The Devil’s Last Attempt at Victory

I. THE DESIRE OF THE DEVIL

A. His History

1. His beauty
a. He was perfect in beauty (Ezekiel 28:12).
b. His covering was of sardius, topaz, diamond, beryl, onyx, jasper, sapphire, emerald, carbuncle, and gold (Ezekiel 28:13).
c. Tabrets and pipes were prepared in him in the day he was created (Ezekiel 28:13).
2. His character
a. He was perfect in his ways from the day that he was created (Ezekiel 28:15).
b. He was full of wisdom (Ezekiel 28:12).
3. His position
a. He was upon the holy mountain of God (Ezekiel 28:14).
b. He was the anointed cherub that covereth (Ezekiel 28:14).
c. He walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire (Ezekiel 28:14).
4. His sin
a. Iniquity was found in him (Ezekiel 28:15).
b. His heart was lifted up because of his beauty (Ezekiel 28:17).
c. He corrupted his wisdom by reason of his brightness (Ezekiel 28:17).
5. His abode – “in Eden the garden of God” (Ezekiel 28:13)

B. His Future

1. As the antichrist “exalteth himself above all that is called God” and “sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” (2 Thessalonians 2:4), the Devil says in his heart, “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” (Isaiah 14:13-14)
2. As war ensues in heaven, Michael and his angels fight against the dragon and prevail so that there is found no place in heaven for the dragon (Revelation 12:7-8).
3. “The great dragon” (Revelation 12:9) or “the accuser of our brethren” is cast down (Revelation 12:10) to the earth (Revelation 12:12-13). He will be “fallen from heaven . . . and cut down to the ground” (Isaiah 14:12).
4. When Christ returns to the earth to establish His kingdom, He will bind Satan in a bottomless pit for a thousand years (Revelation 20:1-3).
5. Afterwards, Satan shall be loosed for a little season – long enough to gather an army of earthly people to war against the saints and the beloved city (Revelation 20:7-9) only to have fire come down from God to destroy his armies (Revelation 20:9).
6. Then the Devil will be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone (Revelation 20:10).

II. THE DUTY OF THE DEVIL

A. His Hatred

1. The Devil is no longer “in the mountain of God.”
2. He now assumes the role of
a. The prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2)
b. The prince of this world (John 12:31; John 14:30; John 16:11)
c. The god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4)
3. He will soon find himself at greater odds with the Lord and lose a war to Michael resulting in his casting down to the earth (Revelation 12).
4. After a short time to torment the saints, he will find himself bound for 1,000 years after the coming of Christ.
5. He will be loosed for a season, but defeated with ease.
6. You can have no doubt that Satan despises God and anything that God loves.

B. His Wanderings

1. In the days of Job, the Devil went “to and fro in the earth” (Job 1:7; Job 2:2).
2. He “walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

C. His Diligence

1. The Devil hates God far more than you love God.
2. The Devil is far more zealous in his efforts to stop the work of God than you are to further it.

III. THE DEVICES OF THE DEVIL

A. The Nature of His Devices

1. He works subtilly (Genesis 3:1)
2. He beguiles (Genesis 3:13; 2 Corinthians 11:3)
3. He disguises (2 Corinthians 11:14)

B. The Extent of His Devices

1. He wrests scripture (Genesis 3:1-5; Matthew 4:6) and robs seed sown in the heart (Mark 4:15)
2. He provokes to disobedience (1 Chronicles 21:1)
3. He lies (John 8:44)
4. He seeks an advantage of us (2 Corinthians 2:11)
5. He hurls fiery darts (Ephesians 6:11, 16)
6. He ensnares (2 Timothy 2:26)

IV. THE DEMISE OF THE DEVIL

A. A Submitted Believer (James 4:7)

B. A Resisting Believer (James 4:7; Ephesians 4:27)

C. A Shielded Believer (Ephesians 6:16)