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What Angels Saw at the Cross

What Angels Saw at the Cross

Revelation 12:10-12 says, “Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: ‘Now have come the salvation and the power
and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They triumphed over him
by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

Therefore rejoice, you heavens
and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.‘” From this I gather the heavenly beings were able to cast out Satan by what they saw at the cross of Calvary. My question to you is “What did they see at the cross that made them once and for all times cast Satan out of their heart and minds. And does mankind need to see the same thing so they too can cast the devil out too? Is the casting out of the devil what is needed so that Christ can restore us to His image?

DF


Great questions, thanks!

The unfallen angels in heaven stood in relationship to Satan in a different position than that of sinful humankind. Angelic beings in heaven had experienced Satan before his apostasy and it is likely that many of them had memories, emotions and even affection for the once great light bearer and covering cherub. Many of these beings knew Satan personally and had developed a level of trust for him. We can surmise that those with the greatest confidence followed him in his rebellion and were cast out with him (Rev 12:9). But, even those who chose loyalty to God had questions that needed answers, and still retained levels of respect and perhaps love for Lucifer, until the cross where he stood exposed. It was at the cross that all affection for Satan was finally severed from the intelligences in heaven.

Jesus referenced the drawing power of the cross when he said, “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to me.” (Jn 12:32) Some translations use the word “men” as in, “I will draw all men” but the Greek does not contain the word men. Thus a translation that says, “I will draw all” or “I will draw everyone” is more accurate, as Jesus was not only drawing fallen human beings to him but also solidifying the loyalty of the unfallen beings in the universe.

Paul confirms this when he says, “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” (Col 1:19,20) Notice that things in heaven were reconciled to Christ at the cross. Not in the sense that they were sinful needing to be cleansed, but in the sense that they had doubts, questions, uncertainties that needed to be addressed and resolved. This Christ did.

So what did the angels see and understand at the cross that led to the casting out of Satan from their affections and the solidification of their hearts to Christ?

At the cross of Christ the two antagonistic principles stood face to face. God’s character and methods of selfless love stood opposed to Satan’s character and methods of selfishness. Use your imagination and contrast the two sides – Jesus in humble, loving, dignity, self-composure, calm grace and gentle forgiveness, looking upon the mob with compassion, longing for their healing. Though all-powerful, Jesus didn’t even have a thought to injure them. He demonstrated that though possessing all power he would rather allow his creatures to kill him than use his power to protect himself or injure them.

By sharp contrast, the mob, incited and inflamed by satanic agencies, lost self-control, and was wild, abusive, deceitful, destructive, hateful, slanderous, murderous, vile, animalistic, and grotesque. Before the entire universe the evidence of God’s character, methods and principles stood in contrast to Satan’s character, methods and principles. Satan stood exposed for all to see – a liar and fraud.

Mankind was created in the image of God to reveal God’s true nature. In the humanity of Christ, God stood in his true character of love, as Jesus, God in human flesh, revealed him, “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do…I have revealed you.” (Jn 17:4,6) What do God’s methods result in – look to Jesus and you will see what humankind becomes when filled with God’s presence. Then turn to the mob and see what Satan’s methods result in – humanity debased, devoid of love, bereft of compassion, hardened of heart, and denuded of goodness, stripped down to the vile, grotesque, and evil likeness of Satan.

At the cross, the kingdom of love faced down and overcame the kingdom of selfishness. Every question was answered, and a healing remedy for humankind was achieved. In summary, what Christ achieved at the cross:

  1. Revealed the truth about the nature of the Father and himself
  2. Exposed Satan as a liar and fraud
  3. Revealed what humanity is designed by God to be
  4. Christ’s victory in humanity proved that there was no “manufacturer’s defect” in Adam, i.e. Adam’s fall was not because God created Adam defectively
  5. Revealed what humanity becomes when severed from God and God’s methods
  6. Revealed what obedience to the “rules” results in when the heart is not renewed in love (they wanted Christ down by sunset to keep the Sabbath rules)
  7. Revealed that power does not corrupt God and thus God is safe with all power
  8. Revealed that God and Christ are truly selfless
  9. Revealed that God does not execute and kill the sinner, but sin severs from God (the source of life) and results in death.
  10. By the exercise of his human brain Christ overcame the temptation to “save self” and restored God’s “law of love” into the human species. In Christ, humanity became what God originally designed it, in Adam, to be.
  11. Christ developed a perfect human nature/character and offers this perfection to all who will accept it. “once he was made perfect he became the source of salvation for all who obey him. (Heb 5:8) Christ thus becomes the remedy for us. As we see the truth, we surrender in trust and the Holy Spirit takes what Christ achieved and reproduces it in us. (Jn 16:14)  Thus we become partakers of the divine nature and it is no longer “I” but Christ lives in us. (2Pet 1:4, Gal 2:20) He actually writes his law of love, his character of love, upon our hearts and minds. (Heb 8:10, 10:16) This is how we are reconciled to God. All through the achievements of Christ!
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Testimony 53

I was so blessed by a friend who gave me your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” while I was sitting in church asking God to please help me learn more about Him and help me not to be so confused and scared. That was about 2 years ago. Your books have helped me to love God even more. I’m not confused or scared anymore! I have listened to all of your bible study classes and feel like I know the wonderful people that attend every week. Thank you for all that you’re doing in spreading the true message about God and His law of love. God bless you and your whole class.

Elssy P., Modesto, CA, USA

 

Testimony 36

Thank you and may God continue to bless you as you share with others the intricacies of how we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made”. I must share that you have opened a whole new world to me, and I have found tremendous healing through what you have shared in two of your books, “Could It Be This Simple?” and “The God Shaped Brain.” I praise God for what you shared, what I have learned, and how I have grown and healed! My prayer is that My Precious Jesus will be seen by others in the way I live, act, talk, etc. and they may be encouraged to know He is truly a GREAT God of LOVE, desiring that no one should perish! God Bless you in your continued endeavors to present Him as He really is!

Joleen H. GA, USA

 

Testimony 62

I would like to express my thanks to the C&R team for creating a platform from which people can learn to trust in God and grow. My life is a witness to the effectiveness of this ministry. Without believing the truth about God as you have shown, I don’t know what my life would be like. I had given up on God helping me with certain sins – it was all useless. Given that the scripture is clear and God is so good, how could I have betrayed him so many times? I was a yo-yo christian; spinning up and down. My faith and enthusiasm was driven by discoveries/threats that prophecy is about to be fulfilled. But when I watched your “Healing the Mind” seminar, it was like a light finally went on. I could see God had no plan to hurt me, the danger came from sin, and that He is working to protect me and strengthen me. Thank you for allowing God to use you. The message God gave C&R saved my life!

Antony N. – Hobart, Australia

 

Testimony 31

It was very touching to hear the testimony of your class share how viewing God’s true character has changed their lives. My feelings are the same – there is so much freedom in knowing that God LOVES me – regardless of my… just, REGARDLESS! I’m still blown away by the true gospel, the fact that God is not ready to strike us when we fail. He is not arbitrary. He simply loves us and warns of the natural consequences because He can’t stand to see us suffer. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS GOD!!!

Ceil V.,  UT, USA

 

Testimony 67

I was introduced to Come And Reason by a friend of my mother-in-law, who gave me several CD’s of Dr. Jennings. The clarity of the message and recognition that God’s is a God of love was so clear, advancing beyond Dr. Maxwell’s message. However, grappled with Maxwell saying God used emergency measures for the fallen world. Now after several years of being a regular listener of the Come And Reasoning bible study class and attending Jennings’ meetings in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, things are becoming clearer for me. Design law versus imposed law has added so much to my personal understanding of theology. This message has really impacted my work in counseling so many people miserable because they are searching for and trusting human governments to create order and peace or believing in a God who says love Me or I will kill you. I am grateful that I have an alternative view to offer my clients that makes sense. I teach a bible study class on a semi-regular basis and I value the materials that Come And Reason so freely offers to aid me in presenting this vital message. Thank you for continuing to provide advancement in our very limited understanding of a Infinite God that is rational and believable.

Dr. Roger D, Arlington, TX, USA

 

Testimony 5

We listen to your bible studies lessons in our class in Montana. You actually were the main reason I decided to get a laptop, so I can go to your site and listen, read, learn, and print the class notes. I am so grateful to learn the correct view of God and his character. Now, to just have others have an interest in knowing, so I can share it with them. Good thoughts your way.

R. N., MT, USA

 

Testimony 27

Your teachings about our heavenly Father have changed my life. Thank you sooooooo very very much! I know He’s doing some serious healing in my heart and life and I look forward to each new day to learn something new about Him and to just hear you speak about Him. Thank you, forever.

Nancy S.

 

Testimony 2

I continue to enjoy your lessons every week. The more that I research your conclusions, the more I am convinced that the Holy Spirit has lead you to distill out the essence of human redemption. Thank you for your courageous stand for the truth.

S. G., TX, USA

 

Testimony 57

You have helped make sense of thirty two years of confusion. The material you freely provide reorganized so much of my life into such a beautiful pattern that has always been hinted at from within, but misguided with my training and what I was experiencing externally. My filipno parents, who were converted from Catholicism to SDA, were sincere and did their best to raise me the right way and I have deep respect for them. However, being immigrants and not understanding the language made for a difficult transition as I was growing up, which also applied to my spiritual growth as I learned the patterns of religion. I have been listening to as many bible study classes and reading blog posts as my time in a work truck will allow, searching for the practical applications of where spirituality and reality meet, and I thank you for helping me find that. You have helped me reach a point in which I can truly say that I love God, that I believe He loves me, and, like David, I delight in His law. God bless.

Emmanuel V., Calgary, AB Canada

Testimony 71

When I was 9 years old, I remember setting at our devotional table with a hunger and thirst for God that wanted more, deeper, BETTER. I can remember literally crying and pounding on the table, “I know these teachers didn’t mean to give us error. They taught what THEY had been TAUGHT, but didn’t ANYBODY READ THE BOOK?!?!?” It mattered to me then. It mattered to me as a teenager. It matters now as I teach bible classes. It didn’t have to be so hard as I watched so many give up and lay God’s great plan and gift of salvation aside as being “impossible.” Then, a friend sent me a link to Come And Reason’s website. I grew excited. YES! FINALLY! Then another friend told me to stay away, saying her son had just broken up with a girl because she was involved with Come And Reason and that “Tim Jennings preaches a false gospel.” But, AFTER many years of developing an authentic and, dare I say FUN relationship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit I see this message has been around a LONG time, since the apostle Paul, Ellen White, Graham Maxwell, Ray Foucher, and yourself (though I admit, you’ve made me back up, rewind and replay the clips, and get out my well-worn Bible on a few things.) I’m so thankful I have found LIGHT during these DARK days. I am not alone.

Vicki DiNitto

Testimony 34

I was introduced to Come and Reason Ministries by accident, via a passing comment made in a bible study class we were visiting. I checked this website out and my life was changed. The understanding of the truth of God’s character, and how we apply it, is so right. The tricky part is consistently applying which “lens” to look through. As I began to understand, I started sharing the basics of this understanding with a discussion group I was leading and, suddenly, a lot of things started to make sense that never used to. At the same time, I enjoyed an amazing opportunity. I was able to conduct a full bible study at WORK! What an amazing experience! It is such a joy to share the truth about God and to share how it all fits in the war between God and Satan. So many people benefit when we have a correct understanding about how God works and who He really is! Thank you for this transformational understanding. Keep up the good work! God Bless you!

Tony P., CA, USA

 

Testimony 37

Hearing Dr. Jennings’ presentations in person came at a pivotal moment in my spiritual journey that began about nine months ago, when the fault lines inherent in my belief system began to crack under questions that most reasonable people end up asking about God and His nature. These were questions I couldn’t find answers to, and they shook my faith. I was unable let it go any longer and be satisfied. My Christian experience became distant. I was afraid; the fear in me rose like thorns, pushing me away from Jesus. And then someone heard my questions and introduced me to this ministry, and my life has totally changed.

I can tell you that this new, “present truth” message is far grander and life-changing than when I shifted from being an agnostic and then a nominal Christian. It has radically altered my worldview, because it reveals a God that makes sense. It is a revolution. I believe that Dr. Jennings’ message is the final message that must go to the world. If any message could be called “righteousness by faith,” as abused as that term is by the right and the left, this is that message, because Jennings’ biblical message identifies a God who is different, whose character isn’t an impossible contradiction.

I walk this path now without fear. I see people differently, and the Holy Spirit burns in my heart. Many call Dr. Jennings’ message false and compromising, but it isn’t false, because I’ve seen the fruits within my mind and body. It is not compromising, because in this message is the only road to holiness that makes any sense. No longer do I behold a pagan god who is always angry and suspicious. Instead, I behold a God who is freeing and loving, always working for our good, and giving me every reason to love my enemy even to my own death, just as Jesus pleads with us. God is good.

Anthony L., CA, USA

 

Testimony 25

I just want to say thank you so much for your conversations via YouTube. I regularly tune in to your lectures, “Let’s Talk” sessions, and many others. Through these I’ve found greater depth and meaning to God’s word. Thanks for all that you do and please continue. I’m currently working in the middle of Silicon Valley at Stanford University. I feel like God really has me in the right place right now and I’m sensing that your teachings might be part of it.

B. F., Silicon Valley, CA, USA

 

Testimony 70

I have been watching you for many years and have learned to love God with all my heart. I was raised by a loving Christian mother that had been lied to about who God really was, so our religious upbringing was hell fire and damnation. As soon as I was old enough and moved out, I not only left the church, I ran as fast as I could to get away from it. Sad to say, it wasn’t until the past couple of years that I learned and understand who my Father really is and how much He loves me. I understand God’s Design Laws (which make sense) and when I’m teaching my church Bible study class, I’m able to really put to use the things I’ve been learning and Holy Spirit is leading. Thank you for introducing me to my Father of true, pure love. Everyday with Him is new and exciting. One thing that breaks my heart is that I didn’t know Him sooner. God Bless you and your ministry!

Judy Phelps, Reno, NV, USA

Testimony 29

Thank you for all of your work to correct misconceptions about God’s character. So many people that my husband and I have talked to seem to be against the natural law construct and view it as “errant” and “dangerous.” Having learned more about it through your blogs and lessons, I don’t really understand why they view it that way, except that it means they have to relearn theology they have known for their entire lives. But I’m so excited to relearn this. For the past few years I have been questioning how I could trust a God who punishes arbitrarily and is full of wrath for those who don’t obey His commands. That view made me afraid to “mess up” or “not be good enough,” even within my relationship with God. I really appreciated the point you bring out about God not wanting us to serve Him because we are afraid, but because we love Him.

Melissa H., IN, USA