What DOES The BIBLE Warn …
ABOUT
SATAN?
Satan …
The Bible has a lot to say about this creature, Satan. God wants us to have knowledge of the enemy. God wants us to know Satan is real and he is powerful. We are told he was the “anointed Cherub who covers.” The diligent student of the Bible will discover that Cherubim (plural form of cherub) are at the highest level of rank and order of those created beings called angels. Cherubim are not pudgy little babies with wings as shown in some art. They are powerful! We only know of five that were created. Four now surround the throne of God and the fifth was once the head of this rank until he became filled with violence and pride. We find in the Bible God goes out of His way to make sure we know Satan was created. We also find in the Bible that God, through the Holy Spirit, goes out of His way to make sure we know Jesus Christ was not created. As we are told in the book of John, “Jesus was the Word that became flesh, and the Word was with God and the Word was God and by Him all things were created.” God stepped out of Eternity and placed His Spirit into the form of man, as the Son of Man … as the Son of God. Satan, with his many names and titles, is the most powerful creature ever created. Jesus defeated Satan at the Cross. The only “person” powerful enough to defeat Satan had to be God Himself, who created Satan. We are told Satan rules the Earth and will rule the Earth until Christ returns to take back that which He purchased with His blood. Don’t ever let anybody convince you Satan and Jesus are some kind of equals, but opposites. The Bible clearly tells us Jesus Christ, God, created Satan.
Satan is called the “ruler of this world” and “the power of darkness.” He is a powerful force. His spirit directs leaders, nations, and people. Satan hates the Jews because they brought forth the Messiah and will be instrumental in His return. Satan hates believing Christians because they love and worship the Messiah. The Bible warns he will try to destroy both. We are told to beware of wolves among the sheep. He often uses those who call themselves Christians or Jews to destroy. This powerful angel is given many names and titles in the Bible …
– Satan (adversary, enemy) … (Job 1:6, Jn 13:27)
– Abaddon (Hebrew: Destroyer) … (Rev 9:11)
– Lucifer (shining one) … (Isa 14:12)
– Devil (slanderer) … (Matt 4:1, Luke 4:2, 4:6)
– The ruler of the demons … (Matt 12:24)
– The god of this age … (2 Cor 4:4)
– The ruler of this world … (Jn 12:31, 14:30, 16:11)
– Ruler of the darkness of this age … (Eph 6:12)
– The anointed cherub who covers … (Ezek 28:14)
– Apollyon (Greek: Destroyer) … (Rev 9:11)
– The father of all lies … (John 8:44)
– The liar … (John 8:44)
– Lying spirit … (1 King 22:22)
– The prince of the power of the air … (Eph 2:2)
– The power of darkness … (Col 1:13)
– Beelzebub (lord of the flies) … (Mark 3:22)
– The wicked one … (Matt 13:19, 13:38)
– The great red dragon … (Rev 12:3)
– The dragon … (Rev 12:4,7,13,17,13:2,4, 20:2)
– The great dragon … (Rev 12:9)
– The murderer … (John 8:44)
– The accuser … (Rev 12:10)
– The serpent … (Gen 3:4, 3:14, 2 Cor 11:3)
– That old serpent … (Rev 12:9, 20:2)
– The angel of the bottomless pit … (Rev 9:11)
– The Tempter … (Matt 4:3, 1 Thes 3:5)
God first reveals Satan and his methods in the book of Genesis …
“The Serpent was more cunning
than any beast of the field
which the LORD God had made.
And he (Satan) said to the woman (Eve),
“Has God indeed said,
‘You shall not eat
of every tree of the garden’?”
And the woman said to the Serpent,
“We may eat the fruit
of the trees of the Garden;
but of the fruit of the tree
which is in the midst
of the Garden,
God has said,
‘You shall not eat it,
nor shall you touch it,
lest you die.’”
Then the Serpent (Satan)
said to the woman,
“You will not surely die.”
“For God knows that in the day you eat of it
your eyes will be opened,
and you will be like God,
knowing good and evil.”
