Satan, the Devil, and Hell

Chapter 2: Lucifer

Jude 1:4

For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation [during the prophesies in the Old Testament], ungodly men [who fell to earthen matters of carnality], turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. [verse 11 – speaking of these same men] Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. [12] These [same men] are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you [showing present-tense people, during Jude’s day], feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water [without the Holy Ghost within them; John 7:37-39; Isaiah 44:3; and 1st Corinthians 12:13], carried about of winds [winds of doctrine; Ephesians 4:14]; trees whose fruit withereth [fig trees with unripen figs – as I’ll speak more on in a moment], without fruit [no fruit of the Spirit about them; Galatians 5:22-23], twice dead, plucked up by the roots [dying the second death of Adam]; [verse 13 – these same men are] Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; WANDERING STARS, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever [i.e. blackness of darkness of the New Testament Sun].

 

Learning that men can sometimes be compared, metaphorically, in scripture to “stars” (for they, as natural stars had guided ancient ships to port, should really guide folks to God) is a key that can unlock other truths from the Bible for us, too . . . However, these 'stars,' of which Jude spoke of wandering (again, wandering away from the truth), not only fell from their place in 1st Heaven, but they fell smack dab into carnality and ungodliness. And, then, if that wasn't proof enough, Revelation 6:13 continues to say that these stars, that fell unto the earth, were cast down "even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind..." Oh, the picture that forms for us here! Can we not see the Mighty Wind of Acts chapter 2, verse 2, being represented here – i.e. the Holy Ghost – when it came into the house where all the saints were gathered to receive the Baptism of the Holy Ghost on the Day of Pentecost?

 

Acts 2:1-4

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

 

Again, these aren’t coincidences of terms; for, it had put those upper-room folks into the 2nd Heaven. But, not only did it put those folks into the 2nd Heaven, the Mighty Wind also blew the bad guys away from their place in 1st Heaven; knocking them down to the earth; or, earthen, carnal matters. And, too, the picture of the fig tree is brought before us, as well. Do we not remember Jesus desiring to see some Good Fruit on the fig tree and found none? And, then, He cursed the fig tree because it could produce no Good Fruit (see Matthew 21:19). Can we not see that He found no "Fruits of the Spirit" (again, see Galatians 5:22-23) amongst the ministry of the First Covenant?

 

Hosea 9:10

I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.

 

Luke 13:6-7

He [Jesus] spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years [i.e. the approximate time of Jesus' ministry on earth] I come seeking fruit [of the Spirit] on this fig tree [amongst this 1st Heaven ministry], and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?

 

Therefore, when we put all these verses together (again, Revelation 6:12-14), we see that they form a picture of Revelation’s past, rather than that they will be fulfilled in our own future . . . I’ll say this once more, that what a lot of folks don’t know (and, of which I also went-over with a fine-toothed comb in my book “New Jerusalem”) is that Revelation doesn’t only speak of the future, but it also speaks of its recent past, as well:

 

Revelation 1:19

Write the things which thou hast seen [witnessed in the past], and the things which are [current events], and the things which shall be hereafter [futuristic events].

 

These things John was certainly a witness to; that is, things from the recent past, such as Jesus’ ministry; His crucifixion and Resurrection; the events of the Day of Pentecost; and of what took place during the 40 years that had led up to the toppling of the Temple in AD 70. In fact, John, as history tells us, lived up until approximately AD 100 (of which things I will go over in better detail about in my upcoming book: “Carnal Ordinances, Part II”). I mean, why not speak of events from the recent past in the book/letter of Revelation? Do we imagine that such events (again, Jesus’ Resurrection, and the Day of Pentecost, etc.) were small, isolated affairs in Christian history? I dare say that the Day of Pentecost was one of the most significant events of the New Testament. Why? Because, it was the day on which a whole New, spiritual World commenced. I’ve already said that, by Paul’s words concerning Jesus, that the New Testament officially began when Jesus both died and rose again:

 

Hebrews 9:17

For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

 

