how did Satan manage to appear as a snake.

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Sipsey

Well-known member
Sep 27, 2018
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2ndTimeIsTheCharm,
I think everyone around here appreciates you, and appreciates the gentle ways you try to explain doctrine to people.

I also think it's a pretty big deal when our members are willing to open up about themselves, and share their past struggles, so we can all learn from that. This is a hard thing to do. So when you do that, it's not only a help to the lost, and to those young in the faith, but to all of us.
: )

Now, on to the matter of "time."


History & Frailty:
Discussions of time have baffled philosophers and theologians as long as we've been here.
It's an extraordinarily strange and mysterious thing to discuss, because it doesn't really seem to be a thing at all.
Philosophers and theologians still debate this topic, and even Christian philosophers disagree, because it's such a hard thing to discuss.

Physicists like to weigh in, but there's a lot of debate about whether or not time is better relegated to philosophy than science. And even when scientists discuss it, they make a lot of philosophical statements rather than sticking strictly to science. So even scientists end up doing a lot of philosophy which is frankly outside of their expertise.

* We all suffer from the same general problem here: because we all have a personal experience of time, and we all deal with it on a daily basis, we all tend to philosophize about time in quite ordinary terms, without first thinking about how to really define it. And yet as soon as we define it, we often find ourselves in even more conundrums than where we started.
: )


Now Some Of The Weird Problems:
- It is true that God created time, in the beginning.
- So before he created time, was he "outside" of it?
- How could he have been outside of something that didn't yet exist?
- So it seems, that before he created time, he was not outside of it.
- How about AFTER he created time, was he "outside" of it then?
- Well, how can you be outside of a thing that has no spatial dimensions to be "outside" of?
- So, it isn't really possible to say God is outside of time, since there is no "place" to either be inside or outside of it.
- Now, it is still possible, I suppose, for God to "not engage with time", in some way... there might be some way that is possible.
- However, if we start by defining time, and really thinking about what it is, it's very hard to rationalize any way in which God could not be engaging with time.
- It is ESPECIALLY hard to think of God "not engaging in time" if we consider that the Bible actually shows God ENGAGING IN TIME.
- In the Bible, a linear, ordered, consistent, and immutable sense of time is merely implied throughout scripture... and God even speaks of himself, and temporal events, in this same way.
- We might simply say, "time is a thing God pops in and out of."
- But does he?
- Does the Bible really teach that?
- It is easy to merely speak an idea, especially an idea we've often heard, but it's much harder to show that a particular idea lines up with scripture or logic.


Conclusion:
A.) This is not an issue we should ever divide over. It's good to discuss it, and think about it, but we shouldn't ever divide over any issues that remain so mercurial in the realm of men.
B.) Time is a very strange thing, and it's a very hard topic to discuss - languages have words to "use" time, not to "analyze it's being."
C.) To the best of my understanding, the Bible seems to support a simple "A Theory of Time", in which time is linear and transitory.
D.) However, the Bible does not suggest a "B Theory" cannot exist, or does not exist... the scripture does not preclude this other theory.
E.) So either an "A Theory" or a "B Theory" are logically possible, in scripture, or in theoretical physics... but this doesn't mean they're equally likely.
F.) The theory of time we actually experience, in both daily life, and in all of science, is the "A Theory." And the one we see both used and implied in scripture, is the "A Theory."
G.) We often hear the expression that God is "outside of time", primarily, I think, because time has little effect on God, and this is just an easy way to encapsulate this strange idea. But that doesn't necessarily make it an articulate expression.
H.) We cannot, with perfect certainty, take a stand on either theory of time. So we should be thoughtful and gracious on this. But it seems to me (in my fallible mind) that if we were to embrace a different theory of time, that would undo the gospel, sin, salvation, the human experience, logic, everything in scripture, the fabric of the universe, and even the nature of God. So although we cannot stand with perfect certainty on either theory of time, if I were to stand on the side with the most evidence for it, and the least evidence against it... I think that would be the traditional "A Theory" of time.



