Introduction

It’s impossible to conduct spiritual warfare without talking to your commander. The US military–and likely every other military in the world–spends billions of dollars each year on communication equipment. There are seven different types of gear the military employs in battle and in peacetime (source: http://bit.ly/JJJ2Q3):

• military communications (of which there are 97 different types)
• the alert measurement systems,
• cryptography
• military radio systems
• nuclear command control
• the signal corps
• network-centric warfare.

All this gear serves one single purpose: communicate information accurately to and from the field and the Pentagon. With advances in technology it is now possible for every troop to hear commands directly from their helmet or earpieces that are attached to micro-receivers.

Besides communication equipment, the second most important thing for a soldier is to know the voice of the command center. Just as billions are spent on bi-directional equipment, billions are also spent on interference technology. In all cases, the enemy wants to disrupt communications, intercept them and pervert them (if possible).

Spiritual warfare is no different. In fact, much of our present life is modeled after the the spiritual realm. Wars and rumors of wars all come from our corrupted DNA, which was hijacked and re-tooled by Satan.

War without Communications

If a US president or general suggested to eliminate all spending on the nation’s communication strategy, they would likely be deemed insane or traitorous. Cutting weapons programs and even military bases are acceptable budgetary decisions. Cutting our ability to communicate is not.

Likewise, battling spiritual enemies without constant communication with God is also an unproductive strategy. God sees everything; we don’t see much at all.

Check out I Corinthians 13:12–We see through a glass darkly. Take a pair of glasses and rub mud all over them. Put them on. Now try walking around the house. While you can likely still see light and some shapes, the ability to discern what is actually in front of you is completely gone.

Since our sense of spiritual site is dulled, the only way to get clear data about what lies around us is through sound. We need to hear God’s voice. The more we hear it, the greater our spiritual site becomes. It’s like being blind. Sight impairment shifts brain resources to the other senses. After a while, sounds and touch can paint mental pictures in a blind person’s mind. It’s not the same as seeing, but their experiences through other senses allow them to navigate their world.

The Biggest Lie

If you believe the most important equipment in any battle is the communications gear and strategy, then you’d have to also believe that destroying it is the best, most effective way to deter the enemy and confuse them in battle.

The worst lie perpetuated on Christians today is that they can’t hear God’s voice. God wrote the Bible, put away the pen and the microphone, and called it good. After the Apostles died, he shut down direct communications and let his people figure things out on their own.

Hogwash. While this idea is prevailing, it makes no sense. For thousands of years, God worked to communicate with people in order to bring about the Savior of the human race. As soon as the best weapon is deployed in the battle, God shuts down? Imagine the President deploying an army and then letting them figure it out on their own. No more access to the Pentagon. Satellites disabled. Radios confiscated.

We don’t believe a President would make such a stupid blunder, but why do many Christians believe God would–and has? Well, the answer, of course is Satan. He’s convinced many Christians that God does not speak to them. The only way to understand his will is through reading the Bible and listening to one man or woman pastor. The latter strategy places power into the hands of church leaders. Power corrupts. You get the strategy.

I’ve actually heard pastors who preach and teach this. One told me that the pastor is God’s chosen; that God speaks through the pastor; and that questioning him is like questioning God, because he is the voice of God. Another told a friend of mine not to use the phrase “God told me….” He said it’s not true. God may “lead,” but God never talks directly. More than 3,000 people attend his church and are being told they can’t hear their commander on a personal level.

The Truth

Let’s now dig into the truth. As you review these passages, I am confident that God will speak to you. You will hear his voice telling you that you can hear him. It won’t be a loud shout, but you’ll hear it nonetheless.

You’ll also experience the enemy’s voice. His will sound loud. You’ll be bombarded with ideas that these references are interpreted wrongly, taken out of context, etc. If you start to believe them, you’ll hear the lie that God may speak to others, but he doesn’t speak to you. You’re not good enough, don’t study enough, etc. Don’t believe it. Focus on the still, small, prodding voice and the boisterous on will leave you.

• John 8:47–”the one who is from God, listens to God.”
• John 10:27–”my sheep hear my voice and I know them and they know me.”
• Hebrews 1:1-2–”God has spoken to us by his Son.”
• John 14:9-10–”the words I speak to you are not my own. The Father who lives in my does His works.”
• I Corinthians 3:16–”…the Spirit of God lives in you”
• John 14:16–the Spirit will help us in the same way he helped Christ.
• John 16:13–Holy Spirit will guide us in all truth.
• John 16:14-15–Whatever Christ heard from the Father, he would share with us.

