Rules of Engagement

This study explores the Rules of Engagement, a divine framework established by an omniscient Creator to govern the universe through immutable laws and the gift of free will. It presents God, acting as a master architect, designed a system where love and loyalty must be chosen freely rather than forced, which necessitated the possibility of rebellion and evil. This study traces the cosmic conflict from Lucifer’s fall in heaven to the spiritual battlefield of Earth, explaining how human suffering is a result of this ancient war. Individuals are not helpless victims but active participants whose choices and prayers determine whether they remain under divine protection or fall to malevolent influences. Ultimately, this temporary period of struggle is the only way to ensure a harmonious eternity where sin will never rise again.

Before time began, God drafted a meticulous master plan; a blueprint for the entire cosmos. All creation was foreseen in God’s mind before it came into existence. (Acts 15:18) Before a single atom was formed, all of God’s handiwork was meticulously planned. Our world is governed by immutable laws and regulations that dictate the behavior of every facet of our existence. (Job 38:33) From the vastness of the cosmos to the microscopic cell, all things—animate and inanimate—must adhere to strict rules to function. (Psalm 148:6, Psalm 119:90-91) When these requirements are ignored, consequences inevitably follow. (Romans 1:18-20)

Consider the design engineer who drafts a blueprint. They establish definitions and legends to communicate precise meanings, ensuring that specific criteria must be met before a project can proceed. Rules will be applied when certain criteria are met. Similarly, a mathematician uses logical conditional formulas—such as “If A = B, then C”—to define outcomes given predetermined circumstances. Nothing in engineering or mathematics is left to chance; the rules are established before the endeavor begins.

Our all-knowing God, the Architect of all knowledge, has established similar conditional measures to regulate His creation. In doing so, He designed a system by which His vast handiwork could endure for eternity. He masterminded this venture with perfect foreknowledge; to Him, the future is as clear as the present. Because God is perfect in all His ways (Psalm 18:30), everything that exists was brought forth intentionally. From His perspective, nothing happened by chance. (Proverbs 16:33) Upon completion, God declared His creation "very good" (Genesis 1:31).

However, this presents a challenging paradox: If God is perfect, how do we reconcile His love with a world defined by suffering and decay? We cannot truly appreciate God’s mysterious ways by looking solely at the deterioration of this physical world. To understand the "why" behind our current reality, we must first acknowledge His character. If we start with the premise that God is both love and perfection, we can begin to evaluate the contrasting realities that seem to suggest otherwise.

Currently, all creation "groans" under the weight of sin (Romans 8:22). This leads us to the most vital question: How can we perceive God’s love amidst such circumstances? To find the answer, we must seek to understand the nature of the Creator Himself. While knowing an eternal God is daunting, Scripture encourages us to pursue this knowledge of the Lord above all else (Hosea 6:3).

Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning God," reveals a profound truth beyond scientific reach: an eternal, omniscient Being who predates creation and foresees all of history. (Psalm 90:2) This is the basis of all knowledge. It serves as the essential starting point for understanding His dealings with humanity. We must first acknowledge that God knows and understands the creatures He created. He understands how we think and how we behave, as well as the choices we make based on what we believe we know. (Hebrews 4:13)

God designed creation with precise intent, much like a master architect of a massive, complex domino run. While the resulting chain reactions are unpredictable to observers, the Designer foresees every outcome with perfect accuracy. God foresees and understands every behavior, choice, and consequence within His creation because He established the system's design and knows its end from the beginning. (Isaiah 46:10, Psalm 139:1-6) Therefore, nothing happens outside of His ultimate control or understanding.