I hope this has been fun to think about.
God Bless.
: )


.
Thank your for that thoroughly timely summation!
 

maxwel

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2013
9,526
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Wow, that took alot of time to read. Or alot of untime. Did anyone time me?
I'm surprised anyone read all of that,
but I'm not at all certain it took you much time...
since, I guess, on the "B Theory" of time you already read it long ago.
But "long ago" doesn't really exist either... so... there's that.

.
 

Eli1

Well-known member
Apr 5, 2022
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I'm surprised anyone read all of that,
but I'm not at all certain it took you much time...
since, I guess, on the "B Theory" of time you already read it long ago.
But "long ago" doesn't really exist either... so... there's that.

.
I always appreciate your posts and your patience.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
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I'm surprised anyone read all of that,
but I'm not at all certain it took you much time...
since, I guess, on the "B Theory" of time you already read it long ago.
But "long ago" doesn't really exist either... so... there's that.

.
Okay. So I reread it. And how is past maxwel doing?
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
19,314
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I'm surprised anyone read all of that,
but I'm not at all certain it took you much time...
since, I guess, on the "B Theory" of time you already read it long ago.
But "long ago" doesn't really exist either... so... there's that.

.
Also., future maxwel says put a little more money aside now. They have these really cool antigravity boots in the future you may want.
 

2ndTimeIsTheCharm

Well-known member
Feb 17, 2023
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I'm surprised anyone read all of that,
but I'm not at all certain it took you much time...
since, I guess, on the "B Theory" of time you already read it long ago.
But "long ago" doesn't really exist either... so... there's that.

.
You wrote it in a very readable format! :D
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
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If God knew ahead of time that Moses' resistance would make Him angry, how could it be genuine?
God was disappointed. Since He is above time, the timing would be irrelevant. God allows tests for our benefit. He knows the result, but we do not until after the fact. He uses things like this to refine and grow us.
 
Dec 21, 2020
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God was disappointed.
If He knew it was going to happen from millennia past, how could He be disappointed?

Since He is above time, the timing would be irrelevant.
I hear phrases like that a lot:
"God is above time."
"God dwells outside of time."

I'm not so sure about that...

God allows tests for our benefit. He knows the result, but we do not until after the fact. He uses things like this to refine and grow us.
That's what I'm questioning. Again:

Gen 22:12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

Also, Maxwell did a couple of posts on it earlier today:
https://christianchat.com/threads/how-did-satan-manage-to-appear-as-a-snake.210084/post-5039975
https://christianchat.com/threads/how-did-satan-manage-to-appear-as-a-snake.210084/post-5040403[/QUOTE]
 

Blade

Well-known member
Nov 19, 2019
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Hi all I'm not really interested about this, but my friends brother needs help, I'm very concerned at the moment,.

Can Satan manipulate matter to appear as anything he likes,

He's invincible, but does that mean he manipulates dark matter, to clone and mimick fresh air ? or anything or any person or animal, so much so you would think it was a real snake.

He can appear as light, but does that mean he manipulates matter to clone and mimick light,
From what I read Satan can not create. Its written "Ezekiel 28:13-15 “You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The ruby, the topaz and the diamond; The beryl, the onyx and the jasper; The lapis lazuli, the turquoise and the emerald; And the gold, the workmanship of your settings and sockets, Was in you. On the day that you were created They were prepared. 14 “You were the anointed cherub who covers, And I placed you there. You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked in the midst of the stones of fire. 15 “You were blameless in your ways From the day you were created Until unrighteousness was found in you.

John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Then we read in Rev about the dragon and all this is how many Scholars "agree" the serpent in the garden was Satan. Yet that is not written. Some believe that 'serpent" was just allegory but really meant Satan or symbolic. So if Satan took over some serpent that did not crawl at the time and was not in control.. what God takes its out on the serpent? Is this how God treated a possessed person in the word? So from what I read and understand Satan cannot create. I do not see demons and fallen angels as the same. Demons are again as I read and understand disembodied spirits its why they are always seeking someone to possess. Angels just feel they still are have everything God gave them just cast out.

