We Have Victory Through Jesus Christ!
Our enemy, Satan, is strong but not omnipotent. He is already defeated and his days are numbered. The Lord Jesus Christ defeated Satan at the Cross of Calvary. Christ's victory is also ours because we have identified ourselves with Christ through faith. The following are also lifted from my quiet time notes. I hope we will live victorious lives because our Lord Jesus Christ has given us the victory.
Q. Who is Satan?
A. Satan is the adversary of God and God's people. He is also called Lucifer, the son of the morning, the anointed covering cherub who rebelled against the Most High God. The Lord God revealed through Ezekiel the origin of this enemy:
"Thou hast been in Eden, the garden of God;
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 the gold:
the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes
was prepared in thee in the day that thou was created.
Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so:
thou wast upon the holy mountain of God;
thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created,
till iniquity was found in thee.
By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee
with violence, and thou hast sinned:
Therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God:
and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub,
from the midst of the stones of fire.
Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty,
thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness:
I will cast thee to the ground,
I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee"
-Ezekiel 28:13-17
The nature of Lucifer's sin was revealed by Isaiah:
"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,
I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God:
I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation;
in the sides of the north:
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds:
I will be like the Most High.
Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit"
-Isaiah 14:12-15
Satan is not just a product of myth or of man's imagination. He is a personal being and is existing in this world. His demons are the angels who have joined him in rebellion against the Almighty God.
Q. What is the work of Satan and his demons?
A. They oppose God and the Lord's work. Jesus rebuked Satan who is sifting Peter, "Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offense unto me: for thou savorest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men" (Mat 16:23). The devil and his hosts are also active in deceiving the nations so that people may turn away from and turn against God (Rev 20:2-3). They hinder people from obeying the gospel of Jesus Christ. "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them" (2 Cor 4:3-4).
These fallen beings are also bringing opposition and temptations to God's people. Satan himself tempted Jesus Christ our Lord (Mat 4:1-11). These enemies of God are also setting up traps against the leaders of Christ's church (I Tim 3:7). They are opposing not only the shepherds of the church but also the sheep. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil; as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world" (I Pet 5:8-9).
Q. What is the destiny of Satan and his demons?
A. Jesus Christ defeated Satan and his demons at the cross of Calvary. "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die" (John 12:31-33). The apostle Paul also had the same glorious message, "Death is swallowed up in victory, O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (I Cor 15:57). Satan and his hordes, the defeated enemies of Jesus Christ, will be punished and lodged forever in the lake of fire. "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever" (Rev 20:10).
Q. What then is the importance of this truth to the Christian's life?
A. Because we have victory through the blood of the Lamb, we do not have to fear the enemies of God. "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world" (I John 4:4). However, we must not underestimate the enemy. Satan and his friends are very powerful. But God the Almighty has equipped us an Armor so that we can resist and overcome Satan and his demons.
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armor 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 armor of God,
that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,
and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loines girt about with truth,
and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of Faith,
wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit;
and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication
for all saints"
-Eph 6:10-18
Q. Who is Satan?
A. Satan is the adversary of God and God's people. He is also called Lucifer, the son of the morning, the anointed covering cherub who rebelled against the Most High God. The Lord God revealed through Ezekiel the origin of this enemy:
"Thou hast been in Eden, the garden of God;
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 the gold:
the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes
was prepared in thee in the day that thou was created.
Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so:
thou wast upon the holy mountain of God;
thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created,
till iniquity was found in thee.
By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee
with violence, and thou hast sinned:
Therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God:
and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub,
from the midst of the stones of fire.
Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty,
thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness:
I will cast thee to the ground,
I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee"
-Ezekiel 28:13-17
The nature of Lucifer's sin was revealed by Isaiah:
"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,
I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God:
I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation;
in the sides of the north:
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds:
I will be like the Most High.
Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit"
-Isaiah 14:12-15
Satan is not just a product of myth or of man's imagination. He is a personal being and is existing in this world. His demons are the angels who have joined him in rebellion against the Almighty God.
Q. What is the work of Satan and his demons?
A. They oppose God and the Lord's work. Jesus rebuked Satan who is sifting Peter, "Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offense unto me: for thou savorest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men" (Mat 16:23). The devil and his hosts are also active in deceiving the nations so that people may turn away from and turn against God (Rev 20:2-3). They hinder people from obeying the gospel of Jesus Christ. "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them" (2 Cor 4:3-4).
These fallen beings are also bringing opposition and temptations to God's people. Satan himself tempted Jesus Christ our Lord (Mat 4:1-11). These enemies of God are also setting up traps against the leaders of Christ's church (I Tim 3:7). They are opposing not only the shepherds of the church but also the sheep. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil; as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world" (I Pet 5:8-9).
Q. What is the destiny of Satan and his demons?
A. Jesus Christ defeated Satan and his demons at the cross of Calvary. "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die" (John 12:31-33). The apostle Paul also had the same glorious message, "Death is swallowed up in victory, O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (I Cor 15:57). Satan and his hordes, the defeated enemies of Jesus Christ, will be punished and lodged forever in the lake of fire. "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever" (Rev 20:10).
Q. What then is the importance of this truth to the Christian's life?
A. Because we have victory through the blood of the Lamb, we do not have to fear the enemies of God. "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world" (I John 4:4). However, we must not underestimate the enemy. Satan and his friends are very powerful. But God the Almighty has equipped us an Armor so that we can resist and overcome Satan and his demons.
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armor 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 armor of God,
that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,
and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loines girt about with truth,
and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of Faith,
wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit;
and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication
for all saints"
-Eph 6:10-18
posted by Pids Nogales | 12:39 PM
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