Appendix 3 - Introducing Satan
This is not an easy subject, as we must go to several places in the Bible to compile information as to who and what is this entity Scripture calls Satan or the devil. Many people do not believe that he exists, but Jesus referred to him by name and that evidence alone should be enough evidence to convince someone of his existence. It appears that he was able to manipulate and influence this serpent, more on that shortly.
We do not know exactly when God created the angels, but we do know that throughout Scripture they are used by God to do several tasks, especially around God’s throne. One of the greatest angels created was called Lucifer (Latin for the Hebrew word ‘hê·lēl’, essentially meaning ‘shining one’), a Cherub (please do not picture in your mind a cute little angel with a bow and arrow; these Cherubs were mighty in every sense of the word). He led an angelic rebellion against God as well as against all who serve God. A total of one-third of all angels chose to follow Lucifer (see Revelation 12:4-9), who is best known in the Bible as Satan (Hebrew word meaning adversary or accuser). Most scholars believe that Lucifer did not sin, nor cause the rebellion until after God called everything good (see Genesis 1:31). So how did something that started out perfect, spawn an entity that was totally against the ways of God?
The vast percentage of what we know about Satan comes from two prophets that God called to speak to two different kings, the King of Babylon (see Isaiah 14:12-15) and to the King of Tyre (see Ezekiel 28:13-15). It would be accurate to say that the prophets were speaking to the “power behind” these kings, and that would be none other than Satan. We read that Lucifer’s “heart was proud” because of his beauty and he corrupted his understanding and wisdom for the sake of his own splendor and brightness (see Ezekiel 28:17). Though a created being himself, he was deluded by his own pride and said in his heart, “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’” (Isaiah 14:14). He thought that he was a god or could become like God. He began a campaign against God organizing various ranks and positions of authority of dark angels (called principalities and powers in Ephesians 6:12) to fight God, His angels, and anyone who serves God.
Satan is referred to by many names and titles in the Bible, including: the devil (Greek word ‘diabolos’ meaning an accuser or slanderer); “a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44); the wicked or evil one (see Matthew 13:19, 38); a tempter (see Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13; 1 Corinthians 7:5; 1 Thessalonians 3:5); the “ruler of this world” (John 12:31); “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4), “the deceiver of the whole world” (Revelation 12:9) and several others.
The apostle Peter wrote that “the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). However, he will ultimately be destroyed (see Isaiah 14:15; Matthew 25:41). We read in the last book of the Bible, “the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10) The Lake of Fire is another name for hell.
The Bible also teaches about how some ‘spirits’ have the ability to indwell human beings or animals, often referred to as being possessed, (see Luke 8:33 as one example). We will discuss demons in more detail as part of the flood narrative later in Genesis chapters six and seven. Here in the garden, we find a serpent talking and tempting the woman; was this the serpent talking or Satan? The Bible clearly teaches that the serpent was Satan, so it really doesn’t matter if he was indwelling in the serpent or somehow appeared as a serpent, it was still Satan.
While the Bible shows Satan as a formidable enemy of ours, we need to remember that he is a created being and, in as such, is no match for God. Christians often make one of two common errors regarding Satan. The first is thinking that Satan cannot affect a Christian and that he will obey Christian demands in the name of Jesus. While that is most-often true, it would be recommend that if you consider engaging any dark force, do so only after confirmation from the Holy Spirit. This is a serious issue; the devil and his minions (not the yellow variety) are much more powerful than we are and should be avoided, if possible (see Acts 19:11-17). Satan is very smart, plus he has had a long-time observing humanity and he knows exactly what buttons to push in our lives to tempt us. In those cases remember to “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:7-8). The second error people make is thinking Satan and God are equals. Satan is not equal to God!