Satan's System Series

Victory over the Devil Series

Satan’s System

Eph. 6:12

May 27, 2007 (p.m.) FBC, Chester Mike Fogerson, Pastor

Introduction

A An uninformed army is an army in peril.

1 The enemy is delighted we don’t preach about him.

a He is more organized than the Mafia.

b His operation is so intricate/efficient that it would make Al Quaida look like a backyard children’s club.

2 Tonight we’ll look at Satan’s system as we assess two areas:

a His organization & his offense

b For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Eph 6:12 (NASB)

aa Four main divisions in his system

bb Let’s pray

I Satan’s organization

A Principalities (Greek arche: "beginning" or "principality")

1 Principal is the head of a school, the most vital fact in a case is the principal fact.

a In Scripture "principalities" seems to refer to political powers that influence government, legislators, lawmakers, etc.

b Be certain Satan is watching political campaigns, races, issues...to impose his influence.

aa Gay marriage, abortion, religious freedoms

bb Nativities in the center of town

2 In Daniel 10, Daniel is fasting for 3 weeks, praying, & God sends and angel, vision.

a Then he said to me, "Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. 13 "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. 14 "Now I have come to give you an understanding of what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to the days yet future." Dan 10:12-14 (NASB)

aa The angel was stopped/preoccupied by the Prince of Persia.

bb Some would say "Satan", quite possibly one of these principalities.

cc Notice the strength of the principality! The angel needed reinforcements from Michael!

b Only through Michael’s prevailing strength & prayers of Daniel did the vital message get through.

c WAR!

B Powers (demons): Greek dynamos

1 In this case, "one who has powers or ability"

a They work to carry out the desires of the principalities who work under Satan himself.

b There are several references (common) to principalities & powers.

aa For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers... Romans 8:38 (NASB)

...far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. Eph 1:21 (NASB)

...so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. Eph 3:10 (NASB)

bb Christ is superior to them! ...and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority... Col 2:10 (NASB)

When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. Col 2:15 (NASB)

2 These powers are demons under Satan’s control.

a Real, intelligent personalities in the spirit world who attack men in the areas of feelings, thoughts, & body.

b They ridicule, defame, distract, divide, & depress among all people.

c The devil is not omnipresent, but each demon is an extension of his character.

C Rulers of the darkness of this world.

1 The word "might" is a part of the 3rd group.

a These are lesser spirits which operate in context of a system of authority within Satan’s organization.

b Possible initiate & propagate every conceivable false teaching, occult, etc.

aa Fortune telling, witchcraft

bb Every false religion

2 These spirits are working overtime on this present generation.

a Drawing people not away from religion

b Drawing them away from the one true God!

D Spiritual wickedness is high places

1 "Wicked spirits in heavenly places."-proper translation

a "Dominions"

b These spirits’ responsibilities extend to every city, village, home, institution, government, & person.

c Every area has an evil spirit assigned to it.

2 Also may include weather in a region (Satan has left nothing out).

3 It’s possible the enemy has demons who are responsible for various/specialized schemes.

a Physical (attack the body)

b Psychological (adults, children)

c Elements

d Machines

He’s organized so he can attack (transitional sentence).

II Satan’s offense (perhaps the earliest book was Job, the only document of its age still in existence). First words inspired by God to men.