The Bible is more than a bunch of unrelated stories. The New Testament of the Bible was written over a period of approximately one hundred years by eight men (each writing inspired by the Holy Spirit). Even though their books were written independently (in some cases a generation apart), these Twenty-Seven books of the New Testament did not contradict but rather corroborated each other. There is a continuing thread throughout the pages of the Bible. The Old Testament contains the New Testament (by way of prophecy) while the New Testament explains the Old …it’s supernatural. It’s a progressive revelation.
The Apostle Paul wrote: (Titus 1:2) …in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.
Almighty God has placed His Word (his promises) above His Name. (Psa 138:2) …For You have magnified Your word above all Your name. Therefore if we believe more in God than we do in His promises we are placing His Name above His Word which is the reverse of what God has declared. If all His promises are not true then God has lied and broken His Word. If His Word is not true then He (God) is not true which effectively makes the whole thing one gigantic lie. Now we Christians ALL have the inner witness of the Holy Spirit telling us: (Rom 8:16) The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. Therefore we know that it’s not a gigantic lie and by way of reason and logic we can see that we MUST believe in God’s promises to the same extent that we believe in Him.
Rev 12:7-9 7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 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.
Satan and his angels (the demons) were cast out of Heaven to the Earth.
Gen 1:26-28 26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
Satan and the demons were not to be a problem to man as God gave man dominion and authority over every living thing that moves on the Earth.
Luke 4:5-6 5 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.
But Adam committed high treason, handing man’s authority and dominion over to satan. You’ll notice that Jesus did not dispute this fact.
Rom 5:18-19 18 Therefore as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
Eph 1:13-14 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
God so loved the world (mankind) that He gave His best …Jesus. A ransom paid to redeem mankind and restore man’s dominion and authority that Adam had lost to satan.
Ephesians Chapters 1 to 3 explain who we are in Christ. The authority and dominion we have regained through Jesus’ sacrifice and victory over the devil on our behalf. Yes, we gained far more than eternal life. But first we have to know it before we can walk in that victory.
John 8:31-32 “31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
The truth itself does not set you free. It’s only the truth you know that has the potential to set you free. It is knowledge of the truth that when applied in your life will set you free.
Most Christians know that Jesus paid the price for our eternal life. However many know little of the restoration of our dominion and authority …who we are in Christ.
Job 1:7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
I Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Satan is not in Hell (not yet anyway) he is right here seeking whom he may devour and that is anyone who doesn’t know their authority and walk in that authority.
Col 2:13-15 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers (that’s satan & the demons), he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Rev 12:10-11 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Rom 5:17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.
Ephesians Chapters 4 to 6 tell us how to walk in the authority Jesus won back for us. We are to enforce the victory Jesus wrought over the devil.
Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…
Garry Preston