Spiritual Warfare

Spiritual Warfare

Text: Revelation 12:7–12 (KJV 1900)

7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. 12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

Introduction:

* By way of introduction this morning, I would like to make a few observations about the text that I have chosen to use this morning:

* Look now with me at verse 7:

7 And there was war in heaven:

1). We need to be aware that there is a spiritual battle going on all around us.

* The entire universe depends on the outcome of this battle between God and the Devil.

Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

2). This battle, is a fierce battle between God in heaven and His angels and Satan and His angels.

* We know from the Scriptures that when Satan rebelled against God in Heaven, a third of the angels followed Satan.

Revelation 12:1–6 (KJV 1900)

And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:

(The sun moon and the starts are references to Joseph’s dream. The Woman represents the Nation of Israel)

2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

(This is a reference to the prophecy that the nation of Israel will produce the Messiah)

3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

(This is a reference the earthly kingdom of the anti-christ)

4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth:

* Now, here is what I want you to see- When Satan rebelled against God in heaven, he took a third of the angles of God with him)

and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

(This is a reference to the crucifixion of Jesus)

5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

(This is a reference to the assentation of Jesus back to heave as recorded in the book of Acts.)

6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

(This is a reference to God hiding and protecting a repentant remnant from the judgments that come upon the antichrist during the last 3 and 1\2 years of the tribulations. Just as God protected the children from the plagues of Moses in the land of Goshen, God will protect his remnant of repentant Jews in the wilderness and bring them into the Millennial kingdom of the Messiah.)

* Now that I have shown you that a third of all the angels in heaven are engaged in a spiritual battle to defeat God and God’s people, now lets go back to chapter 13 and verse 8 and look at a third observation from our text:

3). Ultimately, in the great tribulation, Satan will be cast out of heaven down to the earth and will deceive the nations into making war with God.

8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

4). A forth observation from our text this morning is that Satan stands before God and accuses us day and night.

10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

* Up to this point, Satan has stood before God and accused those who have the testimony of God day and night. That is exactly what the Devil is doing right now.

* Satan, by the use of deception, causes us to sin against God, and then accuses us before God after that we sin.

* This is exactly what the Devil did to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden in the beginning, and He has been doing this to men from then until now. He has a lot of experience with deceiving the hearts of men.

5). The fifth observation that I would like to make from our text is that the tribulation saints must endure to the end to be saved.

* If they take the mark of the Satan empowered world leader, they will be forever lost.

11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

6). The sixth observation from the text is that after the antichrist is revealed, Satan will have just 7 years to finish his rebellion.

12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

* I have chosen this text this morning because this week my personal Bible study has been in Revelation chapter 13.

* As I read this passage the Holy Spirit reminded me that I need to be ever conscious of the fact that you and I are engaged in a great spiritual battle with the Devil.

* We call this “Spiritual Warfare.”

Illustration: C.S Lewis and the Screw Tape letters

* In the late 50’s C.S. Lewis wrote a book about “Spiritual Warfare” called the Screwtape Letters.

* The Screw Tape letters is about spiritual warfare from a demon’s point of view.

* The story follows the clever scheming of Satan's chief psychiatrist, a character named Screwtape.

* In the book, Screwtape gives his nephew, an apprentice demon named Wormwood, detailed advice on various methods of undermining people’s faith and promoting sin.

* Lewis later wrote a sequel to the Screwtape letters, “Screwtape Proposes a Toast ,“ in 1959. It was a book about certain trends in public education that exposed how Satan has worked his deception in government sponsored schools.

* After the second letter, the apprentice demon’s Patient, converts to Christianity, and Wormwood is chastised for allowing this to happen.

* When Screwtape is done scolding the apprentice demon Wormwood, he then instructs him that they still have the advantage of distraction, which could potentially destroy his new faith.

* I am afraid that this is the tactic that the Devils has used on most Christians in the day in which we live.

* After we get saved, the Devil immediately distracts us and gets our minds off of spiritual things.

* He tempts the young man with a beautiful girl who will temp him and lead him into sexual sins that vex his ability to live for God.

* He tempts the new Christian with a better job that will keep him away from hearing the Word of God and growing stronger in his faith.

* Satan is an expert hypnotist that dangles shiny tinsel trinkets like, shiny new cars, fancy electronic gadgets, boats to keep us out of church on Sundays, high paying jobs that keep us out of church, beautiful women, and handsome men with wicked hearts that will lead us away from a relationship with God.

* The Devil knows that all he has to do to destroy you is keep you too busy with the junk of this world to listen to the truth of God’s Word.

* Satan does not want you to think about reality or Truth- Just junk.

* The Devil does not want you to think for yourself, he wants to keep you busy with the idols that he sets before your eyes.

1 John 2:14–17 (KJV 1900)

14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because

ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.

If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

* The Devil wants to hypnotize you by lusting for the things of this world.

* If the Devil can keep you busy with the things of this world, then you will not be aware that there is a spiritual war going on all around you.

* If you are not aware of the battle, you have already been defeated by Satan.

Body:

I. If you are not aware of the battle, you have already been defeated by Satan.

* The Bible tells us that Satan and his fallen angles are constantly working to destroy God’s people.

* Satan came and presented himself to God and desired to destroy Job. God allowed Satan to test Job to see if his faith in God was real.

* In this story Satan did his very best to destroy the man Job.

Job 1:6–12 (KJV 1900)

6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. 7 And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 8 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? 9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. 12 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.

* Jesus told the Apostle Peter that Satan desired to sift him.

