Daily Devotional, Year 3 – March 20 (That Serpent-of-Old, Part 1: “Surely The Serpent Will Bite!”)

By admin On February 10th, 2021

.

Daily Devotional, Year 3 – March 20

.

That Serpent-of-Old:

.

Part 1:

“Surely The Serpent Will Bite!”

.

“Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment;

and a babbler is no better.”

Ecclesiastes 10:11

.

Have you ever seen one of those snake charmers from India?

.

Well, most of us have never been to India.

.

But via television, most of us have seen those flute players who wave their flute back and forth, up and down, causing that snake to follow along, seemingly mesmerized by that flute.

.

Charmeur de serpents à Jaipur – Snake Charmer – Wikipedia – Public Domain

.

A PROVERB OF SOLOMON

.

Well, that seems to be the object lesson in our signature verse…“Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.” Ecclesiastes 10:11

.

Here is a rather intriguing proverb by that wisest of all mortals, King Solomon (actually this proverb came from God, the true Author and wisest-of-all-men of the Bible)!

.

And one reason why it’s so intriguing is because, just as do so many other proverbs, it seems to have a multiple application to various aspects of life.

.

Brown tree snake – Boiga – cropped photo – Wikipedia – Public Domain

.

ON A PERSONAL LEVEL

For instance, on a personal level, quite often, when we have a falling out with a friend, that “friend” can turn on us, and begin to make life unpleasant for us.

.

Perhaps that ex-friend will retaliate by merely casting verbal stones at us in the form of angry words or accusations. Or maybe that ex-friend will begin spreading malicious gossip, and even embellished tales about us, hoping to turn others against us.

.

Now for the Christian, any so-called “friend” who retaliates using cruelty against you only proves that they are nothing more than Christian-pretenders, not having the Spirit! That person has the heart of a serpent!

.

A true Christian will respond to cruelty with humility and meekness and love.

.

And so, in essence, this proverb about a serpent can apply to personal relationships.

.

Judas Betrays Jesus – courtesy Wikipedia – Public Domain

.

But how might this proverb apply to other aspects of life?

.

Question Marks – At a loss – svg – Wikimedia Commons – Share-Alike License

.

“SATAN, THAT OLD SERPENT”

Revelation 12:9

.

For instance, if we apply this proverb to the entire world, it also presents a very appropriate life-lesson.

.

In other words, this world-system is headed up by that serpent-of-old, Lucifer, Satan, the Devil.

.

**Yes, Satan, that Dragon of Revelation 12 is also called a “serpent” in verse 14.**

.

And just think about it! We live in a world that has rebelled against Heaven, and now under the control of that serpent-of-old.

.

So why in the world do Christians live in peace here? Amazingly, for the last several centuries have Christians been at peace here?

.

Satan presiding at the Infernal Council – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

.

PERSECUTION DURING DARK AGES

.

Oh yes, during the Dark Ages, the world and the worldly churches made life very difficult for true Christians!

.

Banishment, persecution, prison, torture and cruel deaths were the order of the day during those prophetic 42-months of years back in Europe. (see Revelation 13)

.

Torture devices – The Wheel – Calas Chapbook – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

.

THE CHURCH-ASLEEP

.

But after those centuries of persecution finally ceased, it almost seemed like Satan just went away, or maybe even went to sleep! And life became very peaceful for Christians for the last several centuries.

.

Yes, after the persecution ended, the world became the friend of Christians. Instead of burning Christians at the stake, the world was now inviting Christians over for “burned steaks”, hot off the barbecue!

.

So, maybe that serpent, Satan, was being charmed by Christians!

.

Yes, maybe like those snake charmers, Satan, “that old serpent” was being charmed! (see Revelation 12:9)

.

Avvakum burned 1682 by artist Myasoyedov 1897-Wiki Pub-Dom

Barbecue – Dutch family – cropped photo – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

.

AN ERA OF PEACE AND PROSPERITY

.

After all, the Church seemed to respond to those peaceful decades by turning back to earthly pleasures and pursuits.

.

And with the great affluence brought about by the industrial revolution, everyone, including Christians, began to enjoy the many new opportunities now available.

.

ABOVE PICTURE: Dream Maker of Babylon – Signs Of Heaven.org

.

And so, Satan was being charmed, in a manner of speaking, because he had deceived Christians to the point that we took off our spiritual armor, and no longer watched for our Lord!

.

The Church went to sleep, giving Satan all he wished for!

.

Brooklyn Museum – The Wise Virgins – James Tissot – Wikimedia – public domain

.

HIGH-TECH HYPNOTISM

.