And, then, logically, other folks didn’t get in themselves until the Day of Pentecost, for that’s when the Holy Ghost finally descended in its fullest form, bringing those folks into a New, spiritual Kingdom (a Second Heaven). Therefore, I contend that it’s not only possible that Revelation speaks on things of its recent past, but that it would be mighty strange if it didn’t because those events helped shape the future of Christianity; and, laying out what had happened in the past would set the book/letter of Revelation up to speak also of future events, as well. This is why I am stressing that not only is it possible for Revelation to cover important events of the past, but that I see no other possibility for the opening of the sixth seal; because, if what I’ve just covered isn’t those verses’ interpretations, then we have a wondrous coincidence on our hands! Therefore, if what I’m saying here is true, then we have proof that not only were those events already fulfilled in Revelation’s past, but that it also proves that the First Heaven was synonymous with the Old Testament Covenant; because, it was those events of the sixth seal which closed-out the Old Testament – all starting with Jesus dying on the cross: which the earthquake painted a historical picture of in Revelation 6:12, helping us to place such an event in actual history; then, as 6:12 continued to demonstrate, the Sun and Moon event of Peter’s day (which he himself was a witness to) shows us that not only was the Sun shining brightly, but that it was blindly being seen (or, unseen) by the adherents to the 1st Covenant, who couldn’t and refused to change with the times; they just simply couldn’t accept Jesus. Then, it demonstrated the bleeding out of the Old Covenant, in the form of the bleeding Moon – helping us to further understand the passing of one Heaven to another. Or, from an Old Covenant to a New. Verse 13 then continues this picture in the form of those Old Covenant Ministers, as stars, falling down to the earth – very similar to how lucifer fell. And, not only, but they fell just like a fig tree that casts its unripen figs to the earth when it’s shaken of a mighty Holy Ghost Wind. How can this not be a picture of the Old Covenant/Heaven passing away whilst the New was coming into effect? Then, to top it all off, verse 14 called this event the passing of the Heaven. We therefore see that the closing of the Old Testament happened at the same exact time that the 1st Heaven departed . . . Again, is that just a mere coincidence? . . . And, not only, but if the 1st Heaven was indeed the days and events of the Old Covenant/Testament, then we have a good candidate for the Heaven from which lucifer actually fell – the 1st Heaven. That is, he forfeited any futuristic dealings with God in any positive ways during the Old Testament days. Again, he falling from Heaven is just a metaphorical way of saying that he fell from his lofty height that he put himself in God’s vast Old Testament Kingdom. He wanted to be a god, just like Pharaoh of Egypt; just like Adam.

 

But, as to concerning the Third Heaven, that gets a bit deeper and more complicated. Once again, I have an entire book coming up for that one Heaven exclusively, called: "St. Paul in Arabia: And of his Travels to the Third Heaven." However, I will say somewhat on that herein, too – but, without a lot of explanations just yet . . . This Heaven does not work in the same manner as the other two. I believe that the Third Heaven is NOT a new, futuristic Covenant, because the 2nd Covenant/Heaven is good enough for the Early Church members as well as ourselves today, but that the Third Heaven works alongside the 2nd, in that it's a realm of ultimate learning and understanding, and is a tool that helps separate the adults from the babies in Godly knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. It's a heavenly realm to where Paul ascended (not literally upward into the natural sky) to hear things that were not lawful to be uttered – that is, unlawful according to the 1st Heaven/Old Testament/Old Mosaic Law (especially from those stiff-necked, adherents to it!) – for, it was the deepest part of the 2nd Covenant teachings. Not only, but I can also see the Apostle John reaching up to the Third Heaven himself in the book of Revelation; and, there, he explained how he ascended; not upward into the natural sky, like I said, but in getting transfixed into the Spirit of God to where he could hear greater things, and on a much deeper level:

 

Revelation 4:1-2a

After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither [upward? Into the sky?], and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit [No, not upward into the sky, but into God's Spirit]...

 

I apologize if I didn’t get real deep into the Third Heaven issue herein; for, that’s not really our task in this present book; but, I will, again, get more into the Third Heaven in my upcoming book; but, I also said more on this in my book “New Jerusalem,” too . . . However, if all I’ve said concerning these Heavens be really true, then the scene of a fallen angel from a celestial city called Heaven, where the Father and Son live bodily, becomes more and more impossible to believe.

 

The third point, and what we again should ask ourselves, is if lucifer was, or even is a spiritual Being at all? Once more, let's understand that the entire message written to lucifer (whether that was his actual name or not) was conveyed to him in a proverb/parable, a metaphoric language − a teaching method (and a way of correspondence from God to man) that is found throughout the biblical text.*18

 

Therefore (and, even though I’ve already said this – I just want to strongly forward this idea), we should know that how lucifer fell from Heaven was away from God's graces, and away from God's present Kingdom during the 1st Heaven/Covenant – in the same manner as the religious leaders of the Early Church era (those Jewish leaders who were responsible for Jesus’ death, John 19:11b) had fallen like unripen figs unto the earth – and, also in the same manner that Adam had died in the day that he sinned.*19 We will get into more detail about lucifer in the next chapter...

 

 

Explanatory Notes for Chapter 2

Lucifer

 

*9. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit… During the course of this chapter, I will not be tackling the subject of hell. I’ve a couple of chapters dedicated to that later on in this book. However, and as I will show (with actual scripture and not just human conjecture), hell actually has a couple of meanings in the Bible – such as being simply the grave; or, and as in this instance for lucifer, being brought down to the lowest state of humanity, or carnality, or misery; for, as many actually believe, hell can also be an undesirable condition here on earth before physical death is even achieved. And, that’s just exactly what I believe his hell state to be. This will be revealed as I plod along, and with how I will handle the hell subject later. Please stay tuned!

