Jesus triumphed over the devil on the Cross. And yet Satan is still wreaking havoc on planet earth. So how can Satan be defeated and yet still be stealing, killing, and destroying?
This coming June 6 marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day - the day that the Allies established a beachhead on the European mainland in Normandy, France. Looking back in history, war historians say at that point — when D-Day was successful — the Allies won the war. The moment they established a beachhead on the European mainland, they broke the back of the Germans. So war historians say that the Allies won the war — in principle — on D-Day. On June 6, 1944.
But the Allies victory was not fully realized until VE-Day. VE stands for “Victory in Europe” and that took place 11 months later on May 8, 1945.
On D-Day, the defeat of Nazis was a foregone conclusion. On D-Day the war was over (in principle), but there was lots of fighting between D-Day and VE-Day. There was tons of bloodshed before the actual surrender of the Germans. In fact, some of the bloodiest battles of World War II occurred between D-Day and VE-Day. Germany was a defeated enemy, but they weren’t going down without a fight. The Germans fought fiercely but fought a losing battle.
On D-Day the Germans were defeated but that defeat was not fully realized until VE-Day.
You and I are living in between God’s D-Day and His VE-Day, in-between the Resurrection and the Second Coming of Christ. When Jesus died on the Cross after declaring “It is finished!” (our debt was paid; his saving mission accomplished). Then in public display and validation of his finished work, he rose from the dead – conquering sin and death. — that was God’s D-Day. And when the Second Coming of Christ happens — that will be God’s VE-Day.
So we are living in the time between the times, between God’s D-Day and VE-Day. Already but not yet - We are “already” in the God’s kingdom and its blessings, but we do “not yet” see it in the fullness of its glory and blessings.
Because of D-Day, Satan is a defeated enemy. Speaking of what happened on Good Friday, Paul writes:
"God stripped the spiritual rulers and powers of their authority. With the cross, he won the victory and showed the world that they were powerless." (Colossians 2:15)
Because of God’s D-Day, Satan is a defeated enemy. Jesus won the victory. But just like the Germans, Satan is not raising the white flag of surrender. One day in the future Satan will be destroyed: And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:10).
Paul wrote 20 years after the Cross and Empty Tomb: The devil who rules this world has blinded the minds of those who do not believe (2 Corinthians 4:4 NCV). Two decades after Jesus’ death and resurrection, Paul describes Satan as the one who is still ruling planet earth! (see also 1 John 5:19 and Ephesians 2:2).
In Mere Christianity C.S. Lewis wrote,
“One of the things that surprised me when I first read the New Testament seriously was that it talked about a Dark Power in the universe – a mighty evil spirit who was . . . behind death and disease and sin . . . Christianity agrees . . . the universe is at war . . . and we are living in a part of the universe that is occupied by the rebel. Enemy-occupied territory – that is what this world is. Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed, you might say landed in disguise, and is calling us all to take part in a great campaign of sabotage. When you go to church you are really listening--in to the secret wireless from our friends: that is why the enemy is so anxious to prevent us from going.
One day Satan will be destroyed. God’s D-Day ensured this victory. But we are living between D-Day and VE-Day in the equivalent of war-torn France during the height of World War II. Satan is a defeated enemy. But he is not going down without a fight.
One day Satan will be destroyed. God’s D-Day ensured this victory. But we are living between D-Day and VE-Day in the equivalent of war-torn France during the height of World War II.
Satan is a defeated enemy. But he is not going down without a fight.
Thx Oscar Cullman, Donald Carson, Dan Kopp
