In last week’s bulletin, we showed that when Jesus ascended into heaven the power of Satan was amazingly diminished (read that bulletin or study Revelation chapter twelve to see how that occurred when there was war in heaven, and Satan was cast out). His power was so diminished that the Bible says that the life and death of Jesus destroyed his power and released all mankind from the fear of death and the ravages of Hades (Heb. 2:14-15).
The church had just begun when Satan was cast out of heaven, and he immediately attacked the church, knowing that his only hope was to destroy it in its infancy. After the church spread into all the world, the Devil could never destroy the kingdom of God. His time was short, for the text says, “Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down among you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time” (Rev. 12:12).
How could those members of the church in its infancy have any hope against the great wrath of Satan? What means did they have to win this battle on the earth which began just after Jesus ascended? The Bible gives such a clear answer to these questions. To understand how they won the battle is to show us how to defeat him in our lives. Look at the answer. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death” (Rev. 12:11). Their victory, and ours, was because they were saved by the blood of Jesus, they knew and used the word of God, and they loved heaven more than life!
Christians of all ages have been justified by the blood of Christian and are assured of victory. God, the judge of all mankind asks, “Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died…and is also risen…” Rom. 8:33-34). Satan has no basis to claim victory over God’s saints.
Victorious saints of all ages have overcome Satan by the power of the word of God. David hid the word of God in his heart so that he might not sin (Psa. 119:9-11). Jesus used the word of God to overcome all three temptations by quoting that which is written. The devil fled from him and flees from Christians who use the Bible, the sword of the Spirit, to resist Satan.
Christians of all ages have robbed Satan of any power over them because they loved the Lord more than they did their lives. If you are willing to give your life for Christ, Satan has nothing left to use against you (consider Job).
They overcame Satan in three ways. Meditate on these three attitudes they had, and you can rest assured that victory is yours. Heaven is assured to those who know this!