Introduction
Satan is a created fallen angel, who fell from his original place of glory. He was called Lucifer in timeless past. His existence extends from the dateless past, before man’s creation (Job. 38:7), to eternity future.
Satan is mentioned throughout the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. While our need is to dwell on the riches of Christ rather than on Satan and the demons, we do need to know this doctrine of the Bible that we might be alert to his wiles and workings and be wise.
As a major area of God’s revelation, the study of Satan teaches us about his character, purposes, the nature of temptation, and the Christian’s provision against him. The Bible’s teaching about Satan is part of “the faith,” the body of God’s revealed truth. So Paul alerts us to his tactics by standing “firm in the faith,” the body of truth that we need know and believe.
1 Peter 5:8-9: Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour. 5:9 Resist him, strong in your faith.”
As will be demonstrated here, Satan is not just an evil, impersonal influence, but a very real being, a fallen angel with supernatural powers, the keeper of hell and the lake of fire was prepared for him and his angels where he will be thrown along with his demon hosts (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:11-15).
The Existence or Reality of Satan
His existence is taught from Genesis to Revelation. Seven Old Testament books teach his existence (Genesis, 1 Chronicles, Job, Psalms, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Zechariah) and every New Testament writer refers to his reality and activity as a personal being. Christ also spoke of Satan and his activity as a real personal being.
In twenty-five of the twenty-nine passages in the Gospels which speak of Satan, our Lord is speaking of him.
The Nature of Satan
(1) He is a Creature: like all angels, Satan is a creature, created by God, the Creator of all things (cf. John 1:1 with Psa. 148:1-5; Col. 1:16; Ezek. 28:13).
(2) He has limitations: Though extremely powerful, Satan is not omnipotent, omniscient, or omnipresent. He simply cannot be everywhere at once. However, as the chief of his demons forces or as the “prince of the power of the air, he directs vast host of demons who are so numerous as to make Satan’s power and presence seem to be practically ubiquitous or everywhere at once (cf. Mark 5:9).
He operates through the world system and demon hosts.
The promise of Scripture is that “greater is He who is in us, than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). For all his power and hatred against God and man, he could do nothing against Job that God did not expressly allow. Therefore, he can be resisted and made to flee (Jam. 4:7), but only by the strength of God made available to believers in Christ (Eph. 6:10-18).
(3) He is a Spirit Being: Hebrews 1:14 describes angels as spirits and demons are called unclean spirits (Matt. 8:16; 12:45; Luke 7:21; 8:2; 11:26; Acts 19:12; Rev. 16:14). Further, the fact we are told that “we do not wrestle with flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places” Paul describes them as invisible also shows they are spirit beings (Col. 1:16).
The Personality of Satan
Satan also is said to possess the traits of personality. He shows intelligence (2 Cor. 11:3); he exhibits emotions (Rev. 12:17, anger; Luke 22:31, desire); he demonstrates that he has a will (Isa. 14:12-14; 2 Tim. 2:26).
The Designations of Satan
Satan (Job 1:6-9; Matt 4:10)
The title “Satan” occurs 53 times in 47 verses in the Bible. The Greek word is satanas and the Hebrew is satan. The primary idea is ‘adversary, one who withstands.’ It points to Satan as the opponent of God, of believers, and all that is right and good. We should note, however, that Satan often appears as an angel of light promising what is supposed to be good (Gen. 3:1f; 2 Cor 11:14), but it is only a sham to further aid him in his work as the enemy in opposition to God and what is truly good.
The Devil (Matt. 4:1, 5, 9; Eph. 4:27; Rev. 12:9; 20:2)
“Devil” is the Greek word diabollos which means “slanderer, defamer.” This accentuates his goal and work to impugn the character of God. This is clearly spelled out in 1 Peter 5:8 where he is called “our adversary.” God indicted Satan, found him guilty, and sentenced him to the Lake of Fire. As will be discussed below, it appears Satan appealed the sentence by calling God unfair, unjust, and unloving. So, as God’s opponent and ours, he is the slanderer.
The Serpent (Rev. 12:9)
This name for Satan looks back to the account in Genesis 3 and the temptation in the Garden. It is designed to remind us of his crafty deception and guile (cf. 2 Cor. 11:2; Rev. 12:9).
