If Satan means the adversary, against Christ, (contrary to the Will of God), Does this also include each of us (our old man)?

Hello Brothers,

There are some things that keep turning over in my heavens, which I'm hopeful a study(ies) can be done to see what the Scriptures reveal.

First, I'd like to ask again for a study to be done on the topic of Satan. I know when I brought this up before a few scriptures were given to me which would lead us to think that Satan is a single spirit, but is that what the sum of the Word tells us. From what I am seeing, the meaning of Satan is adversary, so does that not mean anything that is anti-Christ (contrary to the Will of God), which doesn’t that include each of us (our old man). Doesn't Jesus address Peter as Satan when Peter opposes the things that be of God:

Matthew 16:22-24 King James Version (KJV)22

Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the

things that be of God, but those that be of men.

24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow

me.

Now, if I believe that anything that is the adversary of God is encapsulated in the term “Satan”, then this leads me to my next question/topic:

In Genesis chapter 3, the Lord tells the serpent (Satan aka our old man) that “dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life” (our sinful flesh)……now, in the resurrection all flesh has been destroyed, thereby there is nothing more for the serpent (Satan aka our old man) to “eat”, and if there is nothing to eat doesn’t it die (no more flesh/sin). This wouldn’t happen just for those the Lord is revealing himself to in this age, but also all mankind, correct. If there is no more sea/flesh, then the old man cannot live as there is nothing to “eat”. If this is true, then wouldn’t that mean that when the resurrection takes place that ALL are given the full reward at that time?

Wouldn't that then fulfil the scripture that says, “the last shall be first, and the first shall be last”…..the last would get the full reward instantaneously, but we who the Lord is revealing himself to in this age would get the full reward last, albeit at the same time, as we have seen it from afar off, thereby we are waiting on it.

Hugs,Tbone

Ayo's email response

My thoughts and comments:

Yes, that’s correct, but that’s only one side of it.

Anything that is contrary to the things of God, that is not in express image, is still in the realm of the flesh, is an adversary to the Spirit of God.

Anything that is contrary to the things / spirit of this world, that is not in the natural temporal image, is an adversary to the Flesh.

We must thoroughly understand what adversary is according to the mind of Christ, not just of men.

To men, Christ is and does appear to be an adversary to the (natural) spirit in Man. Several times he was accused of being so, simply because he opposed/withstood the long standing traditions of the day.

John 8:48 (KJV)

48 Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?

John 8:52 (KJV)

52 Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.

John 10:20 (KJV)

20 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?

The word adversary is double edged like any other scriptural words.

Exodus 23:22 (KJV)

22 But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.

The letter “adversary” or “SATAN” is NOT just bound to evil spirit, rulers of this world.

When God opposes, He uses the same word/letter to show His opposition in the kingdom of men.

Numbers 22:22 (KJV)

22 And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the Lord stood in the way for an adversary [H7853- Satan] against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.

H7853- adversary

Hebrew: ׂשטן

Transliteration: ώâţân

Pronunciation: saw-tawn'

Definition: From H7853; an opponent; especially (with the article prefixed) {Satan} the arch enemy of good: - {adversary} {Satan} withstand.

KJV Usage: Satan (19x), adversary (7x), withstand (1x).

Who is the angel of the Lord in this current hour standing against the prophets of Babylon of this day...as an adversary?

Is it not you and I in the spirit of Christ, primarily resisting AGAINST evil within the flesh manifesting in actions without?

This truth is hidden from the writers of Strongs concordance, as from the verse above, it will read God, through His Angel is OPPOSING, the arch enemy of good?

But as has been revealed to us, the word adversary itself is double edged. It depends on what one is opposing.

Doesn't Jesus address Peter as Satan when Peter opposes the things that be of God:

Matthew 16:22-24 King James Version (KJV)

22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Now, if I believe that anything that is the adversary of God is encapsulated in the term “Satan”, then this leads me to my next question/topic:

**Correction: ** Anything that is an adversary (can be of the flesh or of the spirit of God) is encapsulated, signified as the word Satan.

Yes, the word “Satan” is almost always identified to most people as the devil, the adversary of God.

But the Hebrew word itself is an active, a nature, describing the act of a spirit.

