The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10: 17-20

How is it possible that the West’s greatest, most emulated, most boasted about modern evolutionary materialist new pagan ideologues such as Karl Marx, Freud, Darwin, Carl Sagan, Dawkins and their impenitent followers are unaware of the spiritual reality? So blinded by pride, rebellion, hatred of God, life (which only He can give), His creation and His image bearers are those who are say they are not created but ’caused’ (by evolution and matter), that they have been vainly searching for many years through chemicals, mud, water, and other natural substances in search of the ultimate cause of their own conscious life (souls). They know they live but cannot find the cause of life. They know they think and are conscious but cannot find a cause for either. They search, and search, and search, but find no causes. Why is this?

First, there really does exist a spiritual dimension where elemental spirits and other evil spirits exist and this is why the minds of rebels have been taken “captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8) This happened because, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7). Therefore, the Lord of heaven and earth Who knows the thoughts and motivations of all mankind has, “hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.” (Luke 10:21 ESV)

Between the ’caused not created’ foolish ones and the 72 is a stark contrast between the “wisdom of the world which is foolishness to God” and the “foolishness of the world,” which is wisdom with God. (1 Corinthians 1:21; Romans 1:22; Matthew 16:17; Matthew 18:3-4)

The 72 are among those who fear the Lord, and they know they are His conscious image bearers because He created them, and this, “is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!” (Psalm 110:10). Therefore, the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon them, “the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” (Isaiah 11:2)

Thus, when the 72 discovered that when they commanded demons using the name of Jesus, the demons obeyed them, in the same way they obeyed Jesus when he commanded them to be silent or to come out: “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” (10:19)

One of the four lessons all of the Lord’s children must learn from the 72 is that there is power over the spirit world in the name of Jesus. Second, He sees us as His ground troops in the battle against the evil serpent (2 Cor. 10:5) who fell “like lightening from heaven” whose foolish human forces of darkness in this world are represented by poisonous scorpions and snakes.

But then our Lord also says, “You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. All men will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. By standing firm you will gain life.” (Luke 21:16-19)

In what sense are we protected when we can be viciously hated, betrayed, shunned, cruelly shamed, mocked, ridiculed, isolated, and put to death?

Here, in the third lesson, Jesus is not speaking about the safety of our present bodies which are passing away but our immortal souls. He is saying we can come up against evil principalities, powers, spiritual wickedness in high places, and Satan’s poisonous ground forces and though they may be able to kill our bodies, they cannot kill our souls and sever us from God. Our protection is absolute. Satan is not all powerful. He is bound and can do no more than our Lord allows.

The fourth lesson is encapsulated within verse 10:20: “However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (10:20)

Our names are written in heaven! Hallelujah! Praise the Lamb!

Let us pray and give thanks to the Lamb of God, the Crucified Risen Christ:

O Lord, even though Satan’s lawless army of poisonous scorpions and snakes have seized control of our land and corrupt and pervert little children, relish the sadistic killing of babies, cruelly persecute righteous souls while committing atrocious new evils daily, we thank-you that the wisdom of the poisonous serpents and scorpions is foolishness to You and that Your Judgment is assuredly coming upon them. We also thank-you Lord that power over demons in Your name is nothing compared to the eternal blessing of salvation, for You have written our names in heaven and we are saved! This, your greatest gift to your children is that our names are written down in “the Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 21:27) bought and paid for with the precious and holy blood of the Lamb. The Crucified Risen Christ has made us more than conquerors and we are eternally secure in our Father’s Love with Paradise restored to be our home for eternity. Armed with these great and glorious promises we can walk through this present valley of the shadow of death and fear no evil knowing You are with us and will receive us to Yourself at the death of our temporary bodies which You will resurrect and glorify that we might live forever in the Light of Your Love in Paradise. In the Precious and Holy Name of the Crucified Risen Christ we pray. Amen