Lesson 10 January 4, 2004
J. The contrast with the Perfection of God
He was created blameless perfect, his state up to the Fall, he followed the will of God completely. Ezk 28:12-19 As a cherub, he was the highest rank
- most powerful - wisest of all angels. Held great authority in angelic realm. At a point, this position, power, authority resulted in him becoming arrogant, a desire to become as God Himself, to operate independent of God and His standards.
K. In contrast to God's eternity, Satan has only everlasting life.
- had a beginning since he was created
L. In contrast to God's Immensity and Omnipresence, he is sorely lacking being a finite material being.
- he can only be in one place at a time; he appears to be omnipresent because of the vast army of operatives he has, demons plus the effectiveness of the counterfeits.
M. The contrast with Omniscience:
1. He is a super genius but doesn't know the beginning from the end. Eze 28:12; 2 Cor 11:3
2. His information is acquired as God preceded him:
a. He received information before the fall from God and after from what God reveals and from observing man.
b. He is now subject to time because his appeal can only last for a fixed period, human history.
c. He can only see the actual - being a finite creature.
d. He knows the future, only through what God reveals to him and to other creatures.
e. Hence, the importance of the "overt" in the resolution of the Angelic Conflict.
N. The contrast with Omnipotence and Sovereignty:
1. Satan is a powerful creature and all angels are more powerful than man;
Eph 2:2; 1 Jn. 5:19; Rev 13:2; 2 Pt 2:11; Rev. 13:2; 2 Ths 2:9
2. But his great power does not approach Omnipotence.
3. He seeks the Sovereign rule of man. Rev 13:1-10
4. His major desire/focus is to usurp the authority of God. Isa 14
O. The Satan's relationship with man: (in contrast to God's with man)
1. Satan is an unwavering
liar. Gen 3:1-5 cf
Jn
2. He is not faithful to
man.
P. Satan can and will compromise his character at any time.
(operates on the principle that the ends justify the means)
Q. His MO of attack: (as the adversary of God, the god of this age)
Intro:
Satan is not OmPo but he is very powerful;
he is not OmSc but he is a genius;
he is not OmPr but it often appears so since he commands a vast army of fallen angels, spirits not of God; demons.
1. Counterfeiter.
2. A false gospel. Gal 1:6-9
3. False doctrines. 1 Tm 4:1;
4. False ministers, prophets and evangelists with cleverly disguised message. 2 Cor. 11:3-4; 13-15
5. A false communion table - idolatry - ritual without reality 1Cor
6. He seeks to hinder the communication of BD. 1 Ths 2:18
7. He accuses believers of sin before God. Rev 12:9-10
8. He encourages MAS, such as worry, anxiety 1 Pt 5:7-9
9. He seeks to obscure Divine Viewpoint and the believer's focus in life:
His method is to turn our focus:
a. Towards people. Jer 17:5 (get eyes on others)
- may run the gamut from intense jealousy of someone to the point of admiration [put on a pedestal] of someone to the point of loss of objectivity
b. Towards material
things - $$. Heb 13:5-6; 1 Tim 6:9-10; 1
Cor
c. Towards yourself - become hedonistic - Heb 12:2-3
Peter - Mt 26:31-35
Elijah - 1 Kg 19:10 - came under pressure - typical after all I've done for you God and you let this happen to me
10. He uses man's fear of death. Heb 2:14; Ps 23:4