Pastor John,
I have a question about Hebrews 2:14.
“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;…”
Why does it state the devil has power over death?
Beth
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Hi Beth.
First of all, Satan having the power of death does not mean that he had the power to decide life or death for people. God alone had that power, as He told Moses and Israel (Dt. 32:39 KJV), “See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.”
God turned all power over to the Son when the Son was revealed. That is why Jesus said in Revelation1:18, “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”
Satan, being god of this world, had power over spiritually dead people in this world, to influence them to do his will, and he had power over dead things in this world, things used by spiritually dead people in their worship. In the Old Testament, Satan was still in the kingdom of God, and he often exercised authority over those who were in covenant with God. Those people were using dead earthly things to worship God, such as slaughtered animals, physical religious clothing, water, fire, earthly buildings, etc. Satan’s power over dead earthly things meant that he had a right to be involved with those who used dead things to worship God.
When Jesus came, he made a “new and living way” to worship God which included nothing dead. This new covenant is a covenant of life, and Satan’s power over death is meaningless. He cannot partake of life with us; he has no authority over God’s people who walk in the Spirit; he is cast out of the kingdom of God now, for “the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the holy Ghost.”
Do not return to the use of dead things to worship God. Satan is still the god of this dead world, but he has no power over us who walk after the Spirit and not after the flesh.
I feel that there is more to this than I yet understand, but this answer will put you on the right path.
Your servant,
Pastor John