WEBVTT 00:00:09.929 --> 00:00:16.070 Typically when we think of Christmas, we think 00:00:16.070 --> 00:00:24.190 of peace and joy. We think of family time. We 00:00:24.190 --> 00:00:31.390 don't typically think of battle. We don't typically 00:00:31.390 --> 00:00:37.950 think of war. We don't normally think of spiritual 00:00:37.950 --> 00:00:44.740 and... cosmic conflict between forces of God 00:00:44.740 --> 00:00:53.060 and forces of evil. Our text today presents us 00:00:53.060 --> 00:00:58.880 with a grand and glorious battle. And it is a 00:00:58.880 --> 00:01:02.820 battle that Christmas itself declares to the 00:01:02.820 --> 00:01:07.560 people of God. we have seen time and time again, 00:01:07.620 --> 00:01:13.359 as we've considered Revelation 12, that the incarnation 00:01:13.359 --> 00:01:19.239 and the work of Christ in the Gospel, His resurrection, 00:01:19.560 --> 00:01:22.480 His ascension, His exaltation to the right hand 00:01:22.480 --> 00:01:28.939 of God, it is no passive act. It is an act of 00:01:28.939 --> 00:01:33.120 war in which He is seeking to accomplish and 00:01:33.120 --> 00:01:37.390 bring about His glorious ends for the world which 00:01:37.390 --> 00:01:43.730 the devil sought to derail early on in creation 00:01:43.730 --> 00:01:47.930 and even before the created world when he fell. 00:01:48.689 --> 00:01:54.010 So today, we're going to consider this war that 00:01:54.010 --> 00:01:59.650 verses 7 through 11 speak of. We'll do this in 00:01:59.650 --> 00:02:03.310 three ways. We'll consider the war which defeats. 00:02:03.819 --> 00:02:09.379 or overcomes the devil or the dragon. We'll see 00:02:09.379 --> 00:02:13.439 this in verses 7 -9. And then we'll consider 00:02:13.439 --> 00:02:17.539 the Lamb's victory, which is proclaimed. We see 00:02:17.539 --> 00:02:21.379 this in verse 10, where there's a shift, a change. 00:02:22.379 --> 00:02:26.539 Following the casting out of the dragon, we see 00:02:26.539 --> 00:02:30.319 this loud proclamation, this hymn of victory. 00:02:31.020 --> 00:02:33.860 where we read, Then I heard a loud voice in heaven. 00:02:33.960 --> 00:02:38.620 So we'll consider the victory of the Lamb that 00:02:38.620 --> 00:02:42.000 is proclaimed in heaven. And then we'll also 00:02:42.000 --> 00:02:47.620 consider the saints' participation in the Lamb's 00:02:47.620 --> 00:02:53.719 victory. We see this in verse 11, where we read 00:02:53.719 --> 00:02:57.360 these words, And they overcame him because of 00:02:57.360 --> 00:03:00.599 the blood of the Lamb. and because of the word 00:03:00.599 --> 00:03:03.699 of their testimony. And they did not love their 00:03:03.699 --> 00:03:09.939 life, even when faced with death. So beginning 00:03:09.939 --> 00:03:14.900 with the first, the war which defeats the dragon. 00:03:15.780 --> 00:03:22.139 In verse 7 up to verse 9, we see this battle 00:03:22.139 --> 00:03:25.659 and conflict taking place. Something that we've 00:03:25.659 --> 00:03:27.819 alluded to, we've discussed, and we've already 00:03:27.819 --> 00:03:30.939 interacted with, at various times throughout 00:03:30.939 --> 00:03:34.419 this study. But today, we're going to consider 00:03:34.419 --> 00:03:38.500 it in detail. We're going to seek to get clarity 00:03:38.500 --> 00:03:42.400 on the nature of this war, the nature of this 00:03:42.400 --> 00:03:46.780 battle, and the nature of Christ's victory over 00:03:46.780 --> 00:03:50.080 the devil and what this means. What does it mean 00:03:50.080 --> 00:03:56.680 that Christ is victorious? John using this heavenly 00:03:56.680 --> 00:04:00.800 language, this symbolic language to portray and 00:04:00.800 --> 00:04:04.539 communicate these realities. Now, we also have 00:04:04.539 --> 00:04:08.699 seen that John is using apocalyptic language. 00:04:09.280 --> 00:04:14.280 Revelation is apocalyptic literature. Therefore, 00:04:14.460 --> 00:04:19.939 we have to understand its meaning in that context 00:04:19.939 --> 00:04:26.459 as apocalyptic literature. So as we talk about 00:04:26.459 --> 00:04:32.339 this war, we should consider it as this, the 00:04:32.339 --> 00:04:40.459 symbolic heavenly reality that expresses the 00:04:40.459 --> 00:04:46.620 historic redemptive work of Christ in the gospel. 00:04:46.980 --> 00:04:53.620 This heavenly war is communicating The realities 00:04:53.620 --> 00:04:57.240 of Christ's work in the gospel in his birth, 00:04:57.439 --> 00:05:02.399 his life, his death, his resurrection, his ascension, 00:05:02.459 --> 00:05:07.360 and ultimately his enthronement at the Father's 00:05:07.360 --> 00:05:11.839 right hand. Now, if we're going to understand 00:05:11.839 --> 00:05:14.620 this war, we have to understand the players in 00:05:14.620 --> 00:05:17.699 it. We have to understand who the war was waged 00:05:17.699 --> 00:05:21.579 against. Notice in verse 7, and there was a war 00:05:21.579 --> 00:05:26.079 in heaven. Michael and his angels waging war 00:05:26.079 --> 00:05:33.000 with the dragon. So who is the antagonist in 00:05:33.000 --> 00:05:37.519 this battle? The dragon. And who is the dragon? 00:05:37.740 --> 00:05:41.500 The devil. Satan. He's given several different 00:05:41.500 --> 00:05:45.220 names in this text. He's referred to as the dragon, 00:05:45.420 --> 00:05:49.100 the great dragon, the serpent of old, referring 00:05:49.100 --> 00:05:53.250 back to Genesis chapter 3. And his work in the 00:05:53.250 --> 00:05:56.470 fall. And his work in bringing condemnation into 00:05:56.470 --> 00:05:59.629 the world. And showing the fallibility and the 00:05:59.629 --> 00:06:02.990 sinfulness and the sinful inclinations of men. 00:06:03.290 --> 00:06:06.649 And ultimately in the conflict that expressed 00:06:06.649 --> 00:06:08.970 itself throughout the ages leading up to the 00:06:08.970 --> 00:06:12.370 coming of Christ. And we see he's called the 00:06:12.370 --> 00:06:18.449 devil. And Satan who deceives the whole world. 00:06:18.649 --> 00:06:24.839 This is the arch enemy. Of God. We've seen this 00:06:24.839 --> 00:06:27.920 and we understand this. But John wants us to 00:06:27.920 --> 00:06:32.500 be clear who he is talking about. He is talking 00:06:32.500 --> 00:06:36.839 about the one that opposes God's people. And 00:06:36.839 --> 00:06:42.079 he always has opposed God's people. He is the 00:06:42.079 --> 00:06:47.519 one that war is being waged against. The devil 00:06:47.519 --> 00:06:52.230 did not initiate this in verses 7 -9. Michael 00:06:52.230 --> 00:06:55.810 initiates this battle. Michael initiates this 00:06:55.810 --> 00:07:01.069 war. The devil is the adversary that is being 00:07:01.069 --> 00:07:06.529 warred against by the angelic forces of God. 00:07:07.029 --> 00:07:10.310 Now, who is it that is initiating and leading 00:07:10.310 --> 00:07:15.209 the charge in this battle that John describes 00:07:15.209 --> 00:07:22.529 for us? It is Michael. the archangel. Now we 00:07:22.529 --> 00:07:26.189 know some about Michael throughout the scripture. 00:07:27.230 --> 00:07:32.170 He seems to have a place of militaristic stature 00:07:32.170 --> 00:07:36.470 and leadership among the angelic forces, the 00:07:36.470 --> 00:07:41.430 heavenly hosts of God. In Daniel chapter 10, 00:07:41.610 --> 00:07:47.269 it is said of Michael that speaking to Daniel, 00:07:47.350 --> 00:07:53.959 he is your Prince. Meaning that Michael is the 00:07:53.959 --> 00:07:58.800 angel of God's covenant people. Daniel, yes too, 00:07:58.920 --> 00:08:03.139 but all of God's covenant people. It seems as 00:08:03.139 --> 00:08:06.379 though he is the great protector and the great 00:08:06.379 --> 00:08:09.300 warrior with regards to the spiritual forces 00:08:09.300 --> 00:08:15.120 and the angelic hosts on behalf of God's people. 00:08:15.379 --> 00:08:21.019 So in this In this story that John is putting 00:08:21.019 --> 00:08:25.139 forth, in these terms, in this language, Michael 00:08:25.139 --> 00:08:31.720 is the one waging war against the dragon, Satan. 00:08:32.039 --> 00:08:36.860 Now, what is the outcome of this battle that 00:08:36.860 --> 00:08:42.000 John is describing? Well, it is the defeat and 00:08:42.000 --> 00:08:46.980 the downfall of Satan himself, the dragon. And 00:08:46.980 --> 00:08:50.039 we know this because he says this in various 00:08:50.039 --> 00:08:54.240 ways in the text. He first says, they were not 00:08:54.240 --> 00:09:00.379 strong enough. He says this in verse 8. And then 00:09:00.379 --> 00:09:04.840 he says this, there was no longer a place found 00:09:04.840 --> 00:09:08.779 for them in heaven. Meaning, there was no more 00:09:08.779 --> 00:09:14.360 room for the devil. There was no more room for 00:09:14.360 --> 00:09:18.620 the dragon. But he also goes on and describes 00:09:18.620 --> 00:09:22.779 it further. He says, the dragon was thrown down. 00:09:23.360 --> 00:09:28.240 And then he says, he was thrown down to the earth 00:09:28.240 --> 00:09:31.639 and his angels were thrown down with him. Three 00:09:31.639 --> 00:09:35.580 times in verse 9, this idea of Satan being thrown 00:09:35.580 --> 00:09:40.860 down is repeated. So what is the outcome of this 00:09:40.860 --> 00:09:45.559 heavenly symbolic battle that John is... putting 00:09:45.559 --> 00:09:49.899 forth for us to look at. The devil is defeated. 00:09:51.159 --> 00:09:55.559 The devil is overcome. The devil is conquered. 00:09:56.220 --> 00:09:59.480 But it's not put forward in terms of destruction. 00:10:00.360 --> 00:10:04.220 That's important for us to understand. He's not 00:10:04.220 --> 00:10:07.059 presenting it as though the devil is obliterated. 00:10:07.779 --> 00:10:15.620 The dragon is not just destroyed. He is... Cast 00:10:15.620 --> 00:10:21.419 out. In a sense, he is exiled. He experiences 00:10:21.419 --> 00:10:27.340 expulsion and removal from the presence of God. 00:10:27.480 --> 00:10:31.559 And this is how he's presenting it to us. He's 00:10:31.559 --> 00:10:35.860 not destroyed. He's cast out. He's removed. He 00:10:35.860 --> 00:10:41.480 loses his place as John presents it. He's presenting 00:10:41.480 --> 00:10:46.600 it as the devil being ejected. From the divine 00:10:46.600 --> 00:10:51.799 court of God, in a sense. Now, this brings us 00:10:51.799 --> 00:10:56.659 to the Lamb's victory, which is proclaimed in 00:10:56.659 --> 00:11:01.759 verse 10. We read this, Then I heard a loud voice 00:11:01.759 --> 00:11:06.100 in heaven, saying, Now the salvation and the 00:11:06.100 --> 00:11:09.519 power and the kingdom of our God and the authority 00:11:09.519 --> 00:11:14.879 of his Christ have come. For the accuser of our 00:11:14.879 --> 00:11:20.480 brethren has been thrown down. He who accuses 00:11:20.480 --> 00:11:27.340 them before our God day and night. Now John is 00:11:27.340 --> 00:11:32.980 continuing the picture. He's continuing the imagery. 00:11:33.059 --> 00:11:36.940 What is the result of the dragon being ejected 00:11:36.940 --> 00:11:44.279 from heaven? Press on in the image. It is heaven 00:11:44.279 --> 00:11:48.279 itself manifesting the victory that has taken 00:11:48.279 --> 00:11:53.299 place. It is heaven itself declaring the downfall 00:11:53.299 --> 00:11:58.320 and the defeat of the great dragon. Why? Because 00:11:58.320 --> 00:12:02.000 of the exaltation and the lifting up and the 00:12:02.000 --> 00:12:05.879 victory of the lamb, the male child that was 00:12:05.879 --> 00:12:09.879 caught up to God who accomplished his work successfully. 00:12:10.700 --> 00:12:15.200 and victoriously. He's continuing the picture. 00:12:15.559 --> 00:12:22.100 But he uses this language that clearly communicates 00:12:22.100 --> 00:12:26.799 the fact that he wants us to understand that 00:12:26.799 --> 00:12:31.419 it is the historical accomplishment of Christ's 00:12:31.419 --> 00:12:37.659 work which brings about the defeat of the dragon. 00:12:38.409 --> 00:12:43.570 Notice in verse 10, he says this, now the salvation 00:12:43.570 --> 00:12:47.330 and the power and the kingdom, meaning it's taken 00:12:47.330 --> 00:12:53.009 place. Then he says this, his Christ have come. 00:12:53.850 --> 00:12:58.529 It has happened. It has occurred. It has taken 00:12:58.529 --> 00:13:04.519 place in time and history. There is a historic, 00:13:04.700 --> 00:13:09.059 redemptive element that John is pushing in this, 00:13:09.200 --> 00:13:12.320 and there's a reason for that, brothers and sisters. 00:13:12.600 --> 00:13:19.179 He wants us to know that the accomplished work 00:13:19.179 --> 00:13:24.460 of Christ, which has taken place in time, in 00:13:24.460 --> 00:13:29.340 history, is that which has brought about this 00:13:29.340 --> 00:13:35.250 great victory. He wants us to think back to verse 00:13:35.250 --> 00:13:40.090 5. And she gave birth to a son, a male child 00:13:40.090 --> 00:13:43.149 who was to rule all the nations with a rod of 00:13:43.149 --> 00:13:46.789 iron, and her child was caught up to God and 00:13:46.789 --> 00:13:52.809 to his throne. That's a statement about the work 00:13:52.809 --> 00:13:56.070 of the Lord Jesus. When it says that he was caught 00:13:56.070 --> 00:13:58.610 up to God and his throne, it's talking about 00:13:58.610 --> 00:14:03.269 the fact that Christ was born. Of a woman. That 00:14:03.269 --> 00:14:07.230 Christ lived perfectly. Unto the law of God. 00:14:07.289 --> 00:14:09.610 And he obtained righteousness. As a result of 00:14:09.610 --> 00:14:13.269 his obedience to the law of God. That he completed. 00:14:13.269 --> 00:14:17.269 His atoning work. On the cross. That he rose 00:14:17.269 --> 00:14:20.389 from the dead. And he conquered the grave. That 00:14:20.389 --> 00:14:23.690 proves and evidences. The success and victory 00:14:23.690 --> 00:14:26.669 of all his other work. That he appeared to the 00:14:26.669 --> 00:14:31.580 disciples. For a period. And then he ascends 00:14:31.580 --> 00:14:34.419 to the Father's right hand and he is enthroned 00:14:34.419 --> 00:14:40.080 and he rules. The Messiah's kingdom, the Messiah's 00:14:40.080 --> 00:14:45.059 redemption, the Messiah's work has occurred. 00:14:45.820 --> 00:14:48.779 It's not something that is being waited for. 00:14:49.340 --> 00:14:53.360 It's not something that is yet to come. It has 00:14:53.360 --> 00:15:00.480 definitively taken place in this. is what brings 00:15:00.480 --> 00:15:06.220 about the downfall and the defeat of the dragon. 00:15:06.600 --> 00:15:13.799 John wants us to understand this. The downfall 00:15:13.799 --> 00:15:19.600 of the devil is actually a sign that Christ's 00:15:19.600 --> 00:15:23.799 work has been accomplished. The fact that the 00:15:23.799 --> 00:15:25.700 devil has been... If we think about Revelation 00:15:25.700 --> 00:15:32.210 12. The fact that the dragon is ejected is a 00:15:32.210 --> 00:15:35.809 sign of what? That the male child is caught up 00:15:35.809 --> 00:15:40.190 to God. The fact that Christ is ascended and 00:15:40.190 --> 00:15:42.289 that Christ is exalted and that Christ is ruling 00:15:42.289 --> 00:15:45.289 and reigning, that Christ is authoritatively 00:15:45.289 --> 00:15:50.250 on the throne, the fact that the Messiah is ruling 00:15:50.250 --> 00:15:56.490 and reigning over God's people, that is... What 00:15:56.490 --> 00:15:59.110 brings about the defeat? And the defeat of the 00:15:59.110 --> 00:16:05.330 devil, the ejection of the devil, is a sign that 00:16:05.330 --> 00:16:09.889 Christ's work has happened and has taken place. 00:16:10.309 --> 00:16:15.750 This is in accord with all of Jesus' teaching 00:16:15.750 --> 00:16:20.350 on this subject. We can think about John chapter 00:16:20.350 --> 00:16:24.230 12. And I'll turn there and read that briefly. 00:16:25.480 --> 00:16:30.720 John 12, we'll start reading in verse 29. So 00:16:30.720 --> 00:16:33.000 the crowd of people who stood by and heard it 00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:35.879 were saying that it had thundered. Others were 00:16:35.879 --> 00:16:40.259 saying an angel had spoken to him. Jesus answered 00:16:40.259 --> 00:16:43.799 and said, This voice has not come for my sake, 00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:46.860 but for your sakes. Now listen to what he says. 00:16:47.620 --> 00:16:53.679 Now judgment is upon this world. Now the ruler... 00:16:53.960 --> 00:16:58.480 Of this world will be cast out. And I. If I am 00:16:58.480 --> 00:17:02.100 lifted up from the earth. Will draw all men to 00:17:02.100 --> 00:17:05.420 myself. Christ is speaking of his death. And 00:17:05.420 --> 00:17:09.240 his crucifixion. And his redemptive work. And 00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:11.940 what is it that casts out the devil. That does 00:17:11.940 --> 00:17:14.700 away with his authority. That defeats him in 00:17:14.700 --> 00:17:18.440 this context. It is Christ being lifted up. It 00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:21.200 is Christ being exalted. It is Christ's work. 00:17:21.930 --> 00:17:26.750 we could also look at Luke chapter 10, verse 00:17:26.750 --> 00:17:33.690 18, which says this. Starting in verse 17, the 00:17:33.690 --> 00:17:39.150 70 returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the 00:17:39.150 --> 00:17:43.390 demons are subject to us in your name. And he 00:17:43.390 --> 00:17:47.789 said to them, I was watching Satan fall from 00:17:47.789 --> 00:17:53.049 heaven like lightning. As the disciples are going 00:17:53.049 --> 00:17:56.809 out and the preaching of the gospel is taking 00:17:56.809 --> 00:18:02.710 place, as the gospel is proclaimed, what does 00:18:02.710 --> 00:18:06.450 Jesus say he's watching, he's observing? That 00:18:06.450 --> 00:18:12.410 the devil is falling like lightning. He's being 00:18:12.410 --> 00:18:17.130 cast out. He's being ejected. There's no place 00:18:17.130 --> 00:18:21.950 for him. He's being removed. And thrown down 00:18:21.950 --> 00:18:29.329 in a sense. We could look at 1 John 3 .8. 