Correspondence: Divine Healing; Is Satan in Heaven?

From: Young Christian: Volume 9, 1919

Narrator: Chris Genthree

Revelation 12:7‑9 • 2 min. read • grade level: 6

Question: Will you kindly explain “Divine healing,” or, “The Fourfold Gospel”? C. S.

Answer: Scripture does not speak in that way. God answers prayer, and often heals those prayed for, and we have had many times to praise Him again for raising up sick ones. But it is not what we should always expect or seek. Paul, the Apostle, who writes guidance for the church on earth, did not heal Timothy (1 Tim. 5:23²³Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. (1 Timothy 5:23)), nor Epaphroditus (Phil. 2:27²⁷For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. (Philippians 2:27)), nor Trophimus (2 Tim. 4:20²⁰Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. (2 Timothy 4:20)). He owned God’s discipline on His saints, and did not seek to remove it (1 Cor. 11:30³⁰For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. (1 Corinthians 11:30)). So did John (1 John 5:20²⁰And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. (1 John 5:20)). So did James (5:14-16).

But this does not apply in every case, while it applies in some. It is very wrong to make a system of these things, as if we could compel God, or as if God did not love His people more than ever we can do. God gives faith where He sees fit to do so, and “Have faith in God” demands submission to His will.

“The faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3³Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (Jude 3)), in which we are to build ourselves up (verse 20) has many more points than four.

Question: Is Satan in heaven? (Rev. 12:7-9⁷And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, ⁸And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. ⁹And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. (Revelation 12:7‑9)). M. W. W.

Answer: We gather from Scripture that “the great dragon,” “that old serpent” called the “Devil” and “Satan,” is still allowed by God for the working out of His all-wise purposes. He is used by the Lord for the blessing of His people, and cannot go any further than he is allowed of God.

(See Job, chapters 1 and 2; Zech. 3:1¹And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. (Zechariah 3:1); Luke 22:31; 2³¹And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: (Luke 22:31) Cor. 12:7; Eph. 6:12¹²For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12), margin). He is in the heavenlies, that is called heaven. We do not find him in the third heavens, but in an official place, where the angels present themselves before God (Job 1; Jude 9⁹Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. (Jude 9)).

We are to resist him and he will flee. He is a defeated enemy, though he roars loudly at times, and deceives very subtlety (James 4:7⁷Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7); 1 Peter 5:8, 9⁸Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: ⁹Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (1 Peter 5:8‑9); 2 Cor. 2:11¹¹Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. (2 Corinthians 2:11)). We are delivered from his power (Col. 1:13¹³Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: (Colossians 1:13)) and he will be bruised under our feet shortly (Rom. 16:20²⁰And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. (Romans 16:20)), that is, when the Lord comes for us.

Revelation 12:7-9⁷And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, ⁸And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. ⁹And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. (Revelation 12:7‑9) is future. We, the heavenly saints, are with the Lord, and our voice celebrates the casting out of the accuser of our brethren on earth who are still suffering under his wrath (verses 10, 11). These suffering ones are Jewish saints, the believing remnant of Israel.

Michael, the Archangel, is called “your prince,” that is, he stands up to carry out God’s purposes concerning Israel. (Dan. 10:21; 12:1²¹But I will show thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince. (Daniel 10:21)
¹And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. (Daniel 12:1); Jude 9⁹Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. (Jude 9)).

Let us ever remember that we are delivered from his power. “Whom resist steadfast in the faith.” “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. “Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you.” How important this is for us.

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