The serpent

 

Revelation 12:9  "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world."

 

The “great dragon” is the “systems” of men, governmental powers: political; ecclesiastical; economical.  It is social systems, ideas, philosophies, vain deceit, traditions of men, rudiments of this world as Paul spoke of in Colossians 2:8 that has cast Christ out of the picture.

As Evangelist Mary explained to us, the devil, Satan, started out in Genesis as a “serpent”, but in Revelation, he has matured to a “great dragon”, showing how he changed and improved his workings so not to be recognized!  But God is revealing this enemy and has given us power over the devil through Jesus the CHRIST (Luke 10:19) (Acts 1:8)!!!

 

The “serpent” was called “OLD” because he was archa’ios or of old time, a good while ago, of a former age, ancient, a principality (a territory of a prince; sovereignty; supreme power; political rank).  How can a “snake” be sovereign (a ruler), or hold a political rank or office?  This “serpent” was a “lying spirit” that lied to the “woman” (the adulterous church) in Genesis 3.  That’s why in Revelation 12:9, he’s referred to as that “old serpent”!  And that same spirit is lying to the church today to try and keep God’s people from all that He has for them now instead of dying to get it!  We must “live” to enjoy this!  This “serpent” is the characteristic of some people - very cunning or sly; only poisonous venom comes out of their mouth and spirit.  This “serpent” can be any person that has become subject to Satan, the opposer or opponent of God.  But God has given us the “antidote” against the venom of the enemy, which is the BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST!!!  Leviticus 17:11 "The life of the flesh is in the blood."  Hebrews 9:22  "Without shedding of blood is no remission."

The “beast” is the men running the “systems”.  Proverbs 29:2  "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice:  but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn." 1 Corinthians 15:32  "I have fought with beasts at Ephesus."  These “beasts” were theriomache’o meaning “furious men”!

We’re fighting “beasts” today within the confines of religious order!  All you have to do is tell them “you don’t have to die to be in heaven”!  Or “you can live a sin free life”!  Then watch their “fangs” come out and listen to them hiss, the poisonous venom that spews out of them.  Matthew 12:34  "O generation of “vipers”, how can ye, being evil, speak good things?  for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh."  Matthew 23:33  "Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can you escape the damnation of hell?"  Jesus was talking to those that “opposed” Him!  He was talking to “people” not “snakes”.

 

They were “religious” people just like there are today who are worshipping the “flesh of Jesus” and haven’t yet become acquainted with “The CHRIST”!  The “serpent” that spoke to the “woman” (the church) were people who were at one time in the place of dominion, authority, and power, but lost it and now are trying to pull or keep out of that place those whom God has and is putting there. 

Jude 6  "And the angels (messengers) which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day."  These weren’t “angels” flying around with wings, but they were people who had been here even before Adam and fell from that place of power, as “Lucifer” and those who followed him.  Luke 10:18 "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven."  Keep in mind:  Jesus Christ has always been, even at the beginning when “Lucifer” fell and those who “kept not their first estate but “left” their own habitation, which were ruling and reigning over the creation.  (Isaiah 14:12-23, especially verses 12 & 16); (Ezekiel 28 & 31).

​

​

"IN THE BEGINNING":  A Calendar Date?

​

The "heaven" typified the Spirit aspect of CHRIST Jesus:  the Anointed One with "the anointing" that destroyed yokes and performed miracles because of the dominion, authority, and power that was manifested in Him.

The "earth" typified the flesh aspect of JESUS Christ.

• Philippians 2:5-6  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

​

The word Beginning is from the root word reshiyth, pronounced ray-sheeth', meaning beginning; first; choicest.  Beginning is also from rosh, meaning "the head" in place, time or rank; top; first.

Jesus said in Revelation 1:8  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.  Verse 11  I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last.

​

These scriptures let us know that "the beginning" in Genesis 1:1 does not denote a calendar date, but "the beginning" is a "PERSON", "the MAN - JESUS THE CHRIST"!

​

Jesus didn't just come into existence when Mary gave birth to Him.  He has always been.

​

Briefly, He was Melchizedek, King of Salem, the high priest of the Most High God who brought bread and wine and had communion with Abram.  He blessed Abram after he (Abram) slaughtered Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him.  Abram and his trained servants took the goods and brought back Lot.  And from the goods he paid tithes to Melchizedek, King of Salem, who was really Jesus Christ (Genesis 14).

​

Melchizedek means "king of right"; a king; to reign; ascend the throne; equity; "righteousness".  This is who Jesus was.

​

• a righteousness Branch, and a King (Jeremiah 23:5)

• THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS  (Jeremiah 23:6)

• the Branch of righteousness  (Jeremiah 33:15) 

• KING OF KINGS  (Revelation 19:16)

​

When the Hebrew boys were thrown into the fire, the fourth man who was in the fire with them was Jesus Christ.

Daniel 3:23-25  And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.  Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?  They answered and said unto the king, True, O King.  He answered and said, Lo, I see four MEN loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

​

Jesus hadn't been born yet as Mary's baby so how did Nebuchadnezzar know what "the Son of God" looked like?  God gave even the king a revelation of the Son of God.  Even Nebuchadnezzar eventually bowed and acknowledged the GOD of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.  The fourth "MAN" was JESUS THE CHRIST!!  HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN!!

​

Christ's preeminence (elevation; distinction; rank; importance) comes from the root word proteu'o meaning to be first (in rank or influence); also from pro'tos, meaning foremost (in time, place; order; or importance); first; chief; first day; former; before; BEGINNING.

• St. John 1:1  "In" the beginning (not "at" the beginning) was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  Verse 14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

• 2 Corinthians 5:19  To wit (know), that God was IN CHRIST, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them.

• Revelation 3:14  And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, THE BEGINNING of the CREATION of God.

​

In reality, what Genesis 1:1 is saying is this:  IN CHRIST GOD CREATED THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH.