The devil is real, and an adversary that we can’t ignore. However, God has given us the power to resist him though our Lord and Savior, Yeshua, Jesus Christ.

We learn much about the devil when we read about his encounter with Job. I’m not going to tell the story of Job, but I want to call out some insights that can help us deal with and claim the power that God has given us over the enemy…

2 Corinthians 2:11 (NKJV)

¹¹ lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices

Revelation 20:10(NKJV)

¹⁰ The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where^[a] the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

THE DEVIL IS NOT OMNIPOTENT

The devil DOES NOT have all power, and the power that he does have, is only what God ALLOWS him for a season. When God pointed out one of his most devoted children, Job, the devil complained that he COULD NOT touch him because he enjoyed God’s protection and favor…

Job 1:10  (NKJV)

¹⁰ Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.

…The enemy COULD NOT touch Job or his family unless God allowed him access to them.

God allowed temporary access to Job for a purpose, but did not allow the enemy to take his life….

Job 1:12 (NKJV)

¹² And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

The same holds true in our lives, the enemy has no power over our lives that hasn’t been allowed by God. He will allow temporary access for a purpose, but when we remain faithful, we are guaranteed power over the enemy…

The devil doesn’t even have power or authority over Hell, but he will share everlasting punishment and separation from God with all those who follow him. God will eventually strip the enemy of all power at the appointed time…

Revelation 20:10(NKJV)

¹⁰ The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where^[a] the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

THE DEVIL IS NOT OMNIPRESENT

The devil CANNOT be everywhere at the same time. Only God is omnipresent…

1 Kings 8:27 (NKJV)

²⁷ “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built!

The enemy is a spiritual being with limitations. Even he responded when asked by God from where was he coming (for our benefit because God already knew)…

Job 1:7 (NKJV)

 ⁷ And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”

You can’t physically go somewhere that you already are. God doesn’t have to go anywhere, because He is already there.

The devil has agents, those fallen angels that were cast out of heaven with him (demons) to assist him in interacting with our lives.

Only the Spirit of God is everywhere at the same time.

THE DEVIL IS NOT OMNISCIENT

 The devil does not know everything. The devil does not have all knowledge, but only that that God allows.

He doesn’t not know EVERYTHING about your life. He knows your family’s history…he knows your history…he observes your strengths and weaknesses and tries to manipulate both you and them. And most importantly…

He doesn’t know your future. The enemy did not know if Job could resist that terrible trial. One of the reasons that God allowed it is because He already knew and want to prove to Satan and leave an example for us of Job’s faithfulness.

He doesn’t even know when his end will be, that’s why he relentlessly goes to and fro seeking who he may devour…trying to steal, kill and destroy.

Go back and read the account of Job. Look closely at the fact that through it all, the enemy was still subject not only to God, but to Job’s faithfulness.

Be encouraged, we have power over the enemy if we remain aware of his limitations, how he works and most of all, remain faithful to God.

James 4:7 (NKJV)

⁷ Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

BE BLESSIFIED!

Even those who don’t believe in God have heard of it. The mark of the beast. The ‘mark’ that many will submit to showing that they have rejected Christ and accepted the antichrist.

Revelation 13:16 (KJV)

¹⁶ And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark IN their right hand, or IN their foreheads:

The purpose of this quick post isn’t to discuss whether or not the church will still be on earth when it takes place. But, what will it actually be. This could be a long post, but I’m going to keep it short so you can digest it…and pray about it.

There are those who talk about a chip being implanted, a bar code that will be required for buying, selling and living everyday life. There are others who speak of a literal mark or tattoo on the hand and forehead. How many warnings have you heard in sermons or seen posted on social media or in sermon?

I say neither. That’s too simple. That’s too literal. Check out this verse…

Jeremiah 31:33 (NKJV)

³³ But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Notice that God says, “I will put My law IN their minds, and write it ON their hearts.”

If you take an x-ray, will you find actual words written on your brain or heart? Of course not.

When God places something in your mind, it affects your thinking. When He places something in your heart, it affects what’s most important to you.

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It’s the same with Revelation 13:16…

“In their right hand…” In the way you do things.

“In their foreheads…” The way you think.

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John told us that the spirit of the antichrist was already here way back then…

1 John 4:3 (NKJV)

³ and every spirit that does not confess that^[a] Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

The spirit of the antichrist has been at work for years affecting how Christians ‘do things’ and ‘think’. Convincing us to compromise when it comes to our Lord and Savior Yeshua, Jesus Christ.

Here’s a quick example…think about Easter. What does the name ‘Easter’ have to do with Jesus? Nothing. What do bunnies and eggs have to do with celebrating His resurrection? Nothing. But, you can’t convince well-meaning Christians to celebrate without calling it Easter because it has been to deeply ingrained in the way they ‘do things’ and the way they ‘think’. Why not celebrate His resurrection without calling it by a pagan goddess’ name?

Think of all the ways that the enemy is convincing the people of God to compromise.

Think of how the thinking of this world is changing to accept what God has forbidden.

It’s not what you accept on your skin…it’s what you accept within.

Think about it.

BE BLESSTIFIED!