Sermon Central
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If Satan Could Change History
Contributed by Eric Smith on Jun 1, 2005 (message contributor)
Summary: Eye opener to if satan had the opportunity to change history, what would some of the things be that he would tamper with?
If Satan Could Change History
Rev. Eric D. Smith
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
There are some colossal events that have taken place throughout history that have greatly impacted the unfolding of world events. The passage of scripture that we have just read is one of those such events. The exodus from Egypt, the giving of the Law, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the outpouring of the Holy Ghost, these are all major events that have impacted this world like none other.
It came across my mind this week an interesting thought. If satan had the opportunity to reach into the New Testament and change history, what would some of the things be that he would tamper with?
Because of the prophecy and the determinate counsel of God, I do not believe that Satan could have even altered the crucifixion, nor Pentecost in the least amount. These are things that had to happen. But more than events, I believe that Satan has found out that if he can touch the lives of people, he can be much more in the advantage.
31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
I bet that Satan wishes that he could have eliminated Peter at that particular time, but he couldn’t do it.
1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
Satan almost had him this time, but there was a church that prayed without ceasing. When Satan saw James killed, he probably rejoiced in the fact. But then he was also able to get Peter thrown into jail. But then Satan encountered a church that was shaking the spiritual world in high places. While Satan attention was on Peter, God’s ear was being entertained by a sweet sound of intercession. If Satan knew then what he knows now, I bet that he would have done more to try to stop that prayer meeting. But there were people that showed up at the prayer meeting because they knew it was important, but maybe they didn’t fully realize how important it was until Peter began knocking at the front gate. If Satan could go back and change history, that would have been a good place to start. Could you just imagine how things would have change if Peter could have been eliminated after the holiday break.
I bet that if Satan could go back and change history, he probably would have worked on those people a little harder that were involved in that prayer meeting. I think Satan could have worked on a few more important things to bring to their minds that evening than going to the house that night and praying.
If he could have stopped the praying, things would have been different. If he could have filled up their lives with more trivial things that would have occupied their minds, tied up their time, filled up thoughts with trifling pursuits, but OH, Satan let it slip right through his fingers. Before he knew it, Peter was on the outside of the prison headed for a red hot pray meeting.
Paul was another man in history that I believe that Satan wishes that he had the opportunity to do over again. If he could just get another chance at him. But think about it. The unconverted Saul was right in the palm of Satan’s hands. Saul was putting Christians in prison, stoning others. But then Saul slipped into the hands of Satan’s rival. Now, let me tell you tonight that Satan tried after this to do everything that he could to eliminate Paul. Paul was left for dead on the side of the road many a times. Vipers were summoned up to try to kill him. Men of low degree and full of jealousies were influenced to try to kill him, but all to no prevail. Nothing could work on Paul. Satan probably curses the day that Saul slipped through his hands.
