If salvation History is like a movie … it is a theatrical masterpiece!
A Spiritual Battle from the Beginning
As the camera crew begins to film, we see Adam and Eve content in a garden. They want for nothing. Satan, who wanted to be like God the most High, enters the scene as a serpent. He tempts those who were created to be like God, made in His image and likeness. (Is 14:14). Satan determines that if he can’t be like God, neither will the Man and Woman.
Satan, the liar and murderer from the beginning (Jn 8:44), successfully tempts Adam and Eve to sin, to disobey God’s command. As Satan was cast out of Heaven, Adam and Eve are cast out of the garden.
Yet, Satan’s delight is short lived, as the Director reveals to the viewer a future event: Another Eve, a future woman in enmity with Satan, will give birth to a son who will crush the head of Satan. (Gen 3:15). The plot thickens. The story now is all about the son of this second Eve.
As one would expect, clues are everywhere as to who He might be, when He might appear, and what might be the method of His victory.
Temptation of the Second Adam
In the fulness of time, that son is born in Bethlehem. The mother is told her son is the one, but that God’s victory through Him will be in a form that will pierce her very heart. (cf Lk 2:35). His name is His mission, Jesus – God saves. (Lk 1:31).
As a King, and the promised Prophet (Dt 18:18), the son of this woman is the Son of God (Jn 1:1). As a man He restores the children of the first Adam to His Father, and as God He elevates His victory to a supernatural significance.
And, as one would expect, Satan will also tempt this second Adam, who is THE image of the invisible God now made visible. (Col 1:15). The audience can thereby visibly watch the battle between them.
The Son of God does not succumb to three temptations by Satan in the desert of Judea. The Son is ready for His mission. So, Satan departs – but only for a time. (Lk 4:1-13).
Judas Cooperates with Satan
Satan, thereafter, enters a willing Judas two times: Once, when Judas went to the chief priests to discuss betraying Jesus to them for 30 pieces of silver; and a second time at the Last Supper, when Satan again enters Judas … and it was night. (cf. Lk 22:1-6, Mt 26:14-16, Zec 11:4-14, Jn 13:21-30).
Judas’ Death Foreshadows Satan’s Demise
Judas despairs of his betrayal and commits suicide rather than seek God’s mercy. In this sense, he images Satan who with full knowledge of his actions, also commits spiritual suicide. Indeed, Jesus went as it was prophesied of Him, but He pronounced woe to that man (and Satan) through whom He was betrayed. It would have been better had neither been born or created. (cf Mt 26:24).
The Resurrection Signals our Victory over Satan
As St. Paul instructs us, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of all of us who will fall asleep. Through Christ all of us will be brought to life. Death has no sting over us, as death has been swallowed in Christ’s victory over death. Satan is defeated. (See, 1 Cor 15: 12-53).
As the story comes to a close, we see a Final Judgment, where the books are opened and the names of those who through faith, lived as Christ commanded, are found in the Book of Life. Satan is formally vanquished to the Lake of Fire along with those who did his will. (Rev 20: 11-15).
As the camera pulls away, before the final credits run – the Director reveals a sequel: A New Heaven and a New Earth … the story is just beginning. Stay tuned, as we are all part of the new plot. (Rev 21 & 22)
