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Host: Pastor Tom Keller reminds us of an amazing fact.

Pastor Thom Keller: The Bible says all things work together for good to those who love the Lord, and are called according to his purpose. And if God can't work that out for your good, he will not let it happen. And that's why when a believer gets cancer and they pray or they or they're anointed and the and the cancer remains, God has to have a plan to use that for good. He has to.

Host: We don't often like to think about Satan and his minions, but they are real. The book of Job gives us a unique look into the dealings that God has with the enemy of our souls. You're listening to Study the Word with Pastor Tom Keller. Our enemy Satan accuses us day and night before the Lord. The great and wonderful news is that Jesus is our defense attorney. Our study of the Book of Job shows us how a godly man can withstand the wiles of the devil, and how God can be glorified even when we suffer. Let's continue with the second half of Pastor Tom's message in Job chapter 1 verses 1 through 6.

Pastor Thom Keller: In Job, Satan appears with the angels. And what's interesting is in the in the Hebrew, when it talks about angels, unless it specifies it's from God or not from God, it's the same word that's used either way. So it can be it can be a bad angel or a good angel. You need to know the context to kind of get that. And so obviously this this spirit, this angel, this army of angels that appeared on the the left and right side of God's throne, this was an evil spirit cuz it put a lying spirit in the mouth of the prophets.

So again, we we know that as hard as this is to believe that God actually uses uh demons to sometimes accomplish purposes. In other words, demons want to do what they want to do, and God blocks them. But there are times if God can accomplish a purpose through what the demon wants to do, he will allow them to do what they want to do if it accomplishes his purpose. That's the case of the lying spirit. He allowed that to accomplish God's purpose. And so the same thing is here with Job. Satan wants to tear Job to pieces, and God gives him limited permission to do so.

So again, God allows Satan to do something because God can use what Satan does to Job to bring about a greater good. Again, in 2 Chronicles, the word there, the Hebrew word for host of angels is sava, t s a b a, sava. And it does not specify a fallen or unfallen angel. Uh in Hebrew, the word is malak, and it's used 213 times in the Old Testament. And so here, it says that the Satan, the accuser comes with the angels. Were they all good angels, all fallen angels? We don't know. Just says he came with the angels.

And it's interesting, Satan, the accuser comes with them. Satan is called the accuser only four times in the whole Bible. Four times in the entire Bible, old and new. Two times is in Job, chapter 1 and chapter 2. And note that Satan appears in God's presence. Now just think about that. Satan appears in God's presence. Many years ago, we worked with an evangelism team and went around the country doing conferences. And I I taught classes on evangelism. And in one of the one of the tools of witnessing to people, I said that why someone needs to have their sin forgiven before they can get to heaven.

I said because God can't stand in the presence of sin. I said that for many years. God can't stand in the presence of sin. Nothing sinful can stand in God's presence. And this pastor came up and challenged me gently. He said, Well, you know, I think you need to rethink that. He said because Satan stood in the presence of God. And I thought, Wow, you're right. If God can't stand in the presence of sin, how could Satan stand in front of him? I mean, he's the personification of sin and evil, right? That's just a little aside.

But try to picture the scene. I picture, you know, Jesus said, If you have seen me, you've seen the Father, right? So don't ever lose that concept. If you if you see Jesus as being kind and loving and compassionate and loving you and caring about you and being compassionate towards you and see God as a stern lightning flashing from his fingertips on his throne, you know, the great and powerful Oz, don't get don't come behind the curtain, you know, one of those scenes, you got the wrong picture. Jesus is the exact lightness of the unseen God.

And so in this scene, you have God and Jesus and Satan. Now the question is, how do you think Satan was dressed? If you If you're not familiar with this, look at 2 Corinthians chapter 11. It says verse 14, But I am not surprised even Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light. And so the all he is a deceiver, right? So he comes, I think in that form. Imagine how Jesus would see him coming in that form. Such a liar, such a deceiver. And God and Satan enter into a discussion. And God says to Satan, Where have you come from?

Where have you come from? Do you ever notice that God is good at asking questions? Do you ever notice that in your prayer time? Why does he ask questions? I love Dan Van Vleet's answer to this. He said, Why does God ask questions? He said he's not looking for information. But typically, I find when God asks me questions, it's because he has me pinned. And in my answer, I can't answer it because by answering it, it makes a point that he's trying to get me to make. You get it? So always remember that when God asks you questions, it's not that he's looking for information from you.

