“Irony” is one way to characterize how the “dominion of darkness” is defeated. You would think that being given over to it would mean the end. But for Jesus, such is not the case. Him being given over to the dominion of darkness (Luke 22:53) means its defeat. It will also ultimately result in the death of death itself (1 Corinthians 15:26, Revelation 20:14). Jesus was willing to drink the cup of being given over (Luke 22:42), so that we could be rescued from that same dominion of darkness… Babylon (Jeremiah 51:7).

Paul

Paul wrote this to the church in Corinth…

1 Corinthians 15:22 (HCSB)
For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.

Adam had failed the test in the Garden of Eden by not doing the Father’s will (Genesis 3), resulting in humanity’s exile to Babylon where we will all eventually die. But in another garden, Gethsemane (at the foot of the Mount of Olives), Jesus would ace the test by doing the Father’s will in not refusing the cup (Matthew 26:39, Mark 14:36, Luke 22:42, and John 18:11), bringing us (believers) eternal life (John 10:28).

Peter

Soon after Jesus was given over, Peter would deny knowing Him three times (Luke 22:54-62). But, years later, that same Peter would write this encouraging ending in his first epistle…

1 Peter 5:12-14 (HCSB)
I have written you this brief letter through Silvanus, (I know him to be a faithful brother) to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Take your stand in it! The church in Babylon, also chosen, sends you greetings, as does Mark, my son. Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

May we be encouraged, knowing that the dominion of darkness has been defeated through the irony of Christ being given over to it, as we await our rescue from Babylon.

Godspeed, to the brethren!

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