1 John 00:18:29.329 --> 00:18:33.029 3 .8 says this. And the one who practices sin 00:18:33.029 --> 00:18:37.710 is of the devil. For the devil is sin from the 00:18:37.710 --> 00:18:42.210 beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose. 00:18:42.329 --> 00:18:49.339 Meaning the Messiah came. Christ was born. Christ 00:18:49.339 --> 00:18:52.660 lived. Christ died. Christ rose. Christ ascended. 00:18:52.660 --> 00:18:55.940 Christ was enthroned. The gospel came about for 00:18:55.940 --> 00:19:02.299 this purpose. To destroy the works of the devil. 00:19:03.720 --> 00:19:08.799 Christ came. That the devil might be defeated. 00:19:09.039 --> 00:19:13.519 That the devil might be conquered and overcame. 00:19:13.920 --> 00:19:18.069 And it's the work of the gospel. and the arrival 00:19:18.069 --> 00:19:24.230 of the Messianic kingdom, which does this. Now, 00:19:24.250 --> 00:19:30.869 what exactly is the nature of this battle? Is 00:19:30.869 --> 00:19:38.289 this talking about sword fights and fist fights 00:19:38.289 --> 00:19:43.369 among the angelic forces? Remember John's language. 00:19:44.650 --> 00:19:47.549 Remember how he is communicating the meaning 00:19:47.549 --> 00:19:51.789 to the people through symbolic languages, through 00:19:51.789 --> 00:19:57.589 signs, through figurative stories. He is communicating 00:19:57.589 --> 00:20:01.869 grand and glorious things that he has seen. He 00:20:01.869 --> 00:20:05.109 is communicating that a great shift has taken 00:20:05.109 --> 00:20:11.630 place in the cosmos as a result of Christ's work. 00:20:12.009 --> 00:20:15.569 that there is a real change that comes about 00:20:15.569 --> 00:20:22.329 with regards to the devil before God and God's 00:20:22.329 --> 00:20:27.009 treatment of his covenant people because of the 00:20:27.009 --> 00:20:30.250 Lord Jesus Christ and his work. But what is the 00:20:30.250 --> 00:20:35.410 nature of this conflict, this victory of Christ, 00:20:35.490 --> 00:20:38.410 we could say, that is expressed in these terms? 00:20:38.809 --> 00:20:44.240 Well, I say it's not militaristic. at all. It's 00:20:44.240 --> 00:20:49.960 actually judicial. It's actually positional. 00:20:50.480 --> 00:20:56.079 It's actually spiritual in nature, brothers and 00:20:56.079 --> 00:21:02.440 sisters. We can understand this first by grasping 00:21:02.440 --> 00:21:06.519 the identity in the primary work of the devil. 00:21:06.640 --> 00:21:12.150 What does John say in Revelation 12? He says 00:21:12.150 --> 00:21:19.230 this. Now the salvation and the power and the 00:21:19.230 --> 00:21:22.230 kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ 00:21:22.230 --> 00:21:27.730 have come. For the accuser of our brethren has 00:21:27.730 --> 00:21:31.630 been thrown down. That's who and what Satan does. 00:21:32.970 --> 00:21:37.210 He brings accusations of guilt against the people 00:21:37.210 --> 00:21:40.599 of God. And then he repeats it again. He who 00:21:40.599 --> 00:21:44.660 accuses them before our God day and night. Meaning, 00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:49.359 it's perpetual, brothers and sisters. It is incessant. 00:21:49.359 --> 00:21:56.000 It does not stop. He never rests his case with 00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:58.759 regards to accusations against the people of 00:21:58.759 --> 00:22:00.920 God. This is who the devil is and this is what 00:22:00.920 --> 00:22:06.019 he does. We could say that the devil has a ministry 00:22:06.019 --> 00:22:11.420 of... prosecution against God's covenant people. 00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:18.099 That is the core of his work, and we see it evidenced 00:22:18.099 --> 00:22:22.299 so clearly throughout the Bible. We see it evidenced 00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:27.039 so clearly, especially throughout the Old Testament 00:22:27.039 --> 00:22:32.559 and prior to the finished work of the Lord Jesus 00:22:32.559 --> 00:22:37.430 Christ. Let's look at a couple examples. That 00:22:37.430 --> 00:22:42.369 will help us grasp the devil's prosecutory work 00:22:42.369 --> 00:22:47.349 against the people of God. Let's look at Job 00:22:47.349 --> 00:22:59.990 chapter 1. We all know this. In Job 1, starting 00:22:59.990 --> 00:23:03.410 in verse 6, we hear this. Now there was a day 00:23:03.410 --> 00:23:05.690 when the sons of God came to present themselves. 00:23:06.509 --> 00:23:10.250 Before the Lord. And Satan also came among them. 00:23:11.210 --> 00:23:14.170 The Lord said to Satan. From where do you come? 00:23:15.029 --> 00:23:18.130 Then Satan answered the Lord and said. From roaming 00:23:18.130 --> 00:23:21.269 about on the earth. Walking around it. And walking 00:23:21.269 --> 00:23:26.109 around on it. The Lord said to Satan. Have you 00:23:26.109 --> 00:23:29.910 considered my servant Job? For there is no one 00:23:29.910 --> 00:23:34.150 like him. On the earth. A blameless. An upright 00:23:34.150 --> 00:23:37.849 man. Fearing God and turning away from evil. 00:23:39.130 --> 00:23:44.210 Then Satan answered the Lord. And listen to his 00:23:44.210 --> 00:23:51.390 words. At their heart is accusation. At their 00:23:51.390 --> 00:23:56.609 heart is condemnation. Then Satan answered the 00:23:56.609 --> 00:24:01.430 Lord. Does Job fear God for nothing? Doesn't 00:24:01.430 --> 00:24:03.890 he just obey you because of what he gets from 00:24:03.890 --> 00:24:07.920 you? Doesn't he just obey you because of the 00:24:07.920 --> 00:24:11.359 good that you give him? Because of the benefits 00:24:11.359 --> 00:24:16.640 that come as a result of being faithful? Have 00:24:16.640 --> 00:24:19.900 you not made a hedge about him and his house 00:24:19.900 --> 00:24:23.819 and all that he has on every side? Have you not 00:24:23.819 --> 00:24:26.819 blessed the work of his hands and his possessions 00:24:26.819 --> 00:24:30.440 have increased in the land? But put forth your 00:24:30.440 --> 00:24:34.289 hand now and touch all that he has. He will surely 00:24:34.289 --> 00:24:37.650 curse you to your face. Then the Lord said to 00:24:37.650 --> 00:24:41.789 Satan, Behold, all that he has is in your power. 