Question Title | Posted By | Question Date |
---|---|---|
Question about Jesus defeating Satan on the Cross | Rebecca | Monday, January 11, 2010 |
Question: On another forum, a user asked about the meaning of Revelation 12, and I posted this:
She also asked, "Didn't Jesus defeat Satan on the Cross once and for all?"
|
||
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM
Dear Rebecca: During World War II the Germans were defeated but they kept fighting until they were forced to surrender. Satan has been defeated, but he still fights to make man miserable and to take as many with him to hell as he can. He will continue to fight despite the fact that he is defeated, until he forced into the Lake of Fire at the Great White Throne Judgment. We see this economy of "continuing on" despite defeat all the time in a positive way. A football has a defeated season, but fights on next season. A business man may be defeated and lose his business but continues to fight on to start another business. A student may get an "F" on a test, but fights on to get a "A" next time. These people do not quit when they are defeated, unless they forced to quit. These examples are positive responses to defeat, but the examples belong to the same economy. The devil, though defeated, never quits and continues to fight for his cause until that day when God forces him to quit. God has His purpose for allowing the devil to continue to bother and harass us -- such as perhaps, to keep us humble (like He did with St. Paul and thorn in his side, which was a demon), to test us in our faith, to strengthen us in the faith, etc. Jesus' death on the Cross and His Resurrection by His own power defeated death and thus allows us the opportunity for eternal life. The Cross does not guarantee our salvation, for God does not force anyone into His heaven, but the Cross does open the way to heaven. Because of Christ's sacrifice death as lost its sting. The Cross gives us the opportunity to move from spiritual death to spiritual life. Thus, death is not death, but a re-birth into Heaven (for some of us). The Cross defeats Satan and Death in that singular act, but God still allows Satan and Death to exist until His Salvation History is fully matured and death is no more and Satan and his angels are cast and locked into the pit forevermore. This Salvific grace is for all who desire salvation. God will never force anyone, we must choose the grace the Cross offers us. God Bless,
For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.
|