The Devil Is Destroyed - Part 1

Introduction 

You will never walk in victory until you know your enemy is defeated!   As Christians, we do not move from defeat into victory. We do not move from doubt into faith. The Scriptures tell us, however, that there is a way of faith which leads to greater faith "from faith to faith " (Rom 1:17). 

 

Likewise, our starting point for victory is not one of defeat, but victory — Christ's victory. "But thanks be unto God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (I Cor 15:57).  We must begin in victory if we are going to have victory. Doubt, defeat and despair are not the kinds of stuff from which we can build a strong victorious life.  

We can never be a winner as long as we see ourselves as helpless, hopeless victims of the devil. Satan no longer has the power or authority to defeat the sons and daughters of God's royal family. However, he does have the ability to deceive the children of God if they do not understand who they are in Christ Jesus.  

When I was a young Christian, I developed a real fear of anything which was satanic or demonic. I don't know how or when such a fear began. As a boy, I was always interested in preachers and what they were doing. Perhaps some of their stories of demonic power may have sown a seed of fear in my mind without my realizing it.

Later on, I learned that many other Christians have the same problem.  I was saved and filled with the Holy Spirit when I was in my teen years.  As I grew in the Lord, I developed a real desire to have authority over demonic power. I told the Lord that if I ever came across a demon, I wanted to be able to cast him out.   I worried so much about whether I or the demons had greater power, that I would even dream about such an encounter or meeting.

In my dream, I would see myself trying to cast out a devil, but unable to do so. It was a very serious point of fear (problem) for me at the time.   However, the heavenly Father saw my desire to be a strong and faithful son in the family of God. He met my need and solved my problem in an unexpected way.   I would have thought He might have used mighty angels or great lightning bolts to meet my need for power. But He didn't! I have power and authority over demon forces today, but it didn't come in that manner. God had a better way — a way which I now want to share with you. 

 

God chose to meet my need for power over demonic forces by way of a revelation. In a revelation God shows or "reveals" to us a truth from Scripture which we had not seen or known before.   Such truth is always centered in Jesus, and it has the power to set us free from our fears. "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free... If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed" (John 8:32,36). 

I have found that a revelation which sets me free can be given to others. The truth will work in their lives as well as it did in mine. Therefore, allow the Holy Spirit to open your heart to God's Word — and God's Word to your heart.  

A. FREED FROM FEAR OF DEATH AND THE DEVIL 

The children in a-family share in the same physical nature. Therefore, Jesus— as our Redeemer Brother — took upon himself our human nature. "He did this that he might die. By dying, he gained access to the realm of death to destroy the one who had the power of death. That one is the devil. Jesus did this to release us from fear of death. We were slaves to that fear; now we are free" (Heb 2:14,15 smf). (Note: smf = simplified.) 

1. The Devil Is Destroyed  

Jesus died that the devil might be destroyed. This is a strong, sure statement which is absolutely and totally true. It rests upon the full authority of Scripture. The devil IS destroyed! 

a. "To Destroy." Now that does not mean the devil no longer exists. He is still around, as we well know.   The Greek word for "destroy" is katargeo. It means to:   

1) make powerless;  

2) bring to naught;   

3) reduce to zero, make inactive;  

4) make of no effect;   

5) paralyze.  

Through His death, Jesus not only paid the penalty for our sins. He made the devil powerless, reduced him to zero and paralyzed him.  Therefore, we no longer need to fear the devil or the judgment which follows death (Heb 9:27, 10:27). 

2. Death Lost Its Sting 

Through His death, Jesus also showed us we need not fear the physical effects of death. It cannot destroy the soul or spirit of man. We will even have a glorified body like that of the Lord Himself when Christ returns in resurrection power.  "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?... But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (I Cor 15:55,57). 

3. Christ Reigns  

Yes, the death and resurrection of Jesus has released us from the fear of the devil and of death. The devil himself was stripped of his earthly authority. His right to rule over Creation was taken away by the crucified Christ. The scepter or royal symbol of authority was stripped from his hand. After defeating the devil, the Lord Jesus took His rightful place upon the throne.

  

B. HOW IT ALL BEGAN

This is an amazing story, however, which can only be understood by going back to the very beginning of Creation. Join me as we review what was in the heart and mind of God at the very dawn of history. 

1. Man Was Created For Dominion  

"Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. Let them rule and have dominion... over all the earth... " (Gen 1:26 smf).  "What is man that you are mindful of him? And the Son of Man that you care for him? You made him for a little time lower than the angels... You made him to rule and have dominion over all the works of your hands... " (Ps 8:4a-6 smf).  "You... have put everything under his feet" (Heb2:8).

The above scriptures show us that God had a plan for Adam and Eve. To that first family was given the right to rule or have dominion over all of Creation. They had authority over every living thing on the face of the earth.

For a time, they ruled wisely and well. Everything was peaceful and in divine order. The lion and the lamb laid down together in perfect harmony. There were no thorns or thistles. Fragrant flowers and delightful fruit trees grew everywhere. It was a wonderful and lovely world in which to live. Sadly, the divine beauty of those sinless days was not to last. 

