So He told them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

— Luke 10:18

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness

— John 10:10

10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down—he who accuses them day and night before our God.

11 They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. And they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death.

12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea; with great fury the devil has come down to you, knowing he has only a short time.”

— Revelation 12:10-12

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, salvation and joy from Jesus Christ to you.

Jesus told His disciples that He saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning, clearly indicating that at some point God banished Satan from His holy presence. Whenever Satan was expelled from heaven, though he retained power on earth, his time is short on earth. Revelation 12:9 shows us that after the great dragon, the ancient serpent, the devil, Satan, the deceiver of the whole world and his angels were hurled to the earth, in heaven, there was a loud voice, announcing God’s salvation, power, kingdom, and Christ’s authority. God moves all history toward the exaltation of His Son. Satan not only fights against God but also fiercely opposes God’s people.

Satan tempts men, women, and children to sin. He accuses and slanders them before God day and night—never stopping. Satan steals, kills, and destroys as he tries to hinder God’s work and His people. Though Satan is a fearful enemy, God’s forgiven people experience great triumph through Christ. The victory of the Lamb comes through His death and resurrection, as well as from the testimonies of those who gave their lives for the sake of the gospel. Jesus’s death ended sin’s stranglehold and Satan’s dominance over those who believe in Jesus Christ. We believers experience forgiveness and reconciliation with God forever. Praise the Lord! God demonstrated His unconquerable authority as He defeated the devil and protected us, His people.