Distinguishing Between Those Who Belong to God and Those Who Belong to the Devil
“At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now.” — Galatians 4:29
The passage above comes from a letter written to the church in Galatia by the Apostle Paul, a disciple of Jesus. In this passage, those who are born according to the Spirit refer to those who have received the “truth” from Jesus. In other words, throughout the ages, those who failed to understand the truth have persecuted those who came to understand it.
“I am the way and the truth and the life.” — John 14:6
When Jesus came to this earth at the First Coming, He spoke these words. The reason was that Jesus did not suddenly appear without warning. From His birth to His death, His life fulfilled what had already been prophesied in the Old Testament.
“He said to them, ‘This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.’” — Luke 24:44
In other words, the “truth” spoken of in the Bible refers to the reality that appears in fulfillment of biblical prophecy.
Most believers may think that if the truth appeared, they would readily believe and follow it. However, that is merely what people assume about themselves.
Before Jesus appeared, the Jews (physical Israel) believed in God and also knew that the Messiah was to come. Yet when Jesus came according to the Scriptures, they instead condemned Him as a “heretic” and as being of the devil, and had Him crucified.
The reason for this is recorded in Matthew 23:33–41, so I encourage you to read this passage for yourself.
According to this interpretation, the distinction between those who belong to God and those who belong to Satan in the Bible is that those who persecute belong to “Satan the devil,” while those who are persecuted belong to “God.” This is why many of the prophets of the Old Testament—such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel—as well as Jesus and His disciples at the First Coming suffered persecution and martyrdom.
When the truth is proclaimed, Satan’s identity and sins are exposed. Therefore, Satan has used people who belong to him to persecute and kill the prophets sent by God.
“You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him—you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.” — Acts 7:51–53
Stephen, a disciple of Jesus, testified to this truth before those who were persecuting him. One important point to understand is that the disciples of Jesus were not killed primarily by unbelievers who had no faith in God. Rather, they were persecuted and martyred by Jewish religious leaders and their followers, who believed that they themselves were faithfully serving God.
In the end, even Jesus, the Savior who had been sent for them, was martyred. Jesus also prophesied that He would once again send His messenger for the churches (spiritual Israel: Christianity).
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” — Revelation 22:16
In the passage above, “these things” refer to the events throughout the chapters of Revelation as they are fulfilled. Jesus warned that anyone who adds to or takes away from the words of Revelation would face the consequences described in Revelation 22:18–19. Therefore, according to this interpretation, in order to understand the meaning of Revelation and the reality of its fulfillment, one must meet the messenger whom Jesus has sent for the churches.
However, it has also been prophesied that Jesus’ messenger would be persecuted and killed in a spiritual sense (Revelation 11:7).
Thus, at the time of the Second Coming, just as at the First Coming, the messenger of Jesus and those who believe in and follow him will face persecution. In the end, however, those who will enter the kingdom of heaven will be those who accept the messenger of Jesus and come to understand and receive the truth.
With this, I hope that you will meet the messenger of Jesus, understand Revelation without adding to or taking away from it, and ultimately enter the kingdom of heaven.
Thank you.