The Fight For Your Life Series

1. Revelation 20.1-6

2. Controversy over millennial issues

a. Premillennialism (A. Campbell and the Millennial Harbinger)

b. A millennialism

c. Post-Tribulation; Pre-Tribulation

d. "Pan-Millennialism" it will all pan out

3. Holy, Holy, Holy!

Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory! Isaiah 6:3

Reginald Heber was pastor of an Anglican Church in the village of Hodnet, in a church once led by his father. Between 1811 and 1821, Reginald wrote 57 hymns, which he longed to see published; but the Anglicans hadn't yet adopted the singing of hymns in worship. Heber packed away his hymns and sailed as a missionary to India, where he labored with intensity for a few short years before passing away at age 42. His hymns were published after his death, and one is famous to this day: "Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee."

In Isaiah 6, the prophet Isaiah had a vision of the throne of God, surrounded by seraphim crying, "Holy, holy, holy!" Isaiah, caught up in the worship of God, confessed his sins, was wonderfully cleansed, and offered to go and do whatever the Lord said. "Here am I! Send me."

When we worship, we get caught up in the nature of God and in His holiness. We praise Him who is merciful and mighty; and then we say, "Here am I! Send me."

I. The Spectacle of Satan -- The Attack on Life

A. He is Our Enemy Because He is the Enemy of God

1. Satan = "Adversary"; Devil = "Liar"; Accuser of brethren (Revelation 12.10)

2. Jesus' Description -- John 8.44

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

3. A warning -- 1 Peter 5.8

a. Devour the weak

b. On the prowl

B. He is Weaker than God

[Saddam Hussein left Kuwait in chaos, though he was defeated

1. Faithful martyrs honored (Stephen; Paul; Apostles; Jesus himself)

a. No compromise with "the beast" -- Exodus 20.3

b. Thrones -- 2 Timothy 2.11-13

11 The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful--

c. Places of Judgment -- 1 Corinthians 6.2-3

2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!

2. All faithful believers are holy and priests of God -- 1 Peter 2.9

C. Never Underestimate Him

1. He IS powerful; but not as powerful as God

2. Don't play with him

3. He has had generations to know us

4. Our strength is the LORD -- Psalm 118.14

The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

Disney's movie "The Lion King" features a young lion named Simba who is destined to rule the jungle but finds himself "on the outs." As the story opens, his father takes him to "Pride Rock" (the equivalent of a throne) and shows him his inheritance ... he would rule as far as his eyes could see; everywhere the sun placed its light.

Soon afterward an evil plot is set afoot and Simba's father is murdered. Simba flees. He runs from his destiny due to guilt and fear. In his absence the evil Hyenas take "Pride Rock.

The world changes when the hyenas take the throne. Their evil alters everything. The land becomes desolate and grey and life erodes into desperation.

Rafiki, the monkey, is the wise sage of the land. Rafiki seeks out Simba and helps Simba overcome his guilt and fear and aids him in understanding his destiny and person. You see, Simba did not fully grasp who he was or what power and authority he possessed.

Once Simba realized who he was, what he possessed, and his role in the society of the Savannah he returned, drove the hyenas Pride Rock, took His place as king, and restored peace and beauty to the land.

The story of pride rock serves as a very powerful parable. When evil rules, the land and its inhabitants are devastated; but when the righteousness rules ...

Simba is a good illustration of Jesus' church. Often we, like the young Lion King, fail to recognize our position and inheritance. We fail to grasp that we are "A Kingdom of priests"; destined, and given a duty that brings peace and restoration.