Have you ever wondered about some act or behavior in which you engaged and said, "The devil made me do it?" Why do many people blame Satan for their shortcomings? Why does the devil wind up taking the blame for the things some people do, especially in our time? Perhaps it is due to ignorance of the devils limited power. Satan surely had delegated authority to afflict man, (Job 1:12), as does any created free-will being, including man himself. He simply made a career of it as some men do. However, when Satan was active, man could resist him under most circumstances, (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:9). One of his principal weapons was deception. If he could deceive man into believing falsehood, he didnt need to do much else to accomplish his wicked ends. He knew man, being deceived would efficiently and effectively take care of all the details. Something Changed The devil is no longer tormenting the world with his diabolical schemes. His presence in the world ended centuries ago. His demise along with his minions was foretold in the Scriptures. As the time closed in on him, even he knew that his time was short. (Revelation 12:10) As to the predictions for his demise, Jesus saw Satan falling from heaven swiftly as lightening, (Luke 10:18). This did not mean that Satan was literally in heaven. To the contrary, it meant that he would swiftly fall from his own place of authority and dominion. The same language is used of the city of Capernaum who refused to repent at Jesus message. "And you Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day," (Matthew 11:23; Luke 10:15). Likewise, Satan would be defeated, fall from his place of power and be cast into the lake of fire. Satans Power Strengthened Through the Old Covenant Satan's power was strengthened through the Old Covenant because it could not take away sin, (Hebrews 10:4). Thus, it was his purpose to accuse the saints of the Old Covenant before God and demand their condemnation, (Zechariah 3:1-5). God promised a New Covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, in which he would be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds he would no longer remember. (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:12, 13). Thus the New Covenant rendered the Old Covenant obsolete with the latter vanishing. Satan could no longer accuse brethren because of sin. John who alludes to Satan as the accuser of our brethren who accused them before our God day and night, saw his remaining time as short. The devil, knowing that his defeat was imminent attempted a last ditch effort to destroy the church. Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time, (Revelation 12:12) Paul Predicts Satans Imminent Defeat Satans defeat came swiftly. Paul wrote, The Lord God shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly, (Romans 16:20). The message of the gospels, the epistles and Revelation all saw Satans imminent demise. Through death, Jesus dealt a death blow to Satan, (Hebrews 2:14). Jesus could not be held by death, --the enemy Satan used to keep man enslaved to a destiny of destruction. Jesus' defeat of death and subsequent resurrection allows Him to reign at Gods right hand. Likewise, he empowers saints to reign by dying and rising with him through baptism and entrance into a new life in Him, (Romans 6:3, 4; Ephesians 1:3). Being raised from the dead, they now live in righteousness forgiven by God through the power of the life of Jesus Christ. Johns Revelation message speaks of events shortly to come to pass, (Revelation 1:1, 3; 12:10; 22:6, 10, 12). Thus Satans defeat and ultimate end of being cast into the lake of fire happened within a short time after John wrote the book. There is no devil to torment and accuse man today. Satans defeat and demise occurred almost 2000 years ago. Jesus and righteousness now reign forever. Evil exists in the world today, because men of their own choice choose evil. They have no one to blame but themselves. The ultimate evil is to choose disobedience. Those who do so will follow Satan to the lake of fire. Copyright (c) 2006 by William Bell, Jr. All rights reserved. |
