Author: Art Davison

SATAN AND THE BOOK

REVELATION 1:9; 2:7-11

Introduction:

The word Satan in the Hebrew, is simply an “ADVERSARY,” as in 1 Kings 5:4, “But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent.” This original sense is still found in our Lord’s application of the name to the Apostle Peter in Matthew 16:23, “But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”

The Word of God, THE BOOK, or the BIBLE, is hated by Satan above every book in this world.

I. SATAN IS GOD’S ADVERSARY

A. Satan’s character, John 8:44, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”

1. The Devil (Satan) is the father of those who know not God, 1 John 3:10, “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.”

2. He who sins is of the devil, 1 John 3:8, “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”

B. Satan is the enemy of righteousness, Acts 13:10, “And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?”

C. Satan is the deceiver of the whole world, Revelation 12:9, “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

II. SATAN’S HATRED FOR THE BOOK

A. God’s Word is sent out to accomplish HIS PURPOSE, Isaiah 55:11, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

1. The creation of the universe was by the power of His Word, 2 Peter 3:5, “For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:”

2. The future of the world are reserved by the power of that same Word, 2 Peter 3:7, “But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”

B. Satan challenges the Word of God, Genesis 3:4-5, “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”

1. The father of lies is so saturated with lying that he even attempts to make God out to be a liar, John 8:44, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”

2. Satan challenges with “attractive suggestiveness”, “ye shall be as gods,” Genesis 3:5, “For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”

C. Satan knows the power of the “Book”, Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

1. This is Living (quick) Word of God, John 6:63, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”

2. The Word is Jesus Christ in the Flesh, John 1:1, 14, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,)full of grace and truth.”

3. The Word is skilled in judging (a discerner), as the surgeon has to be and able to decide on the instant what to do, Jeremiah 17:10, “I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”

D. The Book of God is a formidable enemy of Satan, Malachi 1:14, “But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.”

E. He attempts to prevent the reading of the Book because…

1. It tells of Satan’s character: Revelation 12:9, “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

2. It reveals the character of his works,

a. He is the instigator of all evil, 2 Corinthians 4:4, “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

b. He is the corrupter of churches, 2 Corinthians 2:11, “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”

c. He is the persecutor of Christians, 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”

CONCLUSION:

The Book or the Word of God is the most powerful force in this world. With it we can defend ourselves against our archenemy, the Devil. He hates “the Book” because it is beyond his power to resist, James 4:7, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

IN THE MIDST OF THE SEVEN CANDLESTICKS

REVELATION 1:12-18

Introduction:

The “candlesticks” mentioned here refer to the lampstand of the Tabernacle. It was a stand of seven lamps fueled by olive oil and burned perpetually in “holy place” of the Tabernacle just outside of the veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place.

It was NOT a candlestick OF CANDLES because candles were not invented until later by Scientist Michael Faraday, during his life in the nineteenth century.

In the “Holy of Holies” was the Ark of the Covenant where the High Priest made expiation or atonement once a year for the Hebrew congregation on the Day of Atonement.

I. SEVEN GOLDEN CANDLESTICKS vv. 12-13

A. The Voice, Exodus 20:18, “And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.”

1. The AUTHORITY of the voice causes John to turn to see who spoke, Matthew 7:28-29, “And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”

2. It was the LORD’S voice, Micah 6:9, “The LORD’S voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name: hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it.”

B. The Golden Candlesticks, Zechariah 4:2, “And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof:”

1. These REPRESENT the SEVEN CHURCHES of Asia, Revelation 1:20, “The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and THE SEVEN CANDLESTICKS which thou sawest ARE THE SEVEN CHURCHES.”

2. These churches are TO HOLD FORTH LIGHT, Matthew 5:15, “Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it GIVETH LIGHT unto all that are in the house.”

a. This LIGHT is the WORD OF GOD, Psalms 119:130, “The entrance of thy words GIVETH LIGHT; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”

b. The WORD of God BRINGS BLESSING, Luke 11:28, “But he said, Yea rather, BLESSED are they that HEAR the word of God, and KEEP IT.”

