Satan & Demons

Who is Satan?

A created, fallen angelic or supernatural being

Created

Gen 3:1

Genesis 3:1 ESV

1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”

Referred to as a serpent

Compared to the other beasts of the field the Lord had made

Seems to be referenced as being part of creation

Fallen

Gen. 3:14; Luke 10:17-20; 2 Pet. 2:4

Genesis 3:14 ESV

14 The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life.

But what Jesus said He witnessed after the 72 disciples returned from a ministry excursion rejoicing because of what they were able to do. Jesus clarified what was going on as they proclaimed the Kingdom of God.

Luke 10:17–20 ESV

17 The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” 18 And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

And Satan is associated with and referenced to as an angel.

Satan is not named in this text, but the casting down or falling that we have seen said about Satan is in

2 Peter 2:4 ESV

4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment;

So, perhaps we can think of Satan and his angels as having fell, falling as the gospel is proclaimed and will finally fall.

Angelic or supernatural

Job 1:6-12;Gen 6:1-4;Job 38:7;Matt 25:41; Rev 12:7-9

Job 1:6–12 ESV

6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” 8 And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” 9 Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? 10 Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” 12 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

remember the phrase sons of God in the OT almost always refer to angels or angelic beings

Genesis 6:1–4 ESV

1 When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. 3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.” 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown.

Job 38:7 ESV

7 when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

So this scene in Job. 1 is before God where the angels were presenting themselves before Him.

All I want us to see here is that Satan as he is called in verse 7 is part of the group of the sons of God, that is the angels that appeared before God.

I am inclined to go as far as to say that Satan is a fallen angel because of the close association with other angels in Job. 1. But also what Jesus says in

Matthew 25:41 ESV

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

The devil has angels. It appears he is the ruler of these angels.

Revelation 12:7–9 ESV

7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, 8 but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

What were the circumstances of Satan’s Fall?

Isa 14; Ezek 28

If there are any chapters in the bible that outline the fall of Satan, Isa 14 & Ezek 28 would be where we go. Now, I don’t have time to walk through each of these chapters verse-by-verse, but what I will take time to do is give a summary of the arguments typically put forth contending that both these chapters are supposed to be understood as describing the fall of Satan.

many before me have gobe to great lengths to make this case, so I will stand on their shoulders today to summarize the argument. The Church Fathers understood these chapters this way, so i will quote them quite a bit.

What we should know is that both these chapters describe the fall of a king. Isa. 14 describes the fall of the king of Babylon and Ezek. 28 the fall of the king of Tyre. So, many have argued and argue that these fallen kings and their story are meant to describe the fall of Satan.

What the church fathers taught

1. These descriptions cannot be applied to mortal men

Ezek. 28:13,14; Isa 14:12

The Fathers argued that the descriptions in these chapters could not possibly apply to mortal men. For instance:

Ezekiel 28:13 ESV

13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, emerald, and carbuncle; and crafted in gold were your settings and your engravings. On the day that you were created they were prepared.

Ezekiel 28:13 says the subject was "in Eden, the garden of God." No historical King of Tyre existed during the time of Eden.

Ezekiel 28:14 ESV

14 You were an anointed guardian cherub. I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God; in the midst of the stones of fire you walked.

Ezekiel 28:14 calls him an "anointed guardian cherub." The Fathers noted that "cherub" refers to a specific rank of angelic being, not a human title.

Isaiah 14:12 ESV

12 “How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low!

Isaiah 14:12 describes a fall "from heaven." While a king can fall from power, the Fathers argued that the specific celestial imagery (falling like a star) implied a spiritual reality.

Tertullian (c. 155–220 AD)

In his work Against Marcion, Tertullian argues that Ezekiel’s description of the King of Tyre is a direct reference to the Devil’s original state and subsequent fall.