2. Man Lost Dominion Through Disobedience And Deception  

The Bible teaches that Satan had originally been created as a beautiful and anointed cherub or angel. He was probably the choirmaster of Heaven. He had great ambitions to rule the world. But God gave this privilege to Adam and Eve. Through pride and rebellion he fell from his heavenly position of beauty, authority and power.

Jesus said, "I saw Satan fall as lightning from heaven" (Luke 10:18; see also Ezekiel 28:11-17 and Isaiah 14:12-15).  He next appeared in the Garden of Eden in the form of a beautiful serpent. There was an evil purpose, however, in his coming. In a wise and clever way, he sought to take away from Adam and Eve the right to rule — the dominion which had been given to them as co-regents over the Creation.  

Now, he could not overpower or force himself upon the first members of God's earthly family. Adam and Eve had authority or rulership over every living creature, and that included serpents. The only power Satan had was the power of influence. All he could do was seek to influence their behavior through lies and deception.

Therefore, he came to Eve when she was alone. In a very sly and subtle way, he planted seeds of doubt in her heart about God's love, honesty and authority. He finally got her to believe that he was right and God's word was wrong.  

As a result, she chose to eat of the tree of knowledge instead of the tree of life.  Adam was not deceived, but chose to follow Eve into her fallen state (l Tim2:14).  

a. The Sad Results. Three very sad and tragic things happened as a result of their doubt and disobedience:  

 

1) Lost The Covering And Authority Of God. They came out from under the covering and authority of God, and the image of God was marred.

   

2) Lost The Right To Rule. They lost their right, therefore, to rule over God's Creation.

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3) Came Under A New Authority. They then came under the authority of Satan himself. 

 

Satan was very quick to pick up the scepter that slipped from their hand and the crown which fell from their head. These symbols of authority were now rightfully his. The devil had taken over the dominion of the earth as he had desired. He had won not by force, but by deception. The right to rule over God's Creation had shifted  from  man to the serpent — the devil himself. 

3. God Planned To Restore Dominion  

Satan not only deceived others, but was under a deception himself. He thought he was right when he was wrong. He really believed he had won a victory over both God and man. There was, however, an aspect of God's nature he knew nothing about. It is called grace. It is based on an unselfish love that seeks to redeem that which was lost, no matter what it might cost. One redeems or buys back only things which are of value. 

 

In the case of man's life, the price would be the death of another man — one called the Son of Man! I am sure Satan had not counted on God going so far as to give His only begotten Son, Jesus, for fallen man. Yet that .gift had been given even before man had been created.

The Bible says that Jesus was "...the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Rev 13:8). This means that God, in His foreknowledge, saw that man would sin and need a Savior.

So Jesus was chosen for this purpose before man was created. "God paid a price to save you from the empty way of life... However, you were not redeemed with something that will pass away like silver or gold. You were bought hack with the precious blood of Christ — a pure and per feet lamb.   "Christ was chosen for this purpose before the world was made. But he was revealed and shown to the world in these last times for you " (1 Pet 1:18-20 smf). 

When man fell. God did not change His mind about His plan for a beloved and royal family. It was still His purpose to fill the whole earth with sons and daughters whose lives would reflect the beauty of their God. Through their love and obedience, the glory of God's Kingdom would yet cover the whole earth as the waters cover the sea. Yes, the scepter would again return to the hand of man.  

a. Seed Of The Woman. As soon as man sinned and fell from his place of royal authority. God's plan of redemption was set in motion. It is of some interest that this plan was first revealed to Satan himself. From the record it would appear that Adam and Eve were also there. The word of the Lord, however, was spoken directly to the serpent:  "And the Lord God said to the serpent, 'Because you have done this, you are cursed above all the animals... From now on you and the woman will be enemies. This will also be true of all of your seed [offspring] and her Seed [Jesus]. You will strike his heel, but he will crush your head'" (Gen3:14,15smf».   

           

The "Seed of the woman" refers to the family line from which Jesus would come in His humanity. The serpent is told he would strike at His (Jesus') heel, but the wound would not be fatal in a final way.  This is a reference to the death and resurrection of Jesus. Death could not keep Jesus in the grave!  The Seed (Jesus) would use the occasion of His death to crush the serpent's head.

This refers to a fatal wound from which there would be no recovery. The defeat and death of the serpent would be final.  The phrase "crush your head" has an added meaning of great importance to our theme of authority. The term "head" includes the thought of headship or governmental authority (covering).

Paul so uses the term in setting forth the lines of spiritual authority and responsibility: "Now, I want you to know that the head [governmental covering] of the woman is man. The head of man is Christ and the head of Christ is God " (1 Cor 11:3 smf).