He he has something he's trying to say to you, but he's doing it through a question. Questions are brilliant. So he says, Where have you come from? Now here's the question. He says, Where have you come from? Why did God have to ask? Didn't he know where Satan came from? Right? He knew where it came from. He was patrolling the earth. God saw him do that. So why did he ask? I think because God knew where he was going in his line of questioning. And that was the lead into the question he wanted to ask.

He wants to ask about Job. And so he asked Satan, Have you seen my good man Job? Now remember, as we study this book, as you read it in the future, remember this. Neither Job nor anyone else in this book of Job ever knew this conversation took place. Neither Job nor anyone else in the book of Job ever knew this conversation took place. No one knew that Satan unleashed this on him. No one knew that this was a a test of sorts from God. That's all missing from their interpretation of what happened. Uh we know that, but do you think about that?

If Job would know that from the beginning, right? He'd say, Hey, I God, I'm honored. You you you test me with this. This is this is tough. I don't like it. This is painful. I don't want to go through this, but I understand you've allowed this and But he had none of that. None of that. No no voice from God. Nothing. Just what hit him. So the question is, who recorded this? Who was it that revealed in the beginning of Job that this scene took place in heaven? Because Job was not present in heaven when God and he discussed this.

The answer is we don't know. But it took place and God revealed it to to someone, to the writer of this book. Why? Because it was necessary to know this opening dialogue between God and Satan. We have to know this beginning. Why? Because we see why Job goes through all of this. We understand. Secondly, we see the power that Satan has when God allows it. Do you remember If you've read Job, we're going to get to this, but do you remember how all of the supernatural events that happened that destroyed all of this stuff, all of this stuff?

I mean, look, let's go down there ahead of time. Uh it it's it's worth getting to this. Job 1 13. We'll get to this again later, but just listen to this. One day when Job's Look at the power that Satan has when God allows him. Look at this. Job 1 13. One day when Job's sons and daughters were dining at the oldest brother's house, a messenger arrived at Job's home. Your oxen were plowing with the donkeys feeding beside them when the Sabeans raided us. They stole all the animals and killed all the farm hands. I'm the only one who escaped to tell you.

So Satan could influence this this tribe of people to go and take his stuff. While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news. The fire of God has fallen from heaven. It wasn't the fire from God. It was the fire from Satan. But Satan could send fire from heaven. And all the shepherds, I'm the only from And burned up your sheep and all your shepherds. Think about that. Fire from heaven burning up the sheep and shepherds. With 7,000 sheep, man, that's some barbecue. While he was still speaking. So picture this. First guy comes in, he tells And Job goes, Oh my word.

As as his last word is dying off, the next guy runs in the room and tells his story. While his last word is trailing off, the next guy comes in. The third guy comes in, verse 17. While he was still speaking, a third messenger arrived with the news. Three bands of Chaldean raiders have stolen your camels and your servants. So again, Satan could influence these raiders, the timing of this, to steal his camels at this exact moment. I'm the only one who escaped to tell you, the power that he has when God allows it. While he was still speaking, another messenger, number four arrives with the news.

Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother's home. Now again, consider the timing. This isn't by chance. This was directed by Satan. Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother's home when suddenly a powerful wind swept in from the desert and hit the house on all sides. The house collapsed and your children are dead. Satan did that. I'm the only one who escaped to tell you. Verse 20, Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. So again, the point is what we learn in this account. I mean, back in Exodus, we discover that Pharaoh's magicians, you know, can turn water into blood.

They can do some fancy things, turn turn a stick into a snake. We see what Satan can do through those instruments, but in Job, we see that Satan, when God allows him, can have a mastery over even weather. And can influence the tribe to do what they want to do, what he wants them to do, when he wants them to do it. Because look, there's no way you can't get this timing that close unless there was a strategy and all of that. You could say it's just by chance. No, you not the timing. And God didn't send it cuz God said, You can do anything to Job you want.

Well, let's let's get to that. So why was it necessary to know this this opening dialogue between God and Satan? Number one, because we see why Job went through what he went through. Job doesn't have the benefit, but we sure do benefit from knowing that as we read it. Secondly, we see the power that Satan has when God allows him to have it. And third, we see that God puts clear limits on what he allows and doesn't allow Satan to do to a believer. That's probably the most important lesson in this, folks. Satan has tremendous power.

He does if God allows it. But in your life, in the life of every believer, God puts clear limits on what he can do to you. He won't allow Satan to do anything to you that he can't that God can't work out for your good. Right? The Bible says all things work together for good to those who love the Lord, and are called according to his purpose. And if God can't work that out for your good, he will not let it happen. And that's why when a believer gets cancer and they pray or they or they're anointed and the and the cancer remains, God has to have a plan to use that for good.