"Moreover, in the person of the prince of Tyre it is said in reference to the devil: 'Thou hast been in the pleasures of the paradise of God; every precious stone was thy covering... Thou wast a cherub... and thou wast in the holy mountain of God.' ... This description, it is manifest, cannot be suited to the man (the King of Tyre)... but it is to the devil that it must be referred." — Against Marcion, Book II, Chapter 10

Origen of Alexandria (c. 184–253 AD)

Origen was perhaps the first to systematically link Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28. In On First Principles, he uses these texts to explain the cosmic fall of spiritual beings.

"Most evidently by these words is he shown to have fallen from heaven, who formerly was Lucifer, and who used to arise in the morning... Nay, even the Saviour Himself teaches us, saying of the devil, 'Behold, I see Satan fallen from heaven like lightning' (Luke 10:18)." — On First Principles, Book I, Chapter 5

St. Jerome (c. 347–420 AD)

Jerome’s translation of the Bible into Latin (the Vulgate) solidified this interpretation for over a thousand years. He translated the Hebrew Helel ("Shining One") as Lucifer ("Light-bearer").

"The king of Babylon is not just a man, but the angel who fell from heaven. For what man can say, 'I will scale the heavens; above the stars of God I will set up my throne'? This is the pride of the dragon who drew a third of the stars with him." — Commentary on Isaiah

2. The earthly kings are meant to be seen as types or shadows

The Fathers viewed the earthly kings as types or "masks" for the spiritual power that motivated them. They believed that when the prophets rebuked the pride of Babylon or Tyre, the Holy Spirit "peeled back the curtain" to reveal the original architect of pride: Satan.

3. The fall of these kings helped to explain the origin of evil.

A major theological challenge for the early Church was explaining how evil entered a world created by a good God. They used these passages to prove that Satan was not created evil, but was created "perfect" and "blameless" (Ezekiel 28:15) and fell through the exercise of free will and pride.

Some considerations

Isa 14:

Context is judgement against the king of Babylon because of worshipping false gods. His rule will cease because he permitted this (see Isa. 13).

Some link Isa. 14 to 2 Sam. 1 where David laments the death of King Saul. The link is based on similar literary structure that is not obvious in English translations.

Isa. 14 is a lament of the fall of the king of Babylon, but it may be a parody of the lament that David expresses in 2 Sam. 1. In other words, Isa. 14 mocks the death of the king who dies and descends into the underworld where his body is eaten by worms.

There was a Canaanite myth which a king claimed to be a god and took on the title of shining one or son of the dawn. Here’s an overview of the myth:

After Baal, the storm god and king of the gods, descends into the underworld to battle Mot (the god of death), his throne on Mount Zaphon is left vacant. A replacement king is needed to prevent chaos in the cosmos.

The chief god El and his consort Athirat (Asherah) decide to appoint Athtar as the new king. Athtar, often identified with the planet Venus (the morning and evening star), is known as "Athtar the Terrible"

Athtar ascends the divine mountain, Mount Zaphon, and attempts to seat himself on Baal's throne.

The attempt fails because Athtar physically does not measure up to Baal's stature. The text describes the scene:

His feet did not reach the footstool

His head did not reach the top of its back

This is what we see in

It may be that Isaiah was mocking the king of Babylon by calling him the same name as what this pseudo god was called in the Canaanite myth. There’s a comparison going on here. The king of Babylon’s claim, for example

Isaiah 14:13–14 ESV

13 You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’

That claim is as absurd as the one claiming to be a god in the myth. And the myth depicts the god falling just like Isa. 14 describes the fall of the king of Babylon:

Isaiah 14:15–20 ESV

15 But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit. 16 Those who see you will stare at you and ponder over you: ‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms, 17 who made the world like a desert and overthrew its cities, who did not let his prisoners go home?’ 18 All the kings of the nations lie in glory, each in his own tomb; 19 but you are cast out, away from your grave, like a loathed branch, clothed with the slain, those pierced by the sword, who go down to the stones of the pit, like a dead body trampled underfoot. 20 You will not be joined with them in burial, because you have destroyed your land, you have slain your people. “May the offspring of evildoers nevermore be named!

