We are now three weeks post resurrection and people back at the time of Jesus were still talking about the events that had recently happened. Jesus had met with the apostles and had appeared to many people after being crucified and then raised from the dead. The empty tomb gave hope to people who had put their faith in Jesus and, now, folks were waiting to see what would happen next.
But while people were watching Jesus, Satan was still lurking around. And we know from the Bible that Satan wanted to be our “god.” He was prideful and jealous of God. In fact, Isaiah, the Old Testament prophet, tells us about how Satan wants to take the place of God. In Isaiah 14:13-14, we are told the words of Satan, “You said in your heart, “I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” These verses give us what are famously called “the five I wills of Satan.” Certainly sounds like Satan wants the place of God, right?
So how was Satan feeling after the resurrection? After all, I’m sure that he thought the death of Jesus would be the ultimate victory – yet it wasn’t a victory for Satan – it was a victory for Jesus – that was for all of us. That’s the ultimate victory over death – the thing that allows us to enter heaven and spend eternity together with God. Because Jesus died for the sins of all of us – and the resurrection is what sets us apart from other world religions.
One thing is for sure. Satan wasn’t done trying to win the battle with God. We also know from the book of Job that Satan has access to heaven and to God directly. That’s kind of a scary thought but that’s the way it will be until Satan and his fallen angels get thrown out of heaven in the book of Revelation, sometime in the future.
I can’t begin to count the number of people who think that Satan was vanquished when Jesus was crucified and resurrected. They believe that evil left the world when those events occurred. I heartily disagree. I think that spiritual warfare is real and that Satan is alive and well – still trying to rule the day.
Our verse for tonight comes from the apostle Peter. His book was written around 64 A.D., thirty five years or so after the ascension of Christ into heaven. Peter tells us that Satan is still around, provoking us and trying to get us to renounce Jesus. Peter tells us, in 1 Peter 5:8-9, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”
This is clear evidence that Peter believed that Satan was still around – that evil is still in the world… and I think that we should heed the words of Peter. Satan will not be banished for all eternity until we see the events of the endtimes unfold.
My encouragement this evening is that we know that ultimately God reigns supreme. That’s great news! My prayer is that we will continue to focus on God, putting our faith in Christ. After all, our eternal home awaits. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…