Satan does not expect to rally from being defeated by God's angels. He knows he has lost his love for Jesus forever. All Satan can do is play the role of spoiler. He can't get people to love him. All he can do is to try to get people not to love God with all their hearts (see Mt 22:37). Consequently, Satan usually doesn't call people to commit themselves to him but only not to commit themselves to the Lord. The devil knows people will be lukewarm in their ties with him, but he wants them also to be lukewarm in their relationship with the Lord (see Rv 3:16).

Those who have won the victory over Satan, the beast (Satan's international system), the beast's "image, and also the number that signified its name" (Rv 15:2) are those who have not compromised with Satan. The victors have given Satan nothing so that they have everything to give to Jesus. "They are pure" (Rv 14:4), that is, single-hearted for Jesus (Mt 5:8). The victors have not even the most subtle and indirect tie with Satan.

Let us be in their number. Let us stand on heaven's fiery sea of glass (Rv 15:2). Let us live our Baptisms and reject Satan, all his works, and all his empty promises.

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 31, 2016

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.