By Alden Ho, Wheel Salt Ministries
Many believe he’s merely a mythical figure, but the Bible says that he is very real and that he is determined to deceive you and destroy your life. Indeed, this brilliant but cruel mastermind is so much more than what you have been told. He’s entrapping individuals, families, churches, and even entire nations to increase sorrow and pain in this world, because this is what he does.
Where did sin come from?
“The devil has sinned from the beginning” (1 John 3:8).
“That serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan” (Revelation 12:9)
What was Satan’s name before he sinned? Where was he living?
Satan’s name was Lucifer, and he was living in heaven. Lucifer is also symbolized by the “king of Babylon” in Isaiah 14 and as the “prince of Tyre” in Ezekiel 28.
The Bible tells us, “You were created” (Ezekiel 28:15). “You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. … Every precious stone was your covering. … The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created. … You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you” (Ezekiel 28:12, 13, 15).
“You were the anointed cherub who covers … you were on the holy mountain of God; you walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones” (Ezekiel 28:14).
What happened in Lucifer’s life that led him to sin? What sin did he commit?
“Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor” (Ezekiel 28:17). “You have said in your heart: … ‘I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; … I will be like the Most High’ ” (Isaiah 14:13, 14)
In the last book of the Bible, Revelation, it says, “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” (Revelation 12:7–9).
When God created Adam and Eve, He instructed them saying, “Of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:17). But “The serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, ‘Has God indeed said, “You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” ’ … Then the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil’ ” (Genesis 3:1, 4, 5, emphasis added).
What does the Bible reveal about Satan’s methods to hurt, deceive, discourage, and destroy people?
The Bible reveals that Satan uses every conceivable approach to deceive and destroy people. His demons can pose as righteous people. And Satan will one day appear as a glorious angel of light with power to call fire down from heaven. He will even impersonate Jesus. But you have been warned, so don’t fall for it. When Jesus comes, every eye will see Him (Revelation 1:7). He will remain in the clouds and will not touch the earth (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
Satan’s success rate is so astoundingly high that it is almost unbelievable. He deceived a third of God’s angels. In Noah’s day, all but eight people on the earth were deceived. Before Jesus comes the second time, Satan will appear as an angelic being, posing as Christ. His deceptive power will be so great that our only safety will be in refusing to go see him (Matthew 24:23–26). If you refuse to listen to him, Jesus will protect you from Satan’s deceptions (John 10:29).
When and where will the devil receive his punishment? What will that punishment be?
“So it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire” (Matthew 13:40–42). “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone” (Revelation 20:10). “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41). “I brought fire from your midst; it devoured you, and I turned you to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all who saw you. … You … shall be no more forever” (Ezekiel 28:18, 19).
Satan misrepresents God as unfeeling, aloof, exacting, stern, and unapproachable. The devil even labels his own ugly, calamitous violence as “acts of God.” Jesus came to wipe off this slander from His Father’s name and to demonstrate that the heavenly Father loves us even more than a mother loves her child (Isaiah 49:15). Jesus’ favorite theme was God’s patience, tenderness, and abundant mercy.
For the sole purpose of making you happy, our heavenly Father has prepared a fabulous eternal home for you. Your wildest dreams here on earth are no match for what He has waiting for you! He can hardly wait to welcome you. Let’s get the word out! And let’s be ready, because it won’t be long now!