God himself can be and is an adversary to the flesh.

We can then use the same ‘letter’- Satan- to explain/describe that opposition.

The mind of the Spirit is not bound by the letters.

For example, If I oppose you, withstand you, I am as the Hebrew word/letter "Satan" to you- an adversary. And vice verse.

Peter opposed Christ because the spirit of the world manifested in him, the spirit of Satan.

Since Christ’s Words are Spirit, Christ directly addressed the Spirit within Peter.

Christ knew it was not of Peter himself, but the spirit that had dominion over him then, Pre-Pentecost.

Babylon will label true believers as “devils”- evil to them.

But does that make them devils in the sight of God, evil doers?

Not at all.

Though the Spirit of the world (Babylon) is opposed in the hearts and minds of God’s new creatures, men with their natural mind will see them as their adversary- because:

Galatians 5:16-17 (NKJV)

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, [=adversary of each other..] so that you do not do the things that you wish. I

The dead walking after the lusts of the flesh knows nothing.

They know nothing SPIRITUAL as known of God, like what Satan is and the Sum of his attributes. This cannot be comprehended by the natural man.

The Word of God is not bound in one direction. We must always make that difference/distinction.

That is why we are given a spirit of discernment to make a difference in the word being spoken.

What man calls love can be evil in the sight of God. We need discernment for that.

Likewise the word “Christ” is not to the mature a definition of all that is good in the sight of God.

Matthew 24:4-5 (NKJV)

4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you.

5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. [=...because of many Christ. Hence the word Christ itself must always be tried/proved to see what Spirit is in it (through examining his doctrine)]

We must know and discern which spirit of Christ is being spoken of all the time, (= His teachings & fruit) as there are many Christ, (anointed but of what spirit? Isaiah 30:1) who are adversaries to the one and only true Christ.

Not discerning the word adversary or Christ is HOW the letters kills.

Adversary of God (=Satan) can and does appear as ‘Christ’, deceiving the simple minded.

As skilful practitioners of the Word, we must always look at the double sides of a word, one of our essential principles we’ve been taught.

Another example:

Christ- can be “after the flesh”.

At this stage, knowing Him after the flesh becomes a veil, an adversary, withstanding you and I, because we know him after the spirit of the world, thus withstanding us from going to know Him after the Spirit, through the veil.

Job 1:7 (KJV)

7 And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.[..=in the earth..]

Satan, (adversary of God) he that has been delivered the power of death for a season, is a SINGLE spirit walking up and down, to and fro...the EARTH.

But we must understand what that “single spirit” means, and all that is in Him.

He is the the manifestations of ‘death’- residing in the CARNAL MIND. The mind of man is CARNAL, because of who dwells in it, who has power over it, who manifests his power through it BY NATURE.

Thus in the correct usage of the word, Satan is at one with the carnal mind, the same way Christ is at one with the Spiritual mind.

Thus we can say the manifestations of the carnal mind is of Satan. The destruction of the carnal mind is the destruction of the adversary of God-Satan.

Yes, He is a single being with MANY manifestations/appearances inhabiting “the earth”.

The first earth is his temporary dominion, for a short time.

And the earth is....”Adam.”

1 Corinthians 15:47 (KJV)

The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

There are billions of souls within the first Adam, within the earth. You and I are part of that.

So the spirit of Satan fills ALL, present in all the earth, the natural heart of Man.

So when we say "single being", we do not mean single in like YOU are a single person, and can only inhabit YOU or I or others one at a physical time. No, not at all.

It is a single spirit, not a single PHYSICAL being.

Revelation 12:7 (NKJV)

7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought,

Michael (Christ) is a single spirit with His angels, likewise the leader of his pack, the dragon.

The dragon is one spirit, inhabiting all first heaven of Man, where spiritual warfare AGAINST him begins.

Revelation 20:2 (NKJV)

2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years;

He is the lawless ONE....not two.

2 Thessalonians 2:9 (NKJV) The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,

The lawless one can appear innumerable ways in the flesh.... HIMSELF.

2 Corinthians 11:14 (NKJV) And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.

As he is a carnal spirit, he is not BOUND by linear time. He can only die, be destroyed THROUGH the fire of God, signified as the Lake of Fire. That death process is what we label in the Spirit as the “second death”- death of death.

