No Coincidences

Tag: Satan

  • Satan’s Story

    Satan’s Story

    Who is Satan?

    I believe a careful reading of different scriptural records gives us a picture of Satan’s progression and tells us how he ultimately ended up cast down.  There will be a lot of scriptural references here (duh).  If you follow the story something becomes pretty clear about Satan.  There’s a major revelation I learned about Satan that I never understood, and I don’t think many church members know.

    Before I start I want to mention, my interest in studying Satan is the opposite of my interest in studying Christ, but helps with the same purpose.  I think it’s good to study Satan to see how he fell and to avoid the behavior he exhibited that led him there.  Through his story you see examples of pride, unrighteous ambition, anger, envy, jealousy, bitterness, selfishness, along with many other negative attributes.  All of Satan’s attributes are the direct opposite to the traits of Jesus Christ.  Ultimately Satan became a being of darkness.  He rejected all light.  Many around us reject light and I think as we understand Satan and understand his motivations (to tempt, enslave, and control us) we are better suited to withstand him.  With that, we begin. 

    Satan’s story starts in the Book of Moses chapter 4:1-2:

    1 And I, the Lord God, spake unto Moses, saying: That Satan, whom thou hast commanded in the name of mine Only Begotten, is the same which was from the beginning, and he came before me, saying—Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor.

    2 But, behold, my Beloved Son, which was my Beloved and Chosen from the beginning, said unto me—Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.

    Here we see what I believe is well known to Latter-day Saints.  Heavenly Father asked, “who will I send?”

    Satan came forth and responded, “Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor.”

    Christ said, “Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.”

    We know what happens here, though it isn’t said in these two verses.  Christ is chosen by the Father.

    Prayers to our Heavenly Father, in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ Amen - Home | Facebook

    Now we’re going to jump to a new book of scripture to continue Satan’s story.  Abraham 3:24-28 reads:

    24 And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell;

    25 And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;

    26 And they who keep their first estate shall be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever.

    27 And the Lord said: Whom shall I send? And one answered like unto the Son of Man: Here am I, send me. And another answered and said: Here am I, send me. And the Lord said: I will send the first.

    28 And the second was angry, and kept not his first estate; and, at that day, many followed after him.

    In verse 24 – “one among them that was like unto God” – clearly refers to Jesus Christ.  He is speaking to “those who were with him.”  He goes on to talk about the first and second estates of man, of us.  Verse 27 is where it gets important.

    Verse 27 – The Lord (Jesus Christ) said, “Whom shall I send?”  Note that Christ is following the same pattern He learned from His Father. “And one answered like unto the Son of Man.”  This is Adam, the first man, or Michael as he was known in the premortal existence.  Adam said, “Here am I, send me.”

    Still in verse 27 – “And another answered and said: Here am I, send me.” – This will prove to be Satan.

    “And the Lord said: I will send the first.”

    Now the critical verse 28:

    “And the second was angry, and kept not his first estate; and, at that day, many followed after him.”

    So, it is clearly put forth here.  I always thought Satan rebelled at Christ being chosen by the Father, and maybe he did in his heart.  If you read Moses chapter 4 straight through that is how it seems.  But when you read this story sequentially, we see what actually happened.  Christ was chosen by the Father.  Christ is essentially now leading the “project” under the direction of Heavenly Father.  He is standing with others helping in the work.  He follows the Father’s pattern and asks who will be the first man.  Here Christ chooses Adam over Satan.

    This adds a dimension to my understanding of Satan.  A couple things of note.  First, we know from the beginning Satan wanted the glory and wanted all of God’s children to return to heaven (see Moses 4:1).  When he is passed over, he doesn’t openly rebel yet.  When Christ is choosing who will be the first man, it’s possible Satan still saw a way to foil God’s plan and have all the honor given to him.  He would go down as the first man and he would refuse to fall.  If Satan went as the first man and refused to fall, man could never choose and therefore could never sin. If man couldn’t sin, there would be no need for a redeemer, there would be no choice, repentance, or progression. Satan would bring everyone back to heaven and in so doing destroy their agency.  I think this was his plan.

    Christ wisely chooses Adam to be the father of all and lead the human race into mortality.

    It’s at this point we see Satan has had enough.  He’s been passed over once by the Father. Now the one who took what he believed to be his rightful spot is choosing to pass him over as well.

    Verse 28: “And the second (Satan) was angry, and kept not his first estate; and, at that day, many followed after him. – Emphasis added.

    Was Satan part of Heavenly Father's original plan?

    Here we see Satan’s rebellion.  Here we see he leads “many” away.  Before we continue with Satan’s story, I feel it’s important to remind you:  Congratulations!  If you’re reading this, you kept your first estate and are in the process of keeping your second estate.  Keep it up and you’re promised to “have glory added upon (your) head for ever and ever” (Abraham 3:26).

    Back to Satan. 

    Our story picks back up in Revelations chapter 12.  I’ll be using the Joseph Smith Translation as it makes everything so much clearer. 

    The first part of Revelations 12:4 reads:

    “And there appeared another sign in heaven; and behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth.”

    The great red dragon is obviously Satan, and here we see he drew away one third of the children of God after him. He and his followers were cast down to earth.

    Revelations 12:6

    “And there was war in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought against Michael;“

    Michael (Adam) and his angels fought against Satan and his angels.

    Verse 7 tells us that Michael and his angels (who might be us!?) prevailed.

    Revelations 12:8

    “Neither was there place found in heaven for the great dragon, who was cast out; that old serpent called the devil, and also called Satan, which deceiveth the whole world; he was cast out into the earth; and his angels were cast out with him.”

    Here we see the official result.  There was no more place found in heaven for Satan, his followers, and their rebellion against Christ, which meant rebellion against God.  Satan’s plan was foiled.  He was not chosen to be the redeemer of man and he was not chosen to be the first man where he could foil God’s Plan of Salvation.  He was cast down, in bitterness.

    In conclusion, it doesn’t appear Satan rebelled at the outset. He was conniving and always looking for another way to enslave us, God’s children.  I mentioned it earlier but every person on this earth already chose Christ.  We were not fooled by Satan.  We are here. 

    How did Satan get one third to follow him?  I think if we carefully consider this question we can come up with some likely possibilities.  There were many in the premortal existence that maybe didn’t properly prepare for this life, our second estate.  When the time came to be tested, those who didn’t prepare would be fearful.  We knew that some would fail to reach the Celestial Kingdom, and those among the host of heaven who had not used their agency to prepare well for mortal life were likely cognizant of that fact. From there it would be easy for Satan to convince some that they would fail, and they should therefore follow him.

    Secondly, I believe Satan’s focus in the premortal life would have been to doubt Jesus Christ and his ability to redeem us.  I believe Satan would have told many that Christ would fail, and then what?  They would all fail and never be able to return home.  I believe Satan likely attacked Christ.  This would also be an attack on the ability to repent.  Satan would have told those who didn’t use their agency well premortally that they wouldn’t use their agency well in life, that they wouldn’t repent, and change, and improve, and would ultimately fail.  It’s the same tactic Satan uses today.

    I invite everyone to hold firmly in your heart, remember, you chose Christ already.  You were valiant already.  You were brave already.  You may have already fought Satan in heaven with Michael. You won.  You are still fighting Satan today and you can still win.  Remember that he is the father of lies, and Christ is our salvation.  Look to Christ, keep your faith in him, keep repenting, keep changing, keep looking to Christ and we will all return to Him again. 

    I know that Satan is never giving up, just like he never gave up in the premortal life.  Just like in the premortal life we will prevail.  We have Christ on our side.  With Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father on our team, we cannot lose.

    Was God the Father the literal father of Jesus Christ?

  • Judged

    Heading into my ninth-grade year my family moved.  This resulted in me attending a new ward.  I got a zone variance so I could go to the school I would have gone to if I didn’t move.  I had developed friendships through middle school that I didn’t want to give up.  The funny thing is how quickly those friendships dissolved.  Not because of falling out or anything dramatic, just growing up and growing apart.  I played basketball and that became my friend group.

    My new ward had a few guys my age.  From day one, I don’t think I ever felt like I completely belonged.  They had been friends their whole lives and I was new.  On top of that, we had no similar interests.  For example, I played sports; they played video games, and that sort of thing.

    I’ve looked back and thought a lot about those years.  During my time in that ward I started to drift further and further away.  It got to the point that I just felt unwelcome.  Back then, being a popular basketball player at my high school was more important than anything. I looked down on this group of friends that I never belonged to.  As I got a girlfriend, I started to think I was cool.  As I started to make serious mistakes, I started to think I was better than them because I was experiencing the world and I thought I was more mature.

    Then I started to feel judged by them.  I started to feel ostracized.  I still remember meeting with my bishop at the time.  He was the father of one of those friends in the group.  He was a young, kind man.  He was easy to get along with and a good guy.  I remember telling him I wasn’t worthy to bless the sacrament.  I couldn’t help but feel that he’d told his son, who’d told his friends, and the ostracizing got worse. 

    Over time, that feeling festered.  I didn’t think about it too intensely, but I had this idea that they all knew and they all judged me for it.  In hindsight, that bishop was a great guy and there’s very little chance he ever told his son anything about my transgressions.  He may have told his son to look out for me or to help me. That could have made his son think some things.  I strongly doubt he told him anything about my mistakes.  Yet, over time, this thought became something I assumed was true.

    Now I look back on these days with a much different perspective.  Something I’ve come to realize is that I was never judged by that group of friends.  They tried to welcome me and they tried to make me a member of their group.  Any judgment I felt was my own.

    It’s been a long journey to get to this point.  To come to the realization that I was the one ostracizing myself.  I was the one judging myself.  I didn’t feel welcome because I was making myself unwelcome.  It wasn’t something I realized until I looked back. Many years later I was able to see it, after some growth and real maturing. 

    What helped me come to this realization was reading the story of Cain and Abel.  The scriptures say that Cain loved Satan more than God.  Satan tricked Cain and misled him.  That’s what happened to me those many years ago. Satan tricked and misled me.  He led me to believe these good, kind, friendly individuals didn’t like me.  I allowed my pride to make me think I was better than them.  Satan promoted that thinking.  Satan led me to be mindful of the world and I followed along.

    It was only through the grace of Jesus Christ and His atonement that I was able to come away from that part of my life with an understanding of what was actually happening.  I’m grateful that time didn’t foster even more of a feeling of animosity or negativity towards the church.  I’m glad I was always able to separate perceived wrongs and unkindness of individuals from the love of my Savior.  It’s now these years later, because of my Savior, that I’m able to see I was wrong and judging myself.  I learned to love God more than the world.  The atonement of Jesus Christ allowed me to be forgiven for those mistakes I made and also gave me the perspective to see the humble kindness I was always surrounded by.

    I hope everyone out there can separate the people of Christ’s Church, imperfect as we are, from Christ Himself.  Christ loves us so much.  He knows us.  He judges us only with love.  Members of the Church always fall short.  We’re not there yet.  As long as we keep trying, maybe we’ll one day get there.  But for now, I plead for you to remember Christ is perfect, we’re not.  Make sure you have a testimony of Him first.  Everything else will fall in line.

    If anyone has felt judged or would like to share your experience, I’d love to hear it.  Thanks for reading.

  • Fear

    Fear

    I was reading Jacob chapter 4 in the Book of Mormon recently and something struck me.  One small statement in one verse:

    “Behold, my beloved brethren, I will unfold this mystery unto you; if I do not, by any means, get shaken from my firmness in the Spirit, and stumble because of my over anxiety for you.”

    Let me repeat that…

    “…if I do not, by any means, get shaken from my firmness in the Spirit, and stumble because of my over anxiety for you.”

    How could Jacob, the great prophet and brother of Nephi, be shaken from his firmness in the Spirit?  He says right there at the end – anxiety for you.

    I’d like to expound upon an emotion that can really and truly harm us – fear.

    Jacob is clear with this statement. Fear can shake us from the Spirit, from revelation, from God. 

    Fear is a tool of Satan.  I feel a need to write this right now.  The world is increasingly fearful.  At this moment, amid this virus, fear is rampant.  Satan reigns. The Earth is his kingdom.  He has put fear into the hearts of almost all men and women.

    We see it everywhere.  Just look at the empty shelves in the grocery store.

    What other examples of fear do we have in scripture?

    There was Moses with the Israelites at the Red Sea with Pharaoh bearing down on them.  The Israelites feared and Moses told them, “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, The Lord shall fight for you.”  The Lord then spoke to Moses, “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.”

    There was Alma the Younger as told in the Book of Mormon. He was gripped by fear and despair.  He thought of that one name, that one being that could save him. Jesus Christ.  Immediately, he was released from his despair.

    Satan immediately attacked Moses after his great vision of eternity.  Moses 1:20 reads,

    “And it came to pass that Moses began to fear exceedingly; and as he began to fear he saw the bitterness of hell.  NEVERTHELESS, calling upon God, he received strength.”

    Finally, there was Joseph Smith in a quiet, peaceful grove.  Satan came for him and he feared.  But Joseph fought and called upon God.  As the light of God and Jesus Christ descended upon Joseph the darkness retreated.

    Notice the pattern here.  Satan has a tendency to attack before great things are to happen.  So, when you feel that fear and it feels like the jaws of hell are opening to overtake you, and you just can’t take anymore because it has become too much to bear, remember the light that will follow.  Once Satan starts his all-out attack we will know the earth-shattering miracles are coming.  Satan is attacking.  Light is coming.

    I feel it’s important for us to keep our hope.  Recently, amidst all this craziness, I had a moment of fear.  My heart was beating and I was worrying about the future.  Then I stopped.  I reminded myself that I have known these sorts of events were coming.  I’ve been blessed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ to know that these events have been foretold for thousands of years.  I’m not saying this is the end. But if it were, what does that mean?  It means Christ is coming back. 

    DO NOT let fear overtake you.  Whatever point in history we’re at, whatever is next, we know we’ll be okay.  We know it will work out the way God intends. What a comfort that is.

    Fear is of Satan, not of God.  If we let fear overtake us, we are letting Satan overtake us.

    Even if a gun is to your head, take comfort.  Because of Christ’s eternal atonement and sacrifice you can always take comfort.  The worst case is you return to your Maker and see your Savior.  In these times, don’t forget the most important thing.  Don’t forget Him. Don’t deny Him.  Christ never denied you.  The WORST thing that could happen is going home to Him.  Is that really the worst thing?  Take comfort, and fight fear.  Don’t let Satan win your heart.  Now, more than ever, we must be strong, faithful, and keep hope.  Keep Christ in your heart.  When that fear intrudes, kneel and pray. 

    You will feel Him and fear will leave.  I promise.

    Fear not, the Lord fights for you.  Move forward with faith.  Look to Christ as your salvation.  Call upon God and you will receive strength.

    ___________

    There’s a comment section below. I’d really like to hear from you. Please leave any thoughts, input, or experiences. If you liked it, please feel free to share. Thanks!