The Doctrine of the Devil - 33

Been preaching for good while.

Not only here but other places, but I've never brought a sermon on the doctrine of the devil. I wonder how many of you have heard a sermon that is been exclusively given to revealing the doctrine of the devil and what the Bible has to say in a portion of Scripture, but that's what we want to do tonight because we're continuing our study through the book of the Revelation and we looked at verses one through six.

Primarily last Sunday night and looked at a few verses on into the further into the chapter, but tonight we want to revisit the warfare that we looked at last Sunday night that was confined to heaven where the devil sought to kill the male child, which was the Lord Jesus Christ and how God snatched him up and took him back to glory, and gave him his place at his right hand rule and reign. But whatever transpires on this earth in terms of warfare first breaks out in heaven and that's what we see as we begin to explore further into the chapter. So tonight I want us to think about the devil himself and in under five headings number one.

His ambition number two. His defeat number three.

His wrath before his strategies and then lastly, his frustration is ambition notice with me begins in verse seven and war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought with the Dragon and the Dragon and his angels fought not just an earthly conflict but a cosmic conflict, a war in heaven between the Dragon between well. John's going to call him, the serpent of old, the devil and Satan notice with me.

This observation that in this war. The devil does not fight against God. He fights against Michael and his angels. I've never seen an angel don't know that I've ever had an encounter with an angel. But what I learned from the Scriptures about angels is that they are very very powerful. You remember one angel was dispatched and killed 185,000. The Syrians, not an army of angels, but one angel will Michael is at war with the Dragon, the serpent, the devil himself, and he is at war with his angels. What we know about Michael. Will we encounter him in Daniel chapter 10 in verse 13 where he is called one of the chief princes. He came to help Daniel at a time that he was hindered and opposed for 21 days in carrying out an assignment in a chapter 12 in verse one. He is called the great print so he is in the hierarchy of angels. He is one of the chief angels the Prince angel and it is he who is engaged in holy war with the devil in heaven.

So the first heading his hat is his ambition and in in Isaiah chapter 14 we have this description how you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son morning how you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations. For you have said in your heart, all I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God.

I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest side of the North. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the most time is ambition to usurp God's authority to take the place of Almighty God. That was his ambition. He was not content to serve as an angel, under God's sovereign rule you notice the I wills in that description. I will ascend I will exalt.

I will be like the most time was a war of wills, a war of wills. And lest we fail to make appropriate application. I think it's good to stop here for moment into realize that every act of disobedience in our lives is in essence the same as what's going on here.

It is a contest of wills. We are not content to live our lives under his sovereign rule.

We want to be in God's place.

We want to rule our own lives. We do not want to submit to God. That's the essence of spiritual warfare. I want what I want and it is a desire to be God, to be God unto ourselves is ambition others to postures. I think that we can take in this study of the devil that are unhealthy. One is to act as if well never seen the devil I seal these cartoons ease pain.

It is a red Dragon. I don't know how serious are to take him remember when Jesus said to Peter, Simon, Simon, Satan has desired to sift you as what was his reaction to that. Did he say old Jesus pray for me.

Help me know he he blew it off like it was no big deal. He continued in his selfish boast, although the tree I won't I won't deny you. So he diminished Satan and his power and his ability we we don't want to be in that category, but we don't want to be on the other hand, so overwhelmed with fear of him that we cower and are just in enabled immobilized to do anything.

So those are two extremes. We need a healthy balance here, the devil is a mighty foe. You are no match for him. I am no match for him. We need understand that we need to take that seriously.

So his ambition was a foolish ambition. It was an ambition that was not realized because what we see not only is ambition but we see his defeat war broke out in heaven.

Michael and his angels fought with the dragon and the dragon and his angels fought verse eight, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer is defeat. He picked the wrong battle depict the wrongful.

He did not prevail was the result of his defeat three times in verse nine we are told that he is either cast out or what he listened. Verse nine so the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world. He was cast to the earth, and his angels and his angels were cast out with him.

Verse 10 then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, now salvation, and strength in the kingdom of our God and the power of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down, and then one more time. In verse 13 now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child. The Gospels recorded time when Jesus sent out his disciples 2 x 2 descent, 70 of them out 2 x 2 and they came back and reported to Jesus and listen to what was involved in that report. Verse 17 of chapter 10 of Luke, then the 70 returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name and he said to them, I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Jesus said, I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you authority the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice, because your name are written in heaven cast out, and then ultimately he will be cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20 verse 10, the devil, who deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. So that's his lot. He's been cast out is a defeated foe and yet he is still the prince of the power of the air.

