| Variations on themes of evil
and Satan exist within nearly every religious tradition. It should
be no surprise that diverse views concerning evil abound even within
the camp of those that consider themselves adherents of realized eschatology.
Richard McPherson's article "Does Satan Exist Today?" is one of many
preterist perspectives concerning the defeat of the once-formidable
enemy of the saints. However, this topic is one on which a great many
full preterists disagree. Other ideas on the role of Satan and evil
are held in addition to those suggested by McPherson. While McPherson's
article makes many fine observations about the end of the Old Covenant
Age, it also relies on many unproven assumptions about the nature
of the Lake of Fire and the relationship of Satan to all those outside
of the Heavenly Jerusalem. McPherson's view that the Lake of Fire
equates to the annihilation/non-existence of its citizens is, in the
end, untenable.
Gehenna's Torments:
a Covenantal Perspective
For some preterists, the devil and his angels are now and forever
experiencing the torments of gehenna/the Lake of Fire, commonly
known as "hell" in today's popular jargon and thought. Their suffering
is depicted in Revelation 14:10-11 as torments in the presence of
the lamb and the holy angels forever and ever. For sure, this is
a comprehensive victory for the Church, a victory also stated in
equivalent New Testament passages (Heb 2:14-15; John 12:31; 2 Tim
1:10; 1 John 3:8; 1 Cor 15:55-56).
However, can one assume that such great and complete victory over
the historic adversary of the saints has come upon any but the Chosen?
Those outside of the blessedness of the New Jerusalem have not entered
into the victory of Christ in any way whatsoever but remain in and
of the darkness and unchanged by Christ's victory. We see these
ones depicted in Revelation 22:14-15 as standing right outside of
our Heavenly City. These are they that defile and work their abominations
and lies and "in no way shall they enter" in through the gates to
our New Heavenly Jerusalem (Rev 21:27). In contrast, "blessed are
they that wash their robes" that they may enter in through the gates
into the New Jerusalem.
Washed Robes Enter
In
For sure, the gospel of the Kingdom must be received for the damned
to be released out of their satanic darkness and enter in to the
light and victory of Christ and the Church. Only by receiving the
gospel of the Kingdom do men "wash their robes" and enter into the
Heavenly Jerusalem . This great victory and power over darkness
only comes to the Chosen. The preaching of the gospel of the Kingdom
serves to "open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light,
and from the power of Satan unto God that they may receive forgiveness
of sins and inheritance among them who are sanctified" (Acts 26:18).
This so clearly shows us that the victory of moving from darkness
to light, from Satan's power to God's power, from unforgiveness
with God to forgiveness with God, from non-inheritance to full inheritance,
is a victory for those that are "sanctified by faith that is in
him [Christ]." Does such blessedness apply in any form to anyone
but the Chosen? "He that believeth not is condemned already because
he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God"
(Jn 3:19). For sure, those that rejected Christ and his Kingdom
were fully joined to the rest of the unbelieving in outer darkness
(Matt 8:12). In contrast, Jesus said, "he that follows me shall
not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12).
This blessedness and victory over Satan and darkness has come upon
the saints of light of the New Jerusalem.
Conclusion
In conclusion, just as the Chosen on the earth have full unity
with Light and heaven, so also do the lost maintain full unity with
darkness and hell until they should get their robes washed in the
blood of the Lamb and enter into the New Heavenly Jerusalem . Satan's
being made of no effect by the completed atonement on behalf of
the saints does not necessitate non-existence. Rather, Rev 14:10
shows Satan being tormented in the presence of the Lamb and the
Angels, in whose presence are also all the blessed saints (Hebrews
12:22-24). Satan's identity is the same as it was from the beginning:
he is described as a liar and murderer and a thief who robs and
destroys. He is darkness and is of the darkness. His evil is fully
present in all the dogs and sorcerers and murderers of Revelation
22:15 who remain immediately outside of the gates of the Heavenly
Jerusalem. Like their master, they defile and work abominations
and make lies, and in no way do they enter into our New Jerusalem
without having their robes washed by the blood of the Lamb (Rev
21:27). These are they who do not have Christ. Their only escape
from full communion with Satan and the outer darkness is through
God's regeneration via the gospel of the Kingdom (Acts 26:18). Only
then can they share in the dominion over darkness now fully possessed
and exercised by Christ and the Church.
|
