The Judgment and Defeat of Satan
And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Colossians 2:15
The explicit purpose of Christ’s coming into this world was to “destroy the devil’s work” (1 John 3:8). We have the assurance that Satan will be driven out (see John 12:31). According to Jesus, he already stands condemned (see 16:11). The crucial battle between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of evil took place during the conflict between Christ and Satan. Satan’s initial defeat came in the wilderness temptation at the beginning of our Lord’s ministry (see Mark 1:12-13). Because Jesus did not succumb to the devil’s temptations, during His ministry He was able to enter the strong man’s house and plunder His goods (see Mark 3:27).
The decisive defeat of Satan occurred at the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. At the cross, Christ judged Satan as a usurper and no longer the legitimate ruler of this world. The cross and the resurrection broke the power of Satan over humankind. The finished work of Christ resulted in three immediate benefits to us: we were made alive, we were forgiven, and the powers and authorities were disarmed (see Colossians 2:13-15).
At the cross, Jesus destroyed “him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14). He continues to “free those who all their lives [have been] held in slavery by their fear of death” (verse 15). Jesus Christ has delivered those of us who have put our trust in Him from Satan’s power.
Although judgment has already been pronounced on Satan, he is still permitted to operate as a usurper on earth until the time of his final imprisonment. As a dethroned monarch, he is allowed to rule those who accept his authority. Some have seen this truth foreshadowed by the anointing of David as the king of Israel, but Saul continued to rule over those who still acknowledged him as king. As followers of Jesus, we don’t have to fear death or Satan. He no longer has authority over us and can do nothing to change our identity and position in Christ. When we put our faith in the saving work of our Lord Jesus Christ, we were delivered from the dominion of darkness and brought into the kingdom of God (see Colossians 1:12-13). We have to stand firm in our faith and rest in the finished work of Christ.
Jesus asserted that “the eternal fire” had been prepared for “the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41). Premillennialists believe the book of Revelation describes this final judgment of the devil. At the return of Christ, the devil will be confined to the bottomless pit for 1,000 years, during which time the earth will be free from his deceptive and destructive influences (see Revelation 20:1-3). At the end of the 1,000 years, Satan will be loosed from his prison and will again deceive the inhabitants of the earth. Amillennialists believe this will all happen when Christ returns.
This final rebellion will be summarily crushed by divine action. According to John’s vision, “the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Revelation 20:10). Satan’s destiny is to share the eternal punishment of those whom he deceived and refused to trust in Christ (see Revelation 20:12-14).
A few questions to ponder:
When was Satan’s initial defeat? How was he defeated?
What was the decisive defeat of Satan? What does that defeat mean for believers of Christ today?
What powers does Satan retain even though he is defeated? What does the Bible say will be his ultimate demise?
What power does Satan really have over you—or over any of God’s children?
If Satan knows his ultimate demise, why does he continue to strive against God and His Church?
Neil T. Anderson is the founder of Freedom in Christ Ministries. He began the ministry in 1989 and continues to spread the message of freedom to this day.