Back to Basics, What We Believe About Satan

We Believe in the Reality of Angels

Angelology, Why it Matters:

Misinformation

Their Existence

Their Nature

Plump babies playing harps

Winged creature with a halo - though the Bible does occasionally describe angels as having wings there are more descriptions without than with.

Their Power

They are not all powerful or all knowing

Their power is from the Lord

Their Purpose

God uses angels for a variety of purposes

Guard and protect

Execute His will

Messengers

Guardian Angels

Commanding Angels

Becoming Angels (after death)

Authority of Scripture

The Bible says there are angels

Thus, either treating those relevant passages as nonliteral or errant means you are rejecting the authority of Scripture.

Practical Christian Living

It is a significant mistake to live your life ignoring the reality of angelic beings.

These angels are observing you:

1 Corinthians 4:9 “For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.”

Ephesians 3:10 “to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,”

They rejoice over you: Luke 15:10 “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.””

They investigate you: 1 Peter 1:12 “To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.”

They minister to you: Hebrews 1:14 “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?”

They fight for you:

Daniel 10:13 “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.”

Jude 9 “Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!””

Revelation 12:7-9 “And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

They may be among us though we are unaware: Hebrews 13:2 “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.” (past tense referring to Abraham.)

Fallen Angels

Tempt you

Thwart you (when doing the will of God)

Rob you (of the blessings of doing God’s will)

Trick you (into doing the will of Satan)

Blind you - 2 Cor. 4:4 “whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.”

Thus, whether positive or negatively angels are a part of the believer’s life though we are not usually aware of their presence.

We believe in the reality and personality of Satan.

Reality

He is referred to by different names well over 100 times in Scripture

The Bible presents him as a literal being thus for us to say otherwise would again be an attack on the authority of Scripture.

Personality

Some have rejected the biblical concept of a literal Satan in favor of an allegorical Satan who is a representation or personification of evil. Liberal theologians work very hard to interpret the Bible in such a way as to remove the miraculous and spiritual.

Satan is a personal being, with a mind, emotions, and a will (Job 1; Matthew 4:1–12).

We Believe Satan was created by God.

Ezekiel 28:15 “You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity was found in you.”

Misinformation

He is a created being and is not equal to God

Satan does not rule hell. Hell was created as a punishment for Satan and his demons (Matthew 25:41). Neither does Satan live in hell, as the Bible describes how he can enter heaven and roam the earth (Job 1:6–7).

The devil can only do what God allows

Satan is not omnipresent.

Mistakes

Not taking Satan seriously enough.

Spiritual warfare is real.

Satan and demons are real, but many of us live as if they are not.

Overemphasizing Satan and spiritual warfare in general.

Some Christian fiction has sensationalized spiritual warfare causing some to see demonic activity behind every tragedy or difficult circumstance.

Remember that Satan and his followers are only capable of doing what God allows them to do.

We Believe Satan sinned and became the unholy ruler of this age.

Satan’s fall from heaven is symbolically described in Isaiah 14:12–14 and Ezekiel 28:12–18. While these two passages are referring specifically to the kings of Babylon and Tyre, we believe they also reference the spiritual power behind those kings, namely, Satan. These passages describe why Satan fell, but they do not say when the fall occurred.

Jesus, the eternal Son of God, witnessed Satan’s fall, and He mentions it in Luke 10:18: “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”

We know that the angels were created before the earth (Job 38:4–7). Satan fell before he tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden (Genesis 3:1–14). Satan’s fall, therefore, must have occurred somewhere after the time the angels were created and before he tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Whether Satan’s fall occurred hours, days, or years before he tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden, Scripture does not say.

Why did Satan fall from heaven? Satan fell because of pride. He desired to be God, not to be a servant of God. Notice the many “I will...” statements in Isaiah 14:12-15. Ezekiel 28:12-15 describes Satan as an exceedingly beautiful angel. Satan was likely the highest of all angels, the anointed cherub, the most beautiful of all of God’s creations, but he was not content in his position. Instead, Satan desired to be God, to essentially “kick God off His throne” and take over the rule of the universe. Satan wanted to be God, and interestingly enough, that is essentially what Satan tempted Adam and Eve with in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-5). How did Satan fall from heaven? Actually, a fall is not an accurate description. It would be far more accurate to say God cast Satan out of heaven (Isaiah 14:15; Ezekiel 28:16-17). Satan did not fall from heaven; rather, Satan was pushed.

At the moment, Satan is not in hell. Rather, Satan roams the earth, seeking people to tempt into sin and thus separate from God. First Peter 5:8 states, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” In John 14:30, Jesus called Satan the “prince of this world,” and the apostle Paul referred to him as the “ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient” (Ephesians 2:2).

Conclusion

Don’t give Satan any opportunity in your daily living. (Avoid the places, people and circumstances that Satan can use to tempt.)

Give God every opportunity in your daily living. (Seek out the places, people and circumstances that God can use for His glory and your growth.)

Bible reading

Prayer

Fellowship

Most importantly do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.