The Devil, UFOs, and Invaders from Space!

There is no doubt that many unexplained phenomena occur which nobody understands fully. Many claims have been made by men and women who say they have seen unusual creatures or strange beings who appeared to be unearthly in appearance. Sometimes they seemed to appear out of a strange flying object, perhaps some sort of space craft. Some of these men were put to lie detector tests, and even put under hypnosis, to determine whether they were lying. The tests proved that they sincerely believed that they saw what they said they saw. They themselves were sincerely convinced. But whether they were confused, or misled, or whether they saw what they thought they saw, that is another question.

In a nineteen year span of time more than 10,000 sightings of "UFOs" or "unidentified flying objects" were recorded and classified, and Project Blue Book of the United States Air Force was instituted to investigate UFOs. The report concluded: "In our experience, the persons making reports seem in nearly all cases to be normal, responsible individuals. In most cases they are quite calm, at least by the time they make a report. They are simply puzzled about what they saw and hope that they can be helped to a better understanding of it. Only a very few are obviously quite emotionally disturbed, their minds being filled with pseudoscientific, pseudo-religious or other fantasies."

Opinion surveys indicate that several million Americans believe they have seen objects that could be described as unidentified flying objects, or "UFOs." What could they have seen?

Over a two year period hundreds of cases were investigated by the University of Colorado, under the direction of Dr. Edward U. Condon. A number of alleged UFO photographs were analyzed in depth. Some were successfully explained, but at least one, showing a disk-shaped object in flight over Oregon, is classed as difficult to explain in a conventional way. When the study was completed, it concluded that there is no evidence to justify a belief that extraterrestrial visitors have penetrated our skies. But nevertheless, from time to time we still hear of new sightings, new encounters, strange new bizarre phenomena.

Most UFO sightings have been explained as actual sightings of kites, weather balloons, missiles, the planet Venus, or any number of meteorological phenomena.

But still the sightings persist, and not all of them are so easily explained. What could they be? As we shall soon see, Satan the devil is actively involved in these manifestations!

It is not my purpose here to go into great detail describing many alleged sightings of UFOs -- you can read about most of them in any number of books. But one thing is certain -- the Project Blue Book did not close the lid on the subject of "flying saucers." The controversy, the furor, is as great today as it ever was! And movies such as Close Encounters of the Third Kind only serve to stir up interest.

Perhaps three percent, or less, of the actual sightings are difficult or impossible to explain satisfactorily by conventional explanations. Could some of them be actual extraterrestrial visits? Or is another explanation more likely?

Scientists discount the plausibility of extraterrestrial visits from alien planets. They point out that interstellar or intergalactic travel by spaceship is virtually impossible to any life forms as we know them. Such travel, spanning many light years (and remember, light travels at a speed of 186,000 miles per second!) would require tremendous velocities far beyond the capability of man; it would probably require hundreds or thousands of years, for just one "trip," and perhaps many generations of creatures would have to be born, live, and die, on such spaceships in their cross-galactic journeys; not to mention the constant danger and incessant bombardment from cosmic rays and other hazardous radiation which itself would destroy any life forms before they reached our planet.

This is indeed a formidable objection to the possibility that extraterrestrial visitors are keeping planet earth under surveillance.

Another objection is simply this: If creatures have managed to successfully accomplish such lengthy voyages through space, and finally reached earth, why are they so secretive and hesitant about contacting us? Why don't they contact our national and governmental leaders? Why do they hide under a clock of anonymity and obscurity? Why are they so ephemeral? Why won't they allow their existence to be documented? Why won't they allow themselves to be scrutinized, studied, and carefully observed? Why are they so reluctant, after such a tedious voyage, to communicate? It doesn't make much sense.

But there is another explanation for many of the "unexplained" UFO phenomena, and that explanation involves the existence of the "spirit world."

The Bible carefully documents the existence of a world of both righteous angels and demons. Also, the Bible shows that these angelic creatures from time to time have contacted various men, bringing them messages from the throne of YEHOVAH God. Among these men were Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Gideon, the parents of Samson, Ezekiel, Daniel, Zacharias the father of John the Baptist, Mary the mother of Yeshua the Messiah, the two women who went to Yeshua's tomb, the disciples when they were gathered to see Yeshua ascend into heaven, and the apostle John in the book of Revelation.

In the days of the prophet Elijah a very strange thing occurred. When it was time for Elijah to cease his ministry, and for Elisha to take over in his stead, YEHOVAH God determined to take Elijah away. As the two prophets were talking, Elijah told Elisha, "Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.

Most people would have recoiled in great fear. Here indeed was a "flying object," a very strange one at that -- a completely unexplainable phenomena by conventional means. Everybody knows that chariots cannot fly! What's more, everybody knows that there are no such things as "horses of fire"! No doubt that most serious scientists would have dismissed this account as the ramblings of a religious "crackpot" observer.

But what Elisha saw most people would have regarded as a true "UFO"!

And most people, if they saw an angel, would probably assume it was a being from outer space. And in the strict sense of the word, they would be correct! For angels, the Bible shows, can indeed "fly."

The strange vision of Ezekiel, of the Throne of YEHOVAH God surrounded by cherubim, each of them having a "wheel," and the wheel having a "wheel within a wheel," which moved in straight lines and 90 degree angles, could easily be interpreted as a UFO by human observers. These "wheels," which may be likened to "chariots," could in fact account for some of the mysterious UFO sightings which have never been explained.

Again, however, we must also consider the demonic world and the strange manifestations of demons. Some of the lurid accounts of men being thrown into great agitation and fear by strange beings from outer space, may actually be connected with demonic visions, manifestations, and phenomena. We should remember that the Bible calls Satan the "prince of the power of the air." He does have certain abilities to stage theatrical performances and visual phenomena connected with the atmosphere of the earth.

The multiplying sightings and signs of UFOs in the heavens, seen by millions of people, could be explained as the workings of Satan the devil, who is preparing the world to be deceived.

Prior to the second coming of the Messiah certain events will happen, Luke records: "And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory" (Luke 21:25-27).

Could it be that the devil, restless and rebellious, overflowing with resentment and hostility, and knowing that Yeshua the Messiah is soon going to return, is creating a "diversion" by spiritual manifestations in the skies, leading millions of people to believe that extraterrestrial beings are spying on the earth, preparatory to a coming extraterrestrial invasion? Could the devil cunningly be plotting and creating these "UFO" manifestations as a prelude to the second coming of Yeshua the Messiah and YEHOVAH God, so that when they do return the nations of the world will automatically assume that they are not the Messiah and YEHOVAH God at all but an Invaders from Outer Space?

What plan could be more deceitful, more diabolical, more clever?

We know that a spirit world exists. We also know that the devil and his demons are continually waging war right now against mankind -- that Satan is the real archenemy of man! How clever it would be for him to lead mankind into believing he is our friend, and that YEHOVAH God and the Messiah are the real enemies -- invaders from the nether regions of the Universe!

No doubt that Satan and his hierarchy of demons are behind some of the unexplained and bizarre phenomena connected with the Occult and with certain "UFO" manifestations and weird observations.

The Bible shows that demons can at times manifest themselves as ghostly creatures. The classic account of the witch at Endor, who conjured up an apparition of Samuel the prophet, is a case in point. In this account we find that Samuel the prophet was dead (I Samuel 28:3). He had been buried. At that time King Saul had put away -- banished -- all wizards and those who possessed familiar spirits (demons) from the land (same verse).

But Saul was going out to battle against the Philistines, and his heart trembled with fear. He sought to find out how the battle would go, and inquired of YEHOVAH God, but the Lord answered him not (verse 5). Desperate, Saul sought a woman with a familiar spirit -- a witch -- to help probe the future (verses 7-8). Saul wanted the woman to bring up Samuel out of the grave, to speak to him (verses 9-11).

An apparition appeared which looked like Samuel, although it really wasn't. No witch has the power to resurrect a person from the grave -- only YEHOVAH God has that kind of power. But a demon appeared, disguised as Samuel the prophet. The woman said to Saul, "I saw gods [elohim, judges] ascending out of the earth. And he said to her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived [that is, he thought] that it was Samuel [although he never saw him for himself!], and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself" (I Samuel 28:12-14).

The account goes on to show that this apparition informed Saul that the Philistines, upon the morrow, would conquer the army of Israel, and Saul and his sons would perish in the battle.

If YEHOVAH God would not answer the pleas of Saul, or give him any answer (verse 6), YEHOVAH would surely not resurrect Samuel from the grave to give Saul the answer. This being conjured up by the witch at Endor must have been a familiar spirit, a demon. The entire episode frightened the king greatly.

