For as much 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.
And deliver them who through fear of death were
All their lifetime subject to bondage.
(Hebrews 2:14, 15)

Thank God Jesus has delivered us from the bondage of fear of death!

I want you to observe the phrase in our text "...him that HAD the power of death, that is the devil..."(Hebrews 2:15).

Notice that Satan HAD the power of death.

The implication of this phrase is that he had that "power"sometime but does not seem to have it NOW !

Satan does not have the power of spiritual death any longer.

Physical death still remains an enemy to man but it will eventually be put underfoot:

So when this corruptible has put
on incorruption, and this mortal has
put on immortality, then shall be
brought to pass the saying that is
written"Death is swallowed up in
victory."
(1 Cor. 15:54)

People will continue to die physically until the saying is brought to pass..."Death is swallowed up in victory".

However our Lord Jesus Christ has destroyed the authority of Satan who had power over spiritual death.

Rev. 1:17,18 shows us that He actually took from Satan the keys of hell and death:

And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as one
Dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying
Unto me "fear not, I am the first and last: I am
He that liveth and was dead; and behold, I am
Alive forever more and I HAVE THE KEYS OF
HELL(HADES) AND DEATH.
(Rev. 1:17,18).

Hell and Death are no longer under Satan's jurisdiction.

The English word"destroy"in our text in Hebrews 12:14,15, is from the Greek word "Katargeo"which means : ...to render null and void; to abolish or bring to naught, make of no effect or paralyze.

In His combat with Satan, Jesus left him paralyzed. Satan was rendered completely powerless and ineffective. In fact Satan was crippled, disabled and immobilized.

I will like us to read Hebrews 2:14,15 from the Amplified Bible version:

Since therefore[these His] children share in
Flesh and blood [in the physical nature of human
Beings], He [Himself] in a similar manner partook
Of the same [nature], that by [going through] death
He might BRING TO NAUGHT AND
MAKE OF NO EFFECT him who had the power
Of death - that is , the devil
And also that He might deliver and completely
Set free all those who through the haunting fear
Of death were held in bondage throughout the
Whole course of their lives
(Hebrews 2:14, 15)

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