Most can not see the illustrations of descent and apostasy found in prophetic writings. The Prophet Jonah is a study in "descent" from the place of the Holy, and one must only study the "went down"s in Jonah to get an elementary picture.
The illustrations in prophetic writings include a picture of what happened in the very real angelic realm, their current abode in the Second Heaven (space - NASA can't tell us about it, but the Bible can!), their influence upon the earth from the Second Heaven, their future casting to the earth---under the "First Heaven"---in the days of the Man of Sin (Daniel's 70th Week), the prisoners in the lower parts of the earth to whom Christ preached, the creatures which shall ascend (literally) out of the pit during the Time of Jacob's Trouble, etc., etc.
Imagine this much of the Bible's Revelation simply ignored and shunned, and then looking to human cosmology and astronomy to attempt an explanation of supernatural forces posing as other organized life forms from other planets.
The seminary trained heads of denominations themselves pose as ones more intelligent than Lucifer, and many have convinced themselves that they are smarter than God.
The New Testament is replete with descriptions of demonically inspired (perhaps some are actually possessed) false apostles, ministers of Satan, transformed into (i.e. posing as) ministers of righteousness (2 Corinthians ch. 11; etc.).
Where are they today? Well, they are not saloon owners, gambling casino operators, drug pushers and the like. There is enough old flesh around to keep these things running without a single apostate angel (which is not to say that people in these professions are never demon possessed---many are!!).
The main earthly sphere of operation of unclean spirits are in college, university ans seminary lecterns, in church pulpits, and in the denominational leadership structures of Christendom --- where Satan is the "god of this world." !! And this is as well as in the political realm --- where Satan is the "prince of this world."
Religious and political spheres are where the souls of men are bought and sold (Revelation 18:13), and perverted. This is where consciences are seared with hot irons (1 Timothy 4:2) from hellish religion, philosophy, and politics; often in CONSERVATIVE politics.
I believe that not understanding where satanic influences operate among men is why people are always trying to find restoration in apostate Lutheran, Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Baptist denominationalism, which is so often highlighted in Free Republic postings. ---- Instead of COMING OUT from among them and BEING SEPERATE, and NOT TOUCHING THE UNCLEAN THING.
Not understanding the unclean spiritual sphere is why so many Free Republic folks think that the best government politically is local, but that the best government religiously is denominational. This is a contradiction, of course.
Not understanding the unclean spitual sphere is why so many people believe in antinomian libertarianism (actually "libertinism"), and call it either constitutional or conservative. Lawlessness is obviously a characteristic of uncleanness, and is encouraged along in from the spiritual realm.
Those duped by the unclean spiritual realm, therefore, are more easily persuaded that communications in the Second Heaven are from evolved species with natural societies on other planets. They are not about to consider biblical prophesy with regard to these appearance and communications.
Duped people cannot confess the truth as to how powerful Satan is, and how "playful" his realm is in the minds and hearts of man.
THX THX.
I find your whole post quite fitting, well put and accurate.
This was very apt:
Duped people cannot confess the truth as to how powerful Satan is, and how “playful” his realm is in the minds and hearts of man.