CHILD OF WARThe Cosmic Battle at Christmas 1

Introduction

1. Black, white and gray

2. Bloodshed at the birth of Jesus (Revelation 12 & Matthew 2)

3. Hitler’s Counter attack at the Ardennes

Who is the child?Rev 2 26 To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— 27 that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’—just as I have received authority from my Father

Psa 2 7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: | He said to me, “You are my son; | today I have become your father.8 Ask me,    and I will make the nations your inheritance,    the ends of the earth your possession.9 You will break them with a rod of iron;    you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”

Who is the woman?Gen 3 15 And I will put enmity    between you and the woman,    and between your offspring and hers;he will crush your head,    and you will strike his heel.”

Who is the woman?Gen 17 9 Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.”

Who is the Dragon?Rev 12:7 “that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray”

Who is the Dragon?

Rev 17 7 Then the angel said to me: “Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns.…9 “This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. 10 They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while.11 The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.

Who is the Dragon?

1. Augustus

2. Tiberius

3. Gaius (Caligula)

4. Claudius

5. Nero [followed by 3 short-lived claimants] – End of Julio-Claudian line

6. Vespasian – Start of Flavian line

7. Titus – only 2 years

8. Domitian

Who is the Dragon?

Genesis – the serpent who tempted Eve

Leviathan – the sea monster

Who is the Dragon?

• Psa 74 14 It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan / and gave it as food to the creatures of the desert.

• Isa 27 1 In that day, the LORD will punish with his sword, his fierce, great and powerful sword, Leviathan the gliding serpent, Leviathan the coiling [or twisting] serpent; he will slay the monster of the sea.

• Job 2 8 May those who curse days curse that day, | those who are ready to rouse Leviathan.

Who is the Dragon?

Luke 10 18  He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS AS THE START OF WARLessons for the first audience

The cosmic and global impact of the birth of Jesus

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS AS THE START OF WARLessons for the first audience

The cosmic and global impact of the birth of Jesus

Mark 3 23 So Jesus called them and spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. 27 In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can rob his house.

The world before Christmas

GOD

Satan

People

World

The world after Christmas

GOD /Jesus Christ

Satan People

World

Meaning of us today when faced with evil

1. God or Satan?

2. Temporary triumph of the devil happens

3. The devil’s persecution is not autonomous

4. Demon possessed nations

5. ISIS a demon possessed community

6. Victory is coming. Keep the faith

7. Casualties of war

8. False hope

9. True hope

Meaning for us today

1. Understand your personal battles

2. Fighting as a community of people – your LG

3. Christmas is Jesus waging war to change the status quo

4. Casualties in war does not mean the battle is lost

5. Love your human enemies – they are victims

CONCLUSION• The birth of the child unleashed a cosmic war• The Triumph of Christ• This Christmas, truly celebrate

CONCLUSION

Isaiah 9 6 For to us a child is born,    to us a son is given,    and the government will be on his shoulders.And he will be called    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.7 Of the greatness of his government and peace    there will be no end.He will reign on David’s throne    and over his kingdom,establishing and upholding it    with justice and righteousness    from that time on and forever.