3. God’s churches are “THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD,” Matthew 5:14, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.”

a. While the Lord was here HE was the LIGHT of the world, John 9:5, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

b. Now His churches REFLECT THAT GREAT LIGHT in a DARK world, Matthew 4:16, “The people which sat in darkness SAW GREAT LIGHT; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.”

II. THE SON OF MAN IN THE MIDST OF THE CANDLESTICKS v. 13

A. John RECOGNIZED JESUS’ GLORIFIED FORM as MAN because HE SAW IT at the TRANSFIGURATION, Mark 9:2-3, “And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was TRANSFIGURED before them. 3 And his raiment became shining, EXCEEDING WHITE as SNOW; so as NO fuller on earth can white them.”

1. John HAD SEEN the Lord ENDURING the AGONY of Gethsemane, and the SHAME and ANGUISH of Calvary, Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, DESPISING THE SHAME, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

2. Now he sees Jesus in His GLORY as THE SON OF MAN, Revelation 4:1-3, “After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. 2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. 3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.”

B. The Lord Jesus’ CONTINUAL PRESENCE in the MIDST of His churches, Matthew 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I AM WITH YOU ALWAY, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

1. The Lord has NOT SENT His churches into the world ALONE, Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

2. The Lord has NOT LEFT US COMFORTLESS or WITHOUT GUIDANCE, John 14:18, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”

a. The Comforter, the Holy Spirit of God, John 14:16, 26, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

b. The Comforter will GUIDE US into all truth, John 16:13, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

3. He will NEVER LEAVE US NOR FORSAKE HIS OWN, Hebrews 13:5, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE, NOR FORSAKE THEE.”

CONCLUSION:

Jesus is in the midst of His churches. He is ever present in the person of the Holy Spirit guiding and counseling regarding the Lord’s work on this earth. He has not given us work that we cannot do, but rather, has supplied every need as individuals and as His Church to accomplish His will.

HEAVEN IS A WONDERFUL PLACE
REVELATION 21:1-3

Introduction:

There is an old Negro spiritual called “Everybody talkin’ ‘bout heav’n not goin’ there.” I hope that is not your case. Heaven is going to be more wonderful than we can imagine. What do the Scriptures say about the subject?

I. HEAVEN IS A PLACE OF UNDENIABLE REALITY

A. We do not know anything about heaven, Isaiah 64:4, “For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.”

1. Paul says we can’t even imagine what God has for us, 1 Corinthians 2:9, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

2. God has blessed us with all spiritual blessings, Ephesians 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ::

B. Three heavens are mentioned in the Bible:

1. The Firmament, or heavens, Acts 1:11, “Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”

2. The Celestial heaven, Psalms 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.”

3. The Third Heaven, 2 Corinthians 12:2, “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.”

a. Where the Father is, Psalm 102:19, “For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;”

b. Where the Son returned to, Mark 16:19, “So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.”

II. HEAVEN IS A PLACE OF UNSPEAKABLE BEAUTY

A. The Walls, Revelation 21:18, “And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.”

B. The Foundation of the walls, Revelation 21:19-20, “And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; 20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.”

C. The gates and streets of the city, Revelation 21:21, “And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.”

D. The River of Life flows from God’s throne, Revelation 22:1, “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.”

III. HEAVEN IS A PLACE OF UNENDING JOY.

A. The things that will not be in heaven:

1. No tears, Revelation 21:4, “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

2. No death, 21:4

3. No sorrow, 21:4

4. No crying, 21:4

5. No pain, 21:4

6. No sin, nor unbeliever and no evil forces, Revelation 21:27, And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

7. No sickness, Revelation 22:2, “In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”

8. No curse, Revelation 22:3, “And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:”

B. Heaven will be A HAPPY PLACE because of who will be there:

1. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, Revelation 22:4, “And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.”

2. Our Advocate, the propitiation for our sins, 1 John 3:1-2, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”

3. All of those believers who have gone on before us will be there, Revelation 22:14, “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.”

CONCLUSION:

Because Jesus died for me, I will be there. Will you be there? The heavenly city of God is open to all who will receive Jesus Christ as their Savior.

HEAVEN

REVELATION 21:1-3

Introduction:

There is an old Negro spiritual called “Everybody talkin’ ‘bout heav’n not goin’ there.” I hope that is not your case. Heaven is going to be more wonderful than we can imagine. What do the Scriptures say about the subject?

