The Origin and Nature of satan
It seems, in our wonderful intellectual community, that we are encouraged to forget that there are actual spiritual beings operating in the earth, light and darkness, angels and demons, truth, and the father of all lies…
Today, we are going to look at the origin and nature of satan, and briefly introduce how he is presently working on planet earth, and that he ultimately is the reason bad things still happen to good people…
Deliver us from the Evil One
The Bible says that 2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
One of the things we need to know about is satan. Let’s look at where he came from:
(Ezek 28:1 NIV) The word of the LORD came to me:
(Ezek 28:2 NIV) “Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: “‘In the pride of your heart you say, “I am a god; I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the seas.” But you are a man and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god.
(Ezek 28:3 NIV) Are you wiser than Daniel ? Is no secret hidden from you?
(Ezek 28:4 NIV) By your wisdom and understanding you have gained wealth for yourself and amassed gold and silver in your treasuries.
(Ezek 28:5 NIV) By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, and because of your wealth your heart has grown proud.
(Ezek 28:6 NIV) “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “‘Because you think you are wise, as wise as a god,
(Ezek 28:7 NIV) I am going to bring foreigners against you, the most ruthless of nations; they will draw their swords against your beauty and wisdom and pierce your shining splendor.
(Ezek 28:8 NIV) They will bring you down to the pit, and you will die a violent death in the heart of the seas.
(Ezek 28:9 NIV) Will you then say, “I am a god,” in the presence of those who kill you? You will be but a man, not a god, in the hands of those who slay you.
(Ezek 28:10 NIV) You will die the death of the uncircumcised at the hands of foreigners. I have spoken, declares the Sovereign LORD.'”
(Ezek 28:11 NIV) The word of the LORD came to me:
(Ezek 28:12 NIV) “Son of man, take up a lament concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: “‘You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
(Ezek 28:13 NIV) You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz and emerald, chrysolite, onyx and jasper, sapphire, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared.
(Ezek 28:14 NIV) You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones.
(Ezek 28:15 NIV) You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you.
(Ezek 28:16 NIV) Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, O guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones.
(Ezek 28:17 NIV) Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings.
(Ezek 28:18 NIV) By your many sins and dishonest trade you have desecrated your sanctuaries. So I made a fire come out from you, and it consumed you, and I reduced you to ashes on the ground in the sight of all who were watching.
(Ezek 28:19 NIV) All the nations who knew you are appalled at you; you have come to a horrible end and will be no more.'”
Notice here, the distinction in the word of God between the ruler of Tyre, and the king of Tyre. The ruler of Tyre was a man, that God was executing judgment upon, but the king of Tyre is Satan, the evil spirit that ruled through the man.
(Ezek 28:12 NIV) “Son of man, take up a lament concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: “‘You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
Satan was created perfect, wise, and beautiful.
(Ezek 28:13 NIV) You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz and emerald, chrysolite, onyx and jasper, sapphire, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared.
Obviously, the only man that was in Eden, was Adam. This passage is not speaking about a man, but an angel.
(Ezek 28:14 NIV) You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones.
A cherub is a type of angel. At some point, I’ll teach a course on spiritology.
Basically, there are only four types of spirits, human, divine, angels and demons. Today we are speaking about demons, specifically, the devil.
(Ezek 28:15 NIV) You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you.
(Ezek 28:16 NIV) Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, O guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones.
(Ezek 28:17 NIV) Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings.
We see this recorded again in the ministry of Jesus.
(Luke 10:18 NIV) He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
(Ezek 28:18 NIV) By your many sins and dishonest trade you have desecrated your sanctuaries. So I made a fire come out from you, and it consumed you, and I reduced you to ashes on the ground in the sight of all who were watching.
My wife Karen had a vision that needs to be recorded here.
In 1989, I had a vision of the enemy’s fall. He and his angels approached the throne of God with swords drawn. He wanted the Lord’s place by the Father. The Lord asked him, “What do you want?” The enemy replied, “I want your place.” The Lord responded, “…but I created you.” When the truth hit the enemy, his insides split. (This splitting reminded me of chromosomes dividing in a cell.) The enemy did not want to accept the truth. The Lord cast him from heaven in a bolt of light, casting him to the earth. Then I saw the Lord reach His hand into Satan’s mouth and pull a fire out and spread it.
