Chapter 76 - Utter Defeat

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Concordant with the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, Satan was completely and utterly defeated. Stripped of all authority and power by the blood of the cross, he has no actual right to influence or harass the New Testament church. (Hebrews 2:14)

Defeat of Satan

The defeat of Satan was initiated, advanced, secured, and realized by the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. It was initiated and advanced through the first coming of Christ and will be secured and realized at His Second Coming.

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Defeat of Satan	References
1. The defeat of Satan was initiated on earth by the arrival of God manifested in human flesh, Jesus Christ. Through the Christ, the redemptive presence of God entered the realm of satanic authority, the “domain of darkness.” He established the precedent for divine life (zoe) indwelling human life (psuche).	John 1:18; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Philippians 2:6; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3
2. The defeat of Satan was advanced by the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Satan was defeated by the “wilderness temptation” of the Christ, His proclamation of the Gospel, release of captives, healing of the sick, setting free of the oppressed, and raising of the dead. The aforementioned events clearly demonstrated the attributes of the divine nature, including but not limited to selfless love, unfailing mercy, and absolute justice.	Matthew 4:12-20:28; Mark 1:14-13:37; Luke 4:14-19:27; John 2:1-17:26
3. The defeat of Satan was advanced by Christ’s fulfillment of the "law of sin." According to eternal plan, fallen mankind was subjected to the "law of sin" (“law of sin and of death”). Originating from God, it was “holy and righteous and good.” Concordant with the justice of God, the "law of sin" had a requirement that demanded fulfillment. The requirement of the "law of sin" was righteousness demonstrated by perfect obedience. The nature of mankind, however, was compromised by sin. Therefore, he is unable to fulfill the righteous requirement of the "law of sin," the rule of law. The divine purpose of the "law of sin," however, was not for mankind to fulfill its requirement of righteousness. Instead, it was established to reveal the human transgression of law (sin) and, congruent with the associated guilt and condemnation, lead mankind to the Savior. The incapacity of fallen mankind to fulfill the righteous requirement of the "law of sin" necessitated its fulfillment by the mediatorial work of the Savior. As clearly evidenced in the New Testament, Jesus the Christ fulfilled the righteous requirement of the "law of sin" on earth by a lifetime of perfect obedience to its every command, regulation, and ordinance. The righteousness of Christ was then imputed (legally credited) to the account of the New Testament church. Consequently, the righteous requirement of the "law of sin" was fulfilled in the New Testament church. Satan was disarmed by Christ’s perfect fulfillment of the righteous requirement of the "law of sin," the imputation of His righteousness to the New Testament church, and consequently, the fulfillment of the "law of sin" in the church. As a result, he cannot justly weaponize the "law of sin" against the New Testament church.	Matthew 5:17; Romans 8:3-4a; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 4:4-5; Hebrews 4:15; 7:26
4. The defeat of Satan was advanced through the divine fulfillment of the stipulations of the Eternal Covenant. The willing death of Jesus the Christ paid in full the penalty and debt of all human transgression of the "law of sin" ("law of sin and of death"). Demonstrating His acceptance of the efficacy of the sacrificial death, the heavenly Father facilitated the resurrection and ascension of the Son.	Isaiah 53:10; Acts 2:23-24; 13:30; Romans 4:25; 5:8; 6:4; 8:32; Galatians 1:1; Ephesians 1:3-6; 20; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Hebrews 4:3; 8:6; 9:14-15, 9:26; 12:24; 13:20; 1 Peter 1:20-21; 3:18; 1 John 4:10; Revelation 13:8; 17:8
5. The defeat of Satan was advanced when God applied the unconditional benefit of the Eternal Covenant to the New Testament church. By benefit of the Eternal Covenant, the New Testament church was justified from all transgression of the "law of sin" (“law of sin and of death”). As a result, it received the forgiveness of all sin, a divine imputation of righteousness, and the presentation of a divine, eternally binding declaration of righteousness. The penalty and debt of all transgression of the "law of sin" was imputed (legally credited) to the account of Jesus the Christ. It was paid in full by His sacrificial death. Thus, the New Testament church was forgiven of all transgression of the "law of sin"; past, present, and future. The righteousness of the Christ was imputed (legally credited) to the account of the New Testament church. As a result, God presented the New Testament church with an eternally binding declaration of righteousness. Forgiven of all transgression of the "law of sin" and declared righteous, the New Testament church was made legally suitable to share life with Jesus Christ, the mediator of the Eternal Covenant. Consequently, the New Testament church was joined to Christ by a union of shared life. By the unconditional benefit of the Eternal Covenant, the New Testament church was seated with Christ in heaven at the right hand of the Father. It is a position of perfect victory and incomparable power.	Matthew 1:18, 20; 3:16; 4:1; 12:18; Luke 1:35; 3:21-22; 4:1, 14, 18; 10:21; Mark 1:10-12; John 3:34; 6:63; Romans 1:4; 5:5; 14:17; 2 Corinthians 3:7-8; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 9:14; 1 John 5:6
6. The defeat of Satan was advanced by the release of the New Testament church from bondage to the "law of sin" ("law of sin and of death"). The righteous requirement of the "law of sin" was perfectly fulfilled by the sinless Christ. His sacrificial death paid in full the penalty and debt of all transgression of the "law of sin." As a result, the New Testament church has no penalty or debt of transgression (sin) remaining in need of forgiveness or revelation by the rule of the "law of sin." Therefore, the New Testament church was released from the jurisdiction (authority) of the "law of sin." The "law of sin" empowers the human sin nature. Paul stated, "... the power of sin [nature] is the law [of sin]." (1 Corinthians 15:56) Consequently, released from the authority of law, the sinful nature of the redeemed is “rendered powerless” to control and condemn. As a result, the accusations of Satan are in reality powerless. (Romans 6:6)	Romans 6:14; 7:1-6; 1 Corinthians 9:20-21; Galatians 2:19; 3:1-5; 23-25; 4:4-5; 5:1-6; Hebrews 7:11-12
7. The defeat of Satan was advanced by the rescue of the New Testament church from his legal realm of authority. By the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, the abode or realm of Satan, the "strong man's house," was plundered when the elect were "rescued... from the domain of darkness," the legal realm of satanic authority. Rescued from the realm of his authority, Satan has no authority over the New Testament church.	Acts 26:18; Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 1:13
8. The defeat of Satan was advanced by the transference of the redeemed of the New Testament church to the kingdom of God. Made legally suitable and organically compatible with God by the redemptive work of Christ, the redeemed of the New Testament church were transferred to the kingdom of God, the realm of divine authority. With heavenly citizenship, the redeemed of the New Testament church exist in the eternally secure realm of divine authority.	Colossians 1:13; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; 2 Timothy 4:18; Hebrews 12:28; 2 Peter 1:11
9. The defeat of Satan was advanced by the obligation of the New Testament church to the gracious "law of God," the rule of life (zoe). Justified from all transgression of the "law of sin," the New Testament church was made legally suitable to enjoy an intimate union of life with God. It was made accommodative of divine life (zoe) by means of regeneration. The New Testament church was then privileged to share life with Christ by means of spiritual birth. United with Christ through an intimate union of shared life, the New Testament church was released from every demand of the "law of sin." Rather than subject to God by the "law of sin," it is intimately obligated to God by the gracious rule of His indwelling life (zoe).	Romans 3:27; 8:2; 1 Corinthians 9:21; Galatians 6:2; James 1:25; 2:12
10. The defeat of Satan will be secured at the Second Coming. After the return of Christ, Satan will be confined for 1000 years. It will further serve to vindicate the nature of God from angelic challenge and accusation.	Revelation 20:2-3
11. The defeat of Satan will be fully realized after the Millennial reign of Christ. The vindication of the divine nature sufficiently fulfilled, and the justice of God fully satisfied, Satan will be temporarily released from confinement, and then decisively defeated. Afterward, the devil and his angels will be thrown into the eternal lake of fire where they will remain forever.	Revelation 20:7-10

