Recognizing Counterfeits Week 1: Identity Theft: God vs Satan

These are the notes from the 3 week counterfeit series, I taught on Wed night. Some of it may not make complete sense because they're notes...lol But most of the information is pretty good; I hope.

Theme Verse: "In order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” ~2 Corinthians 2:11

How do we identify counterfeits? We Identify something false by putting it next to the truth. CS Lewis said, we know a crooked line by a straight line.

Thus, as is pertains to God. What is Truth according to the Bible.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the Truth, and the life. ~John 14:6

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is Truth. ~John 17:17

Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is Truth. ~Psalm 119:142

Sometimes recognizing fakes is EASY...

Other times its Harder Unless someone shows you..

Again we Identify fakes by the standard of the Original. So how has Satan tried to ID theft God? The Bible actually give several examples.

The Character of God and the Copy

God =

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth ~ Genesis 1:1

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth – Ecc. 12:1

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. ~ Isaiah 40:28

They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. ~ Romans 1:25

Satan =

You said in your heart,
"I will ascend to heaven;
I will raise my throne above the stars of God;
I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,
on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.

I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.“ ~ Isaiah 14: 13-14

Conclusion God is Creator and Satan wants to be "like the Most High". However Satan CAN'T create nor can man. ONLY God can create. To make something from nothing; only God can do that. Satan, angels, and Men can copy, manipulate, modify, change existing materials, but no one but God can Truly Create Something from nothing.

Creator vs. Counterfeit

Holy Trinity

God the Father

Jesus Christ

Holy Spirit

1 John 5:7, Matt 28:19

“Unholy trinity”

Satan, the Dragon

Antichrist , The Beast

False Prophet

Rev 12:9, Rev 16:13, Rev 20:10

Jesus vs the Antichrist. Remember the word "Anti" doesnt not always mean against or opposed to something. The word can also mean "like", a substitute for, in place of. So the Antichrist isnt just someone who is apparently and oppositional opposed to Christ, but rather is like him, pretending or masquerading as him. That is how the Bible portrays him as false would-be savior, not an obvious big bad evil hell-bent on global rule or destruction.

20 examples of counterfeits in the Bible

Conclusions:

The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders ~ 2 Thess. 2:9

If we know the Truth and are familiar with it, just like the dollars, we'll be able to easily identify the fakes. So let us press into our mighty Creator God Jesus Christ.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me ~ Jon 14:6