Lucifer, Son of The Morning (ISA. 14:12)
These two names mean “morning star or shining one and son of the dawn (Isa. 14:12). The Hebrew word for Lucifer (KJV translation) is helel, literally “the shining one.” It comes from a Hebrew form, halal. Significantly, the form has two meaning: (1) it means “to shine,” or it can mean, depending on the context, (2) “to boast or praise.” Ironically, as the shining one he got his eyes off the Lord, the source of his brilliance, became proud and boastful instead of full of praise to God’s glory. This name draws our attention to his pre-fall condition and to the nature of the cause of his fall—pride.
The Evil One (John 17:15; 1 John 5:9)
In these two passages, Satan is described of as “the evil one.” The Greek adjective, ponhros, means “wicked, evil, bad, base, worthless, vicious, degenerate.” In both passages it has the article and in either case it may be either masculine, “the evil one,” or neuter, “the wickedness or evil.” Though the KJV translates John 17:15 as “the evil” and 1 John 5:9 as “lieth in wickedness,” nearly all other translations including the NKJV have “the evil one.” It is thus seen as a reference to the devil. Ponhros points to Satan’s character as active and malignant. It denotes what is not only ugly and useless, but what is injurious and destructive. Satan, as the ponhros one is actively engaged in destruction, in causing pain, injury, and death. He is a cancer to the human race. John’s statement also shows how the world lies under his evil and sinister grasp.
The Dragon (Rev. 12:7)
In this passage Satan is called “the dragon.” The Greek word is drakwn and refers to a “hideous monster, a dragon, or large serpent.” This word stresses the cruel, vicious, and blood thirsty character and power of Satan. This name is especially related to his end-time character and world system when God removes all restraints and allows him to go his natural way, to become what he naturally is.
The Prince or Ruler (John12:31)
Some translation have “prince” and others “ruler” as in John 12:31. The Greek arcwn tou kosmou toutou literally means, “the ruler of this world system.” This points to Satan as the head and energy behind the arrangements of things as they are in the world today in their opposition against God, His plan, and people.
The God of This World Or Age (2 Cor. 4:4)
The fact Satan is called, the god of this world (Greek, aiwnos, “age, course”) may emphasize Satan’s rulership over this final period or economy which is so marked by a growing increase in apostasy, deception, and moral decay. In Galatians 1:4, Paul calls this “the present evil age.” The point is, Satan is the reason this age will never improve. Because it gets its character from Satan, the evil one, it is an evil age that grows worse because of his presence and activity to both undermine the plan of God and set up his own rule and worship as seen in Revelation 13.
The Prince of the Power of The Air (Eph. 2:2A)
This designation points to Satan as the head of the demonic hosts (Eph. 2:2) which includes all the fallen angelic beings who operate night and day in our immediate atmosphere filling the world with Satan’s deception, viewpoint, doubts, schemes, propaganda, delusions, temptations. Though the word “power” is singular, many commentaries believe it refers to the demonic forces as a corporate body, all of whom operate as one organized body under Satan, their ruler (see Eph 6:12). The NIV even translates it “kingdom.” “Air” is the Greek word ahr and may refer to the immediate atmosphere5 above the earth which is their base of operations—the domain of their power, authority, and influence. It is also the vehicle or medium of their evil influence. As spirit beings they operate in the realm of the air. However, it not only looks at the locality of their operations, but emblematically portrays the prevailing influence or spiritual atmosphere in which every individual and the world moves—an atmosphere of demonic influence controlled by Satan.
The Spirit Who Works In the Sons of Disobedience (Eph. 2:2B)
This is a somewhat debated clause. Many take this to be another title for Satan. It is understood as a further description of “the prince of the power.” He is also “the spirit who is now working …” The Wycliffe Bible Commentary has, “This obviously refers to Satan.6 Similarly, Expositors Bible Commentary has: Satan is the unholy spirit (1Cor 2:12) who apes the operations of his divine counterpart by being constantly at work.7
Satan uses exousias, authority ruling in world and air.
The Accuser of the Brethren (Rev. 12:10)
While some might list this as simply one of the characterizations of Satan, it is so much a part of his behavior, it seems fitting to list it under his names. Satan is thus called “the Accuser,” a fitting title because night and day he is at work accusing believers when they sin. The Greek word for “accuser” is kathgwr, which refers to one who brings condemning accusations against others. One of Satan’s daily activities is to accuse believers before God, but in view of Job 1 and 2, this is also an attempt to malign the character of God and His plan. Thankfully, since none of us are sinless (1 John 1:9-10), we have the Lord Jesus as our continuous Advocate to plead our case (Rom. 8:33-34; 1 John 2:1-2).