While the vastness of the universe and all its mysteries are beyond human comprehension, they are as simple as a grain of sand to God. (Isaiah 40:12) We must realize that we are completely powerless over forces we cannot control. (John 15:5) We can’t change the past or control the future, but our choices shape our own stories and actively influence others. Since human judgment is inherently flawed, a system of checks and balances must be established to prevent an avalanche of catastrophic errors. (Proverbs 11:1, Proverbs 16:11)

We have two opposing powers that are vying for our attention and seeking our focus. (1 John 4:6) Heavenly influences are sent to impress upon us that we are casualties of an ancient war. (Revelation 12:7, Exodus 23:20) It is up to us to choose whether to remain casualties of this war or overcome that fate victoriously. While malevolent powers of darkness seek us out as trophies and chase us down like ravenous lions (1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 6:12), the final choice is ours. (Joshua 24:15)

God did not abandon us to face this one-sided struggle alone. (Hebrews 13:5) He knows we are powerless to confront these evil influences. (Psalm 103:14, Romans 7:19) Although we have two opposing forces competing for our allegiance, we are already inherently inclined to choose the side our carnal nature naturally leans towards. (Galatians 5:17) We blindly choose death over life by default. (Romans 8:6) Despite our innate powerlessness and drift toward death, God's love proactively reached out to us before we even realized our need for Him. (Romans 5:8)

Is it possible that God could have created a harmonious, joyful universe full of perfect peace and love without ever experiencing evil? Exploring whether God could have created a reality in which love and loyalty are offered freely without the alternative of rebellion inevitably raises the question: "Why didn't He?" This inquiry requires careful consideration. The truth is, originally, the universe was indeed in perfect harmony.

In the book “Patriarchs and Prophets,” by Ellen G White, Chapter 1—Why was Sin Permitted? She stated the following:

“So long as all created beings acknowledged the allegiance of love, there was perfect harmony throughout the universe of God. It was the joy of the heavenly host to fulfill the purpose of their Creator. They delighted in reflecting His glory and showing forth His praise. And while love to God was supreme, love for one another was confiding and unselfish. There was no note of discord to mar the celestial harmonies.”

So, how did we end up here where we are now? This is where we must tread cautiously, because now we are judging for ourselves the character of our Creator. He is ultimately the “Cause and Effect” of all existence. (Revelation 4:11)

Our Creator God is changeless. (Malachi 3:6) He existed before anything else was created. This means that, at some point outside of our created timeline, God existed as an eternal, solitary being. There was no “Thing” and no “Body” alongside Him. He was perfectly content throughout His eternal existence with nothing and no one to keep Him company. (Isaiah 44:24, Psalm 90:2) Christ, God’s only begotten Son, had a birthdate. (Proverbs 8:22) He was “Brought Forth” or given birth as a divine being before anything was created, before He came to this earth in the flesh. (Proverbs 8:24-25) Again, He was “Brought Forth” or given birth a second time by the virgin Mary, who raised Him as a human child. (Luke 2:7) He was God’s “Only” Son. He did not exist before He “Came Forth” (John 16:27, 28, 30) from the Father. Nothing existed before His Son because it was through His Son that all things were created. (Colossians 1:16)

So what did God do during all this time of eternity by Himself? It’s easy to ask the question, but impossible to answer. It is impossible to know the dimensional realm by which He exists. It’s easier to ask a tree if its stationary life is boring. At least we can see it in our own dimensional timeframe and observe its growth. It’s easier to have an intellectual debate with a rock than to scrutinize the mind of God concerning secrets not revealed. But how can we fathom a being outside of our dimensional reality?

We can only address that which is known. We know that God is all-knowing (1 John 3:20), all-powerful (Jeremiah 32:17), omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-12), and He has never changed throughout all eternity. (James 1:17) So if He has always known the end from the beginning, He has had an eternity to plan and design the perfect universe that will fill the rest of His eternal existence.

Let’s get back to the question: How did we end up here where we are now? Our current reality is not exactly a paradise of bliss. It is a world of turmoil, suffering, and pain. Is this what God planned during His eternal period when He was alone by Himself? Of course not. Did He foresee it? Of course, He did. Could He have created a harmonious, joyful universe full of perfect peace and love without ever experiencing evil? If that were possible, why didn’t He?

