I Was Watching Satan Fall From Heaven Like Lightning

Posted by Pastor Pat on May 30, 2009

As believers, you and I are in constant spiritual warfare.  Often, however, we fail to recognize our battles as such.  In addition, we are often ignorant of Satan’s mode of operation.  And finally, we regularly fail to fight from a position of victory.  Although this is a lengthy study, I would like to simply note several verses and then conclude by noting how we live from victory and not for victory.

First, let us begin by noting how the devil’s defeat is already secured.

“But no one can enter the strong man’s house and plunder his property unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house” (Mark 3:27).

This parable tells us that Jesus has bound the devil and has placed him in a position of subjection.  Jesus is the strong king who has conquered His enemies.

“Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out”  (John 12:31).

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He Who is Not With Me is Against Me

Posted by Pastor Pat on April 26, 2009

Our text is found in Matthew and Luke, but excluded from Mark.  If we follow Mark’s reading, Matthew 12:30 is wedged between the statements concerning the strong one and the sin of blasphemy (Mark 3:27, 28).  In looking at the passage there is a primary idea.

Jesus is King, and His kingdom has overthrown the prince of the power of the air.  He is removing enslaved citizens of darkness and transferring them into the kingdom of light.  The story begun in Genesis is coming to fruition in the arrival of the woman’s seed, the seed of Abraham and of David.  Jesus has subjugated sin, separation, and Satan.  He has conquered and we are living in His victory.  Jesus Christ is the victor.  He has destroyed all of His opponents.  All who oppose Him will bow before Him.

Early church father, Augustine, noted how, “Christ came to plunder the strong man’s good – the devil’s hold upon the ungodly.”  ([emphasis added] Augustine, in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament II – Mark, 41).  Jesus has dethroned the Devil; the one who bound others would now be bound.   The text shows us two kingdoms in conflict.  One sits in a position of possessor, and the other comes to take back what is rightfully His.  Ultimately the two lie in mortal combat.  It is impossible for the two ever to be reconciled.

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