Let’s check out some of the Old Testament references.

• God speaks through angels (Genesis 16)
• God uses visions (Genesis 15)
• God uses dreams (Gen 28:10-19)
• God speaks in a small voice (1 Kings 19:12)
• God speaks through prophets (Deut. 18:18-22)

Characteristics of God’s Voice

In the book Experiencing God by Henry & Richard Blackaby, the authors describe four prevailing characteristics of God’s communication.

1. When God spoke, the way he communicated was often unique to the individual.
2. When God spoke, the person was sure it was God.
3. When God spoke, the person knew what God said.
4. When God spoke, that was the encounter with God.

We’ll look into each of these in Lesson 10.

Summary

God does speak to you today, through the Holy Spirit. In fact, he speaks to all Christians through Christ. Through Christ, we all have access to God. It can be argued, therefore, that not only can we hear God’s voice, but also that his communication with us is more personal and pervasive than it was before Christ.

Don’t believe the lie of Satan. You can hear your commander. And he’ll help you win the war and won’t leave you lost and confused on the battlefield.

Introduction

Now that we’ve covered the Satan’s endgame for you—hell—let’s look at ways he plans to get us there. This lesson will take two weeks. Today, we will cover the proper, Biblical perspective on life.

Life as We Should Know It

The movie the Matrix is has several Christian-leaning worldviews. It starts with everyone living in an alien power plant, trapped in little cocoons where they spend their lives sleeping in a fetal position. Their heads; however, have a plug in the back that feeds their minds into a false, imaginary world called the Matrix.

In this world, life appears normal. People believe they are working, playing, marrying, having children, eating, drinking, banking and eventually dying. There’s no difference between a physical life and the psychological existence in the Matrix.

The actual world—earth—was destroyed by an enemy and lies in smoldering ruins.

Through a complex set of events, a young man named Neo is awakened to his fate and fights to free himself from his entrapment so he can eventually free the human race. He discovers that many, however, do not want to be freed.

Christian Interpretation

While some of the Matrix’s elements come straight from Easter Religions of empowerment, we still can gather a very Christian perspective on life.

Life is Meaningless

In the matrix, life has no purpose because people aren’t really living. Each believes they are making a difference or effecting some change to the world, but in reality they are simply distracted from the truth: they are in a prison, asleep and waiting to die without every having the chance to live.

Let’s review several points about this setting and compare them with God’s view.

Life is meaningless.  Genesis 3:16-19; Revelations 22:3; Ecclesiastes 1:2.

No one wants to hear this, but the fact is we live and then we die. If we don’t know Christ, we continue the meaningless existence in an eternal place of darkness, emptiness and torment (See lesson 5 on Hell).

Chance and Luck Rule Life without Christ. Ecclesiastes 9:11

Humans are deceived. We think that our own power, wisdom, athleticism, money, brains, and appearance give us control of our destinies.  Solomon the Wise says otherwise. “Chance and time happen to them all.”

In the Matrix, a computer-generated illusionary algorithm governs life. Any vain sense of control people hane is an illusion. Control doesn’t exist.

Nothing We Have Has Value

We are distracted and deceived into believing that what we have has value. Like those in the Matrix, their possessions were merely a worthless illusion.

The Bible states that even those few who do achieve their earthly goals will lose everything:

Is 40:6-8; Matt. 6:19-21; Lk 12:14-21; 12:33; Jas 1:10-11; 2 Peter 3:10-13; I John 2:15-17.

In the Matrix, people gained wealth just like we do. Some were CEOs, world leaders, artists, musicians, etc. Yet, in reality they were in prison living a meaningless dream life before they died and their bodies burned by an enemy they never saw.

Matt 16:26: What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but lose his own life?

Psalm 49:16-17: a rich man will take nothing with him when he dies.

Meaningless Activity

The enemy distracts us with earthly goals, vain traditions, worries, and entertaining pursuits that kill time and blind us from reality. These works give us a sense of pride and control. Nearly everyone thinks they leave a “mark” on this world or “change it for the better.” God has a different opinion of life without Christ:

Ecclesiastes 1:10—there’s nothing original.

Ecclesiastes 1:11—we won’t be remembered.

Psalm 49: 10-11—wise and foolish alike die and are forgotten, even if property were named after them.

Ecclesiastes 2:17-23—toil, work, wealth are all meaningless.

Summary

Life without Christ, according to Christ, is worthless. It’s simply an illusion packed with rich, ever-changing distractions designed and manipulated to keep us asleep, in bondage and destined for an eternal existence of worthlessness.

