Crushing Satan
- Thread starter Matthias
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Have you ever seen the depictions of the Virgin Mary standing on a serpent in catholic pictures?
And here you have the God of peace to soon to crush Satan under your feet.
And here you have the God of peace to soon to crush Satan under your feet.
I missed your comment here. I was born into a Catholic family and am married into one myself.
Not a practicing one, so I suppose that doesn't count.
“Paul’s allusion to Genesis continues in his final promise to the Roman church: ‘The God of peace shall quickly crush Satan under your feet’ (16:20). Now Paul takes up the promise that the seed of the woman will ‘bruise the head’ of the serpent (Gen. 3:15). There is an eschatological overtone as well, since various biblical texts describe the Lord as having slain the serpent Leviathan in his work of creation. The image appears in the promise of a new creation, at which the Lord again will slay the serpent, as at the exodus (e.g., Ps. 74:14; Isa. 27:1; 51:9-11; see T. Levi 18:12). In establishing the shalom of the eschaton, the Lord will crush Satan under the feet of the Roman church. The threat and temptation presented by false teaching will end. Paul follows this promise with a closing grace-wish.”
(Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament, G.K. Beale and D.A. Carson, Editors, p. 692)
(Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament, G.K. Beale and D.A. Carson, Editors, p. 692)
Hiddenthings
Well-Known Member
This is clearly a reference to Genesis 3:15: “And I will put enmity between you [the serpent] and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
In this context, the serpent or “Satan,” the adversary, represents human agents of deception, those who, as Paul describes, “by smooth talk and flattery deceive the minds of the naïve.”
More specifically, this refers to the Judaizers, individuals who sought to lead believers, especially Gentiles, away from their freedom in Christ and back into a burdensome legalism under the Law of Moses.
It's a real shame when the true context and meaning of these passages are distorted by false inferences that have no grounding in the actual record.
Hiddenthings
Well-Known Member
The irony is that the author of the original post has himself been a victim of this very deception. He’s been influenced by the kind of teachers Paul warned about, those who “by smooth talk and flattery deceive the minds of the naïve.” Now, unfortunately, Matthias is repeating their falsehoods. As far as examples go, it doesn’t get much more confronting than this.
From my X / Twitter “For you” feed this morning -
“Mary didn’t crush the head of the serpent.
Jesus did.”
(Gabriel Hughes)
I thought about you when I read it and offer it to our readers in support of your post.
dak
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Paul's writings have much more to do with eschatology than most seem to realize. The warning in 2Pet 3:15-16 openly states this by referring the reader back to what was just said above in that same passage.
2 Peter 3:15-16 KJV
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
And what was it that was discussed right before the statement above concerning Paul's difficult-to-understand writings? That would be things which surely most if not all dispensationalist would never even imagine when it comes to the writings of Paul.
2 Peter 3:1-14 KJV
1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
Uh, where does Paul teach these things???
What an eye-opening glorious day it was when the Master showed me this.
I cannot read it Matthias I don't have an account at X, so I am blocked from reading there without a membership (which I refuse to get).
I lost that whole idea that it was under Mary's feet (as is often depicted) through whom Christ came (who is the seed/word of God) but rather than him through her, it seems to indicate, God doing so by Jesus Christ in his church (which are often depicted as his hands and feet) or his body (giving us the victory) so to speak.
Romans 16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.
Thats sort of how I was rolling with the picture
Hiddenthings
Well-Known Member
Now that you have the symbol correctly identified how was the head of the Serpent crushed?
Hiddenthings
Well-Known Member
Recognizing the adversary in this context isn’t difficult for those with discernment.
Context:
19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. Ro 16:19.
Paul expressed confidence that his readers could withstand this threat because they were known for following the apostles' teachings. Typically, those among God’s people who are innocent may be more prone to accepting false teachers, while the truly wise are the ones who discern and reject them. Paul encouraged his readers to be wise regarding what is good, like the serpent in Jesus’ words, and innocent only when it comes to evil (Matt. 10:16).
Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”
You all know Paul did not have some mythological creature in mind when penning Romans 16:20!
He is making a very plain allusion to Gen 3:15: "And I will put enmity between you [the serpent] and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."
Here, undoubtedly, the serpent, or "satan" (the adversary), means human beings: for in context, it describes those who "by smooth talk and flattery" "deceive the minds of naive people". Particularly, this meant the Judaizers, who sought to draw other believers, esp Gentile believers away from their freedom in Christ into an enforced bondage to the Law of Moses.
For some like Matthias the Bible is a choose your own adventure but for those who know and understand the context the truth is revealed.
It's also noteworthy that Paul and Jesus both refer to the Serpent as nothing more than Gen 3:1 presents. An animal more cunning than the rest which God had created.
This fact has caused many forum members tremendous frustration these past two months.
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Hiddenthings
Well-Known Member
It's somewhat reassuring to know that even the Apostle Peter acknowledged that some of Paul’s writings were difficult to understand. Peter himself wrote things in his epistles that challenge our comprehension. The “untaught” (Greek amatheis) refers to those lacking instruction in the full scope of God’s revealed truth. The “unstable” (Greek asteriktoi) are individuals who waver in their loyalty, torn between devotion to God and attachment to the world essentially double-minded and compromising. These kinds of people either misunderstood or, at times, willfully distorted Paul’s teachings, thereby increasing their own accountability before God.2 Peter 3:15-16 KJV
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Uh, where does Paul teach these things???
What an eye-opening glorious day it was when the Master showed me this.
Further to this the phrase “other Scriptures” clearly refers to other parts of the Bible, since Peter uses a term typically reserved for Old Testament writings. This is a remarkable statement, as it places Paul’s letters on the same authoritative level as the writings of Moses.