Luke 22:31–32 (KJV 1900)

31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

* Evidently Peter never forgot his sifting at the hands of the Devil.

* In one of the letters the apostle Peter wrote, I Peter chapter 5 and verse 8, Peter reminds us that Satan, the Devil, is our enemy, and our adversary.

* Peter says that Satan walks this earth like a hungry roaring lion looking for Christians to devour and destroy.

1 Peter 5:8–11 (KJV 1900)

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

* No doubt as Peter wrote these words, he was remembering the bitter tears that he wept that night when he betrayed Jesus.

* The Bible tells us that after, Peter denied the Lord for the third time, Jesus eyes met the eyes of Peter and Peter ran out and wept bitter tears because he had denied his precious savior.

* I’m sure that Satan stood before the throne of God having destroyed Peter, and accused Peter before God saying “You think you’ve got this all figured out- why even Peter is ashamed to be identified with you!”

* I can hear that great accuser of the brethren saying “Those men are not good and righteous men!” They are nothing but hypocrites! Look at them! They are running away from Jesus in his hour of need!”

* The apostle Peter wants you to realize that he didn’t know he was in a battle, like you this morning, he didn’t understand the seriousness of Jesus warning.

* How many of you here will listen to this sermon this morning and go right out and become prey to the Devil this week, because you didn’t take the warning serious?

* I want to give you a very personal example of someone who failed to see the seriousness of spiritual warfare this morning.

* Rick and I had a brother named John. Our brother John was raised in the household of a preacher, just like Rick and I were.

* Sunday after Sunday, John heard our father preach against sin, just as many people do, John didn’t take the warnings about sin seriously.

* It was just preaching.

* When John became a teenager, he began to be influenced by the Devi’s crowd.

* Failing to heed our father’s warnings, John gradually allowed the Devil to deceive him by whispering in his ear things like-

-“You know, if you act like a Christian, people are going to thing you are weird and nobody will have anything to do with you.

-“it’s just a couple of beers, all your friends are doing it, and there having a good time.

-“I know your dad doesn’t like you hanging around this crowd, but he’s just old and doesn’t understand that everybody you know is this way.”

-“You know, you don’t really have to wait for God to send you the person He intends for you to marry, you can just move in with this divorced girl here and be here baby’s daddy, and you can have your very own family and have it all right now!

* Little by little the Devil deceived and tempted John until he had corrupted his young life with sin.

* Shortly before John’s death, John tried to straighten his life up and get right with God.

* John came by my house early one Saturday morning and got me out of bed. He was happy and excited!

* John thanked me for staying on him about the way he was living, and said you were right Bill, you were right!

* The very next day John met a divorced girl at work. In only a few weeks the Devil had deceived him into moving in with her.

* John, thinking he had an instant family, moved in with this woman and her child. John had followed the Devil like a lamb to the slaughter.

* After a few short months this relationship turned into problems with the woman’s former husband, being betrayed by this girl, and a series of bad decisions and debts.

* John’s life was as about as low as it could possibly go.

* Once again, John decided that he would straighten up. He promised our father that he would move in with him and let him help him get back on his feet.

* Satan was not about to let go of John! The night before John was to move back home with Dad, according to police records, John had made a beer run to the county line, and was stopped by the police about 12:00 PM that night.

* The next day dad went by to help John move his things back home.

* When dad got to the apartments John’s car was parked in front of the entrance with the driver’s door open.

* Dad as dad climbed the steps to John’s apartment he heard loud music playing from inside his apartment. Dad knocked and knocked, but no one answered.

* Knowing something was wrong inside, Dad called the police to open the door.

* When they entered the apartment John was sitting on the couch by the door with a shotgun wound to the head.

* Satan, the Devil, was not satisfied until he had completely destroyed this preacher’s dear son, and our brother.

Conclusion:

* Will you not hear the pleading of this preacher this morning! You are in a battle with the Devil and he seeks to destroy you.

* From that passage that the Apostle Peter wrote in I Peter 5 I give you 3 warnings this morning:

* Let me read this to you again:

1 Peter 5:8–11 (KJV 1900)

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

I. Be sober.

* Stop going about your life like a drunk man just wandering here and there! Be sober minded! Wake up! Realize that this spiritual warfare is real.

James 1:6–8 (KJV 1900)

For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

1 Peter 4:7 (KJV 1900)

7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

II. Be vigilant.

* To be vigilant is to be watching ready and prepared! To be vigilant is the opposite of being unconcerned and lazy!

* The Devil will sneak up on you if you are spiritually lazy! The Devil will attack you if you are spiritually unconcerned!

* Take what God says in the Bible very, very, seriously and listen to it’s warnings before the Devil sneaks up on you and destroys and devours you!

* Be vigilant about your family’s spiritual condition! Don’t let the Devil destroy your home! Be ready and watching for his attach on your marriage!

* Be busy strengthening your home, your marriage, your relationship to Christ!

III. Resist steadfast.

* The Devil is after you! Don’t just sit there and let the devil defeat you, fight back!

James 4:7–8 (KJV 1900)

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Ephesians 6:10–17 (KJV 1900)

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 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. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

* When Jesus was tempted by the Devil in the wilderness He fought back with the Word of God!

* How much do you really know about the Bible? If you don’t know very much, you are a prime candidate to be devoured by the Devil!

* The head demon, Screwtape, in the Screwtape letters said

“It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out.”

― C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters

IV. Be prepared to suffer.

1 Peter 4:1 (KJV 1900)

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind:

1 Peter 4:12–14 (KJV 1900)

12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

1 Peter 4:16–19 (KJV 1900)

16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. …

19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.