The old idea of an alliance between GOD and the devil to punish sinners, and more on spiritual seeking and being spiritually sought are examined, today. The “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Charles” (Level 2 with 265 points, a member since September 10, 2012) posted the following:
Christians, is the devil allies with God since the devil is still going to punish the sinners in hell too?
THE BATTLE AXE: Seeking and Being Sought (11/04/2012)—There are many features of the earth that prevent the exercise of dominion by any created being or living creature apart from Almighty GOD. Divine process within the earth goes forward through frameworks of time and space. Life for mankind, therefore, is not continuous, and goes forward by activity that does not endure, and that is by episodes, discrete events, and occurrences with frequent interruptions. Various limitations identify mankind including frailty (that bones break), mortality, muscular exhaustion that demands rest and refreshing, the cycle of sleeping and waking along with disease and sickness. What we call “sovereign rule” by GOD, in fact, is the imparting of life, awareness, and both actual and potential being. All things that exist do not also have life; the living are endowed with spirit content that appears through such features as consciousness, person, and self-will. The operation of the imparted, indwelling Spirit is the government by Almighty GOD that generates (1) obedience to divine law (2) acknowledgment and worship (3) expression of divine person within and by the created as well as (4) union and a continuing bond to the Creator. Saying this another way: One exists only as an emanation from divine will, and the sacred person of GOD. Those living in the earth need make no search for GOD as if he is lost, and must be recovered. Men need only function, fulfill their purpose, complete their mortality, and correctly occupy their given place in divine order. What men are forced to seek is assurance, certainty and confidence in what is otherwise invisible and unknowable to themselves. Mankind must embrace the continuous revelation of GOD through activity, behavior, commitment, experience, social interaction, and spiritual purification.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And 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. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. (Revelation 12: 7-12, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Spirit Matter (10/21/2012); Sin Unknown? (10/10/2012); The Spirit by Measure (09/22/2012); Coveting the Throne (03/07/2012); A New Earth (02/14/2012); On Being Careful (02/13/2012); Girdle 32: Worship GOD (12/17/2011); Binder 18: Eternal Life (10/15/2011)
Mature believers who have had to answer this question for the sake of their own faith and understanding generally agree the Lord wants them and his church to share the following:
The Devil is not now or ever will be an independent being who rules over mankind in the heaven, in the earth, under the earth, or in the seas. While the beginnings of the Adversary (as he is called) were as a prince and ruler in heaven, he has lost authority, estate, and legitimate place there through sin. The devil continues as a finite being, who is not endowed with either mortality or immortality. More than this, he and those who support and surround him are not endowed with all knowledge, with the human ability to increase knowledge by growing and learning through experience, or with the ability to foresee and create the future. The full measure of knowledge they would use throughout their functioning and service was supplied to them at their creation; and in that sense, the angels are complete, finished and sealed.
The angels were not given a knowledge of sin, or an ability to repent from sin through the operation of an imparted, indwelling spirit from GOD as we see granted to mankind by the ministries of Jesus Christ. The angels all continue to have their being as a dispensation of GOD. The holy scriptures do not describe the angels as having any agenda to interact with mankind except at the direct command of GOD. Their legitimate service includes visitation as divine messengers as well appearing as destroyers who enforce sacred law and divine judgment against sin. Heavenly beings in rebellion against the divine will for mankind generally do so through the manipulation of humans promoting corruption, deceit, disobedience, fear, ignorance, lies, unbelief, and violence.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, hell is not a place where created beings and living creatures are alive, and continue to have the abilities and features of divine endowment that made them what they formerly were (e.g., angels, animals, humans). Those that enter the lake of fire do so merely as rubbish, and only continue there until the fire goes out—when everything to fuel it is completely burned up.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD 