I wonder in amazement when I behold the spiritual power that Satan–the Serpent of Eden and Revelation–has over the lives of the world’s masses, specifically the church masses. When I watch and listen to the reactions to the modern-day acts of the Biblical God, and to the teachings documented in His Holy Scriptures, I am reminded of the devil’s mastery over mankind, particularly over those who claim spiritual kinship with the Creator of everything that exists. I am referring specifically to the words printed in the bibles they read, preach from, quote, etc. In this segment I will recall some of such instances which other people have either made public themselves or that I have learned about through various private sources. Lastly, I will recall some my own personal experiences which reveal the extent to which the devil either influences or totally controls those in the organization known as “Christendom.”

I will begin with an episode in which Jesus Himself was involved. Bear in mind that by the time of His crucifixion He had been in full-time, day and night ministry for 3 1/2 years. During that time His fame had spread throughout the Holy Land and all the way to Rome, Italy–the seat of the Roman Empire’s power for that part of the world. This was in a day when news traveled by word of mouth or by foot from person to person and place to place. When something significant happened the news would be transported by human currier and would be announced to the public by the local town crier who would stand in a central location at a scheduled time and announce the news of the most recent happenings that had taken place in other areas. The Roman Empire, which ruled most of Europe and the Middle East at that time, had established mail routes which their messengers, using horses, delivered social news and personal letters from city to city. Then there were personal conversations. In this way important happenings became public knowledge surprisingly quickly and was dispersed far and wide. The signs, wonders and miracles performed by the Lord spread like wildfire throughout that part of the world. People came from distant places to be healed and delivered from demonic bondage by Him. The “great multitudes” that shadowed Him wherever He went bear witness to that truth. He was so well-known that He literally had to leave Capernaum (His hometown) from time to time in order to rest from the continuous flow of needy people. But the masses always figured out where He was and found Him. Sadly, it was usually not to hear His message, but to receive a miracle from Him.

Due to His ever-increasing popularity, the man called Jesus of Nazareth became as famous in that part of the world as rock stars, movie stars and athletes are today in the Western World with all of our information services. He was known on sight because of the miracles He repeatedly performed, including the raising of the dead. Many of those truths have been Biblically documented. The Apostle John said that if all of the miracles, signs and wonders Jesus did had been recorded, the world would hardly hold the books (Jn. 21:25). Considering all of these publicly-seen and widely-known acts which helped great multitudes of people, why did He have only 120 true followers at the time of His death?

We will now see how the devil blinded the spiritual eyes of most of the people with whom Jesus had personal contact as well as those who heard of His miraculous exploits by word-of-mouth. Even the Roman leaders came to know about the carpenter from Nazareth. I have read part of a report that a soldier sent to the Emperor describing the man named Jesus. In it he said that Jesus had “bright blue eyes and hair like wheat.” Such knowledge about Him is even better known throughout the modern world today. Why, then, do His true disciples only number a few thousand world-wide?

Let us return to the final night of the Messiah’s life, to the Garden of Gethsemane where He had gone to pray, knowing that His life would end that day (Jn. 18). Led by one of His disciples, a large group of soldiers, officers and Pharisees arrived at the garden carrying lanterns, torches and weapons. When Jesus asked for whom they were seeking, they answered: “Jesus of Nazareth.” To which He replied: “I am He.” At the sound of His voice, THEY ALL FELL BACKWARD TO THE GROUND, having been hit by a mighty force known as the Holy Spirit. Obviously, they had all heard about the miracles He had performed and about groups trying to take Him–one Man against an angry crowd–and had failed. On one occasion He had miraculously escaped being thrown over a cliff by making Himself invisible, enabling Him to walk through the midst of His enemies “and go on His way” (Lk. 4:28-30). These types of occurances did not take place in isolation. A public murder will always draw a crowd. Obviously, the entire incident became well-known. This and the many other things He did became common knowledge as evidenced by the fact that He had to slip away in order to rest, and at times, even to eat. Where Jesus was, there were always others. Everyone, from the least to the most important, knew about this man named Jesus.