How does this knowledge change or not change:

• Your view of your life?
• Your view of the world?
• Your view of wealth?

Do you agree with this perspective?

Lesson 4: Two Worlds

We’ve spent several weeks learning about the battle, its players, and the reality of demons. This week, we’ll take a little break and study something nice: Heaven.

We live in a multi-dimensional universe. We see very little of what’s really out there. The Bible talks about two worlds, equal in reality but dimensionally separate from ours. The nicest of the two is a place called Heaven. The worst is one called Hell. We’ll study that later.

Heaven is the abode of God, the creator of the universe. The Bible says that no one can see God and live (Exodus 33:20), which is a good reason why people must die to get into Heaven.

In Heaven, there is no sin. Only perfection. The world is perfect, the light is perfect, the sound is spectacular, the gold is pure, colors are overly abundant, and beings we’ve never seen busy themselves with various assignments from God.

Its a place we can’t fathom, because our minds and bodies are far too corrupted by sin and disease to be able imagine a place without it. Even then, God has chosen to give us various glimpses of what’s to come.

Today, we’re going to study two books on Heaven. The first is the Bible which we will consider as the authoritative word on the subject. The second is a book called The Divine Revelation of Heaven by Mary K. Baxter. Baxter claims Christ took her into Heaven several nights in a row to reveal different aspects of it to her. Like the apostle John who wrote the book of Revelation, Baxter’s God-given mission is to tell others that Heaven really exists to help lead people to Christ before the last days arrive.

Baxter would be considered as a prophet. She’s seen visions and is commissioned by Christ to repeat them to others. That said, the Bible tells us to measure all prophecy to determine if it is from God or not.

Below are several claims that Baxter makes about Heaven. Grab your Bible and find out if what she says could be true. At the end of the exercise I want everyone to decide for themselves if Baxter is a true prophet or if she’s false.

Claim 1:       Clothing in Heaven shines like a garment of Light.

Claim 2:     Heaven’s gate is a massive white pearl.

Claim 3:     ”When we arrived there, two very tall angels were standing outside the gate. Both of them wore glistening robes and had swords in their hands. Their hair was like spun gold, and their faces gleamed with white light.”

Claim 4:  ”As I watched the angels of the Lord, I could hear some of the conversations they were having. One of them went inside the gate and returned almost immediately with a small volume. The book had a gold cover, and the printing inside was also in gold It seemed to be a book about my life’s history. My name was stamped on the cover. A smile of approval came over the angels’ faces. They opened the book and looked at each other. One said in a voice I could hear, “She may come inside the gate.”

Claim 5:   “I saw some of the most exuberant citizens of Heaven, and they were all dressed in robes.”

Claim 6:   “The joyful citizens I saw in heaven seemed to have come from many different ages and countries.”

Claim 7: “All the saints in heaven seemed to be occupied. They were constantly busy. Songs were on everyone’s lips.”

Claim 8: “I could see diamonds–glittering, glistening, exquisite diamonds–diamonds everywhere! Some are as large as blocks of concrete. Some of them seemed to be for the mansions of those who were soul winners on earth. Every time someone led a soul to Christ, Heaven provided a diamond for that faithful Christian.”

Claim 9: “Heaven is far above above the atmospheric heavens and beyond the planets and galaxies.”

Claim 10: “The angels catch our tears and put them in bottles for us. God showed me a room of tears. It was so beautiful. The angel took me to a grand entranceway that had no door. Looking inside, I could see that the room itself wasn’t large, but the holiness and power radiating from it amazed me. Lined with crystal shelves, the inside walls glowed with light. On the shelves were many bottles…”

Claim 11: “The angelic messenger took me to the throne of God. I saw a huge cloud, a mist, and I saw an image of a beging in the cloud. I could not see God’s face, but I saw the glory of God and a rainbow over the throne. I heard the voice of God and it sounded to me like the voice of many waters and loud thunder.”

Claim 12: “An angel said to me, come and see the glory of God. God has said that I must show you the place where children go and what happens to them when they die. [they took me to a scene where a woman was having a miscarriage.] In their hands, the angels held what looked like a basket made of white marble and pearl. When the woman had the miscarriage, the baby’s spirit, like a little vapor, arose from that little teeny baby. The angels of God caught it and put it in the basket….The angels then set the basket down on the the throne and bowed. It seemed like we were in a huge arena. Large angels were blowing trumpets as if they were announcing something. Then, I saw a hand open up the basket. I am sure it was the hand of God. It took that little soul out of the basket and laid it on the alter. Then, I saw hands begin to restore that little soul. When the task was finished, the most beautiful, perfect form of a human being began to appear. It continued to develop until it became the most handsome young man I have ever seen.”

