Page 68 - Foundations

perish. Yahweh forbid that I should stretch out my hand against Yahweh’s anointed...”

Even though Saul had turned aside from the path of righteousness and had made himself an adversary
of the righteous, David recognized that Saul continued as an anointed servant of Yahweh. David
continued to manifest the honor due to one who stood in a position of authority that Yahweh had
given to him. David refused to revile one in authority, or to lift his hand against him, even though that
authority was acting wickedly.

We observe the parallel truth that Satan has rebelled against Yahweh and has become the adversary
of all righteousness. Yahweh has pronounced judgment against him, but that judgment has not yet
been fully carried out. Although God has judged the rebellion, self-will, and evil of Satan’s heart, He
has not withdrawn the authority and anointing that Satan bears. The day will come when Satan will
fall in battle. An hour will arrive when Yahweh will strike him, but until that time he remains the
anointed cherub, an angelic majesty. Even as Saul continued to reign, and his actions were evil
resulting in condemnation, Satan continues to rule in wickedness heaping up condemnation upon
himself.

People of God, I would have you to understand that Yahweh has allotted to Satan a period of time to
fill up the fulness of his iniquity before final judgment is carried out against him. We see this also in
the life of King Saul. Yahweh could have at once taken the life of Saul when the prophet Samuel
pronounced God’s judgment upon this king. Yet, he did not do so. It was appointed to David to bear
up patiently for many years under the persecution, slander, and malevolent jealousy of this wicked
king. Through this experience David learned many qualities of humility, patience, and faithfulness
that enabled him to bear ruling authority and to exercise justice and righteousness as a man after
God’s own heart. Undoubtedly, Yahweh has similar purposes in allowing Satan and the angelic hosts
in league with him to continue in their power and authority. The saints in Christ bear the brunt of
Satan’s wrath, his slanders, and his malevolent will, yet through it all they are given opportunity to
acquit themselves faithfully as did David, that the day might arrive when Yahweh will elevate them
to the throne.

The apostle Paul describes Satan as “the god of this world,” and “the prince of the power of the air.”
These titles reveal that Satan still maintains authority as a world ruler.

II Corinthians 4:3-4
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this
world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving.

Ephesians 2:1-2
And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course
of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air...

It must be understood that when a person, being, or group are granted an anointing and authority by
Yahweh, even if they should prove unfaithful in the calling bequeathed to them, Yahweh does not
immediately revoke their calling or power. Not only do we see this in the life of King Saul, it is also
observed in the calling and anointing Yahweh placed upon the Jewish people. The Jewish leaders