Satanology

 
ARTICLE XII – SECTION G: SATANOLOGY 
Famed attention should never be given to Satan; however, we do know a lot from Scripture about him: 
  • His existence and origin 
  • His fall 
  • His character 
  • His work 
  • His influence 
  • His ultimate judgement 
  • His destiny 
The Bible provides an abundance of information about Satan so that we are not “ignorant of his devices.  Many heathen nations fight Satan’s gross wickedness blindly, not understanding their enemy.

Today, many doubt the existence of Satan, or see him figuratively or metaphoric of evil.  Oddly, this seems to be true only in nations that know of Jesus as the one that overcame his efforts.  This allows the devil to work subtly, as he desires.  

The Scripture attests to his existence, and figurative or metaphoric essences are not created angels that sin, malign, and are condemned by God.  Satan’s presence is seen sparingly in the Old Testament, but vastly more frequently in the New Testament.  As mentioned previously, his increased activity and direct involvement in the New Testament could be the result of the prophecy:

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”  Gen 3:15.

Satan is a being with personality in spite of those rationalists who deny his existence.  Personal pronouns are applied to him (Job 1:8, 12, 2:2-3,6; Zec 3:2; Mat 4:10; Joh 8:44).  Personal attributes are attributed to him:
Isaiah 14, gives his name (Lucifer – means morning star, light bearer) before his fall; perhaps he was the highest angel of God’s creation.

The clandestine question – how could such a grand creation of God fall to be the most reviled?  It began when he elevated his will above Gods’:

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.”  Isa 14:13-14.

Satan developed a pride to go beyond his created purpose; thus the transition from Lucifer:

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!...Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.”  Isa 14:12,15.

To Satan, the “accuser of our brethren:”

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.”  Job 1:6-7.

To his heavenly expulsion:

And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.”  Luk 10:18.

The origin of sin came from a holy being in a holy place, but how?  Because free will allows you to become a self-made devil.   It is not God’s fault or creation.  Satan tempted man, but he originated his own sin:

For thou hast said in thine heart, I will…”  Isa 14:13.

Satan’s character – he is deceptive, it has been his greatest asset through the centuries.

 

NAMES & TITLES 

Lucifer – was his name in heaven before the fall:

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!  Isa 14:12.

Satan – is the name that represents his hindering oppositions, and as the accuser:

Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.”  1Th 2:18.

Devil – is the name representing adversary, liar, oppressor, and deceiver (revealed as our primary enemy):

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

Ye are of your father the devil…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.”  Joh 8:44a, c.

Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.”  Jud 1:9.

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”  Act 10:38.

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. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.”  (“accuser” relates to the title Satan. Rev 12:9-10).

And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”  Rev 20:10.

Devils is the nom de guerre given to his angels:

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”  Jas 2:19.

Serpent – was his first activity, subtle beguiler, crookedness, deceitfulness, and guile (pursuer of the woman).  The serpent was originally an animal that walked upright and could be possessed.  There is a correlation between serpent and dragon.

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”  2Co 11:3.

In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.”  Isa 27:1.

And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.”  Rev 12:15.

Dragon – is the name that refers to his great power (sea monster, leviathan):

And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.”  Rev 13:2.

Beelzebub – prince of devils (he is their ruler):

But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.”  Mat 12:24.

Belial – good for nothing, worthless; server of selfishness, vanities, and/or false idols:

Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known;”  Deu 13:13.

And there are gathered unto him vain men, the children of Belial  2Ch 13:7a.

“…for evil is determined against our master (Nabal), and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him.”  1Sa 25:17b.

Tempter – he constantly stimulates men to sin in order to destroy them (if you overcome temptation you learn and become stronger):

And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.”  Mat 4:3.

For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.”  1Th 3:5.

Wicked, Wicked One – more direct to Satan’s character:

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:”  2Th 2:8.

We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.”  1Jn 5:18.

Prince of this world – speaks of his influence over all principalities (world politics, business, society), all are under his domain:

Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.”  Joh 12:31.

Jesus never denied Satan’s right to offer Him the kingdoms of this world.  Adam forfeited his dominion to Satan, and Jesus recovered it.  The authority to rule this world now belongs to Christ, and it is in that authority we act.  You cannot act in that authority if you are in submission to this world’s governments.  

