THE STRONG MAN

Jesus, speaking of Satan and His power over him, said: “When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armor wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils” (Luke 11:21-22).

In these verses, Jesus compared Satan to a strong man guarding his palace. From Adam and Eve until Jesus came, Satan — the strong man — had held man in his power, bound by chains of sin. But now, a stronger One than Satan had come. A stronger One than Satan was standing before them who could bind the strong man, set men free from his power over them, and divide his spoils.

Jesus broke the power of Satan, bound him, and cast him out. As Jesus was preparing to lay down His life to redeem and restore man, He said: “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the Prince of this world be cast out” (John 12:31). In this Scripture, Jesus was referring to the immediate results that would take place as a result of His death and resurrection. The very moment Jesus rose from the dead, the “prince of this world” was cast out.

Satan’s power over man has been broken! Jesus has destroyed the works of the devil! The power of sin, sickness, and death has been broken! Satan is a liar! He never has been and never will be in control of the kingdoms of this earth. Jesus cast him out. His power has been broken!

Before Jesus ascended into Heaven He told His disciples: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:18-19).

Jesus said that all power is given unto you. He said, “Go … teach all nations.” Satan has been cast out. His power has been broken. Satan is not in control of the nations of the earth. Jesus has given you power over all the power of the enemy!

Like a mighty conqueror, Jesus ascended into Heaven in great triumph: “Therefore it is said, When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive — He led a train of vanquished foes — and He bestowed gifts on men” (Ephesians 4:8, TAB).

Throughout the Word, the phrase “led captivity captive” refers to a victory procession after a great battle has been won, where the conquering king leads a procession of captives he has taken, along with the spoils of war, back to his own kingdom. Jesus faced Satan and defeated him. He broke the power of sin, sickness, and death Satan had over man, “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Colossians 2:15, NIV).