Claim 13: “I saw what I perceived to be the top of God’s head–it looked like wool.”

Claim 14: “Heaven is a symphony of Music. Imagine, if you can millions of perfectly pitched voices, sweetly singing the melodies of Heaven. Stringed instruments provided accompaniment along with trumpets and other kinds of musical instruments.”

Claim 15: “I passed a place where there were beautiful, white horses.”

Claim 16: “With the angels guiding me, we moved very quickly. We passed many fruit trees that grew besides the river of life.”

Claim 17: “The river of life flowed forth from the throne of God. It was like a sea of glass, like a sea of crystal, but it was flowing.”

Claim 18: “I noticed that many angels came to heaven with reports from all over the earth. They would go to a certain room with a recording angel in charge. The recording angel would ask: Are you a witness? Did you see this take place?”

Claim 19: “When someone truly repented of his sins and asked Jesus to be his Savior and Lord, it was recored and that the person had given his life to the Lord.”

Claim 20: “Angels with golden buckets each took a book from the stack. Each held what looked like a bloodstained cloth in his hands. The red cloth was mixed with glory, light and power. Each angel positioned the selected book in front of him, and, starting at the first page, he expunged the written record with the bloodstained cloth. With God’s direction, the angel erased the old history of the sinner and recorded that he or she had just been born again.”

Final Claim–This one regards the end of the earth and the rapture.

“I saw the redeemed, as millions of points of light, converging on a gathering place in the sky. There the angels gave them robes of purest white. There was great rejoicing. New, glorified bodies were given to the redeemed, and they were transformed as they passed through the air….Then I watched in astonishment as darkness covered the face of the earth and demon forces went everywhere. Countless evil spirits had been loosed from their prison and spilled forth onto the earth.”

Spiritual Warfare Lesson 3: The Battle

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12)

The Setting

In the verse above, Paul describes the world, as we don’t really understand it. On earth, we tend to believe only what we see and hear. Even as Christians, whose faith is in the unseen, we have a tendency to dismiss or simply ignore the description Paul mentions above.

What, exactly, is Paul describing?

The world we live in has various dimensions. Stephen Hawkins once surmised that, mathematics points to a nine-dimensional world, four of which we have discovered (length, width, height, time).

Paul is saying that the human leaders of this world are being manipulated by the spiritual. Our fight isn’t against what we see; but rather the unseen puppeteer who has humans dancing on his strings. These behind-the-scenes manipulators have clear authority structures:

1. Rulers. These are the highest-level forces and the strongest fallen angels. They have distinguished territories and report directly to Lucifer, the god of this world.
2. Authorities. Think of these fallen angels like governors of various states, or even high-level bureaucrats. They report to the rulers and make sure commands are executed in their various territories.
3. Powers. This describes the army of demon who wreak havoc on human beings, drive man to lust, war, etc. and report to the authorities who report to the rulers who report to Satan.
4. Spiritual forces of evil in the Heavenly realms. “Heavenly realms” is not talking about Heaven, the abode of God. Rather, there is a dimension where some fallen angels are trapped. God talks about fallen angels who leave there places and are punished for it. These forces influence all others, but may not be allowed to actually possess humans.

 A Look at an “Authority “ and / or “Demon”

Lierna

A few years ago, I was asleep in my bed and began to have what initially seemed like a dream. I was caught up into a dark area—like space, but without stars, planets or light. Someone told me to draw a box with my finger in the air. As I did this, it looked as if I was cutting through space. As I drew the box, a layer of darkness began to peel off until a square shaped hole remained, allowing me to peer into what seemed like an even darker dimension.

Not long after I had cut this opening, a dark, shadowy figure raced through and began to latch itself on to me. At first, I didn’t know what was going on and it didn’t feel bad or awkward. I must be having a dream, I thought. Then, the figure began touching me and latching deeper into my skin, as if it were a submarine beginning to submerge.

At this point, I felt an evil that I’ve never felt in my life. This shadowy figure meant to destroy me. It kept digging deeper and I began to fight it, but the more I wrestled to get it off, the deeper it dug in. It was toying with me. Finally, after several minutes of pure fear and a feeling of being consumed, I convinced myself that this was no dream and that I needed help. I then commanded whatever it was to leave in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

As soon as I said that, some invisible force began to pull it out of me. The dark shadowy spirit, however, began to wrestle with the invisible hand and attempted to dig in deeper. It’s “back” was arched, the result of the hand grabbing it, but its “arms” and “hands” continued to dig in.