He is still the God of this world.

He has a delegated authority on this earth to trouble the church to trouble you and me, but is defeat. So not only is ambition and is defeat the notice number three. His wrath, the devil's wrath. Verse 12 therefore rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them.

Rejoice over what rejoice that the accuser of the brethren.

The brother has been cast out. He's been cast in his angels to the earth rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them will to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea 102. 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. I'm not sure all that's implied with the word great it be one thing for the passage, the safer the devil has come down to you with wrath, but he has come down to you, having great wrath, great wrath, and it seems that his anger and wrath has been instigated and has been inflamed by his defeat is great wrath. Verse 13 now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child. But notice the connection there when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child. That is, the church and then verse 17 and the Dragon was in grade with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. The wrath of the devil. First John chapter 3 verse eight tell us that Christ has appeared, he has appeared in order to destroy the works of the devil. He has appeared to destroy the works of the devil. It shouldn't surprise us that he is enraged. It should not surprise us that he is with great wrath. He focused all of his hatred and animosity and power on the Lord Jesus Christ be agitated. He fomented the hostility in the malice toward Jesus.

That put Jesus on the cross and he was crucified. And yet, what appeared to be his victory is ultimately his defeat. Colossians chapter 2 in verse 15 says Christ has disarmed principalities and powers. He triumphed over them at the cross, Christ made a public spectacle of the devil. He put on display for the whole world to see that the devil who has as his greatest weapon in his arsenal death death itself was defeated as Jesus rose from the grave so is ambition is defeat his wrath. What is this passage tell us about his strategies.

Paul warned the Corinthian church and admonish the Corinthian church not to be ignorant concerning Satan's devices. So I think there's real help for us here to have biblical insight into the strategies of our adversary number one first things pointed out to us is deception. Verse nine so the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world is a deceiver and he deceives the whole world to deceived to promise one thing and deliver something else altogether, but that he promise even the garden. He promised that if she would eat of the forbidden fruit, she would become YC promised her wisdom. What did he deliver the delivered death separation and guilt and shame he's a deceiver in the world is full of deception drugs promise an escape from reality drugs promise a high but what does all ultimately do does drugs deliver enslavement misery heartache hopelessness and we could go on and on with all kinds of things that promise one thing and deliver the exact opposite. But not only deception but accusation accusation notice verse 10 then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven now salvation, and strength in the kingdom of our God and the power of his Christ have come for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down these and accuser for the classic example of that is in the life of Joe Job chapter 1 verse six we read and there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them, the sons of God are angels, Satan also came among them. It's a bit puzzling I'm not. I don't know how to explain to you but it's he had he had access to heaven he could come and go before God at this time in history. Verse seven and the Lord said to Satan, from where do you come in. He said from walking to and fro in the earth. Then the Lord said to Satan, have you considered my servant Joe that there is none like him on the earth blameless and not an upright man who fears God and skews evil verse nine.

The accusation does Job fear God for nothing other words, the accusation was Job serves God Job worships God out of selfish ambition or selfish motives you but he's telling God you bought his worship you've treated in this way.

You bought them off.

Who would worship you if you gave me a person what you gave him take the stuff away from them and will curse you to your face. That was the accusation turned to Zachariah chapter 3 for moment with me if you would. Toward the end of the Old Testament. Another classic example Zechariah chapter 3, beginning at verse one. Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. You get the picture here. There's Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him and the Lord said to Satan, the Lord rebuke you Satan the Lord. It was chosen Jerusalem rebuke you.

Is this not a brand plucked from the fire. Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and was standing before the angel say well what's Joshua the high priest standing before God with filthy garments will he's there and and a representative sense he's bearing the sins of his people, and there he stood clothed with sin. Verse four. Then he answered and spoke to those who stood before him, saying, take away the filthy garments from him and to home and and to him. He said see I have removed your iniquity from you and I will close you with rich ropes and I said let them put on a clean turban on his head so they put a clean turban on his head and they put the close on him in the angel of the Lord stood by then the angel of the Lord admonished Joshua, saying, thus says the Lord of hosts, if you will walk in my ways and if you will keep my command. Then you shall also judge my house and likewise have charge of my courts, I will give you places to walk among these who stand here hero Joshua the high priest, you and your companions who sit before you will hear Satan in the presence of God and he is there to make accusation against Joshua the high priest because of the sins that he is bearing.

