Respecting Authority

There is a systemic problem with authority manifesting in the church today that hinders the move of God and destroys lives. This problem began with Lucifer pursuing his self-interest of becoming ruler of creation. In his attempt to overthrow the authority structure in Heaven, Lucifer began to assert himself over Michael and his angels by exercising authority and wielding power over them to become their ruler. Michael and his angels refused to submit to Lucifer, the authority God established who had rejected God's purpose for authority and pursued his self-interest. Their refusal to submit caused a war to break out in heaven (Rev. 12:7). Lucifer, now known as Satan, lost and was kicked out of heaven to earth. Again, Satan, in his attempt to become ruler of creation, overthrew the authority structure God established on earth by deceiving Adam to give up his rights to the authority God had given him. These acts caused the separation of humanity from God, leading to their spiritual death. Satan became the ruler of this world instead of man. On the cross, Jesus defeated Satan and began building His Church by setting the example as a servant leader, and said. "The gates of Hell will not prevail against His church." Again, Satan, in his quest to be ruler of creation, is trying to overthrow the servant leadership Jesus established in His church, by sending false prophets, false teachers, and false apostles masquerading as men of God. Who wield power and exercise authority over God's people in violation of the servant leadership Jesus established in His church. The author is a victim of the systemic problem with authority that manifested in the church, which nearly destroyed his life. He wishes to expose those false authorities masquerading as men of God who wield power and exercise authority over God's people in violation of the teaching of Jesus to pursue their self-interests. Like Satan, these authorities do not acknowledge, honor, or respect the truth about Jesus and His established purpose for authority, which hinders the move of God and destroys lives. According to the apostle John, this reveals the presence of the spirit of the antichrist (1John4:1-3).