The Demise

Satan, like Pharaoh, will not willingly relinquish his hold on the people; hence the ministry of Jesus is from its inception a struggle with Satan for authority. At the testing in the wilderness Satan tries to divert Jesus from his God-appointed task by persuading him, too worship Satan as Lord. When Jesus by his obedience to God resists the devil’s power, the devil departs, defeated. But Jesus final
victory is not yet won: Satan will continue to oppose him throughout Jesus’ earthly ministry, and will regain authority at the passion. For a brief period it looks as if the devil has conquered Jesus: darkness settles over the face of the earth, and Jesus dies. But then Jesus is exalted to the place at the right hand of God, and Satan falls from heaven. Henceforth (as during Jesus’ ministry prior to the passion) all the faithful who call upon the name of the Lord will have authority over the Enemy’s power. Their own names are written with Christ in heaven.