darkness. I am about to spoil them of their dominion by my redeeming work, and to condemn and set aside the dark, godless order of things which has so long prevailed upon earth. It has been long winked at and tolerated by my Father. The time has come when it will be tolerated no longer. This very week, by my crucifixion, the religious systems of the world shall receive a sentence of condemnation." This seems Bullinger and Rol- lock's view, and I agree with it.
In order to realize the full meaning of this sentence, we must call to mind the extraordinary condition of all the world, with the exception of Palestine, before Christ's death. To an extent of which now we can form no conception, it was a world without God, plunged iu idolatry, worshipping devils, — in open rebel- lion against God. (Compare 1 Cor. x. 20.) When Christ died, this order of things received its sentence of condemnation.
Bollock f ays : "I understand, by this judgment, the condem- nation of that sin of which the world was so full when Christ came, and which had reigned from Adam to Moses." Of this undisturbed reign of idolatry Christ's advent made an end.
Augustine, on this verse, says: "The devil kept possession of mankind, holding men as criminals bound over to punishment by the handwriting of their sins, having dominion in the hearts of the unbelieving, dragging them, deceived and captive, to the worship of the creature, for which they had deserted the Creator. But by the faith of Christ, confirmed by His death and resur- rection, through His blood shed for the remission of sins, thou- sands of believing persons obtain deliverance from the dominion of the devil, are joined to the body of Christ, and quickened by His Spirit as faithful members, under so great a Head. This it was that He called judgment."
[Now shall... prince of this world. ..cast out.'] In this remark- able sentence there can be no doubt that Satan is meant by the "prince of this world." Up to the time of our Lord's redeem- ing work, the entire world was in a certain sense completely under his dominion. When Christ came and died for sinners, Satan's usurped power was broken, and received a deadly blow. Heathenism, and idolatry, and devil-worship no longer governed all the earth except Palestine, as they had done for four thou- sand years, because undisturbed. In a wonderful and mysteri- ous manner Christ on the cross "spoiled principalities aud powers, and made a show of them openly, triumphing over them." (Coloss. ii. 15.) To this victory our Lord clearly refers. " Now in this week, by my vicarious death as man's Redeemer on the cross, Satan, the Prince of this world, shall receive a deadly blow, and be dethroned from his supremacy over man, and cast out. The head of the serpent shall be bruised."
Of course our Lord did not mean that Satan would be "cast out " of this world entirely, and tempt it no more. That will be done at the second advent, we know from Rev. xx. ; but it was