Eze 28

Much of the book is apocalyptical literature which means that Ezekiel is communicating by way of visions and symbols

So, it seems that this would apply to Eze. 28.

The King of Tyre is referred to a signet of perfection (14)

He walked in the midst of the stones of fire (14)

Two possible interpretations

The King of Tyre is a type whose downfall describes the fall of Satan

Eze is referring to Satan as a guardian cherub, who was in the Garden of Eden to protect the garden. But this authority and responsibility was taken away from him once lawlessness was found in him.

In Ezek. 1-3, cherubs are said to be guarding the throne of God.

The king of Tyre is meant to be understood as an adamic figure.

A reference to Adam, which would make this a colorful metaphor. The King of Tyre would be an adamic figure who was a primal priest-king here. Adam was given the responsibility to rule the Garden of Eden.

The reference to the gem stones that mentioned in verse 13 are the same stones that are on the breast of the High Priest in Ex. 28:17-21. There are 12 stones mentioned in Ex, while only 9 are mentioned in Eze.

What do we know about when Satan fell?

Murky at best. Even if we believe both Isa. 14 and Ezek. 28 both describe the fall of Satan, we still don’t know exactly when he and his angels fell.

When it comes to understanding these two chapters in Isa. & Eze., we need to remember that they are referencing historical figures, and that should guide our interpretation of those texts. It may very well be that there is something beyond those men that we are meant to see, but at least start with the fallen kings.

What were the circumstances of the fall of Satan?

What we do know

Satan is a created angelic being.

Satan and his demons rebelled against God. (1 Tim. 3:6; 2 Pet 2:4)

1 Timothy 3:6 ESV

6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.

2 Peter 2:4 ESV

4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment;

What is the activity of Satan and his angels?

Deceive

John 8:44; 2 Cor. 4:4;1 Tim 4:1;2 Cor 11:14-15

John 8:44 ESV

44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Satan is famously called the "father of lies" (John 8:44). His primary strategy is to distort truth so that people cannot see the reality of God.

Blinding Unbelievers: He works to keep people from understanding the Gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4).

False Doctrine: Demons are associated with spreading "doctrines of demons" and misleading people through spiritual error (1 Timothy 4:1).

1 Timothy 4:1 ESV

1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,

Disguise: He does not always appear "evil"; he often "masquerades as an angel of light" to make deception more appealing (2 Corinthians 11:14-15).

2 Corinthians 11:14–15 ESV

14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

Tempt

Matt 4:3;1 Chron 21:1; 2 Tim. 2:26; 2 Cor 2:11

The Bible calls him "The Tempter" (Matthew 4:3).

Matthew 4:3 ESV

3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”

Inciting Sin: He looks for moments of weakness or pride to incite people to act against God’s will, as seen with Adam and Eve (Genesis 3) or King David (1 Chronicles 21:1).

1 Chronicles 21:1 ESV

1 Then Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel.

David was relying on his own strength and of his military and not the Lord.

Setting Snares: He uses "schemes" and "snares" to trap people in destructive habits or unforgiveness (2 Timothy 2:26; 2 Corinthians 2:11).

Afflict & Oppress

Luke 13:11; Mar 5:1-5

4. Affliction and Oppression

Demons are often depicted in the Gospels as causing various forms of physical and mental suffering.

Sickness and Infirmity: While not all sickness is attributed to demons, scripture mentions specific cases where they caused muteness, blindness, or physical ailments (Matthew 9:32-33; Luke 13:11).

Matthew 9:32–33 ESV

32 As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. 33 And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.”

Luke 13:11 ESV

11 And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself.

Possession/Torment: The New Testament records many instances where demons (unclean spirits) entered individuals, causing self-harm or violent behavior, as with the Gerasene demoniac (Mark 5:1-5).

