SATAN’S KINGDOM

1. There was once a man who was known by all his neighbors as the town tightwad.

2. This fellow was a living definition for the word cheapskate.

3. One day this skinflint got so sick he thought he would die.

4. At the time of this man’s illness the local hospital was trying to accumulate some funds.

5. According to the story the tightwad promised $500 to the hospital if he was cured.

6. When this event occurred, $500 was a lot of money.

7. Given the fact that the sick man was a miser, $500 was an incredibly large sum.

8. Doctors came to the man’s aid and it was not too long before made a full recovery.

9. His health returned but he didn’t pay any portion of the money he had promised.

10. After several months went by a doctor eventually asked him about his pledge.

11. The tightwad said to the doctor, “I promised what!?”

12. “I was too ill to know what was said so that promise was not a promise.”

IN LIFE WE OFTEN SEE TWO VERY DIFFERENT EXTREMES.

a) On the one hand we find people who are unbelievably honest.

b) If a promise is made, this type of person will fulfill it no matter what the cost.

c) For these people a promise is like an iron bond.

d) On the other hand, there are people like the miser.

e) Promises are made but the deals are not kept.

2) When we look at the Bible we find these two same extremes.

3) One example of this is found in the word kingdom.

4) God has a kingdom, and heaven’s kingdom is one of honesty and integrity.

5) Another kingdom is operated by Satan.

6) In the kingdom of the devil there is deceit, trickery, and treachery.

a) We know that Satan has a kingdom because the Lord said so.

b) In Mt. 12:26 Jesus said the devil has a kingdom.

c) This verse, of course, was written before Jesus was raised from the dead.

7) After Jesus’ resurrection, some of Satan’s authority was removed.

8) To a certain degree Satan’s kingdom has been reduced (limited).

9) Satan’s rule has been hindered but he has not lost his kingdom.

10) We know this because of my next verses, and both of these will be read.

11) Rev. 13:2 will be read next; Acts 26:18 after that; then 2 Cor. 4:4.

12) A final verse will be Eph. 2:2.

13) If you are writing down references you might also include Col. 1:13.

14) Each of these verses deals with a period of time after Jesus was resurrected.

15) Because these are post resurrection verses, they tell us about Satan’s current level of power.

16) Let’s begin with Rev. 13:2 – READ.

17) When John spoke of a dragon he referred to Satan.

a) About 60 years after Jesus died, Jesus offered several detailed facts about the devil.

b) Notice what is specifically stated in this verse.

c) Satan gave someone “his power” (power from the devil).

d) Satan gave someone “his throne” (a throne implies rule/a kingdom).

e) Satan also gave away authority, and it was “great authority” (power).

f) Satan does have a kingdom and he is not without authority and rule.

18) Our second reference comes from Acts 26:18.

19) Prior to this verse we have information about Paul’s conversion.

20) At a previous time Jesus told Paul what he would need to after becoming a Christian.

21) Jesus told Paul he was going to be a minister of the word (verse 16).

22) Part of his work would involve taking the truth to the Gentiles (verse 17).

23) Another point made by the Lord is found in verse 18 – READ.

24) Satan is said to have “power.”

25) He does have a kingdom, and it is a reign of “darkness.”

26) God offers the devil has an empire but his empire is not the only one that exists.

27) God also has a kingdom which offers “remission of sins” as well as an “inheritance.”

28) If these items are in the kingdom of God, we may infer that they are not in Satan’s kingdom.

29) Satan kingdom is a place of no inheritance (no good inheritance) as well as corruption.

30) Our third reference is 2 Cor. 4:4.

a) I cite this passage to bring Satan’s kingdom into sharper focus.

b) We know he has a kingdom, but where is it?

c) Furthermore, since the devil’s kingdom, what is his position?

d) Paul deals with these questions in this verse – READ 2 Cor. 4:4.

31) After the resurrection God said through Paul that Satan is the “god of this world.”

32) According to the Lord, Satan’s kingdom consists of the unsaved living on planet earth.

33) Satan has the souls of many in his grasp and he strives to keep as many citizens as he can.

34) One of his tools to keep citizenship levels high is “blinding the minds of the unbelieving.”

35) Satan uses techniques like unbelief to keep people from knowing the truth.

36) He is very good at what he does, and the size of his kingdom proves that.

37) More than once Jesus warned how the kingdom of God would have few residents.

38) If people are not in the Kingdom of God, there is only one other place they can be: Satan’s kingdom.

39) Our final reference is Eph. 2:2, and that will be read in just a moment.

40) I did not list 1 Thess. 4 a moment ago but that verse will also be read.

41) When Paul spoke about the second coming of Jesus he seems to make a subtle point about Satan.

42) The exact reference will be 1 Thess. 4:17, and it ties in with Eph. 2:2.

