The Most Unfair Fight (Round 2)

Thank You, Lord, for bringing me victory when:

The Apocalypse: A Recap

We have read where Satan has been expelled from heaven

After first attempting to eliminate the Child to whom the Woman had given birth

After fighting against Michael

And being defeated by Michael

You would think that after suffering two major defeats, Satan would stop this strategy

But he does not

That brings some vital facts to us for consideration

Because the spiritual attacks we face today in this moment are all traced back to him

Failing to understand these facts leave us extremely vulnerable

Don’t believe that

Look at the sins in Christendom that are being exposed today

Important to understand our present condition:

Those of us in Christ have been eternally saved

Nothing can ever change that

But...

Satan will relentlessly attempt

To render you idle

To prevent you from bringing others to Christ

To rob you of the joy of the abundant life that you now possess

So driven is Satan and his forces to accomplish this that he will continue on this strategy, which we can confidently call:

The Most Unfair Fight (Round 2)

Revelation 12:13-17

Revelation 12:13–17 NKJV

13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. 14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. 16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

You can live with a greater level of confidence and joy by remembering the outcome of these battles

Third Battle

Vv.13-16

Dragon, finding his new digs

Begins to hunt the woman

Woman counters

Given two wings of a great eagle

Flies to her safe place

Nourished for 3.5 years

Serpent tries new attack

Spits out a flood chasing after the woman

Perhaps a flood of soldiers hunting down Israel

Woman counters

Earth helps her

Opens up its “mouth”

Swallows up the flood

Perhaps similar to what Moses sang about in Ex 15:12 “You stretched out Your right hand; The earth swallowed them.”

Yet 2/3 of Israel’s population will perish according to Zechariah 13:8-9

Zechariah 13:8–9 NKJV

8 And it shall come to pass in all the land,” Says the Lord, “That two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die, But one-third shall be left in it: 9 I will bring the one-third through the fire, Will refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them. I will say, ‘This is My people’; And each one will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’ ”

Advantage: woman

Satan defeated again in attempt to destroy Israel

What to take away from this

While Satan’s weapons are

Considerable

Terrifying (like a flood)

He lost

He continues to lose

You can be confident that when it comes to you

That even when it seems like he’s winning...

If you have believed in Jesus Christ for the promise of everlasting life

Satan has already lost

Next Battle

V.17

Enraged with the woman

Because he couldn’t win

three times

Turns his attention to her offspring

Those who

keep the commandments of God

have the testimony of Jesus Christ

Advantage:

That will depend

Upon whether those offspring are obedient or not

Lord Jesus discusses what happens after the Rapture of His church in the Olivet Discourse (Mt 24-25)

Of particular interest here is this passage of Mt 24:9-14

Matthew 24:9–14 NKJV

9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

This discusses what happens after the Rapture of the church

During the specific period of the Great Tribulation

Point:

All the believers who survive the Great Tribulation at the time the Lord returns will be enduring, faithful followers

What that means:

Not all faithfully obedient followers will survive

(see Re 6:9-11) “9 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.”

No unfaithful, disobedient followers will survive

Not all faithful, obedient followers will survive

Join us for Thursday Nights in Revelation to go deeper with this issue in two Thursday nights from today

Now What?

Your Battle

Not physical but spiritual

Ephesians 6:10–13 NKJV

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Satan is coming after you

Will become more pronounced if you decide to follow Jesus wholeheartedly

Might be a physical health attack

On you

On a loved one

Might be a relationship attack

Might be a financially related attack

Might be a

If you aren’t under serious attack, you probably aren’t wholeheartedly following Jesus

What will you do?

Be certain you have everlasting life

Text LIFE to 858.210.0291

Get some help for YOUR spiritual attack

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Discover the incredible entity that the Lord has provided for you so that You might know Him better, serve Him in greater ways, and defeat Satan again

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