Read Revelation 19
Highlights:
Rejoicing of the saints; marriage supper of the Lamb; rider on the white horse; Satan bound for a thousand years; great white throne judgement.
And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years (Rev. 20:1-2).
In the preceding chapter the beast and the false prophet are depicted as meeting their punishment in the lake of fire. In this, the devil, death, and Hades are consigned to a similar fate.
There may be many things that we do not understand in the Word of God but one thing is clear: there is a devil, that old serpent, called Satan. However, we are assured that our Lord is more powerful than Satan and that God will have the last word.
God cannot tolerate sin. Although He permitted sin to arise in His kingdom. God created Lucifer, and made him the anointed cherub, the highest of His created beings. God foreknew that Satan would pit his will against divine authority and corrupt his own nature, and that in his fallen state as Satan he would lead others into rebellion. How are thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer . . . . For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God . . . I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell (Is. 14:12-15). God also foreknew when He created man that man would rebel against Him and bring untold misery, sin and suffering upon all his descendants. Although God foresaw all, He still brought into being these creatures whose willful acts were to bring the curse of sin upon the universe.
The Bible reveals that Satan is behind all evil, seeking to destroy the work of God and all that is good. (see 1 Pet.5:8). He is a deceiver and will attempt to ensnare every Christian. In ourselves, we have no hope of overcoming the enemy but we have an indwelling power we can utilize to help us overcome the evil one. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4).
Jesus' means of defeating Satan was by the very Word that we have in our hands today — the Bible (see Matt. 4:4,7,10). The Word of God is the greatest weapon at our disposal to defeat Satan. He does not have a chance when we use the Sword of the Spirit against him. He recognizes the Word when he hears it and knows it is the inspired Word of God and he fears it.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand . . . . And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Eph. 6:13,17).
Thought for the Day: Our Captain (the Lord Jesus) and His disciples have never lost a battle.
Cross References:
For Rev. 19:2: See Ps. 19:9; Deut. 32:43; II Kin. 9:7. Rev. 19:5: See Ps. 115:13. Rev. 19:11: See Ps. 96:13. Rev. 19:16: See Deut. 10:17. Rev. 19:18: See Ezek. 39:4. Rev. 20:2-3: See Is. 24:22. Rev. 20:8: See Ezek. 38:2,15. Rev. 20:12: See Dan. 7:10.
Word Studies:
19:6 Omnipotent, All-Powerful; 19:13 vesture, robe; 20:9 compassed,surrounded.Prayer Suggestion: Pray and fast in secret so that only the Lord knows.
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 4:4
