The Bible Storyline – Lesson 12 – July 26, 2026

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Review

We are learning to read the Bible the way God intended—as one continuous story about God’s unstoppable plan to defeat evil, restore creation, and establish His Kingdom on earth.

God created mankind to share God’s love and fellowship. God created the earth as our permanent home and as a kingdom where He would rule and be worshiped.

God created us in His own image and after His likeness. This means we are to reflect God’s character in and through our lives.

God gave mankind a command to fill the earth and rule it under His authority. The command to fill the earth meant more than populating the earth. It meant filling the earth with God’s image bearers.

The Problem

Lucifer was an anointed cherub who became proud and determined to take the position and power that belonged to God. Other angels joined his rebellion, and they were cast out of Heaven.

Lucifer came to earth, where he continues his plan to build his own kingdom, rule over people, and receive the worship that belongs to God.

The War Continues

Today there are two kingdoms fighting for the territory we call earth and the people who live upon it.

Lucifer, whom we call Satan, won a victory when he deceived Eve and convinced her that serving God was not in her best interest. The Bible makes clear that Adam was not deceived. He knowingly disobeyed God. First Timothy 2:13–14 says:

1 Timothy 2:13-14 (KJV) For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

From that time forward, every person has been born in sin and under Satan’s power. We enter God’s Kingdom through the new birth. We repent of our sin and place our faith in Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose from the dead.

Genesis 3:15

In Genesis 3:15, God made a declaration about Satan. He declared that there would be enmity—deep-rooted hatred and irreconcilable hostility—between the seed of Satan and the seed of the woman. He also declared that Satan would bruise the heel of the woman’s seed, but that same seed would crush Satan’s head.

In other words, there would be war between the two kingdoms until Jesus came to destroy Satan.

Genesis 4

Adam and Eve’s first two sons named in Scripture were Cain and Abel. Cain belonged to the Kingdom of Satan, and Abel belonged to the Kingdom of God. Cain killed Abel, proving that the enmity between the two kingdoms was real.

Moses then describes the life and descendants of Cain. They shaped society, built cities, and led in industry, agriculture, and the arts. The Kingdom of Satan was filling the earth with Satan’s image bearers.

Genesis 5

There was one glimmer of hope at the end of Genesis 4. Adam and Eve had another son named Seth. Through his line, people began to call upon the name of the LORD.

When Moses describes the line of Seth, he does not mention them building cities or advancing against Satan’s kingdom through power, influence, or authority. Their great contribution was faithfully passing the faith and obedience of God’s Kingdom from one generation to another.

Genesis 6–8

By the time we arrive at Genesis 6, the Kingdom of Satan had been advancing and filling the earth for approximately 1,600 years. It appeared unstoppable, and it appeared that Satan’s kingdom would always control the earth.

In the previous sermon, we learned two key phrases:

• But God
• Nothing significant happened in the Kingdom of God, until it did.

These statements remind us that God is always in control. He is never trying to recover from Satan’s attack.

God allowed Satan’s kingdom to dominate for a time. Then God declared that He would destroy mankind and every air-breathing creature that lived on dry land. God was going to reset the earth.

God commanded Noah to build an ark, and Noah obeyed.

From that lesson, we learned that God’s people fulfill their calling by obeying what God commands, even when the instruction seems too small for the size of the crisis.

Lesson 12 — Incomplete Victory

The Flood killed every person outside the ark.

God removed the people who had filled the earth with violence and corruption.

He preserved Noah and his family and gave mankind a new beginning.

Yet Satan’s kingdom returned.

If the Flood did not destroy Satan’s kingdom, what will?   KING JESUS

King Jesus will

• defeat Satan,
• reclaim this earth, and
• establish His Kingdom upon it.

Until He comes, our responsibility is to stand our ground and faithfully serve His Kingdom.

What the Flood Accomplished

Genesis 7:21–23 (KJV) 21 And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: 22 All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died. 23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.

The Flood was God’s judgment on a world filled with violence.

Everyone outside the ark died, but God preserved Noah and the family line through which Jesus would come.

Satan’s kingdom had dominated the earth, yet it could not stop God’s promise.

The Flood gave mankind a new beginning, but Satan and sin remained, so the war continued.

Why Satan’s Kingdom Returned

Genesis 8:21 gives God’s description of mankind after the Flood:

Genesis 8:21 (KJV) 21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.

Noah and his family came out of the ark with sinful hearts. Their descendants would also be born in sin.

Romans 5:12 says:

Romans 5:12 (KJV) 12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Satan also remained active. He continued deceiving sinners and leading them in rebellion against God. The sinful heart gave him people through whom he could rebuild his kingdom.

The Flood removed the people who served Satan at that time. It did not remove Satan, change the sinful heart, end death, or lift the curse.

Satan’s kingdom rose again because its ruler and its sin remained.

This brings us back to the promise of Genesis 3:15. God promised that a person born of the woman would crush Satan’s head. The final victory would come through Jesus.

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The Stronger King

Galatians 4:4 says:

Galatians 4:4 (KJV) 4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

Jesus came as the promised seed of the woman. First John 3:8 says:

1 John 3:8 (KJV) 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Jesus described Satan as a strong man guarding his house.