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Summary

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Defeat of Satan

The defeat of Satan was initiated on earth by the arrival of God manifested in human flesh, Jesus the Christ.

The defeat of Satan was advanced by:

the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ;
Christ’s fulfillment of the "law of sin";
His role in the divine fulfillment of the stipulations of the Eternal Covenant;
His application of the unconditional benefit of the Eternal Covenant to the New Testament church;
His release of the New Testament church from bondage to the "law of sin" ("law of sin and of death");
His rescue of the New Testament church from the realm of satanic authority;
His transference of the redeemed of the New Testament church to the kingdom of God;
His subjection of the New Testament church to the gracious "law of God," the rule of life (zoe).

The defeat of Satan will be secured at the Second Coming.

The defeat of Satan will be fully realized after the Millennial reign of Christ.

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Utterly Defeated

Utterly defeated by the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, Satan was bound; his abode plundered (realm of legal authority; the “domain of darkness”); and his works destroyed. (Matthew 12:29; Mark 3:27; Colossians 1:13; 1 John 3:8) Therefore, Satan is without armor, disarmed, and powerless and he was made a public spectacle (they were exposed as shattered, empty, and defeated). (Luke 11:22; Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14) Thus, Satan has no actual authority or power to harm the New Testament church, individually or collectively.

Only one problem remains. Satan is a prideful creature. Wanting to be feared, he fights fervently to convince heaven and earth he has not been utterly defeated and retains great authority and power.

© 2025 James Hiatt

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