The Battle of the Wills or God’s Will for the Heavens and the Earth In the Fullness of Time

The English dictionary gives a number of synonyms for the word “will:” “choice, discretion, determination, purpose, command, direction, desire,” etc. The Greek word translated “will,” referred to later in this study means that faculty of the mind by which is determined either to do or not to do something so this is what is referred to as “will” in this presentation.

All humans have a will; some strong, some weak; we all have desires, choices, purposes, etc. and it appears God’s heavenly creatures have wills from what is recorded about the one that was probably the most prominent:

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, (aka Satan, the Devil) son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” Isaiah 14:12 - 1412 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

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After Eve was deceived by Satan and Adam exercised his will and disobeyed, Satan has exercised dominion over this earth, i.e., he is the prince and power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience (all who are not saved into Christ). Ephesians 2:22 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

. Satan wills (purposes) to snare people: “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” 2 Timothy 2:24 - 2624 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

. It is no wonder the world is in the shape it is in.

Even though Satan has worked to thwart God’s will since deceiving Eve, Almighty God’s Will, will prevail. We humans in our limited understanding, may wonder why God didn’t give Satan the boot when he first rebelled. After all, God created all the heavenly host as well as mankind. But God’s thoughts and ways are not man’s, Isaiah 55:8 - 98 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

. And without the Pauline epistles, we would not know why God dealt with Satan and mankind as He has and that His plan for the heavens and the earth is the only right way.

The word “will” is found 3282 times in the KJV of the Old Testament (OT), where many times it refers to God’s will but none explain exactly how He was going to deal with Satan. God kept this a mystery or secret until The Lord Jesus Christ revealed it to the Apostle Paul. If God had revealed this secret before, they would not have crucified Christ, 1 Corinthians 2:7 - 97 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

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We’ll examine a few instances of the use of the word “will” in the last books of the OT that are labeled in our Bibles as the New Testament (NT); the NT actually being the culmination of God’s dealing with Israel when He sent Jesus as their Messiah or Christ. The first time a Greek word translated “will” is used in the NT is instructive, found in the second sentence of the so-called Lord’s Prayer that Jesus taught His disciples: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. ”Matthew 6:1010 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

. God had promised Israel a Kingdom on earth all along and Jesus taught His disciples to pray that God the Father’s will would be done on earth as it is in heaven. The Greek word translated “will” here is the Greek “thelema,” (# G2307), which means “determination, choice, purpose, volition, desire, pleasure.”

However, almost 2000 years after this prayer, there’s no sign that God’s will has been implemented on earth. We have faith in God’s Word that it will happen sometime in the future, but the only way to explain the last 2000 years of history is by rightly dividing the Word of God and looking to the Pauline epistles.

The second time the word “will” is used in the NT is when Jesus explained what it took to get into that Kingdom of Heaven on earth: “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 7:2121 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

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The third time is when Jesus explained to His Jewish followers/ disciples how to be a part of Him: “For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” Matthew 12:5050 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

. And, throughout His 3-year ministry Jesus taught the Jews His father’s will for Israel; they:

• were to keep the law of Moses;

• were to sell all they had and give to the poor and follow Him, Matthew 5:17 - 4817 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:

32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:

35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.

41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

; Luke 18:18 - 2218 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.

20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.

21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.

22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

; John 15:1010 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

; James 2:1010 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

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These requirements were literal, and His followers followed them; even after He ascended into heaven, the Pentecostal Jews, as documented in the first 8 chapters of Acts, did as Christ taught.

The particular Greek word “thelema,” translated “will” is found 6 times in Matthew, once in Mark and 5 times in Luke where it always, except once, refers directly, or by implication, to the will of God the father, Matthew 18:1414 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

; Matthew 21:3131 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.

; Matthew 26:4242 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

; Mark 3:3535 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

; Luke 11:22 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

; Luke 12:4747 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

; Luke 22:4242 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

; Luke 23:2525 And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.

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The one time this word “will” is used as the will or desire or choice of someone other than Almighty God’s in Matthew Mark and Luke is: “And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required. And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.” Luke 23:24 - 2524 And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.

25 And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.

. This is sad truth: the will of God’s chosen people, the Jews, was to crucify the Lord of Glory, God in the flesh, their Messiah. This is the will of unregenerate mankind, however, Jesus prayed for their forgiveness, as they didn’t know what they were doing, Luke 23:3434 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

. His prayer must be taken as a statement of fact, they truly didn’t know what they were doing because of their unbelief, and of course, the snare of Satan.

In John’s Gospel are found Jesus’ statements that He came to do the will of God the Father and not His own will; “For I (Jesus) came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” John 6:3838 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

, see also John 4:3434 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

and John 5:3030 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

. Like any man, Jesus did not look forward to what He was going to endure; “He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.” Matthew 26:42 (see also Luke 22:42.)

Jesus Christ was and is the only person ever living who was capable of doing God’s will perfectly and to the letter because He was sinles;, He was the only one who could die for the sins of mankind. John wrote: “And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:39 - 4039 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

. The Jews who believed this Kingdom Gospel and all God’s people from prior times look forward to being resurrected to everlasting life on earth in God’s Kingdom on earth.

But what about the inhabitants of heaven? Satan will be cast out, so what about the void left and God’s will for the heavenlies? That was part of the secret never revealed by God until the Apostle Paul who recounts his conversion while on the road to Damascus: “And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.” Acts 22:11 - 1511 And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.

12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,

13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.

14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.

15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.

. The fact that Paul’s ministry was the will of God is found in many passages: Acts 21:1414 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

; Romans 1:1010 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.

; 1 Corinthians 1:11 Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

; 2 Corinthians 1:11 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

; Ephesians 1:11 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

, etc.

Only Paul reveals God’s plans for the heavens after Satan is cast out and they involve exclusively those who have believed the Gospel of the Grace of God over the last 2000 years: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” Ephesians 1:33 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

. This had been God’s secret before Paul. And he also reveals that the same work that Christ did on the cross that saved the OT saints/ Jewish believers for their future on earth, also saves us today for our position in the heavenlies: “Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:” Galatians 1:3 - 43 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

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God’s will to judge Satan was first revealed to mankind when He told Eve her seed (Jesus Christ) would bruise his (Satan’s) head while he (Satan) would bruise her seed’s (Jesus Christ’s) heel as recorded in Genesis 3:1515 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

. But God didn’t reveal how He would accomplish this. That had to wait until Paul wrote: “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he (the second person of the Trinity) also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he (Jesus Christ) might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.” Hebrews 2:14 - 1614 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

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As to all who have believed the Gospel of Grace over the last 2000 years as revealed to Paul, He: “… hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:6 - 76 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

. “Unto me, (Paul) who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God who created all things by Jesus Christ:” Ephesians 3:8 - 98 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

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And what God’s intent for handling all this the way He did? “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According, to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:” Ephesians 3:10 - 1110 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

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All believers from the last 2000 years raptured to heaven, along with the heavenly host of angels will look back at 6000 years of human history on earth and validate the fact that mankind has been incapable of meeting God’s standards or of governing himself honestly and fairly, whether it was a King ruling, a democracy, socialism, Communism or a Republic such as the United States of America. And after we are taken up to heaven and The Lord Jesus Christ reigns for 1000 years as King on earth with a perfect, honest and fair government: “And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” Revelation 20:7 - 107 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

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Thus, after 7000 years of human history wherein every form of government has been tried: “That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:” Ephesians 1:1010 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

. It will be then that the will of all will be the same as God’s will, for all will be in Christ, and everyone will fully understand why God did what he did to get us there. God’s Will finally accomplished in the Heavens and on the Earth for eternity.