The other day I was meditating on the scriptures which tells us about satan’s fall from heaven, along with his angels. (You can read about it in Revelations 12: 4, 7-19; II Peter 2:4; Jude 6) When satan fell from Grace, he didn’t go by himself. He, some kind of way, convinced a third of God’s angels to rebel along with him. Now remember, angels are beings created by God to be ministering spirits, to communicate the will of God and Christ, to execute the judgments of God and to obey the will of God. Yet a full one-third of these created beings were completely hoodwinked and deceived by the devil into thinking they could prevail against The One who created them. Just. That. Quick. They, along with the great deceiver, were kicked out of the most perfect place in the universe.
I’ve spent some time thinking about these former angels. How much time did those angels spend in thinking about their personal decision? Did they contemplate the consequences of their actions should they lose the fight against God? Did they react with emotion or with forethought and precision? Did they think about the physical and spiritual ramifications of moving from holiness to evil? I hesitate to believe they thought the thing all the through to a logical conclusion. If they had then they most likely wouldn’t have been part of the doomed third.
See they are most likely doomed. The Bible says they, because of their rebellion against God, were cast out AND destined for a burning hell created just for them and satan. It was one choice that forever changed their destiny. And, unfortunately for them, they won’t change their mind. It seems this is something they know, so they’ve made it their mission to take as many of God’s other creations (mankind) with them to eternally doom.
Mulling over these scriptures has made me want to learn from the fallen third’s mistake. I must take the time to search out the truth in every situation and opportunity I’m presented with. I should think things out all the way to its logical conclusion. I want to make sure I’m not acting out of emotion or peer pressure in anything I do. And most importantly, I must make sure I’m not choosing to intentionally do anything to remove me from the presence and protection of God Almighty, my Father.
I thank God for allowing us to learn from the fallen third. Although they have no hope of ever escaping their doomed fate, we can rejoice in knowing God has made a way of escape for us through Jesus the Christ to live with God forever. We have the wonderful gifts of grace, mercy, redemption and second (and third and fourth and…) chances available to us. We can all fall on our knees in gratitude for the forgiveness of our sins by our Heavenly Father. Yes God. Thank You. Just. That. Quick.
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