He's the accuser of the brethren. But back in Revelation chapter 12 we are told that he has been cast down for the accuser of our brethren Revelation 12 verse 10, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. We could say that Michael the chief prince, the one who is engaged in battle. He is the courts bailiff and he said to Satan, you're out of here.

He accosted them and cast them out in the courtroom of God's justice, he cannot accuse believers before God anymore.

He has been cast out before studying this passage I was of the impression that that's something that's an ongoing thing, but this passage tells me he's been cast out.

He no longer has access into God's courtroom. He's been cast out. Now the devil can come to your conscience and accuse you, but he can come before God and accuse you. He can't say well there so and so you claim to be one of yours yeah you've justified him a look what he did look what he said. Localities acting can do that anymore. He's been cast out. That's good news is the man what what other strategy does the devil employ notice with me verse 12 therefore rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them. 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.

What is his strategy.

It is to afflict and persecute the church on earth. Why is he so insistent on doing that will because he could no longer recuse us in heaven he could no longer do us any soul damage. He can go to God and bring accusation against this so he has concentrated his efforts upon the church upon it, God's people here upon the earth were 17. The dragon was enraged with the woman we identified the woman as the church and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ than its Augustine who said no man can have God as his father who doesn't have the church as his mother. That's what's being referred to here the church and her offspring. Notice what's going on here.

The persecution the affliction that the devil is going to bring upon Christchurch verse 14 for the woman was given to wing of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place where she is nourished for a time and times and 1/2 time from the presence of the serpent. John is employing the metaphor of an eagle and Eagle is a means of God's deliverance. There's a number of references that I could point to. But let me just cite one Exodus chapter 19 in verse four God is saying to those who were delivered from Egyptian bondage. You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles wings, and brought you to myself on Eagles wings goes on to say verse 15 so the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. Not literally water, but a flood affliction flood at Delucia that would threaten to sweep us away and do damage to our souls.

And when I read about that strategy. I'm reminded of what we read in Psalm 32 let me read a couple of verses in Psalm 32 speak to God's deliverance and God's help in time of flood Psalm 32 verse six for this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to you in a time when you may be found Shirley in a flood of great waters, they shall not come near him.

You are my hiding place. You shall preserve me from trouble.

You shall surround me with songs of deliverance verse 10 many sorrows shall be to the wicked, but he who trusts in the Lord mercy shall surround him. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice your righteous and shout for joy, all you upright in heart, and then love the anthem that require sayings that's based on Isaiah chapter 42 in verse three or more. Isaiah 43 verse two when you pass through the waters, I will be with you and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.

For I am the Lord your God, the holy one of Israel, your Savior, I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and CIBA in your place since you are precious in my sight. You have been honored and I've loved you. Therefore, I will give men for you and people your life. Fear not for I am with you. I will bring your descendents from the east, and gather you from the West, so despite the Devils's intensified hatred and wrath toward God's people.

God's promised to protect us. God's promise to preserve us God's promise to nourish us in the midst of severe persecution.

59. Let's think for a moment about the frustration of the devil considered his ambition is defeat is wrath his strategies. Now his frustration.

Paul argues in first Corinthians 15 that the last enemy to be conquered is death. So what does the devil, who has been cast out, cast down, made a public spectacle on the cross by being defeated by the Christ of the cross. What does he do now.

Well, he resorts to his weapon. The weapon of death and when did he resort to this weapon during the life and ministry of Jesus Christ trace the gospel accounts of the times that he instigated hatred and malice and scheming that Jesus might be accosted and tried and killed and ultimately he was successful in doing that, but as of already said at the cross, the defeated is the victor, Jesus rises from the dead in victory over death hell and the grave.

So the devil he's one frustrated being he sought to kill Jesus.

He stirred up hatred and malice against him and he succeeded in putting him to death, but as the hymn writer said.

Death could not keep its prey right death couldn't hold Jesus. So the devil he's frustrated. The worst he can do to us became armoire solely can accuse us before God.

He are ours were kept by the power of God. The worst he can do it us is kill us and what does that result in our translation and glory. Listen to the writer of Hebrews speak to this matter of death being an enemy.

Hebrews chapter 2 verse 14 and 15 inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, he that is Christ himself. Likewise shared in the same, that through death he might destroy him who had the power of death, think about what is being said there that further death he might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage pulses Christ has disarmed powers. Christ took the very best weapons Satan hasn't turned it to the greatest degree known to mankind how frustrated the devil must be notice he's further frustrated because of how the church response to affliction and persecution.

