THE PROBLEM OF THE UNIVERSE
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Isaiah 14:12-15 |
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How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, (O day star) son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which did weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.” Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. KJV |
How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit. NIV |
These verses tell us in no uncertain terms Satan’s Direction, Drive, Destination and Desire and we should be under no illusion that it has indeed weakened the nations to such an extent that we see what happened in Genesis 11 being enacted on a universal scale.
SATAN’S DIRECTION – I will ascend above the heights of the clouds.
Genesis 11 tells us of man’s attempt to reach God by building a City and a Tower and to make a name for themselves. They were determined to do their will and not God’s. God said: Get thee out. Man said: Get thee up. Man is always aspiring, always reaching up, but not to God.
We cannot ascend without bringing Christ down.
SATAN’S DRIVE – I will exalt my throne above the stars of God.
Satan would pass any other throne to set up his throne and one of the thrones he intended to pass was that of “The Bright and Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16) who is the Lord Jesus Christ.
No, you cannot raise yourself up without bringing Christ down.
SATAN’S DESTINATION – I will ascend into heaven.
An abandoned soul is often said to be consumed with lust, of which there are three major ones:
| 1. The lust for sex. | 2. The lust for wealth. | 3. The lust for supremacy. |
The most vicious of these is the lust for supremacy. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life are all found in these and they are rampant in the world today.
You cannot ascend without bringing Christ down.
SATAN’S DESIRE – I will be like the Most High.
There is no end to lust. In Proverbs 30:15-16, we read of four things that are never satisfied:
| 1. The grave. | 2. The fire. | 3. The barren womb. |
| 4. The parched earth (in its yearning for water). | ||
The problem of the universe is displaced authority.
Mankind thinks he is in control when he is not. Mankind thinks he knows the way when he does not. Mankind thinks he can get along without God when it is very plain to see, he cannot. Mankind thinks he can carve out his own destiny and save himself without any reference to his Creator.
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Isaiah 50:5 |
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The Lord God hath opened mine ear… KJV |
The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears… NIV |
This is where you and I must start.
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Isaiah 55:2-3 |
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Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto Me and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto Me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. KJV |
Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labour on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to Me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to Me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, My faithful love promised to David. NIV |
Hearken diligently unto Me.
Incline your ear.
Come unto Me.