 

*10. The king of Babylon… Of he being called the king of Babylon should be a serious consideration. Many, certainly, will apply this as to being a highly metaphorical observation only, saying that this merely means that he was the king of confusion – since many believe that Babylon, spiritually, is really such. If that’s so, then our investigation will run back to the master of all evils – the devil – as to being this very lucifer that we’re investigating. However, if the possibility of lucifer being a mere man continues (and, indeed, the “naturalness” of the situation in that this king of Babylon had an actual place in history), then traditionalists will have a real problem on their hands … Certainly, we’ll continue to explore the possibilities. Please have patience as I slowly build my case. But, too, I’m not saying that even if we can apply a natural interpretation to our verses in Isaiah, that we can’t also find a spiritual interpretation as well. However, and even so (that is, that we just may find both a natural and spiritual interpretation), that doesn’t imply, in the least, that lucifer is the devil of tradition – as I’ll continue to demonstrate.

 

*11. Not He during His earthen ministry… Let us also consider this verse:

 

Ephesians 2:15

Having abolished in his flesh [when He died on the cross] the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself [when He rose from the tomb] of twain one new man, so making peace.

 

Can we attribute this verse as to saying that Jesus was an actual man when He rose from the tomb – especially since it just said, in Ephesians, that He was a man when He arose? Or, that is, a NEW Man … There are certainly times when the term man can either be attributed to a fleshly Being, or in description to a heavenly Being who is in human form. With how the scriptures term it at times, it can get a bit confusing to the reader. Therefore, my statements, in the main part of the book, where I say that lucifer was just a mere man (based on Isaiah 14:16: “…Is this the MAN that made the earth to tremble?”), may not be convincing to everyone. Be that as it may, we’ll have to let the rest of my statements concerning lucifer be the final deciding factor about whether this is so or not; for, if a solid case can finally be made concerning the devil, then we’ll have to revisit this thought and make a decision based on all the clues at hand. Certainly, with how the theme of this book is going, I myself will come to the ultimate conclusion that lucifer was really only a fleshly man who had gained great power on earth in his kingdom … Now, concerning whether or not Jesus was a mere man when He rose from the tomb, I think that our quoted verse, from the main part of this book, can help us decide that:

 

Galatians 1:12

For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

 

Not only was it a revelation OF Jesus, but they were revelations given to him BY Jesus:

 

Galatians 1:16b

To reveal his [the Father’s] Son in me [i.e. Jesus], that I might preach him [Jesus] among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood [but, with Jesus Himself]

 

1 Corinthians 9:1

Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?

 

2 Corinthians 12:1-4

It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago [speaking about himself coming to those visions and revelations of the Lord], (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

 

*12. How art thou cut down to the ground… Once again, this is how I’m seeing lucifer going to hell – being cast down to the ground; or, to the earth; or, to earthen matters only; or, to extreme carnality. Certainly, I’ll continue to speak on this during the remainder of this chapter. Not on hell, as I’ve already said that I’ll do so later on, but on how lucifer fell.

 

*13. The Targum… According to Wikipedia, targum is a written Aramaic translation of the Bible dating back to the 1st century AD. And, today, the two most important targumim for liturgical purposes (and, also, used as in text-critical editions of the Bible) are “Targum Onkelos on the Torah (Written Law),” and the “Targum Jonathan on the Nevi’im (prophets).” For more information on the targum (and, there are more besides these), and of its history, please visit the official Wikipedia page:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Targum

 

*14. It’s above all the Heavens… I still believe this, despite the fact that some scriptures “seem” to say otherwise. We have to compare more than one scripture in order to come to the proper conclusion.

 

Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 

Matthew 5:45a

That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven…

 

Etc. … Believe it or not, I’m not seeing such scriptures as contradictions to either the quote in Ephesians 4:10, or any others which “seem” to be contradictory to the Father being in Heaven. As I will reveal a bit further on, in the main part of the book, I’m actually okay with folks calling the realm of the Father Heaven, since it’s certainly a heavenly realm. However, and as I will also continue to show, Heaven’s not the name of a celestial city. The word Heaven, as we should learn, doesn’t have just one meaning in scripture – much the same as other words therein. Many times, in my books, I stress this point; for, it seems that many folks are guilty of only having a single meaning to most words in the biblical text. For instance: earth; wind; water; clouds; stars; etc. All such words actually have multiple meanings in the Bible – especially when considering both their natural and spiritual interpretations. For, when I say the word earth, do we only imagine this planet? Can not the word also mean earthen bodies of people? (as is expressed, that is, in 2nd Corinthians 4:7; and 5:1) So, the Bible does illustrate this. In fact, even with other words, the Bible plainly spells such things out for us:

 

Revelation 17:15

And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

 

Can we say, in such instances, that waters only means natural water? ... Then, when describing the appearance of Jesus, John says this:

 

Revelation 1:16b

…and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword…

 

Should we “literalize” this passage, too? Can we not say that the Sword proceeding out from his mouth was simply the Word of God being expounded, rather than just being a natural sword?

