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.
This invasion was first of all, by impregnation. Why this method? To bypass the natural procedure so that Christ would be sinless. The Holy Spirit came upon Mary and therefore Jesus did not receive Adam’s curse.
This invasion was also by incarnation—God becoming flesh in order to take our place and to understand our needs.
And thirdly this was an invasion by invitation---He wants to invade our lives, but we must invite Him in.
The central message of Christmas is that God gave His only Son to die for us. Jesus really was born in Bethlehem. He really did come. He really is God. He really loves us. Now that’s cause for celebration.
The story is told of a fashionable family who lived near a church whose members worshiped with enthusiasm. They drew a petition to present to the city council stating that the church was disturbing the peace. Thinking that everyone would be quick to sign if a neighboring Jew signed, they took it to him first. His reply was, “Gentlemen, I cannot sign it. If I believed, as these Christians, that my Messiah had come, I would shout it from the housetop and on every street in this city with all the enthusiasm I could command and nobody could stop me!”
THIRD INVASION: THE COMFORTER
At Pentecost, God the Holy Spirit was poured out on the church, corporately and individually. The basic reason for this invasion was to give us the power. That’s what the word “Comforter” means---the One who empowers! What does He give us power for? Power to cleanse us from indwelling sin. Power to keep us in the hour of temptation and trial. Power to enable us to boldly share our faith.
Consider the Apostle Peter. After Jesus had been arrested and taken away, we see Peter by the fire, consorting with the enemies of Christ. Next we see him under the fire, accused of following Christ. And then we see him on fire, preaching with great power because his heart had been invaded by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
Thank God for the invasion of the Spirit. He empowers. He enables. He gives gifts. He guides, He comforts, He teaches, He rebukes, He warns. There would be no life without His breath, no hope apart from His presence.
FOURTH INVASION: RETURN OF THE KING
Three invasions have taken place and one remains yet to be. Before the Shining Prince returned to heaven, He gave a promise that He would be back. Angels repeated and confirmed the promise: “They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ‘Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.’” (Acts 1:10,11).
Now I ask you, Would angels lie? The Shining Prince is coming back. For the “Christian His coming will mean, rest, rewards, reunion, and reigning with Him.
One day there will be a great division. When He comes, those who trusted Him will go up to be with Him forever. Those who have ignored and rejected Him will be left behind to endure judgment.
Napoleon once ordered the Royal Guard to meet him for inspection at dawn. In order to reach the place of inspection they had to march until after midnight in the rain. They arrived with their uniforms wet and muddy. They spent the rest of the night cleaning and getting ready for inspection. When they faced Napoleon at sunrise, their uniforms were spotless, their bayonets glistened in the sunlight. The Emperor was very moved. He said, “Men, I am very proud of you. From now on you shall be stationed at the palace. No more marching, no more battles. You have earned your rest.”
CONCLUSION
Four Invasions:
1. Satanic: to enslave us
2. Incarnation: to redeem us
3. Pentecost: to empower us
4. Return: to take us home
One Day
1.
One day when heaven was filled with his praises,
One day when sin was as black as could be,
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin—
Dwelt amongst men, my example is he!
Chorus
Living, he loved me; dying, he saved me;
Buried, he carried my sins far away;
Rising, he justified freely, for ever:
One day he’s coming—O, glorious day!
2.
One day they led him up Calvary’s mountain,
One day they nailed him to die on the tree;
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected:
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is he!
3.
One day they left him alone in the garden,
One day he rested, from suffering free;
Angels came down o’er his tomb to keep vigil;
Hope of the hopeless, my Saviour is he!
4.
One day the grave could conceal him no longer,
One day the stone rolled away from the door;
Then he arose, over death he had conquered;
Now is ascended, my Lord evermore!
.
One day the trumpet will sound for his coming,
One day the skies with his glories will shine;
Wonderful day, my beloved ones bringing;
Glorious Saviour, this Jesus is mine!
J. Wilbur Chapman
