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July 11, 2016 6:16 pm
Harvest messages are brought to you by harvest partners receive free email daily devotions were to become a harvest partner, please visit us online@harvest.org. Summer is here and for a lot of people.
It's time to go on vacation would've been nice if the devil went on vacation with that just be great if we could just say hey Satan, this offer all the summer months that he probably go someplace really hot like hell by Sam talking about a place called hell Michigan. Did you know there's an actual place call that this town got its name in 1841, when a guy named George Reeves, an early settler in the slow swampy place in southeast Michigan was asked what he wanted to name the town that he discovered. He said I could care less name and hell, if you want to and they did so there's actually a home is good thing to go there or you go to the lake of fire. I really don't care.
I just wish he took some time off, but you know what he doesn't take three months off.
He doesn't take one month off. He doesn't take a week off.
He doesn't even take a day off. The Bible describes them as restless roaming and looking for trouble. So how do we overcome an adversary like this because some of us instead of overcoming him are being overcome by him and therefore honest.
We would admit that we fall prey to the same sins over and over and over again. We shall never do it again and then you end up doing it again and so you're wondering can I ever be free. Here's the answer. Yes, you can yes you can. If you do what God tells you to do in his words are working to discover some secrets here in Revelation 12 about how to overcome the devil are also going to reveal to you some things the devil doesn't want you to know, so pay attention because I don't know about you but I want to know what Satan doesn't want me to know, don't you so him and talk about that in a moment, but this sort of a basic fact that were all very aware of world war were in this spiritual battle and it rages day and night, and it effectively started on the day you became a believer in Jesus Christ. One person said conversion is made our hearts a battlefield that's exactly right. And in this battle. You really have two options.
You can win or lose, you can advance or retreat.
You can gain ground or you can lose ground, but to Be a conscientious objector or or to see what I don't want to fight. We lingered in the just lose.
That's all there is to it. So this is a spiritual battle. That's what we need to understand.
It's a spiritual battle that must be followed with spiritual tools.
If God were to sort of pull back the veil for us right now and let us see the unseen world. The invisible world of of garden the devil and of angels and demons and all that it would just blow our minds I think would be kinda frightened because we'd see all these things swirling around us and would realize that there's a physical world and there's a spiritual world existing simultaneously. So now here in Revelation 12, asserted, given a glimpse of the battle. In fact, were actually in heaven observing a war.
Yes, there will be a war in heaven and in this Lawrence between the stars now the Angels are called stars.
So here in this star war Star Wars. I am Revelation, we see them having it out. We have Michael the Archangel, duking it out with Satan was referred to as the Dragon Revelation 12 a reverses 1 to 4 now a great sign appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and on-again are garlanded 12 stars then being with child, she cried out in labor and impeding to give birth and another sign appeared in heaven. Behold a great fiery red dragon, having seven heads and 10 horns and seven diadem's on his heads he do 1/3 of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth and the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her child as it was born. She bore a male child, who was to rule all the nations with a rod of iron in her child was caught up to God and his throne stop for a moment of prayer.
Now father you promised a blessing to those who would read here and keep the words of the book of revelations the Lord we want that blessing. And we know the Revelation means unveiling it is not your desire to conceal but to reveal so as we seek to understand these things now. We pray that your Holy Spirit will speak to our hearts and we ask this now in Jesus name, amen? Who is this wonder woman of Revelation 12 one.
This woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of 12 stars. Some of said well it's clearly the Virgin Mary know it isn't because Mary is not in a state like this in heaven. I don't think you can find any verses that would support that you know Mary incredibly blessed and privileged woman who gave birth to the Messiah but yet I don't think this is Mary at all. I think this woman is a picture of the nation Israel the child she bore is Jesus Christ. You see will why do you think that will let's start with what it says here verse one says he is a garland of 12 stars.
You remember God gave to Joseph a dream and Israel was described as having the sun and the moon in the 11 stars and Joseph was a 12 star and of course it is from Israel that the Messiah came in one day Jesus will rule over the year 10. I believe that this child is Jesus. Verse five says she bore a male child, who was to rule all the nations with a rod of iron in some to the Lord says to the Messiah.my son, this day have I begotten you as to be and I'll give you the nations for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession. Listen your break them with a rod of iron, so God is saying to the sun to the Messiah.