00:24:41.869 --> 00:24:46.109 Only do not put forth your hand on him. So Satan 00:24:46.109 --> 00:24:49.750 departed from the presence of the Lord. What 00:24:49.750 --> 00:24:54.009 does he do? He goes out and enacts all of these 00:24:54.009 --> 00:24:58.670 things. He attacks Job. He strips him of all 00:24:58.670 --> 00:25:01.549 his blessings. He takes away all the good things 00:25:01.549 --> 00:25:05.700 that God has given. Brothers and sisters, this 00:25:05.700 --> 00:25:12.480 is the capacity of the evil one. To accuse the 00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:18.220 people of God before the throne of God. And we 00:25:18.220 --> 00:25:22.420 think about Job. It was an open case in some 00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:25.660 ways. It was a pending case. Because there was 00:25:25.660 --> 00:25:29.299 no definitive redemption that had taken place 00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:36.490 yet. There was still guilt lingering that had 00:25:36.490 --> 00:25:41.049 not been paid for yet. Now, we could also look 00:25:41.049 --> 00:25:44.430 at Job chapter 2 and find the exact same evidence 00:25:44.430 --> 00:25:48.950 and truth that we find in Job chapter 1. But 00:25:48.950 --> 00:25:55.730 let's turn to Zechariah chapter 3. We read the 00:25:55.730 --> 00:25:59.490 same thing. Starting in verse 1, Then he showed 00:25:59.490 --> 00:26:03.869 me Joshua. the high priest standing before the 00:26:03.869 --> 00:26:07.190 angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his 00:26:07.190 --> 00:26:13.430 right hand to accuse him. What is the devil doing? 00:26:15.410 --> 00:26:19.450 What capacity and what work is he carrying out 00:26:19.450 --> 00:26:26.450 at the throne of God? Accusation. To remind the 00:26:26.450 --> 00:26:31.900 Lord of their guilt, their impurity. Their unholiness, 00:26:32.079 --> 00:26:35.420 their failure, their sin. And here's what we 00:26:35.420 --> 00:26:39.359 read. The Lord said to Satan, The Lord rebuke 00:26:39.359 --> 00:26:43.079 you, Satan. Indeed, the Lord who has chosen Jerusalem 00:26:43.079 --> 00:26:48.059 rebuke you. Is this not a bran plucked from the 00:26:48.059 --> 00:26:52.460 fire? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments 00:26:52.460 --> 00:26:55.740 and standing before the angel. I'm sure the devil's, 00:26:55.740 --> 00:26:58.799 look at his dirty, terrible, nasty clothes. They're 00:26:58.799 --> 00:27:06.130 filthy. And here's what we read. Then I said, 00:27:06.190 --> 00:27:11.549 let them put a clean turban on his head. So they 00:27:11.549 --> 00:27:14.630 put a clean turban on his head and clothed him 00:27:14.630 --> 00:27:17.029 with garments while the angel of the Lord was 00:27:17.029 --> 00:27:19.650 standing by. And the angel of the Lord admonished 00:27:19.650 --> 00:27:24.509 Joshua, saying, Thus says the Lord of hosts, 00:27:24.589 --> 00:27:28.089 if you will walk in my ways and if you will perform 00:27:28.089 --> 00:27:31.609 my service. Then you will also govern my house 00:27:31.609 --> 00:27:34.069 and also have charge of my courts. And I will 00:27:34.069 --> 00:27:37.630 grant you free access among those who are standing 00:27:37.630 --> 00:27:44.809 here. The Lord provides robes of righteousness 00:27:44.809 --> 00:27:51.430 for Joshua, the angel of the Lord does. And that 00:27:51.430 --> 00:27:57.089 is the basis for his faithfulness to Joshua, 00:27:57.230 --> 00:28:02.640 the high priest. So he disregards the accusations 00:28:02.640 --> 00:28:06.359 of the devil. Based on the fact that righteous 00:28:06.359 --> 00:28:14.359 robes would be provided. Would be given to Joshua. 00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:18.400 But the devil is accusing him all the while. 00:28:19.200 --> 00:28:24.259 Now, we can also turn to Jude chapter 1 verse 00:28:24.259 --> 00:28:31.069 9. A text that... Is typically overlooked and 00:28:31.069 --> 00:28:39.730 never touched on. And it is a mysterious text. 00:28:40.069 --> 00:28:47.069 We don't know a lot about it. We don't understand 00:28:47.069 --> 00:28:51.970 everything about this text. But we do know this. 00:28:52.309 --> 00:29:00.250 The devil is disputing with Michael. He is arguing 00:29:00.250 --> 00:29:06.529 with Michael about the covenant people of God. 00:29:06.710 --> 00:29:11.410 We read this in Jude chapter 1 verse 9. But Michael, 00:29:11.470 --> 00:29:15.769 the archangel, when he disputed with the devil 00:29:15.769 --> 00:29:18.630 and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare 00:29:18.630 --> 00:29:22.430 pronounce against him a railing judgment, but 00:29:22.430 --> 00:29:26.589 said, The Lord rebuke you. What is the devil 00:29:26.589 --> 00:29:31.890 doing? What is the devil doing? He's arguing, 00:29:31.970 --> 00:29:37.609 disputing, and accusing God based on Moses' failures. 00:29:38.829 --> 00:29:42.750 Based on Moses' sin. Why could Moses not go into 00:29:42.750 --> 00:29:44.829 the promised land, brothers and sisters? You 00:29:44.829 --> 00:29:47.529 don't think that the devil brought that up? You 00:29:47.529 --> 00:29:50.109 don't think the devil didn't bring up the fact 00:29:50.109 --> 00:29:55.630 that Moses killed a man? The devil is disputing 00:29:55.630 --> 00:30:00.410 the body of Moses. He is looking to God. Say, 00:30:00.490 --> 00:30:04.329 this is not right. This is unholy. This is unjust. 