Revelation 12:9-12 gives us a wonderful description (or revealing) of this generation. I think this describes exactly what happened at the resurrection of Jesus! First, God cast out that old serpent. Then, He restored salvation, strength, and the kingdom to mankind on earth as it is in heaven. And finally, when the devil fell (Luke 10:18), he came down unto the inhabiters of the earth with great wrath because he knows that his days are numbered.

This is Our Current Reality:

The great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven. Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. 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. (Revelation 12:9-12 KJV)

That Old Serpent, the Devil, and Satan

One verse (Revelation 12:9) gives us several names for the devil. He “deceives the whole world,” tells us that 2 Corinthians 4:4 is calling this same Devil, the god of this world.

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Corinthians 4:4 KJV)

Jesus casts the devil out of heaven. The great wrath many people blame on God is actually the devil! And that old serpent knows his time is limited (Revelation 12:9, 12). If God had not poured all of His wrath out on Jesus on the cross, no one would escape His wrath “for all have sinned (Romans 3:23, Romans 5:12).”

That old serpent and his angels are the demons or demonic spirits we read about in the Bible (Matthew 10:8, 12:28, 25:41, Mark 3:15, 6:13). The word, “devil(s)” occurs 117 times in 106 verses in the KJV and only four of those verses are in the Old Testament. Job (Job 1) had no idea that there was an accuser so he gave God credit for everything good and bad. We are WITHOUT EXCUSE!

Now is Come Salvation!

Every church/denomination/congregation that I have ever attended is faithful to teach and preach salvation. Thank God!

Unfortunately, too many don’t teach the strength, and the kingdom, and the power here on earth (Revelation 12:10). This should be the Christian reality (1 John 4:17). Jesus restored the authority, dominion, and power to Christians who will believe and receive it for themselves just like they believe and receive salvation by faith in the Word of God (Mark 11:24).

Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock [are they], which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of [this] life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep [it], and bring forth fruit with patience. (Luke 8:11-15 KJV)

Christian Maturity

The second level of Christian maturity is being saved and stuck instead of victorious.

As we see in Jesus’ explanation of the Parable of the Sower in Luke 8:11-15, there are four levels of Christian maturity. The first level is someone who hears the Word but doesn’t understand it (Matthew 13:19). Can you believe that the Word says that that old serpent comes and takes the Word right out of their hearts? Why? The devil fights against the seed being sown!

I spent years seeking to know the Lord. No one explained the gospel to me in a way that I could understand.

Until I started listening to Andrew Wommack and attending Charis Bible College, I had never heard that that old serpent could steal the Word right out of your heart if you didn’t understand it. Why didn’t they tell me that instead of blaming me? They didn’t know!

I wanted to know about God (Romans 10:13-17).

Hypocrisy is Deadly!

The second and third levels are where I think most of the church is stuck! That is where I was stuck floundering around for over 11 years. The time of temptation that causes believers to fall away is whatever that old serpent brings to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). God also gets blamed for these things too! I know because I was one of the biggest hypocrites and still have to guard my heart diligently (Proverbs 4:20-22, 23, 24-27)!

The cares and riches and pleasures of this life are not all bad things. When we allow lust for those things to choke the love and pursuit of God’s kingdom is where we pierce ourselves through with many sorrows (Matthew 6:30-34, 1 Timothy 6:8-12)!

Wealth is a Kingdom Building Tool

Notice that 1 Timothy 6:9-10 says those who want to be rich, the love of money, and they coveted after.

Most of the wealthiest people that I have met personally are the smartest (not hardest) working people I know. They are also the most generous people I know! Work is a blessing from God. It is definitely better to give than to receive!

Money is not evil! It is a tool to be used. Making money an idol or a master instead of trusting God to provide is where we run into trouble (Galatians 5:16, 2 Peter 2:10, 1 John 2:16).

Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume [it] upon your lusts. (James 4:2-3 KJV)

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; (1 Timothy 6:17-18 KJV)

God gives us richly all things to enjoy!

Most Christians don’t believe 1 Timothy 6:17. Those who do ask but don’t receive are not willing to do good that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate (Luke 8:15)!