The Tempter (Matt 4:3; 1 THESS. 3:5)
The Actuality: In the above two passages, Satan is specifically called “the Tempter.” This title reveals him in another of his primary activities as seen from the very beginning with Eve in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3).
Belial (2 Cor 6:15)
This name means “worthless” or “hopeless ruin.” In 2 Corinthians, Paul uses it as a name for Satan as the epitome of worthlessness, hopeless ruin and the source of all idolatry and religion which is also hopeless or futile.
Beelzebul (Matt. 12:24; Mark 3:22)
There are three possible spellings of this word and each has a different meaning: (1)Beelzebul means “lord of the dung,” a name of reproach. (2) Beelzebub means “lord of the flies.” Either one of these are names of reproach and are names of uncleanness applied to Satan, the prince of the demons and uncleanness. (3) Beelzeboul, means, “the lord of the dwelling.” This would identify Satan as the god of unclean spirit of demon possession. Some believe this spelling and meaning fits better with Matthew 10:25 and 12:29. This spelling also has the best manuscript evidence behind it. Note that Matthew, Mark, and Luke all define Beelzeboul as the prince of demons. So this names epitomizes Satan as the leader of the demon hosts and the cause of the demon possession.
Abaddon, Apollyon (Rev 9:11)
Abaddon is the Greek form and Apollyon is the Hebrew equivalent. These words mean ‘destroyer,’ ‘destruction.’ The name connects Satan as the head over the demons of the abyss and their work of destruction that will occur when he is given the key to the abyss in the Tribulation and releases these demon hordes on the people of the earth. Primarily, however, this title stresses his work of destruction; he works to destroy the glory of God and God’s purpose with man. He further works to destroy societies and mankind.
The History of Satan
All the angels were present when Satan, in his quest to be like the Most High, sought to usurp God’s sovereign rule (see Isa. 14:12-15; Ezek. 28:11-19 and the explanations above). This was an offense to the glory of God.
In Revelation 12:3-4 that one third of the angelic hosts chose to follow Satan. Because of Satan’s sin, he was thrust out of his exalted place and became the great adversary of God and His people (see Ezek. 28:11-19). In addition, the Lord also explicitly tells us that the Lake of Fire was prepared for Satan and his angels (Matt. 25:41).
As demonstrated under the doctrine of angels, Satan is a fallen angel and a created being. Colossians 1:16 states, “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created by Him and for Him.” The words, “thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities” describe angelic beings and shows us two things about them: they were created by Christ and they are invisible. In addition, Revelation 12:7-9 not only identifies Satan as the chief of the fallen angels, but by the parallel association described there, it identifies him as an angel. Just as Michael, also an angel, is described as the leader of good angels, so Satan, an angel, has his own fallen angels under his command.
Ezekiel 28:13 refers to Satan and to the earthly Garden in Eden, then, he had to have been created before God planted the Garden in Eden (Gen. 2:8).10
Before the Fall:
1. Satan had unparalleled wisdom and beauty (v. 12). Satan stood at the zenith of God’s creatures, filled with wisdom and perfect in beauty.
2. Satan had an unparalleled habitation (v. 13). This may refer to a heavenly Eden, or to the earthly Eden. In either case, it was, before sin entered, a unique place.
3. Satan had an unparalleled covering (v. 13). The dazzling description of his dress or robe indicates something of the glory bestowed on him.
4. Satan had an unparalleled function (v. 14). He belonged to the order of angelic creature designated cherubim. They are associated with guarding the holiness of God (Gen. 3:24), with the throne of God (Ezek. 1:5), and here apparently with the actual presence of God. Satan was on the holy mountain of God and he walked in the midst of the stones of fire, likely references to the presence of God Himself. Apparently Satan was the chief guardian of God’s holiness and majesty.
5. Satan had unparalleled perfection (Ezek. 28:15). He was perfect in the sense of being completely sound and of having total moral integrity. Here as well as in verse 13 we are reminded that Satan was created, and as a creature, he must someday answer to his Creator.