00:30:04.509 --> 00:30:07.309 How can you do these things? How can you bless 00:30:07.309 --> 00:30:10.329 and have your hand upon this man? How can you 00:30:10.329 --> 00:30:13.549 use this man, even after his death, as an example 00:30:13.549 --> 00:30:17.490 for the Israelites? Well, we know the answer 00:30:17.490 --> 00:30:22.390 to that. Because God's grace. Because of God's 00:30:22.390 --> 00:30:25.190 covenant with His people. Because of His mercy. 00:30:25.329 --> 00:30:29.079 Because of... Now, there's one more example I 00:30:29.079 --> 00:30:32.660 want to show. And this one is very, very helpful 00:30:32.660 --> 00:30:37.140 in our understanding of this. This example is 00:30:37.140 --> 00:30:43.519 Luke chapter 22, starting in verse 31. We read 00:30:43.519 --> 00:30:49.819 this, starting in verse 31. Simon, Simon, behold, 00:30:50.240 --> 00:30:56.589 Satan has demanded permission. To sift you like 00:30:56.589 --> 00:31:01.609 wheat. But I have prayed for you. That your faith 00:31:01.609 --> 00:31:05.190 may not fail. And you when once you have turned 00:31:05.190 --> 00:31:11.250 again. Strengthen your brothers. What is the 00:31:11.250 --> 00:31:15.210 Lord Jesus Christ referring to here? The reality 00:31:15.210 --> 00:31:19.990 that Peter would fall. That he would actually 00:31:19.990 --> 00:31:24.940 deny the Lord Jesus Christ. Not once. Not twice, 00:31:24.940 --> 00:31:31.859 but three times. The devil sifted Peter and he 00:31:31.859 --> 00:31:40.859 demanded that God allow him to sift Peter. Peter 00:31:40.859 --> 00:31:43.059 had his issues, didn't he, brothers and sisters? 00:31:44.119 --> 00:31:46.779 Peter was always the one speaking out of turn 00:31:46.779 --> 00:31:52.420 and speaking without thinking, but Peter has... 00:31:52.809 --> 00:31:58.170 an advocate. Peter has somebody more powerful 00:31:58.170 --> 00:32:03.990 than the devil in his sifting. Peter has the 00:32:03.990 --> 00:32:07.509 Son of God who took on flesh, interceding for 00:32:07.509 --> 00:32:10.329 him, praying for him that he would be restored 00:32:10.329 --> 00:32:14.089 even after the devil tempted him and he was successful. 00:32:15.950 --> 00:32:20.430 Christ has the victory in the end in Peter's 00:32:20.430 --> 00:32:23.319 life. Brothers and sisters, what is the work 00:32:23.319 --> 00:32:27.839 of the devil? It is to accuse God's people and 00:32:27.839 --> 00:32:30.339 to bring up the guilt of God's people and to 00:32:30.339 --> 00:32:35.460 bring up condemnation and accusations. To slander 00:32:35.460 --> 00:32:40.200 them and to slander the name of Christ in and 00:32:40.200 --> 00:32:46.779 through it. The devil's accusations are built 00:32:46.779 --> 00:32:52.470 on guilt. On the demands of the law, the holiness 00:32:52.470 --> 00:32:56.109 of God, the justice of God. But brothers and 00:32:56.109 --> 00:33:00.890 sisters, what do we see in Revelation 12? That 00:33:00.890 --> 00:33:08.150 Christ is born. That Christ lives. That Christ 00:33:08.150 --> 00:33:13.289 dies. That Christ raises. That Christ ascends. 00:33:13.569 --> 00:33:17.089 That Christ is enthroned. And what takes place 00:33:17.089 --> 00:33:24.109 then? His accusations fall flat. Because he no 00:33:24.109 --> 00:33:27.690 longer has credible grounds because the people 00:33:27.690 --> 00:33:31.589 of God have had their Savior die for them. The 00:33:31.589 --> 00:33:34.269 people of God have had their Savior, their Messiah, 00:33:34.509 --> 00:33:38.289 raised for their justification. The demands of 00:33:38.289 --> 00:33:44.599 the law are met. Justice and mercy came together 00:33:44.599 --> 00:33:48.119 in the cross and justice is satisfied and mercy 00:33:48.119 --> 00:33:52.079 is dealt out to the people of God. Their sins 00:33:52.079 --> 00:33:57.259 are dealt with in the death of Christ and their 00:33:57.259 --> 00:34:00.180 righteousness is provided in his life and in 00:34:00.180 --> 00:34:04.000 his resurrection, brothers and sisters. The devil 00:34:04.000 --> 00:34:09.889 has lost his position. The devil has lost his 00:34:09.889 --> 00:34:13.429 ability and his credibility to bring accusations 00:34:13.429 --> 00:34:21.630 against those in Christ Jesus. Jesus Christ has 00:34:21.630 --> 00:34:28.110 come. Redemption has taken place. And the devil's 00:34:28.110 --> 00:34:32.610 judicial, legal accusations against the people 00:34:32.610 --> 00:34:39.449 of God are not credible. Because they are in 00:34:39.449 --> 00:34:45.710 Christ. The accomplished work of Christ has destroyed 00:34:45.710 --> 00:34:50.510 the devil's accusatory powers against the people 00:34:50.510 --> 00:34:56.010 of God. Now, we see all throughout the New Testament 00:34:56.010 --> 00:34:59.769 that the blindness the devil inflicts on the 00:34:59.769 --> 00:35:03.710 unbelieving, the gospel, breaks in with the rays 00:35:03.710 --> 00:35:06.829 of truth in Christ in the face of the gospel. 00:35:07.260 --> 00:35:09.900 and illuminates their hearts and minds, and saves 00:35:09.900 --> 00:35:15.920 sinners by regenerating them. God lifts the blindness. 00:35:16.559 --> 00:35:21.860 We see that his afflictions are actually made 00:35:21.860 --> 00:35:25.960 to work for the good of God's people in 2 Corinthians 00:35:25.960 --> 00:35:29.139 chapter 12, where Paul has a thorn in his flesh. 