I know in the times I felt in His presence, I've felt a calming effect. Oh sure, I believe at the first, I was fearful but my feelings of fear would turn to peace. Thinking about the times in the Bible when someone (human) came face to face with Him, wasn't it always, fear not, don't be afraid?
I've thought quite a bit about this subject lately.The angels are very powerful created beings. Some have fallen from God's grace, whatever that means. Now they use their power for harm and not for good. When Jesus was here on earth and He came in contact with someone with a demon, the demon was certainly afraid of Him. All I remember that Jesus did with demons was to drive them out; tell them / him to come out.
I was reminded of the following scripture:
Matthew 8:28-32
New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Restores Two Demon-Possessed Men
28 When he (Jesus) arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes,[a] two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 29 “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”30 Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31 The demons begged Jesus, if you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”
32 He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water.
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Does Satan and the other fallen angels believe in this everlasting hell too, a place of unending torment? I know God has ever right to do this to us, but we call Him "Father." It makes no sense for Father to torture His children forever!
Have you ever noticed a family that you really admired and thought, "Wow, wouldn't it be wonderful to be a part of that family!" The father is so kind and gentle with his children and the children are a reflection of the father.
I keep thinking about Jesus saying that all things would be restored before He returns.
Mark 9:11-13
New International Version (NIV)
11 And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”
12 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected?
12 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected?
Matthew 17:10-11
New International Version (NIV)
10 The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”
11 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things.
11 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things.
Acts 1:6-8
New International Version (NIV)
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
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Was Jesus foretelling that all would repent, even the fallen angels, before His return? Repentance would be the only way for this to happen; all of us will have to look at ourselves in the mirror and grieve over what we see.
Something or someone just told me to return to some notes I had made a while back having to do with "Restoring the Kingdom". I came across these scriptures:
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
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Was Jesus foretelling that all would repent, even the fallen angels, before His return? Repentance would be the only way for this to happen; all of us will have to look at ourselves in the mirror and grieve over what we see.
Something or someone just told me to return to some notes I had made a while back having to do with "Restoring the Kingdom". I came across these scriptures:
Malachi 4
New International Version (NIV)
Judgment and Covenant Renewal
4 [a]“Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire, ” says the Lord Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them. 2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves. 3 Then you will trample on the wicked; (could this be our own wicked fleshly bodies?) they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty.
4 “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel.
5 “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”
Other scriptures to ponder:
Ephesians 3:14-21
New International Version (NIV)
A Prayer for the Ephesians
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Romans 11:25-36
New International Version (NIV)
All Israel Will Be Saved
25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, 26 and in this way[a] all Israel will be saved. As it is written:
28 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, 29 for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. 30 Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now[d] receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. 32 For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
Doxology
33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and[e] knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”[f]
35 “Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?”[g]
36 For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”[f]
35 “Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?”[g]
36 For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen
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