Satan Prepping

[InChrist]

Just because the transfiguration occurred later does not mean that was what that prophecy was about. From the context it was clear that the second coming was to be some time later. The context implied that most would be dead by that time. None of them were dead.

I appreciate your perspective and also acknowledge our different views. I just don’t think Jesus meant He was coming back before the death of the disciples, since the scriptures clearly show He intended to use them to establish the beginning of the church and the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to all parts of the world, from that time in history and onward. As I previously said, the scriptures flow right into the Transfiguration taking place just six days later, with no break in the narrative.

And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.” 2 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4 And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.
Mark 9:1-4

So the three disciples; Peter, James, and John whom Jesus had just spoken to six days earlier did see Him in His Kingdom, in power and glory before they died, while still alive.

Peter also later acknowledged this…

For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.
2 Peter 1:16-18


I think the connection in the narrative rules out the possibility that Jesus was referring to anything but the Transfiguration event when the three disciples saw Him in His Kingdom glory, which was a miniature glimpse for them of the glorious Kingdom of God to come at the end of the age. I believe Peter and the other disciples understood this to be the case.

 

[InChrist]

Johns term "anti-Christ" referred to anyone who denied or denies Jesus is the Christ. It wasn't a single individual.

Jesus defeated Satan, he was taken away along with those who joined his cause.

John seemed to believe that Jesus would "soon return" 2000 years ago. He was wrong.

Every generation thinks it's in the worst times.

The Jewish Messiah remains MIA and the apocalyptic prophecies associated with a Messiah never came true.


18Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19They went out from us, but they did not belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But their departure made it clear that none of them belonged to us.20You, however, have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.c 21I have not written to you because you lack knowledge of the truth, but because you have it, and because no lie comes from the truth. 22Who is the liar, if it is not the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, who denies the Father and the Son. 23Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father, but whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well.

There are anti-Christ's on this forum.

It is true that the scriptures refer to any who deny Christ as antichrists. Nevertheless, there are other passages which refer to a specific and final Antichrist world leader.

 

[Subduction Zone]

I appreciate your perspective and also acknowledge our different views. I just don’t think Jesus meant He was coming back before the death of the disciples, since the scriptures clearly show He intended to use them to establish the beginning of the church and the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to all parts of the world, from that time in history and onward. As I previously said, the scriptures flow right into the Transfiguration taking place just six days later, with no break in the narrative.

And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.” 2 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4 And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.
Mark 9:1-4

So the three disciples; Peter, James, and John whom Jesus had just spoken to six days earlier did see Him in His Kingdom, in power and glory before they died, while still alive.

Peter also later acknowledged this…

For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.
2 Peter 1:16-18


I think the connection in the narrative rules out the possibility that Jesus was referring to anything but the Transfiguration event when the three disciples saw Him in His Kingdom glory, which was a miniature glimpse for them of the glorious Kingdom of God to come at the end of the age. I believe Peter and the other disciples understood this to be the case.

The prophecy that I was talking about was clearer in Luke and Matthew. Even your example does not meet the context:

In Matthew it is not limited to the disciples, you should rea al of Matthew 24 but this i is good enough, it is a failed prophecy:

"30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. 34 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."

He was to come when people from that generation would still be alive.

Luke 21 has basically the same prophecy. Bad things will happen to the disciples, but:

"32 “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away"

Guess what, it has been almost 2,000 years. Do you think any of that generation are alive? That is another clearly failed prophecy.

 

[Colt]

It is true that the scriptures refer to any who deny Christ as antichrists. Nevertheless, there are other passages which refer to a specific and final Antichrist world leader.

Lets discus those scriptures that refence a specific final Antichrist world leader.

 

[Colt]

The prophecy that I was talking about was clearer in Luke and Matthew. Even your example does not meet the context:

In Matthew it is not limited to the disciples, you should rea al of Matthew 24 but this i is good enough, it is a failed prophecy:

"30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. 34 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."

He was to come when people from that generation would still be alive.

Luke 21 has basically the same prophecy. Bad things will happen to the disciples, but:

"32 “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away"

Guess what, it has been almost 2,000 years. Do you think any of that generation are alive? That is another clearly failed prophecy.