In every way Satan was the epitome of God’s Creation. “He awoke in the first moment of his existence in the full-orbed beauty and power of his exalted position; surrounded by all the magnificence which God gave him. He saw himself as above all the hosts in power, wisdom, and beauty. Only at the throne of God itself did he see more than he himself possessed, and it is possible that even that was in some sense not fully visible to the eyes of the creature.
His Sin and Fall
Ezekiel 28 also shows us that from this blameless and glorious estate he became unrighteous or wicked, became filled with violence, and sinned. But what exactly was the nature of his sin.
Thus, Satan sinned and was driven out in disgrace, expelled from his high position (Ezek. 28:15-17). Sin, then, was found in this perfect creature who was created blameless. Was God the blameworthy cause of sin?
As suggested by 1 Timothy 3:6-7 and Ezekiel 28:17, though created perfect by God (Ezek. 28:13-15), it was conceit or pride that welled up in his heart because of his beauty and high position that led to arrogant aspirations and to his sin and fall. These arrogant aspirations are described for us in Isaiah 14:12-17. Here Satan is not only described as one who fell from heaven and was cut down to the earth (vs. 12), but it also describes the character of his sin as a rebellious ambition, an ambition which was totally contrary to a creature who owed all that he was and had to the Creator.
Satan and his angels now remain confirmed in their fallen state just as those who die without Christ will remain in their fallen state to face the Great White Throne Judgment and eternal separation from God.
The Activities of Satan
In general, the activities of Satan are seen in the names and characterizations of Satan as defined previously—slander, temptation, perversion, accusation, deception, etc. However, it would be well to note these activities as they are related the specific objects of his schemes in the world.
In Relation To Christ
The animosity between Satan and Christ was first predicted after the sin of Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:15). The whole goal of Satan’s temptation of Christ was to eliminate the suffering and death of the Cross. He offered the Lord glory without the Cross. This, then, would have made His substitutionary death unnecessary. Specifically, Satan tempted Christ to independence (Matt. 4:3-4), to indulgence (vv. 5-7) and idolatry (vv. 8-10).
There was no doubt in Satan’s mind that Christ was the promised Deliverer. But he wanted the Lord to assert His independence from the Father by turning the stones to bread. Satan still tempts Christ’s followers to take things into their own hands rather than yielding to the Father’s will.
Satan has temporarily been given authority over this world (cosmos), but ultimately Christ will rule it. Thus Satan had the right to offer the Lord the kingdoms of this world, but had Christ taken them He would have shortcut the plan of God and bypassed the atoning work of His death. Satan still tempts us with the immediate and visible.
Since Satan was unsuccessful in preventing the Cross, he attacks the Gospel, the followers of Christ, and what yet remains of the plan of God for this world.
In Relation To God
The principal tactic Satan uses to attack God and His program. Today Satan promotes a form of godliness while denying its power (2 Tim. 3:5). To do this, Satan disguises his servants as servants of righteousness (2 Cor 11:15). He promotes a doctrinal system through the demons who in turn use people who advocate both a false asceticism or unbridled license (1 Tim. 4:1-3; Rev. 2:24). The ultimate counterfeit will be the coming Antichrist whose activities will be in accord with Satan and who will pawn off on mankind “the lie” (2 Thes. 2:9, 11, NIV).
In Relation To Nations
His principal activity in this arena is to deceive the nations into thinking they can govern righteously and bring peace in the world apart from the presence and rule of Christ. Again, his tactic is to counterfeit.
He apparently employs demons in carrying out his deception (Dan. 10:13, 20).
During the coming days of Great Tribulation Satan will deceive the nations into receiving the Antichrist as their savior. Satan, the dragon, will give the Antichrist his power, and the world will give allegiance to him (Rev. 13:2-4). At the conclusion of the Tribulation Satan and his demons will influence the armies of the nations to march to their doom at the war of Armageddon (16:13-16, NIV).
During the millennial kingdom Satan will be bound, but at the close of that period he will be released and will attempt to lead the world in a final revolt against Christ’s kingdom. After this unsuccessful attempt, Satan will be cast forever into the lake of fire (20:7-10).
In Relation To Unbelievers
In relation to unbelievers Satan blinds their minds so that they will not accept the Gospel (2 Cor. 4:4). He often does this by making them think that any way to heaven is as acceptable as the only way. Again, a counterfeit. This blindness attacks the minds of people, and while unbelievers may think and reason, a power greater than Satan must remove that blindness. Human reasoning and convincing arguments have a ministry, but only the power of God can remove satanic blindness. Sometimes the devil comes and takes away the Word people have heard in order to prevent their believing (Luke 8:12).
