Revelation 17 Lesson

What is spiritual authority?

Who has it?

And what does it mean for us?

These are the questions that we will answer in today’s lesson.

WHAT IS SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY?

The definition of the word authority is:

• “The power or right to give orders, make decisions and enforce obedience.” (Source: Google's English Dictionary)

As we think about spiritual authority, we need to understand who has the power to:

1. Give orders?
2. Make decisions?
3. Enforce obedience?

The answer to all three questions is Jesus!

WHO HAS AUTHORITY?

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul says that Jesus is the head over ALL authority.  

Not SOME authority,  

Not MOST authority,  

But ALL authority! 

• “Christ is the head over all rule and authority.” – Colossians 2:10.

That means that Jesus is the boss!

He is the one who tells us right from wrong.   He does this through the inspired words of the Bible.  

When Jesus says that something is right, it is right!  

When He tells us something is wrong, it is wrong!  

End of discussion.

BIBLE VERSES ABOUT THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS

1. “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things have been created through Him and for Him.” – Colossians 1:16,    
2. “He was in the beginning with God.   All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into beingthat has come into being.” – John 1:2-3,    
3. "And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in Heaven and on earth.'” – Mathew 28:18.

Jesus has authority over all things in Heaven and on earth, this includes Satan. Consider the following three verses:

1. “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.’” – Mathew 28:18,
2. “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.” – James 2:19,  
3. “Theywere all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, ‘What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.’” – Mark 1:27.

Jesus will permit Satan to temporarily rule the earth (in a worldly sense, not a spiritual one) until the Day Of Judgment.   John wrote about this in his first epistle, his gospel, and the Book of Revelation:

1. “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.“ - 1 John 5:19,
2. “Now judgment is upon this world; now theruler of this worldwill be cast out.” - John 12:31,
3. “And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.  Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, ‘Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.’” - Revelation 12:9-10.

WHAT DOES JESUS’ AUTHORITY MEAN FOR US?

Whether we realize it or not, we are in a constant battle between good and evil, and all of us have to make a choice: 

1. If we follow Jesus, He will save us, and we will go to Heaven,  
2. If we reject Him and choose to follow the sinful ways of the world instead, we will be sent to Hell.  

It goes without saying that making this decision between good and evil is the most important decision that we will ever make. The consequences of our decision will determine where we spend eternity.

If we want to be “good” and do what is “right” there is only one decision to make. We need to learn what Jesus teaches and follow Him!

We also need to protect ourselves against the relentless attacks of Satan. Peter wrote about this in his first epistle:

• “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8. 

Satan is a powerful adversary and should never be taken lightly. That, however, does not mean that we have to give in to his advances. If we resist him, he will flee from us and move on to another target:

• “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” – James 4:7-8.

CONCLUSION

Jesus has authority over all things in heaven and on earth. He always has, and He always will!

The question that we need to ask ourselves is will we follow Him or Satan?

Regardless of the choice that we make, there are two things that we know for certain:

1. Jesus will remain in authority forever,
2. There will be eternal consequences to our decision.

Choosing who we will follow is the most important decision that we will ever make, and we must choose wisely!

We will end today’s lesson with the following scripture that shows us what it looks like to make the right choice:

• “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” – Joshua 24:15.