Luke 11:20–22 says:

Luke 11:20–22 (KJV) 20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. 21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: 22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.

Satan is the strong man. Jesus is the one stronger than Satan.

Jesus proved His authority over Satan by casting out demons. The demons obeyed His commands. Jesus said this proved that the Kingdom of God had come. God’s King had entered Satan’s territory and was taking people out of his power.

Jesus also forgave sin, healed disease, and raised the dead. These works showed His authority over the results of sin and Satan’s work.

Jesus then died on the cross for our sins. He bore our guilt and suffered the judgment we deserved. He rose bodily from the dead on the third day.

Hebrews 2:14 says:

Hebrews 2:14 (KJV) 14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

Jesus ascended to Heaven and sat down at the right hand of the Father. Through the gospel, He continues rescuing sinners from Satan’s power.

Colossians 1:13 says that God:

Colossians 1:13 (KJV) Hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.

Jesus entered Satan’s kingdom and began taking people out of it.

• His death paid for our sin.
• His resurrection defeated death.
• His authority over demons proved that He is stronger than Satan.

He will return to finish the war.

King Jesus Will Finish the War

Second Peter 3 connects the Flood with the judgment that will come at the end of this age.

Second Peter 3:5–7 says:

2 Peter 3:5–7 (KJV) 5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

God judged the world through the Flood at the time He appointed. He has also appointed a day when Jesus will return and judge the world again.

Revelation 19 shows Jesus returning to earth. He comes as a warrior and judge. His name is: “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

Jesus is King because all authority belongs to Him. He rules His people, gives commands, judges rebellion, defeats His enemies, and has the right to rule this earth.

Revelation 20 says that Jesus will bind Satan so that he cannot deceive the nations. After Satan’s final rebellion, he will be cast into the lake of fire. His work on this earth will end. He will never deceive another person, lead another rebellion, or receive worship again.

The war announced in Genesis 3:15 will be over. The seed of the woman will crush the serpent’s head. The stronger King will bind the strong man and take possession of the earth.

The Flood did not destroy Satan’s kingdom. King Jesus will.

King Jesus Will Reclaim the Earth

After the Flood, God brought Noah and his family out of the ark and placed them back on the earth.

Genesis 9:1 says:

Genesis 9:1 (KJV) 1 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.

God created this earth as mankind’s home. He commanded mankind to fill it with His image bearers and rule it under His authority. Sin corrupted that purpose, and Satan established his kingdom here. God has never given up His claim to the earth or changed His purpose for it.

Second Peter 3:13 says:

2 Peter 3:13 (KJV) 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Revelation 21 and 22 describe the earth under the rule of King Jesus. God will dwell with His people. Death, sorrow, crying, and pain will be gone.

Revelation 22:3 says there will be no more curse. God’s people will serve Him and reign with Him. The earth will be filled with God’s image bearers, His worship, and His glory. God’s original purpose for mankind and the earth will be fulfilled.

King Jesus will defeat evil, restore creation, and establish His Kingdom on earth.

Our Work Until He Comes

We live between the victory Jesus won through His death and resurrection and the victory He will complete when He returns. Our King has given us clear commands for this time.

Ephesians 6:10–13 says:

Ephesians 6:10–13 (KJV) 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Paul tells us where our strength comes from, who our enemy is, and what we are commanded to do.

• Our strength comes from the Lord.
• Our enemies are spiritual.
• Our command is to put on God’s armor, withstand Satan’s attacks, and stand.

Standing our ground means remaining faithful to King Jesus where He has placed us. We obey Him in our homes, our church, our work, and our community. We resist Satan’s lies and temptations. When we sin, we confess it, repent, and return to obedience.

We also carry out the commission King Jesus gave His church.

Matthew 28:18–20 says:

Matthew 28:18–20 (KJV) 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

• We preach the gospel of Christ’s death and resurrection.
• We call sinners to repentance and faith.
• We baptize those who believe.
• We make disciples and teach them to obey the commands of Jesus.
• We pass the faith to the next generation.

We teach our children and grandchildren the Word of God and show them what obedience to King Jesus looks like in daily life.

Romans 13:1–4 gives civil government the responsibility to punish evil and protect society. Good laws restrain sinful conduct and promote justice.

The church has been given the gospel and the work of making disciples.

King Jesus will remove Satan and establish His righteous rule over the whole earth.

We carry out the work our King has given us while we wait for Him to return.

Conclusion

Satan’s kingdom may continue to grow around us. Its growth does not change the outcome of the war.

King Jesus has already entered Satan’s territory, paid for our sin, risen from the dead, and delivered sinners from the power of darkness.

He will return.

He will bind Satan, judge the wicked, restore this earth, and establish His Kingdom upon it.

Until He comes, we stand in His strength. We obey His commands, preach His gospel, make disciples, and pass the faith to the next generation.

We know who is coming. We know what He will do. We know what He has called us to do until He arrives.

Revelation 22:20 says:

Revelation 22:20 (KJV) 20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.