January 11th, 2026
by Lars Dahl
by Lars Dahl
Understanding God's Sovereignty Over Evil
In a world that often feels chaotic and out of control, where darkness seems to be advancing and evil appears unchecked, there's a truth we desperately need to grasp: Evil is real, but it is never in control.
The Mission We Cannot Afford to Miss
Before we dive into the depths of spiritual warfare and God's sovereignty, we must first address a critical question: What is the church actually for? Many congregations have subtly shifted their focus, becoming entertainment centers designed primarily for unbelievers. But Scripture paints a different picture.
Paul writes in Ephesians 4:11-12 that God gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers "for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." Notice the sequence: leaders equip believers, and believers do the ministry.
Jesus didn't command us to "make believers", He commanded us to "make disciples" (Matthew 28:19). There's a profound difference. Believers may simply agree with certain truths, but disciples are transformed, trained, and sent. They look less like the culture and more like Christ.
When churches orient everything toward seekers, avoiding hard topics to prevent offense, they miss the mission entirely. Jesus never compromised His message to attract crowds. In John 6, after His "bread of life" sermon, many disciples walked away. Did Jesus soften His teaching? Did He chase after them with a more palatable message? No. He let them go.
If we're not making disciples, we're just rearranging church furniture while the world burns.
When Heaven Falls Silent
The book of Revelation unfolds like a divine courtroom drama, where Jesus Christ is revealed as the risen, reigning Lord walking among His churches. Through the first eight chapters, we witness the throne of heaven, the Lamb who alone is worthy, and judgments that aren't random chaos but purposeful calls to repentance.
Then comes the seventh seal, and something extraordinary happens: silence in heaven for about half an hour (Revelation 8:1). In a realm where worship never ceases, where angels constantly cry "Holy, holy, holy," silence is deafening. It's the pause before the storm, the deep breath before judgment intensifies.
Seven angels prepare to sound seven trumpets. The first four bring ecological devastation, hail and fire, a burning mountain cast into the sea, a great star falling on fresh water, and darkness covering a third of the heavenly bodies. But these are merely preludes to something far worse.
An angel flies through heaven crying, "Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth" because of the final three trumpets. These aren't just natural disasters; they're supernatural invasions.
The Fallen Star and the Bottomless Pit
The fifth trumpet brings a vision that has puzzled and terrified readers for centuries: "I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit" (Revelation 9:1).
This isn't astronomy—it's theology. The "star" acts like a person, receives a key, and uses it. Scripture consistently uses this imagery for fallen spiritual beings. Most scholars identify this figure as Satan himself, also known as Lucifer, the Destroyer.
Notice the verb tense: "had fallen." This indicates a past fall with continuing effects. But this isn't describing Satan's original rebellion. It's something future, a further descent in his trajectory toward ultimate defeat.
Here's where many Christians get confused. Satan doesn't live in hell, at least not yet. He still has access to heaven, though always by permission, never by authority.
The Accuser Before the Throne
The book of Job reveals an unsettling scene: "There was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them" (Job 1:6). This happens again in Job 2:1. Satan must present himself before God. He can do nothing without divine permission.
Zechariah 3:1 shows Satan "standing at the right hand" of Joshua the high priest "to oppose him." Satan's primary role is as an accuser, constantly bringing charges against God's people. But immediately, God rebukes him: "The Lord rebuke you, Satan!" (Zechariah 3:2).
What does this teach us? Satan's accusations do not overrule God's grace. Accusing is Satan's role, but it is not his power. He speaks, but the Judge has already ruled.
The Key That Changes Everything
Back in Revelation 9, God gives Satan a key to the bottomless pit, a place of permanent confinement for certain fallen angels and demons. Satan opens it, and demonic forces are released to torment the earth.
But here's the critical detail we cannot miss: God Gave him the key.
Evil does not seize authority. Evil does not operate independently. Evil does not outrun God. It is given permission, and nothing more.
This changes everything about how we understand suffering, spiritual warfare, and the chaos we see around us. Every hard, confusing, or painful moment exists under God's authority, not outside it. He is sovereign, even when things feel anything but stable.
Satan's Final Fall
Satan's story doesn't end with access to heaven or even with the tribulation judgments. Revelation 12:7-10 describes a future war in heaven where Michael and his angels fight the dragon. Satan and his angels are defeated and "cast to the earth." The passage declares, "the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down."
But even that isn't the end. Revelation 20:10 reveals Satan's ultimate destiny: "The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever."
The Verdict Is Already In
For those who belong to Christ, this truth should bring tremendous comfort. Yes, Satan accuses. Yes, he prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. But he never speaks first, God does. He never sets the terms, God does. He never wins the case God does.
Paul asks the rhetorical question: "Who shall bring a charge against God's elect?" His answer: "It is God who justifies" (Romans 8:33). The accuser may speak, but the Judge has already ruled.
Because of the Cross, we've been set free. Christ died, rose again, and now sits at the right hand of God, making intercession for us (Romans 8:34). Every accusation Satan brings has already been answered by the blood of Jesus.
Living in Light of God's Sovereignty
Understanding God's absolute sovereignty over evil should transform how we live. We don't need to fear what Satan might do because he can only do what God permits. We don't need to wonder if evil has gotten out of hand because God holds every key.
Our calling is clear: know Christ more and help others know Him more. Make disciples, not just decisions. Equip believers for ministry. Address the hard issues without compromise. And trust that the One who controls the keys controls everything else too.
The world may feel like it's spinning out of control, but nothing could be further from the truth. The Judge is on His throne, the verdict is already in, and the accuser's days are numbered.