He has to. Let's look at what Satan had been doing. Uh verse 7, Job 1 7. It says, Where have you come from? The Lord asked Satan. And Satan answered, I have been going back and forth across the earth watching everything that's going on. The question is, I guess, is this what Satan does? He did it here. Is this his standard fair? Well, you know, if he's the accuser of the brethren, he almost has to get the goods on us, doesn't he? I mean, he almost has to observe to accuse us. And that's what he does night and day.

And then as I was studying this, I thought, Was this what his minions do too? Is this what his demons do too? Do they search across the face of the earth? Uh do they have the freedom to do that? To To travel across the face of the earth? You know, there's an interesting little picture into this that we get in Matthew that Jesus tells us about. Matthew 12 43. This is talking about evil spirits. Jesus is speaking. Matthew 12 43. Listen what Jesus says. When an evil spirit leaves a person So here's the idea. An evil spirit is in a person and it leaves.

Maybe it was cast out. Jesus cast a lot of demons out. Maybe it was cast out, but it it leaves. When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, dry places, King James says, seeking rest but finding none. Okay? So these demons try to get rest. They they try to find peace. They They're not going to, but there's there there's a desire to try to find peace. And they they go to the desert. They don't find it there. Then it says, I will return to the person I came from. So it returns and finds the former home empty, swept and clean.

Now here's my point. It self-willed. It says, I will I will return to the person I came from. It doesn't There's no indication it checks in with someone. It just says, I will I will return to the person I came from. So it returns and finds the home empty, swept and clean. And then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person. So it says, The spirit finds That spirit goes out and finds seven other spirits. So there's this conversation. Hey guys, I got to play I got a new home for you.

Come on. This guy's This guy's going to be a lot of fun. This this house is We going to get this house in a lot of trouble. Come on. No, come on. Really, come with me. He goes out and finds them. So that there's an insight there into that realm that is very interesting. So is this the same thing that his demons do? Do they patrol the earth? Do they look for things to uh report back to God about as accusing us of sin? Possibly. Doesn't say it. It's possible. Remember, the Bible calls Satan the god of this world and the prince of the power of the air in Ephesians 2 2.

In fact, in Revelation, we see Jesus taking back the title deed to the earth that was given to Satan at the fall. When Adam and Eve ate the fruit of that tree, the the Bible says that the title deed of the earth was transferred to Satan at that moment. So a car has a title, and the owner's name is on that title. And when the earth was created, God's name was on the title. Owner of this vehicle, God. When Adam and Eve ate of the fruit of that tree, that title was transferred. They went to a AAA and transferred the title.

And the title stopped saying God, and now it says it belongs to Satan. And where you see that is when the title deed is taken back. Look at Revelation chapter 5 verse 1. It's in My subtitle is called The Lamb Opens the Scroll. The Lamb is Jesus, right? Revelation 5 1. And I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was riding on the inside and the outside of the scroll. And it was sealed with seven seals. This is the title deed of the earth. We'll see that in a moment.

And I saw a strong angel who shouted with a loud voice, Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and unroll it? But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it. Then I wept. This is John the Revelator. Then I wept because no one could be found who was worthy to open the scroll and read it. But one of the 24 elders said to me, Stop weeping. Look, the line of the tribe of Judah Who's this? Jesus. The line of the tribe of G of Judah, the heir to David's throne has conquered.

He is worthy to open the scroll and break its seven seals. I looked and I saw a lamb that had been killed, but was now standing between the throne and the four living beings. And among the 24 elders, it had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God that are sent out into every part of the earth. He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. And as he took the scroll, the four living beings and the 24 elders fell down before the lamb.

Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, the prayers of God's people. And it says then And And they sang a new song with these words. You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were killed, and your blood is ransomed people for God. From every tribe and language and people and nation, you have caused them to become God's kingdom and his priests, and they will reign on earth. And that is when that seal is taken back. The title deed to the earth is taken back.

So and why does Satan patrol the earth? Well, what is Satan's primary objective relative to mankind? Look at John 10 10. It says, The thief's purpose Who's the thief?

Guest (Male): Satan.

Pastor Thom Keller: Satan, the devil. The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose Jesus speaking My purpose is to give life in all its fullness. So the thief's purpose, that's his agenda. That's that's what he does. That's why he he is That's what he's about, is to steal, kill and destroy. His idea is to steal you away from God, to kill you physically, and destroy you throughout all of eternity. That's the goal. To steal your heart from God, kill you physically, and destroy you throughout all of eternity. That's it. All those three things. First he gets you away from God.

