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Christ’s utter destruction of the last great weapon of the devil (death itself) by the resurrection of all of the dead will signal the fact that all lesser evil, harmful, and corrupting principles (and their instigator) have now likewise been utterly defeated. Thus, when the judgments of the Son of God against all sin and sinners is handed down in the Judgment to end all judgments, Satan himself shall be cast into the “eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels” (Mat. 25:41).
The Bible begins with man at peace with his Creator in a paradise where the tree of life was growing. This was forfeited when man sinned, giving Satan the advantage he needed to bring death upon all. The entire Bible revolves around God’s plan, which He patiently worked out through His Son, to open to men the Paradise of Heaven and to restore to them the tree of life (Rev. 22:1-2).
The assurances of this great triumph are many, summarized in the promises of God and the works of God. God’s promise to the serpent that Christ would bruise his hand is the earliest harbinger of victory (Gen. 3:15). The promised blessing upon all nations through Abraham’s seed foretold the victory (Gen. 22:18). The conquering Christ is promised in Jacob’s manifold blessing upon Judah (Gen. 49:8-10). While many such promises are found in the Old Testament, the New Testament literally abounds with them, beginning with the angel’s promise to Mary that her Son would reign in His kingdom without end (Luke 1:32-33). He would raise all from the dead (John 5:28-29), judge all men by His Word (John 12:48), build His church in spite of Satan (Mat. 16:18) because He would be given all authority (Mat. 28:18). There are many others.
Numerous indications of the final victory of good are presaged in the works of God, beginning with His creation of all things (including man) in a state of goodness (Gen. 1), continuing through a long succession of God-given victories over evil for His people. The ultimate assurances all center in Christ. His virgin birth and providential protection in infancy. His unbroken record of victory over every malevolent force (including Satan’s demons). His sacrificial death, mighty resurrection, and exaltation to the throne over His kingdom all certify the final outcome of His Divine cause.
None can resist the assurance of final triumph but by denying God, His Son, and Their inspired Word. Let us daily take our stand with the Lord that we may be victorious with Him.
[Note: I wrote this article for and it was published in The Edifier, weekly bulletin of Pearl Street Church of Christ, Denton, TX, January 5, 1989, of which I was editor.]
Attribution: From thescripturecache.com; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.
