Luke 10 v 21. “At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.”
We go backwards a little bit in Luke chapter 10 to take up again some amazing words spoken by Jesus. Jesus had seen Satan fall like lightning from heaven. This was a foretaste of the great victories over Satan that would ensue as the Gospel was released into the world. These words may still not make sense to the reader so let me try to explain how this works.
Before you became a Christian it is possible that you knew nothing about God, or Christ or the bible. In other words your entire inner life was governed by a great spiritual darkness. You may even have felt happy and content as you were. But there came a moment when that darkness was disturbed for some reason. Whatever the cause was, little gleams of light came through your understanding. With the understanding came a curiosity, then a longing, then a searching. One day the darkness was lifted and you understood the Gospel and joyfully turned to Christ as your only Saviour. What actually happened in your case? Answer: Satan fell like lightning from Heaven. In other words the power of the devil was broken. The Gospel came in and he was defeated and you turned to Christ.
That is a picture of what would happen in all the centuries after Christ died and rose, and the good news began to spread. Millions became believers, while countries were affected, great missions and ministries were born, reformation occurred and history was changed. Satan fell like lightning.
Of course, Satan’s final fall is still to come on Judgement Day. But it has been assured already by our Lord’s death and resurrection. Do not be careless in your walk with Christ, but do rejoice because our enemy, though still alive and vicious, has in principle been beaten and will most assuredly be destroyed.