43) Eph. 2:2 needs to be read first so if you have found that passage let’s read it now – READ Eph. 2:2.

a) Satan is referred to as a “prince,” another description consistent with a kingdom.

b) His current position is further described as the “powers of the air.”

c) This is an expression that we want to hold on to for just a moment.

d) These few words become even more significant when compared with 1 Thess 4.

44) For now we can say that Satan operates in the world and he has dominion and power.

45) With this information in mind we are ready for the 4^th chapter of First Thessalonians.

46) Verse 16 of 1 Thess. 4 reminds us of what is being discussed – READ.

a) Paul spoke to these Christians about the second coming of Jesus.

b) When the Lord returns the events of verse 17 will occur – READ.

c) Jesus will meet people “in the air.”

d) This is a specific detail and God had a purpose in revealing it to us.

47) Have we ever asked ourselves why Jesus will meet people in the air?

48) If we use Eph. 2:2 in considering this question we can propose a Biblical answer.

49) Satan is the prince of the powers of the air; this is a fact.

50) In many ways the Lord has already shown His power over the devil.

51) Satan could not beat Him in the wilderness. Satan could not keep Him in the grave.

52) The devil was not able to stop Christ from building the church (kingdom).

53) By meeting Satan on what we might call His “own turf” at the end of time, Jesus will again show His superiority.

54) Jesus will meet Satan in the very place where the devil is known as the prince.

55) Satan has a kingdom but he and his kingdom are living on borrowed time.

56) He has power, but it will one day be completely stripped from him.

AS WE THINK ABOUT THESE TWO KINGDOMS IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER WHAT EACH OFFERS. WE CAN DO THIS BY WAY OF CONTRAST.

a) Both God and Satan will allow us to be part of their kingdom.

b) 1 Tim. 5:15 refers to those who have “turned aside after Satan.”

c) Satan will let people come right on in to his domain if they so desire.

d) Jesus said we can also enter the kingdom of God (Jn. 3:3, 5) if we do what the word says.

e) In God’s kingdom good seed is sown (Mt. 13:24).

f) Satan’s kingdom consists of weeds (Mt. 13:38-39).

g) Both kingdoms make use of scripture (God: Lk. 4:4; Satan: Lk. 4:10-11).

h) Only one kingdom, however, uses the Bible accurately.

i) Jesus opens the minds of believers while the devil tries to blind minds (Lk. 24:45; 2 Cor. 4:4).

j) Jesus and the members of His kingdom are in the light, Col. 1:12-13.

k) Satan and citizens of his kingdom are in darkness (Eph. 5:8).

2) In the kingdom of Christ people speak and live by the truth (Jn. 8:31-32).

3) Satan and His kingdom is a bunch of lies (Jn. 8:44).

4) Satan focuses on doubt, unbelief, confusion, and despair.

5) Jesus’ kingdom is all about hope, faith, clarity, and good news.

6) Satan uses diversion, temptation, enticement, and defilement.

7) Jesus’ kingdom is straight forward and emphasizes righteousness and purity.

8) Satan likes deceit, lying, and accusations.

9) In the kingdom of God there is truth, truth, and more truth—no falsehood.

10) The Bible presents Satan as someone who wants to tear down and destroy.

11) In contrast to this way of life Jesus said He came to “give life.”

12) Christ’s kingdom offers what is good while Satan’s offers what is evil.

13) Satan encourages rebellion; in the kingdom of God the stress is upon obedience.

14) Satan says any worship is fine, and that is the rule for his kingdom.

15) God’s kingdom says worship must be in spirit and truth (Jn. 4:24).

16) Satan’s kingdom concentrates on destruction; the kingdom of Christ focuses on salvation.

17) Satan is a murderer; Jesus created a kingdom to give eternal life.

18) Satan heads an organization that wants to devour, torment, create fear, and divide.

19) Jesus is king of something that saves, creates peace and joy, and unites people.

20) Satan is the old serpent (Rev. 12:9) while Jesus is the bread of life (Jn. 6:35).

21) Satan has offered miracles in his kingdom (2 Thess. 2:9), but they are counterfeit.

22) Not one of the miracles associated with God’s kingdom is untrue.

23) Satan has communion in his kingdom (1 Cor. 10:20), but it does no good.

24) God’s kingdom offers communion which reminds us of the life we have through Christ.

25) Satan’s kingdom has a gospel (Gal. 1:6-9), but it condemns those who hear and obey it.

26) The gospel of God’s kingdom saves the soul (Rom. 1:16).

27) Satan even has “sons,” Jn. 8:44.

28) We can be a son of Satan and a citizen of his kingdom or chose option # 2.

29) Two kingdom exists and we get to choose which one want to be part of in this life and eternity.

30) Is not the right choice clear?

31) Have we made this choice and will stay with this choice every day of our life?

32) If so, it is imperative that we encourage others to embrace the Kingdom of God as well.