The victory of saints would begin a new era or age. Paul closes the Roman letter by giving this promise that Satan would be crushed under their feet shortly. Rom. 16:20 reads, “And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”
The first coming of the Lord accomplished His victory over Satan. The second coming would accomplish the victory of His saints. He had already died and was raised when Paul wrote this to the saints in Rome. He had already won a decided victory over Satan. Gen 3:15 offers the “first gospel promise” that the seed of the woman would have his heel bruised, while Satan’s head is crushed. This is a self-inflicting wound because no man took His life from Him. He laid it down of his own accord (cf. John 10:18). The death blow of Satan involved the sacrifice of himself and the resurrection from the grave. John 12:31 reads, “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. He uses the word “now” in describing his victory over Satan.
When the seventy were sent to the house of Israel, they came back rejoicing that the demons were subject to them in the name of Jesus (cf. Luke 10:17). Jesus said to them, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you (Luke 10:18-19; cf. 1 John 3:8, Hebrews 2:14). As his disciples were casting out demons in His name, Jesus was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning (cf. Revelation 12:7-9).
Another connection is made in Luke 11 when Jesus was being accused of casting out demons by Beelzebub, the prince of Demons. Not only does he make them look ridiculous for having Satan cast out Satan, but connects the power to the finger of God and the connection that if this is taking place, then, the kingdom has come. The prophecies of the Messiah were being fulfilled. The Christ had come.
Yet, the victory of the passage in Romans 16 is that Satan would be crushed under their feet, not Jesus’ feet. This would be accomplished when he returns in judgment. The thousand-year reign of Christ is described as the time when saints would live and reign with Him for a thousand years (Revelation 20:6). Christ is already reigning but their reigning with Him was coming soon.
Notice the time element of the passage, please. The God of peace would put an end to the enmity and strife by crushing Satan under their feet, SOON. The reference to the time of this occurrence is from a word that conveys doing something soon or quickly. We are told by some that the term only explains the manner of his coming similar to his coming as a thief or in the twinkling of an eye so that Paul is not explaining the time but the manner. Thus, the meaning is that when Jesus comes (however long it is), He will do it quickly. However, the word always suggests a sense of urgency and immediate action. For example, when Peter is imprisoned in chains (Acts 12), the angel of the Lord loosens the bands and tells him to “arise quickly.” Peter understood as the words convey, that he is to get out immediately. Peter didn’t understand the angel to say, “Peter, the doors are opened, the bands are broken. Whenever you decide to get out of here, move quickly.” Everyone understands the meaning of Acts 12. Peter was expected to get out of his cell with haste. There is no dispute about his meaning in Acts 12. Yet, we are given the explanation of Romans 16:20 and Revelation 22:7, 12, 20 that when Jesus finally gets around to coming, he will do it quickly. Who can believe it? The use of the term, therefore, does have reference to time, not manner.
Paul also uses the word “shortly” to suggest the same reference to time. According to the premillennialist, he was mistaken. If this were true that he was mistaken, he would fail the test of a prophet and remove himself from the rank of an apostle of Christ. The test of a prophet is whether a prediction comes true or whether an oracle proves false. The choice of options is clear. We will accept Paul’s assessment over the Premillinial timetable. The evidence in Scripture is too strong to ignore. If our view of the second coming and the end of the age does not fit what took place in the first century, will we ignore these clear references in the Scriptures, or reassess our understanding of His coming (parousia)? If Jesus established His rule and power over Satan by whipping him with His finger, can there be any doubt that he will also clean the threshing-floor on the day of harvest by judging the nation of Israel and delivering those who trust in him (cf. Luke 11:18-20)? Rom. 13:11 reads, “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law. Do this, knowing the time that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now, salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore, let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”
If Paul’s words, “knowing the time,” is referring to a time thousands of years from then, the message loses its relevance and fails to convey any thought of urgency. Again, this inspired apostle was either mistaken or he was accurate. Which seems more reasonable to believe? If you claim he was wrong about his timing, just be prepared to deny the inspiration of his teaching. When Jesus left his apostles, the Holy Spirit came to them, not only to remind them of all that Jesus had taught but to guide them into all truth. This can hardly be considered an accurate statement, if they were expecting the imminent return of Jesus, and taught this inaccuracy to others.