THAT OLD SERPENT, CALLED THE DEVIL, AND SATAN

In this post we will look at scriptures describing Satan. It would seem that Satan was created as the angel Lucifer.

Isaiah 14:12 “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!”

The Hebrew defines Lucifer as “the morning star.” Though it is obvious to me that this section in Isaiah is referencing Satan, I think we need to lay more groundwork beginning in the book of Ezekiel. As discussed in the post on cherubim, though addressed to the king of Tyre, this “king” is a supernatural being. He is identified as having been in the Garden of Eden and as “the anointed cherub that covereth” as stated in the previous post. Ezekiel is specific in describing him as a created being.

Ezekiel 28:15 “Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.”

The Hebrew for the word found makes reference to something coming forth, appearing or being acquired. It is interesting that he is described as perfect in his ways, his walk, his actions until those actions revealed him to be evil. The prophet goes on to tell us the root of these evil actions—PRIDE.

Ezekiel 28:17 “Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness….”
The prophet Isaiah adds to our discussion on this point.

Isaiah 14:13–14 “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.”

Lucifer wasn’t content with being one of the chief, if not the chief among all the angels; he aspired to be “like the most High.” Just as he used the king of Tyre and so many others throughout history, he will utilize the Antichrist as he seeks to achieve this goal. Paul describes it like this.

2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 & 8-9 “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God…. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders….”

I believe that Satan indwells the Antichrist just as he entered Judas to bring about the death of Jesus. Only Judas and Antichrist are referred to as “the son of perdition” in scripture, and that seems to be descriptive of how Satan uniquely used them.

Luke 22:3–4 “Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.”

John 17:12 “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.” [Jesus speaking in reference to Judas as He prayed for His disciples.]

I’m struggling with how far to take this study of Satan at this point. It is not a subject I enjoy, but it is certainly important for us to understand our enemy. He will also certainly play a huge role as the prophetic scenario for end times unfolds. Satan is known by several other names in scripture, but he is most often referenced as Satan or the Devil.

Revelation 12:9 “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

I think the most important things we need to understand about Satan is that he is focused on his mission of usurping God’s authority (as explained above) and in destroying the faith and/or testimony of those who place their faith in Christ as Savior.

1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour….”

He doesn’t really have many different weapons in his arsenal; he pretty much sticks with what has proven successful. He is the father of lies and is very skillful in using them.

John 8:44 “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”

Not only is he a liar, he is also adept in using deceit to get people to believe his lies. This was his primary mode of attack on Eve.

1 Timothy 2:14 “And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.”

How did he deceive her? He got her to question the truth of God’s word.

Genesis 3:1–5 “Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”

This is still one of his primary modes of attack on both believers and unbelievers today. I am truly amazed at how many in the “church” today are willing to profess faith in God while questioning the truth of His word. How can you declare God as Lord and Savior and reject the truth He has given us in His word? This is one of the key evidences of how good Satan is at what he does. Scripture even warns us that Satan and his followers often present themselves as ministers of righteousness.

2 Corinthians 11:13–15 “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”

The believer’s main line of defense is the truth of God’s word. Once Satan or his henchmen deceive you into questioning the truth of scripture, you are suddenly left defenseless and soon defeated. Sinful lifestyles are presented as something inherent in their nature at birth or inherent as part of their freedom to make their own choices about how to live their lives. (The Apostle Paul specifically addresses this type of reasoning in Romans 1.) Ethics are determined by the wisdom of men instead of the wisdom of God, and it becomes OK to kill the unborn child and the aged. “Christian” service to mankind replaces worshipping God and investing in one’s relationship to God through the study of His word and time spent in prayer. Being seeker sensitive is more important than warning people of the consequences of sin. Wealth and prosperity is declared to be God’s will for all His children, yet the scripture states that we are to be content with what we have and trust God daily for our needs. It also states that we are to expect tribulation in this world.

Proverbs 16:25 “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

1 Timothy 6:7–8 “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”

John 16:33 “….In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Standing firm on the truth of God’s word is vital to not falling for the lies and deceit of Satan and those who follow him. The only way you can stand firm on the truth of God’s word is to spend enough time in scripture to know that truth. Once you know that truth, take to heart the words of the Apostle James.

James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

We will talk more about Satan when we get into the role of angels during end times.