Living Under The Shadow of satan's Throne
PPT 1 Series Title "Shadows"
Shadows for this series simply means a sphere of influence. We can live under the shadow of our past, the shadow of the Most High, shadow of fear, the shadow of satan's throne, and all these things will create an influence and atmosphere over our lives.
PPT 2 Message Title
The big Idea: Where you live impacts your life in very significant ways, but that doesn't mean it has to control your life.
PPT 3 text
Re 2:12 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this:
Re 2:13 "I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith, even in the days of Antis, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
Illus: Recently I went on vacation to a country that has very wealthy areas (compared to the locals) and areas where there is a lot of crime and violence. I stayed at a place where the "wealthy," stay. Many of these places are very close to each other, that was the case where I stayed. I had read of US State Department warnings about crime and violence and I was somewhat concerned about the situation. It turns out the place I stayed at was right next to the national police training academy, and the national drug enforcement academy. Those places have an influence on the area around them, so even though I was near a crime ridden area I felt very safe.
In contrast to that the church in Pergamum lived under the shadow of satan's throne. There is a vast difference of atmosphere between living next to police headquarters and living next to satan's throne. As believers though we may live under the shadow of satan's throne, we are always living under the shadow of the most High, and in the same way that Moses' staff ate the snakes of Pharaoh's magicians, God's shadow overrules satan's shadow. But that is not to say we do not feel any of the influence of the devil's shadow.
Let me now give you an observation and then a couple of encouraging thoughts.
Observation 1:
The devil probably has a physical location or headquarters on planet earth. I think it used to be in the middle east. Daniel had to fight against and live in an atmosphere that was dominated by what the bible calls, "the Prince of Persia." Paul in Ephesians speaks of spiritual wickedness in high places implying demonic entities. In Revelation the throne of satan was located in what is known as modern day Turkey. I am sure he probably has moved his headquarters around from time to time.
The main thing I want to get across is that there are places you can live that are more subject to, and influenced by, evil powers. (Don't get worried good news coming!) If you live near an evil stronghold your live will feel it's impact. The letter to Church of Pergamum has reference to any segment of the church that is living near and influenced by demonic strongholds. In fact if you read more of Revelation 2 you will see how evil ideas and behaviors had impacted many in that church. If you live near satan's throne you will have to work harder to protect yourself from the influence of his shadow.
Helpful thought 1:
Whose report will you believe? I will believe the report of the Lord.
This goes back to the story of the 12 spies in Numbers 13, and 14. One group were influenced by their fears the other was motivated by their faith. As it relates to this message, let me ask you a very important question... "Whose shadow are you living under?" If you answer I live near the devil's throne that will give vent to fears, and doubts and defeat. If you recognize you live near satan's throne but declare, "I live under the shadow of the most High," that will give vent to faith, strength, courage and victory. Though we live near satan's throne we can cast off most of it's influence, by believing and declaring, "Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world."
The Apostle Paul knew what it was to have a target on his back that the devil was constantly aiming at. Many times the Jews tried to kill him, but they couldn't because until he finished his assignment he was beyond the power of hell to kill. Beyond that he taught that no matter who is against you, you will always have access to the love and presence of God:
PPT 4 text
Ro 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Ro 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
He says something equally amazing a couple of verses before this passage:
PPT 5 text:
Ro 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
In other words he is saying if God is on your side, it doesn't matter what the devil does because God will make it all work out for good. So don't confess you live near satan's throne always confess you are living under God's shadow with all it's benefits.
Helpful thought 2:
Satan's shadow has an expiration date.
PPT 6-7 text
Re 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
Re 20:8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
Re 20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
Re 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Expiration date!
PPT 8-9 text
1Pe 5:8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
1Pe 5:9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.
1Pe 5:10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
After you have suffered for a little while = expiration date!
Helpful thought 3:
God knows where we live.
That should bring you some comfort. God hasn't misplaced you, or forgotten where you are and what you are dealing with.
He knows and He is not worried for our sake. Jesus overcame the world even though he faced death/death threats almost constantly. And when He finally was killed it became the greatest victory the world has ever known.
So don't confuse the presence of an enemy with defeat. Even though I'm surrounded, I'm surrounded by You.
He prepares a banqueting table in the presence of our enemies.
Helpful thought 4:
God expects us to overcome even while living near satan's throne and will reward us for doing that.
PPT 10 text
Re 2:17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.'
When I say God expects I don't mean it as a requirement, like when we say to our children, "I expect you to do your homework." Instead I mean it as a confident trust. I expect you are going to do great things in your life. God has confidence we will overcome because He has rigged the end to turn out that way, He predestined us to be conformed to the image of His son!
Our reward for overcoming:
Hidden manna - something you can't see. It is a direct reference the manna that was placed in the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies. So God is saying overcomers will have special access to the inner sanctum of God's presence and the white stone from Pergamum will be a special badges of honor in heaven for those who have overcome in spite of living close to satan's throne.
Close: Can you say: I feel the heat of satan's throne, I have let God's standards slip? I am not doing as well as I should be doing, I have let bad influence get the upper hand in my life. Do you want prayer to be strengthened to be an overcomer? Has God convicted you that you have had too much negative talk about satan's power and not enough about God's almighty power? Let's pray...
