Evil will not win…

Yesterday, God brought to my attention that the evil beings in this world, meaning the fallen angels, will not prevail forever.

I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.” (Psalm 82:6–7)

One cult uses this verse as ‘proof’ that Jesus is only ‘a god’ because it calls other people gods. They do not read it carefully or understand that the terms used to describe gods refer to fallen angels, including Satan and all demons. More than one verse clarifies that the ‘sons of God” is not a term for people. For example: “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.” (Job 1:6)

The Bible calls those who are saved “children” of God and being in the family of God, and Christ is our ‘brother’ but this term from Psalm 82, by its context, is not about people but about those creatures who darken the minds of people. Nevertheless, like people. They will die.

That they will also “fall like any prince” is a good reminder that the human leaders of this world will eventually die too. Over the centuries, and even in the OT, evil leaders ruled for a time and made life miserable for many of their subjects, but they do not live forever. In other words, focus on the facts. Evil people are also terminal. As someone once said, “We may choose what we want in the supermarket of life, but eventually we have to go through the checkout.”

Not only that, today’s devotional points to the last verse of Psalm 82:

Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations! (Psalm 82:8)

We are experiencing cosmic conflict, yet God repeats many times that the world is His, even though the gods are permitted for a season to wreak havoc. The Lord wants His people to see beyond their schemes of sin and realize this activity is suicidal and will end. One day, “The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” (Habakkuk 2:14) He even says, “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.” (Psalm 2:8) Evil will not win it; we will!

I’ve sometimes said that because I’ve read His book, I know the ending — Jesus wins! I don’t fully understand why God allows this war filled with its horror stories and deeds done by blinded people who seem to have no regard for their own lives, never mind the lives of others, but trusting God means faith in what He says, not in what I can see or figure out. And He says, “Jesus wins.” And He also says, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37) I don’t win because I experience the victory over evil in this world but because of the peace in my heart that God will do what He says. 

PRAY: God, again I am thankful that the so-called ‘ruler of this world’ is on a short leash. He answers to You and one day will be tossed in the lake of fire created just for him and his demons. In the meantime, You remain sovereign and all he desires must pass Your scrutiny. Only what You can use for good and to demonstrate Your glory is allowed. Thank You for letting me know who wins this war for human souls — and I pray You will make known to many the reality of Your Holy power and grace.

The fate of this world’s gods…

A few years ago a book came out describing the conflict of demonic forces with the world and God’s people. It was classified as fiction, but this psalm suggests otherwise along with hope in a very messy world. It tells how the true God comes to the assembly of the gods and rebukes them for the pattern of evil they have caused:

God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken. I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.” Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations! (Psalm 82:1–8)

In the NT, these gods are called by different names: 

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)

Both OT and NT speak of their ability to ruin lives with their lies and activities:

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge… (Hosea 4:6)
In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (2 Corinthians 4:4)

The truth of sin and redemption is hidden as these evil gods convince sinners that there is no God, that they are not sinful people, that Jesus is not real, and that He did not die and rise again, or any other lie that will keep them from a genuine, saving relationship with their Creator who loves them and sent Jesus to bring them forgiveness and eternal life.  

Psalm 82 calls them gods, sons of the Most High, meaning angels, but they are fallen angels. This title and identification is repeated elsewhere, such as: “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them” (Job 1:6) These are not people but affirmed as created by God and are angels, but they will die like people because of their sin.

I find comfort in this psalm. Not only does the enemy of my soul and his forces have a judgment pronounced on them, but the NT says that the saving work of Jesus entirely defeated the devil and his power. 

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, (Hebrews 2:14)

Not only that, our true God gave us a way to overcome these enemies…

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11)

Because of the grace of God and just as the psalmist wrote, these evil gods are limited and like all who follow them, they will perish.

Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. (Matthew 25:41)
And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (Revelation 20:10)

PRAY: Jesus, You affirm again that the devil and his cohorts will perish. I also know that sinful worldly attitudes and actions will eventually be judged. My third nemesis, the flesh, is already separated from God — and I’ve a new nature in You. You conquer all evil and give great comfort and joy, for which I am eternally thankful.