SATAN
CHURCH
MYSTERY
33
AND THE
OF THE
In Romans 15:29 the apostle Paul made a statement containing, possibly, truth of which he was unaware when
he penned the words:
` ... I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ'
(Rom. 15:29).
He had thought of visiting Rome a free man, and continuing his journey to Spain. He actually reached Rome a
prisoner of the Lord, but as the prisoner of the Lord he received `the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ'
in a measure undreamed of during Pentecostal times.
Another similar statement is found in the next chapter:
`And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly' (Rom. 16:20).
There is here an undoubted allusion to the promise of Genesis 3, and Paul was looking forward to the millennial
reign of Christ and His saints. That, however, did not transpire, but in its place has come a calling, of which Christ
is the Head, with all things under His feet. Consequently it is true of the members of the church of the One Body
anticipatorily now, as it will be actually true of the saints in that day, that Satan is under our feet. The context of
Romans 16:20 is worthy of prayerful study. It speaks of division and contrary doctrine. It commends wisdom
concerning good, and simplicity concerning evil. Some believers appear to be experts in Satanic things. But are
they called thus to emulate our first parents in the knowledge of good and evil? Is it spiritually healthy? We believe
it is not, and that it diverts into unscriptural and negative channels spiritual energy that should have been used in
positive service along the lines of scriptural precept and example.
2. POSITION
The reader may or may not concur with our suggestion regarding the passage in Romans 16. There is one
passage however, which does undoubtedly refer to the present dispensation that will indicate the second point we
wish to consider, viz., the meeting of all Satanic activities positionally.
Paul not only received a commission to witness for Christ during the period covered by the Acts while he
remained a free man, but he speaks of a second charge and a second ministry, this time associated with `bonds and
imprisonment' which awaited him (Acts 20:23,24).
These two ministries are referred to in Acts. 26:
` ... I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which
thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; delivering thee from the people, and
from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and
from the power (authority) of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among
them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me' (Acts 26:16-18).
The most casual acquaintance with Colossians 1 will show a close parallel between this foreshadowing of the
present dispensation and its fulfilment, and a more intimate acquaintance will abundantly confirm the connection
between these two passages. Without pointing out all the parallels, we consider at once that which touches upon the
relation of the church to the authority of Satan:
`Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Who hath delivered us from the power (authority) of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His
dear Son' (Col. 1:12,13).
`Who hath delivered us ... and hath translated us'. The apostle could say in his epistle to the Colossians:
`Wherefore if ye be dead (died) with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world,
are ye subject to ordinances?' (Col. 2:20).
And can we not as truly say :