In Peril of the depths of Satan's wiles

Text: Revelation 2:15-29
24 September 2006

(I) A GREAT SPIRITUAL WAR DESCRIBED

“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
“Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time” Revelation 12:12

1. Deception of the whole world- a task of Satan (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2)

2. Warning of great wrath of the Devil

(II) MENTION OF SATAN’S WAR AGAINST THE CHURCH

“A synagogue of Satan” Revelation 2:9
“Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison…” Revelation 2:10
“Where Satan’s throne is…” Revelation 2:13
“Where Satan dwells…” Revelation 2:13
“The depths of Satan…” Revelation 2:24

1. His presence on the earth

2. His outright attacks (threat of imprisonment) against individual believers and the church

3. His subtle attacks against believers and the church

(Described as “depths”)

a) Deception

b) Fear of suffering

c) The lures of the world

d) His corrupting influence on the whole world

(III) OUR VICTORY OVER THE DEVIL

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death” Revelation 12:11

1. Not just defence but victory

2. Victory is more than possible

3. Three proven ways of overcoming the devil

a) By the help of the Lord Jesus Christ

b) By the testimony of their life

c) By their courage to even die for their faith in Christ