'We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin ... and the evil one cannot harm him. We know that we are children of God and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.'(1 John 5:18-19) Satan controls the world with sin which has its origins in him. (Ezekiel 28:15) Therefore everyone who sins, is of the devil because he has fathered them. 'He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning.' (1 John 3:8) "You belong to you father, the devil and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding on to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." (John 8:44) Since the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), Satan himself is in a state of death which he himself cannot overcome because death is stronger than him. That is why he will not be able to escape from being tormented in the lake of fire which the Bible calls as 'second death' or eternal separation from God (Revelation 20:14). 'And the devil was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.'(vs 10) The first person to overcome death was Jesus since death had no power over him because 'in him was no sin' (1 John 3:5), though 'tempted in every way, just as we are' (Hebrews 4:15). Death illegally tried to confine him, but only for a while (Acts 2:24) because he threw it aside when the power of the Holy Spirit showed up in Hades (Psalm 139:8) 'That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him up from the dead ...' (Ephesians 1:19-20) With his resurrection, God made way for the saints who were prisoners of death in Hades, to escape the grip of death. That is why Scripture says: 'When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train...' (Ephesians 4:8) Therefore the saints of God will mock death. "Where , O death is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" because 'death has been swallowed up in victory' (1 Corinthians 15:54-56) Hallelujah! 'The sting of death is sin and the power of sin is the law.' But 'he forgave us all our sins, having cancelled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it on the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, truimphing over them by the cross.'( Colossians 2:13-15) Glory to God. Amen.
Sam Matthews. K
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