Red Devil with Horns?

Introduction:

When I say the word “Satan” what is the first image that comes into your mind?

Many people think of the cartoon looking creature that is red with horns, a pitchfork, a pointed tail, and is the ruler of Hell.

This morning, we are going to take a look at where that picture of Satan came from and what the Bible really says about who Satan is and what he looks like. Now, we could spend a lot of time on the subject of Satan, describing his methods of operating, his titles, and so on, but today, we want to primarily just focus on His description. To do this, let’s turn in our Bibles to .

Read text. Pray.

The imagery of Satan as many people view him, comes from a combination of the Bible and biblical imagery, Disney, and Greek mythology. Greek mythology has more to do with it than anything.

Horns:

symbol of power in the Bible

Revelation 13:11 ESV

Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon.

Cloven Hooves:

Greek mythology

Pan

Ceasarea Philippi

Pitchfork:

Greek mythology

Hades - god of the underworld

Mistaken view that Satan is lord of Hell

23 Minutes in Hell - demons present in hell/tormenting the people there

No one inhabits “hell” right now

Revelation 20:10 ESV

and 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 20:14–15 ESV

Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Pointed Tail:

Dragon

Revelation 12:3–4 ESV

And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it.

Red tights:

Anyone who has to wear tights must be in hell already!

Disney

Red Dragon imagery

What does the Bible really say about what Satan looks like? To do this we will turn to Ezekiel. It is important to understand first that the Bible often uses figurative language to describe angelic creatures and also their function. Just think of the descriptions of the kingdoms given to Daniel.

Background of the Prophetic Passage

Direct vs. Indirect Prophecy

Language that tells us this is more than just a human (cherub)

1.Created Beautiful (v.11-13, 17)

2. Anointed Cherub (vv.14)

3. Created Perfect and Holy (v.14-15)

4. Roaring Lion ()

1 Peter 5:8 ESV

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

5. Angel of Light ()

2 Corinthians 11:14 ESV

And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

6. Serpent/Deceiver (, )

Revelation 12:9 ESV

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.

7. Accuser ()

Zechariah 3:1 ESV

Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.

Conclusion:

Christ our Advocate

1 John 3:1 ESV

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.