Satan acts like he rules the world, but he has never been called a king in this world, only a prince.  Governments of the world have to get their authority from a natural source.  The current U.S. government gets their authority from the Prince of this world (Satan).  However, the founders of the United States provided another natural source that is being hidden by the current government, and that is the People.

The people derive their authority from God.  So, if you are walking in Kingdom authority, you are not subject to the laws of the U.S. government.  If you make yourself subject (a “citizen” of the United States), you become an idolater.  This is one of Satan’s greatest deceptions as prince of this world.

Prince of the Power of the Air – is further example of his rule over a principality (the whole domain of the air):

Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:”  Eph 2:2.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”  Eph 6:12.

God of this World – is his greatest deception; to be like God is Satan’s highest aspiration, the other princely titles relate to rule/royalty, civil, political glory, but this title is that of religious leader, one worshiped:

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”  2Co 4:4.

Satan accomplishes this by, his attendance and influence of religious services:

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.”  2Co 11:15.

These ministers sponsor all materialistic, carnal, and worldly pursuits; they can also be cultish and humanistic.  If your ministers preach on supporting the government, being involved in politics, support Israel’s secular government, to follow the legislative statutes, they are knowingly or unknowingly causing you to worship the god of this world; and that is idolatry.

The founders of our Republic never intended for you to be subject to the government, but for you to rule over the government.  The Constitution was not written for you, it was written for the government.  It is the government that is subject to you, not vice versa.  You are subject to God alone.

Satan also accomplishes his title of god of this world by imposing his teachings into the church:

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;”  1Ti 4:1.

Almost every secular church (99.9%), and yes I mean your church, is under the influence of false doctrines.  If your church does not fulfill the commission of Mark 16:15-18, in its entirety, then it is under the influence of the god of this world, Satan.  If you excuse the commission, or relegate it away, then you are willingly submitting to the domain and control of Satan:

How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.”  Jud 1:18-19.

Sometimes, there will be one, or a few, members of a secular church who are real in God; but most of the time Satan converts the whole assembly:

I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.”  Rev 2:9.

Satan then makes all the congregants sacrifice to him.  This is especially true of prosperity pimps and televangelists:

But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.”  1Co 10:20.

“In this present system of things looked at morally and away from God, he (Satan) so arranges not merely the politics of earth, or its immoralities, but its religion – for this is necessarily the force of this title “God” as in contrast with “prince” – as to suit his own ends.  He so weaves the course of this age: its religious forms, ceremonies, external decencies, respectabilities, and conventionalities to form a thick veil, that entirely hides “the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ,” which consists in righteous mercy to penitent sinners only.  This veil is not formed by evil-living, depravity, or any form of what passes as evil amongst men; but by cold formality, heartless decency, proud self-complacency, highly esteemed external respectability, and we must add, church membership – all without Christ.  It is the most fatal of all delusions, the thickest of all veils, and the most common.  It is the way that, because it is religious, respectable, decent “seems right unto a man but the end thereof is death;” for there is no Christ, no Lamb of God, no Blood of Atonement in it.”  F.C. Jennings 

Angel of light – is Satan’s most deceptive title as far as deception goes.  This is perhaps the most clandestine, seemingly as a spiritual advisor, ultimately as one that leads to darkness.  Many times, this is accomplished through the instrumentality of false teachers, and deceitful workers under the influence of devils just like this passage indicates:

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.”  2Co 11:13-15.

But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!”  Mat 6:23.

Murderer – this title is relating to the originator of sin (sin brings death).  

Father of lies –  his specialty is the grey and white ones, not just bold face lies.  Just enough truth to trick the hypocrite and simple; there was a hint of truth in his deception of Eve, she did learn good and evil.

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.”  Joh 8:44.

He always misquotes and/or misapplies scripture.  Vigilance is always looking for the lie, because Satan cannot speak the truth.

Apollyon (Abaddon) – means destroyer, this is the only place the devil is referred to as being a king, i.e., of the bottomless pit:

And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.”  Rev 9:11.

This verse is why the Luciferians (the people who currently control the government) carried out 9-11.  This is why there is so much Greek and Roman paganism in our culture, and why the fake government space program uses so many Greek nomenclatures.

There is a myth that God and Satan had a battle in eternity past, and this battle still continues.  Fact: God is omnipotent (the Bible confirms this):

There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.”  Pro 21:30.