Consider Christ, bent over on His knees in the garden of Gethsemane, praying and dripping with sweat, like great drops of blood. In agonizing supplication, He begged His Father if it were possible, “Take this cup away from Me.” (Luke 22:42) Did God, as a good, caring Father to His only Son, relieve Him of His duty, and find another way? We all know the answer to that.

God, in His all-knowing wisdom, knew there was only one way for the universe to exist in full harmony and perfect joy throughout eternity without end. He had an eternity to think it through and play out all the infinite number of possible scenarios. After an eternity of consideration, knowing the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10), He foresaw that there was only one way to proceed. That “Only Way” is what is currently being played out. (2 Corinthians 4:17) How do we know this? Because if there were a better way, that would be the reality we would be witnessing. (Romans 8:18) Experiencing the evil that we are now enduring is the guarantee that sin, death, pain, and rebellion will never show their ugly face again. (Psalm 37:10)

This may be difficult for us to accept. Sin was not a part of God’s design. But it was inevitable because God gave us a gift that was both a blessing and a curse. (Deuteronomy 30:19)(Read More) He gave us the gift of choice. By giving us this gift, it was necessary to make provision for its application. Imagine living in a desert where homes have yards with rock and gravel instead of grass. You receive a generous gift, a John Deere Zero Turn Riding Lawnmower. What good will this expensive lawnmower serve if you have no grass to cut? Or imagine living in a far secluded hut in the middle of a jungle hundreds of miles away from the nearest town, and someone gifted you with a year-long membership to Planet Fitness. Would you ever make use of that membership?

If God granted us the gift of choice, but we have nothing to choose but what God has provided, what good is that gift if we can’t use it? The ability to choose must be functional. The fact that God gave us the gift of choice also implies that He provided the framework for us to choose. A meaningful gift of choice requires a framework of diverse options and clear regulations to serve as guideposts, ensuring the gift can be fully exercised and enjoyed.

To allow His creatures to express individuality rather than act as mere automatons, God provided a system of "Rules of Engagement." (Psalm 119:4-6)(Read More) These regulations set the boundaries needed to maintain a perfect government while preserving true freedom of expression. In doing so, God established a variety of mechanisms that would engage the high intellect of these genius-class intelligent beings. These mechanisms consisted of a series of tests that would demonstrate their loyalty, love, and appreciation for their maker and an attitude of gratitude for all that has been bestowed upon them.

Were these tests necessary? Although not for God, they were for His vast, intelligent angelic family. This allowed them to grow in knowledge and experience, enabling them to measure their understanding against higher standards. Their knowledge and understanding grew to greater heights with the passage of time, with no end to that growth forthcoming. Many of these tests were highly challenging, tailored to their development. Scripture does not record how long this perfect government flourished before the fall.

We know that the heavenly economy features a hierarchical management system. There are levels of hierarchy in which angels are in charge of diverse responsibilities throughout this endless universe. (Read More) Before humans lived on planet Earth, an innumerable number of planets beyond imagination were already populated throughout the created cosmos. (Read More) Angels were appointed as overseers of God’s nearly infinite creation.

The angelic host that resides within the Holy City, which will soon become the “Hub” of the universe on the newly created Earth (Read More), is outnumbered by those they are overseeing, based on the fact that the created cosmos they are responsible for overseeing includes the entire totality of God's creation, not just the earth alone. Jesus said, "In my Father's house are many mansions." (John 14:2) That means that the Holy City, referred to as "My Father's house," where all these mansions already exist, is the abode of the angels that oversee the universe. The Bible refers to them as "innumerable" (Hebrews 12:22) because that number is not given in the same way as the redeemed are referred to as "a great multitude that no one could number" (Revelation 7:9). The Holy City resides within God's created universe. So the universe is logically bigger. Since scripture speaks of a universe filled with “Worlds” (Hebrews 1:2, 11:3), it is implied that they are inhabited. Since the universe is vastly larger than the Holy City, "the Father's House," logic dictates that the inhabitants of all the worlds throughout the almost infinite universe outnumber the angels that reside within the Holy City. (Read More)

