Bible ReadingRevelation 12:7–9Verse 7: Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.
[00:41:56]Verse 8: But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven.
[00:42:06]Verse 9: The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
[00:42:10]Genesis 3:1–7Verse 1: Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
[00:52:27]Verse 2: The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,”
[00:52:40]Verse 3: “but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”
[00:52:46]Verse 4: “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman.
[00:52:55]Verse 5: “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
[00:52:57]Verse 6: When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
[00:53:08]Verse 7: Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
[00:53:25]Ezekiel 28:12–17Verse 12: You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
[00:47:52]Verse 13: You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: carnelian, chrysolite and emerald, topaz, onyx and jasper, lapis lazuli, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared.
[00:49:55]Verse 14: You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones.
[00:50:24]Verse 15: You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you.
[00:50:34]Verse 16: Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones.
[00:50:44]Verse 17: Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings.
[00:50:58]1 John 3:8The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.
[00:44:51]Observation questions- What names and descriptions does Revelation 12 give to Satan, and what do those descriptions show about his work in the world? [00:43:56]
- In Genesis 3, how does the serpent first raise doubt about God’s command, and what does he promise Adam and Eve will gain by disobeying?
- What changes immediately after Adam and Eve eat the fruit? What do shame, nakedness, and hiding reveal about the result of the serpent’s promise? [00:58:01]
- According to Ezekiel 28, what gifts did this created being possess, and how did beauty and wisdom become corrupted by pride? [00:51:38]
Interpretation questions- Revelation 12 says Satan “leads the whole world astray,” yet he is a created being who is defeated and cast down. How should this shape the way believers take spiritual evil seriously without treating Satan as God’s equal? [00:46:52]
- The serpent’s temptation makes God’s boundary sound restrictive and makes self-rule sound freeing. Why is that lie still attractive when people are deciding what is good, true, and right for their own lives? [00:57:31]
- Ezekiel 28 connects pride with corrupted wisdom and violence. How can good gifts—such as ability, beauty, influence, success, or knowledge—slowly become occasions for self-worship rather than gratitude to God?
- 1 John 3:8 says that the Son of God appeared to destroy the devil’s work. In light of Jesus restoring the demoniac to peace, dignity, and community, what kinds of destruction does Christ’s victory confront in a person’s life? [01:08:13]
Application questions- What is one “Did God really say?” question that has been pressing on your mind lately—perhaps about God’s goodness, his boundaries, his faithfulness, or your identity? What truth from Scripture speaks directly to it? [01:10:52]
- The lie in Eden promised control: “You will be like God.” Where are you most tempted to take control rather than trust God—your future, finances, relationships, health, reputation, or something else? What would trust look like in one practical step this week? [00:57:43]
- Shame often tells people to hide, isolate, and cover themselves. Are there places where shame has kept you from bringing something into the light with God or with trusted believers? What kind of support would help you take a next step toward freedom? [01:12:07]
- Fear can feel like safety and control, but God gives power, love, and self-control. What fear has been shaping your decisions recently? How might responding in power, love, or self-control look different from responding in fear? [00:59:41]
- Christ does not leave people bound in “tombs” of isolation, despair, or destructive patterns. Is there a pattern, relationship, or place of isolation that has begun to feel like a tomb? What could it mean to step toward Jesus and toward healthy community there? [01:07:15]
- Believers do not fight for victory but from the victory of Christ, who has crushed the serpent’s head. When accusations or discouragement come, what would change if you began by remembering Christ’s finished work rather than trying to prove yourself? [01:13:34]
- What is one specific lie you need to replace this week with a truth about God: “God is not good,” “I am alone,” “I am beyond help,” “I have to control everything,” or another lie? Who could help you remember that truth when the lie returns? [01:14:14]