(Ezek 28:19 NIV) All the nations who knew you are appalled at you; you have come to a horrible end and will be no more.'”
Again, we see satan described here in
Is 14:
We see, in this case, him ruling through a different man, the king of Babylon, rather than the king of Tyre:
4 ¶ That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased!
5 The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers.
6 He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth.
7 The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing.
8 Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us.
9 Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.
Notice Jesus Himself amplifies the final destination of satan and his angels:
Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
10 All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us?
11 Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.
This is the judgment on the earthly king of Tyre, now God begins to speak about satan, describing his pride…
12 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!
13 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:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;
Notice here, how we, in heaven, in our glorified state, will view satan from glory, in amazement, that such a weak, miserable creature could have caused such death and destruction among the nations!
We, the church, the redeemed have authority over this devil, both positionally, and practically.
Positionally, because: Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Then practically, for Jesus has commissioned us in the earth:
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 ¶ So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20 And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Let’s pick it up again in Isaiah,
v17 That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?
We see another view of the fall of satan, recorded in Revelation chapter 12
(Rev 12:7 NIV) And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.
(Rev 12:8 NIV) But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven.
(Rev 12:9 NIV) The great dragon was hurled down–that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
Most scholars say this is the origin of demons, these fallen angels that fell from heaven when they lost this war in heaven.
(Rev 12:10 NIV) Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.
(Rev 12:11 NIV) They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
(Rev 12:17 NIV) Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring–those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.
The nature of Satan has not changed from his fall.
(John 8:44 NIV) You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
He is a murderer and a liar.
(John 10:10 NIV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
He comes to us to kill us, steal from us, and to destroy us.
Revelation 12:10 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.
2 Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
So, let’s get controversial here, and make some things plain. Satan is a mind blinding spirit, that creates brilliant lies, so that people will serve him.
2 Corinthians 4:4 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.
He was dethroned and defeated 2000 years ago when Jesus rose from the dead, yet he still seeks to rule over people.
How can he do it, when Jesus is undisputed Lord?
Through deception.
God has still not taken away from people free will. People must choose to serve God, He will never force Himself upon anyone. Satan tries to force himself upon everyone.
What are some examples:
Islam – the prophet Mohammed claims that the angel Gabriel appeared to him, embraced him, and gave him the Quran.
Did an angel appear to Mohammed?
Most certainly, an angel of light, intent on controlling people and working out his murderous schemes throughout the affairs of men.
Islam has been a blood bath since its inception, and continues to attempt to dominate the affairs of humanity today. Of course it would for the dethroned, ‘god of this world’, satan himself, always seeks to rule the affairs of mankind.
If a Muslim should dare to attempt to leave Islam, to become a Christian, or to befriend a Jew, his own family will kill him. Sounds like control to me. Control through fear, by a murderer. Yet, in light of eternity, to die, is better than to go to hell…
Heb 2:14 ¶ 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;
15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Jesus will not only deliver you from death, but from the fear of death, if you trust Him!
The Virgin Mary – Throughout the centuries, an apparition claiming to be the mother of Jesus has appeared to many, in Lourdes, and now more recently Medjugorje, influencing millions to worship her. The Bible says that there is one true mediator between man and God, that is the man Christ Jesus. These apparitions are indeed supernatural, but are nothing more than the parading of this angel of light drawing people seductively away from God Himself. Could Jesus send His earthly mother back to earth, to turn people to Himself? Yes, He could, but His mother would never utter statements like: ‘My children, I need your prayers.”, She is not God, simply the earthly woman chosen by God the privilege of bringing God the Son into the earth – she herself needed Jesus as her Saviour: Luke 1:47 and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, Mary included. She, like each of us, needed Jesus as Saviour from her sins. If you really want to honor her, be like her in Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
She was in the upper room with the 120, and was filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues. You can be too! Here’s how:
Mt 24:24 For there shall arise false Christ’s, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
The Dragon – This is the symbol of China, and nation that forcefully rejects Jesus Christ and His Lordship.