Jesus warned his apostles to get out of Jerusalem before it was destroyed. As predicted Jerusalem did fall and the Temple was completely destroyed.

Eyewitnesses that were interviewed for the Gospel accounts confused the coming of the spirit of truth at Pentecost with the literal second coming. When word of mouth stories spread those stories change.

 

[Jainarayan]

It fake images like the one you posted that Satan loves people to see and conclude his existence is ridiculous. When people are ignorant of their enemy and the powerful devices being used against them they are more vulnerable.

There's no proof Satan exists. That evil exists in the world, and that humans do evil is no proof of his existence. Nor is it proof of "sin" in the world caused by his (nonexistent) influence. Evil exists because it is the absence of good, just as dark is the absence of light. Hitler and the Nazis, Mao Zedong, Pol Pot, Pinochet, and others committed the atrocities they did because there was nothing at the time to counter them. Then there was, and the evil was gone. "All that's necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing". It's not, as Flip Wilson used to say "The Devil made me do it". Christians have a completely unhealthy obsession with Satan and demons. No other religion has such an obsession. And while the picture I posted is a joke (but the guy is kind of sexy and hot .. no pun intended), I'm certainly not going to turn evil because I see a sexy (and hot don't forget hot ... no pun intended ) image of Satan.

 

[Subduction Zone]

Jesus warned his apostles to get out of Jerusalem before it was destroyed. As predicted Jerusalem did fall and the Temple was completely destroyed.

Eyewitnesses that were interviewed for the Gospel accounts confused the coming of the spirit of truth at Pentecost with the literal second coming. When word of mouth stories spread those stories change.

Did he now? Where does it say that? And you appear to be merely putting your own spin on the gospels. Lastly, none of them appear to be based on eyewitness accounts. Where did you get that claim from?

 

[Jainarayan]

And some were; just a few verses and days following, Peter, James and John saw Jesus in transfigured in His kingdom glory before their death. You must remember that the Kingdom of God is eternal and outside of time.

Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” Matthew 16:26


Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.
Matthew 17:1-3

Transfiguration. Hmm... Speaking of transfigurations ...

So saying, Hari, the Master of all spiritual powers, now revealed to Arjuna His transcendent form as the Lord of the universe.

Having countless faces and eyes; exhibiting countless features; provoking wonder; bedecked with countless celestial ornaments equipped with countless divine weapons held aloft; Wearing heavenly garlands and vestments; anointed with celestial unguents and perfumes; replete with incredible, marvelous features - a divinity boundless and all-seeing.

What brilliance there would have been if a thousand suns were to blaze forth all of a sudden in the sky - to that was comparable the splendor of that great Being. There in the body of that God of all divinities, the son of Pandu then saw the whole universe - a multiplicity abiding unified in His being. Thereupon Arjuna, struck with amazement and his hairs standing on end, bowed down before the Lord and said with hands folded in salutation.

Arjuna said:
I see Thee in Thy all encompassing form everywhere - with myriad arms, myriad trunks, myriad mouths, myriad eyes. O Lord of all! O the All-formed! I see not Thy beginning, Thy middle, or Thy end. I see Thee, boundless Being, diademed and armed with mace and discus, shining everywhere as a mass of light, and difficult to look at, like the blazing fire or the incandescent sun.

In my view Thou art the Supreme Imperishable Being to be realized - the world's ultimate refuge and the guardian of eternal law, most ancient and perennial. I see Thee - beginningless, middleless and endless; infinite in puissance; of boundless energy active everywhere; having the sun and the moon for eyes; with a face luminous like a flaming fire; and with spiritual radiance energizing everything. O High-souled One! All the three worlds tremble with fear at the sight of this wondrous, awe-inspiring form of Thine - the one existence that fills all space betwixt heaven and earth and all the quarters as well.

Verily, these bands of Devas [gods and celestial beings] enter into Thee, while others, awe-struck, stand with hands joined in salutation. Hosts of sages and celestial singers cry 'Hail' unto Thee, and extol Thee with hymns of abounding praise.