A similar instance appears in 1 Timothy 5:18, where Paul cites Luke 10:7 and refers to it as Scripture. In 1 Peter 5:12, Peter directly affirms the divine inspiration behind what he writes. Additional support can be found in Galatians 2:9 and Colossians 1:29, which further highlight the apostolic recognition of inspired writings within the New Testament.
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The serpent and his belly comparison
I always thought anything called a serpent (by nature) would typically go upon it's belly which is why I found the curse to the serpent hard to wrap my brain around. Then I thought, maybe not all serpents, afterall this one is also called a dragon (like a Komodo dragon) so there has to be some wiggle room here somewhere.
Here after deceving Eve
Gen 3:14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life
But we know, that is not always true in the natural, or the spiritual (for that matter) since we know these are two legged legged persons are called serpents also
Mat 23:23 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers
As with Adam so also with Christ, naming the beasts of the earth
Which we could easily say, go upon their own bellys while standing phyically upright as Paul tells us here
Romans 6:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
And as Adam and the woman are a figure of Christ and the Church, so Paul said,
2 Cr 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
2 Cr 11:4 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Which in the next verse is speaking of another coming to deceive them,
2 Cr 11:4 "For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel
In Genesis, shown as
" Yea, hath God said " in the similitude of the serpent (Gen 3:1)
But also through these here
Jeremiah 23:31 Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues,
and say, "He saith".
Even here would be a similar picture of the serpent/ dragon and his tail (which is a picture of a false prophet) which teacheth lies. Which could be a reach, but if you back up a verse, it shows these stealing the LORD's words
Jeremiah 23:30 Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour.
They are shown doing what their father the devil does where the word of God is sown even as by the way for example
Mark 4:1 Satan shows up after the word is sown cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
In the serpent, he said, "Yea, hath God said"
And in the false prophets, they say, "He saith"
The emnity here would be great hatred between them as He says here
Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
And John says,
1 John 3:13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. (See also James 4:4)
So if her seed (which is given us of the Father) be Jesus Christ (the Word of God) which liveth abideth forever, and even in His church, where the bruise is delivered under her feet
Romans 16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly...
This also could be shown as being given the victory, or the power to overcome the wicked one
Even here Jesus says,
Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Which previous verse shows,
Luke 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
This ability given them to tread on serpents (meaning devils Luke 10:17, and /or spirits Luke 10:20) through Jesus name by them
Jesus also said concerning this,
Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
So they are given the power to tread upon serpents after this manner, which could also be a picture of under his feet (since it was by the name of Christ) but through them (who would be His body)
The belly thing is sort of cool, in the one (a serpent) who is actually cursed to go upon it (whereas a serpent typically do just that quite naturally) without a curse but then how there are those who serve not the Lord Jesus Christ (in a physically upright, two legged position) who are said to serve their own bellys deceiving the simple.
Just a play on the words really.
I always thought anything called a serpent (by nature) would typically go upon it's belly which is why I found the curse to the serpent hard to wrap my brain around. Then I thought, maybe not all serpents, afterall this one is also called a dragon (like a Komodo dragon) so there has to be some wiggle room here somewhere.
Here after deceving Eve
Gen 3:14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life
But we know, that is not always true in the natural, or the spiritual (for that matter) since we know these are two legged legged persons are called serpents also
Mat 23:23 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers
As with Adam so also with Christ, naming the beasts of the earth
Which we could easily say, go upon their own bellys while standing phyically upright as Paul tells us here
Romans 6:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
And as Adam and the woman are a figure of Christ and the Church, so Paul said,
2 Cr 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
2 Cr 11:4 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Which in the next verse is speaking of another coming to deceive them,
2 Cr 11:4 "For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel
In Genesis, shown as
" Yea, hath God said " in the similitude of the serpent (Gen 3:1)
But also through these here
Jeremiah 23:31 Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues,
and say, "He saith".
Even here would be a similar picture of the serpent/ dragon and his tail (which is a picture of a false prophet) which teacheth lies. Which could be a reach, but if you back up a verse, it shows these stealing the LORD's words
Jeremiah 23:30 Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour.
They are shown doing what their father the devil does where the word of God is sown even as by the way for example
Mark 4:1 Satan shows up after the word is sown cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
In the serpent, he said, "Yea, hath God said"
And in the false prophets, they say, "He saith"
The emnity here would be great hatred between them as He says here
Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
And John says,
1 John 3:13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. (See also James 4:4)
So if her seed (which is given us of the Father) be Jesus Christ (the Word of God) which liveth abideth forever, and even in His church, where the bruise is delivered under her feet
Romans 16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly...
This also could be shown as being given the victory, or the power to overcome the wicked one
Even here Jesus says,
Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Which previous verse shows,
Luke 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
This ability given them to tread on serpents (meaning devils Luke 10:17, and /or spirits Luke 10:20) through Jesus name by them
Jesus also said concerning this,
Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
So they are given the power to tread upon serpents after this manner, which could also be a picture of under his feet (since it was by the name of Christ) but through them (who would be His body)
The belly thing is sort of cool, in the one (a serpent) who is actually cursed to go upon it (whereas a serpent typically do just that quite naturally) without a curse but then how there are those who serve not the Lord Jesus Christ (in a physically upright, two legged position) who are said to serve their own bellys deceiving the simple.
Just a play on the words really.
Hiddenthings
Well-Known Member
John 8:23 Jesus knew they took their wisdom from the earth...jawbone sensors! - Christ had the serpent in mind all the way through John 8 - it's a great study! I see it here in this forum especially by those who have accepted man-made traditions.
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