An Enemy in Retreat

Satan’s Defeat

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Since the children have flesh and blood, [Jesus] too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. Hebrews 2: 14‑15 NIV

The one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3: 8‑10 NASB

“Now is the judgment of this world. Now the prince of this world [Satan] will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." But he said this, signifying by what kind of death he should die [crucifixion]. John 12: 31‑33 WEB

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 ESV

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony . . . Revelation 12: 10‑11 NIV84

 (God is sovereign over Satan. The devil does not have a totally free hand in this world. He can do no more than God permits. In effect, he must get permission, as in the cases of Job and Simon (see below). Such passages imply that God ‘tolerates’ a continuing but temporary presence of Satan to help finalise the victory won over him by Jesus and bring the devil’s influence to a complete and ultimate end with the culmination of God’s good purposes toward his human family of the redeemed.)

 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.” “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life. But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.” The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. Job 2: 3‑10 NIV

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.” Luke 22: 31‑34 NIV

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(Note, with references to ‘hell’, that it was ‘prepared for the devil and his angels’ - God did not intend for humans to be in hell. In the spiritual dimension, the bible speaks of hell and death as a state of separation (not oblivion) from God as Sovereign and Source of Life and Goodness. In a place of treason and self will, there is only despair and an absence of good, i.e. a darkness. We know from our experience that darkness is an ‘absence’ of light and vision rather than an entity of its own, i.e., we can generate and produce light but not darkness which is the state that exists when there is an absence of light.)

 Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Matthew 25:41 NIV

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment; 2 Peter 2:4 NASB

The Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8 NLT

Since therefore [we] share in flesh and blood, [Christ] himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil. Hebrews 2:14 ESV

Disarming the rulers and authorities, he has made a public disgrace of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Colossians 2:15 NET

But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man.” Mark 3:27 ESV

The devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulphur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be in torment day and night forever and ever. Revelation 20:10 ESV

And [the demons] cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” Matthew 8:29 ESV

(Warnings implied from God’s perspective: Satan’s fate is already sealed. He is doomed to ultimate defeat and elimination from God’s earth and presence. Though his purposes cannot prevail, he compulsively continues trying to deceive and destroy because he himself is deceived. There are many effects of his presence in this world and there are many temptations and pressures in his designs upon people. The key to overcoming in this warfare is to hold fast (by faith) to the decisive blow of victory that Jesus has already dealt Satan when he took the penalty for our shortcomings on himself. We still need to deal with pressures and temptations from the devil in this realm but we need to see these as virtual ‘clean up operations’ of a victory already won for us.

Predictions about a coming end to evil in this fallen world are really about the establishment of God’s renewed, unblemished and perfect ‘Kingdom’ - which necessarily involves an exile of the rebellious from His presence and grace. This follows as an inevitable consequence when self-will rejects his omnipotence. Such separation is described as being in a realm of eternal ‘existence’ but with a complete absence of good, i.e. a place of darkness, eternal regret, death and despair. It is not a place of oblivion and was not prepared for human beings but rather for the judgement and putting away of the devil and his angels. However, if we humans enter the realm of eternity with pride and an independent way of thinking, i.e., having hardened our hearts, and thereby failing to ‘opt in’ to the life-line extended by our heavenly father, it is these choices that will bring a permanent separation from the very source of our life and all that is good. Waywardness does not bring an immediate consequence of this at present as we are still in an era of extended grace.

Justice will be seen to have been served on the deceptive and destructive influence of Satan’s challenge to God’s glory, perfection and Sovereignty which will have been allowed to run its course in a fair trial – the disastrous consequences being observable to all, for all eternity. Those who have not acknowledged their need to be saved of fallen humanity will also be swept into exile as unintended victims.

Was a world of suffering and human misery worth such hope and such risk? It would seem so, but this is something that is beyond our human comprehension, being something we are not likely to fully understand in this realm of time – yet God does reach out to us with his love, mercy and forgiveness and invites us to invest our trust in him. He was willing himself to come along side of us in the form of His own human Son to experience suffering, along with us, and take the awful consequences of our waywardness upon himself so that we might be restored and made free. If we will only reach out, He promises to respond.)

Even if we agree that allowing evil is not the same as doing evil, Philosopher Peter Kreeft says that God should still be held responsible for allowing evil. He writes, "He's off the hook for doing evil, but He's still on the hook for allowing it. He could disallow evil. Instead, He makes evil work for a greater good." -Kreeft

Yet it cannot be said that God has distanced himself from Kreeft’s assertion (of responsibility for allowing evil). In fact, God literally did put himself "on the hook” through Jesus Christ who died on the cross - that is, God has taken a responsibility for evil by taking upon himself the entire penalty for all of humankind’s sins on the cross, and providing all those who will repent and believe a means of restoration.

“God also takes responsibility for evil by providing discipline and justice for wrongdoing, intervening when the righteous pray, warning nations of judgment, and so forth. Everything is under his sovereign control and He intervenes purposefully according to His will, to work for the good of those who love Him.”(8)

8. How Justice and Mercy Meet at the Cross, Posted August 15, 2017 by Amy Wang http://faithphilosophy.com/en/evil-how-justice-and-mercy-meet-at-the-cross.php

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They also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven." Acts 1:11 NASB

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Hebrews 1:3 ESV

But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. Hebrews 1:2 ESV

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25 ESV

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father — Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2: 1‑2 NIV

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. Colossians 2: 6‑10 NIV

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Romans 5:10 NASB

"The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. John 3:35 NASB

So that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth. Philippians 2:10 NASB

After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Mark 16:19 NIV

You have put all things in subjection under his feet. For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him. Hebrews 2:8 NASB

You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet. Psalm 8:6 NASB

'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies beneath your feet"'. Matthew 22:44 NASB

"For David himself says in the book of Psalms, 'The Lord said to my Lord, "sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."' Luke 20: 42‑43 NASB

He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Saviour, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. Acts 5:31 NASB

. . . Do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. 1 John 3: 7‑9 NIV

For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Hebrews 9: 24‑28 NIV

But when this priest [i.e. Jesus] had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool.

For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this.

First he says:
“This is the covenant I will make with them after that time,” says the Lord.
“I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.’
Then he adds:
“Their sins and lawless acts, I will remember no more.”

And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary. Hebrews 10: 12‑18 NIV

Seeing what was to come, [King David} spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.

For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’ Acts 2: 31‑35 NIV

So also Christ did not take upon Himself the glory of becoming a high priest, but He was called by the One who said to Him: "You are My Son; today I have become Your Father." Hebrews 5:5 NIV

When he was gone, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him.  John 13:31 NIV

Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. John 8: 54‑55 NIV

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. John 17: 1‑5 NIV

Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

“You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.

I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me. John 14: 24‑31 NIV

[Jesus] is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him. 1 Peter 3:22 NASB

Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. Revelation 1: 17‑18 NIV

Knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. Romans 6:9 NASB

But to which of the angels has He ever said, "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"? Hebrews 1:13 NASB

"David himself said in the Holy Spirit, 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies beneath your feet."' Mark 12:36 NASB

But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." Acts 7:55‑56 NASB

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.                     Hebrews 12:2 NASB

Jesus said to him, "You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see the son of man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming on the clouds of heaven." Matthew 26:64 NASB

And Jesus said, "I am; and you shall see the son of man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming with the clouds of heaven." Mark 14:62 NASB

Then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.

The last enemy that will be abolished is death. then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power.

For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. For he has put all things in subjection under his feet but when He says, "All things are put in subjection," it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all. 1 Corinthians 15: 24‑28 NASB

And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.” Revelation 12:10 ESV

And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” Luke 10:18 ESV

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”                     Revelation 21:4 ESV

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8 ESV

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Matthew 25:41 ESV

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; 2 Peter 2:4 ESV

For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. Acts 2:27 ESV

Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. John 5:28‑29 ESV

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. 1Corinthians 15:20 ESV

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18 ESV

And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:13‑15 ESV

The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 1 Corinthians 15:26 ESV

He will swallow up death for all time, And the Lord GOD will wipe tears away from all faces, And He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth; For the LORD has spoken.     Isaiah 25:8 NASB 

Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from death? O Death, where are your thorns? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion will be hidden from My sight.             Hosea 13:14 NASB

I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the book or to look into it. Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it; and one of the elders said to me, "Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals." And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. Revelation 5: 1‑7 NASB

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(A metaphor of ancient armour holding some keys for good mental health and well being)

References:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6: 10‑18 NIV 

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