Can believers be possessed by a demon? No.

Literally translated: It means "to be demonized" or "to have a demon." (Matt 8:28)

Matthew 8:28 ESV

28 And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed [daimonizomai] men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way.

The Nuance: The English word "possession" implies ownership. Theologically, a believer cannot be owned by Satan because they have been "bought with a price" (1 Corinthians 6:20) and are the property of God.

Christ abides in His people (Rom. 8:1)

The HS abides in believers (Rom. 8:9-10; 1 Cor. 3:16)

1 Corinthians 3:16 ESV

16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?

Believers are victorious in Christ (1 John 4:4)

Stealing and Destroying: Jesus summarized the enemy’s mission as a thief who comes only to "steal and kill and destroy" (John 10:10).

How do we combat Satan and demons?

A sobering truth is expressed in first epistle of John regarding Satan’s present activity

1 John 5:19 ESV

19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

Know the truth

Gen. 3:15-16

Col. 2:15

Heb 2:14

Genesis 3:15–16 ESV

15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” 16 To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.”

Colossians 2:15 ESV

15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

Hebrews 2:14 ESV

14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,

Believers possess victory of Satan and his demons because Christ has defeated him.

Submit & Resist

James 4:7

James 4:7 ESV

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

The most famous "instruction manual" for spiritual warfare is found in James 4:7. It provides a two-step process that must happen in order:

Step 1: Submit to God. You cannot effectively resist the devil if you are in rebellion against God. Submission to God's authority is what gives a believer "legal" standing to resist the enemy.

Step 2: Resist the devil. Once submitted, you actively oppose his lies and temptations. The promise is clear: "and he will flee from you."

This should not lead us to conclude that this is simple or without warfare.

Ready yourself for battle

Eph 6:10-18

Ephesians 6:10–18 ESV

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

n Ephesians 6:10-18, the Apostle Paul uses the imagery of a Roman soldier's gear to explain how a Christian protects their soul and mind.

Belt of TruthIntegrity and Objective TruthFighting the devil's lies with God's reality.

Breastplate of RighteousnessPurity and Christ's RighteousnessProtecting your heart from guilt and condemnation.

Gospel ShoesReadiness and PeaceStaying grounded and ready to share the Good News.

Shield of FaithTrust in God's PromisesExtinguishing the "flaming arrows" of doubt and fear.

Helmet of SalvationAssurance of Your IdentityProtecting your mind from thoughts of hopelessness.

Sword of the SpiritThe Word of God (Scripture)The only offensive weapon; using specific verses to counter attacks.

Ananias and Saphira

The Acts of the Apostles 1. Judgment in the Church (5:1–11)

Despite the reference to Satan’s inspiration in v. 3, the culpability of Ananias is stressed again at the end of v. 4 (‘What made you think of doing such a thing?’). His deceit was an act of rebellion against God (‘You have not lied just to human beings but to God’).

1. The "Saved but Disciplined" View

Many Reformed commentators, including John Calvin himself and Matthew Henry, tend to view Ananias and Sapphira as genuine, though severely erring, believers.

John Calvin’s View: Calvin wrote that Ananias was "ashamed not to be accounted one of the best" and that his sin was a mixture of ambition and hypocrisy. However, Calvin generally treats the event as a "visible sign" of God’s judgment intended to terrify and purify the Church. He frames their death as a "temporal punishment" rather than a definitive statement on their eternal soul.

The "Sin Leading to Death" Argument: Some Reformed thinkers link this to 1 John 5:16, which mentions a "sin that leads to death." They argue that God may take the physical life of a believer to protect the purity of the Church or to stop the believer from further shaming the Gospel, while their soul remains saved.

Context: They argue that Luke includes them in the group of "those who believed" in Acts 4, and that an unbeliever would have no motive to give such a large sum of money to the Church in the first place.