In a world that often feels chaotic and out of control, where darkness seems to be advancing and evil appears unchecked, there's a truth we desperately need to grasp: Evil is real, but it is never in control.
The Mission We Cannot Afford to Miss
Before we dive into the depths of spiritual warfare and God's sovereignty, we must first address a critical question: What is the church actually for? Many congregations have subtly shifted their focus, becoming entertainment centers designed primarily for unbelievers. But Scripture paints a different picture.
Paul writes in Ephesians 4:11-12 that God gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers "for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." Notice the sequence: leaders equip believers, and believers do the ministry.
Jesus didn't command us to "make believers", He commanded us to "make disciples" (Matthew 28:19). There's a profound difference. Believers may simply agree with certain truths, but disciples are transformed, trained, and sent. They look less like the culture and more like Christ.
When churches orient everything toward seekers, avoiding hard topics to prevent offense, they miss the mission entirely. Jesus never compromised His message to attract crowds. In John 6, after His "bread of life" sermon, many disciples walked away. Did Jesus soften His teaching? Did He chase after them with a more palatable message? No. He let them go.
If we're not making disciples, we're just rearranging church furniture while the world burns.
When Heaven Falls Silent
The book of Revelation unfolds like a divine courtroom drama, where Jesus Christ is revealed as the risen, reigning Lord walking among His churches. Through the first eight chapters, we witness the throne of heaven, the Lamb who alone is worthy, and judgments that aren't random chaos but purposeful calls to repentance.
Then comes the seventh seal, and something extraordinary happens: silence in heaven for about half an hour (Revelation 8:1). In a realm where worship never ceases, where angels constantly cry "Holy, holy, holy," silence is deafening. It's the pause before the storm, the deep breath before judgment intensifies.
Seven angels prepare to sound seven trumpets. The first four bring ecological devastation, hail and fire, a burning mountain cast into the sea, a great star falling on fresh water, and darkness covering a third of the heavenly bodies. But these are merely preludes to something far worse.
An angel flies through heaven crying, "Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth" because of the final three trumpets. These aren't just natural disasters; they're supernatural invasions.
The Fallen Star and the Bottomless Pit
The fifth trumpet brings a vision that has puzzled and terrified readers for centuries: "I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit" (Revelation 9:1).
This isn't astronomy—it's theology. The "star" acts like a person, receives a key, and uses it. Scripture consistently uses this imagery for fallen spiritual beings. Most scholars identify this figure as Satan himself, also known as Lucifer, the Destroyer.
Notice the verb tense: "had fallen." This indicates a past fall with continuing effects. But this isn't describing Satan's original rebellion. It's something future, a further descent in his trajectory toward ultimate defeat.
Here's where many Christians get confused. Satan doesn't live in hell, at least not yet. He still has access to heaven, though always by permission, never by authority.
The Accuser Before the Throne
The book of Job reveals an unsettling scene: "There was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them" (Job 1:6). This happens again in Job 2:1. Satan must present himself before God. He can do nothing without divine permission.
Zechariah 3:1 shows Satan "standing at the right hand" of Joshua the high priest "to oppose him." Satan's primary role is as an accuser, constantly bringing charges against God's people. But immediately, God rebukes him: "The Lord rebuke you, Satan!" (Zechariah 3:2).
What does this teach us? Satan's accusations do not overrule God's grace. Accusing is Satan's role, but it is not his power. He speaks, but the Judge has already ruled.
The Key That Changes Everything
Back in Revelation 9, God gives Satan a key to the bottomless pit, a place of permanent confinement for certain fallen angels and demons. Satan opens it, and demonic forces are released to torment the earth.
But here's the critical detail we cannot miss: God Gave him the key.
Evil does not seize authority. Evil does not operate independently. Evil does not outrun God. It is given permission, and nothing more.
This changes everything about how we understand suffering, spiritual warfare, and the chaos we see around us. Every hard, confusing, or painful moment exists under God's authority, not outside it. He is sovereign, even when things feel anything but stable.
Satan's Final Fall
Satan's story doesn't end with access to heaven or even with the tribulation judgments. Revelation 12:7-10 describes a future war in heaven where Michael and his angels fight the dragon. Satan and his angels are defeated and "cast to the earth." The passage declares, "the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down."
But even that isn't the end. Revelation 20:10 reveals Satan's ultimate destiny: "The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever."
The Verdict Is Already In
For those who belong to Christ, this truth should bring tremendous comfort. Yes, Satan accuses. Yes, he prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. But he never speaks first, God does. He never sets the terms, God does. He never wins the case God does.
Paul asks the rhetorical question: "Who shall bring a charge against God's elect?" His answer: "It is God who justifies" (Romans 8:33). The accuser may speak, but the Judge has already ruled.
Because of the Cross, we've been set free. Christ died, rose again, and now sits at the right hand of God, making intercession for us (Romans 8:34). Every accusation Satan brings has already been answered by the blood of Jesus.
Living in Light of God's Sovereignty
Understanding God's absolute sovereignty over evil should transform how we live. We don't need to fear what Satan might do because he can only do what God permits. We don't need to wonder if evil has gotten out of hand because God holds every key.
Our calling is clear: know Christ more and help others know Him more. Make disciples, not just decisions. Equip believers for ministry. Address the hard issues without compromise. And trust that the One who controls the keys controls everything else too.
The world may feel like it's spinning out of control, but nothing could be further from the truth. The Judge is on His throne, the verdict is already in, and the accuser's days are numbered.
Lars Dahl
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