MAINTAIN VIGILANCE!

“Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time” (Revelation 12:12).

This passage from Revelation tells us that Satan has declared all-out war on God’s people. It also mentions that the devil has a deadline to complete his work: Because he knows that he has a short time.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are constantly to be aware that the devil is out to destroy us. Therefore, Paul says that we need to know as much as we can about the enemy’s tactics and plans: “Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Corinthians 2:11).

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). This does not mean the devil is hovering in the cosmos somewhere giving orders to his demonic hosts. We know that Satan was cast down to earth when Christ defeated him at the cross. Thus, the devil’s kingdom is limited to the here and now (see Revelation 12:12).

Some Christians believe that Satan is omnipotent (possessing all power) but he has been defeated by Jesus and stripped of all authority. And Satan is not omniscient (he cannot read minds!) nor is he omnipresent. He cannot be everywhere at one time.

But Satan does have principalities and powers stationed throughout the earth and these hosts of demons feed him intelligence at his beck and call. They hear you when you pray, and they see your obedience to God. That is what stirs up Satan’s wrath against you!

When the Word says the devil has only a short time, it is not referring to the time he has before the return of Christ. It is about continual deadlines, a series of short times he has in which to accomplish his work and make war against God’s saints.