Join the Resistance
Notes
Transcript
v.1:
This bottomless pit is the same place that some of the demons have been imprisoned since the time of the flood.
The bottomless pit is where some demons have been imprisoned since the time of the flood.
The bottomless pit is where some demons have been imprisoned since the time of the flood.
2 Peter 2:4
2 Peter 2:4
For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment;
This impenetrable pit, in which these demons are held awaiting their final sentence to the lake of fire is about to receive one more prisoner.
v.2:
The criminal is positively identified in this verse.
In fact, this verse identifies this as the serpent from the Garden of Eden.
With chains in hand, satan is bound and cast into his prison to await sentencing.
That serpent of old who deceived Adam and Eve into rebelling against God is none other than Satan.
His ultimate doom is sure—he will be bound for a thousand years, then finally be "cast into the lake of fire . . . tormented day and night for ever and ever"
Satan’s final punishment will be eternity in the lake of fire.
Satan’s final punishment will be eternity in the lake of fire.
Revelation 20:10
Revelation 20:10
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.
Currently Satan is free and we must be vigilant.
Currently Satan is free and we must be vigilant.
1 Peter 5:8
1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
We must be sober and vigilant. His tricks are many, but all are deceptive, he is the most cunning of all God's creatures.
Satan is a master of deception, the most cunning of all God’s creation, and he has an army of false teachers.
Satan is a master of deception, the most cunning of all God’s creation, and he has an army of false teachers.
Genesis 3:1
Genesis 3:1
Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”
His only desire is to turn us away from the true Christ. This is why we must always be on guard
He great at deception, he is the father of lies. He can appear as a dragon or a roaring lion, deceiving us into fearing and obeying him instead of God.
He can also be "transformed into an angel of light" deceiving us into trusting the lies of his "false teachers" instead of the truth of the Holy Scriptures of God.
2 Corinthians 11:14
2 Corinthians 11:14
And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.
2 Peter 2:3
2 Peter 2:3
By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.
Our recourse against his deception is to put on the armor of God, submit to God and resist the devil.
Our recourse against his deception is to put on the armor of God, submit to God and resist the devil.
Ephesians 6:11
Ephesians 6:11
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
James 4:7-8
James 4:7-8
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
This is our recourse while we await his ultimate defeat and imprisonment.
However, when satan is imprisoned, it will have a dramatic effect on the world.
With satan no longer free to roam about and devour people, the major sinful influence in the world will be removed.
This pit will be his home for 1000 years, unable to tempt anymore.
This is the first of 6 references to the length of the millennial kingdom, and what a glorious time it will be.
Can you imagine a world without any evil influences? Probably not, because we’ve never known any such thing.
This will be a world without satan, a world that is bathed in the glory of Jesus Christ.
Its something that we should all look forward to.
v.3:
This is truly good news that Satan is cast into the pit.
It should be cause for much hope and rejoicing.
He will; however, be briefly released after 1000 years.
I've often wondered why God would release him.
John doesn’t say why God releases Satan “for a little while”, but it is part of God’s plan for judging the world.
Perhaps it is to expose those who rebel against God in their hearts and confirm those who are truly faithful to God.
Whatever the reason, Satan’s release results in the final destruction of all evil, which is even a greater source of hope and joy.
In the end, we can only speculate as to why God is taking this particular path.
The Bible is full of examples of God working in ways that confound the wisest of men.
Understanding that, we should realize that this is all part of God's will and plan.
That alone should be enough, because that is a guarantee that it is the best course of action.
Though Satan may have a lot of leeway now, God has never left us defenseless.
The most sure-fire defense against the wiles of Satan have already been noted:
Put on the full armor of God, submit to God and resist the devil.
Of course none of this is possible apart from the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
It is impossible to resist satan apart from the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
It is impossible to resist satan apart from the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Psalm 18:2
Psalm 18:2
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 62:1-2
Psalm 62:1-2
Truly my soul silently waits for God; From Him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.
Psalm 46:1-2
Psalm 46:1-2
God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
John 14:6
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Acts 4:12
Acts 4:12
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Romans 10:9
Romans 10:9
that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
This is why we need His armor.
We should be utilizing these tools, and we should be doing our best to see to it that everyone has these tools available.
We should not want to see anyone devoured by the enemy.