Week 4 - Day 1
THE STORY
Rebellion
REBELLION IN HEAVEN
Wouldn’t it have been wonderful if The Story ended with Creation? The Bible would have only needed to be two chapters long—Genesis 1 and 2. Then all we would have known is the perfection of the Garden of Eden. And the story could have ended with these words, “And they lived happily ever after.” But that’s not how it ends and we know it not only because the Bible is more than two chapters, but also because we’re not living in paradise any longer.
Why? What happened? The Rebellion. Adam and Eve rebelled and revolted against God’s authority plunging Creation into ruin.
Genesis 3:1 (NIV)
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
Whoa! Wait a minute. A talking serpent?! Did animals talk back then?
Before we move on in The Story, we need to realize that there is more to Creation than meets the eye. The same goes for this serpent.
Since the Bible can help us to interpret the Bible, let’s look at a few other passages. This one comes from the New Testament and was written by the Apostle Paul.
Colossians 1:15-16 (NIV)
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
Through whom did God create the universe?
What two places are part of creation? How are these two places different?
We know about thrones, powers, rulers and authorities on earth. Where else are there thrones, powers, rulers and authorities? What might these be?
Once again, this passage is from the Apostle Paul.
Ephesians 6:10-12 (NIV)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Once again, where are these rulers, authorities and powers?
Who do these rulers, authorities and power scheme with?
And this passage is from the very last book of the Bible.
Revelation 12:7-9 (NIV)
Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
According to Revelation 12, who are part of the spiritual forces in heaven? Who led the rebellion in heaven? Who fought back? What happened?
How does Revelation 12 explain who this serpent is in Genesis 3 and why it could talk?
When you add all of this up, there was a rebellion in heaven, before there was a rebellion on earth. The timing and details aren’t all that clear. But a heavenly revolt preceded and provoked the earthly revolt.
In light of what you have discovered through the Bible readings and your personal reflections, how will you respond? Finish this sentence: I will …