Satan

by Johnny McCulloch

This article might be a bit different from others in this series, in that every premise might not have a strong scripture backing it. Some of the points may have scriptures that have two or more interpretations, as many O. T. prophecies did. Some may be man's effort to interpret a vague series of verses, such as those used from Isaiah and Ezekiel. These are used to show a probable answer ever remembering: liThe secret things belong to God."
Did you ever let your mind wander off on such things as, 'What was before eternity, how long is eternity, when did it begin, and where did Satan come from?" This short treatise will deal with what we know and suspect about our adversary--Satan.
The first mention of Satan in the O. T. is Job 1:6, but Bible scholars everywhere agree that it was he who appeared to Eve in the garden ( Genesis 3:1), either in the form of a serpent or he possessed the body of a serpent.
How did he appear on the scene so quickly? Actually it may not have been all that quick, for we have no idea how much time elapsed between chapters 2 and 3 of Genesis. My personal feeling is that Adam and Eve were in the garden a long time before sin overtook them.
The Bible reveals that the "old serpent" is none other than the devil himself. ( Revelation 12:9, 20:2) who has led an age long angelic rebellion against God and his plans for mankind. Other Biblical names for Satan are the Devil ( Matthew 25:41), Beelzebub ( Matthew 12:27) Prince of this world ( John 12:31), The Old Dragon (Rev 12:3) The Prince of Demons ( Matthew 9:34) and the God of this world ( 2 Corinthians 4:4).
Henry Morris a conservative fundamentalist author says in the Genesis Record, "Although not mentioned in Genesis 1, it is probable that another act of creation took place on the first day. Some time prior to the third day of creation, a multitude of angels had been created, since they were present when ''The foundations of the earth were laid." Probably a reference to the establishment of solid land surfaces on the earth ( Job 38:3-7). It is impossible that they could have existed before the creation of the physical universe itself, since their sphere of influence and their very purpose is to minister to the heirs of salvation ( Hebrews 1: 14). They are called the "Host of Heaven." And so could not have been created before the existence of heaven. See also Psalm 104:3-5.
That some of these angels rebelled and were cast down there is no doubt, for both 2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 6 attest to the fact. Was Satan in this group? It is generally felt that he was and was the leader of the rebellion. The scriptures on which these assertions are based are Isaiah 14:12-15 and Ezekiel 23:11-19. The prophecy in Isaiah like so many in the O. T. has a double meaning; one part was directed against the King of Babylon and the other which holds our interest speaks of Lucifer, who students say was Satan. It speaks of his fall from heaven because of his ambition to be greater than God and to supplant him as King of heaven. The prophecy in Ezekiel is primarily directed against the king of Tyre, but is said to have a secondary meaning in assailing Lucifer, an archangel. It speaks of his perfect ways and his beauty until iniquity was found in him. Ezekiel says his heart was lifted up because of his beauty. Luke 10:18 speaks of, "I beheld Satan fallen as lightning from heaven." This probably predicts Christ's eventual victory over Satan, but as it is Christ speaking and we know he was present in the beginning it may well refer to the initial fall.
He is spoken of as a spirit in Ephesians 2:2, as the Prince or ruler of demons in Matthew 12:24-26, and as having angels subject to him in Matthew 24:41 and Revelation 12:7,9. These descriptions of his power implies a spiritual nature and spiritual influence. All of which leads to the conclusion that he was of angelic nature, a rational and spiritual creature, superhuman in power, wisdom and energy; and not only so, but an archangel and one of the Princes of heaven. Did God create something essentially and originally evil? Heaven forbid! So therefore the conjecture strengthens that he was a fallen angel. Every characteristic of the goodness of God: Love, Truth, and Purity has its opposite in the qualities of Satan. His power and influence over the soul is simply that of an evil and powerful nature on those who have a germ of the same evil within their souls. The method of Satanic action upon the heart itself may be summed up in two words--Temptation and Possession.
What is the most remarkable thing about Satan? The fact that he faces an eternity in Hell with his angels and followers "Depart from me into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels." Matthew 25:41) He knew his fate for Satan knows and quotes scripture, yet he goes about still trying to get every wayward saint and sinner in his fight against God. Does he think he can secure an army of followers and overcome in the end? Sounds like he might be a little bit human too, doesn't it?

• Satan's Big Lie -Mar 25, 2001
• Cause and Effect: What Cause is Effecting Your Life? -Dec 12, 1999
• Satan is for Real -Sep 22, 1996
• Names for Satan -Dec 10, 1989