The heavenly hierarchy begins with God the Father, who is the “Head of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:3). His only begotten Son follows afterward. (Read More) The third one in the chain of command was Lucifer. (Read More) Unlike Christ, who is of the same divine nature as His Father, Lucifer was created, not begotten like Christ. Lucifer was the highest-ranking created angel of all the angelic host. He was a Cherubim, and he was given the distinct appointment as an Annointed Covering Cherub who stood in the presence of God. (Ezekiel 28:14) Although the Ark of the Covenant had two Cherubim upon the Mercy Seat (Exodus 25:18-19), only one Cherub held the position of Covering Cherub at one time. The reason the Mercy Seat contained two Cherubim is that the second one took over when the first one vacated his role as Covering Cherub. Before his fall, Lucifer was the first of the Covering Cherubs. (Read More) Gabriel took over as his replacement and now stands before the presence of God. (Luke 1:19)

How did God assess the loyalty of His angelic subjects? In His all-knowing wisdom, God set in motion a way to screen the intellects of His angelic hosts, with the intent of giving them the freedom to choose for themselves whom they would honor. To test the loyalty and intellect of the angelic hosts, God granted them the free will to choose between their Creator and their chief commander. Lucifer, endowed with unrivaled brilliance (Ezekiel 28:12-14), was specifically tested to see if he could overcome his ego. In failing, he became the means by which the rest of the angelic host was also tested. As a result, this led one-third of the angels to participate in a rebellion they never anticipated.

As the chain of events disrupted the balance of God’s government, the “Rules of Engagement” intensified. Heaven became a stage for debate where the brilliant yet stubborn Lucifer refused to listen to reason. (Read More) Ignoring companions who explained that God’s laws were non-negotiable, he grew envious of Christ’s supremacy. Consumed by perceived unfairness, Lucifer became obsessed with seizing the highest rank in heaven by force. His envy towards Christ grew, and he spread his dissatisfaction to the rest of the heavenly host, enlisting many sympathizers to his cause who were loyal to his leadership. Devoted to both Christ and Lucifer, these angels faced divided allegiances. Though they eventually sought to repent and return to the favor of their Creator, Lucifer—unwilling to release his subordinates—deceived them into believing they had gone too far to turn back and must instead pursue the course they were enlisted. (Read More)

From the beginning, Jesus held supremacy over the entire heavenly host and was never considered a fellow creature. It was general knowledge among the heavenly host that He was the only one able to enter into the private counsels of His Father. He was always known as the “Only Begotten Son of God.” (Read More) Yet Lucifer somehow gradually usurped command of the heavenly host, beyond the assigned charge already given him. He subtly increased his own authority without his subordinates' perception. (Read More)

God the Father was not an idle observer; He foresaw it all in painstaking detail long before. It was necessary to let the events unfold so His intelligent creatures could witness firsthand that His government is the only path to eternal harmony and balance. As Lucifer was slowly restructuring heaven's prevailing sentiment regarding his role as chief commander and the role of Christ, God decided to make known to all the true position of His Son. (Read More) Once the true hierarchy of command was clearly delineated, the harmony and balance of the heavenly courts appeared to be restored for a little while. But that didn’t last very long. Lucifer’s envy toward Christ continued to burn within him.

There is no record of the duration of this conflict. In the same vagueness that is understood when we say “Christ is coming soon,” it is equally vague when it is said that this conflict lasted a very long time. (Read More) We have been waiting for millennia for Christ’s “soon” return. Given that this rebellion impacted God’s vast creation, the war in heaven likely far outlasted human history. Just as humanity has had nearly 6,000 years to choose sides, (Read More) logic suggests the heavenly probation period was even longer, providing ample time for dissidents to repent or seal their fates amidst much higher stakes.

God’s dealings with humanity mirror His dealings with angels because He is changeless, and His will is consistent in both heaven and Earth (Matthew 6:10). Consequently, the same "Rules of Engagement" apply to us: we face challenges designed to foster wise choices. By following God’s promptings, we remain secure; however, relying on our own judgment enlists Satan’s guidance and leads toward destruction.

God’s "Rules of Engagement" define the boundaries of our protection. Stepping into forbidden territory exposes us to self-imposed dangers; however, even on this fallen planet, abiding under God’s wing ensures safety amidst surrounding peril. A rock climber who routinely risks his life on increasingly steep cliffs chooses to place himself in harm’s way. While dangerous sports are not inherently "Satanic territory" and may still fall under God’s protection, the climber's intent matters. If he climbs to retrieve stolen goods, he shifts his allegiance to Satan. Whether he survives depends then on Satan’s whim, as he has effectively removed God's will from the equation.

Although we choose what we are exposed to, safety ultimately rests in God’s protection. Life on this fallen planet is inherently dangerous. Christ warned us in John 16:33 that we will face trouble. However, because He has overcome the world, we share in His victory by abiding in Him. Because the spirit world is beyond our physical perception, we cannot always sense the dangers present or the angelic guardians shielding us; our visual perspective is often an unreliable guide to our true spiritual security. God’s "Rules of Engagement" dictate that our safety depends on our choices. If we ally with God, evil forces are powerless; however, if we choose Satan, heaven's armies withdraw, allowing us to face destruction.

Satan’s freefall occurred in several restrictive stages. This downward spiral began when he abandoned his post as Covering Cherub to pursue his rebellion. Over time, his insurrection led to his eviction from the Holy City and the loss of his access through the city gates. Banished and homeless, he and his followers wandered the universe seeking support. Though free to roam, his access to other beings was restricted to a single "forbidden tree" on each inhabited world. Earth was the only planet to fall. By deceiving Adam and Eve, he became Earth's ruler and representative. However, Christ’s death on the cross further curbed his freedom, ending his cosmic travels. Then, his millennial imprisonment tightened his shackles, leaving him isolated on Earth for a thousand years with no one to tempt. Finally, his freedom to live was taken away when he was extinguished in the lake of fire.

The war in heaven did not end with Lucifer’s eviction; the battlefield simply shifted from one location to another. This conflict spanned three arenas in succession, beginning in the Holy City, the very residence of the angelic host, where they were dispatched from as they went out on their missions to all the corners of the universe, managing creation according to the Father's will. Following their expulsion, Satan and his sympathizers were not immediately cast down to this Earth; instead, they wandered the universe as homeless vagabonds. Before they were quarantined to this planet, they wandered the universe for who knows how long. Since the fall, Lucifer’s freedom has steadily eroded; his universal access has incrementally narrowed as he persisted in spreading propaganda against God. Having nothing better to do, he took pleasure in taunting the angels that came in and out of the city just outside the gates. (Read More)

Revelation 12:7-9 uses prophetic metaphors to depict Michael the Archangel and his angels battling the red dragon, identified as Satan, and his followers. The conflict was inherently lopsided: Satan’s forces comprised only one-third of the heavenly host, while Michael’s army held a two-to-one advantage. Consequently, Satan’s outnumbered forces were defeated and ultimately expelled from heaven. Verse 8 says that Satan’s forces did not prevail, and neither was there a place found for them in heaven any longer. God did not allow Satan and his angels free rein to any of His created worlds; instead, their scope of influence was very confined and localized to a very small, specified zone.

The universe is a very big place. Scriptural references to "heaven" can be vague because the Bible implies three heavens. Paul refers to the third heaven in 2 Corinthians 12:2. (Read More) This third heaven was the Holy City. This is where the war originated. Since they were banished from the Holy City, there was no place found for Satan and his followers because they no longer had a residence. Revelation 12:9 says that Satan and his angels were cast down to this Earth. Although this is true, the time frame was yet in the future. This planet was uninhabited when Satan and his angels were evicted from their paradise home. They roamed the universe seeking other worlds to deceive, trying to enlist more sympathisers who would join his cause. (ReadMore)

