The Unseen Realm Session 3 – Satan & Hell (Ezekiel 28, Isaiah 14, Luke 16:19-31) Introduction – "The Unseen Enemy" a) In our first two sessions of The Unseen Realm, we began exploring a reality that exists beyond what our physical eyes can see. We discovered that the biblical writers understood the world as more than just a physical creation. There is an unseen spiritual realm populated by supernatural beings, operating within a reality that intersects with our own. i) We also explored how the nations of the world were understood within this supernatural framework. Behind earthly kingdoms, rulers, and conflicts, Scripture reveals spiritual powers and authorities. Daniel's account of the princes of Persia and Greece reminds us that what happens in the visible world is not always disconnected from what happens in the invisible one. ii) But today, we're going to examine a particular figure within this supernatural rebellion; Satan, the adversary. b) Perhaps no figure in Scripture has been more sensationalized, misunderstood, or misrepresented. Popular culture portrays him as a red creature with horns and a pitchfork, ruling over hell. Others dismiss him as nothing more than a symbol of evil or a convenient explanation for human wrongdoing. c) Yet Scripture presents a very different picture. d) Satan is not God's equal. He is not omnipotent, omniscient, or omnipresent. He is a created being who rebelled against his Creator, and his influence is real, his deception is dangerous, and his ultimate judgment is certain. e) We'll examine the prophetic passages of Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14, considering how these descriptions of earthly kings have also been understood as revealing the pride and rebellion associated with Satan. We'll also explore what Scripture teaches about hell, judgment, and the eternal consequences of rejecting God. i) And here's why this matters: You cannot properly prepare for a spiritual battle if you misunderstand the enemy you're facing. b) But there's something even more important. i) The Unseen Realm is not ultimately a story about Satan's power. It's a story about God's sovereignty and Christ's victory. ii) Satan may be powerful, but he is not all-powerful. He may deceive, but he cannot overcome the truth of God's Word. He may oppose God's people, but he cannot overturn God's eternal purposes. Big Idea: Understanding the enemy's deception prepares us to stand in God's truth and live in Christ's victory. The Unseen War a) You and I are caught in an unseen war within unknowable dimensional spaces – a supernatural battle where we are both the pawns and prize. b) There are misunderstandings about Satan and the demonic realm, but we must be clear thinking about his devices, tactics, and schemes so that we are ready, in and out of season, for the battle that is already raging. c) Our main defense is the living Word of God, prayer, and humble submission to the Holy Spirit. d) We will see how the armor of God is the ultimate answer for spiritual warfare. i) How does knowing that we are both the "pawns" and the "prize" affect how seriously you take your spiritual walk? THE ONLY RELIABLE SOURCE ON THE UNSEEN REALM IS THE BIBLE. 2) The Unseen Realm – Peering into the Dark a) There are two prevailing myths about Satan: (1) That he doesn't exist. WRONG: Try resisting him for a while and see what happens. (2) That he is everywhere. WRONG: He has locality. He is NOT omnipresent, but he has substantial resources. b) Behind the formation of great empires lie unseen spiritual battles among principalities and powers (See Session 2 – The Demonic Realm). These beings, assigned to specific realms or regions, exert influence over nations and are, in turn, impacted by the choices made within the physical world. This dynamic reflects the interplay between the seen and the unseen realms as described in Scripture. c) Satan: His Many Misconceptions i) There are many misconceptions of Satan and to have this misinformed view is very dangerous. Here are seven misconceptions: (1) Satan is God's equal opposite to all that is good (Job 1:6-12, Col 1:16, Ezekiel 28:13-17). TRUTH: This is dualist misconception, which resembles Zoroastrianism. Colossians 1:16 (NKJV), "For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him." (2) Satan rules hell (Rev 20:10, Matt 25:41) TRUTH: Hell is not Satan's kingdom – it's his prison. Matthew 25:41 (NKJV), "Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.'" (3) Satan has horns, red skin, and a pitchfork (2 Cor 11:14). TRUTH: There is no biblical description of Satan with these features. 2 Corinthians 11:14 (NKJV), "And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light." (4) Satan makes you sin (James 1:14-15, Gen 4:7, 1 Pet 5:8). TRUTH: Satan tempts us, but humans have free will. James 1:14-15 (NKJV), "But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. (5) Satan can read your mind (1 Kings 8:39, Jer 17:10, Job 1-2). TRUTH: Only God is omniscient (all-knowing). Satan is powerful but limited. 1 Kings 8:39 (NKJV), "…for You alone know the hearts of all the sons of men." (6) Satan (demons) can possess a person against their will (Mark 5:1-20, Mark 9:14-29, John 13:2). TRUTH: There is a progression that can be associated with entries. Influence ® temptation ®decision ® possession. John 13:2 (NKJV), "And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him." (i) Why is it spiritually dangerous to have a misconception about Satan? (7) Satan was always evil (Isa 14:12-15, Ezekiel 28:13-17). TRUTH: Satan was a high angel who fell. ii) Ezekiel 28: The Power Behind the Throne [1-2] "The word of the LORD came to me again, saying, Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: Because your heart is lifted up, And you say, 'I am a god, I sit in the seat of gods, In the midst of the seas,' et you are a man, and not a god, Though you set your heart as the heart of a god." (1) "I am a god" language shows up in other Scriptures: (a) King of Babylon (Isa 14:13-14). (b) Pharaoh Hophra (Ezek 29:3). (c) Herod Agrippa by the Tyrians (Acts 12:21-22). (d) Paul's description of the coming "man of sin." 2 Thessalonians 2:4 (KNJV), "Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." (2) I sit in the seat of gods: Tyre was known as the Holy Island. It was believed that the city rose from the waters like the rock throne of God. (3) Though you set your heart as the heart of a god: These word ring familiar to the temptation in the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3:5. [3-12] (Behold, you are wiser than Daniel! There is no secret that can be hidden from you! With your wisdom and your understanding You have gained riches for yourself, And gathered gold and silver into your treasuries; By your great wisdom in trade you have increased your riches, And your heart is lifted up because of your riches)," 'Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Because you have set your heart as the heart of a god, Behold, therefore, I will bring strangers against you, The most terrible of the nations; And they shall draw their swords against the beauty of your wisdom, And defile your splendor. They shall throw you down into the Pit, And you shall die the death of the slain In the midst of the seas. Will you still say before him who slays you, 'I am a god'? But you shall be a man, and not a god, In the hand of him who slays you. Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Son of man, take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre, and say to him, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: You were the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty." (4) Notice that the language changes from "Prince = man at the top" (vs. 2) to "King = Melek." (5) Initially Ezekiel prophesied against the whole city and now he is singling out the city's leader for a special word from God. This ruler then was Ethbaal III, who ruled from 591-590 B.C. to 573-572 B.C. (6) The passage, though directed at the king of Tyre, ultimately points to Satan and his future embodiment in the Antichrist (Dan 7:25; 2 Thess 2:4; Rev 13:6). [13] You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, Beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created. (7) Timbrels and pipes: This means tambourines and "pipes" are literal holes in pipes or flutes. This is the verse that commentator's conjecture that Lucifer was the worship leader in heaven. [14] "You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. (8) Cherub: This is a super angel (Isa 6; Ezek 1 10; Rev 4 & 5). The view is that he was originally the super angel that was in charge of them all. [15] You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you. (9) Created