Destruction of he that has been given the power of death is only BY his creator and Lord- Christ Jesus.

So, to summarise this point, when we say ‘single being’, that is to be understood as a spirit encompassing all flesh.

Another example:

Just as there is one body, and many members within that body- likewise think of Adam as one body (of flesh/sin) one blood, one spirit of man within it.

The varying MANIFESTATIONS of that singular spirit is what makes the billions of physical characters in the world, with different levels of adversarial spirit- all that is in the world in each man.

The attributes of that singular Spirit is divided severally in every man, no one person manifesting physically ALL the workings of Satan- lusts of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life resident in the flesh.

All the works of the flesh- Gal 5:22+ are of Satan’s power upon the earth.

Think of Adam as one body- Mankind.

Meditate on this verse below, but apply it in the NATURAL first, before elevating it as Paul means it in the bringing together of one body of Christ- the glorious body with the divine nature of God.

1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (KJV)

12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

So also is the body of death/Sin, where Satan has his dominion, operating the law of sin and death, where his strength resides.

1 Corinthians 15:56 (NKJV). The sting of death [...realm of Satan, the Devil..] is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.

Within that body of sin is MANY members. (The population of this world, all men.)

Let us apply this verse in the letters first:

13 For by one Spirit [...of Satan...] are we all baptized into one body, [..of sin, born of flesh & blood..] whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.[...of the world..]

14 For the body is not one member, but many. [...billions of soul in Adam]

Then, the true fulfilment of this verse is that ALL will be baptised (through the lake of fire, destroying ALL enemies, all adversaries of God signified in Satan, the devil- “Death”) into the risen Christ, the Last Adam, the new creation.

This is the age-lasting purpose of God, the secret of all secrets, to baptise into/graft in/bring in/reconcile/redeem ETCETERA INTO THE BODY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Ephesians 3:4-6 (KJV)

4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

That secret in verse 6 is the "full reward" that has been hidden from the eyes of many.

We are simply speaking that which is written. Being grafted in Christ as a reward may not mean much to the inhabitants of the earth at this time, but for some...it is everything. To you and I, it is.

The truth that Gentiles (those who do not know God, all of us by nature-1Thes 4:5) will all be grafted into THE FULL reward, that is, into God through Jesus Christ was greatly opposed by our previous fellowship, accusing us of daring to make them EQUAL with us.

We faced much hurtful losses over that. Ridiculed and 'cast out' from their point of view from the Truth.

Our growth and further understanding has enlighteninged us now that, there is a great simplicity in Christ. It is no longer profitable to strife, argue, debate about these things no matter what adversary is sent to us.

Our commission is to take heed to ourselves, and hold fast to the doctrine of Christ, the Sum of all that is written, and continue to do, as much as is in us.

Salvation of all men simply means, through destruction of death (Satan, adversary of God) all will be “fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ “

And look how we suffered greatly, fiercely opposed about that truth?

That is the workings of Satan revealed, a higher realm of falsehoods and deceptions, not comprehended by the natural man.

Now let’s make this living Word more practical, so you fully comprehend what has happened, and we are not playing about with surface knowledge.

In which group do you reckon Satan’s spirit, adversary of the truth, enemy of all righteousness manifested?

Those who believes Salvation of all means as above?

Or those who do, sincerely, believe salvation of all in the letters, but fiercely opposed, adversarial to the TRUE reward that Gentiles will also be “fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ “?

Again, you and I must continue to take heed to ourselves to be vigilant of the subtilty of Satan.

He’s been deceiving the whole world for a while...a "little time".

He’s “very good” at it through the carnal mind so the natural man can’t see, can’t comprehend that...in due time, all will be grafted into the Body of Christ- fiercely hated truth by MANY.

Lo’, you have seen it in the Spirit.

Romans 11:23 (KJV) And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graff them in again.

Romans 11:25 (KJV)

25 For I would not, brethren, [..Theresa ...Roderick, Victor, Ernesto and the remnant...] that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; [..,as happened to our former fellowship..] that blindness in part is happened to Israel, [..***through the service of Satan***...] until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.[...”come in” to where?