God deals with His creation in the same way everywhere. He is immutable. He consistently tests the loyalty of all created intelligences throughout the universe—from angels to all inhabited worlds. (Read More) Satan’s access to God’s treasured intelligences was very limited and confined. The only way he was able to tempt anyone was by way of a specific designated location. Every inhabited world featured a forbidden tree—the sole location where Satan was permitted to exert his influence. This was the only platform Satan had to whisper his alluring influences to God’s created populace. None of the worlds throughout the universe fell. When this planet Earth was finally inhabited by our first parents and placed in their beautiful Eden home full of all manner of fruit-bearing trees and lush vegetation, God placed two specific trees on this planet in the same way He did on all the others. Only one was forbidden. When Satan at last came to this planet to tempt Adam and Eve at the designated tree of knowledge, he finally succeeded. (Read More)

The moment that Adam and Eve gave in to Satan’s deception was the moment that he claimed planet Earth as his permanent domain. God gave Adam rulership of this planet, but by giving in to Satan, he transferred his dominion over the Earth to his new ruler, inadvertently making Satan the “Ruler of this world” (John 14:30). As the new ruler, God was compelled to allow Satan to attend the heavenly counsels whose members consisted of the representatives of all the inhabited worlds. (Job 1:6, 2:1)(Read More) As this planet’s representative, Satan’s rule was short-lived.

When Christ died on the cross, He retrieved that which was stolen from Adam. It was then that Satan's free access to the heavenly realms was taken away. From that point forward, Satan was permanently bound to this planet exclusively, nevermore to leave this Earth until his end. The angels rejoiced, relieved with the realization that Satan’s taunting and annoying chants would no longer be heard in the heavenly realms or be an accusing voice amidst the heavenly councils. Neither would he show up in any of the inhabited unfallen worlds to tempt or cause contention.

“Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them!” (Revelation12:12 first part)

But the inhabitants of this Earth now had to endure Satan’s focused fury as he targets the human race more intensely, knowing that his days are numbered and soon he will be no more.

“Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” (Revelation 12:12 second part)

Stripped of his earthly throne, Satan seeks to take as many as he possibly can into the lake of fire with him. Now, a defeated foe, his aim is to increase the number of lost souls and to further grieve the heart of the Creator. This war is not over yet. Casualties are still mounting. The last of the three battle arenas will soon reach its climax. But, there is yet more to come.

Both heavenly and evil agencies operate under strict protocols—the "Rules of Engagement"—that define allowed and forbidden interventions. These rules, established by God, prioritize the free will of all intelligent beings to choose their own destiny. Consequently, heavenly agencies do not interfere when individuals pursue evil, while evil agencies aggressively claim those who follow them. Both sides strictly police these boundaries; aware that he cannot cheat God's system, Satan focuses on tightening his grip on the enslaved, doubling his efforts to prevent any turn toward God. His demonic forces share a singular, like-minded goal: to lead as many as possible to destruction.

Prayer is a mighty tool that can create exceptions in the “Rules of Engagement.” If an individual continually chooses to ignore the promptings of God, God’s Spirit must depart from him. But if someone lifts this individual to God with intercessory prayer, God will pursue this individual in response to that prayer. This is why scriptures urge us to pray for each other and also to pray for our enemies. (1 Timothy 2:1, James 5:16, Matthew 5:44)

Each individual has equal access to whoever he chooses to pursue. If he chooses to seek out Satan, God will not interfere with his pursuit. If he chooses to seek out God, heaven surrounds him with an impenetrable shield. The Lord’s elect cannot be touched as long as they continually seek His protection and guidance. But this, too, has a caveat. Abiding in Christ also carries risk to oneself. The story of Job is a key example. There are many of the Lord’s chosen who have suffered a martyr’s death. The physical body is of little consequence because it is a fallen mortal body. Scripture tells us not to be afraid of those who can kill the body, but fear them that can kill both body and soul. (Matthew 10:28, Luke 12:4-5)

A struggle between good and evil reveals an unsettling paradox: the prideful and selfish often thrive, while the meek and selfless face constant trouble. This reflects Satan’s strategy. If a jailer has a cage of prisoners with no hope of escape, he does not waste time guarding them; he seeks new captives to fill his cage. Similarly, Satan ignores those already under his control to aggressively pursue and trouble those who do not belong to him. This may seem unfair to those who seek God’s protection, yet face the exact opposite. But it is often in the hardship that strength is gained. A downhill ride takes no effort, but an uphill climb demands untapped strength.

