Invasion Of The Spirit-Snatchers

Invasion of the Spirit-Snatchers

John 1:1-5; 10-14

In the days in which we live, we are finding that people are becoming more and more interested in the possibility that worlds other than our own may be inhabited. Is it possible that someday we might be able to communicate with these distant worlds? Or could our world be invaded from outer space?

New Age adherents are actively promoting this idea. They like to talk about how this world was populated by visitors from other worlds. “Adam and Eve were space-travelers,” or so they say. The reason it is so important to address this whole idea is that it deals with the whole question of origins. It is a response to the popular way evolution is taught. Most people find it impossible to conceive of mankind evolving from an amoeba over millions of years. But a belief in aliens who originally populated the earth removes that barrier, while avoiding a return to biblical truth as outlined in Romans 1:18-21.

New Age proponents also believe that these outer-space ancestors of ours will intervene to save our species from nuclear extinction. Actually our world already has had three invasions and another is yet to come. It wasn’t by strange creatures that the invasions came, but it was by…well, let me tell you about thes four invasions.

FIRST INVASION: THE DARK PRINCE

Long ago, longer than any human being can know, there was a rebellion in another realm called in the bible, “heaven.” Lucifer, the highest of all God’s created angelic beings instigated and headed the rebellion. He wanted to overthrow God and assume His place (see Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28.

He was exiled from heaven along with his followers and invaded the planet earth. He is not normally visible to us, but his influence and power can be seen everywhere in the form of trouble, pain, evil, sin, and death. His influence alienates men from each other and from God. It is not very difficult for us to see that we live in an invaded world—a corrupt world, a world filled with chaos.

When this evil one was called Lucifer it was a title of honor because it means “Day Star,” “Light-Bearer,” or “Son of the Morning.” But since his fall and subsequent invasion, he has been given some other names: “Prince of Darkness,” “Satan,” “the Devil,” “Serpent,” “the god of this world,” and many, many others.

His power is great. He has the ability to cause sickness and physical infirmities. He can seduce good men and weaken nations. Yet his power has its limits. He is not God. He is not omnipotent, nor omnipresent, nor omniscient. In fact, the power he possesses is granted him from Almighty God. As Martin Luther put it, “His doom is sure.”

His work is basically threefold: (1) to tempt, (2) to deceive, (3) to accuse. He has been successfully at work since the Fall of our first parents.

SECOND INVASION: THE SHINING PRINCE

Nearly 2,000 years ago, angelic hosts broke through to our world to announce that earth had been invaded again. There were no space ships, no rockets, no flying saucers---only the soft beat of angel’s wings. No exotic weapons, only a song. No threat of war, but a promise of peace.

As the Apostle John put it, “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” His name was called Emmanuel (God with us) and Jesus (Savior); for He shall save the people from their sins.

The Shining Prince” had come---born to a peasant teenaged woman, cradled in a manger. Why did He come? To teach us? Yes. To raise up a group of men who would spread His kingdom? Yes. To heal the sick and raise the dead? Yes. All of these things and more He came to do. But the primary reason he invaded this planet is found in I John 3:8. He came to destroy the works of the devil. And in doing so, He would buy us back, free us, redeem us, brake Satan’s power over us and rescue us from his clutches. It was all accomplished at Calvary. When Jesus cried, “It is finished!” it meant that the devil’s doom was sealed. What a contrast: Jesus, who never sinned and the devil who can do nothing but sin.

For many months after the close of WWII, Japanese troops were discovered hidden in the caves and jungles of the Pacific islands. Some of these stragglers were living like frightened savages; they didn’t realize the war was over. Oh, how many there are like those today, spiritually speaking. Jesus has won the victory!

Several years ago Hollywood produced a science-fiction (horror) film called, “Invasion of the Body-Snatchers.” The Gospel is not science fiction or fantasy. It is ultimate reality. Jesus Christ came to this earth to snatch our souls from Satan’s grip. Praise His name! When the Shining Prince came it was to show how God interrupted, interfered, and intruded in the affairs of men in order to accomplish His plan of redemption.