David Goldman was stunned! His wife had just flown to Brazil with their four-year-old son, Sean, to spend a little time with her family. Then, unexpectedly, she called and told him their marriage was over and she would be keeping Sean in Brazil.
After the initial shock wore off, David realized his son had been kidnapped. He loved Sean dearly and decided he would get him back at all costs.
Five years of intense legal battles later, he achieved his goal. But in the meantime, Sean had been thoroughly alienated from him by years of hearing lies about him.
David had to rebuild their relationship and personally demonstrate his love to Sean. Gradually, as they spent time together, Sean saw through the lies and began to love his dad again.1
David and Sean’s story has parallels to a catastrophic kidnapping described in the book of Genesis—the abduction of the human race by a scheming fallen angel, Satan. Since then, he has continually worked to alienate humans from God, their heavenly Father.
David Goldman fought long and hard to win Sean back both legally and on a personal level. God has fought to reclaim His human children in the same two ways. The Bible relates this age-old story in several places. The book of Revelation specifically tells us how this battle will climax in the near future.
1. What was God’s plan for humans in the beginning?
Genesis 1:27–28 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Human beings were created with the same character traits as God Himself so we could relate to Him closely as trusting, loving sons and daughters.
2. Who caused trouble for humans, and what does he still do?
Ezekiel 28:14, 17 “You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God. … Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty.”
Revelation 12:7‒9 And war broke out in heaven. … So the great dragon 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 were cast out with him.
Genesis 3:4–5 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it [the forbidden fruit] your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Surprisingly, the highest and most beautiful created being became an enemy of God, gathered angel followers, and attempted a coup in heaven. When that failed, Satan disguised himself as a talking serpent and lied about God to the first humans. He cunningly led them to distrust and disobey God. This destroyed their close relationship with Him. It changed human nature from unselfishness to self-centeredness and brought death to the whole human race.
Satan is still telling us lies about God and ourselves. We, too, have been kidnapped and changed. But God had a rescue plan ready!
1. Why do humans need a legal rescue?
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death.
Sean Goldman was in the legal custody of his mother and needed rescuing through a legal transfer of custody to his father. Human beings are in a far worse position. Legally, because of our self-centered sins, we are under a death penalty. Our Heavenly Father’s rescue mission requires finding a legal way to justly declare the guilty “not guilty.”
2. How can God legally remove our death penalty?
1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.
Jesus’ self-sacrifice and suffering was the ultimate expression of God’s self-giving love for each one of us. It exposed Satan’s lies. Jesus lived in full obedience to God’s laws of selfless love and incurred no death penalty for Himself. Then, on the cross, He paid the death penalty for every human being, enduring unimaginable suffering. If we individually commit to turning from sin and joining our life to His, Jesus’ life and death can be legally reckoned ours, and we may have eternal life.
1. How does God win back individual humans?
Psalm 40:2–3 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth—praise to our God.
God works individually with us to help us love, trust, and obey Him. As we study the Bible, He shows us promises and helps us understand what Jesus has done for us. He also personally reveals Himself by answering our prayers and guiding our lives.
2. What special time has God made for us to get to know Him?
Exodus 20:8‒11, ESV “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work. … For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”
God’s connection with us is so important to Him that in Creation week He instituted a special day for us to make Him our full focus. He even put it in His eternal moral law. That way, we will regularly have time to deepen our relationship with Him, our Creator and Father.
1. At the end of time, Satan will make an extra effort to take humanity away from God. How will he be defeated?
Revelation 14:7, ESV “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come, and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”
The book of Revelation describes a time when this message from God will be urgently proclaimed worldwide as worship becomes a life-or-death issue. (See Revelation 13 and 14.) False worship will be heavily enforced, but those whom God has rescued from Satan will refuse to dishonor the God they love. They faithfully worship the Creator in His designated way and time although threatened with death. Satan’s worldwide efforts will be defeated as many follow their lead and Christ returns in glory.
2. These rescued ones are known as “saints.” How do they show their loyalty to God?
Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience [endurance] of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
Those who are loyal to God are empowered to keep His commandments as a sign that they have accepted His moral authority and do not want to be aligned with Satan’s rebellion.
SUMMARY
A lying rebel angel has worked cunningly to separate humans from God ever since Creation. His “kidnapping” has been successful, but God has worked self-sacrificingly to overcome it. By working individually, God has won back many people to love, trust, and obey Him. At the end of time, God’s rescued children will stand for Him and defeat Satan’s efforts to deceive the whole world.
COMMITMENT
I want to honor and obey my Creator and Father who has done so much for me.
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible verses are quoted from the New King James Version.
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