09.25 Revelation 12:7-17 THE GROWING CONFLICT
Revelation 12:7-17 THE GROWING CONFLICT
Intro: Ill. Revelation 12:1-17 is a chapter of conflict. In Revelation 12:1-6, we have seen the attacks by the dragon against Israel and against Christ. When we come down to Revelation 12:7, we are confronted by more conflict. In Revelation 12:7 a, we see there is a war in Heaven. Here is where we need to separate fact from fiction. 1.) Satan has never been in hell, but he is headed there. 2.) Satan has direct access to Heaven tonight, but it will be cut off, Ill. Job 1:6-12; Job 2:1-7. Let’s observe the conflict that invades the Lord’s heavens.
I. Revelation 12:8-11 THE DEVIL’S DEFEAT IN HEAVEN (Ill. Michael - “Who is like God.” An Archangel, the leader of Heaven’s armies.) A. The Devil Exposed 1. Serpent - “Shining one” - Ill. Appearance 2 Corinthians 11:14 2. Devil - “Slanderer, accuser” - Thank God for 1 John 2:1 - We have an Advocate. (Ill Accusations - Sadly, the devil doesn’t have to lie!) 3. Satan - “Adversary” - Satan is our enemy. His ways lead to death! (Ill. Quicksand!) 4. Deceiver - Has deceived us all! (Ill. Doesn’t have to be that way - 1 Corinthians 10:13) B. The Devil Expelled (How? With What?)
1. Their Covering - (Ill. Power in the Blood!) (Ill. Slaughterhouse religion - Hebrews 9:22) The Blood is our protection! It has all the power we need to defeat the devil! Ill. Napolean and red spot at Waterloo! 2. Their Confession - Stood true to the Word - Were not ashamed! 3. Their Courage - Were willing to die for the Word! (Ill. Jerome!) (Ill. Joy in Heaven - Revelation 12:10 & Revelation 12:12 a - Contrasted with woe in the earth - Revelation 12:12 b) II. Revelation 12:12-17 THE DEVIL’S DESPERATION IN THE EARTH (He knows he is defeated!)
A. Desperate Anger - Like a trapped animal, (Ill. Tazmanian Devil) Satan unleashes all of his anger and hatred for God and man Violence will increase and continue!
B. Desperate Attack - Revelation 12:13 Israel attacked by Satan. God intervenes for Israel’s sake. Ill. Sheep nations - Matthew 25:1-46) (Revelation 12:15-16, Tries to destroy them by water! But, even the earth gets involved.) (Revelation 12:17 - Satan attacks the 144,000 who are professing and preaching Jesus around the world! Yet, he is helpless against them!)
Conc: The only sure way to defeat the Devil is through the Blood of Jesus! It will do the trick in the Tribulation and Satan runs in fear from the Blood in our day! Praise God, the precious Blood of the Lord Jesus is sufficient to defeat the devil forever and eventually it will put him in his rightful place. HELL!