11. What was the purpose for Christ coming into this world to die as a human being? Hebrews 2:14.
NOTE: ‘In the Saviour’s expiring cry, “It is finished,” the death knell of Satan was rung. The great controversy which had been so long in progress was then decided, and the final eradication of evil was made certain. The Son of God passed through the portals of the tomb, that “through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” Hebrews 2:14. Lucifer’s desire for self-exaltation had led him to say: “I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: ... I will be like the Most High.” God declares: “I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth, ... and never shalt thou be any more.” Isaiah 14:13, 14; Ezekiel 28:18, 19. When “the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven;....all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.” Malachi 4:1.’ Great Controversy, page 503.
12. How is Satan’s destruction described in the Bible? Revelation 20:10.
NOTE: ‘According to John’s testimony, Revelation 20:10, “And the Devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” Do the Scriptures teach that the Devil is to have eternal misery? Paul testifies, [Hebrews 2:14,] “Through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is the Devil.” The words “forever and ever” in the original are “eis tous aionas ton aionon.” “Aionas” and “aionon” are derived from “aion” on which Greenfield says, “Duration, finite or infinite: unlimited duration, eternity: a period of duration, past or future, time, age, lifetime; the world, universe.” From this we may learn that the term “for ever and ever” does not in all cases signify eternal duration. Dr Adam Clarke, in commenting on the words “for ever and ever” gives us a rule to be guided by in ascertaining its extent of duration when applied to objects. It is this: that it signifies only, as long as a thing, considering the surrounding circumstances, can exist. God has promised to His saints, that they shall be clothed with immortality. Of course, the term “forever” applied to them would cover their age, or lifetime, which is to be eternal; but it would not follow from this, that when the term was applied to wicked men and devils, they must exist to all eternity.’ James White: Review & Herald, December 27, 1855.