See other things we don't know about is before the flood could have been billions and billons of people and how many were part angel part man. Some believe those are the demons since they were never meant to be but we don't know. I am not one for what ever Satan does its because God allows. God calls Satan the "god" of this world. God does not have the right to do anything He likes in this world for Christ even said "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”

The demons said when they saw Christ have you come to torment us before our "time". So its clear there is time limit on this when this lease is up then watch what GOD does.

God is not bound by the physical laws of this hmm realm. He is out side of it. He said "My name is Jehovah, and I know the end from the beginning; therefore my hand shall be over thee”. We say 1+1 is 2. its written " with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day". It says "is as". Things like is why some say He is out side of time and space. The fact that after Christ died He just appears out of no where. He is not bound by the physical laws and dimensions of this world which is under a curse but Christ died on the cross for its written "But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us." Then we know john 3:16 "shall not die". We never taste death.

Its not written Satan is like a roaring lion seeming whom the lord allows him to devour nor did Christ say Satan comes to kill steal and destroy only as God allows. No some read parts of the word then insert something as in speculation and then apply to the rest. Speculation...does make one wonder if since we handed gave to Satan what was ours and God now calls him god of this world what were we before the fall that had all this? Would He say "we are gods of this world" :) See not gods its that authority over something. We take the word god and then compare to the real GREAT I AM and.. yeah not even close.

So I don't think I answered your question since there is no answer. What matters what I focus on is Christ came died and gave us all power all authority over the enemy. All of this is not something He chose to share and knowing it now would do nothing but cause more fear. Why we can't see into the spirit realm. We just have no right to know. He will share it all after all this
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
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If He knew it was going to happen from millennia past, how could He be disappointed?
It is possible to be dissapointed without being surprised. It is the same with the Fall in the Garden. You must keep in mind that there is another side to this coin. He knew that some would become overcomers through faith in the blood of His Son. Our minds are limited, though. It is ok to not be able to wrap our heads around everything. Just know that He loves us.
 
P

pottersclay

Guest
Something to think about:


1.) The Bible says God is eternal, and it says he knows all things, and knows the future.

2.) The Bible does not say God lives "outside of time", or that he does not experience time in a linear way.

3.) The scripture seems to only speaks of time, and temporal events, in a linear fashion, which is called the "A Theory of Time." And even when God himself talks about time, and temporal events, it is always in a strict linear fashion, with a "before" and an "after" which are absolutely consistent, and which are never confused.

The idea that God remains outside of time, and experiences all of time at the same moment... that is not actually an idea found in scripture.



Something to think about.

God Bless.


.
Maxwel i need you to elaborate a bit on this....Jesus said that he is the alpha and omega.
God the father is the great I Am.
Ive always held to the belief that all that has beem written has already passed as far as God is concerned.
 

Happy_hobnob

Active member
Mar 11, 2023
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Joshua 10.3

So the sun stood still,
and the moon stopped,
till the nation avenged itself on[a] its enemies,
as it is written in the Book of Jashar.
The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.

Let me put this into context,

In order to make time stand still you you must also be able to control time, the only way people could control time in some way is to possibly travel at the speed of light, but for God to make time stand still is different, why because he is everything, light matter earth water and even time it's self, God is eternal.
Gods Time is already expressed in the bible, which is a different time to ours.

2 Peter 3:8
beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

Here we see time almost standing still for God. a thousand years could have passed on earth if you had been with God for just 1 day.

It could be that very fabrics of our whole universe is traveling at the desired speed God allows, should he speed it up the orbital speeds in which our earth orbits our sun, time Goes slower on earth . Could also be if reversed the speed, time goes backwards,

Teleportation in Bible has more than one insertion, all he has to do is transport one person to a different place for 5 minutes and he will see there whole life, past present and future,
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
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Maxwel i need you to elaborate a bit on this....Jesus said that he is the alpha and omega.
God the father is the great I Am.
Ive always held to the belief that all that has beem written has already passed as far as God is concerned.
You have released the kraken.
 