He steals your affections away from God. And he comes to accuse. Look at Revelation 12 10. Again, there only four places where he's called the accuser. Revelation 12 10 says, Then I heard a loud voice shouting across from the heavens, It is happened at last. The salvation and power and kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ for the accuser has been thrown down to the earth. The one who accused our brothers and sisters before God day and night. Day and night. He accused them day and night. And how did they How did they defeat that?

Look at verse 11, next verse. And they've defeated him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of their testimony and that they were not afraid to die. That's powerful, folks. You know, when when Satan accuses you, your answer is the blood of the Lamb. I'm not perfect. I did sin. I do sin, but I'm covered by the blood of the Lamb. And my testimony is that I've put my face personally in that blood. And when we get to the point where we're not afraid to die, Satan can't do anything to you. I remember somebody saying that if if you're not afraid to die, uh Satan can't do anything to you.

Just can't. And then the other, Zechariah. Zechariah chapter 3 verse 1 and 2. And here we see a scene very similar to what happened with Job. And then the angel showed me Yeshua, Joshua, the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord. Now this is a human being, a priest who's standing before the angel of the Lord. Satan was there at the angel's right hand. Sound like Job, doesn't it? Satan was there at the angel's right hand accusing Yeshua or Joshua of many things. And the Lord said to Satan, I, the Lord, reject your accusation, Satan.

Yes, the Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebukes you. This man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire. You know, some of you are burning sticks that have been snatched from the fire. I'm a burning stick that was snatched from the fire. Some of you were snatched from the fire. And when you mess up, guys, girls, when you mess up, this dialogue could be exactly what takes place in heaven. I'm saying it does, but it could take place. Listen. Put Put your name in here. Then the Lord showed me Tom Keller, a pastor standing before the angel of the Lord.

Satan was there at the angel's right hand. I pictured myself standing there accusing Tom of many things. And the Lord said to Satan, I, the Lord, reject your accusation, Satan. Yes, the Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebukes you. This Tom Keller is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire. That cool? You put your name in there, right? You're a burning stick that's been snatched from the fire. And you defeat his accusations by the blood of the Lamb and your testimony in fact that you do not love life on to death. You do not fear death on uh from out of life.

So again, those are the places where the accusation uh takes place. And so as you think about this, you know, this is an interesting picture. Did you ever consider the fact that when you sin, you give Satan the opportunity to accuse you before God? Now you always be defended. But it says he he accuses us day and night before the throne. Now Satan is not omni present or omniscient. He can only be one place at a time. And that really brings those numbers back pretty hard. 7 billion people, one Satan, one place at a time.

But it does make me wonder. It doesn't say this specifically, but it does make me wonder if his demons do the same thing. If there's some structure I don't know I don't know how that works. I just know that if if only Satan can do all the accusing by himself, there's a very limited just based on time and how he can do that. So Jude verse 9 says this. It says, But even Michael, one of the mightiest of the angels did not dare accuse Satan of blasphemy, but simply said, The Lord rebuke you. Now listen.

This took place when Michael was arguing with Satan about Moses's body. So here we find one of the highest ranking angels arguing with Satan. So even Satan wasn't just a fallen angel. So here we have a good angel, a bad angel arguing about something. Could it be that the demons make their accusations in front of your angel? The angel that was watching over you, that that pulled you out of that fire the one time, the one trouble you were in, and and he lays accusations out. And maybe just as Michael here it says maybe they defend you.

I don't know. It's just an interesting thought.

Host: Thanks for listening to Study the Word with Pastor Tom Keller. You can hear this message from Job again online at ccleb.com or subscribe to our YouTube channel at Calvary Chapel Lebanon. If you'd rather have a CD copy, call us at 717 273 5633. Have you been helped by the ministry? Let us know that. It would be so encouraging to Pastor Tom. Give us a call at 717 273 5633 or write to Study the Word 740 Willow Street, Lebanon, Pennsylvania 17046. You can also email us through the website at ccleb.com. Study the Word is made possible through the generous support of listeners just like you.

And thank you for helping us reach thousands with the love and truth of Jesus. You can give online at ccleb.com or call 717 273 56 33. And we hope you'll visit us sometime here at Calvary Chapel Lebanon. For our service times and more information, go online to ccleb.com. You can also watch our live stream there at ccleb.com or on our YouTube channel at Calvary Chapel Lebanon. Study the Word with Pastor Tom Keller is brought to you by Calvary Chapel Lebanon. Join us next time when we'll again be in the Book of Job. And may God richly bless you as you study the Word.