You will rule over them with a rod of iron and that is true of this child. This is speaking this ruling by the way of the millennium. Tenant pulling back for the big picture.
I believe the next event on the prophetic calendar will most likely be the rapture of the church when all true believers are caught up to meet the Lord in the air shortly after that the coming world leader the Antichrist also called the beast emerges with this new numbering system where no one can buy or sell without his Mark yeses sidekick if you will, a religious leader called the false prophet I and then the tribulation period is officially begun. Which by the way, begins peacefully not with war. The Antichrist rebuild the temple for the Jewish people. This is the third Temple and then at a moment a given moment. He commits a sin known as the abomination of desolation, where he directs an image of himself in the temple I commence people to worship it, and this marks the second half of the tribulation period were God's judgment comes upon the earth, so the tribulation comes to a close in the battles of Armageddon fought in the Valley of the ghetto. Christ comes back in the second coming with his saying so those of us to our caught up to be with them in the air return with him again and then Jesus establishes what is called the millennium what is the millennium of the very word be the thousand years, so it's a thousand year reign of Christ and by the way, not everyone in the millennium or the reign of Christ necessarily wants to be there because it will be some descendents of descendents of descendents of nonbelievers who survived the tribulation. But will be alive during this time and they'll be rolled over with a rod of iron in Satan will be chained at this time as well that some of that I think were already in the millennium really all will. If this is the millennium the devil has one long chain does any of you things are so dark right now I don't know how anyone could possibly hold that view, but working to rule and reign with Christ during that time, and there's even a rebellion.
A short rebellion that is quickly squashed during the millennium.
Can you imagine you have a perfect government ruled by the king of kings and the Lord of lords. I don't think people have ever been more disillusioned with politicians and they are right now in America and perhaps around the world. They seem to let us down time and time again but here is a perfect righteous flawless roll and still people aren't happy and so this is the time we will rule with Christ.
In fact, in the parable of the talents in Matthew 2521. Remember the story of a master who distributed talents which were measure of money, measures of money and then I we read that he said to one of the servants who is faithful. Well done good and faithful servant your faithful confusing over a few things. I'll make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord so literally when you are faithful to Christ.
What is with what he has given you to do one day you will have rewards given to you and you will rule and reign with him and after the millennium.
When heaven comes the earth. Jesus will no longer roll with the rod traded in for a staff and leaders like a shepherd because everyone that's there once to be there but there's no denying the fact that the Dragon is really focused on this woman he's attacking her is kind of interesting because he's really attacking her is she's bringing forth the Messiah Jesus was born of a woman. Galatians tells us, made under the law, to redeem those that are under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons whereby we cry, Abba father. I mean there's no getting around the fact that that Israel plays a key role in God's last days events. Israel pretty much as God's yardstick. Israel is God's blueprint.
Every Christian is blessed because of Israel. Listen we have a book we call it the Bible is effectively a Jewish book. And guess what else we serve a Jewish Messiah, and does so this is all come through Israel and these are God's chosen people and they still are God's chosen people that some would suggest that maybe he's turned his back Lord is turned his back on the Jewish people, but I don't seating in the case of that in Scripture that he's altered his promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I believe they play a key role in the end times because Zechariah 12 says God is going to make Jerusalem like an intoxicating drink and all the nations that send their armies to besiege Jerusalem will face judgment. And Jerusalem will be a heavy stone, a burden for the world.
It's amazing to think of Israel tiny little sliver of land about the size of New Jersey and inside of this tiny little sliver of land is this tiny, tiny little city called Jerusalem and God tells us that she is the very epicenter of end times events and then that should be surrounded by enemies a listen anytime you turn on the news or look in the paper or news website and using Israel being threatened or Jerusalem in particular facing conflict.
