Home Base		Introduction to Part 4
E-mail W.P.T. Bellgamin		Section A - Satan's activities
Refer back to Part 1 (Satan's origins)		Section B - Satan's tactics
Refer back to Part 2 (Satan's rebellion)		Section C - Protect yourself from yourself
Refer back to Part 3 (Satan tries to destroy Messiah)		Section D - Protect yourself from Satan & his troops
Recap of Parts 1, 2, & 3		Section E - Satan's final destiny

Recapitulation of Parts 1, 2, and 3
Part One "Sons of God" is another name for angels. The angelic hosts reside in "heavenly places -- the celestial heavens of stars and planets. Satan is the type of angelic person known as a cherub. Satan was created by God as the most intelligent and beautiful of God's creatures. Before Satan rebelled against God, his job was to serve as a covering cherub - a guardian of God -- and his domain was Planet Earth.		Part Two Satan's rebellion against God began uncounted eons ago, and continues even today. He rebels by means of trading in deceit and slander, and NOT by a contest of strength. His goal is to subvert the hearts and minds of angelic and human creatures, to turn them against God. Satan seeks to turn angels and humans away from serving God, so that they will instead worship and serve Satan. Satan's strategy strikes at a "weakness" of God. Namely, God LOVES. Because of His great love, God will not coerce or force His creatures to love Him in return. The question yet to be answered is this: will the love of God be victorious against Satan's weapons of lies, greed, and lust? Stay tuned!
Part Three Even from the ancient days of Adam and Eve, Satan has known that his ultimate defeat will come at the hands of the Messiah. As recorded in the Old Testament, Satan repeatedly attempted to prevent Messiah's birth by destroying His ancestors, the Jews, but he failed. When Messiah Jesus was born, Satan then began a campaign to murder Him. Satan finally succeeded in having Messiah falsely convicted and crucified. But God resurrected Messiah, and Satan again had failed. No doubt Satan expected the resurrected Messiah to immediately engage him in battle. To Satan's pleasant surprise, however, Messiah instead ascended to heaven, where He remains to this day. Satan is well aware that Messiah has promised to return to earth, but only when the Jews acknowledge Him as Messiah and pray for His return. Accordingly, Satan's goal in these present days is to either destroy Israel, or to prevent Israel from recognizing Jesus as the Messiah. His targets in this current campaign are Israel, the nations that support Israel (including USA), and all Christians who proclaim that Jesus is the Messiah, the Holy One of God.

Four parts

This is Part Four of a four-part study about Satan. Herein you will learn about Satan's present activities and final destiny. You will also learn how to defend yourself from the devil's wiles.

Section A - Satan's activities

Trees of life and death

I'll try and explain Satan's activities by using an analogy. Let's say that God's Messiah plus God's Bible plus God's church are analogous to a TREE. We may as well call it "the tree of life." Satan would love to chop down God's tree of life. He has tried many times to destroy Messiah. Failure. He has often tried to have the Bible burned and forgotten. More failures. He has repeatedly attempted to wipe out God's church. Yet more failures. Satan just can't get rid of God's tree. So what has he done instead? Answer - Satan has planted MORE TREES. Many more trees. His goal? To HIDE God's tree in a veritable forest of counterfeit trees. These trees look like - smell like - feel like - the real tree of God. But they are trees of DEATH, not trees of LIFE. In other words, Satan's primary activities today are involved with leading people to COUNTERFEITS of God's Messiah, God's Bible, and God's church.

Satan counterfeits the churches of God
Satan has his own synagogues and churches. Some of Satan's counterfeit churches even have "Jesus Christ" as part of the name of their denomination. Satan's churches are empowered, not by God's Holy Spirit, but by a different spirit. Sometimes a demon spirit. Sometimes Satan himself. But make no mistake, Satan's churches and religions DO have great power and charisma. Satan's churches preach "gospels," but their gospels differ from the gospel of Jesus Christ in the Bible. Sometimes the difference is quite large. More often, the difference is VERY subtle -- just enough of a difference to lead a person to Satan and hell, instead of Jesus and heaven. Many of Satan's churches loudly proclaim the name of "Jesus." Some of Satan's churches will even send you a free copy of the KJV Bible. But their Jesus is "another Jesus" -- NOT the Jesus Christ of the Bible, who is the one and only begotten Son of God. In High School I had a Mexican roommate - a very dear friend - whose given name was Jesus (pronounced "hay-soos"). My friend Jesus was a really nice guy, but believing in him would NOT get you to heaven. Neither will the false "Jesus" who is proclaimed by the churches of Satan.		"...I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue (religious institution) of Satan. (Rev 2.9b) For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you may well put up with it. (2 Cor 11.4)

Satan counterfeits Christians
Another parable put he (Jesus) forth unto them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field. But while men slept, his enemy (Satan) came and sowed tares (counterfeit Christians) among the wheat (real Christians), and went his way." (Mt 13.24-25)		Tares are weeds that look like wheat. Satan plants counterfeit Christians (tares) within the churches of God.

