Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!
Psalm 2:12
Here’s a strange (and disturbing) thought: What if one of the world’s most evil criminals, having instigated horrific atrocities against men, women, and children, was finally convicted. However, after the judge’s gavel fell and a sentence of life imprisonment given, this heinous person was given the freedom to continue his evil pursuits until an undetermined time to come. Eventually, he will be locked away, never to escape or be freed—and his sentence includes excruciating torment to repay his actions through the years.
What kind of emotions are you feeling at that scenario? Maybe elation about his conviction and delight over his future torture mixed with awe and horror at the allowed freedom before he’s actually thrown in prison…perhaps a fear washed over you at what he will actually do in the world, knowing his time of potential devastation is limited.
This is not just a what-if scene. It is very real. The heinous criminal is Satan. And he has been wreaking havoc on mankind since the Garden of Eden when he hissed that first accusation against the Creator: “Did God really say…?” And as the centuries passed, Satan and his millions of minions have worked tirelessly to separate people from the Lord and thwart the promises of God.
But Jesus.
Jesus came to the earth, fully man and fully God, to live the life we cannot (sinless and perfect). Satan, knowing exactly who Jesus is and why He came, made valiant efforts to foil the plan of salvation throughout Jesus’s earthly ministry—he (Satan) was getting desperate. So, when our precious Lord was hanging on the cross, bleeding and dying to pay the penalty we deserve, Satan was probably doing a celebratory dance, thinking himself victorious. But a few days later, Jesus came out of the grave, forever conquering death and making a way to the Father for anyone who believes and trusts in Him.
So, this is where the scene described above kicks in. Friends, Satan has been defeated. He has been convicted—and he knows it. And he knows exactly how it ends for him, and it’s not pretty (he’s read the Bible too—see Revelation 19:11-21). Although it’s been 2000 years since his sentencing, he and his troupe of terrorists have spent every moment accusing us to God and accusing God to us in his efforts to keep people from Christ and to keep Christ-followers ineffective.
I don’t know about you, but I believe that Satan’s incarceration time is near. As his time is running out and his ways and means of warfare are exponentially escalating, here are some things for us to take to heart: (1) Jesus already won. (2) If we believe that Jesus won and give our lives to Him, we are victors with Him and can rest in the peace of this truth. (3) For those who do not know Jesus or believe Him and His Word, the fear is very real…because the coming horrific judgement isn’t just for Satan.
Brothers and sisters, Satan’s time may not yet be up—but, if you’re reading this, neither is yours! If you have not yet accepted Christ, “now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Although God’s judgement is coming, He is (and has been since the Garden) in relentless pursuit of you. Won’t you turn to Him and choose victory today?
encouraged by grace 