I called on Christ again.

This time, the figure was yanked off of me, but with one last ditch effort, it dove down and whispered in a feminine, breathy voice: “Lierna, Lierna, Lierna.” Three times she said her name. And then she was gone.

Other Examples of the Powers

The following conversations with demons are taking from the book: Spiritual Warfare: Christians, Demonization and Deliverance by Karl Payne.

Sarah:

Sarah is Christian who began to feel the presence of evil in her life. Concerned with this unshakable feeling, she went to Dr. Payne for counseling.

Dr. Payne: Spirit within Sarah, will you confess Jesus Christ as come in the flesh.

Sarah/Spirit: No response.

Dr. Payne: Spirit within Sarah, will you confess Jesus Christ as come in the flesh.

Sarah/Spirit: Maybe, maybe.

Dr. Payne: I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to confess Christ as come in the flesh.

Sarah/Spirit: No.

At this point, Sarah began to cry as she realized she was being influenced by a demon.

Dr. Payne: What is your name.

Sarah/Spirit: Selah.

Dr. Payne: What is your job with Sarah?

Sarah/Spirit: To divert Sarah’s attention from the giver to her spiritual gift.

Dr. Payne: When did you take advantage of Sarah?

Sarah/Spirit: “when she called out for me. When she said Jesus was not enough, she wanted more of her gift.”

A lie from hell had deceived Sarah, but it was a lie that sounded very spiritual. Sarah renounced the spirit and it left her.

Ben:

Ben is Sarah’s husband and had felt a similar concern for the authenticity of his spiritual gift. Sarah convinced him to go see Dr. Payne.

Dr. Payne:      Spirit in Karl, confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh.

Ben/Spirit:     No response.

Dr. Payne:      In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you to tell us if you are refusing to confess Jesus Christ as come in the flesh.

Ben/Spirit:     Payne, you are doing good work, but you do not have to worry about Ben. He is mine and his gift is from me.”

Payne was startled, but realized that the spirit flattering him still had not responded to the original question.

Dr. Payne:      You still have not answered my question. Will you confess Jesus Christ as having come in the flesh?

Ben/Spirit:     “How dare you test me. You are not to test the Lord your God. I have told you he is mine, and his gift is from me.”

Dr. Payne:      If you were truly of the Holy Spirit, you would commend me for standing upon the Word of God. Who are you?”

Ben/Spirit:     I am the Holy Spirit.

Dr. Payne:      If you are the Holy Spirit, then you are the author of all known languages, is that true?

Ben/Spirit:     I am the Holy Spirit and I am the author of all known languages.”

Dr. Payne:      Quote for me John 1:1-10 in Koine Greek.

Ben/Spirit:     I don’t have to.

Dr. Payne:      The question isn’t that you have to; it is if you can.

Ben/Spirit:     I cannot.

Anonymous

Dr. Payne:      In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, do you hold any ground that keeps you from leaving Anonymous upon command?

Anonymous:  No.

Dr. Payne:      In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, what is your name.

Anonymous:  Legion, death…you figure it out. You’re making this up. You just read the name Legion in the Bible. And no demon is named death. You look really stupid. Get out of here with some dignity while you still can.

Dr. Payne:      In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, is your name Legion or death.

Anonymous:  Maybe, maybe. Yes, no, yes, no, yes. By what authority do you ask? We run the world. You don’t know what you’re doing.

Dr. Payne:      In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, what work have you been commissioned to do against Anonymous?

Anonymous:  We won’t tell you. You’re making this all up.

Dr. Payne:      In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, by what means do you hope to accomplish your work?

Anonymous: We love her and are trying to help her. It’s you Christians who are hurting people. If you would quit bothering her, she could live a normal life.

Dr. Payne:      In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, what lies have you been telling her on a habitual basis?

Anonymous:  She doesn’t know truth from error. She can’t think straight any more. She is losing her mind. She is a fake. You are a fake. This is a fake. This isn’t going to work. This is too confusing. She is too tired. God does not love her anymore. You don’t know what you are doing. This is all in her mind. Run. Get out of here. Nobody in this church cares about her. Kill yourself; there is no hope.

Dr. Payne:      In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, do you hold any ground that keeps you from leaving upon command?

