It's A Done Deal

                                                                                                                                                                         

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  

Romans 8:37-38

What a wonderful God we serve who has equipped us with everything we need to be victorious over the enemy; Satan, the cares of this world, and in many cases, ourselves.  He has given us His word, power and authority, prayer, fasting, the name of Jesus and the keys to the kingdom!  He has also given us the perfect example to follow. 

Jesus faced every temptation of the enemy which we face, but He overcame these temptations without sin. Because He entered the arena of spiritual warfare:

He understands our battles and He strengthens us:

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  Hebrews 4:15

Because He emerged victorious, we can also be a victor:

For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succor them that are tempted.  Hebrews 2:18

Succor means to assist, to aid, to support, to comfort - Jesus does all these things and so much more!

Read the account of the death and resurrection of Jesus in Matthew 26-28; Mark 14-16; Luke 22-24; and John 18-21. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ was the greatest confrontation that ever occurred between the power of Satan and the power of God.

Through the death of Jesus, Satan thought he had destroyed God's plan. He had killed God's only Son. He had destroyed the King who was to reign over God's Kingdom. But Jesus said:

Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and He shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?  But how then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?   Matthew 26:53-54

Jesus answered, My Kingdom is not of this world: if my Kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my Kingdom not from hence.   John 18:36

Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above:  therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.  John 19:11

Three things you should know:

Jesus did not die because His power was less than that of the enemy!

 

His death did not end the plan for God's Kingdom!

 

It was not time for His Kingdom to be visibly established in the world!

What Satan meant for evil, God had already settled that it was for the good!    Men could now be saved from the bondage of sin and the penalty of the "second death" (eternal separation from God because of sin).  The bridge was gapped and a way made for man to reconnect to God.

Great though it was, salvation from sin was not the only victory gained by Jesus through His death on the cross. The death of Jesus actually fulfilled the plan of God. Jesus' mission was accomplished!  He came to destroy, not manage, the works of the enemy and He did it!  Through His death and resurrection, Jesus defeated all the power of the enemy:

Wherefore he saith, When He ascended up on high (was resurrected) He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that He ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all Heavens, that He might fill all things.)  Ephesians 4:8-10

And having spoiled principalities and powers. He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.   Colossians 2:15

Jesus defeated every power of the enemy, including death. He also passed judgment upon Satan:

Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world (Satan) be cast out. John 12:31

>      Jesus made a way of salvation.

>      He defeated death and the principalities and powers of the enemy.

>      He restored to man dominion over all things.

>      He pronounced judgment on Satan which will be fulfilled in the future.

Our present situation is similar to conditions which have existed in certain countries in the natural world. The powers of rebel forces will be overthrown by the government. The rebel leader will be under judgment, but still at large. Resistance forces under his direction still war in the land.

Jesus has conquered Satan and set his judgment. But Satan is still at large and his forces of demonic powers, the flesh, and the world are still at war in the land. They attempt to control territory that is rightfully that of the Conqueror. They try to blind men to the fact Satan has been defeated and is under judgment. They try to control homes, churches, and nations.

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.  2 Corinthians 4:4

That is where the warfare of the believer comes into play. Jesus has defeated the enemy but Satan remains at large in the world. It is our task to open the eyes of men and women to his deception and regain control of territory that is rightfully ours. Your personal battle will continue until judgment on Satan is executed or until you go to be with Jesus through death; whichever comes first:

To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God.  Ephesians 3:10

Through Jesus, we are a victor over the enemy rather than a victim of the enemy:

And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the Church. Which is His body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all.       Ephesians 1:22-23

All things are "under the feet" of Jesus. This means He has conquered them. He is the head of the Church, and we are the body. It is stated that all things are under His feet, which means under His body, the Church. 

This means we are victors, not victims. 

We can be kept from the power of Satan. Jesus Himself prayed for us to be kept from the power of the enemy:

I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.  Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.    John 17:15,20

You are a conqueror, not through your own power, but through the powers of a greater One:

Nay, In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.  Romans 8:37

When the spiritual battle gets rough, just remember that the Bible assures that God's purposes will be accomplished:

The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed so shall it stand.  Isaiah 14:24

This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations.  For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?  Isaiah 14:26-27

The Lord of Hosts, JEHOVAH SABAOTH, has a purpose, and no force of the world, flesh, demons, Hell, or Satan himself will dis-annul it. Following God’s strategy will assure your spiritual victory!

(Biblical Studies)

08/28/14
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09/22/16
02/06/19

10/21/20

08/25/22