Revelation 12:12
"........Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and the sea...for the devil is come down unto you having great wrath...because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."
Notice these words......"He" (the devil) "knoweth that he hath but a short time."
Jesus is soon coming again! The Holy Spirit through His body of believers, the church, feels this and with anticipation are saying "Come Lord Jesus." This is a time of invitation - a time of warning and a time of challenge from the Holy Spirit.
Time is short!
Time is limited for people to get right with God. Time is limited for unbelievers to repent of their sins.
Jesus is soon coming again!
Not only does the Holy Spirit and the church feel the nearness of the coming of the Lord and know the urgency of stepping up operations to win the lost - but, the devil knows that time is short. If time is short, then the time for everyone following him is short.
The devil knows that Jesus is coming again. He is on a rampage in these last days. We see and witness the increased evil and wickedness all around. The devil is stepping up his evil operations because he knows that time is running out for him and those that are on his side.
St. Matthew 8:28-34 gives us the account of Jesus entering into the country of Gergesenes. He was met there by two men who were demon possessed. The demons cried out, "what have we to do with thee Jesus thou Son of God? Art thou come hither to torment us before our time?"
Before what time?
* Before the time of Christs reign.
* Before the time of Christs return for His people.
* Before the time when Jesus and His people will rule the earth.
* Before the time when he (Satan) will be bound and later cast into hell.
The devil knows that his time is coming. He knows that Jesus is coming again! He knows what the consequences will be .....although he doesn't know the day nor the hour. He does know that his time is short and therefore he is doing all he can to hinder God's message and destroy precious souls. He knows his time is near and his opportunities are limited.
The Word of God declares the coming of the Lord. Jesus promised to come again...the prophets and the angels foretold it...the Holy Spirit affirms it...the resurrection of our Lord from the dead assures it. Despite the fact that the devil is a deceiver, a cheat, a liar and father of liars - he must confess that Jesus is coming again and that his (the devils) time is short.
The Holy Spirit is stirred over the shortness of time. He is also stepping up His operations in these last days. He is pouring out of His Spirit upon all flesh. The prophet Joel delivered this in Joel 2:28 when he said, "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh;...." Again in Acts 2:16-17, "But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh:..."
BUT - the shortness of time has also stirred the devil, the enemy. His evil nature is on fire. He is pouring out his wrath as never before. However, it is nothing compared to what it is going to be. The devil is getting mad.
The devils time is just about over!
The Book of Revelation 12:12 confirms - "Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea, for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."
The shortness of time should stir the hearts of the Christian, the followers of Christ - but it should also be stirring the unbeliever and those who have not yet given their hearts to God. Just as the devil is on fire with his wrath and evil nature, the church and God's people should be on fire with passion and the power of the Holy Spirit. We should be full and overflowing with the love of God. This love should be causing others to come to an altar of prayer. The devil does not know how to love. Anger and wrath are the only emotion he is capable of. The very nature of the Holy Spirit is love. He does not wish that anyone die and spend eternity in hell.
John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Those of you reading these sermon notes today - are you ready should Jesus come today?
Does the shortness of time have you stirred up?
If not, what is it going to take to stir you?
Please don't wait too long!
Come to Jesus NOW - before it is too late!
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