Christ Jesus sent forth two groups of disciples, twelve in one instance and seventy in the other, directing them to preach the gospel and heal the sick. Both groups were successful. Luke records the experience of the seventy who, returning with joy, said (10:17), "Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name."
The Master replied: "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven."
It is helpful to consider the Master's reference to Satan, impersonal evil, in connection with Isaiah's prophecy and its fulfillment in Revelation. Referring to Satan's attempt to dethrone Deity, Isaiah wrote in typical Bible language (14: 12), "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!"
