Satan's Fall: A Look At Angels & Demons
MONDAY MORNING COMMENTARY
We live in a culture obsessed with the spiritual. From scary movies featuring exorcism to light hearted family films such as Angels in the Outfield, pop culture has capitalized on our curiosity to know more about spiritual beings. As Christians how much attention should we really be giving to the supernatural?
Luke 10:18 is a fascinating passage where Jesus said to his disciples, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” What was Jesus trying to communicate to his disciples? The verses before and after clue us in to the conversation Jesus was really trying to have.
Luke 17-20: “The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold I have given authority to tread on serpents and scorpions , and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
What can we take away from this conversation?
• Jesus most definitely believed in demons and Satan. In the New Testament Satan is mentioned 250 separate times which means almost once per chapter. In the passage, the disciples are experiencing authority over demonic forces and it’s exciting. They wouldn’t have been exercising power over demons if Christ had not instructed them to do it and given them the power to do so.
• Jesus affirms the fact that he has indeed given them the authority over demonic forces, yet he steers them away from getting too caught up in rejoicing over it. He instead refocuses their attention on the fact that their names are written in heaven referring to the fact that they are saved.
What are we to do with these facts?
• Recognize there is a spiritual battle going on. Satan is after our destruction. He mainly operates covertly like a hunter. A hunter dresses in camo and prefers for the deer to never know he is there. It’s the same with our enemy. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us to be sober minded and watchful. The devil is like a roaring lion seeking who he may devour.
• Take up your spiritual authority. Nothing shall hurt you is a promise. Nothing can prevent your spiritual progress. If you have a sickness, illness, or anything else holding you back take up both your spiritual authority by rebuking the enemy, surrendering any unsurrendered areas to the Lordship of Christ, and also address it with natural wisdom as well such as going to the doctor etc.
• Fight the demonic by establishing a stronger resident than Satan in your heart. The one who is stronger than Satan is Christ. Christ is better and more fascinating than Satan. When Christ is the focus and the one ruling your heart Satan won’t be able to get in.
Lastly, as real as the demonic is so is the angelic. Angels have been helpful aids all through out scripture as they are messengers from God. Yet, we are only a little lower than them for a time. One day we will be exalted over them and in fact our salvation is the point of their fascination. Angels were there in the beginning when Man fell. They get the staggering cost of our redemption.
This week take hope in the midst of a great spiritual battle Jesus Christ is the source of salvation and rejoicing.