The Devil Defeated
He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years . . . [where he] will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Revelation 20:2, 10 NIV
The most powerful being in all the world today, outside of God Himself, is the devil. At the temptation he showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world, and he said in effect, “I will give you all of these if you will bow down and worship me” (Matthew 4:9). Jesus did not dispute him. Satan had the power to give Jesus the cosmos, the world system of evil. But, thank God, our Lord quoted Scripture, and that’s one thing the devil can’t stand! The Scripture—which is God’s truth—defeats him every time.
In 2 Corinthians 4:4 he’s also called “the god of this age.” That means that he’s the director of false religions and philosophies of the world. The Bible says the whole cosmos (world) is under his control. What’s going to transpire if something doesn’t happen to Satan? Who’s going to dispose of Satan? Humanity is helpless before him. Man is unable to chain him. The church cannot dethrone him. Legislation is impotent. The United Nations does not know how to handle him. They don’t even understand that they’re dealing with a spiritual power—an enormous power of evil in the world today.
Let’s not forget one fact, however. There is One who is more powerful than Satan! This One defeated him two thousand years ago through the cross and the empty tomb. The devil didn’t want Jesus Christ to go to the cross, because he was afraid of what Christ would do on the cross. He knew that when Christ died on the cross, He was bearing the sins of the whole world. And God was saying to mankind from the cross, “I love you. I want to forgive you of all of your sins. I want you to be My child, and one day to join Me in heaven.” And if Jesus had come down from the cross, we couldn’t be saved. We couldn’t go to heaven. That’s why the devil didn’t want Him on the cross. That’s why they taunted Him, “If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.” Satan suffered his greatest defeat at the cross, and in the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Our Father and our God, fill me with the Holy Spirit so I will not be tempted to pursue the kingdoms of this world that Satan offers. Give me great contentment as Your child, knowing You are truly the God of this age. Help me to wait patiently for the coming Christ, who will finally bind Satan and usher into heaven those who are found faithful to Him. Amen.
Billy Graham, Unto the Hills: A Daily Devotional (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2010).