| At the Gates of Eden Early in human history we see two brothers worshiping at the gates of the Garden of Eden[352]. It is significant to note that they were brothers, both were worshiping the same God, on identical altars, at the same location. On the surface, they both appear to have the same objective. What distinguished the true worshiper? Cain claimed to worship God, but offered a sacrifice of his devising. When he didn’t like the worship his brother offered, he killed him. In this instance, Abel’s enemy was not an outsider, but his own brother and fellow worshiper. The book of Job is also a microcosm of God’s people in the last days—when God removes all outward support and protection and Satan is given free hand[353], as God’s people will go through “the time of trouble.”. In Job’s story, we see him lose everything—his possessions, his family, and his health. “Yet in all this, Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.”[354] But this was only the first 2 chapters... In the following 35 chapters, we see Job’s real trial. Three of his friends came to comfort Job in his agony and heartbreak. They were so sincere that when they saw Job “they began to weep and wail, tearing their clothes in grief and throwing dust into the air and on their heads[355]. Then they sat there on the ground with him for seven days and nights without saying a word, because they saw how much he was suffering.”[356] When his friends finally spoke, they began to picture God as arbitrary, vengeful, unforgiving and severe. It was all done very piously and described as “justice.” Job spoke very candidly to God. His three friends said, “You can’t talk to God that way! He’ll kill you! He is a very fearsome God. You really deserve the punishment you’re getting!” Job maintained that God was not that kind of person; and in the end, God endorsed Job’s testimony about him[357]. The subject in the book of Job is not human suffering; God himself said the subject is his own character. During his time of trouble, nothing Satan did in chapters 1 & 2 could make Job falter; but the three pious “friends” almost made Job break down. Again in this instance, Job’s true enemies were not the heathen, but those who believed in God. They believed in God, but their picture of the kind of person he is was in sharp contrast with Job’s. And it was these “believers” that caused Job’s time of trouble. We could also discuss in detail the horrors of the inquisition, where millions upon millions of believers were tortured in the most sadistic and inhuman manner—not for crimes or treason, but for daring to have copies of the Scriptures, for their failure to conform to the established religion. These horrible crimes against humanity were perpetrated—not by evil Nazis, atheists or heathen, but by church leaders—all in the name of God! Present at every scene of torture or execution were always upheld crucifixes and pictures of the virgin Mary. But the clearest example is with the experience of Christ himself. “If the world hates you, just remember that it has hated me first. Remember what I told you: ‘No slave is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you too.”[358] Jesus was persecuted and tortured to death—not by the adulterers, prostitutes and tax collectors—but by the leaders of God’s people. Under their influence, the majority sided against Jesus and cried out, “Crucify him!” All in the name of God. Jesus further warned that even worse things would come upon us: “They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.”[359] Sunagoge, the root of the Greek word used in this verse, literally means a “gathering,” or “assembly”—which would include church congregations. Soon we will witness Satan’s final efforts to win the human family to his side. Every person on this planet will have to decide if they believe the former Lightbearer’s testimony of what God is like, or Christ’s testimony of God’s character and government. Most will choose the god of force, fear, intimidation and manipulation Satan will try to pawn off as the true God. Only a small group, a “remnant,” will see through his wiles.[360] While the counterfeit movement will proclaim “love,” their true colors will show when they are crossed. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and follow me. They will not follow a stranger, but run away from him.”[361] The angels will see a whole group of human beings under the most unfavorable circumstances go through what they did in Heaven, and not collapse, when one third of them did. |
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| 352 see Genesis chapter 4 353 The name Job means “trouble” 354 Job 1:22 355 ancient signs of extreme sorrow and mourning 356 Job 2:12, 13 357 Job 42:7, 8 358 John 15:18, 20 359 John 16:2 360 Revelation 13:3, Revelation 12:17 361 John 10:4, 5, paraphrased |
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