Unit 15 – Satan and His Demons
Lesson 42 – God’s Victory Over Satan and The End of the Book – Gen. 3:15: Rev. 12:7-11; Rev. 13:1-10; I John 4:4; Rev. 20:7-10
1. Aim: To lead the people to understand how God has already determined how He will defeat the devil in the final days and throw him into the eternal lake of fire.
2. Explanation of the Aim: It is important to know that God has already assured us in His word of exactly how, in the end times, He will defeat the devil. John wrote,
“When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from prison and will go out to deceive the nations…They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beat and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” (Rev. 20:7-10)
We can praise God for the victory that He gives us through His infallible word.
3. The Bible Story: We can be assured by God’s word that any attempts of the devil will prove unsuccessful against the church, and fatal to his own interests. We can thank God for the victory in ours through Christ Jesus over the evil one who seeks to steal, slaughter, kill and destroy. (John 10:10)
4. Prepare to Teach: The INTRODUCTION helps the people verbalize what they already know about God’s victory over Satan and how his end will come. Ask the people why we can be confident that we have the victory over the devil through our Lord Jesus Christ? Ask the people what I John 4:4 means,
“Greater is He who is in us than the one who is in the world.”
The BIBLE STORY focuses on the passages from the book of Revelations that teach us how the God will overcome the devil in the last days. We can thank the Lord for giving us the assurance that we do not have to be overcome with evil, but can overcome, overpower and overwhelm evil with good.
The MEANING FOR OUR LIVES gives the people an opportunity to make applications from the lessons about the using the victory that is ours in Christ Jesus over the world, the flesh and the devil. Ask the people why we can be confident that we can live victoriously over sin, the world, the flesh and the devil? Ask the people how they apply the promise that says, “Faith is the victory that overcomes the world.” (I John 5:4,5) Find out how the people plan to utilize all the weapons of righteousness that are given to us in the scriptures to fight the good fight of faith?
Introduction
Allow the people an opportunity to tell you what they already know about God’s victory over Satan and how he will be defeated in the last days. Ask the people why we can be confident that we can always experience victory over the devil? Question the people to see if they understand how the world, the flesh and the devil cooperate in trying to spiritually defeat human beings. Ask the people what I John 4:4 means that says,
“Faith is the victory that overcomes the world.” Find out if the people know how we can continue to overcome evil with good?
The Bible Story
The terrible war that is yet to be raged will occur in heaven between Christ and the devil. During the last days we can expect that a fierce war will break out between the forces of light versus the schemers of evil. With Christ as the head of the church there is certainty of victory over all evil forces.
The danger occurs when people, politics or other things try to replace Christ as the head of any particular church. In the last days the devil will appear in the presence of the Almighty to accuse the people of God. May we all make every effort not to let the devil have anything that he can accuse us of the sins of commission, omission, wrong attitudes or false assumptions.
If we do fall let us be sure to claim the advocacy of the blood and person of Christ. Let us also use the word of our testimony to His truth, His gospel and the great things He has done in our lives. Let us stand firm in the evil day with the determination to lay down our lives for Christ’s purposes if it is necessary. It takes great courage to be a good soldier of Jesus Christ, but can we give anything less than what Jesus has already sacrificed for us?
Throughout the 2000 years of Christianity, godly people have overcome the power of idolatry with the weapons of righteousness and we must follow their fine examples. If we expect to gain the heavenly crown of victory we must engage the enemy with all of the weapons of righteousness in our left and right hands.
The more we utilize the good weaponry and armament He provides, the great in quantity and quality will be our victories. Do not try to blend in your weaponry, other elements beyond what God has given you from His word and His Spirit. His gracious gifts are sufficient for whatever opposition we will face
We know that the devil, defeated in his designs upon the church, will turn his anger against persons and places as a sign of his strength. Peter wrote, “Be sober and vigilant, for your adversary the devil prowls around you as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.” (I Pet. 5:8) However, as we are faithful to God and Christ, in doctrine, worship, and practice. Christians will one day completely expose the futility of Satan’s strategies.
Eventually, we can be certain that we do not have to be overcome by evil, but will overcome evil with the good found in Christ, His word and through His Holy Spirit.
Let us understand how the devil will try to wage war against the people of God.
The first effort will be through the antichrist who will control immense worldly power.
The second beast will be under the beast of the sea, the devil. This second beast will be a secular power disguised in religious clothing. This compromising group will join in the fight against God (Just as the religious leaders, scribes and Pharisees waged a secret war against Jesus Christ).
Under the control of this second beast many people will be deceived as it works charitable works for its so-called humanitarian purposes. This organization will be a spiritual dominion, professing to be derived from Christ, and exercised at first in a gentle manner, but soon will speak like the devil and so betray its true source of power. Jesus said it best, “You will know them by their fruit.”
The apostle John, in Revelation, sees Satan rising out of the sea as a tyrannical, idolatrous, persecuting power, springing up out of the troubles that will take place. God’s word teaches us that worldly powers will continue to try to oppress the people and the kingdom of God and remain hostile to His true church.
The devil will continually oppress and persecute the righteous people because He hates all form of godliness. It should surprise no one that the suffering of Christians will get worse as the end draws near. Paul wrote,
“All who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (2 Tim. 3:12) The source of persecution will come from the world, the flesh, but be orchestrated by the devil. Evil persecution is designed and supported by the devil. Note that there will be many counterfeit groups that are drawn to false prophets because of the power they so desire.
Be careful that you do not fall prey to clever teaching that is only designed to satisfy the desires of itching ears. These are groups that admire the power, success and worldly wisdom but deny the power of God to rule over them. These groups are actually wolves in sheep’s clothing.
Many people will pay honor and subject themselves to the devil’s emissaries so they can temporarily share in worldly power. This too is a form of idolatry where men give their allegiance to the devil’s instruments.
We can thank God that the devil’s power and success are limited. Christ has a chosen remnant, redeemed by his blood, recorded in his book, sealed by his Spirit; and though the devil and antichrist may overcome the body, and take away the natural life, they cannot conquer the soul, nor prevail with true believers.
No one can force us to disobey God’s will without our permission. The truly committed believers will not forsake their Savior or join the enemy.
Those who persevere in the faith of the gospel and the true worship of God, in this great hour of trial and temptation, which would deceive all but the elect, will be saved. Yet, this future picture is given so that we can gain a powerful motivation and encouragement from God’s steadfast assurance of victory over all that is evil.
Memory Verse: You dear people, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (I John 4:4)
The Meaning for Our Lives
Give the people an opportunity to make application from the lesson concerning the fact that ours in the victory over evil through Christ Jesus.
Ask the people why we can be confident that we can live victoriously over the world, the flesh and the devil through Christ, the scriptures and the power of the Holy Spirit? Ask the people how they can apply the promise from I John 5:4,5 that says,
“Faith is the victory that overcomes the world.” Ask the people how they can apply I John 4:4 that says, “Greater is He who is in you than the one who is in the world?
Response:
Song: Faith is the victory that overcomes the world.
Prayer: Ask the Lord to help you appropriate that victory that you have in Christ while overcoming the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil.
At Home: Ask your friends how they overcome the powers of the evil one by applying I John 4: 4 to their lives?
