Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Ephesians chapter six talks about Spiritual Warfare. As a Christian you are in a Spiritual battle, and have an enemy. His name is Satan. This is a very serious topic, and I will try to communicate what I believe based on Scripture.
As I said before, you have an enemy. His name is Satan. Revelation 12:9 describes him with several different names, including ‘the great Dragon,’ ‘that old Serpent,’ and ‘Satan.’ The verse goes on to say that he deceives the world. This will be discussed later. It is worth it to point out that ‘Satan’ means ‘enemy.’ Satan is not a fictional character that is red, holding a pitchfork, as pictured by some Disney cartoons. Luke 22:31 says that he is REAL. The devil is mentioned in seven Old Testament books: Genesis, 1 Chronicles, Job (12 times), Psalms, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Zechariah. He is found in 19 New Testament books, and is referred to by every New Testament writer. Jesus Christ refers to him more than 15 times. Not only is he real, but according to Revelation 12:12, he is MAD! The Author of Evil is ticked off! He is angry because he knows his time is short. It is because of that fact that he is working hard to deceive. Satan, as alluded to above, is EVIL (John 17:15). He made evil. He first rebelled. Because he is evil, Jesus had to come to save the world from this evil. Jesus came because of Satan (1 John 3:8). Satan knows his time is short, and he is mad about it. So he comes after me (and everyone who has ever lived) to DEVOUR them according to 1 Peter 5:8. Therefore, you need to be sober and vigilant. I will talk more later about what you are to do. Satan will prey on every person that has ever lived, but he has waged war against Christ. It is because of that very reason that he will come after every person in Christ’s family to shift us as wheat. Luke 22:31 says that it is Christians that Satan will attack the hardest.
To take a good look at Satan’s history will tell us more about him. Ezekiel 28:11-16 tells us a lot about Satan, and his past. First, he was the standard of created perfection. Second, he was beautiful to look at. Third, he was wise. Satan is not stupid. He is wise, and is coming after us. We need to be sober. His job was to lead all of heaven in worshiping God. Satan had a very high position. He was the chief of all the angels, responsible for guarding and protecting God’s holiness. In all of this, it is important to remember that he was created by God (Col. 1:16). But not only that, he was capable of sinning.
Satan has an objective. His objectives are outlined in Isaiah 14:12-15 in five main “I will” claims by Satan. “I will ascend into heaven” – he wanted to be served, not to serve. “I will exult my throne above the stars of God” – wanted to gain a higher position. “I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north” – he wanted to gain more power. “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds” – wanted to take glory from God, “I will be like the most high” – Satan wanted to be responsible to no one but Himself. Be careful that none of these characteristics are found in you.
Satan has a personality. He possesses many of the same characteristics that you and I do. First, it is vital to realize that he is a real person! He may not possess a physical body like humans do (1 Corinthians 15:39-40), but he is a person with a personality. Second, he possesses intelligence! Satan is the most powerful and brilliant creature in the entire universe (2 Corinthians 2:11). He is not more powerful or knowledgeable that the Creature, and that is the only way we can find victory. Third, he possesses memory! Satan memorized scripture, and then would twist it to try to make it fit what he wanted it to do (Matthew 4, Revelation 12:12). Fourth, he possesses a will! 2 Timothy 2:26 states that Satan has a will, and does take backslidden Christians captive. Fifth, he possesses emotions! According to Luke 22:31, he has desire (to sift us as wheat). 1 Timothy 3:6 says that he has pride. As mentioned above, Satan also has wrath (Revelation 12:12). Sixth, Satan possesses great organizational ability! He organized and led the first rebellion against God (Revelation 12:4), and will lead the last rebellion against God (Revelation 20). He also leads organized attacks on Christians, such as Job.
Satan
is powerful. As mentioned above, he is the most powerful creature in
the
universe. We can’t defeat Him. But Christ can, and did (1
John 3:8). His defeat
has already come. It came at the cross (Colossians 2:14-15). He is
still active
though, but his activity will stop at the final Judgment (Hebrews
2:14). You
can’t defeat Satan. In fact, in Jude 9, Gabriel
didn’t even try to fight Satan.
Instead, he said “the LORD rebuke thee.” That is
the only thing that Christians
can do. Turn to Christ to defeat him. Turn to where Satan was
defeated, and that is the CROSS!
