Baghdad - Saturday, December 14, 2003:
GOOD NEWS! The U.S. Military captured Saddam Hussein, the boastful, despotic leader of Iraq, who terrorized the Iraqi people for the past 24 years. He was found hiding in a hole in the ground ("hades" or hell - in biblical terminology), revealing the true coward he really was - a murderer of innocents including women and children.
His record of deceit, treachery and murder identifies him as an "epitome of evil" to this generation. He used boasting, deceit, treachery, thievery, murder and intimidation to gain and hold power over his followers and subjects. In his narcissistic egomania and paranoia, he murdered or had murdered possibly hundreds of thousands of Iraqi men, women and children - any who opposed him or whom might even possibly be a threat or be in the way of his goals, including those in his own family. But in the end, he showed himself a slinking coward on the run going from hole to hole fleeing for his life, while he demanded his men to stand up and die "honorably" as martyrs for him and his cause - even as Osama bin Laden and other terrorist leaders are doing.
But Saddam's fall is not the end of all evils, just as the demise of Adolph Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Joseph Stalin and other treacherous despots did not end evil, for the real power of evil is not just a human.
The real source of the power of evil is from a once great "anointed cherub" (Eze 28:14 "keruwb," meaning to cover or protect - that was his God-given responsibility - Heb 1:14). He is known to this world as Lucifer, but in the original Hebrew was really "Heylel" (meaning bright, boastful - Isa 14:12-14), who became lifted up with pride and jealousy and rebelled against God to become:
"the great dragon (who) was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels (who became perverted by him and became demons) were cast out with him" (Rev 12:9).
It is Satan who deceived Adam and Eve (Gen 3:1-6; 2 Cor 11:3,14), and the world into disbelieving and disobeying what is good (Eph 2:2-3) to gain power over them to stir up evil and all the strife and wars (including the unholy crusades and jihads) causing much of the suffering in this world. He stalks and captures children of disobedience to work in and through them to spread his deception, evils and terror (Eph 2:2-3; 1 Pet 5:8). Saddam apparently grew up poor and became a thug to survive, becoming an ideal target for that predatory evil spirit as one who could rise to power and inflict his evils among the Muslim world.
"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of [the Messiah]. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works" (2 Cor 11:13-15; 1 John 3:10-14).
Satan has great power and cunning, masquerading as the God or Allah of this world (2 Cor 4:3-4), though he is really a lowly coward - as are most all despotic leaders, just like Saddam Hussein - picking especially on the weak and defenseless. But Satan cannot exert his power and control over anyone without their consent. How does he get anyone's consent? Through lies (John 8:44), deceit, intimidation and fear - just as Saddam did to gain control over the Iraqis. The people, including his own most loyal followers, were deceived, some even as he was, or intimidated into fear and worship of him.
How can you resist and overcome the power of evil?
The answer is through the power of Truth and Good! Jesus, the Son of God, said,
"If you abide in My word... you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32).
The power of truth and good comes from God.
"Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ" (John 1:17). "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved" (John 3:16-17).Salvation and eternal life does not come through killing one's enemies (the infidel), as despotic warmongers are preaching, but through believing in and obeying Jesus Christ, the Son of God (ver. 15). God's power works in the children of obedience to produce love and good works. Love and good works overcome fear and evil works of the devil and those he uses to spread his terror. God inspired Paul to write,
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service (not as suicide bombers as martyrs for evil).
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God...
"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse...
"Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
"Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather yield the opportunity for wrath; for it is written,
"'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord. Therefore if your enemy hungers, feed Him; If he thirsts, give him a drink...'
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Rom 12:1-2,14-21).
When men (beginning with Adam and Eve), chose to listen to Satan's subtle deceptions and temptations (2 Cor 11:3) and ignore God's commandments, they allowed Satan to take control. Every despotic leader has used some modification of Satan's cunning tactics, and Saddam won't be the last one.
God sent His Son Jesus Christ to show this world how to resist and overcome the power of evil (John 3:16-17; 13:34-35). Satan tried to tempt and deceive Jesus, but he could not conquer and bring Jesus under his control. Jesus resisted Satan's temptations through belief and obedience to God's Word (Mat 4:1-11):
"leaving us an example, that we should follow His steps" (1 Pet 2:21-24).Jesus ended that encounter with Satan by commanding him to depart, and sent him away from Him. Satan and his demons tremble before God and Christ in fear (Mat 8:29-34; Jam 2:19; 1 Jn 4:4). Why? Because in their own selfish and vain pride - they think God is unjust and unfair just like them, which is the malicious lie Satan used to deceive Eve, Cain, many religious leaders, and all people (Gen 3:1-5; 4:4-14; Mal 2:17; 3:13-18); and because they are no match against God's great power (Isa 14:12; Rev 12:7-9). Satan slunk away from Christ, but he is not yet cast out from this world. But he will be in the very near future when Jesus Christ returns in power and glory to establish the Kingdom of God on this earth (Rev 20:1-6). That is the true GOOD NEWS - the gospel that Jesus Christ and His disciple preached (Mark 1:14-15).
But until that day dawns, you need to be alert and resist the temptations of evil and Satan, so that,
"...when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.(For more information on Satan and the power of evil, see Mysteries of Satan...The Power Behind Evil & Terror! and Mystery of Angels and Evil Spirits.)
"...be clothed with humility, for 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'
"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
"And may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. "To Him be the glory and the dominion (power) forever and ever" (1 Pet 5:4-11).