Now here, in a secluded garden in the middle of the night, we find a large group of heavily-armed soldiers, priests and politicians lying on the ground, put there by three words spoken by that same Jesus. AND YET THEY TOOK HIM, BEAT HIM AND CRUCIFIED HIM! Without the power of Satan within them, they would all have run away from Him as far and as fast as possible. Put yourself in their shoes; what would you have done? Admittedly, I would have fled from Him at top speed. However, they did the opposite. Why?

The Scriptures reveal that the miracles, signs and wonders that happened wherever Jesus was did not end with His death. Immediately following His final breath the three-foot-thick veil of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom, the earth quaked, rocks split, graves were opened and many dead saints arose and were seen by their loved ones (Mat. 27:51-53). AND YET THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE REJECTED HIM, INCLUDING THOSE WHOM HE HAD HEALED, DELIVERED AND FED. ONLY 120 PEOPLE GATHERED 50 DAYS LATER TO CELEBRATE PENTECOST TO HONOR HIM AND HIS FATHER. Obviously, Satan was alive and well in the Holy Land. Today billions know about all of these things and claim Him as their Savior, BUT REFUSE TO OBEY HIM. SATAN HAS NOT CHANGED; NEITHER HAVE THOSE WHO REFUSE TO OBEY HIM.

I will end this teaching with several modern-day incidents which prove that the devil is still in control of this world, including the worldly Catholic/Protestant Religious System in spite of the Biblical Truths that are available throughout the civilized world. This proves that Christ is involved with them and their various religious cults in name only. The Lord’s reaction is recorded in Revelation 3:20 where it is written that He “… stands at the door (of their churches and their hearts) and knocks.” He will not go inside where His Words, meaning Himself and His Father, are not welcome (Lk. 10:16). Read about the history of the church using the key word–Eras.

I was introduced to the truth concerning Satan’s power many years ago when I read about a pastor who was well-known for having the Holy Spirit power to heal the sick, which all church leaders who have been called by God possess today. In a book this man had written he told about a nearby church whose pastor preached openly and loudly against him personally and His beliefs, saying that neither he nor his beliefs they were of God. However, when the other pastor’s parishioners got sick, HE WOULD SEND THEM TO THE HIM TO BE HEALED, AND GOD WOULD HEAL THEM. Think about that.

Nothing has changed. I have prayed for people to be healed and God would heal them immediately and totally. However, when they or members of their families become sick, they will not come to me for healing? Instead, THEY GO TO THE DOCTOR. Satan has instilled within them the twin curses of PRIDE AND FEAR. They will have nothing to do with me publicly because their PRIDE will not allow them to admit that they are theologically wrong and have been wrong all along. They FEAR that, if they become associated with me they will lose their standing with their families and churchmates. AND THEY ARE RIGHT. As the Lord tells us, SATAN’S DARKNESS HATES GOD’S LIGHT BECAUSE IT EXPOSES WHAT GOES ON IN THE DARKNESS IN WHICH THE INSTITUTIONAL CHURCH EXISTS (Jn. 3:19). People know I am right but refuse to associate with me due to that same pride and fear. They have been told that they are in God’s light and that people like me are in darkness.

Several years ago I wrote an article in the local newspaper in which I Biblically proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that the modern-day church is an abomination to the Lord. One local pastor told one of his parishioners that everything I had written in the article was true, but that HE AND THEIR CHURCH REJECTED EVERY WORD OF IT. INCREDIBLY, EVEN AFTER HEARING HIM ADMIT THE TRUTH, THE PARISHIONER REMAINED IN THAT CHURCH. Another pastor was questioned by a reporter as to why he and his church were doing things that God condemns in the Bible. He replied that his church went “… OUTSIDE OF THE BIBLE” for their truths. I will close with what happened to me personally not long after God brought me to the city in which I now live.

After reading the newspaper article mentioned above, a group of local people contacted me. They had for some time been praying that God would send them a leader who would teach them His Truth. They were sure that I was the answer to their prayers. Then one of them asked for my opinion about an issue that is addressed in depth by the Apostle Paul. I replied that I believed what was written in the Bible. I NEVER HEARD FROM THEM AGAIN. Jesus was right: “SATAN HAS DECEIVED THE WHOLE WORLD” AND RULES 99.99% OF THE PEOPLE IN IT (Rev. 12:9). L.J.