Anonymous: Yes, no, yes no. You won’t figure it out. We’ll never leave.

Demon Possessed Man: Mark 5, 1-20:

Jesus:             “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”

Demons:        “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!”

Jesus:                        “What is your name?”

Demon:          “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” 10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.”

Jesus:             He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned

Questions:

1. What did you notice about Sarah?
2. Was she a Christian?
3. How was she deceived?
4. What do you think about a Christian being heavily influenced by a demon?
5. Think about the spirit in Ben. It claimed to be the Holy Spirit. How did Dr. Payne test that spirit?
6. Is it easy for a Christian to be deceived by the enemy?
7. In the Anonymous case, what was the ultimate purpose of the demon?
8. Was Anonymous a Christian?
9. How did the case of the demon-possessed man that Jesus expelled resemble the other cases you’ve just read?
10. Are there times in your life when you think you’ve experienced similar influences and ideas as those described in the cases above?

A brief history of the world

Before time began, God was. He created heaven and earth; angels and humans.

The Bible points out that many different orders of angels exist. The highest order is the cherubim, a small group of angels who guard the throne of God and are blessed with many musical talents. At some point in time, the guardian or highest-ranked cherub became enamored with his own beauty, skill and wisdom and set his heart on leaving his heavenly place and becoming like God. (Ezekiel 28:12 – 19)

In their rebellion, God stripped his most powerful angel—now called Satan—and his followers ( 1/3 of Heaven Rev. 12:3-4) of all qualities associated heaven—love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, longsuffering and patience. The light bearer of heaven left the Father of lights to dwell in eternal spiritual darkness. He and his followers became completely evil and hardened themselves against God b/c they rejected all good things.

Introducing Humanity

God made man in His own image. Humanity is the only of God’s creation to claim this privilege. And so it came to pass Satan and his minions hated man and sought to corrupt him so that the very image of God would perish with them in everlasting flames. This is the ultimate abomination of Satan, for he saw whom God loved and worked mightily to put a barrier between humanity and its creator by re- making man into his own image.

For when people chose Satan, it was an act of defiance; a choice to become like God. The original sins of humanity are the same sins of Satan—pride and greed.  At the time of man’s fall, Satan won control of the earth. He’s called the “prince and power of the air,” and when he tempted Christ in the wilderness, he offered to give him his kingdom if Christ would bow down and worship him.

Earth is his domain and we’re living in it (Luke 4:5)

Sealing our Fate

By committing sin, humanity sealed its fate (Jude 6-8). For Satan knew that God is just and would punish man as he planned to punish the angels. There was no other option for God. And Satan knew this.  Like Satan and his demons, humanity was now destined to live and die with its new father.

When we chose to know good from evil, we opened the gates of hell and became immediately corrupted (Gen 9:21).  In addition to knowing love, joy and peace, we now knew anger, hatred, anxiety, worry and fear. All the emotions of the enemy were now ours. As Satan fears and hates God, so we also simultaneously fear him and hate him.

A Unique Redemption

However, God loved humanity and provided a way for it to escape eternal punishment. Just as sin entered into the world by one man; by one man all would be redeemed. To the angels, God gave no such choice, for they had known true glory and still sought to leave it.

This mystery of God’s salvation plan was unknown to Satan until after Christ’s death. (Theselonians ….)

Once Christ died, he was made alive by the Holy Spirit and descended into the pit to preach to the spirits in prison who had disobeyed long ago while God waited patiently in the days of Noah. (I Peter 3:18) They were held in everlasting chains until judgment day (2 Peter 2:4). Christ preached defeat to them and victory to the sons of man who believed in him. Those who believed in Christ were freed, but the angels remained bound for all eternity.

Some demons are allowed to rule the earth from “heavenly places.” (Ephesians  6:10 -12).  We’ll cover heavenly places later, but this reference is not about the heaven where God dwells, but a “second” heaven between earth and God where the demons are said to maintain their presence.

A Defeated War

Once Christ rose again, God the Father saw his sacrifice and gave Christ a position at the right hand of the throne where he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool (Hebrews 10:12-14).  Eve

Even though the earth is still controlled by Satan, Satan is defeated. Christ is working hard to redeem the planet’s people and reconcile them to God before the day of wrath.

At that time, Christ the redeemer will be made King of Heaven and Earth. He will return to the planet in glory, destroying the enemy and making Satan his footstool. All humans who follow Satan at this time will know Christ as a warrior-king, and not the Savior he is today for, like Satan, they made their choice and like Satan, they will perish forever.

