Articles
Satan Is Steadfast
Satan Is Steadfast
If Satan is nothing else he is persistent. He is steadfast and faithful. The problem is being steadfast and faithful to the wrong things. He enters our story as the enemy of God and man. He lies to Eve and brings about their disobedience and death. Every person after them is likewise tested and tempted. Year after year, generation after generation, he is steadfast in his work of deceiving men. Jesus said "he was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44).
As God works through men and circumstances to accomplish His eternal plan of redeeming people through the death of Jesus, Satan is there to try and thwart each and every move. Jesus comes and Satan continues his quest by attempting to turn the Son of God against His father. He works at turning the apostles against the plan and teaching of Jesus [Get behind me Satan! Said Jesus to Peter in Matthew 16:23]. After the resurrection and glorification of Jesus, Satan continues by turning the world against the disciples of Jesus. The apostles are arrested and beaten. The disciples are imprisoned and put to death. The onslaught just does not end! Satan is steadfast in his opposition to God.
In the last book of the New Testament we observe his continued battle against God and His people. This continuing war is pictured in Rev. 12:1-17. Against Israel, God's chosen vessel to bring the Christ into the world, Satan battles. When the Christ is born, Satan attempts to destroy Him but God protects. Satan then wars against the church. In each of these battles he loses. God's purposes will NOT be overthrown or stopped. Yet, Satan does not grow weary or give up. Satan is steadfast.
While all of this is going on, the end of the story had been clearly revealed. Jesus said that hell was prepared for him (Matt. 25:41). Paul promised that Satan would be crushed under the feet of the saints (Rom. 16:20). Rev. 12:12 states that while he was persecuting the church, "he knows that his time is short!" Losing battle after battle did not persuade him to quit. In the end, he is cast out of the presence of God and forever his deception will be silenced.
As we learn to love God and to live in righteousness and godliness, the battle will rage. Satan yet goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1Pet. 5:8). Many will be deceived by him and will suffer the same fate. "…the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever" (Rev. 20:10). The people of God will be gathered into the New Heaven and Earth, into the City of God, into the presence of God.
The end of the war is certain; your end is yet to be determined by your choice of service. We are exhorted to 'be steadfast" (cp. 1 Cor. 15:58). The problem is to what and to whom we are steadfast. Be faithful unto Jesus and you will receive the crown of life. What will your end be? Hugh DeLong
