THE END OF SATAN
by Kevin
Rutherford
The very thought that someday Satan’s reign of terror will come to an end can get one excited. He is the spirit being who is introduced to us as the tempter in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3; Matthew 4:3). He is the one who deceived Eve so that she would bring sin into this world. As a result of the sin which caused man to be cast out of the Garden of Eden, man’s existence on this earth is more difficult. Later, Satan would use sin to corrupt nearly the entire population of the earth (Genesis 6). It is likely the flood has changed the world in such a way as to make it significantly less hospitable than the Garden of Eden (2 Peter 3:4-6). Satan brought us sin, and through sin he has brought death, along with all manner of pain and suffering. There is no doubt in my mind that Satan is man’s worst enemy (1 Peter 5:8). For this reason, the idea that Satan’s rule (Ephesians 2:2) will someday come to an end is one that ought to bring great hope, joy, and excitement to every Christian.
The book of Revelation contains
matters that were presented to John through signs/symbols (Revelation 1:1). In
Revelation chapter twenty we see Satan symbolized by a dragon (Revelation 20:2). This dragon is cast into a bottomless pit and
shut up there for a thousand years, meaning that for a period of time he was
prevented from using nations to persecute Christians (Revelation 20:3-6). However, he was let loose to use persecution
against Christians again (Revelation
20:7-9). But the good news is that
someday he will no longer be allowed to use nations to persecute Christians,
and he will no longer be allowed to tempt mankind to sin. There is coming a day when the devil is going
to be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where he is going to be
tormented day and night forever and ever (Revelation
20:10). This will occur on the
judgment thy (Revelation
The good news is this: Satan, along
with his evil followers, and the sorrow, pain, suffering, and death that he has
caused will come to an end when Christ returns.
We can look forward to that and to the time when we will receive eternal
life in heaven with God. In that place
we will find none of the terrible effects of sin (Revelation 21:4). In that
place we will see nothing that defiles, or causes an abomination, or a lie (Revelation
When Satan hurts you through the effects of sin, take heart because he shall one day be destroyed. When you hurt from the pain of death, remember Satan brought death to this world. When you suffer from illness and disease; remember Satan ruined this world. When you fight daily against the temptations to sin set forth by Satan, don’t forget that one day he is going to be destroyed. Satan will get what is coming to him. Justice will be done.