In Relation to Christians
Just as Satan tried the Lord, he also tries believers. His aim is to get us to commit evil. God may sometimes use Satan in testing us to prove us in resisting his tests. Tests can have three beneficial purposes in the life of the believer: (a) to prove us (1 Peter 1:6-7); (b) to teach us (4:12-13: see also Heb. 5:8); and (c) to increase our love for God (James 1:12). But Satan’s only purpose is to tempt the believer to commit evil.
As adversary, Satan accuses and opposes believers in various areas of their lives. First, he opposes our witness to the Gospel. He does this by confusing us when he plants tares among the wheat (Matt. 13:38-39), by snatching away the Word that has been sown (Mark 4:15), by aligning governmental authorities against believers (1 Thes. 2:18), or by imprisoning believers, believing this will keep their testimony from spreading or make them fearful of witnessing (Rev. 2:10).
Second, Satan spotlights our sins (12:10). He accuses us before God when we sin, thinking he can cause us to lose our salvation. But Christ, our Advocate, takes our case and reminds the Father again and again that He paid for all our sins when He died on the cross (1 John 2:1-2).
Satan’s World
System, The Satanic Cosmos
On several occasions, Satan is revealed to be the ruler or god of this present age and the world system that dominates our present world.
John 12:31 Now judgment is upon this world (Greek, kosmos); now the ruler of this world shall be cast out.
John 14:30 I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world (Greek, kosmos) is coming, and he has nothing in Me.
John 16:11 and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world (Greek, kosmos) has been judged.
2 Corinthians 4:4 in whose case the god of this world (aiwn, “age”) has blinded the minds of the unbelieving
Ephesians 2:2 in which you formerly walked according to the course (aiwn) of this world (kosmos), according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.
What exactly is this world system or cosmos over which Satan rules?
The primary word for “world” is the Greek kosmos (kosmo””). Kosmos means “order, ornament, adornment, an orderly arrangement. Our word “cosmetics” comes from this word.
Kosmos is used of a vast system and arrangement of human affairs, earthly goods, godless governments, conflicts, riches, pleasures, culture, education, world religions, the cults and the occult dominated and negatively affected by Satan who is god of this satanic cosmos. This system is promoted by Satan, conformed to his ideals, aims, methods, and character, and stands perpetually in opposition to God the cause of Christ. This world system is used to seduce men away from God and the person of Christ. It is anti-God, anti-Christ, and anti-Bible, and very anti-humanity though it often appears as humanitarian as part of Satan’s masquerade as an angel of light.
Another word that sometimes refers to this world system is the Greek aiwn (aiwn), “age, period of time.” In Ephesians 2:2, Paul combines both aiwn and kosmos, “the course (age) of the world (cosmos). This age is often contrasted in Scripture with the age to come because of the very different characteristics and conditions of the two ages (Eph. 1:21; Matt. 12:32; 13:22; 1 Tim. 6:17; Tit. 2:12-13; Heb. 6:5). Trench defines aiwn as aspirations, hopes, thoughts opinions, maxims, speculations, hopes, impulses, aims, aspirations, at any time current in the world, which it may be impossible to seize and accurately define, but which constitutes a most real and effective power, being the moral, or immoral atmosphere which at every moment of our lives we inhale, again inevitably to exhale,—all this is included in the aiwn, which is, as Bengel has expressed it, ‘the subtle informing spirit of the kosmos, or world of men who are living alienated and apart from God.’
The world, then, instead of remaining a beautiful expression of God’s will and creative power as seen under the conditions of its creation, has becomes the seat of an angelic conflict and the very rival and antithesis of the plan of God.
Satan’s Authority over This World
In his temptation of Christ, Satan declared, “I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish” (Luke 4:5). Of course, God is sovereign and omnipotent, but in accord with God’s eternal purposes, as discussed previously, the Bible does teach us that this present world is Satan’s domain and under his authority..
Satan’s aim is to create a system that rivals God’s kingdom but which leaves Him out. It is to promote a counterfeit order. Basically, the cosmos is evil because it is independent of God. It may contain good aspects as well as overtly evil aspects, but its inherent evil lies in its being independent of God and a rival to Him. This sharp rivalry surfaces in such verses as James 1:27 where the believer is told to keep himself unstained from the world; in 4:4 where friendship with the world is said to be hostility toward God; and in 1 John 2:16 where John declares that all that is in the world is not from the Father.
