The Bitter End

He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 

I John 3:8 

The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.  

Revelation 20:10 

If Christ was manifested to destroy the works of the devil, what shall be the end of the devil himself?  The second part of our text articulates it clearly. He who has spent his career promoting the misery of others will become miserable, ‘tormented day, and night forever and ever.’ There is a grave misconception abroad that Satan will rule in hell. Our text describes something quite different. Here we read, not that he will rule, but that he will suffer the consequences of the evil he has perpetrated. God is just. In our proclamation of the gospel we emphasize the love of God and the sacrifice of Christ. In addition to that, in order to embrace a whole God and a whole Christ, we must also declare His righteousness which we see in His justice. Christ came to destroy the works of the devil. In succeeding at that endeavor, He ultimately brings the devil himself to receive the just consequence of his evildoing. The loving Savior is also the righteous Judge. This brings Satan and his minions to an eternally bitter end.  

Our King, God, and Savior, 
we rejoice that You do judgment and justice. 
We praise You that You will  
recompense evil. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning