by Mike Bennett

Though most people are blinded (2 Corinthians 4:4), Jesus Christ was well aware of the unseen evil ruler of this age, Satan the devil (Matthew 4:8-11). Jesus’ first coming set the stage for that evil rule to end, which other scriptures show will actually occur at Christ’s return (Revelation 12:9-10; 20:1-3).

Why did Jesus say, “Now”? One reason is that God looks at time and certainty in a different way than we do. God “calls those things which do not exist as though they did” (Romans 4:17)—He promises to make them happen, so they are as sure as if they had already happened.

Jesus Christ also talked about the judgment of Satan in His last teaching session with His disciples on the night before He was killed. He said the Holy Spirit would convict the world “of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged” (John 16:11).

Our perfectly righteous God is worthy to judge Satan and his demons and all his human followers who choose not to repent (John 5:22, 30; 2 Timothy 4:8). Understanding this should convict us and lead us to repentance and change.

For more about God’s judgment on Satan, see “Satan Destroyed? How?” and “God vs. Satan.”