Why Satan Does Not Want Any Soul to Make It to Heaven: A Reflection on Revelation 21:19-27

As believers, it is essential to understand the great spiritual battle for our souls, a battle that has been waged since the fall of man. Satan, the great adversary, has one mission: to prevent as many souls as possible from entering the eternal kingdom of heaven. In Revelation 21:19-27, the Bible presents a breathtaking description of the New Jerusalem, a city where the redeemed will live in the presence of God forever. This glorious image serves as a profound reminder of what is at stake in the spiritual realm. Satan, who has already been cast out of heaven, knows the eternal consequences of his rebellion. He desperately seeks to take as many as possible with him into the abyss. But why? Let us explore the reasons behind his relentless pursuit to prevent souls from entering the gates of heaven.

The Glory and Beauty of Heaven: A Place Satan Will Never Experience

In Revelation 21:19-27 (NKJV), the Apostle John gives a vivid description of the New Jerusalem, the heavenly city that will be the eternal dwelling place of God’s people. The walls are adorned with precious stones: jasper, sapphire, emerald, and others, symbolizing the perfection and beauty of God’s kingdom. The gates are made of single pearls, and the streets are pure gold, transparent as glass. There is no temple, for God Himself is the temple, and the Lamb—Jesus Christ—illuminates the city with His divine glory.

This depiction reveals the eternal rewards that await believers who persevere in faith. Satan, however, is not privy to these eternal blessings. He was cast out of heaven due to his rebellion and pride (Isaiah 14:12-15). He was once in the presence of God’s glory but was forever banished because of his prideful desire to usurp God’s throne. Knowing that he will never again experience this level of beauty, peace, or glory, Satan does everything in his power to prevent others from entering this blessed place. If he can lead souls away from Christ, he can rob them of the eternal reward that he himself can never have.

Satan’s Desire to Keep Souls from God’s Glory

Revelation 21:23 tells us that the glory of God will illuminate the city of heaven. There will be no need for the sun or the moon because the light of God’s glory will shine brighter than any earthly light source. For Satan, this is a direct contrast to his existence in darkness. He thrives in spiritual blindness, deception, and chaos, and he knows that in heaven, God’s presence will be the ultimate source of light and life.

Satan does not want souls to partake in the glory of God because he is filled with jealousy and resentment. He has been excluded from that glory, and his mission is to blind the minds of people to the truth of the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4). His ultimate goal is to see them fail to recognize the light of Christ, which alone can guide them to the eternal city of heaven. He seeks to keep souls in spiritual darkness, unaware of the beauty and peace that await those who trust in Christ.

The Spiritual War for Souls

The gates of the New Jerusalem will always remain open, symbolizing the eternal invitation to come into God’s presence. But Revelation 21:27 makes a striking statement: “But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” Satan’s agenda is clear—he desires to corrupt and defile the hearts and lives of as many people as possible. He knows that sin, deceit, and falsehood are his weapons of choice, and through these, he aims to prevent people from being written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Every lie, temptation, and distraction he offers is part of his strategy to lead people into sin and separation from God. He distorts the truth of God’s word, offering counterfeit peace and joy in exchange for the eternal life that only Christ can provide. His aim is to turn people away from the truth of salvation, making them believe that heaven is not real, that they are not worthy, or that they do not need Jesus. In doing so, Satan keeps their names out of the Book of Life and away from the eternal reward that awaits the faithful.

Satan’s Fear of the Final Judgment

Satan’s ultimate fear is the final judgment, when he and his followers will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10). In the New Jerusalem, there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:4). For Satan, this eternal peace and joy are unattainable. As long as he can deceive and lead people away from the truth of the gospel, he believes he can delay the final judgment and increase his domain of darkness.

The victory of Christ at the cross was a decisive blow to Satan’s power, but the final defeat is still coming. Satan’s end is certain, but he fights on, trying to take as many souls as possible down with him. He knows that every soul that makes it into heaven is a testimony to the power of God’s grace and the victory of Christ over sin and death.

Conclusion: The Call to Remain Faithful

Satan’s efforts to prevent people from entering heaven should spur us to remain steadfast in our faith. As we reflect on the splendor and eternal joy of the New Jerusalem, we must remember that this heavenly city is reserved for those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. It is not enough to simply acknowledge the existence of God or Jesus Christ—we must be faithful to Christ, repent of our sins, and accept His gift of salvation. Only then can we secure our place in the eternal kingdom.

Let this passage in Revelation 21:19-27 serve as a reminder of what is at stake. Satan wants to rob you of the joy, peace, and eternal life that God offers. But through Christ, we can overcome the adversary and claim the eternal reward that awaits us. Keep your eyes fixed on the glory of heaven, and never forget that the gates of the city are open to all who are faithful to Christ. Do not let Satan’s lies lead you astray. The promise of heaven is far greater than anything this world can offer.