To “be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:”- **THIS IS THE GRAFTING IN.**]

Let us meditate on this.

What other reward is greater than having the Father and the Son?

Being in the Father and the Son is:

No more pain, infections, weakness of the flesh.✅

death, diseases, war, poverty , injustice of this age, sorrow etc, ✅

abundant peace, joy, love, riches of the Spirit etc ✅

in a new GLORIOUS body, NEW age— not even worthy to be compared ✅with being in Adam, under the king of death for a “little time”.

Words fail us.

It’s even ridiculous to dare compare the FULL REWARD.

2 John 1:8-9 (KJV)

8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. [=Our FULL REWARD.]

Romans 8:18 (NKJV)

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time [...under the reign of death/flesh - Satan the god of this world..] are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Theresa continues:

In Genesis chapter 3, the Lord tells the serpent (Satan aka our old man) that “dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life” (our sinful flesh)……**now, in the resurrection** all flesh has been destroyed, thereby there is nothing more for the serpent (Satan aka our old man) to “eat”, and if there is nothing to eat doesn’t it die (no more flesh/sin).

*Let us focus on that statement.*

This is correct, exactly what the Scripture teaches.

“In the resurrection”, is simply “In Christ Jesus”- a new creation.

Being in Christ is to be in the “first resurrection”.

Old things have passed away...”all flesh has been destroyed” as you said, including this old being:

Revelation 12:9 (NKJV)

9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Revelation 20:2 (NKJV)

2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years;

“That serpent of old” thankfully is part of the old things that MUST pass away.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, [=the First resurrection...] he is a new creation; old things have passed away; [...including “that serpent of old”..] behold, all things have become new.

Destroy the flesh- the serpent of old is starved to death.

Another great parable.

Theresa continues:

This wouldn’t happen just for those the Lord is revealing himself to in this age, but also all mankind, correct?

—Absolutely correct.—

If there is no more sea/flesh, then the old man cannot live as there is nothing to “eat”.

Absolutely Correct.

That “nothing to eat” is signified as FAMINE/ FASTING in Scripture.

Fasting is denying the flesh, which is another symbolism for death of death= the Cross =second death/LOF= beheading by the Sword etc.

Famine affects all land, not just a single person.

All these are One and the same meaning, leading to the destruction of the adversary of God / Satan.

Remember “old things passed [passing] away”....the passing away of “that serpent of old”, is the passing away of the spirit in “the old man”, who passes away with him.

Destruction of the old man is the destruction of the the serpent of old, the spirit of Satan.

He can only be destroyed by a spiritual event, (LOF) not mere physical death.

The flesh profits nothing.

Romans 6:6-7 (KJV) Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

7 For he that is dead [=...through the second death/LOF= The Cross...] is freed from sin.

Theresa continues:

If this is true, then wouldn’t that mean that when the resurrection takes place that ALL are given the full reward at that time?

Yes. That is absolutely correct again.

“WHEN” is the operative word.

“When the resurrection takes place”, that means one has RISEN from the dead...and what happens then as just said above?

7 For he that is dead [=...through the second death/LOF= The Cross...and Now risen..] is freed from sin.

Being free from sin is a great reward, when we truly comprehend all that is in the realm of Sin.

Also, always keep in mind who/what the full reward is. That’s the secret.

It is being grafted into the body of Christ, FROM the body of Adam (Mankind) for God to be ALL in ALL.

This is the reward of (new) Life FROM death (As in Adam, all die)

The Spirit that was appointed for a season, (“little time”) having power over death, that is, Adam, is the devil, the adversary whose time is now over, WHEN we are fully grafted in Christ.

James 4:14 (KJV)

14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Revelation 12:12 (KJV) Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

But as you hopefully learnt in the Times study, a signified “little / short time” in the spirit can work out in linear time from a few minutes to years to thousand linear earth years.

That is, as long as one is in the flesh (in Adam), death reigns.

But before the resurrection from the dead takes place, we were all reserved under damnation of this flesh, that singular spirit divided in all men- “that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan,”-Rev 12:9- was ‘going to and fro upon our earth, up and down it’, an Old Testament way of saying this:

Ephesians 2:2-3 (KJV)

2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; [=Satan going up and down, to and fro’ the earth..] and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Notice- “THE Spirit”-

Satan is singular spirit, working within the natural hearts of all men,”the old man”, “dust of the earth “- the children of the flesh/wrath/disobedience.

