The First Great Deception
The First Great Deception
In today’s world it is not uncommon to hear, “that is a lie” or “you can’t believe them.” But is that really accurate? We hear about the “big lie” but what really is the big lie? Well, it might surprise you, but it started way back in the Garden of Eden, with the universe’s greatest liar.
Adam and Eve had been perfectly happy in the garden while entirely obeying God’s law. They were a constant witness against Satan, who claimed that God’s law was oppressive, and conflicting to the good of His creatures. Satan’s envy was excited as he looked upon the sinless couple and their beautiful home. He determined to cause their downfall, to gain possession of the earth and establish his kingdom in opposition to God.
One day Eve wandered from her husband, and she found herself standing in front of the tree which God said to stay away from. Here she entered into a conversation with the serpent, which was Satan. He artfully engaged her in a conversation where she began to doubt God’s word, while holding the possibility that she could think like God Himself. Drifting farther into his trap, Eve forgot that trusting God was her greatest hedge against evil. Immortality that was promised to them on the condition of obedience, was forfeited by distrust.
But yet this was just the start of the big lie. Satan was not through. After the fall of Adam and Eve, Satan instructed his angels to make extra effort to foster the belief that humans are naturally immortal. But that lie wasn’t good enough, Satan then instructed to teach humans that sinners would live in eternal misery. The chief result of these lies was a picture of God as a vengeful tyrant who enjoys the prospect of sinners writhing in pain forever in unutterable anguish.
It is beyond the power of the human mind to estimate the evil that as been done by these big lies. The lies of immortality and the teaching of an everlasting burning hell. The religion of the Bible is full of love, goodness, and compassion, it is not darkened by superstition and clothed with terror. When we consider in what false colors Satan has painted the character of God, it is no wonder that our merciful Creator is feared, dreaded, and even hated. The appalling views of God which have spread over the world have made millions of people skeptics and infidels.
What do the Scriptures say? David declares in Psalm 146:4 “His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.”
Solomon writes, “For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing.” Their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished; nevermore will they have a share in anything done under the sun,” “There is no work, or device or knowledge or wisdom, in the grave where you are going.” Ecclesiastes 9:5,6,10. NKJV
Hezekiah in answered prayer for when his life was prolonged fifteen years, the grateful king praises God. In his song he tells the reason why he rejoices: “The grave cannot praise Thee, death cannot celebrate Thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for Thy truth. The living, the living, he shall praise Thee, as I do this day.” Isaiah 38:18, 19.
Popular theology teaches that the righteous dead are in heaven, praising God in eternal bliss; but Hezekiah could see no such glorious prospect in death.
Peter on the Day of Pentecost declared that the patriarch David “is both dead and buried, and his sepulcher is with us unto this day.” “For David is not ascended into the heavens.” Acts 2:29, 34. The fact that David remains in the grave until the resurrection proves that the righteous do not go to heaven at death.
Nowhere in Scripture is there evidence that the righteous go to their reward in heaven, or that the wicked go to eternal punishment at death.
So, I ask, don’t believe the big lie, the great deception. Take out your Bible and study it for yourself, don’t take someone else’s opinion or teaching. Be like the Bereans who were fair-minded, that searched the Scriptures daily to discover the truth (Acts 17:11).
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