Satan’s Triumph?
In the recent past, I have developed a love of art. This piece is located at Lviv State University, located in the Western portion of the Ukraine. There are a series of paintings by Jan Matejko, a famous Polish Artist. The series of paintings entitled “Triumph of Progress,” is described as depicting allegorically, based on biblical stories and ancient mythology, the progression of human thought as the basis for spiritual and technical progress.
Interesting to note that in this painting, entitled “Satan’s Triumph,” evil’s triumph is depicted as a result of the application of human reason and knowledge for personal purposes, usurpation of the world, enrichment, and dictation. Satan, depicted much larger, is said to be ”dominating the world. Satan tramples on common sense, makes people set on fire, and devastates everything that has been created for human happiness and joy.” Satan is standing over the body of a suicide who has murdered his children. The devil is stepping on the head of the suicide victim victoriously, and points to an eclipsed sun, symbolizing decay and a darkened mind. He appears to be scoffing as if saying, “this was done by me.” The mother is holding her baby’s hand still feeling a pulse, pities her child, and still has hope. The author states “this means that the triumph of Evil in the history of mankind is temporary and transient.”
We know, according to divine revelation, that human progress is ultimately dependent upon the Creator, who is the God of the Bible. He is the Omnipotent, Triune, Majestic God of Holy writ. He alone has defeated the adversary forever. Without his revelation, humanity is hopeless. Dr. Francis Schaeffer refers to Him as “the God who is there and is not silent.” Human reason alone has never provided an answer for the depravity that exists in the human heart or the “problem of evil.” The art above depicts what would be seen many times in the nightly news. The world is in chaos and this is what the Bible declares will happen because man supresses the truth about God. Not only does man supress the truth, but he exchanges it for a lie. Faith originating from human reason alone is useless. True faith is a gift from God.
The great deception in the minds of unbelieving humans is that Satan is equal to God and thwarts the ultimate plans of God. This manner of thinking is erroneous. God is sitting on His throne. History is marching according to His will toward that “day.” Satan does God’s bidding! The adversary can do nothing unless divine Omnipotence says so. In the end, Satan will be tossed into the lake of fire; it was created for him and his angels, and for those who reject the Son of God. It is to be heralded that God does as He pleases, since this is His world. He alone rules over the affairs of heaven and earth! No one says to him “what are you doing!” Satan is ultimately a tool in the hand of divine Providence!
Ultimately, to escape the calamity of evil and the judgment that is coming upon the world, the individual human must examine himself, and come to understand that God calls all men to repentance. Man is called to turn from his vile passions to the ultimate deliverer, the second person of the Trinity, the Lord Jesus Christ. ‘Kiss the Son, lest He become angry, and dash you into pieces.”
The scriptures declare “that your faith should not rest in the wisdom of men but on the power of God.” Remember these words: “But without faith, it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6
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