Verse 11 and they overcame him.

What's his purpose. What's his strategies. Strategies to overcome them. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb. The blood of the Lamb that secured their eternal redemption, and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. They didn't shrink back in the face of persecution, they didn't shrink back in the face and the threat of death itself how frustrated the devil must be to think that our allegiance to Jesus Christ is that deep and that permanent frustrated he's frustrated also because his time is short.

He's a defeated foe and he has a limited amount of time to create havoc on this earth is.

Time is short tried to think of an illustration as I was thinking about the crane conflict and how were told that Vladimir Putin is is a dangerous man, particularly if he sees that his army is being defeated and it's kinda like what's going on here. The devil sees that he's being defeated in his wrath is stirred. He's he's more agitated than ever. All is wrath in all of his agitation doesn't help them a bit. He's just further and further strip frustrated we will be looking at this later on but just turn over in your Bible to chapter 13 for a minute. Let me show you another reason why frustrated. He's frustrated because his power is limited.

He does not have unquestioned authority to do whatever he wants to do notice chapter 13 verse seven it was granted to him to make war with the saints and overcome them. It was granted to him is he had to get permission in order to do that. It was granted to him to make war so God evidently has a good and wholesome and sanctifying purpose in granting it doing not only verse seven. But verse 14 in the whole business of deception and he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast again which he was granted to do. He was granted authority, permission to deceive. In verse 15 he was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. He was granted he was granted he was granted he didn't take it upon himself. He didn't have the kind of authority is power is limited for this passage speaks of two results that ensue from Christ's victory over the devil. The first is the temporary suffering of the church and of Christians in this age and God's promise to use this to sustain and preserve their souls unto the end, whatever that looks like and as I was preparing this message. My mind went to the Ukrainian church that we witnessed on YouTube and they've gathered to sing. He will hold me fast and I think were familiar with the course would listen to some of the stances and how it relates to what were considering tonight stanza one when I fear my faith will fall or fail. Christ will hold me fast when the tempter would prevail. He will hold me fast. I could never keep my hold the likes through life's fearful path for my love is often cold. He must hold me fast. He'll not let my soul be lost. His promises show last bought by him at such a cost. He will hold me fast for my life. He bled and died, Christ will hold me fast.

Justice has been satisfied.

He will hold me fast raised with him to endless life. He will hold me fast till our faith is turned to site when he comes at last he will hold me fast. He will hold me fast for my Savior loves me so he will hold me fast, that's wonderful truth consistent with what were considering here this evening, but what is the second result that ensues from Christ's victory over the devil. Notice verse 12 Revelation 12 therefore rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them.

Rejoice over what rejoice over the devil's defeat rejoice over the devil being cast out. Rejoice over the fact that the devil no longer can come and bring accusation before God concerning the saints everlasting joy in heaven us what we need folks we need a heavenly perspective and this will this passage of Scripture is giving us it's giving us a heavenly perspective, we have reasons for joy. So in my application. I have an assignment for you. You set you've listened good number of you take notes so to be easier for you than those who don't. But here's my assignment for you to compose a list of reasons for joy from this passage. Compose a list of reasons for joy from this passage not get the big picture.

The context of what were talking about with considered the doctrine of the devil and at the same time, there's reasons for joy in this passage, compose a list of reasons for joy from this passage and let me give you one that I've already spoken to on several occasions reason for joy. Number one no longer subject to the accusations of the devil in God's courtroom no longer subject that's a reason for joy enters other reasons for joy but that's your assignment that we may further have the word of God, find lodgment in our hearts for the good of our souls and for a proper response to God. We pray pray father, thank you for your word tonight. Thank you for its instruction. Lord we are humbled as we consider this great adversary who hates us because of our allegiance to you. He hates us because of our love for Jesus Christ.

He hates us because of our desire to propagate the gospel around the world. But again, we thank you. Tonight, the greater is he who is in us than he who is in the world. We are more than conquerors through him who loved us so strengthen us and fortify us, our God, help us to have a healthy fear of our adversary. Help us to put on the armor of God, that we might be able to stand in this evil day, and help us, our God, as we continue to study through the book of the Revelation Lord we believe that first and foremost this is a revelation of Jesus Christ and we thank you that even as with considered the devil himself.

We've also considered Jesus Christ to trying to over him on the cross. Thank you for the victory that you've given him.

Thank you for the victory that's been promised to those who trust in Jesus Christ, we thank you for this passage again tonight. In Jesus name, amen