Weekly Devotional 8-21-23 Extraterrestrials
Do Extraterrestrials exist? Many have wondered about this for decades and it seems that there is a movement in the world of our day to convince skeptics that extraterrestrials do exist. The movement is gaining momentum, spreading even into Christian circles. The Christian however must not readily accept the claims of those who are propagating said movement. All things for the Christian must be measured by what is written in God’s handbook, the Bible. The Bible for the Christian is the bottom line of suggestions and if what is being stated in a suggestion is not found in the Bible it should not be considered as factual. So what does the Bible say, or what does the Bible not say? It says that in the beginning, God created all that was created (See Genesis 1 & 2). This included the earth, the moon, the sun, the stars, the planets, the galaxies, and solar systems. In that He is God alone, no other true God exists (See Isaiah 45:18). He was the creator of all that exists. Not only was He the creator of all that exists but He is also sovereign over all creation.
As to the earth, Isaiah 45:18 also says that God created the earth not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited by man. It is interesting that God created all that was necessary for mans habitation before He created man. This of course included a necessary atmosphere to envelop the earth, the moon, which has many purposes i.e., it reflects the light of the sun, it moderates the earth’s wobble on its axis, leading to a relatively stable climate. It also causes the ebbs and flows of oceanic tides, creating a rhythm that has guided humans for thousands of years. Speaking of the sun, it is the source of earth’s light but also, it’s necessary heat. The stars provide a navigational system for man and also displays God’s handiwork, as do the many galaxies and their solar systems. Considering all these things it is interesting that extraterrestrial beings are not mentioned in the creation account nor in any of the 66 books of the Bible. There can only be two reasons for this; either they do not exist or if God did create them, it has been and is, His intention to keep them and man separate, unknowing of each other. What would be the importance of this? There are several reasons …….
Reason one: Satan must be figured into the answer. God created him and the angelic realm eons ago. He, lifted up in pride of his countenance and position sought to rise above the throne of God and be worshipped as God. We read of this rebellion and attempted overtake of the government of God in the book of Isaiah. “13How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! 13 For you have said in your heart:‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north;14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High (Isaiah 45:12-14). Ezekiel 28:11-16 further describes this being and of God casting him out of His government. Jude 6 and Revelation 12:4 states that Satan led a third of the angelic realm in that rebellion. Satan and his band of fallen angels are not restricted to time or space as are we humans. They are spirit beings, appearing here and there as directed by Satan, and are bent on bringing dishonor on God. (This is not possible of course but this is his and their intent). They brought sin into the world of man and in that they are not restricted by time or space would they not have brought sin to all intelligent beings, if they existed? The answer can only be yes, even the beings of the farthest galaxies. In His love for man God provided a remedy. He gave His only begotten Son that who-so-ever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. Jesus, God’s only begotten Son, in His humanity, shed His blood to redeem fallen man. The writer of Hebrews confirms “That by the law almost all things are purged with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22). Nothing is said in the text, or any place else in Scripture of His blood being shed for other planetary beings.
Reason two: At the at the end of the millennial (The 1,000 year) reign of Jesus a new Jerusalem will come down out of Heaven in which all who have been redeemed will dwell. Revelation 21:9-14 says of that city that the bride of Christ (the church) will reside within and that it has 12 gates with the names of the 12 tribes of Israel and 12 foundations named after the 12 apostles of Jesus. Revelation 21 thus tells us who will populate the new Jerusalem. The Old Testament and New Testament saints and in addition, the tribulation saints. There is no mention of extraterrestrials.
Reason three. Revelation 21 tells us that God will destroy the old heaven and the old earth as He creates a new heaven and a new earth. The old heaven speaks of the atmosphere that envelopes the earth and planetary space, it does not speak of the 3rd heaven (See 2nd Corinthians 12:3 & 4) the abode of God. In that God is going to destroy the old planetary space (the moon, the sun, the stars, the planets, the galaxies, and solar systems) it carries that the inhabitants of the planets, galaxies and solar systems would also be destroyed yet nothing is written about them being destroyed. Why, because such inhabitants do not exist.
Reason four: God’s purpose of creating all that there is, was to glorify Himself; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. To bring this about He allowed Satan to rebel, He allowed man to fall and gave the life of His begotten Son to restore man. In that sin is universal it carries that sin would also be affected wherever life might be, necessitating the death of Jesus, repeatedly. It just does not fit!
So why is there such promotion of extraterrestrials today? There are probably many reasons. Reason one: Satan wants to lead people away from God and creates delusion. People are subject to his lies and distortions. He is able to and causes people to see things other than they are.
Reason two: Many people want notoriety and believe that pro-moting the concept of UFO’s and extraterrestrials is a means to that end.
Reason three: Some seek power and think that by installing fear into the populace they will achieve it.
Reason four: Some seek financial gain and have found that such promotion will bring them that gain.
Reason Five: Some want to deny the existence of God and persuade others to the same. The promotion of UFO’S and extraterrestrials aids them in their pursuit.
Well, there it is. Based on what Scripture says or does not say I would caution Christians to not readily accept what is being propagated by many today.
Steve
Stevelampman.com
Transforming Power; the Work of God on Behalf of Man