Friday: Further Thought – Satan, a Defeated Enemy
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “Snares of Satan”, pp. 518-530, in The Great Controversy.
The purpose of Revelation chapter 12 is, first of all, to tell God’s people that end-time events are a part of the great conflict between Christ and Satan.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
The book warns God’s people about what they are facing today and are about to confront in an even more serious manner in the future – an experienced and furious enemy. Paul warns us of the end-time activity “of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved” (2 Thess. 2:9-10, NKJV).
Revelation urges us to take the future seriously and make our dependence on God our priority. On the other side, Revelation assures us that although Satan is a strong and experienced enemy, he is not strong enough to overcome Christ (Rev. 12:8). For God’s people, hope can be found only in the One who in the past has victoriously defeated Satan and his demonic forces. And He has promised to be with His faithful followers “always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20,NKJV).
Discussion Questions:
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There were some big issues to talk about this week and I guess those of us who have studied this lesson have each applied it in different ways. For me, the lesson is not about the mathematics and time periods but about the relationship we need to have with Jesus. We need to be prepared for whatever experience "the last days" bring. We also need to live our Christianity in a practical way so that others can see Jesus in us.
In the centre of Sydney, there is a tall tower known as Centrepoint (They officially change the name every now and then, but those of us who remember it being built know it by its original name.) I was having an argument with a friend about whether we could see Centrepoint from a headland near where we live, called Norah Head. He argued that it would not be visible and I argued that it is visible on a clear day because the sight line is mainly over water and there is nothing between the Head and Sydney. He was sure it would be over the curve of the earth. I did the maths in front of him - it involved some trigonometry and a couple of triangles - nothing complicated - something you would learn in any high school math class. He still would not believe me. Seeing it was a clear day, we hopped in my car and drove out to Norah Head and looked in the direction of Sydney. And there appearing through the shimmering heat haze was the easily recognizable top of Centrepoint Tower rising over the sea horizon. All the maths in the world could not convince him but the simple experience of taking him and showing him convinced him.
If I am living my life in such a way that shows I am ready for "the last days" then that is of more value than getting the maths right.
There is a second issue that grew on me as I studied this lesson too. I find it incredible that the church abandoned the principles of love so that instead of sharing by love they were using coercion, and persecution to "convert" people to "Christianity". Love had been replaced by greed, selfishness, and self-gratification. Even today, that same selfish reasoning has seen the "church" covering up sexual abuse, because to deal with it properly would taint the church's good name. That such tactics could even be considered to be justified seems incredible to me. The really big sin of the historical Christian Church, we know as the Papacy, is that it replaced love with legislation. They used force rather than an invitation. There is a warning in all of this. If we want to develop a saving relationship with Jesus, it must be developed at a personal level. We should not rely on the Church, Church leaders, or Church media personalities, to do that maths for us. It is something we must develop between us and God. Only then are we ready to stand in "the last days".
Centrepoint Tower may be the end time! Some people just believe when they recognize it is happening already! Reading about it and reasoning is not enough! But we cannot forget that we may end sooner than the whole world! Yes, the most important thing about this week's lesson (and about the entire Bible) is our relationship with Jesus. This relationship, as any other one, is based on love! An inexplicable love! Jesus left us with a bunch of end time hints! So we do not stay in total dark! But the most important thing is TODAY! We may look to the future and imagine how or where we are going to be, but none of us can be sure of nothing! Today is what we have! Today is the chance to make it right with Jesus! And at the right time things can be clearly seen! Let's place our faith in the One who made us! He knows better!
I just can't thank you enough M. Ashton for your post. I was thrilled to finally "get" it that the half hour of silence in heaven was 7 days, thinking EGW says it will take 7 days to get there. There was another thrilling suggestion that we would be "stopping by" other planets so we could speak to other worlds we've missed out on visiting. For the longest time I could understand, but not present... the math for the prophecies in Revelation. But now since we're promised a blessing. I just read it and eventually, when time is right Holy Spirit will tell me as much as I can handle that day.
As we close this week's lesson that has illustrated for us the controversy between Christ and Satan I am drawn to the final parables of Matthew 24 and 25 for which I believe Christ laid out for His people to apply to themselves, and if they do that, they will be secure in the times for which Rev 12 and 13 lay out.
Especially I think of that final parable of the sheep and the goats. Important to note that the standard by which the sheep and the goats are judged is in how they treated their fellow man. Not one thing is said about having the "right doctrine." It all revolved about a person's character that leads them to minister to the needs of humanity when they are brought into contact with those needs. It emphasizes servant desire and action.
Pursue the kingdom as a servant for mankind in the Spirit of Jesus, and we can be assured of facing the final moments, no matter how craftily deceptive they be, as victors in Jesus.
I agree. Whom we worship is directly related to how we worship. God desires a strong heart relationship with each one of us because he loves us—this is the everlasting gospel. Because he is love, he is looking for his love to be expressed in the lives of those who worship him in spirit and in truth. If we worship in any other way, we are making God in our own image, which is a form of idolatry, hence, the parables of Matthew 24 and 25, and the prophecies of Isaiah 1:10-18 and Micah 6:6-8. The point is this: How we worship is directly related to whom we worship, which is the essence of the great controversy. What does our worship tell the world about the God we profess to follow?