Satan counterfeits the preachers and teachers called by God
A few decades ago, a professor in a Bible school decided to proclaim that "God is dead!" You won't be surprised to hear that this fellow's nonsense made headlines in every major newspaper, and was "breaking news" on all TV networks. Moreover, this "God is dead" blather was repeated again and again for many months afterward. After all, a recognized "Bible expert" from a recognized "Christian" denomination had made this statement. A person may be speaking to you from a lectern or pulpit whereon rests a Bible. That person may seem very sincere. He may extensively quote from the Bible. He may repeatedly invoke the name of Jesus. However, these factors do NOT guarantee that you are hearing the RIGHTLY DIVIDED word of God. Satan most definitely has his OWN preachers and teachers, and they twist God's word to their own destruction.		And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness... (2 Cor 11.14-14a) Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Tim 2.15)

Satan counterfeits the doctrines of God
Now the (Holy) Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons (1 Tim 4.1)		Men and women who want to be preachers and Bible teachers usually commence their education in a Bible college or seminary. Some Bible seminaries should instead be called Bible CEMETARIES, because they have succeeded in burying the truth of God's word for all too many of their students. Over the years, Satan has placed counterfeit teachers in SOME (not all) of these institutions. These counterfeit teachers have excellent credentials. They are well educated in the Bible. They are proficient in Bible languages. But they are NOT God's people. Rather than teaching the truths of the Bible, they teach counterfeit doctrines of demons such as... LIE - The Bible is not the literal word of God. LIE - The Bible contains many errors and often contradicts itself. LIE - Those parts of the Bible that are in conflict with so-called "scientific truths," such as evolution, are merely myths or parables. LIE - "Alternative sexual preferences" are okay.

Satan counterfeits the miracles of God
Jesus gave clear warning that "miracles" done in His name do NOT, in and of themselves, prove that they are of God. Satan can and does perform counterfeit miracles. In some churches, "healing miracles," uncontrollable laughter, uncontrollable spasms, oinking, barking, and the like, have taken on the proportions of a carnival sideshow. First Corinthians 14.32-33 makes it clear that God does not "take-over" a person's mind so that he or she is "out of control." Satan does. The flesh does. NOT God. Yes, God often chooses to heal people. But God does NOT indulge in cheap theatrics designed to entertain and astonish an audience. A healing that brings fame to a human person or institution is NOT Biblical. Not at all. The Biblical way of healing (James 5.14-15) will involve a PRIVATE prayer session in the Pastor's study or at the sick person's bedside. NOT on TV! Not in a packed room of cheering people! God is not the author of confusion or theatrics. Satan is. The flesh is. NOT God.		(Jesus said:) "Many will say to Me in that day, `Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, `I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' " (Mt 7.22-23) The coming of the lawless one (antichrist) is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders (2 Thes 2.9) And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. (1 Cor 14.32-33) Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. (Jam 5.14-15)

Satan counterfeits the Messiah of God

And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, `I am the Christ (Messiah),' and will deceive many." (Mt 24.4-5)

Recent examples of counterfeit Messiahs include... The fellow Jones who led (and slew) his followers in South America Sun Myung Moon, leader of the "Moonies" David Koresh who led the Branch Davidians in Waco According to Lord Jesus, many more false Christs are yet to come. Some are already here, perhaps.

Satan counterfeits and perverts the word of God
Satan has many counterfeit books that purport to be the word of God. Examples are... Book of Mormon The Apocrypha The Koran The Upanishads and Bhagavadgita There are also counterfeit translations of the Bible itself. These are translations that very subtly distort God's word. Here are just a few of many possible examples... Some translations change the word "virgin" in Isaiah 7.14 to "young woman," thus raising questions as to the virgin birth of Jesus Christ. Other translations are even subtler. They use "virgin" in the main text, but insert a marginal note that questions the accuracy of their own translation. The people behind these "Bibles" are ABSOLUTELY without excuse for mis-translating Isaiah 7.14 because God has clearly stated that the correct word is "virgin" (Matthew 1.22-23). One translation changes John 1.1b to read "and the word was a god" instead of "and the Word was God." This change is done to support their lie that Jesus was created by God. Some translations change John 1.1b to read "and the word was deity" instead of "and the Word was God." These translations do not change the truth to an out-and-out lie, but instead use a less distinct word so as to obfuscate the truth.		Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, "Yea, hath God said...?" (Gen 3.1a)

Satan will counterfeit the resurrection of Jesus

...the beast (Antichrist) that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war... (Rev 11.7b) I saw one of his (the Antichrist's) heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast (the Antichrist). (Rev 13.3)

During the Tribulation described in the book of Revelation, the antichrist will ascend from the pit (abussos), thus counterfeiting the resurrection of Lord Jesus. Moreover, antichrist will bear the marks of an apparent "deadly wound" - perhaps the scars of a severed head. The fact that antichrist lives, despite this mortal wound, will make it SEEM that he has in fact been resurrected from the dead.

Satan hinders the work of God's servants.		Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. (1 Thes 2.18)
Satan blinds the minds of unbelievers to the truth of the gospel.		When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. (Mt 13.19) ...the god of this world (Satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Cor 4.4)
Satan constantly accuses Christians before God.		And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan... the accuser of our brethren (Christians) is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. (Rev 12.9a, 12.10c)
Satan and his demons afflict people with mental, physical, and spiritual diseases.		So went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. (Job 2.7) and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. (Lk 13.11)
Satan seeks to undermine the sanctity of marriage and family life.		Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. ...Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. (1 Cor 7.3, 7.5)
Satan tempts and ensnares people with his wiles.		And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (2 Tim 2.26) Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Eph 6.11)
We must take a momentary detour for a side issue. Namely, does God tempt you, as inferred by Genesis 22.1? Answer... Yes, God tests you. No, God does NOT tempt you. (James 1.13) When you face a choice of doing good or evil, Satan solicits you to do the evil. That is TEMPTATION. When you are faced with the options of doing good or evil, God's Holy Spirit ALWAYS urges you to do good (Deu 30.19). That is TESTING. God's purpose in testing you is to strengthen you (James 1.2-4). On the other hand, Satan's goal in tempting you is to weaken or destroy you.
Go to page 2, Part 4, Study of Satan