2ndTimeIsTheCharm

Well-known member
Feb 17, 2023
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If He knew it was going to happen from millennia past, how could He be disappointed?


I hear phrases like that a lot:
"God is above time."
"God dwells outside of time."

I'm not so sure about that...


That's what I'm questioning. Again:

Gen 22:12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

Also, Maxwell did a couple of posts on it earlier today:
https://christianchat.com/threads/how-did-satan-manage-to-appear-as-a-snake.210084/post-5039975
https://christianchat.com/threads/how-did-satan-manage-to-appear-as-a-snake.210084/post-5040403
[/QUOTE]

Pray and ask God. He'd be the best one to answer your question.
 
P

pottersclay

Guest
Hi all I'm not really interested about this, but my friends brother needs help, I'm very concerned at the moment,.

Can Satan manipulate matter to appear as anything he likes,

He's invincible, but does that mean he manipulates dark matter, to clone and mimick fresh air ? or anything or any person or animal, so much so you would think it was a real snake.

He can appear as light, but does that mean he manipulates matter to clone and mimick light,
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,705
113
Something to think about:


1.) The Bible says God is eternal, and it says he knows all things, and knows the future.

2.) The Bible does not say God lives "outside of time", or that he does not experience time in a linear way.

3.) The scripture seems to only speaks of time, and temporal events, in a linear fashion, which is called the "A Theory of Time." And even when God himself talks about time, and temporal events, it is always in a strict linear fashion, with a "before" and an "after" which are absolutely consistent, and which are never confused.

The idea that God remains outside of time, and experiences all of time at the same moment... that is not actually an idea found in scripture.



Something to think about.

God Bless.


.
Good post. Interesting topic.
Is it possible that man (even modern man) does not have a full and complete understanding of the true nature of space and time? Is it possible that God couches concepts and explanations in terms that He knows man can easily grasp? Are we sure that time and space are linear in nature? Only recently has man discovered that movement in timespace can be altered by velocity. I have often pondered upon the possibility that the soul might be whisked straight to the Rapture (or WTJ) at the twinkling of an eye at time of physical separation from the body (but I digress. :rolleyes:)
 
Dec 21, 2020
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Pray and ask God. He'd be the best one to answer your question.
Thank you... But if God gave people direct answers about every question they had about the Bible, we would all believe the same thing, there would be no division. Also, sometimes there are people with opposing views who are both convinced they learned them directly from God. That, obviously, is not possible.

God gave us His Word. It's up to us to do the best we can to figure it out, to understand it. I'm not saying God does not help people understand. He definitely does. He wants everyone to come to an understanding of the truth (1 Tim 2:4b).
 

2ndTimeIsTheCharm

Well-known member
Feb 17, 2023
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Thank you... But if God gave people direct answers about every question they had about the Bible, we would all believe the same thing, there would be no division. Also, sometimes there are people with opposing views who are both convinced they learned them directly from God. That, obviously, is not possible.

God gave us His Word. It's up to us to do the best we can to figure it out, to understand it. I'm not saying God does not help people understand. He definitely does. He wants everyone to come to an understanding of the truth (1 Tim 2:4b).
I think the reason why God doesn't tell us everything and that we don't agree all the time is to learn to work together. Bond over the most important beliefs but not argue with each other over non-salvific issues.

I also think He doesn't tell us everything that's non-salvific because He wants us to ask Him ourselves. That gives both you and the Lord opportunity to enrich your fellowship with Him.
 
P

pottersclay

Guest
Hi all I'm not really interested about this, but my friends brother needs help, I'm very concerned at the moment,.

Can Satan manipulate matter to appear as anything he likes,

He's invincible, but does that mean he manipulates dark matter, to clone and mimick fresh air ? or anything or any person or animal, so much so you would think it was a real snake.

He can appear as light, but does that mean he manipulates matter to clone and mimick light,
Lets remember GOD is relaying this to moses. This is how GOD saw the deceiver should be considered.
As a snake in the grass. A serpent..(cold blooded). This was before the fall of man.