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

— Luke 10:18

For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them deep into hell, placing them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment

— 2 Peter 2:4

7 Then a war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.

8 But the dragon was not strong enough, and no longer was any place found in heaven for him and his angels.

— Revelation 12:7-8

8 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

9 Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.

— 1 Petr 5:8-9

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

— Matthew 16:18

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and salvation from Christ to you.

Even though the entertainment industry capitalizes on the ongoing conflict between good and evil, few people truly understand the spiritual forces behind that clash. In the distant past, Satan led a large angelic force in rebellion against God. Throughout human history, Satan has opposed God’s people, His plan, and His Son. Only Satan’s fury can explain the uncanny and repeated hatred spewed against God’s people – the Jews and believers in every age. Though a terrible enemy, Satan does not share God’s omnipotence, omnipresence, or omniscience. Because of Christ’s death on the cross, Satan remains a defeated foe and he will be ultimately thrown into lake of fire when Christ returns.

The deadly scheme of Israelites’ enemies reflects Satan’s desire to eliminate the Israelites, through whom God had promised to send the Messiah as humanity’s Savior. Satan prowls the earth, looking for ways to deceive and devour people and defeat God, which he cannot do, even in the final battle prophesied in the book of Revelation. Hallelujah! Praise God! Though Satan wreaks havoc upon God’s people, he cannot and will not ultimately defeat them.