He hates the true church because he knows its members are the
blood-bought hosts of the Son of God, destined to rule and reign with
Him over this earth, which Satan still holds in his grasp. There is
another reason why he has tried to exterminate the true church or to
corrupt it. Satan has knowledge concerning the future. When our Lord
was on earth the demons cried out "What have we to do with thee, Jesus,
thou Son of God? Art thou come hither to torment us before the time?"
(Matt. viii:29). From this we learn that the demons know the
difference between the first and second coming of our Lord. They know
when He comes the second time their doom will be sealed and they will
no longer be permitted to torment and ruin the bodies and souls of men.
Satan unquestionably knows his doom and that it is linked up with the
Return of our Lord. He also knows that the church, as the body of
Christ, must be completed before He comes again. This must be a
leading reason why he hates the church and attempts to corrupt it by
evil doctrines and persecutes those who are Christ's. All his efforts
are unavailing for the Lord Jesus Christ keeps His people.