When I see Thy form reaching up to the skies and shining in varied hues, when I see Thy face ... and eyes large and glowing bright, I feel shaken to the core of my being with awe. O All-pervading One! My strength is exhausted and my mind is without peace. Even by beholding Thy faces, resembling the fire of cosmic destruction and striking terror ... I lose all sense of direction as also my presence of mind. O Thou the Lord of all and the home of the worlds! Be propitious unto me! Bhagavad Gita 11.9-29 (excerpted)

From Greek mythology (Semele - Wikipedia):
Zeus' wife, Hera, a goddess jealous of usurpers, discovered his affair with Semele when she later became pregnant. Appearing as an old crone,[17] Hera befriended Semele, who confided in her that her lover was actually Zeus. Hera pretended not to believe her, and planted seeds of doubt in Semele's mind. Curious, Semele asked Zeus to grant her a boon. Zeus, eager to please his beloved, promised on the River Styx to grant her anything she wanted. She then demanded that Zeus reveal himself in all his glory as proof of his divinity. Though Zeus begged her not to ask this, she persisted and he was forced by his oath to comply. Zeus tried to spare her by showing her the smallest of his bolts and the sparsest thunderstorm clouds he could find. Mortals, however, cannot look upon the gods without incinerating, and she perished, consumed in a lightning-ignited flame.[18]

These were at least 1,000 years before Jesus. The point is that similar stories run through many religious traditions, being repeated and passed down, influencing later traditions. One tradition in particular thinks theirs is the original and others are fake, or the work of the Devil though they are older. They sell God short and put limitations on him by thinking he cant, doesn't or won't use the same vehicles from age to age to teach.

 

[Sand Dancer]

There's no proof Satan exists. That evil exists in the world, and that humans do evil is no proof of his existence. Nor is it proof of "sin" in the world caused by his (nonexistent) influence. Evil exists because it is the absence of good, just as dark is the absence of light. Hitler and the Nazis, Mao Zedong, Pol Pot, Pinochet, and others committed the atrocities they did because there was nothing at the time to counter them. Then there was, and the evil was gone. "All that's necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing". It's not, as Flip Wilson used to say "The Devil made me do it". Christians have a completely unhealthy obsession with Satan and demons. No other religion has such an obsession. And while the picture I posted is a joke (but the guy is kind of sexy and hot .. no pun intended), I'm certainly not going to turn evil because I see a sexy (and hot don't forget hot ... no pun intended ) image of Satan.

We sure don't need any help in being evil sometimes.

 

[Colt]

Did he now? Where does it say that? And you appear to be merely putting your own spin on the gospels. Lastly, none of them appear to be based on eyewitness accounts. Where did you get that claim from?

Matthew 24:1-2 Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”


Jesus’ Prophecy Is Fulfilled, Documented By Secular Writers

The Jewish historian Josephus describes the destruction of Jerusalem and the murder of 1.1 million Jews, with 97,000 others taken as captives of war. Thousands were sold as slaves, with many more dispersed all over the world. This entire event is recorded by Josephus in the “Book of Wars,” Book 5, Chapter 22, Sections 1-3.[2]

Jesus warned His disciples ahead of time to flee Jerusalem before the siege began. He told them to watch for this sign:

“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Then let those in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled… There will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (Luke 21:20-24).

Jesus Predicts The Destruction Of Jerusalem And The Temple In 70 A.D.

 

[Subduction Zone]

Matthew 24:1-2 Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”


Jesus’ Prophecy Is Fulfilled, Documented By Secular Writers

The Jewish historian Josephus describes the destruction of Jerusalem and the murder of 1.1 million Jews, with 97,000 others taken as captives of war. Thousands were sold as slaves, with many more dispersed all over the world. This entire event is recorded by Josephus in the “Book of Wars,” Book 5, Chapter 22, Sections 1-3.[2]

Jesus warned His disciples ahead of time to flee Jerusalem before the siege began. He told them to watch for this sign:

“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Then let those in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled… There will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (Luke 21:20-24).

Jesus Predicts The Destruction Of Jerusalem And The Temple In 70 A.D.

He predicted the destruction of the temple. The temple was on!y part of Jerusalem.

And Josephus was not a writer of the gospels.