Our story in the Garden of Eden now becomes most dramatic. God Himself is telling the devil that someday the Seed of the woman (Jesus) would wrench the scepter from the devil's hand. Through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, man would be redeemed, Satan would be defeated, and dominion would be restored to the family of God.  

b. Royal Redeemer. God's Son— as the Son of Man — would regain for redeemed man the authority to govern that which he had lost through sin. The Kingdom of Heaven will one day rule the earth through God's family of sons and daughters. Jesus, our Redeemer Brother, is the "first-born" of that glorious family. Through Him we have a victory which will last forever. This theme of restored righteous government through God's royal Seed can be traced all through Scripture. Listen to Paul's Letter to the Galatian churches: 

"When the right time had come, God sent his Son to he born of a woman and live under the law. He did this to redeem those who were also under the law. In this way we were bought and brought back into God's family as his very own children. ''For this reason he sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts. From our hearts to his, the Spirit now cries out, 'Father, dear Father.' No longer are we slaves, but God's beloved children. As his children, everything that belongs to him now belongs to us too" (Gal 4:4-7 smf).  

Clearly, Paul is linking the birth of the Lord Jesus to the promised Seed in Genesis 3:15. Jesus Christ came to this earth, born of a woman.   He came for the purpose of redeeming mankind, and restoring him (man) to a place of authority in the family of God. Jesus fulfilled the prophecy given the serpent in the Garden of Eden. When the right time came, through the cross of Christ, Satan was defeated and dethroned.   The authority which he had cleverly taken from the first family has been returned to the redeemed sons and daughters of God. 

4. Satan Tried To Avert The Plan  

This truth helps us understand what was happening in the temptations of Jesus at the outset of His earthly ministry. The devil first seeks to challenge the source of Jesus' divine authority by questioning His divine Sonship. "If you are the Son of God..." (Matt 4:3 smf). 

 

a. Satan Tempts Jesus. It is the last temptation, however, that brings the issue of authority and dominion into sharp focus. 'Then the devil took Jesus to the top of a very high mountain. There he showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, 'All these things I will give to you if you will fall down and worship me.'  

"But Jesus said to him, 'Away with you, Satan! For it is written. You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.' Then the devil left him, and angels came and ministered to him" (Matt 4:8-11 smf).   It is interesting to note that we come under the authority of the one we worship.

Actually, what we worship becomes our authority. What the devil was really saying was this: "If you will come under my authority, I will give you rulership over all the kingdoms of earth." Jesus saw through the deception and refused. 

  

1) Temptation Was Real. There is another important point here which gives further understanding of the main theme of this study.  Was Satan's offer for real? Did he truly have that kind of authority to give? If he did not, then his offer to Jesus was not a valid offer. Thus there would have been no real temptation involved. If I were to say to you, "I will give you $10,000,000 if you will fall down and worship me" — most of you would laugh. Why? Because you know I don't have that much money. It wouldn't be a real temptation.   Not so with Jesus. His temptations were real. The devil was offering Jesus a way to avoid the cross — but at the cost of disobeying His Father in Heaven. It took real strength to resist. Jesus' struggles with these temptations were so stressful, angels had to come and help Him recover.   

2) Satan Had Authority. Yes, at that point in time Satan actually had dominion and authority over the kingdoms of this earth. It was the authority which he took from Adam when he disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden. When Adam and Eve submitted themselves to the lies of the devil, they came under his authority and gave up their own. It was this authority and dominion which Jesus came to regain for the true worshippers of the one true God. Jesus knew that — and Satan did too. God had told Satan this back in the Garden of Eden. Since that time, the devil had sought to destroy the line from which that royal Seed would come. 

 

b. Satan Tried To Destroy Jesus. He tried to destroy Jesus at His birth. Satan stirred up King Herod to kill all the infants under two years of age. Only a demon-possessed man would do such a thing as that. What was Satan after? He was seeking to destroy Jesus — the Seed of the woman. Satan knew that when Jesus became a man there would be a battle for the power and authority which had been in his possession since the fall of man. 

 

When the use of force failed, the devil tried to cause Jesus to sin, the same way he had tempted Adam and Eve. He sought to get Him to move apart from the will and word of His Father. He hoped Jesus would act in His own self-interest. Yes, Satan was aware that Jesus Christ was the "Seed of the woman" Who had come to take away his dominion — his right to rule. Satan's offer of world authority was an effort to avoid that loss by bringing Jesus under his very control first.

  

c. Satan Didn't Understand The Cross. While Satan knew his kingdom and power was threatened by Jesus, it is possible he didn't know the method and means Jesus would use to defeat him. The Apostle Paul tells us that the plan of man's salvation through the cross was not understood by the rulers or princes of this world. "None of the rulers or princes of this world understood it. If they had they would not have killed the Lord of glory on a cross " (I Cor 2:8). Since the Bible calls the devil "...the god of this world" (2Cor 4:4), most Bible scholars believe 1 Corinthians 2:8 is referring to the devil and his ruling princes.  

Earthly rulers are agents who serve under demonic princes. The demonic princes and powers behind these earthly rulers were not aware of the power and purpose of the cross.  Jesus was fully aware that He must first suffer before entering into His glory (Luke 24:26). He was "the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world" (Rev 13:8). Calvary and the cross must come before the kingdom and the crown. The devil's offer of world dominion would have been a temptation for Jesus to rule the world without the pain and suffering of the cross.  

Source: The Shepherd's Staff