And if all this wasn’t bad enough, the world was brought into the high-tech revolution!

.

Yes, first it was radio and records.

.

And this was followed up by television!

.

And now the world became entranced by these two mediums of communication!

.

**And if this wasn’t bad enough, “the god of this world” introduced Internet!**

.

And now, even little children can dial up just about anything conceivable on their little tablets and phones!

.

Girl listening to radio – Wikipedia – Public Domain

Family watching television, c. 1958 wikipedia public domain

Girl Texting – cropped and altered image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons 2.0

.

ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY!

.

And so, the great serpent, Satan, was satisfied! He had Christians where he wanted them!

.

And everybody else was happy too!

.

The world was happy with all these new luxuries, and amusements and ambitious pursuits!

.

But Christians were likewise happy, because physical violence, and persecution had ceased, allowing us to pursue many of the same pleasures and careers, and materialism which the world was now pursuing!

.

Everyone was now happy…everyone…except God!

.

PS Krøyer – Hip hip hurra! Kunstnerfest på Skagen – 1888 – Wikimedia – Public Domain

.

SATAN VICTORIOUS!

.

And so, the serpent, Satan, was victorious, because the whole world was now worshiping him by reason of our love for this, his world-of-selfish-desires-and-pursuits!

.

Yes, even though Christians were professing to love Jesus, yet in heart we actually loved “the god of this world”, since our hearts were going after the riches and pleasures and careers of this, his self-seeking antichrist world-system!

.

Brown tree snake – Boiga – cropped photo – Wikipedia – Public Domain

.

SO WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW?

But recently, it seems as if the serpent has begun to bite, once again!

.

Yes, there appears to be a growing hostility around the world against God’s people!

.

So, what’s happening? Why are things beginning to heat up for those who profess to love God. Even Jews around the world are beginning to feel the heat once again!

.

ISIL – Execution of man – September 2014 – Wikimedia – Public Domain

.

DRINKING BABYLON’S WINE!

Something, whatever it is, has caused that serpent-of-old, Satan, to once again begin to make life difficult for Christians!

.

Well, that will have to be a question to be answered in another devotional.

.

But one thing is for sure! Christians need to wake up from our death-like slumber, and forever swear-off drinking even one more drop of the highly intoxicating wine of this Babylonian world!

.

William Blake – Whore – Babylon – Wikipedia – Public Domain

.

GET YOUR ARMOR ON!

.

Yes, we Christians must sober up, spiritually speaking!

.

And, no doubt, Satan has his deadly trap already set in place to spring on us!

.

And we must cut away the tendrils of selfishness and worldliness which have wrapped themselves tightly around us!

.

And then, we need to scramble to locate our misplaced spiritual armor!

.

And then, we must sharpen our sword by hiding God’s precious promises in our heart!

.

And considering the lateness of the hour, we might want to hasten to do all these necessary things!

.

The Day of the Lord is at hand!

.

TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to be wise as a serpent regarding this very deceptive world. Let me not be ignorant of Satan’s devices, nor of his power over this world…

Prayer – USMC – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

.

THE END

.

TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

Info & pics of constellations on this site from Wikipedia & International Astronomical Union (click here)

.

7 HEADS, 10 HORNS, & 7 CROWNS OF THE DRAGON

“And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.” Revelation 12:3

**In Revelation, the Dragon of Revelation 12 is described as having seven heads, ten horns, and seven crowns. However, the Dragon Constellation up in the night sky does not.**

.

But God has faithfully created the wave of water, in such a way, as to illustrate this same concept of the seven heads, ten horns, and seven crowns. Because this wave of water is basically composed of ten stars.

.

The main body of the wave has seven stars (#‘s, 1 thru 7). And the tip of the crest of the wave has the other three stars (#’s, 8, 9 & 10). So we have this 7 and 10 numbering. And this gives us a great clue, as to where in the Bible we should look, to find out the riddle as to just what or who do these 7 heads, 10 crowns, and 7 horns represent. Because, the Bible speaks very much about floods and waters as being associated with Satan (the Dragon).

.

TOMORROW…

March 21 (It’s A Wrong-Way Corrigan World! Part 2: It’s A Wrong-Way Corrigan Church-World!)

Douglas Wrong-Way Corrigan – Wikipedia – US Govt. Public Domain

.

20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

.

ALL‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

.

THIS STUDY #79 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

.

above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

.

Those who are interested in using photos on this page may click on provided link below each photo, to get to Wikimedia Commons for various licensing details & tags, and all other necessary information on any particular photo.

Posted in Uncategorized |

Comments are closed.