by Michael G. Mickey

(4-26-06)

Just when you think things couldn't possibly get any nuttier than they are here in the end times, they somehow manage to. I suppose that's what keeps thing interesting for those of us watching for the return of Jesus Christ. Even so, I couldn't help but laugh, in light of the "Gospel of Judas", "The Jesus Papers", and "The Da Vinci Code" movie on its way to being released from the pits of hell into movie theaters next month, when I heard that a former Jesuit priest turned university professor has set himself an ambitious project: rehabilitating the devil, according to a Sydney Morning Herald article.

Are you ready, Christians, for a much-needed chuckle? Brace yourself because here it comes!

According to the professor in question, Henry Ansgar Kelly, Satan is the most maligned figure in history and has endured 17 centuries of "unjustified character assassination." Unjustified character assassination? Satan, who was a murderer from the beginning? The liar and the father of it? The prince of the power of the air who, according to 1st Peter 5:8, walketh about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour? Hmmmmm......

• "For 1700 years Satan has been the enemy of God, whereas in the Bible he works for God, he's his prime minister or attorney-general, in charge of policing the world," Professor Kelly said.

  "He is one of God's angels, and his job is to test people."

I suppose we're now to believe Satan is God the Father's version of Judas Iscariot, Judas having been exonerated recently in they eyes of many? In case you're reading this and you're not up to speed on hell's recent public relations campaign on behalf of Judas, the recently-brought-to-light "Gospel of Judas" tells us he was merely looking out for his friend Jesus' best interests when he betrayed Him with a kiss, but what does Scripture have to say about Christ's good buddy Judas?

Mat 26:14	Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,
Mat 26:15	And said [unto them], What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
Mat 26:16	And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

John 6:70-71: Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spake of Judas Iscariot [the son] of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

Luke 22:3, describing the period of time leading up to Judas’ betrayal of Christ, says: “Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.”

Stop the presses! Did I just stumble onto something of interest? I think so.

Is it just me or does Luke 23:3 indicate that Satan and Judas Iscariot were in collusion to bring harm to Christ, the two wonderful, misunderstood personalities that they were back then --- and Satan still is today? It sure looks that way from where I'm sitting!

While, as a Christian, I can't help but laugh at some of the absolutely preposterous things being spread about as fact in our world today, what we're witnessing --- all the delusional, spiritual insanity the agents of darkness are passing off as truth --- is setting the stage for things to come.

Make no mistake about it, there is going to be more and more of the kind of misinformation we've recently seen spreading like wildfire from this point forward! How can I be sure of that? Because eventually, as revealed in Bible prophecy, the world is going to enter into the Tribulation Period where we're told everyone whose name is not written in the Lamb's Book of Life will worship the Antichrist!

Revelation 13:8: And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Not only will the Antichrist be the object of worship, Satan, the poor, presently-misunderstood "attorney-general" of God, will be worshipped as well, as seen in Revelation 13:4: "And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who [is] like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?"

What does this tell us? Plainly, it tells us the dragon, Satan, is going to overcome the devil of an image problem he presently has, to the point he'll eventually be worshipped alongside the Antichrist.

I never cease to be amazed how many people today are rolling the dice by living their lives outside the will of God when everything is going according to God's prophetic plan! Surely, the end is drawing near!

In closing, if there's anyone you need to tell about Jesus Christ, this is the time to do it as I believe our time to do so is rapidly running out! In similar fashion, if you're reading this and have never come to faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, today is a good and wise day to do so.

The Bible is the infallible Word of God. What it says is going to happen from this point forward is going to, as I intend to continue documenting to the very best of my ability.