SATAN'S DEFEAT IS ETERNAL
Satan, the defrocked archangel is an enemy of God and man. He is a serious threat to the Church, even though he is an eternally doomed Despot. He is a defeated foe, a vanquished enemy, but nevertheless a ruthless tyrant who uses every opportunity to advance his lying, deceptive and corrupting agenda of hatred, fear, violence, sickness, disease and death!
He was exposed, defeated and rendered powerless by our Lord Jesus Christ. In His wilderness temptation, Satan used his most powerful temptation against the Son of God, but failed miserably. Jesus of Nazareth used the Word of God to defeat the evil, corrupt and deadly Liar called Satan.
During His earthly Ministry our Saviour preached the Gospel, forgave sinners, healed the sick, raised the dead, and cast out thousands of demons! While suffering excruciating pain and agony on the Cross, Jesus cried out, 'tetelestai' in Greek. That word is taken from the verb 'teleo' and has three essential meanings: “To finish something, to bring something to an end; to fulfill something; to pay that which was owed.”
The Bible says: “And it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, He said, Father into Thy hands I commend My spirit: and having said thus, He gave up the ghost.” (Luke 23: 44-46)
Jesus had finished His ministry. He had brought to an end Satan's power over the human race. He had fulfilled every Old Testament Scripture about the coming Messiah, and He had paid the ransom price for every man, woman and child from the time of Adam until our Lord's Return!
Christ's vicarious death on the Cross for us had effectively met the righteous demands of Divine Justice against the human race through Adam's treasonous deeds in the Garden of Eden!
SATAN ENTERED THE SERPENT!
Hiding in a serpent, Satan deceived Eve into disbelieving God's command to Adam. He was consumed with an evil, rebellious desire of seizing power over Heaven itself. He had sown discord among the angelic host and the most wicked, ridiculous thoughts had taken over his Evil heart. He would soon learn the hard facts that sin has terrible consequences!
The Syriac calls him the aurq Ika , the ACCUSER. He was the accuser of God to men and the accuser of men to God. He was was telling Eve that the Lord God was keeping from her great wisdom. He was undermining her Creator.
The Bible says: “Now the Serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the Garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the mist of the garden, we may not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
“And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desired to take you wise, she took of the fruit thereof and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
“And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard the Voice of the Lord God walking in the Garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.
“And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard Thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked: and I hid myself. And He said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Has thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
“And the man said, The woman whom Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; and upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life.
“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her Seed; It shall bruise thy head, and thou shall bruise His heel. Unto the woman He said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
“And unto Adam He said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field:
In the sweat of thy face, thou shalt eat bread, til thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” (Gen. 3: 1-19)
HERE IS SATAN'S IGNOMINOUS END!
“And I saw an angel come down from from Heaven, having the Key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in is hand. And he laid hold of the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years.
“And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up. And set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more...And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night or ever and ever.” (Rev. 20: 1-3, 10)
An archangel, created by Almighty God and given the high honour of leading the praise and worship of the Eternal God, Saviour, Giver of Eternal Life, will be consigned to the Lake of Fire for ever and ever!
How could this be? A pure, righteous archangel becomes the evil, perverted, unclean and most hateful being ever created? How did pride and jealousy enter his heart while living in the presence of God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost? How sad, tragic and unthinkable! What more could he ever want? Did he become proud of his beauty, wisdom and position?
Is it possible that Lucifer became jealous of Adam and Eve whom God had created as His very own children? He couldn't stand the competition. The man and his wife would be co-creators with God and there would be offspring who would walk and talk with God. Jesus said: “...He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is NO truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a LIAR, and the father of it.” (John 8:44).
LUCIFER FELL BECAUSE OF PRIDE!
Lucifer was created without sin, but 'he abode not in the truth'. Jesus called him a murderer. When he lied to Eve he was committing murder, because the sin of Adam and Eve brought death to them and the entire human race!