The Bible student is specifically the prophecy student will pay careful attention. It is beyond me why we negotiated with Iran and released billions of dollars to this nation that openly funds terrorism and in the news. Only a few days ago I read an Iranian commander says that they have 100,000 missiles ready to strike Israel crazy. So we already see the hostility toward Israel building and now let me make a controversial statement and if you don't agree with me. That's fine, but I think I'm right on this in some ways America needs Israel more than Israel needs America. Think about it for a moment. So why would you say that we go over the Israel today. They have all these T-shirts for sale. There's one with the jet military jet from Israel, with a little star of David on it and says don't worry America, Israel will save you and you know you look about 11 Z but don't we give them billions of dollars worth of weaponry and so forth. Yes, we do actually in there. They think is for that, especially for the technology called the iron Dome that has shut down a lot of missiles aimed in her direction. But here is why America needs Israel because God made a promise years ago to the Jews in all their descendents and to the nation. I believe as well because it's a Jewish nation. God said in Genesis 12. Three.
Bless those that bless you and curse those that curse you, and I think if we stand by Israel.
God has blessed America and as we step away from Israel. It's a bad decision so because, listen. Zechariah 28 says whoever opposes the Jews are attacking the apple of his eye with his hostility toward the Jewish people and Israel in general is not new. Again it goes back to really the first books of the Bible, but to back to Revelation 12 John speaks of this enormous red Dragon. Look at verse three. A great fiery red dragon, having seven heads and 10 horns and seven diadem. His color is red because his path is always been covered with blood and death.
This Dragon is seven heads and 10 horns. I know it sounds like some from one of those old Godzilla movies but without and I someone recently. They keep remaking and remaking and remaking it. There's this one character: from which is a really big bath always one of my favorites. Anyway, that's all over talking about were not talking about a literal fire breathing dragon here. These are symbolic descriptions. The word heads speaking of this Dragon comes from the word diadem or crown symbolizing power and authority. So this is the devil is even referred to Revelation as that great Dragon the devil. So were talking about the double care were talking about the devil hating the Jewish people were talking about the devil trying to stop the birth of the Messiah in a way, believe it or not, this is kind of a picture of Christmas what you add this to your Christmas nativity scene know you got the wisemen and the baby Jesus in the manger. And then this big red Dragon trying to eat a baby yeah that's actually a part of the story is what happened when the announcement was made that Christ was born, Herod tried to kill him murdering all those Jewish babies and you can go right back to the book of Exodus, when the Pharaoh tried to kill the Jews on third of the book of Esther as Haman had the wicked plot to kill all the Jews and on it goes. This is an ongoing process, but just remind us that we are facing an opponent was great intelligence. Listen, the devil is an expert at what he does and he should not be underestimated.
Paul warns us about his strategy in second Corinthians 4 pieces of the good news we preach is built from anyone. It's assigned the perishing Satan, the God of this evil world has blinded the minds of those who don't believe so there unable to see the glorious light of the good news that shining on them.
I think the 10 horns represent the 10 Confederated nations behind the antichrist as we get to the subject of this coming world leader later will see that he receives his power from the Dragon from the devil, so he satanically energized and also here's an answer to a question of this often asking the question is where did the devil even come from, or is that sometimes stated why would God of love, great someone as horrible as Satan is the answer, verses three and four his tail.
That is the Dragon to 1/3 of the stars of heaven and threw them to the year okay so who's the Dragon it's Satan, who are the stars, their angels will be to 1/3 of the stars.
What is that mean one third of the angels followed him in a satanic rebellion. These fallen Angels nonowners demons are effectively Satan's storm troopers if you will.
So here is his powerful spirit being rebelling against God with this demon hordes and he is a clear objection to eliminate the ultimate threat to his power.
Who is Jesus verse four says that he wants to devour the child as soon as it born we know Satan is an isometric and is anti-Christ. And so here we have Kim trying to stop the arrival of Messiah, but of course he felt Revelation 12 now again verse seven let's read about the Star Wars war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought with the dragon and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serving a bald call the devil.
So, clearly, this is Satan and Satan, who deceives the whole world.
He was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven now salvation, and strength in the kingdom of our God and the power of his prices, for the accuser of the brethren might underline that phrase will come back to it, the accuser of the brethren, who accuses them before our God day and night I'd underline that to has been cast down, and they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb or the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives to the death and underline that to therefore rejoice all heavens, and you that dwell in them. One of the inhabitants of the earth and the sea for the devil is come down you having great wrath, because he knows he has a short time. They're not from these verses we learn a lot about our adversary the devil, I'm sure this is one chapter. Satan does not want to to read.
We see how we organize these demon powers and what his agenda is.
