The Devil

Luke 22 Then Satan entered into Judas, called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve.

All through the ministry of Jesus Christ we see Him casting out demons. They are usually referred to as such in Scripture rather than by a specific name. Once when Jesus asked, What is your name? The demon replied, Legion. For we are many. But it is rare that Satan himself enters the life of another person. When he does it is a significant event.

But this was not just any occasion. This was the big event. And you know what they say, If you want something done right....

This job would not be delegated to a lesser being. This one, Satan would do himself.

He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him to them. And they were glad and agreed to give him money. So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray Him in the absence of the crowd.

But this was not Satan's first attempt to take the throne. From the time that we are introduced to him and to the very end, he has been and will be attempting to raise an army to come against Holy God.

In heaven we see him convincing other angels to turn their backs on their creator in order to take the throne from the King of Kings. What a battle that must have been!

Afterward Satan and his followers of angels who are now referred to as demons were cast down from heaven.

In Luke Satan again is raising an army to come against the Christ. In Jerusalem. A human army. Can you imagine the wicked excitement that Satan must have felt as they nailed Him to the tree? Finally he would see the Son of God suffer, especially for the likes of humans!

But the death of Jesus Christ, and more importantly His resurrection from the dead, must have been the greatest blow of all time for Satan. Up to that point, at least.

There is another battle coming. And once again it will be too important to trust it to anyone else. Satan himself will raise another army. For a final battle for the throne, the kingdom and it's subjects.

Revelation 20 And they (Satan and his army) marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

We see Satan appear in Scripture during critical times in history. Times that only the best will do. Raising an army in heaven, the temptation of Eve, the temptation of Christ, the possession of Judas, raising an army to crucify the Christ, raising an army to fight at Megiddo. But his best is not, and will not be, enough.

Do you know why?

Revelation 19 Then I saw heaven opened and behold, a white horse! The One sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems, and He has a Name written that no one knows but Himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the Name by which He is called is The Word Of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On His robe and on His thigh He has a Name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

This life matters and what you do with it will make the only difference in the life to come. There is a battle for the crown. There is a battle for the throne. There is a battle raging for your soul. You must choose who will own it.