00:35:30.019 --> 00:35:33.599 The devil did not intend that for good, brothers 00:35:33.599 --> 00:35:38.920 and sisters, but God. used it for Paul's good. 00:35:39.219 --> 00:35:42.679 That he might experience the real power of God 00:35:42.679 --> 00:35:46.960 in his weakness. That he might rely on the Lord 00:35:46.960 --> 00:35:50.079 and the Spirit of God more and more in his life. 00:35:50.739 --> 00:35:55.159 The dominion and rule of the devil in the believer's 00:35:55.159 --> 00:35:59.059 life has been broken because they have been transferred 00:35:59.059 --> 00:36:01.960 from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of 00:36:01.960 --> 00:36:07.980 the beloved Son, Colossians chapter 1. Sin, which 00:36:07.980 --> 00:36:10.059 the devil so thoroughly works through in the 00:36:10.059 --> 00:36:16.219 life of a person, is no longer the master, is 00:36:16.219 --> 00:36:22.659 no longer the king of the believer's heart. Satan's 00:36:22.659 --> 00:36:27.840 dominion has been broken. Those who were sons 00:36:27.840 --> 00:36:32.679 of wrath and sons of disobedience, those who 00:36:32.679 --> 00:36:35.750 are children of wrath and born into wrath. Those 00:36:35.750 --> 00:36:37.769 who walked according to the course of this world 00:36:37.769 --> 00:36:41.869 as the prince of the power of the air rules over 00:36:41.869 --> 00:36:44.809 them through the lusts of the flesh and the lusts 00:36:44.809 --> 00:36:47.349 of the mind. Brothers and sisters, those same 00:36:47.349 --> 00:36:50.329 people, when they are brought into a saving union 00:36:50.329 --> 00:36:53.349 with the Lord Jesus Christ, what happens? They 00:36:53.349 --> 00:36:57.849 become sons and daughters of God. They are given 00:36:57.849 --> 00:37:00.449 every privilege and every right and every glorious 00:37:00.449 --> 00:37:07.519 promise of the gospel. And what do we find? That 00:37:07.519 --> 00:37:10.320 even now, if the devil makes accusations against 00:37:10.320 --> 00:37:14.159 the people of God before the throne of God, what 00:37:14.159 --> 00:37:18.639 takes place? The people of God have a mediator. 00:37:19.960 --> 00:37:24.280 Yes, his accusations may still be incessant and 00:37:24.280 --> 00:37:27.940 perpetual, but brothers and sisters, Christ's 00:37:27.940 --> 00:37:34.159 mediation and Christ's advocacy is ongoing, perfect, 00:37:34.360 --> 00:37:39.119 and perpetual. When he brings up the accusations, 00:37:39.460 --> 00:37:42.880 what does Christ do? He stands as their advocate. 00:37:44.440 --> 00:37:47.320 The Father looks at him and he is pleased with 00:37:47.320 --> 00:37:50.199 the advocate. He is pleased with the mediator, 00:37:50.239 --> 00:37:53.840 not the person. He looks to the righteousness 00:37:53.840 --> 00:37:56.739 of Christ and the completed work that Christ 00:37:56.739 --> 00:38:01.440 has accomplished in every single person. in Christ 00:38:01.440 --> 00:38:06.940 by faith, has an advocate with the Father. They 00:38:06.940 --> 00:38:10.280 cannot be condemned, brothers and sisters. There 00:38:10.280 --> 00:38:13.519 is therefore now no condemnation for those who 00:38:13.519 --> 00:38:19.519 are in Christ. Now, John goes on and explains 00:38:19.519 --> 00:38:25.780 this victory a little bit more in verse 11. And 00:38:25.780 --> 00:38:28.039 this is where we come to the saints' participation. 00:38:30.550 --> 00:38:34.989 In the Lamb's victory. And this is important. 00:38:36.309 --> 00:38:40.869 Verse 11 says this. And they overcame him. Because 00:38:40.869 --> 00:38:45.829 of the blood of the Lamb. And because of the 00:38:45.829 --> 00:38:48.889 word of their testimony. And they did not love 00:38:48.889 --> 00:38:54.489 their life. Even when faced with death. John 00:38:54.489 --> 00:38:58.619 goes on. To help us understand a little bit more 00:38:58.619 --> 00:39:03.019 about what it means that Christ has been victorious. 00:39:03.539 --> 00:39:08.920 And what it means for the people of God to triumph. 00:39:09.719 --> 00:39:13.519 And to win. And to be victorious themselves. 00:39:14.460 --> 00:39:19.139 He tells us three things. He tells us before 00:39:19.139 --> 00:39:22.579 these that they have triumphed. So it's not something 00:39:22.579 --> 00:39:26.489 that's potential. It's something that has taken 00:39:26.489 --> 00:39:31.829 place just as Christ has been enthroned. He says 00:39:31.829 --> 00:39:38.110 in verse 11, And they overcame him. Meaning the 00:39:38.110 --> 00:39:43.829 evil one. The dragon. Satan. So those in Christ. 00:39:44.789 --> 00:39:49.429 Those whom Christ shed his blood for. Those who 00:39:49.429 --> 00:39:51.909 are in a saving union with the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:39:52.300 --> 00:39:55.500 by faith and repentance. Brothers and sisters, 00:39:55.619 --> 00:40:04.039 you have overcome. You are victorious based on 00:40:04.039 --> 00:40:10.380 the completed, objective, finished work of the 00:40:10.380 --> 00:40:14.599 Lord Jesus Christ. It's not talking about a future 00:40:14.599 --> 00:40:19.840 potential victory. It's talking about those who 00:40:19.840 --> 00:40:25.320 are in Christ. Those who believe in Christ that 00:40:25.320 --> 00:40:31.460 have overcome. This is the only way for a person 00:40:31.460 --> 00:40:36.679 to ultimately be victorious in this life and 00:40:36.679 --> 00:40:41.300 the next. People are looking for victory in all 00:40:41.300 --> 00:40:45.179 kinds of ways, brothers and sisters. We see this 00:40:45.179 --> 00:40:46.980 throughout the world. We see this throughout 00:40:46.980 --> 00:40:50.420 the culture. We see this in society over and 00:40:50.420 --> 00:40:53.519 over again. What are people trying to do? They're 00:40:53.519 --> 00:40:58.659 trying to be victorious in this life. Why do 00:40:58.659 --> 00:41:03.539 they slave at work? Why do they give everything 00:41:03.539 --> 00:41:07.179 for money and finances? Why do they sacrifice 00:41:07.179 --> 00:41:11.000 everything for influence and power in the world? 