And this brings us to point number one of things the devil doesn't want you to know number one. Satan does not want you to know he is not the equal of God. He does not want you to know that he's not God's equal. He would like you to think that anything God can do. He can do. But that's not true. In fact, if Satan once known as Lucifer, the son of the morning.
Has an equal or something close to it. It would not be God, but it would be the art Angel Michael C. In fact, there was a time when Michael and Lucifer were on the same side. Mike and Lou work together when you but now their mortal enemies to little bit like Gen. Grant and Gen. Lee, who both served.
Once on the same side both attended West Point.
Both serve side-by-side in the Mexican-American war.
When the Civil War broke out there on opposite sides.
Gen. Grant was leaving the Union forces and Gen. Lee. The Confederate forces and ultimately it was Gen. grand who defeated Gen. Lee in the same way. One day Michael the Archangel will defeat Satan by the way, this is not the first time these two mega angels have faced off and I might add that Lucifer to think that Michael had a healthy respect for Lucifer. Jude 19 says even Michael, one of the mightiest of the angels did not accuse Satan a blasphemy, but simply said, the Lord rebuke you. This took place.
Michael was arguing with Satan about the body of Moses, actually I don't know what that's all about fascinating having some argument over the body of Moses, but it shows that Michael gave some respect to Lucifer. It's a came and I wanted to go with you right now but tell he was standing his ground at the same time so number two. The second thing the devil does not want you to know Satan could do nothing in the life of the Christian without God's. Satan can do nothing in the life of the Christian without God's permission of this may come as a surprise to some, but the devil has some access to God with diversity. They did not prevail, nor was a place found in them in heaven any longer.
You see, Satan once had an all access pass to heaven.
Sort of the old excuse that the KM with the band. You know, let me backstage all access pass because he was a high-ranking Angel believe it or not, he led worship in heaven.
But then he fell in letters, rebellion, and so forth singular watches worship leaders menu never known him to, but this is speaking of the future.
So my point is, this hasn't happened yet. What were reading about. Therefore, the devil has limited access to heaven. But here's one thing that is clear. Satan is on his way down the one who once said, I will exalt myself above the stars of God will be brought to the lowest hell.
And if you're following him you'll be there with them. Why follow a loser I'm following the winner. Jesus Christ. So remember that yeah hopefully you to. So if anyone ends up in the hell, it's not because God predestined that they would go there God for bid. I've never thought that was true, nor is it even that God sent them there is much as is is God same day that you want to do you can do that and if you follow Satan and you end up were statements listen. Hell was not made for people is unlike heaven was made for good people and how was made for bad people know heaven is the dwelling place of God. If we follow Christ will join him in heaven. In his father's house. Reese prepared a place for us and if we follow the God of this world. The devil is going to hell because the hell was prepared for him and his demons. Then we charted our own course will of no one to blame. In that final day, but are so but now the devil can do nothing without permission using so this is a great thing to know that this is a fascinating little twist when we come back to this thing about permission for quickly sometimes it will stay home and I don't know what happened. The devil made me do it connect just doesn't work all right, so maybe the devil played a role in your temptation in your fall but you cooperated is see the temp door needs cooperation with attendee that you so when he offered his temptation and you gave and you.
You are responsible, so it's easy to blame the devil and make him the scapegoat would remember this, God will not allow you to be tested or attempted about what you are able. First Corinthians 1013 says, but what would the temptation make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. Quick call. How many of you ever have ever been tempted to sin Richard had been tempted dissecting how many of you have given end of that temptation. This how many of you have done a more than one certificate. How many of you have done a maybe over a thousand times. It you are the most wicked people I've ever is going on with you Pete Duncan. We've all done it way more than a thousand dry but here's my point.
If you would go back to your most recent enticement to sin. Whatever would've been.
I bet you will find there was always a way out by a way out.
I mean you could've physically removed yourself are clearly you could have put the guard up in your mind or terminated the conversation however was taking place. There's always a way out and we don't exercise and that's our choice because God will not let the devil do anything without permission in our life.
He knows what we can take no, this is interesting for a moment coming back to verse seven, Michael and his angels fought with the Dragon so this is Michael the Archangel and his angels fighting with the Dragon, the devil and his demons.
The grammatical construction of this phase in the Greek indicates. Satan started this fight.