So when the woman saw
that the tree was good for food,
that it was pleasant to the eyes,
and a tree desirable to make one wise,
she took of its fruit and ate.
She also gave to her husband with her,
and he ate.”
(Genesis 3:1-6)
What does God reveal about this creature, Satan, and his tactics in these short verses
1. “The serpent was more cunning
than any beast of the field
which the LORD God had made.”
And he (Satan) said to the woman,
“Has God indeed said,
‘You shall not eat of
every tree of the garden?’”
Satan speaks with authority. He speaks through people and leaders. He sounds convincing. Satan knows the Bible and will cast doubt on God’s Word and will twist its meaning in order to confuse us.
2. “And the woman (Eve)
said to the Serpent (Satan),
‘We may eat the fruit
of the trees of the Garden;
but of the fruit of the tree
which is in the midst of the Garden,’
God has said, ‘You shall not eat it,
nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’”
“Then the Serpent (Satan)
said to the woman,
‘You will not surely die.’”
Satan is a liar. Speaking lies, convincing lies, with authority, is one of his identifying traits and of those people his spirit is working through. One of Satan’s great tactics is to first deny the truth (quickly countering truth with a strong denial) and then fill the air with false accusations and lies, saying anything to turn our attention and focus away from truth. In studying the Bible, we find God hates liars and that He hears each and every lie …
3. And then the Serpent said to the woman,
“You will surely not die.”
The voice of Satan will oppose and twist the Word of God. The Bible warns that being cast into Hell is the death we should fear. Hell is the death Jesus came to “save” us from. We can also read this seductive lie – “I’ve been a pretty good person, so I’ll go to Heaven,” or “All religions lead to Heaven,” or “Death is a long sleep,” or “It’s all over when we die,” or “Hell is temporary.” However, the Bible tells us clearly that each man or woman is given only one short life on Earth, and then after this life comes the separation and judgement Jesus is trying to save us from …
“And as it is appointed for men to die once,
but after this the judgment,
so Christ was offered once
to bear the sins of many.
To those who eagerly wait for Him
He will appear a second time,
apart from sin,
for salvation (to save us).”
(Hebrews 9:27-28)
Another of Satan’s seductive lies … reincarnation. Reincarnation tries to remove or defer the responsibility of the decision each of us must make in this short lifetime. Reincarnation tells us we will have plenty of time and plenty of lives to try to get it right. The Bible teaches us differently, very differently. The Bible tells us we have only one life in which the faith, heart, and spirit, in each man and woman is tested. Then, after this short life, we are each judged and separated. The Bible teaches there is no second chance. Either the Bible is right, or those who teach reincarnation, soul sleep, or a temporary purgatory are right. Only one can be right. You have to decide. In this one, short life which we are given, we must either sincerely accept and believe in Jesus’ payment for our sins on the Cross or we must reject it. Sadly, the utter darkness, loneliness, and torment of Hell will be filled with those who were convinced to reject it and with procrastinators who were convinced to ignore it.
4. “And then the Serpent (Satan) said,
‘For God knows that in the day you eat of it
your eyes will be opened,
and you will be like God,
knowing good and evil.’”
Another of Satan’s seductive lies. He entices our egos and pride. The world, through Satan, teaches us to put self first and the love of self will bring happiness and fill the loneliness and emptiness found in this life. The Bible teaches just the opposite. The Bible tells us to put others first. Jesus says that we, as Christians, are to obey two Commandments. His Commandments are simple:
First, to love God above all else in life. He deserves it. Thank Him for those things which are good, get to know Him through prayer and the Bible, ask Him to help you through those difficult times, hand your fears, anger, and heartbreak over to Him, ask Him to guide your path, show Him respect, obey Him, and have a sense of awe of Him …
Second, to love others as ourselves. We are commanded by the Lord to treat all others (even our enemies) just as we would want to be treated in each and every situation. The Bible provides examples of how to obey the Lord, such as restraining our angry outbursts, refusing to hurt others, or gossip, steal, curse, or lie. We are told we should not demand to get our own way, envy others, refuse to forgive, refuse to share, or pass by others in their time of need, and we are taught to strive to be gentle, kind, and patient. Every one of us will be held accountable. Jesus teaches us to have the heart of a servant. Most of us carry the self-image of a prince or princess, or little god or goddess, continually placing our desires and comfort above others while always scheming to get our own way. Placing our “self” above others is wrong. Jesus has given us only two commandments. To obey these commandments requires strength. This is strength. This is contrary to and conflicts with our fallen nature. This requires His strength. Jesus says He will forgive us and help us when we fail.
Satan’s fall came from pride, from being puffed up with self importance. We are told God hates pride and a proud look. Satan’s tactics of convincing us to love self have not changed, just look at the “Self-help” and “New Age” sections in the bookstore. “Me first,” “My way,” and “Sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll”… Satan’s power and influence are real.
5. “So when the woman saw
that the tree was good for food,
that it was pleasant to the eyes,
and a tree desirable to make one wise,
she took of its fruit and ate.
She also gave to her husband and he ate.”
The allures of this world. Our desires for attention and pleasure are nothing new. The desires Satan throws into our lives to distract us and to destroy us are not scary or frightening, but like fishing lures, attract us. He tries to seduce us through our senses. He says, “If it feels good do it.” And, as with Eve giving Adam the fruit, he uses people, even those we trust, to draw us into sin. Sadly, the feelings of guilt can often keep us away from the Cross and from Jesus who will lovingly forgive us and remove all guilt. God warns the attention, riches, and pleasures we seek in this life are filled with emptiness, and the excitement they seductively offer will quickly vanish like vapor. Like a small child chasing a butterfly into a dark forest, the enticing allures in life can draw us away from God and away from His narrow path of safety …
Now, through the prophet Ezekiel, God reveals even more about Satan. This is also an example of why the Bible is so fascinating. The prophet is revealing a prophecy about a real prince, a contemporary ruler living in Tyre (around Lebanon) and then, seemingly out of nowhere, the Holy Spirit suddenly shifts gears and switches to a “king” of Tyre. As you will soon discover, this is no ordinary king. This king was in the Garden of Eden. We only know of four in the Garden – God, Adam, Eve, and Lucifer (Satan). God is not describing Himself, or Adam, or Eve, so, seemingly out of nowhere, God pops in some incredibly important detail, insight, and information concerning this powerful and deadly creature, Satan. This is also one of several (mysterious) passages where the Bible reveals to us the force behind an empire, a nation, or even some leaders, is not human, but a dark spiritual force. Another such passage is found in Daniel 10:12, where we find an angel explaining to Daniel that he, the angel, was held up for 21 days while he fought the (spiritual) “prince” of Persia and required Michael, the mighty Archangel, to come and help him. Then, the angel says after leaving Daniel he will have to fight through the (spiritual) “prince” of Greece. So, even though Greece would not become a world power for many, many years after Daniel lived and wrote this prophecy, the powerful spiritual force which would direct this empire was apparently already moving into place. In this passage the Holy Spirit redirects the prophet Ezekiel, telling him to prophesy to the spiritual force behind Tyre. Ezekiel was told to write …
“Son of man, take up a lamentation
for the king of Tyre, and say to him,
‘Thus says the Lord GOD:
“You were the seal of perfection,
Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
You were in Eden, the garden of God;
Every precious stone was your covering:
The sardius, topaz, and diamond, Beryl,
onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise,
and emerald with gold.
The workmanship of
your timbrels and pipes
Was prepared for you
on the day you were created.
“You were the anointed cherub who covers;
I (God) established you;
you were on the holy mountain of God;
You walked back and forth
in the midst of fiery stones.
You were perfect in your ways
from the day you were created,
Till iniquity was found in you.
By the abundance of your trading
You became filled with violence within,
and you sinned;
Therefore I cast you as a profane thing
out of the mountain of God;
And I destroyed you, O covering cherub,
From the midst of the fiery stones.