 

Ephesians 6:17b

…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

 

Therefore, we have to be careful with how we read God’s Written Word; for, we may end up reading something in there that just isn’t there. Again, I go over all such thoughts in my already published book: “In the Beginning: It was Spiritual from the Very Start” … Therefore, and just because Jesus said that the Father was in “Heaven,” we don’t have to conclude that that’s where the Father physically abides (that is, in a celestial city up in the sky or cosmos called Heaven) – especially since Paul informs us that, at Jesus’ ascension, that He actually travelled far above all Heavens to get to the Father’s Abode (again, in Ephesians 4:10); of which ascension, we should realize, included all three biblically-mentioned heavens; showing us that where He finally landed wasn’t a place “called” Heaven. But, also, we should know that when we see words such as: “up;” “upward;” “northernly;” and even, as Paul expresses in Ephesians 4:10, “above,” we don’t have to see these as indicators that God is way up in the natural sky; for, and as we also should know, there really is no “up” or “down” when we leave the earth – as in going beyond the reaches of oxygen in our atmosphere. In going past our atmosphere, which way is really up? Or, even, once in outer space, which way is upward? According to science, space is limitless – there’s no up, no down, no sideways – so, which way will you go “upward” if we do believe in such literalism? Besides that, the earth is spinning; so how can we, in consideration of that, know which way is up? For, your extended arm, which is pointing upward, will be spinning around and around as you do so. And, too, when we point upward from where we stand here on earth, folks on the other side of the planet can point up, too, and they’ll be pointing in the opposite direction from you – yet both of you are supposedly pointing upward … Certainly, I’m not trying to be silly here, but am trying to make my readers realize that when the Bible uses such language as “up,” upward,” “above,” etc., that we shouldn’t always consider strict literalism for its interpretation. But, that we should see such things, rather, as saying that heavenly matters are more excellent than earthly matters; greater in status; greater in position.

 

Colossians 3:1-3

If ye then be risen with Christ [i.e. born again, rather than any type of literal ascension], seek those things which are above [of greater importance, of spiritual matters rather than earthen matters], where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above [things that are more excellent], not on things on the earth [i.e. heavenly things rather than earthly, carnal things – John 3:12]. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

 

So, if we are to take verses 1 and 2 of this set of scripture strictly literal (of Colossians chapter 3), and see them naturalistically (as in, that is, that Heaven is up somewhere in, or bordered along the natural cosmos somewhere), then should we also literalize verse 3 when it says that “you ARE [present-tense] dead”? Was Paul speaking to departed souls here? Or, was he, once again, only speaking metaphorically to the living? As in, being dead to trespasses and sin (Romans 6:2; 6:7; and 6:11)? … I’ll actually speak more on where Heaven is located at in a moment … We just have to realize how to interpret Jesus’ words when He says that the Father is in Heaven; because, He may not have been so literal in His approach, and could have meant that the Father is in a glory realm that the earth occupants are not; a heavenly realm; a heavenly place; or, within a heavenly situation – such as the Bible also speaks on in other places; such as:

 

Ephesians 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.

 

Of which scripture is a present-tense scripture in the fact that we are currently, before physical death occurs, being blessed with spiritual blessings in heavenly places. As also says this verse:

 

Ephesians 2:6

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

 

Paul, again, is not speaking to departed souls, but present living Beings – that is, the folks who were living during Paul’s own day and time, and of whom he was addressing in his letter. Saying that God has raised them up together, and even made them sit together in heavenly places. If we read this as to say that God made them sit in “Heaven,” instead of heavenly places, then we have a contradiction of terms as is specified in organized religion. Why? Because (and, as I’ve stressed in some other books in this Teaching Series), the word “places” in both of our scriptures in Ephesians, here, are italicized … And, why should that make a difference? … Because, italicized words in scripture, as history attests to, were not emphasized words by the original authors, but were placed in by translators (many, many years later) to help us with the ease of sentence flow, and helping our modern understandings of anciently-phrased documents. Therefore, the original author actually said “Heaven,” and not “heavenly places.” Does that therefore make the translators wrong for there “intrusion” onto the holy text? Actually, they have done us a huge favor in correctly addressing this situation for a more modern audience; for, once again, how can we justify, in this verse (that is, if we can only see such scriptures with modern, doctrinal ideas), that there’s only one meaning to our word Heaven when Paul specified that such activities were being done prior to physical death, and prior to folks ascending to Heaven? For, without that inserted, extra word from the translators, this is how the sentence would read:

 

Ephesians 2:6 (without the word “places” inserted)

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heaven in Christ Jesus.

