs having a child in her old age. She laughed at the impossibility of such a thing, but was to learn the value of not unresisting Gods ways with her. This is meekness. It is not an undesirable feature that grows in the garden of weakness. It is the strength that responds submissively to the Lords way of accomplishing His will in us.

True beauty of spirit embraces Gods ways with us as being only good. A number of translations use the word "gentle" for "meek." Respect for the Lord, rather than fear of others, produces this gentleness. Societys view of a meek woman pictures her as being afraid because she dare not do otherwise. Scriptures view of a meek woman presents her as willingly bowing to the Lord, because she knows His ways are best.

The word translated "quiet" has the thought of tranquility, peace. Her quiet spirit is at peace in the enjoyment of the Lords presence.

These are features unknown or unappreciated in the world, but regarded by the Lord as "an ornament of great price."

D. Oliver
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Do the Scriptures guide only the husband to contribute financially to the church?

Do the Scriptures guide only the husband to contribute financially at the Lord’s supper?

I Corinthians 16:2" TARGET="_blank">I Corinthians 16:2 teaches that "every one of you" ("each of you," JND) should set aside funds on the first day of the week. Although a couple’s resources are one, is she not as much a priest as her husband? Husbands are not priests who offer on behalf of their wife or family; the males offer on behalf of the assembly. Is it not a fitting testimony to the wife’s priesthood that she should offer her financial sacrifice in the assembly? Does he partake of the emblems on her behalf, or does she remember the Lord individually? Is a believing couple received into the assembly as a couple or as individuals? Sapphira did not die (Acts 5:10)" TARGET="_blank">Acts 5:10) because she was one with Ananias in marriage, but because she was one with him in tempting the Spirit of the Lord (verse 9). In an assembly, we stand before the Lord as individuals.

D. Oliver
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