Your heart was lifted up
because of your beauty;
You corrupted your wisdom
for the sake of your splendor;
I cast you to the ground …”
(Ezekiel 28:12-17)
In these verses God provides a momentary peek into that dimension which is hidden and shrouded in mystery and darkness. God reveals a little more of that dark creature Satan …
1. “You were the seal of perfection,
full of wisdom and perfect in beauty”
Satan is not ugly. This powerful creature was created with great intelligence and beauty.
2. “You were in Eden, the garden of God;
every precious stone was your covering:
the sardius, topaz, and diamond, Beryl,
onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise,
and emerald with gold”
Apparently, while in the Garden of Eden, Lucifer was covered in light. Lucifer means “the shining one” or the “morning star.” The beauty of precious gems is in the light and colors they emit.
3. “The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes
was prepared for you
on the day you were created.”
God wants us to know that Satan, or Lucifer, makes his own kinds of music, and is a created being.
4. “You were the anointed cherub who covers;”
The anointed cherub who covers. Powerful. The very top of God’s creation in heaven.
5. “I (God) established you;
you were on the holy mountain of God;
you walked back and forth
in the midst of fiery stones”
The “fiery stones” could refer to the stars. We don’t really know. God makes it very clear we are not alone in the universe. There are at least two other classes of creatures (created beings) described in the Bible. These two other classes of creatures we are told and warned about are called angels and demons. We are warned never to call on, or pray to angels. Nowhere does the Bible say these creatures have the same dimensional limitations Man has, or are bound to Earth like Man. Nowhere does it say these creatures could not build a monument on Mars. There are even some who suggest this coming world leader, the Antichrist, might proclaim that he has some kind of an extra-terrestrial origin or connection. As truly bizarre as it sounds, it is probably worth noting. Satan will do anything to cast doubt on or deny God’s Word. The world is ready to believe anything as long as it takes our eyes and our faith away from the blood on the Cross.
6. “You were perfect in your ways
from the day you were created,
till iniquity (sin) was found in you.”
God wants to make it very clear that Satan was created.
7. “By the abundance of your trading (wealth)
you became filled with violence within,
and you sinned;
therefore I cast you as a profane thing
out of the mountain of God;
and I destroyed you, O covering cherub,
from the midst of the fiery stones.”
God hates violence and God hates pride. We are told Satan is filled with violence and pride. God will not allow violence or selfish, “puffed-up” pride in His Kingdom.
Pride …
- “Nobody is going to tell me what to do!!”
- “I don’t care what God says!!”
- “I’m angry because I’m not being treated the way I deserve to be treated!!”
God Himself will cast Satan out of Heaven. Sadly, we get hints that God loved or loves Lucifer, as He does all of His creation. God is filled with an infinite amount of love and compassion. In God’s time, which can see the end from the beginning, and in God’s eyes, Satan, including death, is already destroyed.
Satan will continue to inflict pain, violence, sickness, heartbreak, loneliness, and death in our lives on Earth until Christ returns. I tremble at the thought of anyone spending their eternity, confined and alone in the vast darkness of Hell with this creature.
8. “Your heart was lifted up
because of your beauty;
you corrupted your wisdom
for the sake of your splendor;”
We need to beware of idolizing beauty and splendor. How important have we allowed these to become? What does the world worship today? We should take note. It is interesting to watch the world’s frenzy and worship of beauty and splendor as we get closer to “that Day.” Watch, as “the world” of Hollywood, fashion, music, print, and television continues to cleave together, forming, creating, and worshiping the image, the creature, while lifting up their “gods” and “goddesses.” It is sad to see how quickly the darkness of “the world” lures, ensnares, corrupts, and destroys those it attracts and raises up. Beware. We are warned this powerful angel Satan, called the “ruler of this world,” will continue to rule over the world until Christ returns.
God looks into our hearts. Real beauty in God’s eyes is the humble spirit that bears the fruit of patience, gentleness, forgiveness, kindness, thanksgiving, gratitude, and self-control, with a fear, awe, respect, and love for God. One who appreciates the Lord’s kindness, His love, His compassion, His patience, His forgiveness, and the deep mercies of His Grace.
9. “I cast you to the ground …”
We are told that Satan, the great Red Dragon, will be cast out of heaven and down to Earth. He will draw a third of the angels with him.
