The Dragon's Tactics
Notes
Transcript
Today, we are going to talk about the devil or Satan—he shows up as a dragon in Revelation
so please turn to Revelation chapter 13.
17 Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.
we saw last week—that the dragon is a reference to Satan.
we learned several things about him.
He is powerful.
He was bent on destroying Jesus but he was unsuccessful.
b/c of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, Satan was cast out of heaven. No longer can he accuse us before God.
and he is bent now on waging war against us (the woman stands for us—the church, the people of God)
and we began to look at how do we overcome Satan.
I want to talk about his schemes or tactics first that we see, and how to overcome.
this first one is by way of repeat.
Satan’s Tactics:
the first tactic that we saw is accusation.
10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.
he is called the accuser of our brothers.
in Scripture, in the OT—we see that Satan actually does this before God—like in the OT book of Job. but b/c Jesus defeated him on the cross—he is not cast down. and confined to the earth.
and he since he is confined to the earth, he knows he is defeated, and his time is short, and he can still accuse us in our hearts.
sometimes the accusations we hear from him are words like “who are you? who are you to think you can follow God? Who are you to think you do can what God is calling you to. “You’re nobody.” “You’re no good.”
or sometimes that accusation might like memories that come up—that we are embarrassed by, ashamed of—whether things we did or things done to us—abuse. and Satan likes to rub our noses in the dirt.
but verse 11 gives us the victory
11 They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
How we overcome—the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony.
the blood of the Lamb is a reference that if we have truly confessed to God our sin openly, honestly, humbly, we are forgiven—because Jesus Christ the Lamb—paid it all with his blood. we have to come back to this blood again and again and again.
so when whispers or roars, we can say “you know—we are no good. but there is one who is good—Jesus Christ, and he paid for my sin. It is paid for. It is finished, as far as the east is from the west. that sin is not my identity. what happened to me is not my identity—I am covered by the blood of the Lamb.” that’s how we conquer.
and you also conquer by spreading that good news—about the blood of the Lamb so others can be covered by it what God has done through Christ.
but Satan has other tactics too.
Look now at Revelation 13:1-10
Revelation 13:1–10 (NIV)
1 The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. (Satan is bringing up this beast—the sea in Scripture is a place of chaos, and this beast has power and authority too given by Satan)
2 The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. (all those animals are from Daniel 7—and in Daniel chapter 7—the beasts represent kingdoms like Babylon, Persia, and Greece, and Rome—they are scary and beast-like)
3 One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast.
4 People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?”
5 The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. (we have seen that time reference; also 1,260 days, or times, time, and half a time—all a reference to the same time period in Revelation and Daniel as a time of suffering)
6 It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven.
7 It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation.
8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.
9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.
10 “If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity they will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword they will be killed.” This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people.
what is another tactic of the Dragon besides accusation?
Satan’s Tactics
Tactics: Government and political oppression
this first beast represents government and political oppression.
now I believe Revelation is not ONLY about the future and the end of time. no—I believe that a lot of Revelation describes what is happening and will happen between Jesus’ 1st coming, and when he comes again a 2nd time.
Revelation was written to real Christians—7 churches in chapters 2 and 3. and they were facing the beast of the Roman Empire—with its teeth and claws. They were facing oppression; persecution.
John and his readers would have understood this—and they would have known that the language of the beasts picks up on the OT book of Daniel chapter 7.
one tactic that the dragon or Satan uses against God’s people—is he uses governmental and political forces against followers of Jesus.
this has occurred for the last 2000 years and will continue until Jesus comes back.
now, it is possible—some view this passage as a future reference to a being called the Antichrist—some government leader who will especially torment and persecute God’s people.
verse 3
mentions one of the heads of the beasts—so it is possible, but I don’t think that is even the focus of this one. God wanted his readers to know—that Satan uses tactics within—accusation—and tactics outside of them to hurt the church, to want them to fall away, to throw in the towel and say it is not worth it to follow Christ.
it’s a tactic of intimidation, threat, danger
sometimes this beast is obvious—in places like North Korea today, or Iran or in times of persecution throughout history.
but sometimes it is more hidden. when it seems like the government is on your side or not a threat—it is more subtle and I would argue more dangerous. if you go back to chapters 2 and 3—when Jesus addressed the 7 churches. 2 of them were doing quite well. They were prosperous, had an easy life—but Jesus had the sharpest words of critique for them. they needed to be reminded “don’t put your hope in the government. life may seem well—but political forces can quickly be beastly and Satan.”
we need that too—we can quickly put our hope thinking that if we just have the right politics or government or people in power—that’s how we overcome. Now, we do yes need godly leaders; we need Christians to run for political office and serve. but God reminds us not to put our ultimate hope in them b/c our governments can be pretty beastly.
look at verses 3-4 again.
3 One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast.
4 People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?”
verse 3 reminds us actually of someone else who died and was healed—Jesus Christ.
what is interesting here is the way this is presented—shows us that Satan, the Dragon is a copycat. He tries to wow people but copying Jesus Christ, who died and rose again.
and this causes worship
we are reminded in these 10 verses the biggest question—is what we do worship? do we put our hope in God and his Son Jesus Christ, or is our hope somehow in gov’t forces—if we just get the right people in power, if we just follow this party, if we just…get in line because we are afraid of what those above us might do?
and we see here a couple of hints of how we overcome Satan—but before I go there—let’s look at one more tactic.
let me give you one more tactic of Satan--
we have seen accusation - chapter 12 with the dragon
and now with the 1st beast--intimidation, persecution, gov’t power
the last tactic is in verses 11 and following
11 Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon.
12 It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed.
13 And it performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people.
14 Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived.
15 The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed.
what is this 2nd beast and what is its tactics that Satan uses.
I believe this 2nd beast represents: lies, deception, false teachings. one commentator says that the 2nd beast is like the propaganda machine for the 1st beast.
One commentator said, “Whereas the first beast relied mainly on power, the second beast supports him with lies.” (Guthrie, N. (2022). Blessed: Experiencing the Promise of the Book of Revelation (p. 156). Crossway. (quoting Richard Phillips commentary)
so what is the tactic that Satan uses—besides accusation, and intimidation, it’s lies.
Tactic of Dragon—Satan — Deception, Lies, and False Teaching (vs. 11-15)
this 2nd beast is impressive. vs. 13—it performs great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people.
vs. 14—it is able to deceive people on the earth.
it’s kind of like a religious prophet.
this is why some believe that the 1st beast represents some type of antichrist figure—and this 2nd beast represents his false prophet. Now, that may be true—but remember I believe Revelation is also about what has been happening between Jesus’ 1st coming and 2nd coming.
And we have seen many 1st beasts—power, intimidation and force throughout church history.
and we have seen many 2nd beasts—lies, deception, false teaching—even ones that seem glitzy and glamorous.
a couple of examples that are still so prevalent—they may seem harmless. and this reminds us that often lies and deceit can be dressed up with religion and the church or from a Youtube preacher:
one is the prosperity gospel—this is the idea that God wants me to be prosperous—not just spiritually which is true—but financially, career wise, material possessions. It blends the American dream with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. now certainly if you have those things—they are a blessing—and they are ultimately from God. but we don’t exist to just get and consume and get rich. it often adds that if you just have enough faith or belief then you will get those things. kind of a name it and claim it. this teaching can be so deceiving b/c who doesn’t want to get more money or achieve better—but that is not what the gospel of Jesus Christ is ultimately about. We are always prosperous b/c of Jesus, but not always financially and materially.
another false teaching is legalism—or works. Satan likes to twist the good news of Jesus into a works system—that if we just work hard enough, do enough good, or give more, or volunteer more, then that will really secure God’s favor and blessing. If Just do more, God has to bless me. this is legalism—works—this is trying to secure my right status before God by my efforts—and it is from the pit of hell. b/c it takes the attention away from God and puts it on me. it tries to put God in a corner—tries to control God. but no—we are saved by the work of Jesus—what he did—it is a gift, it is grace that we receive humbly in desperation by faith.
what other false teachings do you see?
How to Overcome Satan
#1 — is to remember he has an authority that has been given to him. (vs. 7-8)
7 It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation.
8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.
i don’t think that is merely a reference to Satan the dragon giving him power—but ultimately God somehow is over all of this. b/c if you look at verse 8, God is preserving those who will not worship the beast. He is the one who ultimately allows any of these—the dragon and the beast to have power.
