Who is “the Thief” in John 10:10?

MESSAGE RECEIVED:

“In John 10:10, ‘the thief’ my friend, is not about Satan. It is directed toward the Pharisees. The entire context of John 8-10 has nothing to do with the devil, but with the Pharisees, whom I suppose you could say work in coordination with Satan. You don’t study the Bible you echo what you’ve heard and nothing more. You obviously don’t understand hermeneutics, the rules of interpretation. I am no novice Todd. Perhaps you should learn before attacking me. The only reference in the entire account to the devil is that he is the father of the Pharisees, who become in history, the synagogue of Satan. I am not impressed by your ignorance either. You are irrelevant because of your ignorance and evangelical indoctrination. Enjoy your ignorance in blissful deception.”

REPLY:

False. I didn’t attack you. I simply stated the truth which is contrary to what you stated. You are the only “Christian” I’ve ever heard utter such deception ….. WHO then is “THE thief” Christ refers to in John 10:10???? Who else could it possibly be but Satan? Also, in this discourse to the pharisees which spans John 8-10, Jesus makes it clear that it’s “THE DEVIL” they are given over to and who is speaking through them as they are unrepentant. Nothing could be clearer. Jesus even cites the DEVIL when dealing with Peter “Get thee behind me SATAN”, His own disciple, much less His enemies, the religious frauds of His day (Matthew 16:23).

Jesus makes it clear that Satan the source of all lies when He states – “Ye do the deeds of your father. … Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” John 8:41,44

Not interested in your boast of pedigree and won’t glorify it by doing the same…. even a novice knows Jesus is speaking of the devil…. please answer my simple question: WHO is “the thief”??? John 10:10…. you are excluding the very prince of the power of the air who reigns over all rebels and is the “king over all the children of pride.”

Job_41:34 He beholdeth all high things: he (Satan) is a king over all the children of pride.

WHO did Jesus tell us was behind Peter in his rebellion, much less the pharisees?

“But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, SATAN: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” Matthew 16:23

You have refused to answer my simple question so obviously you have something to hide … WHO WHO WHO is “THE thief” in John 10:10 if it’s not Satan???

While there are many thieves among men, here Jesus speaks of the definite article “thief” who is none other than Satan himself whose mission is stealing, killing, and destroying. In John 10:10 it seems clear that Jesus is contrasting His beautiful shepherding to Satan’ horrid domination of our lives. Jesus comes to give life and life more abundantly while Satan only seeks to devour his prey with stealing, killing, and destroying (John 10:10; 1 Peter 5:8).

The words of Christ recorded in John 10:10 is a plain contrast to the reign of Christ vs the reign of Satan in an individuals life.

WHO stole, killed, and destroyed mankind’s perfect relationship with God? WHO was the “serpent” in the Garden controlled by? Satan. This is as basic a Bible truth as exists in Holy Scripture. 

WHO is our ultimate struggle with? Is it with flesh and blood (mere men) or with Satan?

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of THE DEVIL. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:11-12

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” 1 Peter 5:8-9

“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” 2 Corinthians 2:11

It seems obvious through the preponderance of Holy Scripture that like the Pharisees Jesus addresses in John 8-10, all men who do not love the LORD’s truth are given over to “Satan.” Watch this…

“AFTER the working of WHOOOOO”???

“Even him, whose coming is AFTER THE WORKING OF SATANNNN with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

By reason of redemptive withdrawal, God removes His holy hand of protection from all rebels and they are sent by Him “strong delusion” where Satan is allowed to reign over their lives to bring stealing, killing, and destruction.

Spiritual Warfare | On the Truth Can Make us Free | Neither Give Place to the Devil | Resist the Devil and He will Flee from You

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