Christ will also clean up the second heaven—the place where Satan and his demons dwell. A great host of God’s angels, lead by Michael the archangel will wage war and the devil and his angels will be cast out. (Revelation 12)

Attributes of Key Characters—Christ and Satan

Now that we have some historical and future context, let’s drill down into the attributes of this war’s top enemy general—Satan and its only King—Christ.

Why study this?  2 Cor: 2:11 …”lest Satan might not outwit us; for we are not aware of his schemes.”

Attributes of Christ and Satan

 Regarding Godhood

Satan:             Wanted to be Like God (Ezekiel 28:12 – 19; Is 14:12-14)

Christ:             Thought it not possible to be like God. (Phil 2:5-7)

Accusation / Condemnation

Satan:              The accuser (Revelations 12:7-10)

Christ:             The savior / came not to condemn (John 3:17 – 18)

Life / Death

Satan:             Eternal death (Matt 25:46)

Christ:             Eternal life (Matt. 19:29)

Religion / Law

Satan:             The lawless one (I Thes. 2:8-9; 2 Tim 3:3)

Christ:             Self control (Gal 5:23)

Truth/Lie

Satan:             Father of lies (John 8:44)

Christ:             Bearer of truth (John 14:6)

The highest level Satanists are convinced that they will one day overthrow God and reign with Satan. However, they know Satan has a cruel master. The have been told the lie that he is the only game in town—that the God of Heaven would never want them once they have done wicked and perverse things. They are told that if they ever become Christians they will be killed horribly, and will be tortured endlessly in the hereafter.” (Schnoebel, Willan and Sarah. Lucifer Dethroned, location 340 on Amazon Kindle)

On Humanity:

Satan:             Hatred (John 10:10; Rev 12:12)

Christ:            Love (Ephesians 5:2)

Appearance

Satan:             Angel of Light (Cor 11:14). Several major religions have started with prophets seeing an “angel of light.”

Christ:             Bright and Morning Star (Rev. 22:16)

Demons—The Lowliest of Satan’s Ranks

There are many different ideas on what a demon actually is. Some far-reaching notions contend that they are the souls of the offspring created when the Sons of God slept with the daughters of men. Because they had heavenly attributes, they left the bodies they possessed at the time of the flood and roam the earth, seeking new hosts and wreaking havoc (Luke 8:33).

Not much Biblical proof exists for that theory and so it shouldn’t be expanded upon as anything more than pure conjecture.

The Bible does indicate that demons are the lowliest of those angels that were kicked out of heaven. Unlike their “rulers of darkness” counterparts, demons were stripped of their body and ability to represent a human (or any other) form. They wander from host to host forcing unnatural acts on the possessed. (Luke 8:33).

Demons are in the command of Satan. They can whisper thoughts of accusation in your ear. They are also under the authority of believing Christians who invoke the power of Christ.

Some demons have “handicaps” of sorts. In Matthew 12:22, Christ explains that a certain demon could not be cast out by verbal commands because it was deaf. Only prayer would cast it out.

Satan’s Attack on the Church

Infiltrates it                                        (Matt. 13:38)

Tempts Christians to sin                  (I John 2:15, I Tim 3:6, I Pet 5:6)

Major Weapon Against You

Accusation.

Proverbs 23:7—“For as he thinks within himself, so he is.”

Introduction

In the last days, God will pour out his Spirit on everyone. Men, women and children will prophesy, see visions and dream dreams that are sent by God. (Acts 2:17).  We’re in those last days.

Today, God is working mightily in the world and raising an army of prophets, teachers, and pastors from various vocations, not just those engaged in ministry.  As the human race speeds along the freeway of time toward its own destruction, God’s warning signs get brighter, louder and more ubiquitous.

Imagine a long, smooth highway that only runs in one direction. Exit signs, warning lights, and service signs pepper its shoulder, giving us clear instructions of what lay ahead.

As we get closer to the freeway’s end, these warning signs and advertisements become more frequent and more urgent. They’re in multiple languages. Billboards highlight people from all walks of life–pastors, children, grandparents, businessmen and women, multiple denominations—all showing the same message.

In front of us is a massive sun. Its bright light inhibits our view, allowing us just a glimpse of the road immediately before us, but no more than that. We may squint, pull down the visor and try to see around it, but eventually we become fatally blinded by its radiance.

For thousands of years, humanity continues to travel this road. But, we’re coming to its end. The closer we get, the more signs we’ll see. And the brighter and more deadly the sunlight becomes.

