When Was Satan Finally Banished from Heaven?

Satan’s final banishment from heaven did not occur at the conclusion of Job’s trial, but rather was secured by the triumphant death and resurrection of Jesus Christ7BC 924.3+1. While Satan was cast out of his original position in heaven after his initial rebellion, he continued to accuse God’s people until Christ’s victory on the cross fundamentally vanquished his power and presencePP 331.1+2.

The Progress of Satan's Defeat

• Initial Banishment: Satan was the first rebel in the universe and, following his attempt to overthrow God's law among the sinless inhabitants of heaven, he was banished from his homePP 331.1+1.

• Continued Accusation: Even after his fall, Satan remained an "artful foe" seeking to maintain a foothold among those who profess to be God's peopleRH February 4, 1909, par. 2. He sought to shift his own cruelty onto the character of the Father to lure souls away from their allegianceGC88 534.3.

• The Victory of Christ: It was when Christ cried "It is finished" on the cross that Satan and his sympathizing angels were fully vanquishedST June 17, 1897, par. 12. By dying in the same nature over which Satan obtained a victory in Eden, Christ overcame the enemy and placed man on vantage ground7BC 924.3+1.

• The Resurrection Triumph: At the resurrection, the heavenly host rejoiced because Christ had swallowed up death in victory and further repulsed the fallen foeDA 780.2+1. The whole universe witnessed how Satan's head was bruised by the acts of the faithful, culminating in the joy of the angels that the deceiver was defeated9MR 276.1+1.

The Final Separation

While Satan’s fate was sealed at the cross, the church militant must still wrestle and toil against his active agencies until the final triumphGCB April 22, 1901, par. 7+1. The time is coming when Christ will receive His kingdom and confess the names of every overcomer before the Father and the angelsCIS 213.2. At that time, the people of God will stand on the sea of glass, having gotten the final victory over the beast and all powers of darkness Revelation 15:2-3RH July 28, 1904, par. 9+1.

Promises for the Overcomer

• Assurance of Victory: Jesus holds His hand beneath the struggling soul and will not suffer the enemy to overcome those who love God2MCP 807.4.

• Strength in Trial: Through the merits of the blood of Jesus, the tempter is made to tremble and flee5T 316.2.

• Eternal Reward: Those who are faithful unto death are promised a crown of life and a place in the heavenly courts Revelation 2:109MR 276.1+1.

"The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death" 1 Corinthians 15:26. "And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God" Revelation 15:2.