I. HEAVEN IS A PLACE OF UNDENIABLE REALITY.

A. We do not know anything about heaven, 1 Corinthians 2:9, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

B. Three heavens are mentioned in the Bible:

1. The Firmament, or heavens, Acts 1:11, “Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”

2. The Celestial heaven, Psalms 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.”

3. The Third Heaven, 2 Corinthians 12:2, “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.”

II. HEAVEN IS A PLACE OF UNSPEAKABLE BEAUTY.

A. The Foundation, Revelation 21:19-20, “And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; 20The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.”

B. The Walls, Revelation 21:18, “And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.”

C. The streets, Revelations 21:18, 21.

D. The gates, Revelation 21:21.

E. The River of Life, Revelation 22:1, “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.”

III. HEAVEN IS A PLACE OF UNENDING JOY.

A. The things that will not be in heaven:

1. No tears, Revelation 21:4.

2. No death, ” 21:4

3. No sorrow, “ 21:4

4. No crying, 21:4

5. No pain, 21:4

6. No sin, nor unbeliever and no evil forces, 21:27.

7. No sickness, 22:2.

8. No curse, 22:3

B. Heaven will be a happy place because of who will be there, Revelation 22:4; 1 John 3:1-2, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”

1. Jesus will be there,

2. All of those believers who have gone on before us will be there to greet us at our arrival.

CONCLUSION

Do you know the chorus,….

Heaven is a wonderful place,

Filled with glory and grace,

I’m going to see my Savior’s face,

Heaven is a wonderful place.

ARE YOU GOING?

HE LIVES “UNTO THE AGES OF THE AGES”

REVELATION 1:9-10, 18

Psalms 18:46, “The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.”

Revelation 1:18, “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

Introduction:

For hundreds of years Satan has tried to destroy the preaching of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. He knows that it is the KEY to the Gospel’s power of over of sin. Death is the one enemy that man fears more than any other thing.

Jesus Christ is “LIVING” today and because He is “living” the believer will live “unto the Ages of the Ages” in God’s presence. Satan, who hates Jesus and the truth, is CONSTANTLY on the ATTACK to destroy this great doctrine of the Word of God. HOWEVER, JESUS LIVES…

I. HE LIVES BY THE PLAN OF GOD

A. God’s plan is to save man by Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, Matthew 16:16, “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

1. God is not the God of the dead, Matthew 22:32, “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”

2. Death has no dominion over the Son of God, Romans 6:9, “Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.”

B. God’s Son has the VICTORY OVER death and the grave, 1 Corinthians 15:54-55,57, “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1. Jesus has DELIVERED US from the POWER of death, Hebrews 2:14-15, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”

2. There is NO CONDEMNATION to those who are in Christ Jesus, Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

3. He RESCUES our BODIES from the grave, and FASHIONS them LIKE unto HIS glorious body, Philippians 3:21, “Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”

II. HE LIVES BY THE PURPOSE OF GOD

A. God’s purpose GUIDED HIS PLAN for the redemption of man, Ephesians 1:11, “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:”

B. God’s purpose is NOT temporary, Ephesians 3:11, “According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:”

C. God’s purpose is to DESTROY the works of the devil, 1 John 3:8, “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”

III. HE LIVES BY THE POWER OF GOD

A. Even though Jesus was crucified YET HE LIVES, 2 Corinthians 13:4, “For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.”

1. He lives by the POWER of God, John 10:18, “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”

2. We shall live WITH HIM by the same power, Romans 6:4, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

B. CHOSEN WITNESSES of His Resurrection are ABUNDANT, Acts 10:39-41, “And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: 40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly 41 NOT TO ALL the people, BUT unto witnesses CHOSEN BEFORE OF GOD, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.”

1. The Lord was seen by Peter and then by all twelve of the Apostles, 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:”

2. The Lord was seen by more than 500 brethren, 1 Corinthians 15:6, “After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.”

3. The Lord was seen by James, 1 Corinthians 15:7, “After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.”

CONCLUSION:

Because He lives, we shall also live, John 14:19, “Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.”