Satan Is Defeated (3)

 

'...He set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.' Hebrews 2:15 NLT

For many of us, death is our greatest fear. I don't know how many times I've had a conversation about death with someone. It's a real fear that many have a hard time with. I never make fun of it but I once heard a comedian say once, 'I don't mind dying, I just don't want to be there when it happens!' We can't joke away the sobering reality the Bible describes as 'the last enemy' Satan. So what's the answer? Jesus! '...only by dying could He break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could He set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.' (Hebrews 2:14-15 NLT) Until Jesus came, Satan used the threat of death. Until then we all lived in fear of it. But because of the resurrection, all Satan has left are the lies he can tell about death. The word 'destroy' implies 'to reduce to zero' (1 John 3:8). Wow! By His death and resurrection, Jesus reduced Satan's power to zero. And today Jesus says to you, '...Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.' (Revelation 1:17-18 NKJV) After destroying the prison of death, Jesus came out and said to Satan the jailer, 'I'll take those keys,' then He went back to Heaven.
We grieve the loss of a loved one, and that's a healthy thing to do. But you can handle the grief when you know you can live through it, and that you'll be reunited in Heaven with your loved ones. So even in death, we win and Satan loses. You are loved!