 

Heaven (or, heavenly), Epouranios (ep-oo-ran'-ee-os), G2032, Strong’s Greek Dictionary [From Ephesians 2:6. This word “Epouranios,” actually derives from the Greek word used in Matthew 5:16 and Matthew 5:45a, which I quoted at the beginning of this Explanatory Note: Ouranos G3772 – see below for that definition]: From G1909 and G3772; above the sky: - celestial, (in) heaven (-ly), high.

 

Heaven, Ouranos (oo-ran-os'), G3772, Strong’s Greek Dictionary: Perhaps from the same as G3735 (through the idea of elevation); the sky; by extension heaven (as the abode of God); by implication happiness, power, eternity; specifically the Gospel (Christianity): - air, heaven ([-ly]), sky.

 

Of which two Greek words are brothers to each other; and both, in their definitions, also say “the sky,” or “above the sky.” Which cannot be the proper definition for our two Ephesians verses. Again, why? Because, once more, Paul was not speaking to departed souls, but to folks who were having such “heavenly” experiences whilst still alive on the earth. All this should make us take heed on context of subject; and, also, we need to take note of when Paul (or, any other biblical teacher) was either speaking literal or metaphorical – because, we see examples of both the natural and spiritual within the holy text; but, we must allow the Spirit of God to specify for us of when to see it one way or the other…

 

2 Timothy 2:15

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth [i.e. into their proper camps of both natural and spiritual].

 

But, even if Jesus (both in Matthew 5:16 and Matthew 5:45a) DID mean an actual, physical location, in which the Father bodily resides, then we still don’t have to view such a place being way up in the sky, nor out in the cosmos somewhere. The real question should be why should Heaven be up in the sky, or out in the cosmos? What would be the purpose for that? I mean, the sky is “natural,” and so is the “cosmos” – the cosmos being the surrounding universe. And, even though the universe may be endless to our calculations, it’s still a part of nature. And, according to Paul, anything that is of nature will actually vanish one day; and, I seriously doubt that any of us would want to live in a Heaven that will vanish; or, at least, the natural borders of Heaven will vanish – such as the natural universe that it supposedly touches; or, is at the ends of; which leaves Heaven, if such is the case, very limited, in that it only begins where nature ends.

 

2 Corinthians 4:18

While we look not at the things which are seen [visible by the eye; or, a part of nature in general], but at the things which are not seen [the invisible part of God’s creation: see Colossians 1:16]: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

 

Let’s think about the impact of these words for a moment. Basically, if anything is a part of nature, and can be observed and demonstrated within the confines of science (even the “invisible” air and oxygen can be demonstrated by nature and science – so, that’s not what Paul meant by invisible things of eternity), then it can only be temporary in existence; but, the things that are outside the confines of science and nature (i.e. the supernatural) are eternal. Again, both the sky and the universe are of nature, and can only be temporary; so, I have to ask again: Why should “Heaven,” as folks understand it, be bordered along the boundaries of the natural, temporal universe? I mean, why can’t “Heaven” just simply be an invisible “realm” that’s outside of science, nature, and away from the physical laws of the cosmos? That is, actually being all around us, just a dimension away; of which dimension could actually be seen by us if our fleshly, carnal insights were completely dismissed – seeing that (in consideration that it doesn’t have to be way off into the cosmos somewhere, millions and millions of miles away) it is, in reality, only a doorway away. Do you really imagine that God is so far from us? So, if this can be the case, then the real Heaven is just a step from us, and can prove that God is extremely close! Giving us, in turn, the possibility that if our grave-clothes fall off (that is, our “natural” bodies at physical death), then God (just after the immediate disintegrating of this fleshly world to our sights) will suddenly appear before us – not having to use the Starship Enterprise to get there on a five-year mission.

 

1 John 3:1-2

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God [sons of the Father]: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him [the Father] not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God [sons of the Father], and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he [the Father] shall appear [that is, just after our grave-clothes fall off, and we see Him standing in our presence; or, rather, we see ourselves standing in His!], we shall be like him [the Father]; for we shall see him as he is [in His heavenly dimension].

 

2 Corinthians 5:6-8

Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the [natural] body [prior to physical death], we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the [natural] body, and to be present with the Lord [in His heavenly dimension – showing us that after we physically die, we will then automatically be standing within His presence in His own dimension – far above all Heavens, in His actual abode, to live for eternity].

