Sermon Cloud

Intro: Preparation is a key to survival (fire drills etc.).  Jesus prepares His people for trouble.

Big Idea: Jesus protects His people from Satan’s multi-pronged attack.

Context: The 4^th vision continues to summarize what happens after the Dragon is thrown down to earth.  We get a portrait of Satan’s methods, not a timeline of history.

I. Jesus overcomes Satan’s deception thru truth.

-         The vision brings us back to verse 6, the Woman’s flight from the dragon.

-         Dragon => Counterfeit of God the Father.  It slowly unveils a counterfeit Trinity.

-         While Jesus is in heaven, the Dragon is on earth wrecking havoc.  Ill. Spiderman

-         Two great wings emerge to carry Her to the place God has provided. 

-         Some paint fantastic ideas (7^th fleet), but it is an allusion to Exodus 19.  Ill. The Hobbit

-         His first strategy is deception!  A river of lies flies from the Serpent’s mouth.  Ill. wadis

-         The earth opens up, like the Red Sea, to protect Her from the onslaught of deception.

-         Satan still seeks to deceive people with lies about Jesus, salvation etc.

-         Jesus protects us w/Truth, the Word of God, to combat these deceptions.  Ill. Creeds

-         By His grace testify, declaring truth in the presence of our enemies.

Transition: Satan’s first strategy is deception.  But Jesus, the Truth, is enough to defend us.

II. Jesus overcomes Satan’s persecution thru protection.

-         Failing to deceive the Church, Satan turns his wrath in a new direction.

-         He makes war, or persecutes, parts of the Church.

-         Rarely is the whole Church persecuted at the same time.  Ill. Farida (WW letter)

-         We know these people are Christians because they obey God and testify about Jesus.

-         To execute this war he calls forth 2 beasts.  He seeks to destroy the Church thru force.

-         Beast from the Sea => Counterfeit of God the Son (13:1-4).

-         He has great power, like the Dragon, but he speaks blasphemy- as if he’s god.

-         Some Roman emperors claimed to be gods.  Today the State is God.  Ill. Communism

-         Beast from the Land => Counterfeit of God the Spirit (13:11-14).

-         The Spirit points people to Jesus.  This beast points people to the other to worship.

-         Jesus continues to protect His people, though there are casualties.

-         By His grace His people embrace martyrdom- loving Jesus > their earthly life.

-         Political pressure, designed to make you forsake Jesus, provokes greater testimony.

Transition: Satan’s second strategy is persecution.  Jesus is a strong tower, able to defend Her.

III. Jesus overcomes Satan’s seduction thru provision.

-         Deception & persecution are not successful.  Jesus still reigns!  The Church still exists!

-         His next strategy is to seduce the Church.  The Harlot => a Counterfeit Church (17).

-         She entices to worldliness- to love the pleasures/benefits of this world more than Jesus.

-         She makes Christmas about toys, jewelry, & gadgets.  All but Jesus.  Ill. MacArthur

-         She’ll make you think you can’t live if you don’t have your heart’s desire.  Ill. Black Fri.

-         Jesus promises to provide all we need, so we seek Him above all His gifts.

-         Most important, Jesus offers us Himself.  He is the manna from heaven to sustain us.

-         Obedience is rooted in love, delighting in Jesus.  Ill. Traffic School.

Conclusion:  Satan seeks to destroy through deception, persecution and seduction.  Jesus saves His people despite Satan’s best efforts.  He is still alive and well.  How do you see him seeking to destroy you?  Jesus has provided a means of escape- in part by warning you.  Do you use it?