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How are we to understand this usage of olam and aion? Does it imply that when the
age is finished that Satan will exist again? A parallel usage is found in John 4: 14;
8: 51; 10: 28 and 13: 8. Translated literally the passages read:--
"Shall in no wise thirst unto the age" (John 4: 14).
"Shall not see death unto the age" (John 8: 51).
"Shall in no wise perish unto the age" (John 10: 28).
"Thou shalt not wash my feet unto the age" (John 13: 8).
Would it be setting forth the truth to say that immunity from thirst would cease when
the age ceased? That the Lord's sheep should perish at the end of the age? That Peter's
meaning was that the Lord should defer washing his feet until the age had finished? We
know very well that such is not the case, and to translate ou me eis tin aiona with an age
meaning is to miss the mark. Our English negative "never" is manifestly "n'ever" or
"not ever" without the least thought of ages or eternity in it. If this fallen cherub is to
live again after being brought to ashes and devoted to destruction, positive testimony
must be brought from Scripture to prove it, such a doctrine cannot be deduced from the
use of olam or aion.
Satan and redemption.
The katabole or overthrow of the world (Gen. 1: 2) was a judgment upon sin, and that
sin the sin of those who were not men. Scripture declares that the Devil sinneth from the
beginning and abode not in the truth. That he fell and in his fall drew away other angels
with him. His glorious position is forfeited, and we have seen that man headed by Christ
is destined to take that place of rule whether in the heavenlies or on the earth. As soon as
man was given dominion, Satan saw his rival and plotted his downfall. What other bait
should he use than that which caused his own fall?:--
"Yea, hath God said?"--the slander (traffic).
"Ye shall be as God"--the impious pride that cause his fall.
"Ye shall not surely die"--the vain hope that sustained him (see parallels in
Ezek. 28: 9; Psa. 82: 6, 7).
Just as the sin of Satan profaned his sanctuaries, so the sin of man introduced by Satan
made them "ashamed". Just as the sin of Satan cause him to be cast out of the mountain
of God, so the sin of man caused him to be cast out of the garden of God. Man however
had been attacked, and for him redemption was provided in the great Kinsman.
Redemption assumes a vaster import when seen as a whole, and as related to man's
inheritance and Satan's attack upon the purpose of the ages. While the ages last, enmity
will exist between the Seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent. The serpent's head
shall be crushed, all the true seed of promise shall be restored, paradise shall be regained,
with its river and tree of life, the former things shall pass away and God shall once again
all in all.