They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; They loved not their lives unto the death. (Revelation 12:11 KJV)

Willing to Communicate

Prosperity is part of the definition of peace! The normal Christian testimony should be abundance from a good loving Father who gave and continues to give!

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32 KJV)

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. (3 John 1:2 KJV)

God is ALL Good

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture…And, I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (John 10:9-11 KJV)

The Old Serpent is Bad

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: John 10:10 (Jesus speaking)

Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?

And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man [child]. (Revelation 12:13 KJV)
And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. (Revelation 12:14 KJV)
And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. (Revelation 12:15 KJV)
And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. (Revelation 12:16 KJV)
And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 12:17 KJV)

Revelation 12:17 explains that the old serpent, the Devil, also called Satan (Revelation 12:9) is coming after those of us “who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” So, contrary to a lot of false testimony you hear about God, bad things happen because the devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy God’s children and their good, good testimony!

Carry the Cross

In Mark 8:31-36, Jesus tells the disciples that He will suffer persecution. Peter openly rebuked Jesus because he was more concerned with physical life than the things of God (2 Corinthians 5:6-8). Then Jesus explains in Mark 8:34-38 that we will carry the cross of persecution some even unto death.

The Floods are NOT From God!

Revelation 12:13-17 explains where destructions come from! The woman that old serpent, the dragon has come to persecute is the church (the body of the man, Jesus). Discipleship training is that wilderness. We receive nourishment and grow for a time. Even the Apostle Paul went into the wilderness for three to thirteen years before he started his full-time ministry. Jesus warns us of the flood that is coming!

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things I say? “I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them: “He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the river crashed against that house and couldn’t shake it, because it was well built. “But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The river crashed against it, and immediately it collapsed. And the destruction of that house was great.” (Luke 6:46-49 CSB)

Jesus warns us in Matthew 7:24-27 and Luke 6:46-49 that there is a flood coming. He also explains that we can dig deep and lay our foundation (belief system) on the rock.

The Alternative?

We can also choose to reject Jesus when we reject His Holy Spirit. By rejecting Jesus, we are submitting to the devil. You can be the wise man! You can hear His voice.

Read “Abide Among the Wise.” God has revealed everything to us through His Word and sent His Holy Spirit to teach us! The floods of sickness, death, poverty, sin consciousness, guilt, shame, etc. are not from God.

That Old Serpent Falls From Heaven

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! [how] art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! (Isaiah 14:12 KJV)
For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: (Isaiah 14:13 KJV)
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (Isaiah 14:14 KJV)

How Do You See that Old Serpent?

Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (2 Thessalonians 2:3 KJV)
Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (2 Thessalonians 2:4 KJV)

Yet you shall be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. (Isaiah 14:15 KJV)
They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, [and] consider thee, [saying, Is] this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; (Isaiah 14:16 KJV)
[That] made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; [that] opened not the house of his prisoners? (Isaiah 14:17 KJV)
All the kings of the nations, [even] all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house. (Isaiah 14:18 KJV)
But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, [and as] the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet. (Isaiah 14:19 KJV)
Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, [and] slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned. (Isaiah 14:20 KJV)
Prepare slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers; that they do not rise, nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities. (Isaiah 14:21 KJV)

Who’s Your Daddy?

For I will rise up against them, saith the LORD of hosts, and cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant, and son, and nephew, saith the LORD. (Isaiah 14:22 KJV)
I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools of water: and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the LORD of hosts. (Isaiah 14:23 KJV)

And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: (2 Thessalonians 2:8 KJV)
[Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, (2 Thessalonians 2:9 KJV)
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (2 Thessalonians 2:10 KJV)
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: (2 Thessalonians 2:11 KJV) (2 Peter 3:9)
That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:12 KJV)

God will destroy the wicked with the brightness of His coming! We are living in the generation of grace. Today is the day of salvation. We can seek God now while He may be found.

You get to choose who to serve. Life is not fair. God gives His children a very unfair advantage! Along with that unfair advantage, there will be persecution (Mark 10:28-30). Persecution is the ONLY suffering in this life that Jesus didn’t atone for on the cross.

Action Steps to a Transformed Life

1. Read, study, meditate, and pray the Word of God.
2. Start and complete a good or several good discipleship program(s).
3. Receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit