Evil's deadly strategy

John 10:10 NLT

The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

2 Kings 8:7-15 NLT

Elisha went to Damascus, the capital of Aram, where King Ben-hadad lay sick. When someone told the king that the man of God had come, [8] the king said to Hazael, "Take a gift to the man of God. Then tell him to ask the LORD, 'Will I recover from this illness?'" [9] So Hazael loaded down forty camels with the finest products of Damascus as a gift for Elisha. He went to him and said, "Your servant Ben-hadad, the king of Aram, has sent me to ask, 'Will I recover from this illness?'" [10] And Elisha replied, "Go and tell him, 'You will surely recover.' But actually the LORD has shown me that he will surely die!" [11] Elisha stared at Hazael with a fixed gaze until Hazael became uneasy. Then the man of God started weeping. [12] "What's the matter, my lord?" Hazael asked him. Elisha replied, "I know the terrible things you will do to the people of Israel. You will burn their fortified cities, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little children to the ground, and rip open their pregnant women!" [13] Hazael responded, "How could a nobody like me ever accomplish such great things?" Elisha answered, "The LORD has shown me that you are going to be the king of Aram." [14] When Hazael left Elisha and went back, the king asked him, "What did Elisha tell you?" And Hazael replied, "He told me that you will surely recover." [15] But the next day Hazael took a blanket, soaked it in water, and held it over the king's face until he died. Then Hazael became the next king of Aram.

The strategy of evil hasn't changed down the ages. Once it gains a foothold in a person, the fatal, downward tragectory takes over.

In this passage from 2 Kings we see how Hazel schemed to steal the kingdom from Ben-hadad and from then move on to wreak hideous crimes against Israel, similar to those perpetrated during the Holocaust and October 7th Massacre.

The great "thief" Satan hasn't changed his evil tactics - he comes to steal, kill and ultimately destroy humans. His anger is particularly focused on Israel.

As long as he succeeds in harming Israel he temporarily hinders God's plans. However, he knows that he is destined to a full and final failure!

Alas, his anger is viciously vented on humanity as history draws to a close:

Revelation 12:12 NKJV

Therefore rejoice, O Heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time."

The ONLY safe place is found in Jesus. He came so that we could have life, ultimately a wonderful fulfilled life with Him in Heaven.

The Amplified Bible translates it as:

John 10:10 AMPC

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

The choice is clear - will you be robbed or will you choose Life?