To achieve his aim, Satan must try to make the values of his godless system seem attractive. Thus he works to make people give top priority to self as number one and to the here and now as most important.
Satan also seeks to focus people’s attention on the present rather than on eternity. That is why John reminds us in verse 17 that the world passes away but the one that does the will of God abides forever. Thus Satan seeks to achieve his purposes by trying to change our priorities (self first) and our perspective (here and now more important). In reality the truth is that God is first and eternity most important.40
The Future Judgments of Satan
1. Satan will be cast out of heaven (Rev. 12:9)
After showing His determination to go to the cross (John 12:27), where He would pay the penalty for sin and defeat Satan, He prayed, “Father, glorify Your Name” (vs. 28), we then read these verses:
John 12:28b-33. There came therefore a voice out of heaven: “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The multitude therefore, who stood by and heard it, were saying that it had thundered; others were saying, “An angel has spoken to Him.” Jesus answered and said, “This voice has not come for My sake, but for your sakes. “Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world shall be cast out. “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.” But He was saying this to indicate the kind of death by which He was to die.
In the statement, “now the ruler of this world shall be cast out,” Christ was anticipating the future judgments of Satan based on the soon fact and accomplishments of the cross. Mid-way in the tribulation, Michael, the leader of the holy angels, will lead in a great battle with Satan and his angels and Satan and his angels will be cast out of heaven.
Revelation 12:7-9. And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. And the dragon and his angels waged war, and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
While Satan had already lost his exalted position as the anointed cherub, from what we learn in Job and Revelation 12:10 regarding Satan’s accusations of believers, he evidently was allowed into God’s presence for this purpose. After the victory of this battle, however, it is apparent that he is restricted to the domain of his kingdom of the earth as the ruler of the world, the Satanic cosmos system (John 12:31).
Because Satan will be cast out of heaven where he no longer can accuse the brethren (v. 10), he will be “filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short” (v. 12). Being cast out of heaven, Satan will then empower the future world ruler to carry out his wicked opposition to God and His people during the Great Tribulation (Rev. 13).35
From this point on in the Tribulation, Satan’s activity will be intensified against those who have been forgiven and justified by grace through faith in Christ. But it seems apparent that what antagonizes Satan, perhaps even more than sinners coming to know the Savior, is that they are able to overcome him by the cross, the very basis of his doom. Further, like pouring salt into a wound, they will be soon glorified with the Savior and will be able to reign with Him while Satan who wants preeminence more than anything will have no share whatsoever in this glory. Think about this. Satan wanted to be like God and rebelled against God seeking his own glory. In contrast Paul reminds us of the Savior, who:… although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth. (Phil. 2:6-10).
2. Satan will be cast into the Abyss at the beginning of the Millennium (Rev. 20:1-3)
Scripture describes this present time in which we live as an evil age and Satan is called “the god of this world,” (literally “age”; compare Eph. 5:16; 2 Cor. 4:4). As previously mentioned, Satan is free and walks about as a roaring lion seeking someone to devour (1 Pet. 5:8), but because of Christ’s victory on the cross, Satan and his forces are even now a defeated lot, like criminals waiting for their sentence to be executed. Consequently, during the Millennium and Christ’s reign on earth, Satan (and this must include his demon hosts) will be bound and put out of action until the very end of the thousand-year reign of our Lord.
In the future, at the end of the Tribulation, an angel will descend from heaven with the key of the abyss and with a great chain in his hand (Rev. 20:1). The fact he has the key and the chain shows he has been given authority and power from heaven to carry out this assignment. The word “abyss,” the Greek abussos, means “boundless or bottomless.” This is the bondage place of fallen angels (demons or unclean spirits). It is the same place called “tartaros” in 2 Peter 2:4. Literally, 2 Peter 2:4 reads, “and to pits of darkness (gloom), he committed them by casting them into tartaros” (the verb here is tartaraw, “to cast into tartaros”). This and other verses tell us: (1) that tartaros is an abyss of gloom or darkness, (2) that it is a prison of fallen angels, and (3) that the fallen angels who were bound there were those who sinned in the days of Noah in Genesis 6 (2 Pet. 2:5; Jude 6-7; Luke 8:31).
This angel will then lay hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan and will bind him for a thousand years (Rev. 20:2). The emphasis here is that this angel, operating under God’s authority and with His power, will possess the strength necessary to seize, hold firmly, and restrain the devil and bind him in the abyss for a thousand years with no possibility of escape. During this period Satan will absolutely not be a problem to mankind in the Millennium, at least for the thousand years (vs. 3a).
The statement, “so that he should not deceive the nations any longer …” (vs. 3b) states the purpose—to stop the deceptions of Satan, the master of deceit. Deceit or deception is one of the keys, if not the key characterization given to us in the Bible of Satan. Satan cannot operate in the realm of truth, but he operates in the realm of a lie. He is a liar and the father of lies. Why does he lie? To deceive and lead astray seeking his own following and worship (John 8:44; 2 Cor. 11:3; 2 Thess. 2:10; Rev. 12:9).
The Millennium, then, will be a time when the whole “earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isa. 11:9). For this to take place fully and completely, Satan will be removed so that the earth may be prepared for the kingdom of God, a time of truth and the knowledge of God.
3. Satan will be finally cast into the eternal Lake of Fire at the end of the Millennium (Rev. 20:7-10)
The purpose of the Millennium followed by the release of Satan will be explained below.
We then read that Satan will go out to deceive the nations (vs. 8a). This declares the immediate purpose for Satan’s release. As a fallen angel who is confirmed in his rebellion, the thousand-year prison term will have no effect on Satan. He will still be satanas, the adversary, the arch enemy of God and confirmed in his rebellion and perversity. Thus, immediately upon his release he will engage in his age-old schemes of deception, disruption, and warfare.
The statement, “the nations which are in the four corners of the earth” (Rev. 20:8b) shows his deceptions will reach out to the entire earth. But who will he be able to deceive? Walvoord says: “These who are tempted are the descendants of the Tribulation saints who survive the Tribulation and enter the Millennium in their natural bodies … The children of those entering the Millennium far outnumber the parents, and undoubtedly the earth is teeming with inhabitants at the conclusion of the thousand-year reign of Christ. Outwardly they have been required to conform to the rule of the King and make a profession of obedience to Christ. In many cases, however, this was mere outward conformity without inward reality, and in their experience of real temptation they are easy victims of Satan’s wiles.”
Walvoord quotes William Hoste in his book, The Visions of John the Divine: “The golden age of the kingdom will last a thousand years, during which righteousness will reign, and peace, prosperity, and the knowledge of God will be universally enjoyed. But this will not entail universal conversion, and all profession must be tested … Will not a thousand years under the beneficent sway of Christ and the manifested glory of God suffice to render men immune to his [Satan’s] temptations, will they not have radically changed for the better, and become by the altered conditions of life and the absence of Satanic temptations, children of God and lovers of His will? Alas! It will be proved once more that man whatever his advantages and environment, apart from the grace of God and the new birth, remains at heart only evil and at enmity with God.”
The great lesson in Satan’s short release and deception is this. Here ends the vain idea that humans with just had a perfect environment, would be able to make the world a wonderful place without war and conquest. If humans just had a perfect environment, they would willingly serve others and the God who created and redeemed them. But this is false because it fails to take into account the fallen nature of humans and their desperate need of the redemptive work of Christ. So even in the perfect situation of the millennial reign of Christ, countless numbers immediately respond to the first temptation to rebel. However, they are quickly destroyed and this brings an end to the rebellion of the nations and to Satan’s career.
Throughout the history of mankind, but especially in the last days of apostasy, humans in worldview infiltrated by satanic perspective have tried to believe that people are basically good, that within each person there is a divine spark which only needs fanning, i.e., good opportunities, the perfect environment, the great society, etc. In other words, take away all the inequalities, give everyone a fair chance and we would have a golden utopia. We take of reformation, and people went bad because of bad environment, no opportunities etc. Yet even when people have everything, they still fall and do evil. Nothing will changes as long as Satan is around. Today, humankind believes that we need a one-world government, one currency, and international police force because this would bring world peace and end to wars. But as we see in the book of Revelation, this will only pave the way for the anti-Christ’s evil reign of terror, the beast and his godless system of tyranny and murder under the power of Satan.
