Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists

31:4, 5; Hosea 1-3; Rev. 17:1-5).
The dragon, the "serpent of old, called the
Devil and Satan," was waiting to devour the male
Child, the long-expected Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Satan, warring against his arch-enemy Jesus, used
as his instrument the Roman empire. Nothing, not
even death on the cross, could deter Jesus from His
mission as Saviour of humanity.
At the cross, Christ defeated Satan. Speaking of
the crucifixion, Christ said, "'Now is the judgment
of this world; now the ruler of this world will be
cast out'" (John 12:31). Revelation describes
heaven's hymn of victory: "'Now salvation, and
strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the
power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of
our brethren, who accused them before our God
day and night, has been cast down. ...
Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who
dwell in them!'" (Rev. 12:10-12). Satan's expulsion
from heaven restricted his works. No longer could
Satan accuse God's people before the heavenly
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