They can be translated. Michael and his angels had to fight the Dragon is unlike Michael wanted to fight him but he had to.
Why would you pick a fight with an angel more powerful than you. That brings me to another point about Satan, though he is a very intelligent spirit being.
It is also true that sin makes you stupid right sin nature stupid and this is exactly what we see employed here. The devil is just foolishly choosing up this Magi angel and there's no way that the devil and his angels are strong enough to defeat God Michael and the holy angels and Satan will suffer a complete 50 and though no longer be found a place for him and his demon minions in heaven. But again, this is still in the future.
At present, the devil has to report to the creator.
Sort of like being called into the principal's office that happened to me a lot in school. As I recall, I was always getting into trouble and I would be sent to the principal's office and there I would sit and be scalded and all that for the horrible things I did and that they weren't that bad, but I caused a lot of disruption. Actually I still do.
I just try to do it for God now, but the devil asked actually show up in this is recorded in the book of Job.
Another amazing behind-the-scenes look. I will goes out on in the supernatural world with God of the angels in their Job one we read the one day the Angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came with them using why is he has to give a report. He has to show up, the Lord said the single word you come from St. Nance of the Lord all going back and forth across the earth watching everything that's going on in a creepy statement not to the devil doing he's watching everything that's going on looking for opportunities to exploit like a roaring lion pacing back and forth looking for a pray right. So go back to the Job story to the Lord said to Satan you consider my servant Joe are perfect and upright man when it fears God and shuns evil and then the devil says old give me a break. That's actually not Job stupid he doesn't really does Job fear you for nothing.
Haven't you put a hedge or a wall around them in his household and everything he has you blessed the work of his hands, and the sponsor that serves that spread throughout the land and then the devil asked for permission to bring a series of attacks against God's servants, and does so reminding us that this by this powerful and wicked agenda, the devil has to ask for permission number three, the devil does not want you to know he is doomed. He does not want to do know that he is doomed. Look at Revelation 1212 the devil is come down you and great anger and he knows he is a little great anger refers to a violent outburst of rage. The word describes a turbulent emotional fury rather than a rational anger, sort of like road rage. You know when people just flip out over nothing ever had that Avenue and the screaming and yelling and maybe cutting your car. There's no rationale to what they're doing.
This is the devil he's freaking out. He's so filled with rage. One commentator summed it up as follows quote Satan is not like a caged lion in rage beyond words by the limitations now placed upon his freedom. He picks himself up from the dust of the earth. He shakes his fist at the sky and glares around choking with fury for ways to vent his hatred and spite upon humankind while all set. Know why is the devil behaving like a cornered animal waiting to strike why is he billed with so much hate and destruction answer because Jesus Christ is coming back. Have you ever been bitten by a caged animal. I've been bitten by many animals. I always thought told you before that my basic plan in life before I became a preacher or a Christian was to be a professional cartoonist backup plan on a pet shop so II hung on touchups all the time and then I started collecting every kind of animal you can imagine. Every kind of fish every kind of reptile lizard snake guide rabbits and guinea pigs I had, of course, later dogs and with get out everything else. someone showed me a video the other day this a look.
my cat comes when i call, and sure enough, he threw a ball and the cat went and got it and brought it back to. i couldn't believe it. i said i would have that That cat is the exception. but anyway, i've been bitten by a lot of weird creatures and i don't enjoy one. that one time i was over at a friend's house and he had a spider monkey suspect when you get of monkeys legally and so i went on to pat a monkey on the head at the monkey on the my first mistake in the monkey grabbed hold of my finger with his teeth and i pulled my hand back and he was hanging on my finger. i've got this screaming, spider monkey bloods going everywhere really traumatic and so on.
the got the monkey off of my hand under fossil water man that hurt. i still remember it. years later, but that's sort of the devil he just so enraged so angry he wants to bind and not let go. why, he knows jesus is coming, even if some liberal theologians don't believe that the devil believes that jesus is coming, you might be surprised to know that satan is really quite orthodox in his theology. he is just what he believes that this is the word of god, although he doesn't doubt it one bit know he does because he challenged the word of god when he tempted eve, did god really say what he said no. he challenged to because he knows it's true he hates it, but he knows it's true he knows jesus christ is god in human form, that when he tempted jesus in the wilderness. he said since you are the son of god, that would be a better translation than if you are the son of god is a sense of the son of god. obviously you are the son of god, so he believes the things the bible says the demons believe in trumbull. he believes christ is coming back now for us.
