Angels and Demons: Debunking the Myths

Lesson 8 w/AnswersSatanology: Part 3

Lesson 8 Continued

Angel Demon

As we continue the third in our series of lessons on Satan, recall he is the chief of liars and the master of deceit. We now turn our attention to his sinful nature and judgment. Closely examining his sinful nature and character, we will see Satan as he truly is. Correspondingly, we can also rest in the assurance that our faith will be validated and rewarded by God’s final judgment on him.

Let’s consider the following characterizations and aspects of Satan:

Satan According To The Old Testament

  1. Earlier in our study, we observed that "Satan" moved David to sin by his numbering the people. In general, how do references to Satan in the Old Testament depict him? See 1 Chronicles 21:1, Psalm 109:6, Zechariah 3:1-2 and the entire book of Job.
    1. ANSWER: Satan is identified as an opposer of God and the enemy of God.

Satan According To The New Testament

  1. The true character of the coming conflict between God and Satan is revealed in the New Testament. What do the following two passages tell us about the warring kings of the time: Revelation 16:13-14 and Revelation 19:17-21?
    1. ANSWER: The warring kings will be demon-possessed.

Satan’s activity, as described in the New Testament, can be divided into two classifications: (i) that activity which comes through his authority as king over the evil spirits, and (ii) that activity which comes through world dominion.

Satan Judged At The Cross

  1. In Ephesians 2:12-16, Paul describes Christ’s death on the cross as removing the barrier between Jews and Gentiles by enabling salvation for those who call on his name, but it also means judgment for Satan. What is the final judgment for those who do not chose Christ, including the fallen angels. See Matthew 25:41 and Revelation 20:12-15.
    1. ANSWER: The lake of fire is reserved for Satan and anyone, including the fallen angels, who follow/followed him.
  2. What do the following verses tell us about Christ’s death on the cross: Colossians 1:19-22 and Colossians 2:14-15?
    1. ANSWER: These verses indicate that Christ’s death on the cross affected both the earthly realm as well the heavenly realm, i.e., all creatures or beings—both angel and man.
  3. Christ specifically addressed Satan’s judgment in these passages: John 12:31, John 16:11, and Hebrews 2:14. What do they tell us?
    1. ANSWER 1: Satan will be judged, and he will be driven out.
    2. ANSWER 2: Satan was already condemned before Christ died on the cross.
    3. ANSWER 3: Through Christ’s death, Satan has no power over us as followers of Christ.

The Execution of Satan’s Judgment

We will examine Satan’s judgment, as it is carried out in three successive events:

  • Satan’s being cast out of heaven, as described in Revelation 12:7-12.
  • Satan’s judgment at Christ’s Second Coming, as described in Matthew 24:30 and 2 Thessalonians 2:8-10.
  • Satan’s final judgment, as described in Revelation 20:10
  1. First, Satan was cast out of heaven (see Revelation 12:7-12).
    1. How is he cast out?
      1. ANSWER: He is case out by Michael and the holy angels.
    2. What does this mean to Satan?
      1. ANSWER: Although he does not recognize it, it signifies that he has already lost—his plan has failed. He now only has a short time left, and he will be generally confined to earth during that short time.
    3. Who will Satan’s heaviest wrath fall upon on, as symbolized in Revelation 12:13-17?
      1. ANSWER: The woman in this passage symbolizes the nation of Israel.
  2. Second, Satan will be judged at Christ’s Second Coming, as portrayed in Matthew 24:30 and 2 Thessalonians 2:8-10.
    1. What does Revelation 20:1-3 indicate to us regarding Satan’s judgment upon Christ’s return?
      1. ANSWER: Satan will cast into the abyss for 1,000 years.
    2. What happens after Satan is subsequently released from the abyss? See Revelation 20:7-10.
      1. ANSWER: War and unrest cease during the millennial period, but then resume when Satan is released.
    3. If we contrast events occurring during the time before Satan is thrown into the abyss with events during the time when he is confined to the abyss; we see that war is prevalent before, and then it ceases. Similarly, contrast the Millennial period with post-Millennial period when Satan is released: again, war resumes. What can we infer from this?
      1. ANSWER: We can infer from this that Satan causes all war.
  3. Finally, after Satan’s final judgment as recounted in Revelation 20:10; what is his ultimate punishment?
    1. ANSWER: Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire where he and his followers "will be tormented day and night for ever and ever"[NIV].

Satan’s Evil Character

  1. Man has innumerable ways to sin regarding things of the flesh, the material world, and the spirit world, including lust, covetousness, the black arts, greed, murder, etc.; however, angels can only sin in two ways. Can you identify these two from the following verses?
    1. Read 1 Timothy 3:6, Ezekiel 28:17, and Isaiah 14:12-14 and identify the first way that they can sin.
      1. ANSWER: Ambitious pride.
    2. Read John 8:44, 1 John 3:8, Romans 1:21-22, Romans 1:25, Romans 1:28-31, and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; and identify the second way that they can sin.
      1. ANSWER: Lies and lying.
      2. So, in conclusion, angels do not lust; they are not lazy, gluttonous, nor covetous; they do not rob, steal, etc. There are only two ways they can sin; specifically those identified above: ambitious pride, and lies.
  2. Given that Satan and the demons can only sin through two primary ways, this implies that popular impressions regarding the character of Satan and the demons are mostly in error. What are some of these popular impressions?
    1. ANSWER: Popular misconceptions regarding the nature of demons include concepts that they read our minds, that they desire what we have, and that they are greedy or somehow desirous of the material things of this world—nothing could be further from the truth. Their goals, i.e., Satan’s goals, are clear: to raise Satan up above the heavens, to have the world worship him, and to deceive mankind.
  3. In terms of Satan’s sinfulness and deceit, what do the following passages indicate to us: Revelation 2:24 and 1 Timothy 4:1?
    1. ANSWER: These passages tell us that there exist "so-called deep secrets" of Satan; and the doctrines or teachings of demons.
  4. Let’s see how much we have retained from our study so far. Fill in the blanks in the following statements regarding Satan and his fallen angels:
    1. Satan and his fallen angels can do nothing outside the _____________.
      1. ANSWER: "permissive will of God"
    2. They have great knowledge, but are not ___________.
      1. ANSWER: "omniscient"
    3. They have vast power but are not ___________.
      1. ANSWER: "omnipotent"
    4. They cover the world but they are not ____________.
      1. ANSWER: "omnipresent"
    5. They can _______ evil, but they cannot coerce the will of another creature.
      1. ANSWER: " suggest"
    6. They can spread snares and devices to ruin the children of God, but they cannot ________ any other being to comply.
      1. ANSWER: "compel"
    7. They have power over nature when permitted to use it, but they ______ create anything.
      1. ANSWER: "cannot"
  5. Read Luke 22:31-32, 1 Corinthians 5:5 and 1 Timothy 1:20. In these examples, what is God using Satan for?
    1. ANSWER: We see that God sometimes uses Satan as an instrument to chasten and correct erring Christians.

Satan is a liar and deceiver—as are his followers. He is the prince of the air and the ruler over the present "cosmos"—this world. In the next lesson, we will look at the world according to Satan and see why Christ said, "I am not of this world".

May God continue to bless you through this study.

In Christ,

Wes

[2012]

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