 

Can all this be an impossibility? Especially since, during my Teaching Series, I’ve already gone-over metaphorical understandings in the Word of God – not leaving us with only literal, physical interpretations which demands that we see all scriptures naturally. Afterall, Heaven is supposed to be in a spiritual realm, having nothing to do with this natural universe. So, why associate it, therefore, within the confines of nature at all? … But, this is certainly not meaning that just because something is spiritual, and not subject to the laws and physics of nature, that it’s not just as real and tangible as the natural counterpart. Nay, but is actually more real than what we’ve been experiencing and living in the flesh – this here being but a temporal “realm,” and a temporary reality. It therefore makes the spirit realm, of God’s actual, eternal abode, as to being “true” reality, and a physical place in which we can literally (though absent from anything of nature) abide with He and the Son for eternity … It’s so hard for many folks to understand such notions, as I am proposing, that even in some biblical interpretations (such as in the New International Bible Version) – and despite them actually using the English word “Heaven” in chapter 1 verse 1 of Genesis – they (by the time they reach verse 8 – at least in the copy that I own) change the word Heaven to the word sky:

 

Genesis 1:8a (New International Version)

God called the vault sky…

 

Leaving the reader with only a single meaning to that Hebrew word in this instance; and, in turn, not allowing for there to be both natural and spiritual interpretations within that very important chapter in our Bibles. And, also, robbing the reader of any chance to see multiple meanings within; because (at least in this one instance), they themselves couldn’t imagine a spiritual meaning to those otherwise natural verses; for, if they did understand it, then they’d realize that the word “Heaven” would have been the best translation, since it can denote both the natural and the spiritual; whereas, the word sky cannot:

 

Heaven [as used in Genesis 1:8; and, translated as sky by the NIV Bible], shâmayim (shaw-mah'-yim), H8064, Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary: The second form being dual of an unused singular; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve): air, X astrologer, heaven (s).

 

Heaven (from Webster’s Dictionary):

1. The region or expanse which surrounds the earth, and which appears above and around us, like an immense arch or vault, in which are seen the sun, moon and stars.

2. Among Christians, the part of space in which the omnipresent Jehovah is supposed to afford more sensible manifestations of his glory. Hence this is called the habitation of God, and is represented as the residence of angels and blessed spirits. Deu 26.

 

But, this isn’t just me stretching things too far; because, I get such natural and spiritual ideas, about Genesis chapter 1, from Jeremiah:

 

Jeremiah 4:22

For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

 

And, what does that have to do with Genesis chapter 1? Well, it’s because, in the very next verse, Jeremiah goes from speaking naturally to speaking spiritually – interpreting for us in verse 23 spiritually what he was just saying to us naturally in verse 22. That is, unless he started having a senior moment, and was speaking about a totally different matter:

 

Jeremiah 4:23

I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light.

What this actually shows us is a legitimate way to view Genesis chapter 1 within a spiritual light – for, Jeremiah actually gives us a very important key here. That is, of comparing people’s silly ways, and their ignorance to deeper matters, to the earth having darkness; and, of the earth being void and formless; because, as it shows us in other places of the Bible (and, as I’ve already, but briefly discussed), the earth, metaphorically, can be compared to people themselves – who were made of the earth naturally:

 

2 Corinthians 4:7a

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels [our natural bodies]…

 

2 Corinthians 5:1a

For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved [i.e. tabernacle in this sense is a fleshly body]…

 

Etc … And, if that earth is void and without form (pinpointing, specifically here, the earthen minds of mankind), and we connect this meaning to Jeremiah saying that those folks had no understanding, were wise to do evil, but to do good they had no knowledge, then just what are we then seeing here? We are, again, seeing Genesis chapter 1 in a spiritual light – just as easily as we see it in a natural light; for, I truly believe in both the natural and spiritual interpretations of those verses about creation. But, before we could even see it in a spiritual light, the natural happenings had to have occurred beforehand … So, with that in mind, let’s view a few verses in Genesis chapter 1 metaphorically, just as Jeremiah had taught us to:

 

Genesis 1:2-4

And the earth [man – who did not understand the ways of God] was without form, and void [void of God’s ways and understandings]; and darkness [ignorance] was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters [waters = people: Revelation 17:15].And God said, Let there be light [i.e. enlightenment: see Psalms 43:3; 119:105; 119:130; Proverbs 6:23; Ecclesiastes 11:7; and Isaiah 8:20]: and there was light [they gained a spiritual eye to see now].And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness [dividing good from evil].

 

Do you see where all this can go? . . . But, what if we only see such things naturally? Well, we just might, like the New International Version had decided to do, limit folks to only one or two understandings of scripture … I’ll speak more on the NIV in my upcoming book project about Biblical Translations: in my book, called: “The Bible is not a Buffet.” But (and, you’ve guessed it!), I don’t care for that version; because, not only here in Genesis, but in many other places (and, as they admitted to in their own Introduction) they did things that simply made me cringe! Such as consulting inferior source texts if they disagreed with what the better texts said; also, choosing side-marginal notes written by overzealous monks if those “ideas” sounded better than the actual words of the Bible, etc.; and, then, not letting the reader know where they had made such ghastly changes; and, therefore, allowing the reader to believe that they were reading the very words of the original texts all along – of which subject, once more, I’ll be going over in my future book project in greater detail of exactly what I’m meaning … My main point to all that I’m saying (and, certainly not to confuse the reader) is to stress that we cannot have only one meaning to the word Heaven; because, we will, definitely, miss meanings to some very important scriptures by doing so. As we’ve all been taught during our Gospel youth, we must keep scriptures within context of the subject we’re reading or studying. But, we’ll certainly do ourselves a disfavor by allowing our minds to decipher a single word the very same for every single scripture in our Bibles; and, in turn, causing pre-conceived, biased ideas to interfere with proper biblical analysis and deciphering simply because our inner dictionary is limited; or, because that was what we were taught during our youth by a minister who didn’t understand this themselves. However, correct deciphering certainly should be engaged – especially in consideration that there’s three heavens mentioned in scripture and not just one. And, since that’s the case (an established fact, that is), then which one (when we consider only a single Heaven to be in existence) will we ascend to at physical death? 1st, 2nd, or 3rd? And, also, we cannot conclude that, other than when the Written Word speaks specifically about 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Heaven, that no other scripture in the Bible is talking about any of those three when it doesn’t specify a number, and says, simply, Heaven. So, when that’s the case (again, when it says Heaven, but doesn’t specify a number) does it then ONLY speak about a celestial city up in the sky? Making it, therefore, impossible to bespeak of a particular Heaven in such an instance – or, even, speaking about a heavenly situation or condition at that time? … Am I only complicating an otherwise simple situation here? I don’t think so. Actually, I think preachers are the ones who have complicated things when they try to stick all their eggs (in this case, three eggs) into only a single basket of understanding about the different Heavens; for, after-all, if there is only one, it wouldn’t have mentioned two others! … This is like me asking somebody, who is going to the store, to pick me up some soap while they are there. Certainly, there’s more than one kind of soap; so, should I expect them to know which kind I meant when I gave only a base word? I could’ve meant bath soap; or, dish washing soap; or laundry soap. Would it really make a difference to me if I needed bath soap and I was brought laundry soap instead? Well, I would think so! But, a lot of preachers out in this preaching world (though, not all) do not specify when they generalize the word “Heaven.” For, to the majority of them, there’s only one meaning to that word: “The celestial city up in the clouds or cosmos” … Even though (as I’ve repeatedly pointed out) that it’s just fine to call the Father’s actual Abode Heaven, wouldn’t it be safer though, considering that there’s three of them spoken on therein, to say that when we die, we’ll live for eternity with the Father and the Son, without having to specify a single Heaven? Especially, as we’ve already seen, Jesus had to go above all three to get to the Father’s side! It’s extremely obvious that there’s a huge difference between the three Heavens in scripture. For one, why didn’t Paul get caught up unto the 2nd Heaven – or, even, to the 1st Heaven in 2 Corinthians 12:2? Why did he specify #3? Would it have been just as good to say 1st or 2nd instead of 3rd? I don’t think so; for, specifying the 3rd is just as useful as me saying that I need laundry soap as opposed to dish soap … Let’s expand our inner dictionary, shall we? And, let’s study the Word of God much deeper – for such is God’s desire for us to understand things on deeper levels … Now, to conclude our current thoughts, allow me to point out that many people actually believe that Third Heaven is the final destination for the departed saint; and, that that’s where the Father and Son physically abide. But, once again, we must consider the wording of Ephesians 4:10: “He [Jesus] that descended [to earth, for His earthen ministry] is the same also that ascended [in Acts chapter 1] up far above ALL heavens, that he might fill all things.” Because, when Paul says ALL Heavens, we cannot assume that the third wasn’t considered amongst the number. So, again, if the celestial city is called Heaven, then how could Jesus ascend above all of them to go to Heaven? . . . I will speak a little more on the Third Heaven in the main part of this book.

 

*15. Which Heaven did satan actually fall from?... I believe that we are now getting closer to the answer to that question. Stay tuned; for, within this very chapter, and as you continue reading on in the main part of the book, I will come to my conclusion on this…

 

*16. The Old Testament/Heaven was finished – John 19:30)… Actually, and getting much deeper into this current thought, I’m going to be showing, in another upcoming book of mine (called: “Carnal Ordinances, Part II: The Naturalistic World that had come to an End”), that the last monument of the Old Testament World, that was yet still standing, finally came tumbling down in AD 70 when the armies of Rome had conquered Jerusalem, and had torn the Temple down to the ground – digging it up to its very foundations.

 

Matthew 24:1-2

And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple [not the outer-fence-walls which surrounded it]. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down [again, meaning the Temple itself].

 

Revelation 11:2

But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not [i.e., and again, the outer-walls, which is the “fence” surrounding the Temple]; for it is given unto the Gentiles [the armies of Rome, and the garrison which they kept of it for themselves; that is, a large piece of the outer-fence-wall which today we call the western or wailing wall]: and the holy city shall they tread under foot [i.e. destroy, within] forty and two months [a 3½ year siege, which ended with the tearing down of the Temple – the last standing monument of the Old Testament World].

