1. HEAVEN: The Contest Under Control
Isaiah 14: “you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer”
Part 2

2. Insights into the contest over JOB: I John 5:19 “the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one”
Note five significant lessons gleaned from Satan's challenging exchange with God. ⇒ First, Satan's questions cut to the heart of people's motives for believing in the Lord and worshipping Him. ⇒ Second, spiritual conflicts in the unseen world (the spiritual dimension) influence what happens here on earth (the physical dimension). ⇒ Third, God is in full control of all that happens in both the spiritual and the physical world. ⇒ Fourth, suffering does not happen without God's consent. ⇒ Fifth, God has a higher purpose for everything that happens in people's lives, a fact that will be explored more as the story unfolds.

3. Job 1:6-12 (This test includes both a scene in heaven and on earth)
Behind Job’s suffering lays a spiritual battle; a contest between God and Satan. A war whose terms are negotiated in heaven and played out on the earth. (Rev 12:3,4,9)
Three Strategies of Satan:
John 8:44 – planted seeds of rebellion; murder; dismissal of truth; lies; “he speaks from his own resources”.
2 Cor 4:4 – he blinds the mind; aids in peoples on going unbelief.
I Peter 5:8 - roaming about seeking whom he can devour.

4. ABIDING PROMIES: GOD PRAYS FOR FAITH AND STRENGTH FOR YOU IN THE TRIAL
"And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren" (Lu.22:31-32).
GOD WILL MAKE A WAY OF ESCAPE:
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (1 Co.10:13).

5. ABIDING PROMIES:
IT’S A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Co.4:17). DELIVERANCE "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all" (Ps.34:19). GOD’S PRESENCE "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee" (Isa.43:2).