But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.”  Act 5:39.

Many teach Jesus defeated Satan, as if God was in a fight, the Bible never says Jesus defeated Satan.  The word defeated is not in the Bible – Satan has never, NOT, been under God’s control or authority:

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.”  Heb 2:14-16.

“Might destroy” in this verse means to deprive of force, influence, power – appropriation is key.

The secrets are in the names of our adversary, and the primary one is Lucifer’s transition to Satan.  Lucifer was the highest angel second only to God.  He is not some hideous creature; he was a “lightbearer” and angels will not rebuke him.  Jesus’ victory is over the principle of evil.

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”  1Jn 3:8.

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”  Tit 2:14.

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”  Mat 1:21.

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:”  Col 1:13.

And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”  Col 2:15.

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”  Rev 3:21.

Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:”  Gal 1:4.

SATAN’S JUDGEMENT

Satan a defeated foe?  God has no foes (God is love) – the true dichotomy.  Creation is at war – Satan and Man’s rebellion against the rule of God is futile:

For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.”  Rom 8:22.

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;”  Rev 3:14.

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.”  Rev 19:11.

The Devil and devils are not fooled by this mentality, but man is:

And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?  Mat 8:29.

There will be a righteous judgment of all evil.  The principle of evil is to be judged by God; so, it must be brought out into an open demonstration of its actual character – Satan displays this character by example.

Judgement is the proper word to use instead of the word “defeat.”

Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.”  Joh 16:11.

The judgement of Satan was:

ANNOUNCED

And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”  Gen 3:14-15.

Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.”  Isa 14:15.

TESTED

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.”  Mat 4:10-11.

Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.  Joh 14:30.

INITIATED

Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.”  Joh 12:31.

And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.”  Luk 10:18.

DISPUTED

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 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.”  Rev 12:7-9.

DEFERRED

And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.”  Rev 20:1-3.

OPPOSED

And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.”  Rev 20:7-9.

ACCOMPLISHED

And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”  Rev 20:10.

The Devil, and devils, realize the surety of everything that is to happen.  For now, we have to realize that the Devil is still an active adversary in the world.

SUMMARY

The redeeming work of Christ has limited the Devil’s abilities, and brought victory when appropriated:
  • Do not underestimate the Devil
  • He has 6,000 years of experience on you
  • Not to mention his knowledge
  • He is not omnipotent (he has great power, but the authority and power given to Christ is greater)
  • He is not omniscient (only God is all-knowing)
  • He is not omnipresent (It is highly unlikely that you are battling the Devil directly, but one of his devils)
The Will of God limits Satan as seen in Job, how much more now if we realize our authority in Christ:
  • Satan could not harm Job, or touch his possessions until it was cleared with God (bear in mind, Job was a righteous man)
  • And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”  Luke 22:31-32.  It is implied that permission must be given, and again, stay in the faith!
When comprehended by the believer, the works of the Devil have been destroyed in our life:
  • We are told to resist the Devil in order to overcome
  • How do you resist him? “Whom resist stedfast in the faith,” 1 Peter 5:9a.  Faith is key, that is why:
  • Cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.  Luke 8:12b
  • So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17
  • The Devil cannot allow faith to blossom and impedes it regularly with all distractions, which is why we should dedicate our time to God’s word
Not only should the believer habitually pray unceasingly, but we should also realize that Christ intercedes for us as well:
  • Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.  Hebrews 7:25
We have to stay watchful and vigilant:
  • Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”  1 Peter 5:8
  • Maintaining discipline and self-control, “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.  1 Thessalonians 5:6-8
We cannot afford to give the Devil footing in our lives through his devices:
  • Neither give place to the devil.”  Ephesians 4:27
  • The Devil can only affect you by as much territory as you give him in your life
  • He only attacks where he has opportunity, “or place,” that you give
  • Jesus said, “for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.”  John 14:30.  There was no place in His life for the Devil to get a foothold.  How about yours?
Finally, put on the whole armour of God:
  • God has amply provided the armour of your warfare
  • It is up to you to take it and, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life,”  1 Timothy 6:12a
  • If you fail to, “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11, you only have yourself to blame
  • Omit to use the means provided, and you will become a casualty of the Spiritual Warfare being waged in the Intermediate Realm surrounding you

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