Rise of the Fallen

by Chuck Black

  So the LORD said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” (Genesis 6:7)

  But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God. (Genesis 6:8–9)

  The second judgment will be by fire, but it is important to remember that God’s wrath is not appointed for those who love Him, but for the wicked and evildoers of the world. We must share the love of God with all who are willing so that they may be spared the second judgment.

  Angelic Worship

  We cannot begin to fathom the impact a face-to-face encounter with God will have on us. Our best insight into such an event is by reading about the reactions of others who have experienced it. Consider words like, “Fear came upon me, and trembling” (Job 4:14), “Woe is me, for I am undone!” (Isaiah 6:5), and “I fell at His feet as dead” (Revelation 1:17). The reason for such responses is a sense of extreme holiness and power. The words in this chapter are lifted straight out of the book of Revelation when John gets a glorious glimpse of the worship of God in heaven.

  The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” (Revelation 4:8)

  CHAPTER 9

  Devolution

  It is perfectly ironic that man has devised a theory that eliminates God and evolves man when actually the exact opposite occurs. The further a person gets from God, the more wisdom and knowledge slip away and sin begins to rule. Submitting to evil ultimately will make us “less human.” Essentially we devolve without God; we don’t evolve. The Bible explains this in Romans 1 and in Titus 1.

  To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. (Titus 1:15–16)

  The droxans, devolved demons, described in this chapter are purely speculative. But if submitting to abject evil creates rapists, pedophiles, serial killers, and terrorists, we can only imagine what it might do to a demon. Contrary to living without God, living with God brings wisdom and understanding as proclaimed in Proverbs.

  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)

  CHAPTER 10

  Guardian Angels

  The concept of guardian angels is old and appealing. Although we know very little about the reality of such an order of angels, Jesus certainly inspired such contemplation when He talked about the children who wanted to be near Him.

  Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 18:10)

  CHAPTERS 11–12

  The Ignorance and Apathy of Humanity

  In the days of Noah, the people had distanced themselves so far from God that they were apathetic toward Him and completely ignorant of the impending doom. Jesus gives the world a very dramatic parallel warning when the disciples ask Him about the end times. Jesus’ warning in Matthew 24 seems more pertinent today than at any other time in the past two thousand years.

  For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. (Matthew 24:38–39)

  Unlike the rest of the world, those who know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior have been given the game plan and will not be surprised when it happens. We will be prepared just as Noah was.

  Preacher of Righteousness

  In the world today, words like righteousness, salvation, and judgment are not popular words. In fact, in many circles these words have a negative connotation. It was probably very much the same, if not worse, in the days of Noah. Second Peter 2:5 calls Noah “a preacher of righteousness.” Noah didn’t just live a life that honored God; he preached and tried to persuade the world of the truth of God. God has commissioned us to do the same.

  And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:15–16)

  Water and the Fallen

  It is important to note that the special treatment of water in regard to the Fallen is purely speculative and has no basis in a literal interpretation of Scripture. Liberty was taken in regard to water and its effects on the demons because of the inferences throughout Scripture of those who hunger and thirst but are not satisfied because they do not know God. Jesus is the only one who can satisfy spiritual hunger and thirst, something the demons will never know.

  It shall even be as when a hungry man dreams, and look—he eats; but he awakes, and his soul is still empty; or as when a thirsty man dreams, and look—he drinks; but he awakes, and indeed he is faint, and his soul still craves: so the multitude of all the nations shall be, who fight against Mount Zion. (Isaiah 29:8)

  And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35)

  The reference to Hades containing no water is inferred from the rich man’s statement about asking Abraham to have Lazarus dip his finger in water to cool his tongue.

  Then he cried and said, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.” (Luke 16:24)

  CHAPTER 13

  Four Bad Dudes

  In this chapter, we learn that Validus played a part in binding four angels to the bottom of the Euphrates River. We don’t know the actual story behind the four angels who are being reserved to execute judgment on the earth, but they must be very powerful and very evil. In Revelation, we learn that these four angels will be responsible for killing one-third of mankind. If that happened today, nearly 2.4 billion people would die at their hands.

  Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. (Revelation 9:13–15)

  The Noahidic Accord

  As with the Genesis Accord, there is no literal interpretation of Scripture that would allow one to believe an agreement like the Noahidic Accord existed. This speculative and fictional aspect is derived from subtle inferences in the Bible and observation. The Noahidic Accord is simply to give the book a construct for the remainder of the story.

  CHAPTER 14

  Translation

  Hebrews 13:2 says that some people have “entertained angels” without knowing it. When the spiritual world intersects the physical world, it is a strange event. Something unseen and untouchable suddenly appears and becomes very real … very physical. Speculation about the science of such a translation is fascinating. How it happens is quite a mystery, but angels apparently have the ability to do it at will and with such skill that humans would never suspect them.

  Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. (Hebrews 13:2)

  One day all who believe in Jesus will be translated to the spiritual realm just as Enoch was when he walked with God.

  By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. (Hebrews 11:5, KJV)

  Betrayal

  Nothing strikes at the heart like betrayal. When Validus faces Niturni in
battle for the first time, it is evidence of the completion of Niturni’s betrayal. You can imagine the sadness of Jesus when He discovered in Judas’s heart a willingness and desire to betray Him. Betrayal is one of Satan’s sharpest weapons, for it cuts deep.

  And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him. (John 13:2)

  We can be grateful that we serve a God who will never betray us. His faithfulness is incomparable. Even when we are not faithful to Him, He remains faithful to us.

  Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments. (Deuteronomy 7:9)

  CHAPTER 15

  One Heart

  Throughout the Bible there is a truth that rings true from Genesis to Revelation. It is a truth that brings great inspiration to all, from the lowliest to the highest. God doesn’t look on the outward appearance of a man or a woman but on their heart, and with one heart perfectly aligned with God, miracles are accomplished. It is the stuff of valiant legends, for out of the meekest of men and women, heroes arise because God will use them for His great purposes.

  But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

  For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. (2 Chronicles 16:9, KJV)

  CHAPTERS 17–18

  The Tower of Babel

  These two chapters take liberty with history to create a confrontation between Eber, the great-grandson of Shem, and Nimrod, the grandson of Ham. There are legends that portray such a meeting between Nimrod and Abraham, but in both cases, there is no biblical basis for such an event occurring. We do know that Nimrod was a man who had great power and influence. He built many cities, and one of them was Babel, the city that stood in defiance to God.

  Cush begot Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one on the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.” And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. (Genesis 10:8–10)

  At Babel, humanity was divided because God confused the languages of men. There are different theological views as to why Eber named his son Peleg, which means “to be divided,” but the more accepted view is that the earth was divided because of language. Since this is a fictional account, this is not necessarily an endorsement of this view.

  To Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided. (Genesis 10:25)

  CHAPTER 19

  Dealing with Conflict

  Validus and Tren deal with an issue that could be a hindrance to their working together on the mission. There are typically three ways we deal with conflict. The first is to be passive and avoid the conflict, but that only causes the problem to fester and become worse over time. The second is to be angry and aggressive, but that only creates greater conflict and often destroys relationships. The third is the biblical way. Scripture gives us clear guidelines on how to deal with conflict.

  Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that “by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.” (Matthew 18:15–16)

  Ironically, if we deal with conflict in a humble and biblical way, stronger relationships can be the result, just as is the case with Validus and Tren.

  CHAPTER 20

  The Least

  Persimus reminds Validus of Niturni’s wise words of insight as to God’s ways. He tells Validus, “It is through the least that God often works the most.” This is evident through the story of Gideon.

  So he said to Him, “O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” And the LORD said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.” (Judges 6:15–16)

  God is a champion of the lowly, for they are the ones who often have a heart of humility through which God can work. Then when great things happen, it is God who receives the glory and not man.

  For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. (1 Corinthians 1:26–29)

  CHAPTER 21

  The Judgment of Souls

  This chapter is filled with many elements of spiritual warfare, but the most sobering is the judgment of the souls of men and women at the point of their death. As much as the world wants to believe that there are many ways to heaven, from “being good” to belief in a variety of “higher powers,” the Bible is explicitly clear that there is only one way to heaven. Jesus said He is “the way, the truth, and the life” and that “no one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). As we discovered in Luke 16, when people who believe in Jesus die, the angels carry them to heaven. When a person dies without Jesus, he or she is delivered to Hades, where the “worm does not die and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:44).

  And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. (Hebrews 9:27–28)

  The judgment of an unbelieving soul is a very sobering thing. Such a reality should rouse us to action to be passionately engaged in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with everyone we meet.

  CHAPTER 22

  The Great Prophecy of Messiah

  This chapter portrays an epic battle between the Prince of Persia and the archangels Michael and Gabriel. This scene is derived from two passages in the ninth and tenth chapters of the book of Daniel. The first passage is of the prophecy given to Daniel by Gabriel regarding the coming Messiah. It is the first explicit reference to the Messiah given in Scripture to the people of Israel, and it is one of the most profound and precise prophecies regarding the coming of the Son of God. With some biblical study, you will discover that from the decree to rebuild Jerusalem given to Nehemiah under King Artaxerxes to the announcement of Jesus as “the King” on the day of His triumphal entry, what we now call Palm Sunday, was exactly 483 years (69 weeks of years x 7 = 483 years). Historical records give evidence that this prophecy was fulfilled to the exact day! This prophecy is also why Jesus wept in Luke 19:41, because the people did not know of the time of His visitation even though they had been foretold by the prophet Daniel.

  Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times. (Daniel 9:25)

  Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.” (Luke 19:41–42)

  CHAPTER 23

  Vexer-Possessors

  The Bible describes numerous instances of demons both vexing and possessing humans. We find evidence of both in the following verses:

  And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. (Luke 6:18, KJV)

  When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the
tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way. (Matthew 8:28)

  And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. (2 Corinthians 12:7)

  Being “buffeted” by the Enemy is something all believers will face from time to time, but it is not something to fear. God promises to deliver us “from every evil work” (2 Timothy 4:18). Demon possession is also something believers never have to fear. Those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior have the Holy Spirit residing within them, and there is no place for an evil spirit there. Jesus alluded to this when He described the state of a man cleansed from evil spirits in Matthew 12.

  When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, “I will return to my house from which I came.” And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. (Matthew 12:43–45)