 

[InChrist]

The prophecy that I was talking about was clearer in Luke and Matthew. Even your example does not meet the context:

In Matthew it is not limited to the disciples, you should rea al of Matthew 24 but this i is good enough, it is a failed prophecy:

"30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. 34 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."

He was to come when people from that generation would still be alive.

Luke 21 has basically the same prophecy. Bad things will happen to the disciples, but:

"32 “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away"

Guess what, it has been almost 2,000 years. Do you think any of that generation are alive? That is another clearly failed prophecy.

Okay, thanks for elaborating your thoughts. Like and Matthew simply collaborate and give further information and perspectives to Mark’s account. You are misinterpreting the prophetic words of Christ. All that you posted above will happen at the end of the age; which is the time Jesus was referring to…
…And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end-of the age?” Matthew 24:3

Although, the destruction of the temple in 70 AD was included in what is known as a partial fulfillment of a double prophecy.

No, I don’t think the generation Jesus referred to has passed away. Biblical scholars are pretty much in agreement that the “fig tree” refers to Israel. The generation that has seen Israel established as a nation back in the land again is the generation that will not pass away before seeing the signs Jesus spoke of, including His return to earth to save Israel from destruction.

The fact that Israel is an established nation again for almost 75 years means Jesus’ return is getting very close. One major reason satan is working overtime to deceive and prepare people for the counterfeit antichrist.

 

[InChrist]

There's no proof Satan exists. That evil exists in the world, and that humans do evil is no proof of his existence. Nor is it proof of "sin" in the world caused by his (nonexistent) influence. Evil exists because it is the absence of good, just as dark is the absence of light. Hitler and the Nazis, Mao Zedong, Pol Pot, Pinochet, and others committed the atrocities they did because there was nothing at the time to counter them. Then there was, and the evil was gone. "All that's necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing". It's not, as Flip Wilson used to say "The Devil made me do it". Christians have a completely unhealthy obsession with Satan and demons. No other religion has such an obsession. And while the picture I posted is a joke (but the guy is kind of sexy and hot .. no pun intended), I'm certainly not going to turn evil because I see a sexy (and hot don't forget hot ... no pun intended ) image of Satan.

Some Christians do have an unhealthy obsession with the devil, blaming such a being for anything. Nevertheless, I think ignorance of the existence of a malevolent being as satan is also unhealthy and unwise, making one vulnerable and susceptible to deception. I believe the biblical scriptures offer important information concerning the spiritual realm and spiritual beings humans would otherwise be ignorant of or confused about. The evil individuals you listed; Mao, Hitler, and others were definitely evil, no doubt. What I see in evil perpetrators like these and so many others is often evil behavior that is inhumane and seems to be inspired or motivated by wickedness even beyond human sinfulness. Just my thoughts.

 

[Subduction Zone]

Okay, thanks for elaborating your thoughts. Like and Matthew simply collaborate and give further information and perspectives to Mark’s account. You are misinterpreting the prophetic words of Christ. All that you posted above will happen at the end of the age; which is the time Jesus was referring to…
…And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end-of the age?” Matthew 24:3

Although, the destruction of the temple in 70 AD was included in what is known as a partial fulfillment of a double prophecy.

No, I don’t think the generation Jesus referred to has passed away. Biblical scholars are pretty much in agreement that the “fig tree” refers to Israel. The generation that has seen Israel established as a nation back in the land again is the generation that will not pass away before seeing the signs Jesus spoke of, including His return to earth to save Israel from destruction.

The fact that Israel is an established nation again for almost 75 years means Jesus’ return is getting very close. One major reason satan is working overtime to deceive and prepare people for the counterfeit antichrist.

No, since there account even more so tells that that this is going to be at least a time after Jerusalem is attacked, if you want to claim that was his prophecy. The supposed transfiguration was before the attack on Jerusalem. Well before it.

 

[InChrist]

Lets discus those scriptures that refence a specific final Antichrist world leader.

Here’s a couple scripture references:


And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

2 Thessalonians 2:6-10

and

Revelation 13

 

[InChrist]

No, since there account even more so tells that that this is going to be at least a time after Jerusalem is attacked, if you want to claim that was his prophecy. The supposed transfiguration was before the attack on Jerusalem. Well before it.

