Satan and his Demons play a prominent role in the history of the world and they are still active within it today.
Join us Wednesday at 6:00 pm as Pastor McShaffrey explains the origin, nature, and work of the fallen angels. Lecture outlines are below:
Lucifer – Fallen Cherub
1. There was a time (before the world was fully formed) when all the Angels joyfully served God (Job 38:4-7).
2. Lucifer was an Anointed Cherub who was full of wisdom and perfect in beauty (Ezekiel 28:11-15).
3. Lucifer’s heart was lifted up with pride and he aspired to be like God (Ezekiel 28:17, Isaiah 14:12-14).
4. Because of Lucifer’s rebellion, he was expelled from heaven and cast down to the earth (Isaiah 14:15, Ezekiel 28:17).
5. It appears that Lucifer continued to have at least some access to heaven after his expulsion (Job 1:6-7).
Satan – The Deceiver
1. From the beginning (i.e., the fall of man), deception has been Satan’s favorite method of operation (John 8:44).
2. Satan’s deceptions are not usually obvious, but wrapped in a subtle package (Genesis 3:1, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15).
3. Satan deceives by questioning the authority of God’s word, slightly twisting it, or denying it outright (Genesis 3:1-4).
4. Satan will typically appeal to man’s desire to be autonomous or to his pride (Genesis 3:5-6, 1 Timothy 3:6-7).
5. Satan employs weak and/or evil people in his program of deception (e.g., Eve, Cain, False Prophets, Judas, etc.).
Satan – The Accuser
1. The word “Satan” literally means “adversary” or “accuser” in the Hebrew language (especially with the definite article).
2. There was a time when Satan had access to heaven and accused men before God (Job 1:6-12; 2:1-8).
3. God’s response to Satan’s false accusations is symbolically foreshadowed in the priest/king Joshua (Zechariah 3:1-10).
4. Jesus’ death and resurrection resulted in Satan’s expulsion from heaven as the accuser (Luke 10:17-19, John 12:31-33, Revelation 12:7-10).
5. Christians now have an “Advocate” in Heaven rather than an “Accuser” (1 John 2:1-2, Romans 8:31-34, Colossians 2:13-17).
Satan – Antichrist
1. The title “Anti-Christ” literally means (1) “against” or (2) “in place of” God’s Anointed in the Greek language (???????????).
2. Satan’s opposition to Christ’s birth is symbolically described in Revelation 12:1-4 and detailed throughout OT history.
3. During Christ’s incarnation, Satan opposed him through temptation and accusation (Matthew 4:1-11, 12:22-30).
4. Having failed to destroy Christ, Satan opposes his church through heretics and heresies (2 Cor. 11:13-15, 1 John 4:1-3).
5. In the last days, the other meaning on “anti” (i.e., in place of/substitute) will be made manifest (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).
Old & New Testament
1. In the OT, demons are described as “satyrs” “dragons” and “night creatures” (lilith) who inhabit the dark wastelands (Isaiah 13:19-22, 34:14).
2. Men served and worshiped demons in OT times through idolatry and immorality (Deut. 32:15-17, Leviticus 17:6-7).
3. In the NT, demons are found tormenting men – even children – both mentally and physically (Matthew 17:14-18).
4. Jesus’ presence frightened the demons because they knew his identity and mission (James 2:19, Mark 1:23-24).
5. When confronted, Jesus rebuked, silenced (lit., muzzled), and cast out demons with all authority (Mark 1:25–28).
The Demoniac
1. The demoniac was a danger to himself and others. He was therefore segregated from society (Mark 5:1-5). Sometimes this is necessary.
2. The demoniac was possessed by a legion of demons (5,000?) who worshiped, feared, and implored Jesus (Mark 5:6-10).
3. Jesus cleansed the man and the land by sending the unclean spirits into unclean swine — destroying both (Mark 5:11-14).
4. The man who had been possessed was restored to full physical, mental, and spiritual health (Mark 5:15-16).
5. Jesus sent the man back to his family and friends in Decapolis as a witness to Christ’s power to deliver (Mark 5:17-20). Churches began there.
Apostolic Authority
1. While issuing the Great Commission, Jesus delegated his authority over demons to the eleven (Matt. 28:18-20, Mark 16:14-20).
2. After Pentecost, the apostles exercised this authority exactly as geographically promised (Acts 1:8; 5:14-16; 8:4-8ff).
3. The demons acknowledged the authority of Christ’s apostles, but not of anyone else (Acts 19:11-16).
4. The apostles’ authority over demons caused many to seek deliverance through personal repentance (Acts 19:17-20).
5. The last apostle promised the continued exercise of this authority through more ordinary means of grace (Ephesians 6:10-20).