Unimpeachable (But Doomed)!
This post is Part 2 of a 3-part blog series. To read Part 1, click HERE.
What would it be like to live under the reign of an “absolute monarch” who controls the economy, the military, and the legal system? He answers to no one but himself.
What if he were so powerful that no enemy – state or individual – had a chance of overthrowing the sovereign?
If this sounds like the story line of a thousand movies you’ve seen (including the latest Star Wars iteration), you’re likely picturing a despotic tyrant ruling over a dystopian system.
What needs to be injected into the plot is the hero, from unlikely origins, who arises to lead the rebellion. After a prolonged battle, the “guy in the white hat” emerges victorious. In most such stories, he gets the girl of his dreams and rides off into the happily ever after.
You don’t have to pick up a novel or rent a movie. As a human living on Planet Earth, you’re living this story line.
The Bible gives our chief adversary two often-used titles: “Satan” (Hebrew for “adversary”) or Devil (Greek diabolos, meaning “slanderer”). He’s also called “the tempter”[1] and “the Evil One.”[2]
Jesus referred to Satan as “the ruler of this world.”[3] Paul calls him “the god of this age”[4] and “the prince of the power of the air.”[5]
Since being cast out of heaven, the “anointed cherub”[6] who led worship of the Most High has been acting “large and in charge” here on Earth. Satan’s power to destroy is easily evidenced. From the blood spilled in warfare over the centuries to the destruction of individual lives caught in the grip of sinful addictions, the Enemy has multiplied victories over his human subjects.
Whatever God especially loves, Satan especially hates. This is the best explanation of “the longest hatred,” anti-Semitism.[7] Because the Jewish people are “the apple of God’s eye,”[8] and the people through whom He promised to bless all the families of the earth,[9] they have been in the Devil’s crosshairs from the days of the Patriarchs.
Satan is evil, wicked, mean and nasty – and a powerful foe, to be sure. He seeks the worship of men, desiring to be like the Most High.[10] He holds people captive to do his will.[11]
In truth, Satan is a usurper, a pretender prince. Unfortunately for us, the Evil One is not subject to impeachment. Humanity can neither vote him out of office nor mount a force to overthrow him.
But one of these days, the Devil will get his due. In Martin Luther’s phrase, “for lo, his doom is sure.”[12]
What mankind awaits – yes, our hearts long for – is the conquering hero on the white horse who will overthrow the Pretender Prince and take his rightful throne. In Revelation 19, John the Apostle describes “the return of the King” in these words:
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. 13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
If you’re weary of Satan’s rule and, like Snow White, you’ve been singing “Some day my Prince will come,” take courage! Though Jesus told us no one knows the day or hour of His return “but the Father alone,”[13] He promised His disciples that He would return for them.[14]
Wes Taber, LIFE Global Ambassador
For many of us, daily life is a struggle. Living in this fallen world, it’s easy to become discouraged and lose hope. Spiritual warfare is real.
God’s Word provides the encouragement we need, as well as instruction of how to “fight the good fight of faith.” We’re happy to pray with you as you face the challenges of life. Contact LIFE at 1-708-418-0020.
Continue reading Part 3 of this blog series: Unimpeachable (and aren’t you glad?)!
Footnotes:
[1] Matthew 4:3. All quotes cited from NASB.
[2] Matthew 13:19.
[3] John 14:30; see also 1 John 5:19.
[4] 2 Corinthians 4:4.
[5] Ephesians 2:2.
[6] Ezekiel 28:14.
[7] From Pharaoh’s command to kill the Hebrew baby boys (Exodus 1) to Xerxe’s decree to kill at the Jewish people in his kingdom (Esther 3) to the pogroms and Holocaust of more recent centuries, exterminating the people God uniquely identifies as His chosen (Deuteronomy 4 and 7) has been Satan’s objective. Revelation 12 depicts the battle between the dragon (Satan) and the woman (Israel) in vivid imagery.
[8] Zechariah 2:8.
[9] Genesis 12:1-3.
[10] Isaiah 14:12-14.
[11] 2 Timothy 2:26.
[12] Verse 3 of Luther’s hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”
[13] Matthew 24:36. This chapter, along with Luke 21, provide Jesus’ detailed depiction of future events, including the closing statement in verse 44, “for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.”
[14] John 14:1-3.