We often hear preachers say "Christ defeated Satan at the cross!" but do we know what that really means? How did Jesus do it; what exactly did He do to defeat Satan and render him powerless? Let us examine this in detail.
Before we begin, you should know that the only power Satan has over born-again believers is the power God allows and the power YOU give him. Let me repeat that... Satan has NO POWER over you unless God allows it or YOU give it to him. The Holy Bible is clear about this: see GOD allows:- Job 1:6-12 and YOU give:- Ephesians 4:26-27.
So how did Jesus defeat Satan? This is how it began: Jesus told us Himself that He would be in the centre or heart of the earth for three days and three nights. What did He mean and where exactly did He go?
"For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." Matthew 12:40
The word 'heart' is translated from the Greek word KARDIA (Strong's G2588), which, in this instance, refers to the middle, central or inmost part of the earth. What is at the centre of the earth? Jesus, carrying the weight of the SIN of the world (See 2 Corinthians 5:21 and Hebrews 9:28), literally went to HELL (Click the link for a discussion on hell's location.).
The scripture also tells us that Jesus has the keys of hell and death. John saw Christ in Heaven when John was writing the book of Revelation and Christ told him that He (Christ) lives, had been dead, is alive forevermore and has the keys of hell and death.
"I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." Revelations 1:18
The word 'keys' in this scripture is translated from the Greek word KLEIS (Strong's G2807). In this scripture it refers to the power to bring the dead from hell back to earth as well as the power (of Jesus the holder of the key) to leave hell. Jesus took them from Satan.
The word 'death' is translated from the Greek word THANATOS (Strong's G2288), which refers to the separation of the soul from the body with the added idea of the soul going to hell. Jesus' power over death means that He has the power to prevent ANYONE from going to hell if they die. This means that Satan once HAD the power to drag people down to hell but Jesus took that power from him. Jesus took the keys then made an open show of his victory over all the devil's forces.
"And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." Colossians 2:15
The word 'spoiled' is translated from the Greek word APEKDYOMAI (Strong's G554), which, in this scripture, refers specifically to Jesus DISARMING Satan and his agents. The word 'triumphing' is translated from the Greek word THRIAMBEUO (Strong's G2358), which refers to celebrating a triumph or a win as well as to cause someone to do the same. Not only did Jesus disarm them, He did it openly, that is, He made an example out of them, celebrated His victory and caused us to celebrate it as well!
Jesus did something awesome. The scripture says He led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men. In addition the scripture tells us that he descended first then ascended above all heavens to fill all things. What does this mean?
“Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)” Ephesians 4:8-10
The words 'captivity captive' are interesting. They are translated from the Greek words AICHMALOTEUO (Strong's G162) and AICHMALOSIA (Strong's G161) respectively. The context is that Jesus captured those who had been taken captive and led them to captivity, that is, Heaven.
IN SUMMARY: When Jesus died on the cross He went to hell carrying the sin of the entire world. While there He disarmed Satan and his army, took the power of death and hell from Satan and rose from the dead. When He rose from the dead He took those who Satan had held captive with Him, celebrated his victory and led them into a good 'captivity' in Heaven. He made the way for us to celebrate that victory as well.
Jesus' actions clearly show us that Satan is a defeated enemy who has lost the most powerful weapon he had over us. So why aren't we celebrating and why aren't we acting like Satan is defeated? Why do we (me included) often allow Satan to entice us and gain an advantage when the Holy Bible tells us to not give him room to do so? Let us explore these questions and more in EXPOSING SATAN (part 6).
REMEMBER: follow the steps in part 4 of this series to overcome Satan's schemes and Satan will have to flee from you.
S. Morgan on Google+
No comments:
Post a Comment