Yes, the Transfiguration occurred before the attack on Jerusalem. Jesus said that some would see Him in His kingdom glory before they tasted death and six days later Peter, James, and John did.
Jesus never indicated they would see everything He was speaking about concerning the end time signs, destruction of Jerusalem, etc. or that all these things would happen simultaneously.

 

[Jainarayan]

Nevertheless, I think ignorance of the existence of a malevolent being as satan is also unhealthy and unwise, making one vulnerable and susceptible to deception

What type of deception? I don’t believe in the devil, so supposedly I’m ripe for the pickings. But how have I, for example, been deceived? Doing good work in the name of the God I worship? Has the Devil seduced me away from “the one true God” though I try to live as good a life as possible, doing the right thing (dharmic as we call it)? Firstly, that’s another bone to pick … I don’t know that the God of the Bible is God. He’s done some pretty bizarre and evil things himself. I can list a boat load of things, Christian, Hindu, and Buddhist that constitute good and bad behaviors, which are all pretty much the same. So then, how is someone like me vulnerable and susceptible to the devil’s machinations? How does he get a foot in my door? What am I in danger of doing evil because I deny the existence of the devil? I can’t be that spiritually strong or advanced.

 

[InChrist]

What type of deception? I don’t believe in the devil, so supposedly I’m ripe for the pickings. But how have I, for example, been deceived? Doing good work in the name of the God I worship? Has the Devil seduced me away from “the one true God” though I try to live as good a life as possible, doing the right thing (dharmic as we call it)? Firstly, that’s another bone to pick … I don’t know that the God of the Bible is God. He’s done some pretty bizarre and evil things himself. I can list a boat load of things, Christian, Hindu, and Buddhist that constitute good and bad behaviors, which are all pretty much the same. So then, how is someone like me vulnerable and susceptible to the devil’s machinations? How does he get a foot in my door? What am I in danger of doing evil because I deny the existence of the devil? I can’t be that spiritually strong or advanced.

I’m not going to tell you how you’ve been deceived. That’s up to God the Creator of heaven and earth. I only know how I was deceived and confused. God had to let me come to understand the reality of satan’s existence and how he was messing with my life, how powerless I was in comparison to his powerfully destructive hate, and how much I needed the Savior. Each person is unique and at a different place in life, but I believe God loves all and will show you or anyone the reality of the spiritual realm and the battle for your eternal soul, if you are paying attention and seeking.

 

[Subduction Zone]

Yes, the Transfiguration occurred before the attack on Jerusalem. Jesus said that some would see Him in His kingdom glory before they tasted death and six days later Peter, James, and John did.
Jesus never indicated they would see everything He was speaking about concerning the end time signs, destruction of Jerusalem, etc. or that all these things would happen simultaneously.

No, the Bible claims that it occurred. Let's not jump to unjustified conclusions. The destruction of the temple, the attack on Jerusalem, were not the end times and Jesus did not come back then. I know you want it to be the transfiguration, but it wasn't. Which of the disciples that he was talking to died before ththat event?

 

[Jainarayan]

I’m not going to tell you how you’ve been deceived. That’s up to God the Creator of heaven and earth. I only know how I was deceived and confused. God had to let me come to understand the reality of satan’s existence and how he was messing with my life, how powerless I was in comparison to his powerfully destructive hate, and how much I needed the Savior. Each person is unique and at a different place in life, but I believe God loves all and will show you or anyone the reality of the spiritual realm and the battle for your eternal soul, if you are paying attention and seeking.

So it's basically "the devil made me do it", no personal responsibility, no will to do right or strength to avoid wrong? So if I have a drinking and/or gambling problem (I don't... I don't even buy lottery tickets, and my 6 pack of beer has dust on it) is the devil coercing or influencing me? Is my sexuality the devil's influence? I think of this as not so different than "I'm this way because Mommy and Daddy didn't love me enough, it's their fault". I'm not one for claiming to be under any outside influence, pointing fingers or blaming someone or something else. I accept full responsibility for my mistakes, stupidity, and failings. Maybe I don't believe in the devil because I don't give him any power, nor is there anything to be saved from.