Angels and Demons: Debunking the Myths

Lesson 7 w/AnswersSatanology: Part 2

Angel Demon

We continue our study of Satan by looking Satan’s "career": and his sin. Specifically, what is Satan’s raison d’etre, i.e., what has been his "career path", if you will. We will explore the time before the creation to find out what can we learn about Satan’s behavior. From there, we will examine specifically Satan’s sin and its consequences, both for man and for Satan himself. In doing so, we will also address the question of whether or not Satan is currently still in heaven or if he has already been cast down to the earth—something that is a result of his sin. And finally, we will try to discern Satan’s mission and goals; i.e., what is his long-range plan and desire?

Consider the following, and pray that through this study God will expand your knowledge and grow your faith.

Satan’s Career

  1. Satan’s Creation, Origin, Estate and Fall: What do the verses below indicate to us regarding this subject?
    1. Ezekiel 28:11-19
      1. ANSWER: Satan is described as "the seal of perfection", full of "wisdom and perfect in beauty", "blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you".[NIV] Satan will be cast out, thrown down to earth, and ultimately destroyed.
    2. 1 Chronicles 21:1
      1. ANSWER: Satan is against Israel, so therefore he is an enemy of God.
  2. Let’s now examine why the title "King of Tyrus" is a title for Satan and not a reference to an actual king of Tyrus. Review the specific verses below and consider the reasons that the references in Ezekiel 28:11-19 cannot apply to a mortal.
    1. Ezekiel 28:11-12
      1. ANSWER: No fallen man—even a king—would be described this way. However, this description fits Satan perfectly.
    2. Ezekiel 28:13
      1. ANSWER: Whether we consider primal Eden or the Eden of Genesis 3, Satan has been in both—no King of Tyrus ever has. If we also examine 2 Corinthians11:14, we see that Satan now is transformed into an angel of light, most exalted in creation. These stones are only mentioned two other times in the Bible: once as covering the High Priest’s breastplate and then once in reference to the New City of Jerusalem. Additionally, you will note that Ezekiel 28:13 clearly states that Satan is a "created being", as does Ezekiel 28:15 (see below)—"perfect"— in all his ways when created.
    3. Ezekiel 28:14
      1. ANSWER: Satan is described as a "cherub". You will recall that cherubim are the protectors and defenders of God’s holiness—no man has held that position.
    4. Ezekiel 28:15
      1. ANSWER: Satan was perfect, or "blameless", until sin, or "wickedness" was found in him. Again, no man was like that.
    5. Ezekiel 28:16-17
      1. ANSWER: As a result of his pride leading to his downfall, he was expelled from God’s presence and thrown to earth—hardly events describing a human king.
    6. Ezekiel 28:18-19
      1. ANSWER: This passage recounts the immediate, future, and final judgment for Satan decreed by God. Satan was "perfect" when he was created, but he decided to go against the will of God. Note that even in a fallen state, he still retains his wisdom, abilities, and understanding—all of which he uses in his lies, deceptions, snares and wiles.

Satan’s Sin

  1. In Isaiah 14:12-17, Satan’s sin is described in detail. It represents the first sin ever committed in the universe, and shows us a pattern for sin, i.e., putting ourselves and our will ahead of our Creator’s. What does this passage tell us that his sin was?
    1. ANSWER: Satan challenges God’s sovereign authority: "I will ascend to the heavens, I will raise my throne above the stars of God, I will sit enthroned, ascend above the tops of the clouds, and make myself like the Most High."[NIV]
  2. Has Satan already been cast out of heaven? Consider that there are three heavens described in the Bible: (i) Atmospheric, which encompasses the "birds of the heavens"; Satan, who is "Prince of the Power of the air" still has this authority and is active in it; (ii) Stellar places, which may refer to the dwelling of angelic beings; and (iii) the Third Heaven, which refers to the dwelling place of the triune God. So, will he be cast out of these places, or has he already been cast out? What do each of the verses below indicate?
    1. Luke 10:18
      1. ANSWER: This passage could be interpreted to refer to either the present or the future.
    2. Ezekiel 28:16-19
      1. ANSWER: This passage refers to the future and events that have yet to be fulfilled.
    3. Revelation 12:7-9
      1. ANSWER: This passage also refers to the future and events that have yet to be fulfilled.

Satan’s Current Status

  1. What do the following verses indicate to us regarding the current location of Satan?
    1. Job 1:6 and Job 2:1-2
      1. ANSWER: Based on the events described in Job, Satan has the latitude to go "to and fro in the earth".[KJV]
    2. Luke 22:31
      1. ANSWER: In this passage, a request by Satan to God about Peter is referenced. From this, one can infer that Satan still is in heaven with access to God.
    3. Ephesians 6:11-12
      1. ANSWER: This passage refers to "spiritual wickedness in heavenly places"—again, implying that Satan is still in heaven.
  2. What conclusion can we arrive at, based on the above?
    1. ANSWER: Satan is still in heaven and will be until the Tribulation experience described in Revelation 12:7-9. Ezekiel’s prophecy about Satan looks from the beginning to the end of Satan’s career, while Isaiah looks back towards the beginning from the end—with the assumption Satan will have fallen by then.

Satan’s "Career Path"

  1. Revisiting Isaiah 14:12-17, what are the things that Satan set out to accomplish in the beginning? (Note that he wanted this to be a secret, since it was "said in [his] heart".)
    1. ANSWER 1: He wanted to ascend into heaven.
    2. ANSWER 2: He wanted to exalt his throne above the stars of God (angels of God).
    3. ANSWER 3: He wanted to sit upon the mount of the congregation—that congregation being Israel.
    4. ANSWER 4: He wanted to ascend above the highest clouds.
    5. ANSWER 5: He wanted to be like the Most High.
  2. What did Satan’s actions actually lead to, according to the passage in Isaiah 14:9-17?
    1. ANSWER 1: He weakened the nations and was made weak (v. 10).
    2. ANSWER 2: He made the earth tremble (v. 16).
    3. ANSWER 3: He shook kingdoms (v.16).
    4. ANSWER 4: He made the whole world a wilderness (v. 17).
    5. ANSWER 5: He overthrew the world’s cities (v. 17).
    6. ANSWER 6: He did NOT open the house of his prisoners (v. 17).
  3. What did Christ say about Satan? (see John 8:44)
    1. ANSWER 1: Satan is a murderer.
    2. ANSWER 2: There is no truth in Satan.
    3. ANSWER 3: He is a liar and the father of lies.
  4. What are Satan’s goals, according to Isaiah?
    1. ANSWER 1: He wants to attain the highest heavenly position.
    2. ANSWER 2: He wants to enjoy regal rights—both in heaven and on earth.
    3. ANSWER 3: He desires Messianic recognition.
    4. ANSWER 4: He wants to possess the glory that belongs to God alone.
    5. ANSWER 5: He wants to exhibit a likeness to the Most High, as the "possessor of heaven and earth".

In our next lesson, we will be examining Satan’s evil character and how God will ultimately judge Satan. So far, we’ve learned that Satan is a liar and a deceiver; and we’ve seen all that Satan desires to do is to oppose God and those who follow God. As we live out the life that Christ has given us, we need to always be mindful of the snares, traps, and lies that Satan lays before us.

My prayer is that you will be better equipped to do this as a result of our study.

Thanks for studying with us,

Wes

[2012]

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