Re 12:9 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.
Hinduism – Where millions of deities are appeased through prayer and sacrifice. There are indeed supernatural manifestations that occur in this religion. Nothing more than the masquerading of Lucifer, the angel of light.
Witchcraft, the occult, Wicca, and White Magic – There is no such thing as white magic, that is magic that good. All manifestations of this are demonic, for God cannot perform in that which He expressly forbids. Deut 18:10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
Familiar spirits – These are ghosts, or poltergeists that manifest themselves as deceased human beings. They claim to be the ghost or spirit of some loved one, and usually have disclosed some intimate knowledge that only the deceased person should have known. Yet, they are really demons, masquerading as humans. How do they know things about the deceased person?
Simple, they are familiar spirits, familiar with the thoughts and ways of the deceased person. In one personal encounter with a poltergeist, figurines were supernaturally hurled across the room before I commanded the spirit to leave. Ghosts can be commanded to leave haunted houses, and the property cleansed in the name and authority of Jesus.
Much has been written about Satan and demons, this is not the sole purpose of this article. Entire ministries have been raised up to deal with this important topic, on that comes to mind is Ellel ministries, and their book series entitled, ‘Healing Through Deliverance”. http://us.store.ellel.org/
Jesus said straight is the way, and few are they that find it. There is a ditch on either side of this study. On one side, some Christians avoid any study on the devil and demons, and therefore never cast out a devil, nor see freedom in many areas of life. On the other side of the road is a ditch, where one focuses totally on demons and demonic activity, attributing everything to a demon. I will include a few book titles that should be required reading for every Christian, for much of what has gone on in the name of God, is only satan doing his same old mess. You know, death, destruction, and theft, and then blaming God for it.
Demons can be attached to people, places, things and animals. Before we actually get into taking authority over devils, we need to see God’s order here.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
- We must be forgiven and then forgive.
Please read this: https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/11/26/forgive-forgiveness-the-lost-art/
2 Cor 2:10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;
11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
In this passage, as we discussed in the forgiveness teaching, we see clearly that unforgiveness in the life of a believer gives place to the devil.
- We must renounce sin, and articles that give place to the devil and demons.
2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
1 Peter 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
1 Peter 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
When I pastored, we used to do an event I called the “Fire of Holiness’ each spring, based on Acts 19.
19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
When I pastored, I would ask the congregation to do exactly what these early believers did. Having seen the power of God in demonstration, I would ask them to meet me the following week in a local park with all the stuff that Christians have no business having in their homes. You know, things like pornographic materials, love letters from someone other than your current spouse, horoscopes, demonic music and videos, books of false religion, illicit drugs, rabbits feet, good luck charms, fetishes, idols, even children’s toys depicting witchcraft and demonic things.
Then we would go to the local park and have ourselves a good old fashioned bonfire. Many proclaimed freedom from nightmares and horrible thoughts after burning and renouncing these things.
Seems that we can do this in Africa, where we direct confront witch doctors, and medicine men used to being able to move freely under demonic power. We demonstrate the power of Jesus Lordship in miracles, signs and wonders, and command them to have no other gods before Him. To renounce their allegiances to devils, by burning their fetishes, magic potions and books of spells, and it always works!
Yet, it seems America does not believe in devils anymore, and in many cases and places, they clearly run rampant across this land, uncontested by the victorious church of the living God!
We must bring what is hidden to light, if we love God’s people, who suffer secretly in their sin, sickness, and nightmares from real demonic entities: things that really do go bump in the night…
It is time for the Elijah’s and Elisha’s of God to rise up in the power of the Holy Spirit to boldly proclaim against the hosts of hell: ‘Where is the God of Elijah!’ demonstrating His power against the legions of hell seeking to destroy this generation!
I am one of these!
Are you?
Homework:
Do what we did. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, and He will have no other gods before Him. Do a spiritual housecleaning, and trash the stuff that is trashing you. Renounce everything to do with Satan and his minions, and in the name and authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, command them to leave.
Suggested Reading:
The Bondage Breaker – Dr. Neil Anderson (ficm.org)
Spiritual Warfare – Dr. Dean Sherman (crownmin.org)
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