Even so, some of the strange, frightening encounters some have had with supposed UFOs may very well be similar spirit manifestations created by Satan and/or his host of demons.

This world at the present time is given into the hands of the Devil. He is its "god" (II Corinthians 4:4). He has used all his powers to deceive the world as to the true nature of YEHOVAH God (Revelation 12:9). He has successfully deluded billions of people into worshipping him, claiming that he is "God." He has been so successful that when YEHOVAH God returns in power and might, the entire world will be marshaled together to fight against Him at Armageddon (Rev. 16:12-14; 19:11-20).

The Apostle John, in Revelation, wrote of future catastrophic events to befall planet earth leading up to Amageddon. He described it thus:

The command to the seven angels to pour out their plagues upon the earth is given by a "loud voice" that proceeds out of the Temple. This is the voice of YEHOVAH God Himself. The command to the seven angels is executed with speed; for the pouring out of the seven plagues -- one after another -- proceeds swiftly to the end. And then, at the pouring out of the seventh plague, there comes once more "a loud voice...out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, 'It is done!'" (verse 17). The phrase "from the throne" further verifies that this great voice is the voice of YEHOVAH God. After this John speaks of the events to occur when the seven plagues are unleashed --

At the pouring out of the FIRST PLAGUE, a terrible sore or eruption that cannot be healed fell upon the men who had the mark of the beast, and who worshipped his image. The similarity between the "sore" of this first plague and the sixth of the plagues of Egypt is quite striking. While the plague in Egypt was without a doubt literal and physical, the one here, in keeping with the character of the Book of Revelation, represents a "sore" or eruption of a moral character -- breaking forth upon the surface of human society. The word "earth" here must be taken in the sense in which it is customarily used in Revelation, i.e. as designating the more settled, ordered and stabilized part of the earth, as distinguished from the turbulent and restless "sea" of the nations and peoples in general. Therefore, "the earth" designates the Western or Christianized nations that are, in general, following the paganized tenets of the Catholic Church and her whorish Protestant offspring. "The sea" -- on which the second plague is poured out -- designates the surrounding peoples and tribes of the world.

At the pouring of the SECOND PLAGUE a tremendous loss of life takes place in the "sea " of the earth:

There is, of course, a resemblance here to the first of the ten plagues of Egypt, when the waters of the Nile were turned into blood -- see Exodus 7:20-21. It is quite evident that the plague in Egypt was literal, whereas that of the second plague in Revelation is figurative. The words in Revelation 16:3 bring to our mind a picture of death by violence in an enormous scale, for "blood" is the symbol of death by violence. It is the blood of death-wounds that is here specified -- the blood as of one dead. The extent of this blood-shedding is so vast that the whole world of the surrounding nations (the so-called "heathen world") is figuratively colored red.

That the shedding of blood in war is here meant, is evident alone from the symbol of the sea out of which the beast arose. The scourge of warfare inducing death on a huge scale is indicated by a double image: first the changing of the sea into blood, second the dying of the living creatures in the sea. But it is evident that the two are not simply coordinate. The changing of the sea into blood is referring to those who actually perish in battle, while the death of all the living creatures in the sea represents the greater number of those who die as a result of war -- hunger, distress, etc.

It doesn't require much imagination to realize the causes and agencies capable of bringing about the conditions so vividly described in this vision. These causes and agencies are clearly at work right now.

The pouring out of the THIRD PLAGUE affects the sources of the world's material prosperity:

The waters of the rivers and fountains or springs are the sources of abundant vegetation, and stand for whatever is conducive to the welfare and prosperity of the individual or the community. Also, the highest application of this figure is to the sources of spiritual prosperity and fruitfulness -- as we see in Psalm 1:1-3 and Jeremiah 17:7. But since there will be no springs of spiritual waters in the world when this vision is fulfilled, the figure must have the wider application of material and worldly prosperity.

The agencies of material prosperity are the great industrial plants, the various means of transportation, and all the contributory agencies of manufacture and commerce. Now if we consider all of these as being converted into factories for the production of agents of destruction (as we saw in World War II), such as poisonous gases, biological weapons, nuclear weapons and all the hideous things at the command of modern science capable of destroying life and property, and into rockets and other such modes of delivery that can quickly transport these agents to the areas where they can do the most deadly harm, we will have in mind a state of affairs which not only could be brought quickly into existence even as things are now, but which also would answer perfectly to the symbols used in the passage about the third plague.

