Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

As smart as you folks are, I am sure you have noticed that every story follows the structure of this story, at least in the basic elements.

There is always good and evil, a protagonist and antagonist, there are anticlimaxes, someone or some group that is an underdog trying to overcome someone larger, more powerful than they are.

That is the way of it throughout Scripture and that is the way of it from the beginning of stories.

This is the first story, the basis of every other story.

Just as in every story there are wins and losses.

There is an ending, good or bad, whether it fits your style or desire or not.

But I don’t know anyone that doesn’t love a story where the evil one gets it in the end.

Everyone loved the Lone Ranger and Tonto when I was growing up.

Some rancher or widow was being tormented and cheated by a ruthless tycoon, or rancher and you would hear the familiar tune William Tell’s 1812 Overture As the Lone Ranger would gallop in and set things right and the wicked rancher or banker would get it in the end.

It is no different here.

The world, especially believers were being cheated, tormented, killed by the world’s bullies backed by Satan.

We read of their rescue as Jesus on the White horse rides to their rescue and defeats the wicked rulers and peoples.

And we come to this marvelous chapter in which the Wicked one, Satan is captured, bound and cast into the Abyss for a thousand years.

Well I want you to know that this chapter is not about Satan, or the abyss, though he fits into this scene.

Rather, this is about Christ and His rule.

It is about lifting Jesus up, not celebrating the incarceration the enemy, but the victory, power and rule of Jesus.

John speaks of Christ’s rule as though it is already happening.

He speaks of the certainty of this event.

When you read the Bible and you read of the many ups and downs of Israel throughout the OT and the gospels as you read about Jesus life and the many attacks He faced all the way to the cross.

He saw all of that through the lens of this.

He knew the end and though He would endure much suffering on our behalf it all leads to this chapter and the following ones.

The world thought they ruled over Him and controlled what He would do.

Remember the conversation He had with Pontius Pilate?

In response to his question in “are you king of the Jews? . . .

what have you done?

Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.”

This world rulers, not to mention Pilate or the High Priest ruled over Jesus at all.

He was not submitting to their rule, but to the will of the Father.

Just read His prayers in teh garden.Jesus knew what would happen, but He also knew He would come again and fight and win and rule in His kingdom.

Ezekiel saw in a vision what we are reading here and recorded it for us in speaking to Pharoah king of Egypt who thought of himself as god of this world.

This is what he says, “Thus saith the Lord God; Behold I am against thee, Pharoah king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river is mine own, and I have made it for myself.

But I will put hooks in thy jaws, . .

.. And I will leave thee thrown into the wilderness, . . .

upon the open fields; . . .

I have given thee for meat to the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven.

AND ALL THE INHABITANTS OF EGYPT SHALL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD.”

The picture is of this great dragon, personified in Pharoah of Egypt drawn out by God, captured in a net and given as food to the animals and birds.

That phrase “all shall know that I am the Lord” is used in v.6,9,16,21 to show that there is none other than God/Jesus Christ.

, that is probably in John’s mind as it speaks of the imprisoning of the host of heaven, fallen angels, and the kings of the earth.

During Jesus own life we have Him exercising authority over demons and being accused of casting out demons by Beelzebub ().

In verse 29, Jesus mentions the “binding of the strong man” Augustine said that is what we have here.

The binding of the strong man which began at the first coming of Christ reflected in the the defeat of demons in His earthly ministry.(Aug.

Civ.

Dei 20.7–8).Boxall, I. (2006).

The Revelation of Saint John (p.

280).

London: Continuum.)

(Aug.

Civ.

Dei 20.7–8).

Boxall, I. (2006).

The Revelation of Saint John (p.

280).

London: Continuum.

Day 75

Day 75

This is about the rule of Christ.

It is about lifting Christ up and showing all the world who is the Lord.

Psalm 119:84

How many are the days of thy servant?

When wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?

How many are the days of thy servant?

When wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?

Lets look then at this first point:

We have looked at four lessons thus far in our study of this section that I said will help you to remain calm and stable when everything is falling apart in your life.

We have looked at four lessons thus far in our study of this section that I said will help you to remain calm and stable when everything is falling apart in your life.

I.

The Rule of Christ affirmed by the imprisonment of Satan, v.1-3

I just have three points here that flow from the text.

I am not creative enough to come up with something more interesting.

They are

They are

1.

Know that God's word has the answers

I have:

1. Know that God's word has the answers

2. Know that sometimes those answers are slow in coming.

It doesn't mean they are not there.

So continue to hope in God's word no matter what.

A. The Authority of the angel, v.1

2. Know that sometimes those answers are slow in coming.

It doesn't mean they are not there.

So continue to hope in God's word no matter what.

3. Learn to search the Scriptures for the comfort He gives.

Keep searching the word like you are searching for a treasure you know is there.

This is represented by two elements:

3. Learn to search the Scriptures for the comfort He gives.

Keep searching the word like you are searching for a treasure you know is there.

And last time we looked at

And last time we looked at

The source of his authority

4. Choose to believe the Word over your situation.

In other word, don't let your self-talk or your emotions dictate your choices.

Instead, remember the Word is the same yesterday today and forever.

It remains true like a rock no matter your situation.

The promises of God, the character of God, doesn't change because your circumstances are on a downturn.