 

I will speak more on Revelation chapter 11 again (for both verses 1 and 2) during chapter 8 herein – which chapter will be called: “The Great Dragon and Beast of Revelation” – wherein I will explain this “metaphorical” take on them; seeing, apparently, that I’m looking at this Temple as to being the actual, literal Temple in Jerusalem, and of events concerning it before it was finally destroyed by Roman hands (John prophesying, that is, of its demise a few years before it actually collapsed – as it was still standing at the time of this writing by the apostle). So, stay tuned for that … Now, once that Temple fell (of which tearing down Flavius Josephus was a witness to, and of which he recorded in AD 75 in his famous book “The Wars of the Jews”), there therefore (once again) was left no standing monument of the Old Testament to where any connection of it remained … The scriptures plainly show a departing of the 1st Heaven – which (again), in this book, I compare to the 1st Covenant; or, that is, to the Old Testament (as I’ll presently show and explain in the main part of the book, during this current chapter). Therefore, I am seeing, when such language is being discussed therein, that this was when the 1st Heaven had finally ceased (that is, during the 1st century AD – as I’ll make plainer as we continue along):

 

Revelation 21:1

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

 

Revelation 6:14

And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

 

Matthew 24:35 (and Mark 13:31)

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

 

Of which, again, I’m fixing to speak on in the main part of this book, and explain my take on it … What all this will finally boil down to is the significance of a 40-year period that many do not know about its importance. That is, from approximately AD 30 to AD 70 – a forty-year biblical generation – which took-out the Old Testament period and had ushered-in the New Testament period; for, and as I’ll build a large picture of in my upcoming book, it took that long to completely close-out that old period and to fully commence the new. We see all this in the form of four major events – Jesus dying on the cross; Him Resurrecting; the Day of Pentecost with the Holy Ghost being fully delivered; and, of the tearing down of the Temple in Jerusalem … Of course, with all I just said, I’ve merely opened up a fresh new can of worms! And, I apologize if I don’t get into more detail just yet concerning these things. I merely wanted to let the reading audience know that with what I’m saying in the main part of the text herein is just the beginning thoughts of where this will eventually lead, and that I’ll actually get into great detail concerning these things in other of my books; especially, as I’ve already said, in: “Carnal Ordinances, Part II: The Naturalistic World that had come to an End.” But, herein, I want to stick with our main topic (satan, the devil, and hell) as much as I can without veering too much off from our current path … Please stay tuned!

 

*17. Religious leaders; i.e. the main ringleaders of Jesus’ crucifixion… Not only they, but the people who had followed their example:

 

Mark 15:13

But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.

 

Luke 23:23

And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.

 

John 19:6a

When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him…

 

John 19:14-15

And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he [Pilate] saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.

 

Acts 2:22-23 (Peter speaking)

Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.

 

*18. A teaching method that is found throughout the Biblical text... Yes, I really believe this statement. The entire subject of biblical language (that is, through a metaphorical deliverance), is dealt with in my Teaching Series, called: “The Spiritual Side of Creation;” which begins with the title: "In the Beginning: It was Spiritual From the Very Start." Let me say here, though, that I am not leaning toward the idea that every single scripture in our Bibles are nothing more than metaphors. But, I do believe in a fair balance of both the natural and the metaphorical therein. Most of the time (or, at least a lot of times), before we can even have a metaphorical meaning, we need natural, materialistic elements to compare them by. But, neither am I teaching that just because something is metaphorical that it can't be literal, too! In fact, the spiritual things that the scriptures talk about are, quite often, more real than their natural counterparts − especially considering that the things which can be seen are but temporal, but the things that cannot be seen are eternal – as we’ve already went over in 2nd Corinthians:

 

2 Corinthians 4:18

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

 

*19. In the same manner that Adam died the day that he sinned...

 

Genesis 2:17

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

 

This was not just some idle threat by God − and yet, we see that when Adam did eat the forbidden fruit (not an actual apple; but, the fruits of the flesh, such as we see from Galatians 5:19-21), he didn't die – physically die, that is. Instead, he and Eve simply got kicked out of the Garden of Eden.

 

Genesis 3:23-24a

Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man...

 

Does this mean that God didn't make good on his threat? Nay; but, Adam actually died a death that was worse than natural death − he died spiritually! That is, he fell from God's graces, and had an unbreachable gulf set in-between he and the Lord. I go over full detail about what that gulf really is in my upcoming book: "Lazarus and the Rich Man: What is Hell?, Part II." But, basically, if we die a spiritual death, then we die the second death; and it's a death from which one can never recover. That is, a soul dies, and that person has reached a point to where they will never be with God anymore for eternity. Again, a death that is worse than any physical death.

​

RETURN TO THE TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE BY CLICKING HERE!, AND FOR PURCHASING OPTIONS