A Day in Heaven
Lessons from Job • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” 8 And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” 9 Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? 10 Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” 12 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.
We have been introduced in verses 1-5 to one of the main characters in our story, the one from whom the title of this book is named.
We have learned of Job’s Character, his full devotion to God, and the spiritual leadership of his family.
Now we are introduced to two other characters, God and satan.
We gain a very unique glimpse into the heavenly realm, one that is really only found here in the book of Job.
We need to understand that we have an incredible privilege here to see what Job himself was never able to see.
He was completely unaware of these events that were taking place in the unseen realm.
We have the benefit of being able to see the spiritual reality behind Job’s physical calamity.
We need to remember this lesson in times of suffering:
There is more going on in our life than what we can see with our eyes.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to spend a day in heaven?
Many people have written about what it is like to visit heaven, and certainly we can learn a lot from those accounts of NDEs.
This section begins with the words, ‘there was a day”. A phrase that will be repeated two more times.
Some believe there is no time or days in heaven, but this passage seems to suggest that there is some form of time in heaven, as the author points to a specific moment in heaven when this event occurs.
1 When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
This day in heaven, happens to be a day of giving account to God. Which we see occur often in Scripture.
But on this day, we see another come among the angels.
He is referred to as satan, which means adversary, but he isn’t just a adversary, he is literally “the adversary.”
The adversary of who? We will see in just a moment.
We must not be troubled by this, for even though satan comes among them, it is clear that he is not one with them.
He comes among the angels of heaven as an outcast, as one who does not belong in that place.
Immediately, God calls him to give account of his actions, just as the angels of heaven must do.
Here we have another important lesson to remember:
2. Satan is accountable to God, just as every created thing is accountable to the Creator.
Satan is not God’s rival. He is not equal to God in power and wisdom. He is not sovereign. He has not been given full reign on the earth as some think.
It’s true that the Bible calls him “the god of this world”. 2 Cor. 4:4
But he has not been given unlimited control, as we will see clearly throughout Job.
He does have power, but it is temporary, and limited by God Himself.
In his answer to God we see the effects of satans fall from heaven. He is a wanderer on the earth, he does not belong in heaven, but neither does he belong on earth.
So he has made it his goal to wander about looking to make others as miserable as he is.
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
V.8
Many have often recoiled at God’s next question to satan, as if the Lord was bringing before him one whom satan was not aware of.
But that interpretation is not true to the text.
The Lord is always 10 steps ahead of satan.
The adversary had already taken note of Job, which we see from his quick response to God’s question.
Here we see a 3rd important lesson:
3. When a person becomes known to God, they also become known to satan.
He opposes all those who love the Lord.
It was not just that Job suffers in spite of his godly character, Job suffers because of his godly character.
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
What example do we have in Scripture that did not suffer?
Abraham, Joseph, David, all of the prophets, Paul, the disciples? Not least Jesus!
All of these suffered because of their faith. I can not think of a single godly example in Scripture that did not suffer.
When we suffer according to God’s will, we are in good company.
31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
Notice that Jesus’ prayer is not that Peter would not be sifted, but that his faith would not fail.
So it is with Job. God is willing to let satan have his way, though not without parameters, but it is not for our harm, it is for our good.
Though satan and God both agree to the test, their motivations are entirely different.
20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
This is one of the great mysteries of God’s will.
How can satan so often seem to have his way on earth, and yet God still accomplishes His ultimate will and purpose?
Because He is God!
He knows that our faith must be tested to be made stronger, He knows that gold is not refined unless it is put through the fire, and so He is willing to let His children suffer temporarily at the hands of the enemy, knowing that this is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory.
17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
If we could only catch a glimpse of this in the midst of our suffering!
The case that satan brings before God is not that Job has done wrong, rather that Job’s motivation in serving God is superficial.
10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.
Here we see the final lesson from this section of Job:
4. True faith is worshipping God for who He is, not for what He gives.
Is my love for God tied to what He does for me?
Is there anything in this life that if I lost it, would cause me to turn from God?
Ultimately, God is bringing every single one of us to the place where we say, You are enough!
