If Satan Could Change History
Rev. Eric D. Smith
Acts 2:1-4
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
There are some colossal events that have taken place throughout history that have greatly impacted the unfolding of world events. The passage of scripture that we have just read is one of those such events. The exodus from Egypt, the giving of the Law, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the outpouring of the Holy Ghost, these are all major events that have impacted this world like none other.
It came across my mind this week an interesting thought. If satan had the opportunity to reach into the New Testament and change history, what would some of the things be that he would tamper with?
Because of the prophecy and the determinate counsel of God, I do not believe that Satan could have even altered the crucifixion, nor Pentecost in the least amount. These are things that had to happen. But more than events, I believe that Satan has found out that if he can touch the lives of people, he can be much more in the advantage.
Luke 22:31-32
31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
I bet that Satan wishes that he could have eliminated Peter at that particular time, but he couldn’t do it.
Acts 12:1-5
1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
Satan almost had him this time, but there was a church that prayed without ceasing. When Satan saw James killed, he probably rejoiced in the fact. But then he was also able to get Peter thrown into jail. But then Satan encountered a church that was shaking the spiritual world in high places. While Satan attention was on Peter, God’s ear was being entertained by a sweet sound of intercession. If Satan knew then what he knows now, I bet that he would have done more to try to stop that prayer meeting. But there were people that showed up at the prayer meeting because they knew it was important, but maybe they didn’t fully realize how important it was until Peter began knocking at the front gate. If Satan could go back and change history, that would have been a good place to start. Could you just imagine how things would have change if Peter could have been eliminated after the holiday break.
I bet that if Satan could go back and change history, he probably would have worked on those people a little harder that were involved in that prayer meeting. I think Satan could have worked on a few more important things to bring to their minds that evening than going to the house that night and praying.
If he could have stopped the praying, things would have been different. If he could have filled up their lives with more trivial things that would have occupied their minds, tied up their time, filled up thoughts with trifling pursuits, but OH, Satan let it slip right through his fingers. Before he knew it, Peter was on the outside of the prison headed for a red hot pray meeting.
Paul was another man in history that I believe that Satan wishes that he had the opportunity to do over again. If he could just get another chance at him. But think about it. The unconverted Saul was right in the palm of Satan’s hands. Saul was putting Christians in prison, stoning others. But then Saul slipped into the hands of Satan’s rival. Now, let me tell you tonight that Satan tried after this to do everything that he could to eliminate Paul. Paul was left for dead on the side of the road many a times. Vipers were summoned up to try to kill him. Men of low degree and full of jealousies were influenced to try to kill him, but all to no prevail. Nothing could work on Paul. Satan probably curses the day that Saul slipped through his hands.
Maybe if Satan could change history, he would have done it by affecting the men that Paul affected. A young man named Timothy was greatly used by God. Could there have been a time that Satan could have gotten he upper hand in the life of Timothy? Sometimes we may never know how we affect the generation that follows us. Timothy had a godly influence in his life even before Paul got to him.
2 Tim 1:5-6
5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
Satan probably curses the day that he allowed Lois and Eunice to slip through his fingers. Maybe if he would have worked harder on those two women, then maybe Timothy would have been a little bit worldlier in his life. Maybe if Satan could have put a little bit more worldly entertainment into the lives of Lois and Eunice, then OH, how Timothy could grown up to be just the playboy type of minister, and then he would have been ineffective in his life. But he let another chance slip through his fingers.
Luke was another one that if Satan could go back and change history, I believe that Satan would have been working overtime in Troas.
Acts 16:6-10
6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
Somewhere in Paul’s stay at Troas, Luke became a convert of Jesus Christ by the preaching of Paul. He was a Gentile, won by the love of the grace and mercy of God. Satan missed his opportunity. If he had to do it all over again, then maybe Satan could have arranged a cute little Grecian girl to walk by a few hours, maybe even a few days or weeks earlier than when the tent meeting was going to go on. Maybe Satan could have had Luke miss his conversion opportunity because he was "sowing his wild oats." BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT SATAN CAN’T CHANGE HISTORY!!!!!!!!
But the bad news is, Satan knows that!! If I can give Satan any credit, it is in the fact that he learns from his mistakes. Since he can’t change history, he is going to be out to make sure that his mistakes don’t repeat itself. In other words, he still has the opportunity to affect the future. What were some of the things that he would have changed if he had the opportunity? The prayer meetings! How many churches today still have prayer meetings? Satan is going to try to stop the prayer meetings by filling up our time with non-essentials and non-eternals. He would also try to destroy the unfeigned faith. Satan doesn’t want godly grandparents or godly parents. Satan will try to do everything that he can to make mom and dad into hypocrites. He is going to try to make worldliness a part of every Christian home. He doesn’t mind the next generation to produce a few preachers if they are nothing more than playboy preachers. But if at all possible, Satan will try to get the youth of today before the gospel can change their lives. He is going to try to steal their virginity at a young age. He is going to try to get them sidetracked with becoming party goers than becoming soul winners.
Yes, Satan can’t change history, but you can bet that he is going to try to shape the church’s future. Will you let him? Has he already shaped you?
