FromNowUntilForeverBook8.5x5.5 REV.indd

This leads us into a discussion of Satan’s domain. Con- trary to popular opinion, he does not live in hell, although he will eventually wind up there. Satan’s primary residence is hereon earth, which is why I often tell my congregation that we are living in enemy occupied territory. Scripture says Satan is “the god of this world . . . the prince of the power of the air” (2 Corinthians 4:4, Ephesians 2:2). Ever since being booted from heaven, the devil has been “Roaming about on the earth, and walking around on it” (Job 1:7). He “prowls around like a roaring lion” (1 Peter 5:8). Interestingly, the devil has access to heaven, but only at God’s invitation. In the Job 1 passage just mentioned, “Satan stood before God to give an account of himself.”That being said, note carefully that “God initiated the meeting, led the proceedings, and remained in absolute control (verse 7). The result was that Satan’s power was limited (verse 12) and God was glorified.” 20 Let’s examine the devil’s strategy by analyzing these tac- tics he uses against us: He deceives – This comes as no surprise, since Jesus calls Satan “a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). The most obvious example of this is when he conned Adam and Eve into partak- ing of the forbidden fruit. Satan tricked them into thinking they would become like God, when in actuality they became more like him, estranged from God. He disguises – Satan, coming to Eden in the form of a serpent, caused Eve to lower her guard and fall into sin. This explains what Paul meant when he wrote, “Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14). As the end times ap- proach, he will do this at an ever increasing rate, directing false teachers and prophets to tell people what they want to hear rather than what the Bible says.

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