“NOW is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.” (John 12:31) Why did Jesus say, “Now”? One reason is that God looks at time and certainty in a different way than we do. “…God who gives life to the dead and calls into being THINGS THAT WERE NOT.” (Rom. 4:17) or as another version states “God also speaks of things that do not exist AS IF THEY DO EXIST.” For now we must, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a ROARING LION, SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR. RESIST HIM, steadfast in the faith…” (1 Pet. 5:8-9) Being aware of this we pray SO WE ARE NOT DECEIVED! Because, “…Satan took Jesus to the peak of a very high mountain and showed Him the nations of the world and all their glory. “I’LL GIVE IT ALL TO YOU,” Satan said, “if you will only KNEEL AND WORSHIP ME.” (Matt. 4:8-9) Satan was able to make that statement to Jesus because he is still “the god of this world.” (2 Corin. 4:4)
“…when the Holy Spirit has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because THE RULER OF THIS WORLD IS JUDGED.” (John 16:8-11) The devil was at one time a righteous angel! The prophet Ezekiel spoke of Satan before he rebelled. “Thus says the Lord GOD (about Satan): “You were the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty…The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes Was prepared for you on THE DAY YOU WERE CREATED. “You were on the holy mountain of God…You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, TILL INIQUITY WAS FOUND IN YOU.” (Ezek. 28:12-15) “How you are FALLEN FROM HEAVEN, O LUCIFER, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God…” (Isa. 14:12-13) Remember the opening scripture, “…the ruler of this world will be CAST OUT.” (John 12:31) “Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and BOUND HIM FOR A THOUSAND YEARS…” (Rev. 20:1-2) Then the final victory, “The devil, will be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be TORMENTED DAY AND NIGHT FOREVER AND EVER.” (Rev. 20:10)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham