Protoevangelium - Prototype of the Gospel

 Protoevangelium - Prototype of the Gospel

The first glimpse of God's plan to finally destroy Satan's hold on mankind occurs right there in the Garden of Eden, where Satan began his campaign to destroy God's perfect world. It is recorded in Genesis 3:15: "So the LORD God said to the serpent, '...I will put enmity between you and the and woman and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head and you will strike his heel.'"

That set the stage for the ancient struggle between good and evil -- between God and Satan. That was Act 1.

John explains Act 2 in 1 John 3:8 -- "The reason the Son of God came was to destroy the devil's work." That was done at the cross. The power of Satan over us was abolished.

And then in Revelation 20 we see the final destruction of Satan - the ancient serpent who deceived man from the very beginning. "The old serpent, who is the devil, is thrown in the lake of burning sulphur to spend eternity, without God and without hope forever." That is the final Act - Act 3.

We were saved from the guilt and punishment for our sin at the cross. We are being saved every day from Satan's power over us through the Holy Spirit -- "Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world" we are promised in 1 John 4:4.  And in the future we will be saved from Satan's very presence when we are in heaven with our Savior and Satan is in the lake of punishment.

Genesis 3:15 is known as the "Protoevangelium"- the first glimpse of the gospel message. The "prototype" of what God has done for us. The promise that God's great enemy will be utterly destroyed. And we will join God's family and live with Him forever!

Yes, Satan can still right now disturb us and distract us, but he cannot defeat us and his time is short!

Jesus has already saved us from Satan's power over us, and someday He will save us from Satan 's very presence!

And so, come quickly, Lord Jesus! Maranatha!