In the Millennium, therefore, God gives man his great society, one which exceeds anything man could ever dream of—a society and world order with a perfect environment. Then at the end he releases Satan. Again we ask Why? To the above reasons let me add the following for further reiteration:
(1) To show that even a perfect environment can still be influenced by evil. We are frightfully and totally bankrupt without God’s grace plan of salvation which regenerates and gives new life and enlarges our spiritual capacity. Nothing else can permanently change humankind.
(2) To further substantiate God’s case against Satan, that Satan is the liar, the slanderer, and the deceiver, and to a large degree the cause of man’s misery.
(3) To show that God is absolutely just in His sentence of Satan to the Lake of Fire (vs. 10—his permanent, eternal prison); and that God is perfect holiness and His actions are always consistent with His character.
Finally, we are told Satan will be cast into the lake of fire (vs. 10). The lake of fire is literal. It is not just a figurative expression for hell on earth or for separation from God. It is a real, literal place. It is also everlasting. The Scripture does not teach that there will one day be a universal salvation of all mankind after they have suffered a while. This teaches the opposite; there will be no annihilation of the wicked. The lake of fire is not symbolic for annihilation. The word expressly teaches that there is a literal place in which there will be everlasting and constant torment.
Satan, who began his career as a holy angel, as the anointed cherub, will finally be brought to his eternal doom to never again be a threat or a cause of deception and pain.
The Christian’s Defense against Satan and His World System
An often repeated term or concept is that of victory or overcoming the conflict that rages. The term “overcomer” comes from the Greek nikaw, “to conquer, prevail, triumph, overcome.” This verb is found 28 times in 24 verses in the New Testament. This presupposes and calls attention to the presence of war, contests, battles, and conflicts in our struggle with the satanic cosmos. As seen in this study, the New Testament clearly teaches us, as does life itself, that we are in a conflict, indeed, a holy war with specific adversaries. And after salvation the conflict only grows because we have changed kingdoms. This is everywhere evident in Scripture and so obvious in life that one has to deny reality to ignore or disclaim it. Two key passages that illustrate the nature of our conflict with evil are Ephesians 2:1-2 and 6:12:
Ephesians 2:1-2 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.
Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Our Victory is In:
(1) The Person and Work of Jesus Christ: That Christ is the Overcomer, that is, the ultimate source and means of victory is the great message of Scripture and everywhere evident in its pages. Note the following passages:
John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.
Revelation 3:21 He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. (emphasis mine)
Revelation 5:5 and one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.
Revelation 17:14 These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him {are the} called and chosen and faithful.
Romans 8:37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.
2 Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.
Colossians 2:15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.
(2) Faith (1 John 5:5; 2 Cor. 5:7; Gal. 2:20; 5:5; Eph. 3:17). 1 John 5:5 makes it abundantly clear. “And this is the victory that overcomes the world—our faith.” Since victory was accomplished by Christ and not by what we have done, victory always comes by faith in the work of God through Christ. Our victory is not a victory to be won, by one to be claimed by faith.
(3) The Filling of the Spirit: Appropriating the Manifold Ministries of the Spirit (John 14:16f; 1 John 4:2-4; Eph. 3:16; 1 Cor. 12:12-13; Rom. 8:1f; Gal. 5:16f). Though saved and identified with Christ in His life and death, all believers would be helpless to overcome because of the presence of the flesh without the Holy Spirit who is God’s provision for strength and victory.
(4) Knowledge of the Word (Ps. 119:9, 11, 45; John 8:32; 17:17; Rom. 10:17; Eph. 6:17; 1 John 2:13-14; Heb. 4:12; Col. 1:9-12).
(5) Diligence, Discipline (Rom. 13:14 [put on]; 1 Tim. 4:7 [discipline yourself]; 2 Pet. 1:3-10 [applying all diligence]; Gal. 5:16 [walk]; Eph. 5:18 [be filled]).
James 4:7-8. Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
1 John 4:4 … Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world! Jesus Christ!
Satan is already a defeated foe and we who are in Christ have God-vested rights, authority and power, raised up together in Christ to rule in heavenly places, and in Ephesians 2:6: And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” all for the glory of God for His Kingdom come and will be done…on Earth as it is in Heaven.
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. Revelation 20:10:
References:
Charles C. Ryrie, Basic Theology.
Ryrie: Related Topics: Satanology
J. Dwight Pentecost, Your Adversary The Devil, Zondervan, Grand Rapids.
22 The Nelson Study Bible, New King James Vesion, Earl D. Radmacher, Th.D, General Editor, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, 1997
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