The old man IS NOT Satan himself, keeping to a pattern of sound words. The old man is the vessel of dishonour that Satan inhabits.

Notice that former “conversation” (=manner of life) in the lusts of our flesh was life upon the earth of the old man, THROUGH the spirit of Satan working disobedience, “the workings of Satan”-2Thess2. in the temple of God.

It is NOT the old man working disobedience of himself.

We can say the old man and Satan are one, in the sense that Satan works through him, need the dust to live on, sits on that throne of his heart.

2 Thessalonians 2:4 (NKJV) who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

The same way we in Christ can say we are one with Him, as He works righteousness through us.

But we are not THE Jesus Christ, but members of His Body.

The other side of that Sword is Christ. He is also One, above all, Lord of Satan, working within the heart of all Men, Satan as His tool to attain to His age-lasting purpose.

Theresa continues:

Wouldn't that then fulfil the scripture that says, “the last shall be first, and the first shall be last”…..the last would get the full reward instantaneously, but we who the Lord is revealing himself to in this age would get the full reward last, albeit at the same time, as we have seen it from afar off, thereby we are waiting on it.

—-The secret to the timing of attainment of the reward is to completely let go of seeing time in the linear sense, that is, FIRST vs LAST as a linear timeline.

Keep in mind HOW one attains the reward AND what the reward is.

The full reward is simply to be a PARTAKER of Christ, the Way whereby God will be all in all.

Keep in mind that once death is destroyed in each man in the First Adam,- (spirit of Satan is no more, “time no longer”) at the appointed time of the Father ( so this is NOT linear time) the only place remaining is to be in the New Man, the Last Adam, that is, the body of Jesus Christ.

When Christ is risen in the hearts of all men, (through destruction of death/Satan by LOF/second death) death is no more.

Being in the FIRST Adam is a figure, a shadow of being the first, God’s old creation, His beginning.

Being in the risen Christ is what makes us the true FIRST, in the Spirit being as the first fruit/ firstborn of His (new) creatures.

We are also the LAST in the Spirit, in Christ, because we come THROUGH others with the same spirit of Christ who were grafted in before us to be a partaker of the divine nature, the End of His creation.

Christ is the true firstborn/first fruit. Our Head goes First.

Then by being members of His Body, we come out the darkness of the womb (this world) LAST, the true fulfilment.

Like the body of a baby comes out last after the head first comes out, a type and shadow of the birth of the New Man.

So the Body comes LAST after the Head comes FIRST.

But in the Spirit, both are one, in Christ.

Revelation 2:8 (NKJV)

8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead,[=dead, bring in sinful flesh, figure of the first..] and came to life: [..fulfilling the true first and Last.]

This verse below perfectly reveals how we all fulfil the first and the last, in the Spirit - not linear time. Apply it within and it makes more sense.

Romans 11:30-31 (KJV)

30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, [=were LAST..] yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: [=become FIRST through the mercy of Christ.]

31 Even so have these also now not believed, [=...still fulfilling LAST now..] that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.[..become FIRST in the Spirit.]

To conclude, Satan is an adversary used as a tool in the hand of the Lord. To reserve Adam under death for a season, to have an experience of evil, to learn the value of the divine nature through the natural things delivered unto Satan for a season.

Matthew 4:7 (KJV)

7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

Luke 4:6-8 (KJV)

6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.

7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.

8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Satan is a servant of the Lord our God, working all things after the counsel of His own will for a “little time.” in all flesh.

Colossians 1:16 (NKJV)

16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things [..including Satan..] were created through Him and for Him.

I hope this helps reveals more of the mystery hidden from our natural man.

With love and hugs,

Your brother in Him,

~Ayo

Hugs,

Tbone

Roderick's response….

Thanks Ayo,

This has added even more to my thoughts as simply seeing the word "satan" and all the related terms as an adversary (=one who opposes).

Theresa, I can see why some things are confusing to you now.

