Sabbath: End-Time Deceptions
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Read for This Week’s Study: Rev. 2:13; Rev. 2:24; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; Ps. 146:4; Gen. 1:2-3; Rev. 13:1-17.
Memory Text: “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Revelation 12:9, NKJV).
Even in heaven, before his expulsion, Satan worked to deceive the angels. “Leaving his place in the immediate presence of God, Lucifer went forth to diffuse the spirit of discontent among the angels. Working with mysterious secrecy, and for a time concealing his real purpose under an appearance of reverence for God, he endeavored to excite dissatisfaction concerning the laws that governed heavenly beings, intimating that they imposed an unnecessary restraint”. — Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy , p. 495.
In Eden, he disguised himself as a serpent and used trickery against Eve. All through history, up through today, and even after the millennium, he will use deception (Rev. 20:8) in an attempt to gain his ends.
Unfortunately, he’s much smarter, more powerful, and craftier than any of us, which is why we need to cling to Jesus and to His Word in order to protect ourselves from his wiles. “But you who held fast to the LORD your God are alive today, every one of you” (Deut. 4:4, NKJV). The principle espoused here, indeed, still holds true today, as well.
This week, we will look at some of the devil’s most effective deceptions and how we can be protected from them.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, June 2.
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Don't tell anyone else it's a secret
Why do we fall for this all the time.
It makes ME feel superior.
It makes ME feel great.
It makes ME feel important.
Calvary takes away all doubt on the deception of satan
Calvary exposes satan but exalts the Agape (Love) of God
Satan still works with "mysterious secrecy", for that is a key ingredient of deception. He is out to deceive the whole world, and if possible the very elect. No one is safe from his strategies apart from a real and deep dependence on God and His Word.
It's true that what took place at the cross exposes satan and exalts the love of God, and for that reason Satan hates the cross for it deprived him of the last shred of sympathy from the unfallen universe in his defiance against the government of God.
BUT satan didn't put aside his mysterious insinuations of deceptions when he realized he was defeated at the cross. No, he only intensifies his deceptions to turn people against God -- now his deceptions include using the cross AGAINST God.
Scripture isn't secret about his deception for the last-day Christians. "For he goes out with great fury against the last remnant of God's people who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus." (Rev. 12:17)
He insinuates and propagates the idea that the cross, instead of spelling the doom of his rebellion against God and His law, vindicated his claim that that law was an evil burden, a yoke and bondage, an impossibility, that needed to be pushed aside.
AND
He would use the CROSS to persuade people that they were released from the righteous, good and holy law of God and free to follow their own inner inclinations of what is right and wrong.
This is deep!Praise Jesus for being our refuge and victory
Ulrike, what are we going to do? Sounds like he has us coming and going.
Here is some good advice
“Therefore, my brothers and sisters whom I love and miss, who are my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord. Loved ones,”
Philippians 4:1 CEB
“Be glad in the Lord always! Again I say, be glad! Let your gentleness show in your treatment of all people. The Lord is NEAR. Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks. Then the peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and minds SAFE in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:4-7 CEB.
Let me remind you that our safe guard is putting the cross before us, so that it stands in the way of us trampling over it, or if you may, acts as a guiding light. David did this very act to keep him safe, so do I. Psalms 16:7-9. Share.
John. We need not fear satan. All power belongs to Jesus (Matt. 28:18). That means that, as in Job's case, satan has to have God's permission to hurt or deceive us. His only power is that granted to him by Jesus and only for a short while longer. Christ says to him, "You may go so far but no further..."
The lesson on Sabbath uses a reference in Revelation 20:8 for a current application. The text refers to the millennium,a 1000 years, for events to take place. One needs to scan the entire chapter to see what John the Revelator saw. We usually have questions about where, when, and if, we fit into the picture. We have to read about resurrections to realize everyone will be judged and resurrected. Some of us would like to bury our heads in the sand rather than face what appears to be very negative prophecy enlightenment. There are many promises from God that are more encouraging.
Sounds like we had better cling to the cross of Christ, to keep from being devoured. He goes about as a roaring lion, more so today, as he knows time is short for him. 1Peter 5:8. The nice thought is, we know 100% that God is in control, there is the evidence. What have we to fear for today and tomorrow, unless we forget how He has led us in the past? If we keep a close communion, moment by moment with Christ, we can’t lose. A solemn thought, if everyone were involved in spreading the gospel, everyone can have a chance to learn about Christ in no time, with the help of God. Things would be wrapped up rapidly. I am no mathematician, but I do believe they call it exponential realism. For those who are just on board, this week, that was fast forwarding a blog post from last week.
Satan is smarter(?), more powerful, and craftier? How is this unfortunate? This is not a wrestling match, or about being smarter, more powerful or craftier, but rather, it's about being either foolish(like Satan) or wise (as Jesus revealed true wisdom). The weakest saint who has put on the whole armor of God may quench the fiery darts of Satan and force him to flee from them (Jas 4:7). There are many exceeding great and precious promises of God for any who will claim them in faith.
Satan can only overthrow those who forget God in unbelief. Keep in mind how easy it is to walk in unbelief. Memorizing the 28 fundamental beliefs means nothing if we don't act in faith at every step. All that Adam and Eve had to do was obey God's command. Our victory is just as simple to achieve. Faith is the victory that overcomes the world.
Satan has been exposed as the master deceiver. Paul in 2 Corinthians 2:11 warns, "...lest Satan should get an advantage over us: for we are not ignorant of his devices". Jesus has done everything necessary and possible to help us in our battle against sin and to gain victory over Satan's attacks and insinuations. I look forward to the divine revelation that we will receive this week to help protect us from being deceived as we continue our journey to the kingdom of God.
The title of the lesson, "End Time Deceptions."... How is this time more relevant? Satan deceiving man began in Eden. The battle between Satan and God that began in Eden has continued for thousands of years. For those that endorse the Darwinian theory of evolution, scientists have what is believed to be a satisfactory solution. Why is this important to those that believe otherwise? God and the scripture that He has given, is the answer to what is important and why. We believe in an afterlife called the plan of Salvation. Other types of afterlife and false gods exist in other nations,but non to compare with our God. Does the time that spans our lives fit into " End Times"? You be the judge.