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E. The Helmet of Salvation – Sessions 7 – Parts 2E-1 to 2E-3:
*Session 7 – Part 2E-2 – Let’s take a closer look at Paul's thorn in the flesh. II Corinthians 12:7 says, "And lest I
should be exalted above measure through abundance of the revelations,
there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to
buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure." What was Paul's thorn in the flesh? The verse
says plainly that it was a "messenger of Satan." The Greek word is
translated "angel" 179 times and "messenger" seven times. It's never
translated "disease" or "physical infirmity." Such an interpretation
would be wrong. An angel of Satan, one of the spirit beings that
followed him when God threw him out of heaven, buffeted Paul, tempting
him with self-exaltation. That spirit wanted Paul to exalt himself;
watch out – that’s what Satan try to get us to do today. In II Corinthians 11:23-27
Paul lists some of the ordeals caused by this evil angel that kept him
humble. There is not a disease in the entire list. Paul's thorn must be
understood in the same sense as Numbers 33:55; Ezekiel 28:24; and Hosea 2:6
where the same Greek word for thorn is found in the Septuagint. In
these passages, the giants were called thorns in the sides of the
Israelites. The giants resulted from the union of fallen angels with
human women (Genesis 6:4; Jude 6; II Peter 2:4). They weren't diseases and plagues, bad eyes or a heart condition. They did cause suffering and war.
Paul asked three times for the thorn to be
removed and God refused. He refused because the thorn was an evil spirit
that was tempting Paul. It is not yet time for Satan and his demons to
be removed from the world. That will happen in God's timing which is the
Day of Vengeance, the Second Coming of Christ.
In truth each and every believer has the
same thorn. We are all tempted and buffeted by Satan, and this will
continue until Jesus put Satan away forever. God made many promises to
each of us. I Corinthians 10:13 says, "There hath no temptation taken you
but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer
you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation
also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
He has promised us a way of escape from the
devil's wiles. This is a message of love, hope, and peace. Still, we
cannot be ignorant of his devices. We must know the entire truth, seek
forgiveness and obey God's Word. Then we will receive peace. Satan's
thorns will still be thrown at us, but we will deflect and defeat them.
May the peace of God guard your hearts and minds ALWAYS!!!
Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks
****Click to accept Christ as YOUR personal Lord & Savior****
NOTE:
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