It does bring up tough questions—why would God allow all this—why is THIS his plan!?
we don’t know—but we do know that God is still preserving His people through this. and one way we overcome—is by remembering who really has the power. that enables us to resist the allure of the beast and its power or be intimidated.
this is easy to forget in the chaos of life, when it seems like God is out of control—he is still very much in control, even over Satan, the dragon, and the beasts.
#2 Another way we overcome — patient endurance with God (vs. 10)
10 “If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity they will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword they will be killed.” This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people.
i am not sure how to say this—but overcoming Satan by patiently enduring and being faithful with God—doesn’t sound glamorous or glitzy or sexy or triumphant. I thought overcoming meant we would be flashy and victorious—but Jesus reminds the church—endure with me. patiently, faithfully...
part of our enduring everyday is not just standing in the blood of the Lamb, spreading the Gospel, but enduring patiently. even to the end—even if it means our lives. Revelation 12:11 says that they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
everyday you continue to surrender to Jesus, take up your cross and follow Him—you overcome Satan.
everyday you fill yourself with God’s Word and Spirit so you can pour it out to others—you overcome Satan.
everyday you continue to encourage, challenge your brothers and sisters together in Christ—you overcome Satan.
everyday you choose to worship Jesus more than this world, or the gov’t or false teaching—you overcome Satan.
everyday things make a big difference. you in the Word everyday at some level makes a difference. Praying your heart out to God—makes a big difference. listening to Him.
being in community with other believers—showing up for the gathering of the local church—meeting with other believers during the week. that’s all part of what theologians call the ordinary means of grace, but they are extraordinary.
Another way we overcome is wisdom (that’s verse 18). I don’t have time to get in it this week—but we will look at the mark of the beast next week...
Here is a final way we overcome:
#3 Remember that Satan is un-original and no comparison to Jesus.
why do I say this?
we learn something very interesting about Satan in chapters 12 and 13—it’s this.
He has no creativity.
He is un-original.
He is a copy cat.
b/c He is copying God by making his version of the Trinity. it’s the unholy Trinity.
--Remember what the Trinity is for God?
it’s confusing—but we believe as Christians that God is one as to essence, but 3 as to his person.
God the Father
God the Son
and God the Holy Spirit
God the Father sent the Son in the power of the Holy Spirit on a mission to die for us, and by the power of the Spirit, He was raised to life. and now God the Son reigns at the right hand of the Father, and when we believe in Jesus we get God the Holy Spirit indwelling us.
what does Satan try to do?
He the dragon tries to mimic God the Father
the 1st beast tries to mimic God the Son—it has as a fatal wound that we miraculously healed. Sounds a lot like Jesus’ death and resurrection. He is a copy cat.
and the 2nd beast tries to get people to worship the 1st beast. just as the Holy Spirit His job is to be a spot-lighter—and encourage, convict, and point people to Jesus.
He is un-original—a copy cat—he deceives by mimicing God.
don’t be duped by that.
and the 1st beast’ so called death and resurrection—is no match for Jesus’.
you see—it’s b/c of Jesus—the blood of the Lamb…that we can overcome—standing firm in our identity in Christ. Satan cannot accuse.
it’s b/c of Jesus that we see the one who has real power—not the 1st beast—as scary as it is with tooth and claws or as deceiving as it is with its power—none of our govt’s or world systems has the power of Jesus. and He showed his power certainly by miracles and walking on water and healing the sick and casting our demons—but he emptied himself, and died as a servant on the cross in our place—and by doing what seems weak and foolish—he accomplished our salvation when we believe and surrender to Him. That is the power of God. Jesus is so powerful that what seems foolish is wisdom. what seems weak is absolute power. he took on the 1st beast on the cross—being crucified by the powers of this world. he took on the dragon when he died on the cross—no more accusation. and he took on the 2nd beast—on the cross—b/c of Him and his work we can discern when the Gospel of Jesus Christ is truly being taught or not.
and b/c of Jesus, we can have absolute discernment. His Holy Spirit can be our filter because He points us back to Jesus and His Word as we encounter the 2nd beast.
don’t be duped.
Satan prowls looking for someone to devour—he uses obvious tactics and intimidation but also false teaching lies. we overcome by Jesus.
let’s pray.
next week—the mark of the beast…we will reveal look at it--