that's good news for him.
it's bad news for us. knowing the crisis coming. as an incentive to share our faith and live holy lives for him. it's an incentive to attack our faith and try to make us stumble and fall paternity because many down with him as possible. the devil knows he has a short time.
number four.
the devil does not want you to know that he attacks with accusation. he attacks with accusation we need to understand is tactics that are actually really clever and very effective.
that's why paul wrote were not ignorant of his devices. victor hugo, the author of the great story les miserables, which is been made into growth. obviously playing in a movie and so forth made the statement and i caught a good general must penetrate the brain of his enemy." so here in revelation 12. then we see how the enemy accuses us before god. look at verse 10, i heard a loud voice saying in heaven now salvation, and strength in the kingdom of our god and the power of his prices come down to earth, for the accuser of the brethren, who accuses them before god day and night just been cast down.
that's who the devil is he's the accuser of the brothers and sisters. there's a story in the old testament that illustrates how the devil accuses us before god. it's in zechariah 3 were read that joshua the high priest was standing before the angel of the lord, and satan was standing at his right hand to accuse him. and the lord said to satan, the lord rebuke you satan and eve, the lord was chosen jerusalem rebuke you. this is not a brand plucked from the fire.
so imagine yourself for a moment in a courtroom god almighty is the judge joshua the high priest is the defendant satan is the prosecuting attorney trying to prove joshua guilty in the devil still uses this tactic with craig of pack here so works eunice walking along, being a christian trying to do, would god want to be doing the devil comes with some twisted wicked thought. it's crazy. the kind of things he whispers indoor errors in it. why don't you just do this right now.
you just have to thought that these you didn't have that thought the devil brought that thought that's where the bible calls him the fiery darts of the flaming missiles of the wicked one yet comes at you out of nowhere really and whatever that thought is a you have that and then you feel bad about it and then he condemns you so you're just sitting there and always in the stable thought comes to believe this evil thought came in and the devil says, could you have such an evil thought in church. how twisted are you as if you are a christian after having that thought. so he tends to many times many attempts are attacked you rather than condemns you for being tempted. remember this, there is no sin in the temptation. it's not a sin to be tempted.
even jesus was tempted. it's not the patent constitutes sin. it's the bites. so for bates dangling at st. noto.
it. the bible says blessed is the man that endures temptation for when he is tried to receive the crown of life. blessed are you happy are you, you said no get out here know you rejected it. but if you bid a little nibble within a year some responsibility there. so before he's we sin, he tempts us and says we had to it, one time you get away with it. i won't tell if you won't tell. so we take the bait and that then he comes back with his accusations and he says you're a hypocrite you're not a real christian, god will never hear your prayers. and this is where the accusations commit so we need to know what to do when the accuser of the brethren comes up and starts trying to drive us away from god.
listen, the holy spirit will convict or convince you of your sin not to drive you to despair but to bring you to the cross.
yes, when you sin you should feel bad about it. yes when you sin you should feel guilt about it but yes when you sin you should go to christ about it and asked him to forgive you of it and he will do that.
the time to be concerned is when you see the bates you don't see it as a bad thing. you see it as an opportunity you take the bait and you don't feel bad about it at all. now that concerns me because it makes me wonder is your conscience working. the bible warns of having your conscience seared as with a hot iron.
you know you can have a conscience has become so callous it almost feels nothing term like when you walk around barefoot like you calluses on your feet after a while you don't feel anything. the man the first time you pull your shoes off in the summer and you go on the hot sand. i was on the sand the other day and it was so hot and and i was you know i don't imitate what i was doing, but it gives some very manly arch of your that sort of thing is just your pain because your feet are tender, your tenderfoot, but then when you've been walking on hot sand for a while and then on rocks and everything else you hardly feel anything. your puts kemal falwell, my forgive mouth whatever just flip a little doing yeah so your heart can be that way. a person sensitive and tender, and responsive to the holy spirit and all that's wrong and i want to do that in the gets a little harder. and then he gets a little harder and then it becomes desensitized and you can have all pardoned hard or your conscience seared as with a hot iron.