They that "have shed the blood of saints and prophets" refers back to the subject of the first plague -- "the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image." Because they have shed the innocent blood of saints and prophets, YEHOVAH God has given them blood to drink. This is in accordance with the foundational principle of YEHOVAH's justice that was laid down at the beginning of the development of human society after the Flood: "Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed" (Genesis 9:6). We also have a fulfillment here of Isaiah 49:26, which reads: "I will feed those who oppress you with their own flesh, and they shall be drunk with their own blood as with sweet wine."

The last part of the third plague gives a response to the words of the angel, which response comes from the altar, "Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments." This refers back to the cry of the souls from under the altar, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" (Revelation 6:10). The hour of vengeance -- long waited for -- has finally arrived.

In the FOURTH PLAGUE the sun is turned from a source of supreme blessing to mankind into an agency of terrible torment:

This, of course, is symbolical, and is to be taken as signifying that the supreme governmental authority of those days will be an instrument of the most cruel oppression instead of being a source of good -- a preserver of life, a benefaction to the people. The words "and power was given him to scorch men with fire" make it clear that the governmental powers of those days are to become instruments for the execution of YEHOVAH God's wrath -- of which fire is the usual symbol. However, the effect of this judgment upon the men it is directed to shows how hopelessly hardened they have become. Instead of humbling themselves before YEHOVAH God, who has power over these plagues, they blaspheme His Name, neither repenting nor giving Him glory. This reminds us that YEHOVAH God gives repentance (see Acts 5:31; 11:18); and it shows that in those terrible days the time for repentance will have gone forever. When man does not yield to YEHOVAH God, but stands out in a spirit of defiance and haughtiness there can only be one outcome -- man must come far short and be consumed by the power of YEHOVAH.

The judgment of the FIFTH PLAGUE has, in common with the fifth trumpet, the plague of darkness:

This plague falls upon the throne of the beast which has become, in the fullest sense, "the throne of iniquity." Under the fifth trumpet the darkness was caused by dense smoke arising from the bottomless pit -- whereby the sun and the air were darkened. Here, in this plague, the agency of the darkness is not specified -- it is merely stated that the kingdom of the beast "became full of darkness." There is, in fact, a notable absense of details in the Bible's description of these plague judgments. John hurries from one to the next as if in a great hurry to reach the end of the series.

Under the fourth plague the sun became intensely hot, so much so that men were scorched with fire. Now it is the other extreme. In the former case we understand a time of fierce persecutions and oppressions carried out by the government itself; and in the latter, a time of weakness and failure of the power of the government. Whatever the details may be, they are such to produce much distress -- men "gnawed ther tongues because of the pain," but once again there is no turning to YEHOVAH God. They "blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and sores, and did not repent of their deeds." While these words certainly describe a state of extreme hardness of heart and rebellion, they also indicate that those upon whom this plague falls have some knowledge of YEHOVAH God -- sufficient at least to realize that HE is the Author of these judgments. Yet, the hardness of their hearts is such that they withstand Him and speak blasphemies against His Name. This plague is reminiscent of the ninth Egyptian plague, which consisted of "a darkness over all the land, even a darkness which might be felt" (Exodus 10:21).

We are now reaching the end. The description of the last two plague judgments contains much more detail than the preceeding ones. Forces are unleashed in the SIXTH PLAGUE which cause all the remaining elements of human society to gather together from the region East of the Euphrates River --

The region East of the Euphrates is that from which conquering hordes originated throughout history -- the latest being that of the Turks. It is, therefore, very appropriate that the Euphrates should be used to represent a dividing line between the civilized and uncivilized world. The agencies that bring about this tremendous gathering are represented as three unclean spirits likened to frogs -- a distinct reminder of the second of the plagues of Egypt. These three evil spirits from the mouths of the dragon, beast and false prophet now unitedly put forth their greatest effort to resist the purposes of YEHOVAH God. The result is a great concentration of the hosts of wickedness at a place which is figuratively called Armageddon. Not only are "the kings from the east" -- mentioned in the sixth plague -- there, but also "the kings of the earth and of the whole world." The meaning of the name Armageddon is "The Hill of Slaughter." The root meaning of the Hebrew original is given as a place of rendezvous or gathering. Clearly, therefore, the word has a figurative, not a geographical meaning. The reason for the hosts to be gathered there is for "the battle of that great day of YEHOVAH God Almighty." We see the concentration of all the powers and host of evil, but we see no opposing forces and nothing is said of the battle itself -- or its outcome. But what is lacking here to complete the description is found in Revelation 19:11-21. This we will cover shortly.

