January 22, 2015
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The Book Of Revelation
Today's Article: #51 Dealing With the Devil - Fear Not

By Dr. Stephen Phinney   

 

DEALING WITH THE DEVIL AND THOSE WHO FOLLOW HIM

"Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time" (Rev. 20:1-3).

 

In chapter 19, we saw the great white horse and his rider. In this chapter, we will see the Great White Throne of Judgment and balancing of the moral scales. As a reminder, Christ is here on earth and has removed the Beast and False Prophet by throwing them into the lake of fire. Now we start this wonderful chapter with Christ binding and sending Satan to the pit for a thousand years. He is removing all distractions and potential conflict, as He sets the stage for Judgment. But before I commentate on chapter 20, I want to address a common factor "Christians" struggle with in reading the final two chapters of Revelation - fear.

 

FEAR NOT MY CHILD

In Matthew 24:4-6, Christ mentions the appearing of false prophets three times. Jesus said to His disciples, "See to it that no one misleads you (vs 4). For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will mislead many' (vs. 5). You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end" (vs. 6).

 

In Matthew 24:4, Christ foretells the going forth of deceivers. He begins with a caution, "See to it that no one misleads you." The disciples expected to be told when these things should be, to be let in on the secret. But this caution only piqued their curiosity. Christ wanted the disciples to mind their duty, follow Him, and not be seduced from following Him. The fact is that Christ conceals much prophetic knowledge because of evildoers, not Bridal members. If Christ had revealed what the Father has concealed, the lawless men would use it to mislead many. Most inquisitive types need to be kept away from the secret things of God; otherwise, they will use them to seduce.

 

Christ reveals that seducers are more dangerous enemies to the Church than are persecutors.  Second Thess. 2:3-4 tells us: "Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God."

 

This is the message for the Bride: we will be perfected by "staying on our toes."

 

APOSTASY MUST COME

Most conservative Christians are annoyed by other "Christians" who are liberal in their thinking - not believing the Word to be literal. In the end-times, many...Read More Here
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Dealing With the Devil. Copyright � 2015 IOM America. Permission to reproduce for educational purposes. Please keep author's name intact.  
 
All Scriptures, unless otherwise stated, are taken from the New American Standard Bible, � Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
    

Dr. Stephen Phinney's Personal Website:   Click Here  

  

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