Blessing as a theme

Satan became proud of his beauty and intelligence. He forgot that everything he had was a gift from God, and instead of being thankful for the multitude of blessings God had given him, he wanted more and more. He even became dissatisfied with the second position in heaven; he wanted the first. But the only position above Satan’s was God’s. Yes, he wanted God’s position, God’s authority, and God’s power.

He was the most beautiful and the most intelligent being that God ever created. Human eyes have never beheld an angel in all his glory, and when Satan walks the streets of the cities and towns of earth, performing miracles and claiming to be Christ, practically the entire world will fall down and worship him. Satan will raise his hands in blessing the people, and the people will prostrate themselves before him, worshiping him, believing that he is Christ. Almost everyone will be hypnotized by the overwhelming glory, beauty, and power which the devil will display. He will repeat in a soft, comforting voice many of the words which Jesus spoke when He was on earth. He will heal the sick and perform other miracles and great works, claiming that he is Jesus Christ. His demonstration will be thoroughly convincing to virtually everyone on earth.

The reason that deception exists is because the curse came into effect the day Adam and Eve sinned. They allowed curse into the world, at every level and area. The Bible has to talk about blessing: because God wants to bless the people against this back drop! He wants to make Abraham blessed, to make a distinction between the blessing and the curse.

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us, so that the blessing of Abraham may come on us. 

What's more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would declare the Gentiles to be righteous because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, "All nations will be blessed through you." -- Galatians 3:8 NLT

People—alienated from their Creator, unaware of His love and work—wander off to seek after their own way. By their own efforts, they try to find meaning and purpose in life. They are on a path that leads nowhere. They become corrupt in their thinking and behavior. They exchange a lie for the truth of who they are and why God created them (Romans 2:25).

Humanity’s deepest need is to turn away from seeking after its own way and return to the way of the Creator God.  Returning to God gives us new identity as members of His household.  This identitygives us honor. It gives us value. It also gives us purpose: to connect others to the Great Story.

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