so listen, the holy spirit convicts you and uses the word of god in love to bring you into fellowship with your father in heaven.
satan is the opposite of that.
he accuses you and uses your own sins, and a hateful way to drive you away.
just remember, he's a liar and he's trying to keep you from god.
god will always bring you to the cross, satan will always drive you from the cross.
now one final movement in our story and will and we have the suffering tribulation believers in revelation 1211 title of my messages how to overcome the devil.
and here's how they did it. verse 11, they overcame him, that is satan by the blood of the lamb for the word of their testimonies and they did not love their lives to the death you want to overcome the devil in your life. number one, you do so with the blood of the lamb. what is that mean within means is you have to understand you're never worthy to approach god.
you never were working to approach god and you never will be worthy to approach god, my access to god's throne has never had anything to do with how wonderful of a person i was, because i'm not a wonderful person in nor are you my access to the throne of god has always been because of the death of jesus on the cross in his blood that he shed for me. that's why i can approach and sometimes when we got about a week and we've done some we should have done will say well i'm not worthy of north dakota but you never were worthy so just get over it because this is where theology comes in the play as we discovered in ephesians. he's made us accepted in the beloved. now look you have a relationship with god that is unshakable. neither death nor life, the principalities, or powers, nor things present, nor things to come will be able to separate you from the love of god in christ your lord, your relationship is solid but sometimes your fellowship is interrupted and also like when you're married and you get a fight with your wife and have a disagreement. you still love each of you still married, but i give a little break in communication. so you need to go and resolve that and restart communication again. same is true in our relationship with god.
we have the temporary break that doesn't mean were no longer his child that just means were his child needs to repent of our sin, so that all comes down to what jesus is done. hebrews 1019 says, dear friends, we can boldly enter heaven's most holy place because of the blood of jesus. this is the new life-giving way the crisis opened up for us to this sacred curtain by means of his death for us to get the cross of calvary. jesus dealt a decisive blow against satan and his forces in colossians 214 says of jesus he obliterated the handwritten document of ordinances against us and nailed it to the cross, having stripped off and away from himself. the principalities and authorities, it's through the blood that i can approach.
ephesians 213 says you were sometimes far-off it been made near by the blood of jesus christ i told you before about when i asked billy graham years ago when i was in this home for lunch. i said billy what would an older billy graham telling younger billy about what he should emphasize when he preaches and billy said i would preach more on the cross of christ and the blood that's where the power is in it.
so true.
we want to remember at this blood of jesus gives us access to god's throne part of these people overcome satan they apply the blood.
when god was judging egypt's any was killing their firstborn. one of the tell the jews to do is to go and kill a lamb and take the blood and apply the blood on the top one on each side of the doorway of your home and then when god's judgment comes down. you'll pass over the homes where the blood is applied to the word passover comes from. so we apply the blood in our life and we say lord, you know, i've failed you know i've sin, but i'm sorry for that sin and i repent of it and i remember that you shed your blood for me on the cross and i want to just ask you to cleanse me by the precious blood of jesus christ right now, boom, it's done that's how you overcome satan to the blood of the land. number two, they overcame him by the word of their testimony, the word of their testimony. when a believer is walking in fellowship with god. they should want to tell others. the best defense is a good offense coming back to what i said earlier, our objective is not to just hold grounded stinking ground. this is done by sharing the gospel with others. when you speak up for jesus in a way you make yourself accountable to other people, so people in your workplace and at some given moment reveal that your christian maybe it's only because you actually read your bible at lunch time more or mention something about your faith. now everybody knows you're a christian, another going to be watching you. jesse will remind you when you mess up. nothing is worse than getting corrected by a nonbeliever. the only thing worse than being corrected by a nonbeliever is when the nonbeliever is right, they say, aren't you a christian will yes i am, then why did you just do that good? yeah, brother. one of their testimonies of these believers that we read about here in revelation 12 have been washed in the blood that they've spoken out for their day.
the word of their testimony. by the way every christian has a testimony is not a question if you have a testimony or not.
it's a question of is it a good or bad one. i don't mean if you have a dramatic story because every testimonies legit and sometimes we think only the only really crazy testimonies of the good ones are the people were in crime or drugs or some horrible lifestyle and became to cry so that's a good testimony finds kendall lane because i never did anything really all that illegal and i was a nice person but i came to jesus. so your testimony is valid because all of us were sinners separated from god, who came to our senses and believe in jesus so share your story.