“I cast you out, for I never knew you”… (Matthew 7:21)
Many will hear those chilling words as they stand before the Lord Jesus. Jesus now stands at the door and knocks. Most will refuse to open that door to invite Him into their lives to help, to strengthen, to comfort, and to heal. He lovingly wraps His arms around the lonely and the brokenhearted. Jesus will never cast away or turn away any man or woman that willingly comes to Him, regardless of how young or how old, or how good or how bad. Any and all who come to Him with a sincere and humbled heart are welcomed with open arms. Each of us will be tested. Only Jesus Christ can, and will, offer you a new life, even now.
Through the prophet Isaiah, God reveals more about Satan …
“How you are fallen from Heaven,
O Lucifer, son of the morning!
How you are cut down to the ground,
you who weakened the nations!
For you have said in your heart:
‘I will ascend into Heaven,
I will exalt my throne
above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount
of the congregation on the
farthest sides of the north;
I will ascend above
the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High (God).’
Yet you (Satan) shall be
brought down to Sheol (Hell),
to the lowest depths of the Pit.”
(Isaiah 14:12-15)
The five “I wills” of Satan. I, me, mine, myself!!! The spirit of Satan. We are all born with it and only the Spirit of God, through love and discipline, can remove it from us.
However, we are warned of a coming war in Heaven when this great Red Dragon, filled with unspeakable violence and evil, will be cast down to Earth …
“Then war broke out in Heaven.
Michael and his angels fought against the Dragon (Satan),
and the Dragon and his angels fought back.
But he (Satan) was not strong enough,
and they lost their place in Heaven.”
(Revelation 12:7-10)
“And another sign appeared in Heaven:
behold, a great, fiery red dragon (Satan)
having seven heads and ten horns,
and seven diadems on his heads.
His tail drew a third
of the stars (angels) of Heaven
and threw them to the Earth.”
(Revelation 12:3-4)
“So the great dragon was cast out,
that Serpent of old,
called the Devil and Satan,
who deceives the whole world;
he was cast to the Earth,
and his angels were cast out with him.”
(Revelation 12:9)
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood,
but against principalities,
against powers,
against the rulers
of the darkness of this age,
against spiritual hosts of wickedness
in the heavenly places.”
(these are ranks of angels and demons)
(Ephesians 6:12)
Satan and his angels, the fallen ones, apparently one-third of all angels created, will be cast down to Earth. Before this they roamed both heaven and Earth. Satan and most of his angels are not currently confined in Hell. When Satan is cast down to Earth he will no longer have access to God or Heaven. We are told the Earth is already a spiritual battlefield. The final battle will be fought on Earth. Many think it will start very soon. We can already feel the heat and stench of Satan’s foul breath as we look at the violence, lies, war, and disease spreading across the Earth.
“Choose this day whom you will serve … ”
Jesus warns,
“He who is not with Me is against Me.”
(You are either for Him or against Him)
(Matthew 12:30)
“And if it seems evil to you
to serve the LORD,
choose for yourselves this day
whom you will serve.”
(Joshua 24:15)
Each person on Earth must choose whom they will serve. The Bible says the choice is clear.
Jesus says we are either for Him or against Him. We are either His friend or His enemy. There is no in between.
There is no neutral ground. To simply ignore the choice is a choice. We are warned the final battle will be fought soon. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood.” It is a spiritual battle. Those who serve Christ are behind “enemy lines” until He returns. Persevere. Pray for God’s help in understanding the Bible. This will help to guard against the many subtle attacks against our faith. Be cautious. “Read between the lines” and take a little time to consider those things which are now being offered to entertain us. Satan will use any tool and weapon he can to imitate, ridicule, or confuse the Word of God to weaken our belief. What Satan offers as substitutes to take our eyes and faith off of the Cross can be very pleasant to the eyes and ears. Hold fast in faith and in courage. Beware. Jesus says the world that hated Him will also hate those who follow Him. It will not be easy. He will return, as promised, in power and glory.
Rewards are promised for all those who wait in faith.