What Is Satan’s History and Techniques? by ‘brother bill’
The Deceiver Hands Over the KeysRead
(Revelation 12:7-12, KJV)
And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
Read
(Revelation 13:1-8, KJV)
And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Reflect
Read the order of events slowly, because the order is the lesson.
First, a loser: The dragon is thrown out of heaven, and Scripture gives him three titles in one verse: serpent, devil, Satan. The job description that follows is the one that matters: he deceives the whole world. Not conquers. Deceives.
Second, a hand-off: “The dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.” The beast has no strength of its own. It is a borrowed throne.
Third, a slogan: “Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?” That is the sales pitch of every empire in one line: resistance is futile, and there is no alternative. A defeated enemy is working very hard to look undefeated.
Forth: he overpowered the saints as it says, so he looks unbeatable: And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
Now, count what the text says about the beast’s limits. Its power is “given.” By who and where does their power come from?It lasts a set time. The saints “overcame” the dragon, and the weapons were the blood of the Lamb, a faithful word, and a willingness to lose everything. Notice A better tax code is not on the list.
Look Around
Watch for the slogan. Whenever a system says “there is no other way,” whenever dissent is treated as madness and the crowd is told to marvel, ask who handed the system its power and who gains from your awe.
But, be disciplined. The sea in Revelation is a picture of the nations in turmoil, and Christians have identified the beast with Rome, with a coming ruler, and with a worldwide system. Scripture is clear on the character of the beast: claims to ultimate authority, demand for worship, war on the faithful. It is not clear on the address. Test every institution by the character, and be slow to hand out the name.
Pray
Lord Jesus, You are the One who is truly unconquerable. Keep me from being dazzled by borrowed thrones. Let me overcome the way Your people always have. Amen.
Carry It
Today, when you hear “there’s no alternative,” write down one alternative anyway. Our lord says he will never test us beyond what we are able. Think about that he must think we can handle much more than we think. He then says he will provide a way out, but so who do you trust? God or Satan the key is for us to discern the difference and take the difficult narrow way to life not the deceptively wide road leading to destruction. Blessings on your journey on the narrow road.
Brother bill/dad
