THE GOSPEL OF LUKE: - Vital Christianity

358. Dragon (Isa 51:9; Rev 12:3,7; 13:2; 20:2)—This is a great monster, whether of land or sea.The term is more commonly applied to some kind of serpent or reptile, but not exclusively restricted tothat sense.9. Serpent (Ge 3:1; Isa 27:1; Rev 12:9; 20:2)—By this term Satan’s crookedness (Job 26:13) anddeceitfulness are pointed out (2 Co 11:3).10. Belial (1 Co 6:15)—This term means worthlessness, recklessness, lawlessness (2 Th 2:7).11. Lucifer (Isa 14:12)—This may refer to his brightness (Eze 28:12-13; 2 Co 11:14).12. Prince of this World (Jn 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Eph 2:1-2; 1 Jn 5:19)—This points out hisinfluence over the governments of this world (Mt 4:8-9).13. God of this World (2 Co 4:4)—This associates him with the false religions of the world. Assuch he has his “ministers” (2 Co 11:15), “doctrines” (1 Ti 4:1), “sacrifice “(1 Co 10:21) and “synagogues” (Rev 2:9).As someone pointed out,“The devil wrestles with God, and the field of battle is the human heart.”THE JUDGMENT AND PURIFICATION OF FIRE (12:49-53)Jesus speaks of the effects that should be produced by the preaching of the Gospel:"I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it iscompleted! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you,but division” (vv. 49-51).Although the word fire is applied figuratively in different ways in the New Testament, here it isassociated with judgment (v. 49). Judgment falls on the wicked who are separated from the righteous. Itappears as if our Lord intended by the word fire, not only the consuming influence of the Roman sword,but also the influence of His own Spirit in the destruction of sin. In both these senses this fire was alreadykindled. As yet, however, it appeared only as a spark but was soon to break out into an all-consumingflame. The fire could not burn up until after the Jews put Jesus to death. Then the Roman sword wouldcome and the Spirit of judgment and purification would be poured out.In speaking of baptism, Jesus is referring to the suffering that He was to endure on the cross.Mark uses the Jewish expression of the “cup” He was to drink (Mk 10:38-39), a common metaphor forGod’s wrath against human sin and rebellion (Ps 75:8; Isa 51:17-23; Jer 25:15-28; 49:12; 51:7). Theimage of baptism is parallel to that of the cup, referring to His suffering and death as a baptism (Ro 6:3-4).