A Defeated Enemy

“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” (Re 12:10-11 AV)

I don’t know how anyone wouldn’t celebrate at the demise of the Devil!  When I read this passage, I am reminded the one who causes the most pain for humanity will be forever cast into the lack of fire.  I imagine there will be quite a celebration throughout all of God’s creation when that happens!  Some dispute as to when then has or will occur.  Some place the casting out and down of Satan somewhere in the past.  Jesus said that He beheld Satan cast down from heaven as lightning.  Others believe this is strictly future.  The truth is somewhere in the middle.  Satan lost his first estate along with the third part of the angels that rebelled with him.  However, according to Job and Zechariah, Satan still has limited access to the throne of God.  The above event is the time coming when Satan no longer has access to the throne of God nor the earth which God created.  Satan was partially judged sometime in the past.  He will be forever judged sometime in the future.

There is a surprising scene in the Wizard of Oz that strikes the viewer every time it is seen.  As Dorothy and her three friends are trying to attain the broomstick of the Wicked Witch of the West, they must pass through all her guards.  The witch, in turn, wants the red ruby slippers from off Dorothy’s feet.  The only way to get either is if the owner dies.  The group is perched outside the walls of the witch’s castle.  They devise a plan to jump three guards, take their clothes, and march right in as one of those guards.  A few confrontations later, we find Dorothy and the witch meeting in the center of the bulwarks.  Threatening to burn up the scarecrow, the witch lights her broom and inches closer.  Unless Dorothy gives the slippers to the witch, she will burn the scarecrow to oblivion.  Reacting in insolence, Dorothy extinguishes the flame with water from a bucket.  This water not only puts the flames out but also melts the witch into a puddle of gas.  She is gone.  Surrounded by her goons, Dorothy begins to apologize profusely.  They are stunned.  Then, the goons begin to sing out, Ding Dong, The Wicked Witch is Dead.  Just moments earlier, they were foes.  Now, because the most wicked creature in the story is gone, all those under her influence celebrate as friends.

I imagine the celebration experienced at the eternal demise of Satan will be infinitely greater.  The one who brought sin, suffering, and death to God’s Earth will forever be tormented in the hottest place imaginable.  Perhaps his screams will be the loudest.  Once so proud and boasting, the scream for pity will be eternally ignored by the One whom the devil once desired to overthrow.  Seeing the source of all their suffering, the persecuted of all ages will rejoice with voice and volume that only eternity can contain.  There will be a celebration like no other when the enemy of God and mankind is cast into the lake of fire to be tormented day and night for ever and ever!  What a day that will be.  Hallelujah!