Here are the completed notes from the Sunday Morning Worship Service on April 17, 2016:
1. Documentation – John 8:44
There is scarcely a culture, tribe, or society to be found in this world that does not have some concept or fear of an invisible evil power
Wrong conception of the Devil
The devil is pictured as a medieval and mythical two-horned, fork-tailed creature, dressed in red flannel underwear, carrying a pitchfork
- In the middle ages an actor in a play acted out the role of Satan, or the devil with a red suit, horns and a pitchfork
- Satan is ignored or downplayed by many people
- Satan seems to thrive best when he is either underestimated, ignored, or denied
According to Harold Willmington …
“If I were the devil” – The first thing I would do would be to deny my own existence”
“Deny my own existence in the world and down-play it in the local church”
- He is mentioned in 7 Old Testament books
- Genesis, 1 Chronicles, Job (12 times), Psalms, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Zechariah
- He is mentioned in 19 New Testament books and referred to by every NT writer
- He is mentioned to by Jesus approximately 15 times
- Matthew 4:11, Matthew 16:23; Luke 22:31, Luke 10:18; Matthew 25:41, John 8:44
- We cannot believe the Bible and deny the existence of Satan, the Devil
2. Description – Ezekiel 28:12-15; Isaiah 14:12a
Both Isaiah and Ezekiel the prophets go beyond the earthly scene and describes a non-human creature. (Isaiah the earthly king of Babylon – Ezekiel the earthly King of Tyre)
A. Ezekiel 28:12-14
1- Thou sealest up the sum – Literally, “You set the seal of perfection”
2- Full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty – The most brilliant and beautiful creature ever to exist
3- Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God – Genesis 3
4- Every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold – Lucifer was decked with dazzling stones/gems
5- The workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee – Lucifer was what a musical instrument would do in the hands of a skilled musician, bring forth praise to the glory of God
He had the ability to make music from his body
6- In the day that thou wast created – He was a created being
- Created with the power of free will so he could voluntarily worship and exalt God
7- Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth – “Cherub” to cut, to engrave like the engraving on a coin, the idea of representation – Cherub was to be a representative of God (as the image on a coin represents the one who issues it – Guarding the throne of God (Exodus 25:20)
8- I have set thee so – I have appointed you to serve in this lofty position
9- Thou wast upon the holy mountain of God –
10- Thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire –
B. Isaiah 14:12a
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!
“Lucifer” – Light bearer, day star, shining one, the bright one
3. Down Fall – Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28:15
“Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created till iniquity was found in thee.” -Ezekiel 28:15
What type of iniquity?
A. Pride – Ezekiel 28:17a; 1 Timothy 3:6
Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness
B. Self -will – Isaiah 14:13, 14 “I will”
Vs. 12 – How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart,
1- I will ascend into heaven – Very abode of God
2- I will exalt my throne above the stars of God – Probably a reference to angels
3- I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north – See Psalm 48:1, 2
4- I will ascend above the heights of the clouds – May refer to the shekinah glory cloud of God, where God’s glory dwells (Numbers 9:15-23)
5- I will be like the most High – I will be like El Elyon, The most High
Literally “the strongest strong one” – Satan desires to be like God
4. Domain – 2 Corinthians 4:3, 4; Ephesians 2:2
Present Locations: Note: It’s not hell!
- In the heavenlies –Job 1:6; 2:1; Zechariah 3:1
- In the earth – Job 1:7; 2:2; 1 Peter 5:8; Matthew 4:10; John 13:27
It was the devil that organized and led the first rebellion against God. Revelation 12:4 indicates that he persuaded one-third of heaven’s angels to march with him.
“And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth:”
These, of course, are the fallen angels (demons) of the Bible. Someday they will be judged by God and thrown into the Lake of Fire.
5. Deception – Genesis 3; Revelation 20:3
A. Opposition Against Scripture
1- Adds to Scripture
2- Deletes from Scripture
3- Misinterprets Scripture and takes it out of proper context – Matthew 4:5-7
4- Denies Scripture – Genesis 3:1-5
B. Opposition Against Believers
1- Sows tares – Matthew 13:24-30
2- Hinders the work of God’s servants – 1 Thessalonians 2:18
3- Resists the prayers of God’s servants – Daniel 10:12-13
4- Accuses believers before God – Revelation 12:10
5- Schemes against believers – Ephesians 6:11
6- Lays snares for believers – 1 Timothy 3:7
7- Tempts believers – Matthew 4:3
- Entices them to do evil
8- Influences believers to disobey God – 1 Chronicles 21:1 (David); Matthew 16:22, 23 (Peter); Acts 5:3 (Ananias and Sapphira)
9- Deceives believers
10- Afflicts believers – Acts 10:38; Job 2:7
C. Opposition Against the Lost
1- Blinds their minds – 2 Corinthians 4:4
2- Steals the Word from their hearts – Matthew 13:3-4, 18-19
3- Deceives the lost – 2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10; 2 Timothy 3:13
6. Destiny – Revelation 20:1-10
Satan was rendered powerless through the cross of Christ and His resurrection
“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;” -Hebrews 2:14
“Destroy” – Render powerless, make of no effect
“And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” -Colossians 2:15
1 John 3:8 – He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
Romans 16:20 – The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.
- Satan on the earth during the great tribulation – Revelation 12:9-10, 12
- Satan confined to the bottomless pit during the Millennium – Revelation 20:1-3
- Abyss – A place where evil spirits will be consigned (See Luke 8:31)
- Satan released on the earth following the Millennium – Revelation 20:7-9
- Satan cast into the lake of fire for eternity – Revelation 20:10
7. Defense
A. Internalize the Word of God
The choice weapon of Jesus against the devil – Matthew 4:3-11
B. Be alert to the times you are most vulnerable
HALT (stop) Principle:
According to Dr. Charles Stanley
Hungry – Jesus (Matthew 4:1, 2)
Angry – Moses
Lonely – Jesus (Matthew 4:3); David (2 Samuel 11:2); Joseph (Genesis 39:11, 12)
Tired
C. Suit up
Ephesians 6:10-13
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
D. Resist
1 Peter 5:8,9a
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith
James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.