Satan put it into the heart of King Herod to destroy Jesus when He was a small child. He tempted Jesus to throw Himself off the pinnicle of the temple. He stirred up the scribes and pharisees to stone Him or kill Him. He put it in Judas' heart betray Him and Simon Peter to deny Him.
Where did Lucifer learn to lie and kill? He was the first to lie and kill. Theologian John Gill wrote: “Lucifer abode not in truth, neither in integrity, innocence and holiness, in which he was created; nor in veracity, or as a creation of veracity, but spake lies, and formed one by which he deceived Eve, saying, “Ye shall not surely die, when God had said they should; nor in the truth of the gospel, which was at least in part made known unto him, particularily that the Son of God should become man, and in that nature be the head of angels and men; This he and his associates, in the pride of their hearts, not bearing that the human nature should be exalted above that of theirs, left their first estate, broke off their allegience to God and turned rebels against Him.” - John Gill on John 8:44.
JEALOUSY IS INSIDEOUS & EVIL!
Jealousy is insideous and an evil thing! It is as cruel as the grave... (Solomon 8:6). We do not know if that is what happened, but it is a possibility! Let this tragedy be a strong warning for us all to stay near the heart of God in our love and devotion for Jesus Christ and not ever let pride and jealousy find a place in our hearts!
We must guard ourselves against pride and jealousy and remain pure in heart and fervent is spirit in our praise and worship of Jesus Christ our Lord! St. James warns: “But He giveth more grace. Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. RESIST THE DEVIL, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye doubleminded. HUMBLE yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift thee up.” (James 4: 6-8,10)
“And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. Likewise, ye younger, subject yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you, be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility; for God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighy hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you. Be sober, be vigilent; because your adversary the DEVIL, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist in the faith...” (1 Peter 5: 4-9)
JESUS IS THE STRONGER MAN!
In their rejection, jealousy and hatred of the Saviour, the scribes and pharisees accused Jesus of casting out evil spirits by the power of Beelzebub the prince of devils. Jesus said: “No man can enter into a strong man's house and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man: and then He will spoil his house.” (Mark 3:27).
The Bible states: “And He called them unto Him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan rise up against himself and be divided he cannot stand, but hath an end.” (Mark 3: 23-26)
Satan is the strong man who has captured many unbelievers, whom he constantly harasses, torments and destroys. Jesus the Stronger Man stands ready to liberate all who call upon His Name in faith! The devil fears Jesus Christ and His servants who carry His name, wield the sword of the Spirit and use our Saviour's all powerful name to liberate lost souls from his prison house of lies and terror.
The Bible says: “After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also and sent them two and two before His face into every city and village, wither He Himself would come. Therefore, said He unto them, the Harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the Harvest that He would send out labourers into His harvest.
“And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The Kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. And the SEVENTY returned again with joy, saying, even the devils are subject unto us through Thy name. And He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from Heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10: 1,2, 9, 17-19)
JESUS was referring to the rebellious archangel Lucifer being cast out of Heaven in ages past. The Holy Bible chronicles that decisive time when Almighty God judged the lying, deceiving and evil Satan:
“How art thou fallen, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into Heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north.
“I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to Hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms? That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners? (Is. 14: 12-17)
Some theologians believe that when Lucifer was cast out of Heaven, he fell upon the earth with such fury and hatred that he destroyed the earth, which caused it to become a wilderness. And then, God began the recreation as is found in verse three. This is called the ‘Gap Theory’ which would explain the gap between verses 1 and 2 of Genesis chapter one: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”
Only God knows whether that happened or not. One thing we know for sure is that God created all things through Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son. The Holy Bible says: “But unto the Son He sayeth.
“THY THRONE, O GOD, IS FOR EVER AND EVER: A SCEPTER OF RIGHTOUSNESS IS THE SCEPTRE OF THY KINGDOM. THOU HAST LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND HATED INIQUITY; THEREFORE GOD, EVEN THY GOD, HATH ANOINTD THEE WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS ABOVE THY FELLOWS.