Tarrying in Satan’s territory is dangerous; outside of God’s protection, one becomes an easy target. Ephesians 4:26-27 warns that lingering in sin gives the Devil a foothold. While we often imagine demonic possession as overt, puppet-like manipulation, an experience meant to incite fear (Read More), it is frequently more subtle. Even highly esteemed Christians can be passively influenced, becoming Satan's most effective tools without drawing any outward suspicion. (Read More)(Read More)

Demon possession remains prevalent in certain countries where cultural influences are deeply integrated. (Read More) As a non-human entity who never tires, Satan works ceaselessly to deceive the world with millennia of experience. Having already misled high-ranking angels, he finds humans easy prey; we are defenseless against him without the protection of Christ.

Adopting atheism—and thereby denying the existence of the devil—creates a vulnerability leading to destruction. The adage "what you don’t know can’t hurt you" illustrates how Satan exploits ignorance to destroy people while they believe they are in paradise. Ultimately, his greatest weapon is our lack of awareness. As the enemy of souls claims more victims, remember that Christ has already bought our freedom; we need only accept it. These times are perilous, but the door of probation remains open.

As Satan’s time on Earth wanes, we must recognize that both heavenly and demonic powers remain equally accessible based on our choices.  Cartoon characters give credence to the idea that halo-headed angels whisper words of good judgment in the ears of conscience while horn-headed demons whisper words of evil in the other ear demostrating that both good and evil are continually vying for our attention. This fictional allegory may not be too far from the truth, as it depicts exactly the true reality in the spirit realm. Galatians 5:17 affirms that the spirit and the flesh are in constant contention.

God's established "Rules of Engagement" demand that both sides have equal opportunity to exert influence. If we ask God to remove these negative influences, He will do so to the same extent that we choose to remove ourselves from the source of these influences. In other words, God does not remove the tavern from the street corner, but He may curb our desire to go there if we ask Him to. (1 Corinthians 15:33) Satan's influence is minimized if we intentionally place ourselves out of His range. Satan can easily force himself upon us, but God's protective shield keeps him away. His protective shield is always available to repel Satan, but maintaining it requires persistent, daily devotion rather than a single petition. 

The spirit world is a tangible reality often ignored because it is invisible. If God were to unveil the intense activities of these extradimensional realms, the sight would likely paralyze us with fear. Furthermore, if this spiritual activity became visible, the necessity of exercising faith would be rendered obsolete. (Hebrews 11:1) Visualizing the unseen would be a disadvantage, fostering overconfidence rather than character. Seeing heaven's superior numbers would turn us into spectators, stripping our roles of meaning and reducing active participants to mere noncombatants. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

If angels communicated with us face-to-face, demons would rightfully claim the same access. While angels are honest, demons excel at deception; by exploiting our natural inclinations toward evil, they would easily win our hearts. God’s wisdom ensures both sides respect our free will; we follow our chosen path without forced coercion. If we remain in Satan’s shackles—whether disguised as wealth or popularity—it is by choice, just as true freedom can exist within a prison cell. Ultimately, perspective defines our reality: the steep, narrow path to heaven is ignored by the many who choose the wide, effortless descent to perdition.

God created us, like all heavenly beings, for eternal life, granting us the beauty of free will to love Him by choice. Soon, our decisions will lead to either eternal existence or permanent non-existence. These "Rules of Engagement" are not discarded when evil is vanquished; instead, they are validated as the foundation of God's fair government. Throughout eternity, we will be grateful for His perfect plan, drafted before time began, which transforms victims into victors and ensures His kingdom stands forever.

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