Verse 15 of this passage is very striking. The speaker is not named or referred to in any way. However, the words are unmistakably those of Yeshua the Messiah, and refer back to his arrival in Revelation 14:14. In the message to the church at Sardis Yeshua had said: "Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you" (Revelation 3:3-4). He also speaks there of a few "even in Sardis, which have not defiled their garments." The Messiah's coming "as a thief" means at a wholly unexpected moment and without any great fanfare. However, when YEHOVAH God arrives to do battle at "Armageddon," the whole earth will be the theater of the outpouring of His wrath and fiery indignation, from which His faithful promise of deliverance will protect those that obey and worship Him.

The last, or SEVENTH PLAGUE, is poured out into the air:

Since the air completely envelops the earth, the suggestion here is that of all-embracing judgment. But more than that, the air is the abode of all the evil spirits and powers -- see Ephesians 2:2 and 6:12. Therefore, this plague seems to have those evil spirits as its principal object. The sixth plague was a comprehensive judgment upon all the enemies of YEHOVAH God upon the earth. Now the air is visited. The words "It is done!" declare the comprehensiveness and finality of the judgment. The symbolic manifestations of judgments in the voices, thunderings, lightnings and earthquake remind us of the final shaking of all things foretold in Hebrews 12:26-27 (quoted from Haggai 2:6), which signifies "the removing of those things that are shaken." The impression given here is that all the powers that had withstood YEHOVAH God's purpose concerning His kingdom are now laid in ruins.

One part of the world-system that is singled out here for special mention -- as having been struck under this judgment -- is "the great city" and "the cities of the nations." This, of course, is Babylon and those cities that have been part of her great mercantile empire. It is said that great Babylon came into remembrance before YEHOVAH God, "to give to her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath." This subject, like that of the battle of Armageddon, is left unfinished to be taken up in a subsequent vision. The words "great Babylon" correspond to "the great city" in the preceding part of the verse; and the islands and mountains correspond to "the cities of the nations." Any way you look at the passage, it conveys the idea of the utter prostration of all the strongholds of the enemy -- and the destruction of all his possessions.

Finally, special mention is made of the great hail that fell out of heaven, the hailstones being of enormous size. The point which this concluding verse of the passage is intended to emphasize is the continuing blasphemy of these enemies of YEHOVAH God to the very end. The blaspheming of YEHOVAH God has already been mentioned twice under three plagues, and along with that it is said that they did not repent. But here, when the blaspheming of YEHOVAH God is recorded the third time, no mention is made whether they repented or not -- from which we may infer that the men were killed by this hail like the Amorites in Joshua 10:11. We have here the end of YEHOVAH's judgment on the earth, though still not the end of all things.

According to the prophecies of the Bible, the devil will marshal the armies of the world to fight against YEHOVAH God when He returns from heaven. The Apostle John says: "And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils (demons), working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of YEHOVAH God Almighty" (Revelation 16:13-14).

John continues: "And they gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon" (verse 16).

In this last great climactic battle, the devil and his minions will be utterly defeated by YEHOVAH God. John records the battle itself:

John continues this graphic description:

Can you imagine it? The devil will deceive the nations so completely that they will gather their armies together to fight against YEHOVAH God and His angelic hosts! The people of the world will believe he is an invader from outer space -- an alien being -- a diabolical creature from some other galaxy or planet. They will fight against him bitterly, to the very death. The devil and his last mighty defensive effort to maintain his kingdom and power will be overthrown. His ages old rebellion will be squashed.

The Devil will cleverly counterfeit the second coming of the Messiah and the coming of YEHOVAH God the Father, making millions think the False Prophet is the true Messiah, and deceiving them into believing the real Messiah and his God are alien invaders from space, or the Antichrist. But his plot will succeed for only a short time. And then he will be exposed for the evil impostor he really is!