00:41:11.079 --> 00:41:14.019 Why are they willing to do anything and everything 00:41:14.019 --> 00:41:21.590 to get ahead? Because they want to succeed. They 00:41:21.590 --> 00:41:24.650 want to be victorious over the struggles, the 00:41:24.650 --> 00:41:29.349 difficulties, the hardships, over the lack of 00:41:29.349 --> 00:41:33.769 influence, over the appearance or the fear of 00:41:33.769 --> 00:41:37.289 man, whatever it might be. Men in the world are 00:41:37.289 --> 00:41:40.349 always striving to be victorious. But here's 00:41:40.349 --> 00:41:44.710 the problem. No matter how victorious an unbelieving 00:41:44.710 --> 00:41:49.969 man is in this life, he will always be conquered 00:41:49.969 --> 00:41:56.250 at death. I don't care how successful you are 00:41:56.250 --> 00:42:01.429 in this life. I don't care how popular you are 00:42:01.429 --> 00:42:06.349 in this life. I don't care how strong or fit 00:42:06.349 --> 00:42:09.090 you are in this life. How much future you have 00:42:09.090 --> 00:42:12.250 left. I don't care how much money you make. If 00:42:12.250 --> 00:42:14.809 you don't know Jesus Christ, you will fail at 00:42:14.809 --> 00:42:16.710 the end of your life because you will die and 00:42:16.710 --> 00:42:21.880 you will experience judgment. The only way that 00:42:21.880 --> 00:42:24.219 you will succeed and you will be victorious is 00:42:24.219 --> 00:42:27.360 by being found in Christ and to have His blood 00:42:27.360 --> 00:42:30.699 cover you. And the only way that happens is for 00:42:30.699 --> 00:42:33.880 you to turn from your sins and to trust in the 00:42:33.880 --> 00:42:36.679 Son of God who took on flesh and dwelt among 00:42:36.679 --> 00:42:39.480 us, who lived a perfect life, who raised from 00:42:39.480 --> 00:42:42.519 the dead, who conquered the grave, and who ascended 00:42:42.519 --> 00:42:45.139 to the Father's right hand. If you are in Him, 00:42:45.300 --> 00:42:51.469 you will share in His victory. If you are in 00:42:51.469 --> 00:42:56.650 him, you have already triumphed over the world 00:42:56.650 --> 00:43:03.110 and every enemy that is against you. Now, John 00:43:03.110 --> 00:43:09.449 is clear that this victory, this triumph that 00:43:09.449 --> 00:43:14.809 the people of God partake in is a bit paradoxical. 00:43:15.289 --> 00:43:21.980 Listen to what he says. He says this. At the 00:43:21.980 --> 00:43:27.400 end of verse 11. Because of the word of their 00:43:27.400 --> 00:43:31.019 testimony. And they did not love their life. 00:43:31.780 --> 00:43:37.619 Even when faced with death. We have to do away. 00:43:38.920 --> 00:43:43.599 With our worldly measures. And ideas. Of what 00:43:43.599 --> 00:43:48.760 victory as the church of Jesus Christ is. We 00:43:48.760 --> 00:43:51.440 have to do away with the carnal. definitions 00:43:51.440 --> 00:43:54.500 of what it means for the church to win, for the 00:43:54.500 --> 00:43:57.599 church to succeed, for the church to be triumphant 00:43:57.599 --> 00:44:04.860 in this world. It is not as the world says. Victory 00:44:04.860 --> 00:44:11.000 for the church is not conquering kingdoms and 00:44:11.000 --> 00:44:15.039 conquering nations and conquering empires and 00:44:15.039 --> 00:44:18.119 conquering powers. What does John say victory 00:44:18.119 --> 00:44:23.070 in the gospel is? Suffering well in the face 00:44:23.070 --> 00:44:27.550 of hardship. Even to the point where you are 00:44:27.550 --> 00:44:31.349 willing to be martyred and to die for your faith. 00:44:32.730 --> 00:44:37.750 That is gospel triumph. That is perseverance 00:44:37.750 --> 00:44:42.989 in the dragon's face and entering into glory 00:44:42.989 --> 00:44:47.130 and power and authority and the presence of your 00:44:47.130 --> 00:44:52.579 Savior. Brothers and sisters, That is victory 00:44:52.579 --> 00:44:58.619 for the church in this age. That is victory in 00:44:58.619 --> 00:45:05.760 your life. We can't forget that though the devil 00:45:05.760 --> 00:45:10.360 is defeated, brothers and sisters, he is not 00:45:10.360 --> 00:45:16.420 destroyed. He is active. He is present. He is 00:45:16.420 --> 00:45:22.360 working. He is... He is fighting. He is strategizing. 00:45:24.940 --> 00:45:29.699 And though his accusations fall flat in the ears 00:45:29.699 --> 00:45:36.199 of God, speaking anthropomorphically, he can 00:45:36.199 --> 00:45:40.579 still come to you and bring accusations to your 00:45:40.579 --> 00:45:45.940 heart. He can still bring about doubt and fear 00:45:45.940 --> 00:45:52.750 and anxiety. And sin. And struggle. In your life. 00:45:54.750 --> 00:46:00.010 What do you do when that takes place? Where do 00:46:00.010 --> 00:46:04.650 you go? What do you look to? The blood of the 00:46:04.650 --> 00:46:09.750 Lamb. You look to the work of God in your life 00:46:09.750 --> 00:46:12.449 as he works in your life. The word of your testimony. 00:46:12.929 --> 00:46:17.300 You faithfully bear witness. to His grace and 00:46:17.300 --> 00:46:20.659 His mercy and His salvation as He works in you. 00:46:20.800 --> 00:46:24.059 You faithfully confess and profess the Word of 00:46:24.059 --> 00:46:30.820 God in your life. You press on. When those accusations 00:46:30.820 --> 00:46:37.119 rise in your mind, in your heart, look to the 00:46:37.119 --> 00:46:41.559 righteousness of Christ. Look to the completed 00:46:41.559 --> 00:46:46.380 work of the Messiah. When you're tempted to think, 00:46:46.400 --> 00:46:52.019 I'm no good. God can't love me. I'm under His 00:46:52.019 --> 00:46:54.860 wrath and under His judgment. Brothers and sisters, 00:46:55.079 --> 00:47:00.980 look to the atoning death of the cross. When 00:47:00.980 --> 00:47:03.340 you think that your righteousness actually matters 00:47:03.340 --> 00:47:06.599 for your standing before God, or that your righteousness, 00:47:06.860 --> 00:47:09.380 your so -called righteousness, condemns you before 00:47:09.380 --> 00:47:12.300 God, where do you look? To the justifying life 00:47:12.300 --> 00:47:17.239 and resurrection of the Son of God. When the 00:47:17.239 --> 00:47:21.519 accuser steps up to confront you in your heart, 00:47:21.639 --> 00:47:26.820 look to your great and mighty advocate that is 00:47:26.820 --> 00:47:29.079 at the right hand of the Father.