It's very important to see both sides to discern good and evil and it's very important to see things according to the spirit of God.

It didn't dawn on me that when people was saying a single being it was maybe meant as one person like the natural mans see it, instead of as spirit joined (all in agreement) as one like Christ , the father, and we are of one spirit (we all agree as one under the new testament of his blood).

John 17:21 I pray that they may all be one. Father! May they be in us, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they be one, so that the world will believe that you sent me.

1 Corinthians 10:16 EASYWhen we eat the Lord's Supper together, we remember that Christ died on our behalf. We thank God for the wine that we drink from the cup. In that way, we remember that we all belong to Christ because of his blood. We also break the bread and we eat it together. In that way, we remember that we all belong to Christ because of his body that died on the cross .

Also it didn't dawn on me that when we say the old man, if not explain clearer , it would be seen as just satan instead of being the old kingdom (head and the body, or lamp of the body, heaven and earth) or the new kingdom (true christ and his body, the children of the free]

Ephesians 4:15 NLTInstead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.

Matthew 6:22-24 The eye (=the light, wisdom and understanding ) is like a lamp that lights the body. So if your eye is healthy [ the spirit of Christ ], then your whole body [all its members, children of the light ] will have light. But if your eye is evil[the spirit of error, also the satan that opposes the flesh, the father of darkness ],, then your whole body will be in the dark[all its members, children of the devil ] . If the light in you is darkness, how dark is that!

1 Thessalonians 5:4-5 ESVBut you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.

To end this, here is another example of the word 'Christ" as being also another parable to describe both true light and false light (wisdom and truth).

Mark 13:22 ESV

For false christs and false prophets will arise [=arguments and every lofty [high =proud], opinion raised against the knowledge of God], and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect.

Colossians 3:1 Therefore, if you have been raised together with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

To make it plain for edification, these are those high lofty thoughts, false doctrines and evil nature in our mind (the carnal mind) that opposes the knowledge of God.

2 Corinthians 10:4-6 ESVFor the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty [ high =proud] opinion raised against the knowledge of God,[=For false christs and false prophets will arise] and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

Thanks Theresa for your questions and thank you Ayo for this write up. Excellent!! And most importantly, thank you God for Christ and your grace.

Roderick

Ernesto's email response

Ayo!!!!! Thank you for this contribution, bro. This was fire. I pray that you were edified, Theresa.

I did make one MINOR change. I changed "spiritual being" and replaced it with "spirit" because using the term "spiritual being" is a stumbling block for many. For those who are mature it is a matter of "tomayto, tomahto" but for those that are just starting to come out of the world view of "ghosts, eternal souls, and angels and demons literally fighting in the sky above" a spirit being denotes a literal spirit-person like a ghostly apparition, or a "soul" that is out of it's body and literally walking around the world in it's "ghostly" skin and clothing, poking people on their sides, pulling their legs while they sleep, or banging on walls and throwing dishes around while no one is looking.

As you pointed out, Ayo, Satan is ONE spirit in that ALL evil that is in the world, all that is against (an adversary to) the knowledge of Christ and our Father, is a part of that ONE "spirit of the world" (the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life) that has been working in all men through Adam.

Ephesians 2:2 NIV in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

The "ways of the world" rules us because our minds (the "kingdom of the air") are filled with bad/erroneous information and words that are contrary to the truth from our birth. Even our children, whom we will raise up in the knowledge of the truth, will have to contend with the "ways of the world" that will be put into their minds by those "outside" of our teaching. To what degree depends on the amount of faith our Father will increase within them. Nonetheless, ALL MEN will have to overcome Satan to some degree. All men are "possessed" by "evil spirits" according to the Lord's measure. Being "possessed by demons" simply means that our minds are filled with darkness and ignorance.

Ephesians 4:18 KJV Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

Compare that to how we are to be "filled" with the spirit of the Lord (knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of the truth).Ephesians 5:17-18 KJV 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Those who walk in the spirit of the Lord are possessed by the spirit of our Father. The ONE spirit of Christ, according to the measure that has been given to us.

I hope this adds a bit. Ayo, Roderick, thank you brothers for your input. I look forward to a discussion amongst the brethren that will come from this.

YbitC,

Ernesto