When Satan fell, he did not fall alone.

I need more coffee. People say understanding Paul is difficult, but they have clearly not wrestled with the gospel. People say that they want power, and discuss mysticism and spirituality, and know not of what they speak.

Even when they speak truth. There is a very bad TV show at present, based on all the bad Victorian literature, but there is a truth snuck into it. When Satan fell, he did not fall alone. There is little about this in scripture, and the plainest text is that of today.

Which is another proof that Christ is God incarnate. A prophet does not see Satan fall: he is told about it. A prophet cannot say that the only way to reconciliation is through himself, for a prophet is one sent by God to bear witness.

The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

Then turning to the disciples he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”

(Luke 10:17-24 ESV)

I have talked recently about how spirituality can deceive, and now we need to talk a little about power. There are many who make a big thing of spiritual warfare and power and boast of the work they have done. This is also a theme in urban fantasy, both the modern and steampunk versions, and appeals to our sense of righteousness. We want to go on crusade. We want to see the evil one defeated. And in that zeal we can all to easily fall into error.

But consider what Christ taught. That we should not rejoice not in power, but our election. We should rejoice that Christ saved us, and this is not our doing. From that statement unfolds the remained of the passage: that it is the work of Christ to save, and that we are not chosen for our power or wisdom but to be a witness to this world.

I do not think of prophecy or spiritual warfare much. Like a man who was talking about prayer support for our local ministries at Church on Sunday, I feel that I am a prayer wimp and not a warrior.

However, our election marks us. Satan does walk through this world, and sloth is not within him. He knows all to well that his time is limited. The time may come when places like this are not simply considered rude, but become hate speech, crimethink.

The elite hate us: for the disciples of our God have power over their masters. But Satan did not fall alone, and this elite has but a brief time. A rotten nation cannot stand.

So let us pray not for justice in this time, but mercy. Let us pray not for power and authority, but that the people of our time will be found by Christ and bought into his grace: that there will not be just a remnant but a full harvest. And let us pray that we remain true to the God who called us, and not follow our faithless instincts.

When Satan fell, he did not fall alone. Do not join him.