The Existence of Satan
Text: Revelation 12:7-12
Just as the Bible presumes the existence of God (Gen. 1:1), it also presumes the existence of God’s archenemy—Satan (Gen. 3:1). The devil, however, is not just the enemy of God, he is the enemy of all of mankind. The Revelation of John describes him as, “the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night…” (Rev. 12:10).
Satan’s Origin
All angels were created by God through His Son (Col. 1:16-17). There is no creature that was not created by Him (Jn. 1:3). God cannot be directly involved in the creation of evil, for He is holy. So it is obvious from reason and from the Bible that all angels were created in a holy state, each a direct creation of God.
Satan seems to have fallen from his originally holy state when he rebelled against God, incurring his own condemnation (1 Tim. 3:6) and enticing other angels to defect with him (Mt. 25:41; Rev. 12:4). Now Satan and his angels are permanently wicked and opposed to God, His plan and His people.
Two major passages are usually connected with Satan’s original state and fall: (1) Ezekiel 28:12-19; and (2) Isaiah 14:12-17. The original context of these two prophecies clearly addresses earthly kings. However, it is suggested that the illustrations used are drawn from Jewish beliefs regarding the origin and fall of Satan.
Caution must be exercised in being too dogmatic in our interpretations and applications of these texts.
Satan’s Names
1. Satan— “adversary” “opposer.” (Job 1:6; Mt. 4:10).
2. Devil— “slanderer” (Mt. 4:1; 1 Pet. 5:8).
3. Dragon. (Rev. 12:7-9).
4. Serpent. (Gen. 3:1; Rev. 20:2).
5. Beelzebub— “lord of the flies” (Mt. 10:25; Lk. 11:18).
6. Belial— “worthless one” (2 Cor. 6:15).
7. The evil one. (Mt. 6:13).
8. The tempter. (1 Thess. 3:5).
9. Liar, deceiver. (Jn. 8:44).
10. Abbadon— “destroyer” (Rev. 9:11).
11. The god of this world. (2 Cor. 4:4).
12. The prince of the power of the air. (Eph. 2:2).
13. The ruler of this world. (Jn. 12:31; 14:30).
14. Angel of light. (2 Cor. 11:14).
Satan’s Plan
While Satan’s origin is clouded in mystery, his purpose seems simple and obvious. Following his rebellion against God, a special place was prepared for the devil and the angels who followed him, “Then he will say to those of his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Mt. 25:41). Satan’s sole purpose now seems to be the defilement of everything good, including the highest of God’s creation—man.
Scripture clearly portrays Satan as “scheming” to take us down with him, Paul reminded the Corinthians, “in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes” (2 Cor. 2:11). In the words of that old hymn, “For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe,” (A Mighty Fortress).
Schemes and Strategies
Satan has specific schemes and strategies for leading people astray and into his dominion. For the unbeliever, a primary tool is “blindness.” Paul writes in 2 Cor. 4:4, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
Jesus Himself warned us in the parable of the sower, “When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path” (Mt. 13:19).
For believers, Satan’s primary strategy seems to be the lures and promises of this world’s pleasures. Satan filled the heart of Ananias and Sapphira so that they lied about a piece of property they had sold (Acts 5:1-6). Similarly, Demas abandoned Paul and left the faith “because he loved this world” (2 Tim. 4:10).
Satan’s Future
Satan is hard at work because he knows his time is short and his end assured, “And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Rev. 20:10).
Fortunately, we have this wonderful promise, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 Jn. 4:4).
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