it's a great bridge to share the gospel and third and lastly they did not love their lives to the death was at me means that they knew their life belong to god. i mentioned earlier, christian brothers and sisters, especially in the middle east being tortured for their faith being put to death for their faith because they will not deny that jesus is lord and this reminds us of new testament times when christians if they would just say caesar is lord. they can go home, but if they would not say caesar is lord. they would be torture executed sometimes used for support in the arena still entertain the people as wild animals would attack them. sometimes hung on crosses and horrible things.
the romans did and horrible things that islamic terrorist do to christians today and we see this kind of thing happening but they loved not their lives to the death. what that means and means that you recognize your life belongs to god and you realize that your times are in his hands and what that means is you know that your life will have a beginning, a middle and an end and you know in the beginning was a lesser senile that you don't remember you're not quite sure where the metal is you know we don't know when middle ages we say why middle-aged now i'm 60 oh are you will agree hundred and 20 million are actually past middle age okay middle ages more maybe like 35 or 40, depending how long you live, maybe 50, but it depends so we were not quite sure where the middle is only doubly don't know where the end is god does and may be much further off than we ever thought it may be much closer than we ever thought. but god knows and so you know you can just get all stressed out thinking about that all the time during� just say my life belongs to god and i'm indestructible into god's done with me to make my life count do what i can for his glory.
while i can do it. that's what these christians did they loved not their lives to the death. so in closing, let me ask you, are you overcoming or are you overcome your overcome by guilt that you can't shake or mask.
even with all the drugs, even prescription drugs or illegal drugs or alcohol or distractions.
it seems like when you pray god is and listening.
then the devil whispers in your ear. god will never forgive you. listen, the devil is a liar and is the father of lies though. listen to him. i want you to know something you can be forgiven of all of your sins right now by jesus christ because 2000 years ago. he went to the cross and died in your place. it took all of your sin and all of my sin upon himself in a bulk churn from that sin and believe in him. i can be forgiven instantaneously immediately all that sin removed and they killed that goes with it. you don't have to be overcome anymore. you don't have to be addicted to any substance or anything that would keep you from god.
you can be free in christ, but you must ask for his help. you must admit you're a sinner you're looking to get to kevin because your good. the only way you'll get to heaven is because your forgiven that happens through believing in jesus. so were going to close in prayer and i meant to extend an invitation tonight 20 of you that are not sure if your sin is forgiven. you don't know with certainty that you would go to heaven if you were to die tonight. we talked about the lord's return. you don't know if you're ready for the lord's return what you would like to be ready if so respond to this invitational give right now is a closing prayer. let's all bow our heads if you would please everybody, praying father, we thank you for loving us so much. you sent jesus to the cross to die in our place and then he rose again from the dead, these alive and these with us in this place right now standing at the door of our hearts, knocking sena procure his voice and open the door will come in. i pray lord for any person, here, any person hearing or watching this message who does not know you. help them to come to you. help them to believe in you. help them be forgiven tonight our heads about riser closed how many of you would like all of your sin project.
how many of you would like a fresh start in life.
how many of you would like to be free from some power in your life.
some lifestyle, some addiction, some vice, whatever it is you want to be free from it. how many of you when asked jesus christ to come in your life if you wanted to forgive you of your sin if you want to go to heaven when you die if you want your guilt removed wherever you are and what you lift your hand up and i want to pray for you if you want christ to come into your life. god bless you and god bless you and you and you and the bless you, she was well anybody else raise your hand. a pirate can see in the bushes down the aisle, bless, shoot to their in the very back, bless you. anybody else jesus is ready to forgive you tonight lesson he will not force his forgiveness in your life you have to wanted not to ask for anybody else. you want christ to come in your life. raise your hand you want to be ready for the lord's return. raise your hand and let me pray for you compass. maybe there's some of you that have wandered away from your faith.
you know what's right but you become prodigal son or daughter you backslidden as the bible says what you want to come back to christ you would like to return to the lord tonight, would you raise your hand up, let me pray for you right compass you publish. anybody else compass father, thank you for each one of these. given the strength to stand up and follow you from this night forward, for we ask it now in jesus name