Satan

Article 7: Satan

7-1 Satan is a created angelic being who fell from his first estate.1 He is the god of this age, ruling by the permissive will of God.2 He exercises authority over the unsaved, tempts the believer to sin, and continually accuses the brethren before the throne of God.3 7-2 He has been defeated by the finished work of Christ on Calvary. During the millennium he will be confined to the abyss,4 to be released at the end of that period to lead the armies of evil against God. He will be finally judged and doomed to the lake of fire.5

1 How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, “I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit. Those who see you stare at you, they ponder your fate: “Is this the man who shook the earth and made kingdoms tremble, the man who made the world a desert, who overthrew its cities and would not let his captives go home?” (Isa.14:12-17). And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home–these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day (Jude 1:6). 2 In which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient (Eph.2:2). 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 (2Cor.4:4). 3 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless (1Thes.3:5). For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down (Rev.12:10b). 4 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time (Rev.20:2,3). 5 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).

His Identity

God created him

Scripture makes clear that God created all things for Himself. (see Rom. 11:36; 1 Cor 8:6; Col. 3:16-17) All things includes the Devil.

God created him good

God is the source of all goodness, beauty and truth, and God only creates what is consistent ith His nature. (1 Tim. 4:4)

Satan was created as an angel to serve and honor God. (see Job 1:6-7; Ezek 28:12-18; Matt 25:41; Rev. 12:7)

Some angels rebelled against God

God did not spare angels that sinned (2 Pet 2:4)

God condemned angels that rebelled against Him. (Jude 6)

God has permitted him to have limited authority

He is captain of demonic forces (see Matt 12:24, 13:19)

He has influence in the world (John 12:31; 2 Cor 4:4; Eph. 2:2)

He attacks God’s people (Job 1:6; 2 Chron. 21:1; Zech 3:1)

Satan’s evil came from himself

No one tempted or lured Satan to sin.

Jesus describes him as evil from the outset of history. (John 8:44)

His Names

Satan means adversary

See 1 Peter 5:8-9.

a legal term, accusing party in litigation, hostile witness

He accuses Christians before God (see Job 1:8-11, 2:1-5; Rev. 12:10-11)

Serpent

See Gen. 3:1-5.

crafty: marked by skill in deception

Angel of Light

see 2 Cor. 11:14-15.

disguise: change in outward appearance but not in substance

One of Stan’s tactics is to approach us in the guise of something good and not something wicked.

His Power

It’s Limited

Jesus’ appearing destroyed the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8)

Followers of Christ can rest well knowing that Jesus has already defeated Satan. (Col. 2:13-15)

Satan is fighting a loosing battle. (Eph 6:10-20)

Satan’s power is not only limited in scope but also in duration. (Rom. 16:20)