by Erik Jones

Yesterday, we covered the first part of Genesis 3:15. We learned that “enmity” was prophesied to exist not only between Satan and humanity, but also between Satan and Jesus Christ. We learned that this enmity is centered around Satan’s attempts to thwart God’s plan.

In the last part of this verse, we see a very specific prophecy that has huge implications.

We read that this “enmity” between Satan and Christ would culminate in two specific prophetic events: the serpent (Satan) would “bruise His [Christ’s] heel” and “He [Christ] shall bruise your [Satan’s] head.”

• “You shall bruise His heel.” This refers to an attack leading to a temporary wound to the woman’s “Seed” (referring prophetically to Jesus Christ). This pictures Satan symbolically striking at Jesus Christ in a way that would not destroy Him. This was fulfilled at the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Though the sacrifice of Jesus was a part of God’s plan from the beginning (1 Peter 1:19-20), the Scriptures are clear that Satan had a part in instigating and carrying out the crucifixion. Luke 22:3 and John 13:27 reveal that Satan was partly responsible for Judas’ betrayal of Christ, which led to the crucifixion at Golgotha.

The Bible reveals that the angelic realm (Satan’s plane of existence) cannot fully understand the depths of the plan of God (1 Peter 1:12). Satan, who is deceived by his own pride, believed he could sabotage the plan of God. After his first major attempt to kill Jesus as a baby failed (Matthew 2:13-16), his next recorded attack was the direct temptation of Christ in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). After Satan failed to tempt Christ to sin, his final tactic against Christ was to instigate the brutal murder of the Messiah. The crucifixion of Jesus (Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19) was the result of that attempt.

Christ’s death was the bruising of the heel prophesied in Genesis 3:15. Though Christ was dead for three days and nights, He was miraculously resurrected by the Father (Ephesians 1:20) and now lives eternally at the right hand of the Father (Acts 2:33). This is why the prophecy refers to Satan’s strike at Christ as merely a bruised heel—a minor wound—because Christ rose again and is carrying out the plan that will ultimately destroy death (1 Corinthians 15:26).

• “He shall bruise [or crush] your head.” This refers to the ultimate fate of Satan. The surest way to kill a snake is to crush its head. The Bible uses this imagery to teach us about Satan’s fate. Unlike the strike against Christ, which would cause a temporary wound, the strike against Satan will be a permanent wound. The ultimate fate of Satan will be the complete destruction of his power and influence.

Ironically, it was through Christ’s death (which was instigated by Satan) and resurrection that Satan’s power will be destroyed (Hebrews 2:14). We are to be encouraged that “the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet” (Romans 16:20). The details of Satan’s head wound are found in Revelation 20:1-3, 10. Satan’s ultimate fate will be the total elimination of his power and ability to influence anyone with his deceptions.

To learn more about the ultimate fate of Satan, read “God vs. Satan.”

Tomorrow on the Daily Bible Verse Blog: “Sin’s Effects on Women.”