Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Bible Doctrine Series-El-Elyon

El Elyon—“the most high God” (Genesis 14:18; Numbers 24:16; cf. Philippians 2:9). El is the singular form of Elohim. Elyon means “the Supreme, Highest, all others are below Him.” He is sovereign over all. El, like in El Shaddai, means might or power. Thus the word “Elyon,” or “Most High,” here applied to God, reveals, that, though He is the “Highest,” there are others below Him, endowed by Him with like natures, and therefore in some way related to Him; but that, because He is the “Highest,” He has the power to rule and He may do with them as He pleases should they be disobedient or seek to exalt themselves against Him. An example of this comes from the archives of heaven itself. Recorded in Isaiah 14:12 “How have you fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, you who have weakened the nations. 14:13 “But you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, and I will sit on the mount of the assembly in the recesses of the north. 14:14 ‘I will ascent above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High (El Elyon).’ 14:15 “Nevertheless you will be thrust down to Sheol, to the recesses of the pit.” These verses are spoken to the King of Babylon but they also refer to Satan. Satan was created Lucifer, the shining one, the bright star of the heavens. The seal of perfection—both in wisdom and beauty was upon him. God placed him on the holy mountain of God, blameless from the day he was created. Then with only six words, Scripture tells us how Lucifer fell from his high position of anointed cherub. The last phrase in Ezekiel 28 gives us the sad commentary: “You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, until unrighteousness was found in you.” Unrighteousness was found in Lucifer. What was this unrighteousness? Charles Ryrie gives some insight on Isaiah 14:13-14, believed to describe Satan’s fall. “Five phrases beginning with I will describe Satan’s sin. He wished to occupy heaven, the abode of God Himself. To exalt his throne above the stars of God may refer to his desire to rule all the angelic creatures, or it may simply be another way to indicate his self-exaltation. North, in heathen literature, indicated the abode of the gods; thus Satan was ambitious to govern the universe as the council (assembly) of Babylonian gods supposedly did. He wanted the glory that belonged to God alone and his entire goal was to be like the Most High (Hebrew, Elyon).” Satan became unrighteous and was cast from the mountain of God (Ezekiel 28:16) and was thrown down to the earth with his followers (Revelation 12:7-9). El Elyon will have no other gods before Him; this is His first commandment. Daniel was told that the saints of the Highest One would receive the Kingdom and possess it forever (Daniel 7:27). Jesus, the son of the Most High, provided entrance to the kingdom of heaven. We receive all that pertains to the kingdom of God by faith walked out in obedience to Him. The Lord Jesus Christ has given us an example of faithfulness and humility to the Most High God by His submissive obedience. As a result He is set over every name, named. Our victory in warfare can only be accomplished with the same submissiveness, tearing down every thought within our mind which lifts itself in opposition to the Truth, the Most High God. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

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