“AND THOU, LORD, IN THE BEGNNING HAST LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH; THE HEAVENS ARE THE WORKS OF THINE HANDS: THEY SHALL PERISH; BUT THOU REMAINEST; AND THEY ALL SHALL WAX OLD AS DOTH A GARMENT. AND AS A VESTURE SHALT THOU FOLD THEM UP, AND THEY SHALL BE CHANGED: BUT THOU ART THE SAME AND THY YEARS SHALL NOT FAIL.
“But to which of the angels said He at any time, Sit on My right hand until I makeThine enemies Thy footstool.” (Heb 1: 8-13)
JESUS DESTROYED SATAN AT THE CROSS!
Not only did Jesus Christ destroy Satan's kingdom and works, but He also destroyed him by nullifying his power! He has no power against those who are washed in the blood of the Lamb and are anchored to the Rock Christ Jesus! There is no power that can withstand the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, the Name of Jesus and the pure, holy and all-atoning Blood of Jesus Christ!
The Word of God states: “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; And Deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime, subject to bondage.” (Heb.2: 14, 15)
The Bible says: “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.” (1 John 3:8); “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power, who went about doing good and healing all were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.” (Acts 10: 38)
“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses. Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of him openly, triumphing over them in it.” (Col. 2: 13-15)
St. Paul gives us an analogy of a Conquorer returning with multitudes lining the streets shouting, 'Long live our King'. In his chariot is the armour and crown of the defeated king, who is running behind his chariot stripped of his armour with his hands tied to a tether. Christ is the Victor and Satan is the defeated enemy! Christ's victory has been witnessed in three worlds, Heaven, Hell and Earth!
WHAT CHRIST HAS DONE FOR US!
Jesus Christ's vicarious death has purchased our eternal salvation; forgiving, healing and adopting us into the Family of God, making us sons of God, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. He has delivered from the power of darkness and translated us into the Kingdom of His dear Son. (Col. 1: 13);
“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the Eternal Spirit, PURGE you conscience from dead works to serve the Living God.” (Heb 9:14). We are partakers with Christ of His death, burial and resurrection. We died with Christ, were buried with Christ and arose with Christ. We live with Christ and will reign with Christ.
Died with Christ: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20); “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus by whom the world is crucified unto me andI unto the world.” (Gal. 6: 14)
Buried with Christ: “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we should walk in the newness of life. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him.” (Rom.6:3, 4,8)
Arose with Christ: “Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen through the faith of the operation of God, Who hath raised Him from the dead. And you being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses.” Col.1:12, 13);
Live with Christ: “Wherefore He saith, Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee life. See then that ye walk circumspectly and not as fools, but as wise. Redeeming the time because the days are evil.” (Eph. 5: 14-16; 2 Tim.2: 11); “For ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God. For Christ Who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.” (Col. 3: 3, 4)
Reign with Christ: “It is a faithful saying; If we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him: If we suffer with Him, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us: If we believe not, yet He abideh faithful: He canot deny Himself.” (2 Tim.2: 11-13);
“For ye are the children of God by faith in Jesus Christ. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then ye are Abrajam's seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Gal. 6: 26-29)
Ye are Complete in Christ: “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him; Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power.” (Col.2: 6-10).
A new Creature in Christ: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away. Behold, all things are become new.” (2 Cor. 5: 17): “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God: Not of works lest any man should boast.” (Eph. 2: 8,9)
Satan has been soundly and eternally defeated by our Lord Jesus Christ, who purchased our Freedom from the powers of Darkness by paying the ransom price of His own precious and holy blood to meet the demands of divine justice on our behalf. Almighty God was satisfied when His own dear Son took our place on the cross of shame as our propitiation, thereby liberating us from the servitude to the Evil One and placing us into the Kingdom of His Eternal Son forever and ever! Amen.
