Welcome to the final lesson in this special series, Demons and Deliverance. This last lesson is particularly joyful because we finally see who wins the battle.
The good news is that God triumphs! The devil is already defeated, and redeemed man will reach the ultimate destiny God predestined for him before the foundation of the world. Satan will be eternally incarcerated in the lake of fire, never again free to torment, deceive, or hurt humanity.
In this Jubilee lesson, we will learn the ultimate truth of our destiny: The Church will replace Lucifer and his host of angels before the eternal throne of God.
To understand this, we must look at the angelic hosts. Angels administer the will of God and carry out the desires of the Most High. There are three specific archangels mentioned in Scripture who were given immense authority.
1. Gabriel, the Messenger Gabriel is God's chief messenger and the head of heaven's communications. In Daniel 8 and 9, and throughout the New Testament, Gabriel brings messages directly from the throne of God. He is the prince over the angels that communicate God's directives to the universe.
2. Michael, the Warrior Michael is the protector of God's people and the leader of the armies of heaven (Daniel 10:13). He was the warrior who contended for the body of Moses in the book of Jude. Wherever there is spiritual warfare, Michael and his host of angels are fighting on the Lord's side.
3. Lucifer, the Worshipper Before the earth was created, Lucifer was the covering archangel who led the praise and worship before the throne of God (Ezekiel 28; Isaiah 14). He was dressed in beautiful gems, and he was perfect in beauty and wisdom. The very glory and Shekinah of God flowed through him to the rest of the heavenly creatures.
You might ask, "How could there be a problem in a perfect heaven?"
The answer is simple: God is love, and love must be voluntary. You cannot put love under pressure, or it ceases to be love. God does not compel anyone to serve Him. If God forced you to obey, you would just be a toy, an automaton pushing buttons. But God wants a family that chooses to love Him.
Because God grants free will, Lucifer had a choice. Even though he was the greatest angel in heaven, he became lifted up in pride. He declared, "I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will be equal to the Most High" (Isaiah 14). Because of his rebellion, he lost his position and was cast out of heaven along with the angels he deceived.
Why does the devil hate you so passionately? Why does he fight the Church?
It is because he knows God's eternal plan! Jesus Christ came to this earth to breed a new creation—the redeemed saints of the Most High God. When the redeemed arrive in heaven, they will stand directly before the throne of God, praising, magnifying, and rejoicing in Him. That was Lucifer's job!
If you want a person to hate you, just take their job. Satan hates the human race because he knows we are going to take his place! We are going to stand right in front of the throne to exalt the Most High God, and he will never see that position again.
When the redeemed of all ages gather, the emptiness that was left in heaven when Lucifer was cast out will finally be filled. There will be three great sections around the throne of God:
In Revelation 19, we read that the Church will sing a song that the other angels cannot even sing—the song of the redeemed! We will fill the center of heaven, leading the praises of the Lord God Almighty.
This is the greatest reason why you should have absolutely nothing to do with the devil. He is a loser! He lost his place in heaven, he lost in the Garden of Eden, and he lost at Calvary. When he nailed Jesus to the cross, he thought he had won. But Jesus took that cross and turned it into a throne from which He rules the hearts of mankind!
Losers love company. Satan wants you to spend eternity in remorse with him in the lake of fire, looking back and realizing you missed the throne of God. Do not let him deceive you. Attach yourself to a winner! Jesus always wins.
In the grand finale of human history, Lucifer and his demons will be eternally doomed to the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10). The eternal ages will resume, and there will be no more sickness, no more sorrow, and no more killers. All there will be is God, His blessings, His power, and His infinite love (Revelation 21:1-3).
Make the decision today to live for God. Stand against the enemy, walk in total victory, and prepare yourself to stand before the throne of God to sing His praises for all eternity!