Notes of Faith June 10, 2025
Wooly Devil
The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Revelation 20:10
Last year, a new plant species and genus was discovered in a U.S. national park for the first time in decades. It was a little fluffy, fuzzy flower that was given the name “wooly devil” because of its two striking red petals that reminded researchers of the devil’s horns. In Revelation 12, the devil is pictured as a red dragon with ten horns, but that’s symbolic. In truth, he is a fallen archangel who moves through the earth “seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
Satan was defeated at Calvary, but his final doom will only occur after the thousand-year reign of Christ (Revelation 20:10). In the meantime, we must determine to live in consistent victory over his schemes (Ephesians 6:11). That requires prayer. Our greatest leverage over the devil doesn’t come by shaking our fists but by bending our knees. Ask God for victory today regarding any situation in which you feel the devil is active.
Satan trembles when he sees, the weakest saint upon his knees.
William Cowper
1 Peter 5:6-11
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. 10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. 11 To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.
The tempter will one day be gone forever from our presence. The one who deceived and helped bring the consequence of sin; death, eternal punishment and separation from God, will himself be condemned to suffering in the depths of the place prepared for him by God. The suffering we experience now will seem light and easy to endure when we see the glory of what God has prepared for those who love Him. May we focus on His glory and rest peacefully, trusting in His promises to bring us home to be with Him.
Pastor Dale