In Matthew 25, Jesus gives us the answers to the Final Examination, which in the context of the gospel is reason enough to “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” (Revelation 14:7.)
Hi Kevin
I get what you are saying and you are on the right track with your thinking. If I may, can I further add to and refine what you are sharing.
The baseline meaning behind the Greek word for judge/d is to distinguish/separate. People often think that God will 'judge' between the sheep and the goats as though whether a person makes it into heaven or not is decided by God on a 'Judgment day'.
If we stop and notice, sheep and goats are already distinguished/separated. They are already 'judged'. A sheep is a sheep and a goat is a goat. All God is doing in Matt 25:32 is revealing who are the sheep and who are the goats by making manifest for all to see the deepest desires/motives of the sheep's or the goat's heart (see 1 Cor 4:5). Notice that is the heart condition/orientation that fundamentally makes a sheep a sheep or a goat a goat.
You have correctly outlined how the way we treat others is an outcome of whether we are a servant of mankind in the Spirit of Jesus or not. And underpinning the being a servant of mankind in the Spirit of Jesus is a heart that has been reborn/renewed (Jn 3:3-6; Ps 51:10) to being based upon self-renouncing love (Agape). This is precisely what Jesus demonstrated His heart to be based upon (Jn 15:13; Isa 53:12; Phil 2:8). And it is what the heart of God is based upon (Jn 17:6). Hence, it is what true life itself is based upon.
Thus, a sheep is someone whose heart has been transformed and renewed to self-renouncing love which manifests in how they treat others. And a goat is someone whose heart has not been transformed and therefore has become hardened/set in retaining sin's self-referenced nature which manifests in how they use and abuse others. This reflects the nature of the two Kingdoms that we must choose between (Jn 10:10).
No wonder there is so much emphasis in scripture upon the condition of our hearts. Everything else rests upon and arises from this foundation (Prov 4:23; Lk 6:45). This includes who (or what) we will worship - for we cannot but worship that which matches our heart's desire: either the self-renouncing Kingdom of God (Ex 34:8) or self-indulging kingdom of darkness.
Thank you for the reply and some additional clarification. Indeed, character is already set (sheep as sheep and goats as goats), but the revelation of what separated them is the point of why they are sheep and why they are goats. Both groups were unconscious of their actions which indicates a set in character that is unchanging. As to the judgment, yes, it is a revealing of that which is already determined. That is a good point to keep in mind.
Kevin, Yes, Jesus emphasized how we treat others in those final parables because that is what they needed to hear in those days, however in His message (Revelation) to the end time people He is emphasizing the issue of whom we worship - the Creator or the Pretender?
I am not debating that how we treat others is important but am pointing out what Jesus said is the tipping point in the end time.
Thank you for your comment, Shirley. I am not sure what you mean by "that is what they needed to hear in those days." Is not treatment of human beings even more appropriate today? I take Jesus' counsel as timeless, and though "worship" is indeed the focus of the problem in Rev 13 correct worship isn't simply which day, it doesn't negate the need to develop character in tune and aligned with Christ's Who was all about service, counting others better than Himself.
Yes Kevin as I said in my previous post how we treat others is important, however I believe that in these end times there will be two groups who both care for the needy, according to Rev that is not what separates them, it is who they worship. I don't think the difference is an outward act but in the heart and in their understanding of the true character of the LORD. What does the land beast and the *image* do? Uses signs to deceive,then force to demand worship?
I think in Jesus time the leaders consentrated on outward conformity and He was pointing to what they lacked, now the pendulum has swung the other way in many cases.
I believe Jesus is seeking those who are balanced - He said "love Me and keep My commandments" and "this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God and Jesus Christ"
I am not sure I can agree because I don't believe it is an either/or. Our worship is defined by how we treat others. Who we worship will be expressed in how we treat others. Outwards acts will be congruent with inward transformation that comes for loving loyalty to Christ. And Jesus teachings were constantly expressions that what is important is what is on the inside, and that will be expressed on the outside. Hence, telling the Pharisees to clean the inside, that what is taken in from the outside didn't defile a person, etc. Our outward expression of Sabbath observance, for example, means nothing if our heart toward our fellow man, friend and enemy, isn't right. But one truly worships when they express not only loyalty to God but in the spirit of viewing others as being better than themselves.
Kevin, absolutely, I agree a changed character and loyalty is the LORD'S ideal and desire for us. It is not important for me to know the difference between the sheep and goats, so long as Jesus knows me Matthew 7:21-23
The greatest deception Satan ever perpatrated, was to convince men that he didn’t/doesn’t exist. He also states, “God is busy, what can I do for you?” We should run quick, fast, and in a hurry in the opposite direction. Study the Scriptures and pray without ceasing, so you won’t be deceived.
What did I get out of this weeks lesson? There is hope, though the heavens fall He is there to save us. Christ says, I am come not to distroy but to save, if you will turn to Me, I will save you, because you believe in the Truth(Me) and have pleasure in righteousness. That is what I get out of:
2Thessalonians 2:10-12 and John 3:17.