Satan: his Decline and Fall

by Pastor Terry L. Reese

 

Though enormously successful in certain respects, it must be finally observed that Satan’s career, since the inception of his initial rebellion, has long been on a progressive downward spiral, leading to ultimate devastation and total ruin. The distinct and formal stages of this downfall can be enumerated as follows:

 

1.    His initial fall from his original, exalted position, when iniquity and pride self-generated from within his heart (Ezek. 28:15-19, Isa. 14:12-14).

 

2.    His ultimate downfall through the work of Christ was proclaimed in Eden, subsequent to the Fall of Man, in the Protevangelium (Gen. 3:15; cf. Rom. 16:20).

 

3.    Through the Cross, Christ broke the power of Death which Satan wielded over people (Heb. 2:14), rendering him defenseless with regard to the believer’s destiny.

 

4.    During the middle of Tribulation Week, he will be cast down to Earth by Michael and the heavenly hosts, barring his access to the Heavenlies (Rev. 12:7-12).

 

5.    Following the glorious Second Coming of our Lord to take possession of His Millennial Kingdom, Satan will be bound and confined to the Abyss for 1,000 years (Rev. 20:1-3).

 

6.    Following his brief release, in which he will follow his familiar pattern of causing men to form a fellowship of evil, thereby inciting the nations unto the great global rebellion of Rev. 20:7-9, he will be cast into the Lake of Fire, where he will be tormented forever and ever and ever (Rev. 20:10), meeting his final and utterly appalling destiny.