If you were going to look for Satan where would you find him today? Some don't believe he exists so they would say he is "in your mind." But, the Bible clearly portrays him as a real created angel that fell with other angels (See Isa. 14:12-14 and Ezk. 28:12-18 where it is symbolically described). He appears right at the start in Genesis, all through the Bible right up to the end of Revelation.
Many believe he could be found in hell where he is running the place and directing demons to keep the fires burning. But, in reality he has never been to hell. When he eventually gets there he will not be in charge because God is. Satan will then be defeated and thrown into the lake of fire where he and millions of others "will be tormented day and night forever and ever." (Rev. 20:10).
But, where is Satan today? Surprise! He is in heaven for the most part? Job 1 & 2 tell us he appeared before God with other angels there to accuse Job. He is called the "prince of the power of the air" and that our struggle is "against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Eph. 2:2; 6:12). Then Revelation 12:10b speaks of the last days of human history before Christ returns. As Satan is thrown down he is described as being in heaven where he "accuses them (the brethren) before God day and night." Imagine that. Satan is there presenting your sin to God and sometimes probably twisting the story a bit too as he did in the Garden.
This should remind us we still live in a fallen universe. Some of the problems we face may be because Satan is working against us as he did Job. It should cause us to read our Bibles and pray and be aware of these spiritual battles that he directs his demons (fallen angels) to fight here on earth. There is plenty of that around.
Satan probably knows the Bible better than any of us. So why does he resist if he knows he will lose in the end? While he knows a lot, but, he is not all knowing nor can he be everywhere. He may still think he can somehow cause Christians to fail or even lose their salvation. He won't give up.
What should you do? "...resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world." (I Pet. 5:9). Is your faith anchored in Christ alone for your forgiveness of sin? Watch our What is the Gospel video or learn more about Satan's final fall in last Sunday's message in our Livestream at http://livestream.com/discoverybaptistgigharbor/events/6024032.
Some important things coming up.
- Sun. Aug. 14 10:30 Vasiliy Kaletnik will report on his Moldova Ministry. Pastor Mark will be speaking on Rev. 13. We'll also bid farewell to Ann Fisher to USCG and Christian Hayes to take teaching post at Judson U.
- Aug. 19-21 Church Camp Out at Manchester State Park. See www.DiscoveryBaptist.org for registration info. At church on the 21st only the adult SS class will meet in addition to the regular worship. See our calendar page for more details.