The Last Generation

The battle is obviously a spiritual one—and it is right here in Center Grove. On one end of Stone’s Crossing—at the High School—are teenagers who believe God speaks to people. They heard his voice.  Out in the middle of the football field late at night God revealed to them that they were part of the last generation. God, they told me, is rising up a mighty army of men, women and children from all walks of life; he’s pouring out his Holy Spirit upon the land in preparation for the final battle of mankind.

In another part of Center Grove is a pastor who believes we can be lead by God, but that God doesn’t speak to us—at all. There’s no “still small voice” in your head he told a friend of mine.

A few blocks to the North is one of the foremost experts on exorcism in the United States—Father Vince. He was an advisor to the movie The Rite, staring Anthony Hopkins. The Catholic Church claims a 500% increase in demonic possession in the last decade.

The Outline

We’re going to cover—1) Prophets and Prophetic gifts, 2) Attributes of God, Satan and both team’s angels, 3) The Battle ground, 4) Consequences of War, 5) Relationship with Christ, 6) Life beyond Earth, and 7) Understanding the macro spiritual environment.

Section 1:

Prophets and Prophetic Gifts

Q: What do you think of when you hear the word “prophet?”

 Q: Do you think prophets still exist today?

We’re going to look into “prophets” and the meaning of the “prophetic gift.” This is first in the outline because some of the materials I’ll be reference come from folks who have this gift and it will be interesting to read their viewpoint on the world.

But first, let’s check out what the Bible says about them.

What is the gift?

A gift to receive visions, dreams and hear the voice of God clearly

• Numbers 12:6
• Numbers 24:16:
  • the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:

Who Can Have the gift?

Given to men, women and children.

• Exodus 15:20 (Miriam)
• Judges 4:4 (Deborah)
• Acts 2:17 (all)
  • “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

How can you determine if the person has the gift or not?

Deuteronomy 18:22

• If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed.

Where does it Come From?

Originates from the Spirit of God

• 1 Samuel 19:20
  • But when they saw a group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing there as their leader, the Spirit of God came on Saul’s men, and they also prophesied.
  • 2 Peter 1: 20-21
    • For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Can it be abused?

Gift that can be abused by corrupted humans

• Deuteronomy 13:1-5
  • If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, 2 and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, “Let us follow other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,” 3 you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. 5 That prophet or dreamer must be put to death for inciting rebellion against the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. That prophet or dreamer tried to turn you from the way the LORD your God commanded you to follow. You must purge the evil from among you.

What is the purpose of the gift?

Gift used to edify the saints

• Because God loves us: 2 Samuel 12:25
  • and because the LORD loved him, he sent word through Nathan the prophet
  • In order to support us: Ezra 5:2
    • And the prophets of God were with them, supporting them
    • To give us God’s perspective on situations: Ezra 9:11
      • you gave through your servants the prophets when you said: ‘The land you are entering to possess is a land polluted by the corruption of its peoples. By their detestable practices they have filled it with their impurity from one end to the other.

Is it still around today?

Continued through the New Testament

• Acts 11:27-
  • During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
  • Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.
  • Part of today’s church
    • I Corinthians 12:28
      • And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.
• Ephesians 2:19-21
  • Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.
  • Given to the church by Christ himself
    • Ephesians 4:11
      • So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
• 2 Peter 1:19
  • We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
  • Exist in the Future
    • Revelation 11:10
      • The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.

Does Satan Have Prophets?

Satan has his counterfeits

• Revelation 16:13
  • Then I saw three impure spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
  • Isaiah 44:25 (diviners, sorcerers, palm readers)
    • who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense,
• Jeremiah 14:14: claiming the mantel of God, but not believing in him
  • Then the LORD said to me, “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds.
• They disguise sin and don’t edify: Lamentations 2:14
  • The visions of your prophets were false and worthless; they did not expose your sin to ward off your captivity. The prophecies they gave you were false and misleading.
  • Ezekiel 22:28: Her prophets whitewash these deeds for them by false visions and lying divinations. They say, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says’—when the LORD has not spoken.

• They look like real prophets
  • Matthew 7:15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
  • Can deceive even Christians: Matthew 24:24, Mark 13:22: For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

• They quietly introduce heresies and may appear as Pastors, teachers, etc. 2 Peter 2:1
  • But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.

How do we determine the difference between God’s Prophets and Satan’s?

We need to test the Spirits in order to determine which is from God.

• I John 4:1
  • Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
  • I Thessalonians 5:19
    • Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.