Challenge 1
In the Book of Job we read of a case where Satan came before God and
issued a challenge, and we see how God took that challenge and used everything
Satan meant for evil and used it for good.
And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. Job 1:6-12
Look at Job's reaction! Instead of cursing God he worships God and says " ...the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."
So The Lord accepted Satan's challenge and proved him wrong.
Challenge 2
Then Satan comes forth with another challenge. This challenge followed
the exact pattern of the first one.
And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.
And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.
But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.
And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. Job 2: 1-6
But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips. Job 2:9-10
We know how the story ends as we read through the 44 chapters of Job. Job goes through great turmoil and strife in his debates with his three friends, etc. Finally God Reveals Himself to Job! And Job realizes his sin, repents and is restored. So in the end God has made him an even more perfect servant and restored to him all things that the enemy had taken.
Challenge 3?
In the story of Job, our man Job is entirely unaware of Satan's challenges
or what's at stake in them. All he knows is how to hold on to the confession
of faith he has in the Lord.
Suppose Satan had come again a third time with another challenge that increased level of Job's trial. The scene might have gone something like this
And thou hast stricken him with all manner of boils.
And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Boils come and boils go. Job
still retaineth his life.
But put forth thine hand now, and touch him with a sickness unto death,
and he will curse thee to thy face.
And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; even to
take his life.
End Time Application
There is a lesson here that we could apply directly to the End Time
Church. She is about to be afflicted by the Hordes of Hell as the Gates
of Hell are opened and the enemy comes in like a flood. She will realize
her sin, repent and be restored in a Glorious Revival. All things will
be restored to her equipping her to bring in the great harvest of souls
that God desires.
But then what?
Then we suppose there might be another meeting in heaven, and another conversation that would go something like this.
And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my End Time Apostolic Church that there is none like her in the earth, nor has there ever been any like her in all history, being conformed to the very image of my own son Jesus.
That she is a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that she is become holy and without blemish.
A perfect and an upright Church, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
One that has obeyed my every command
That has gone forth and preached my gospel, making disciples of all nations
Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth this so called church of
yours fear God for nought?
Hast not thou redeemed her from all her sin, purifying her in the fire
of your judgment
And made an hedge about her, and about her house, and about all that
she hath on every side?
thou hast blessed the work of her hands,
and baptized her with the Holy Ghost and Fire,
Anointed her with rivers of oil, signs, wonders and miracles
and poured out your Spirit upon her without measure so that the harvest
is increased in the land.
Hast thou not raised up the standard of holiness to frustrate my entire
army
But I still have a stronghold left in your so called perfection
of beauty!
And the Lord answered "Say on"
You know that I have "the power of death" and trough fear of death I
hold all your precious saints in bondage. [See Hebrews 2:14-15]
But put forth thine hand now, and touch this church of yours with persecution
unto death, and she will deny thee and curse thee to thy face.
And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, she is in thine hand to do whatsoever
thou wish. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.