It doesn’t take much to convince you that Satan is on the attack in our world. We see this on so many levels, but especially in our own pilgrimage. Satan is a usurper and he has tried but failed to usurp the One true King. Jesus was sent into the world for one purpose: to defeat Satan and release captives. To get a glimpse of how serious Jesus was about his mission read John 11.

You our know the story all too well. Lazarous was a close friend of Jesus and he died. Mary and Martha knew that if Jesus would have been there sooner their brother wouldn’t have died. We come to John 11:35 and read that Jesus wept. Why did Jesus weap? Yes he loved Lazarous, but his weeping seems to go beyond that. You see, Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He is the commander of heaven’s army. It seems that we get a glimpse of his purpose. Someone said that Jesus weeping was equivalent to a horse stomping his feet, preparing to charge. This is a unique idea which I will explore in greater depth at another time.

Fast forward to Jesus prayer in the garden. He prayed with such agony that his sweat became drops of blood. Jesus knew all along that he came until the world to deliver captives. This promise extends all the way back to Genesis 3:15, which discusses the crushing of Satan’s head. Jesus finished his mission. When he uttered the words, “It is finished” he was saying MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. Praise His name!

So if the enemy has been defeated why is there such hurt in the present world? Why do people we love experience bombardment from Satan on a moment by moment basis? Why is it that the harder we strive to live for God the more we fail? Why is is that this battle continues to rage if Jesus has defeated Satan? Christ has certainly defeated Satan. He disarmed him and continues to release Satan’s prisoners.(Colossians 1:13-14) Scripture tells us that Satan attacks us because he knows his time is short. Satan attacks us because he knows God can and will use us to release other captives.

I’m encouraged by Paul’s words in Romans 16:20.

Aqnd the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. (‭Romans‬ ‭16‬:‭20‬ NKJV)

We rejoice in that promise and eagerly anticipate its fulfillment. Meanwhile we will join Christ in defeating Satan by using our spiritual armor.(Ephesians 6:10-18) Christ came into the world to deliver captives and proclaim the Good News. Child of God, be encouraged knowing that the battle is the Lord’s. Rest in the promise that Satan will soon be defeated once and for all. This is the end to which Christ came. In my next post I will be discussing the spiritual armor, our offensive weapon and defensive protection.