Satan in the Bible

“That we may not be taken advantage of by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.” 2 Corinthians 2:11

Why would I write a post about Satan? That seems a little creepy. Yet, perhaps the subtle serpent’s greatest feat is veiling all of the Lord’s believers from seeing who he is, what he is doing, and why he is doing it. I hope to shame the enemy in this post and  expose him in his various schemes.

Origin

“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth…When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” Job 38:4-7

All of the angels were created before the earth. When Genesis 1 says that “God created the heavens,” that includes all the angels and everything else in the heavens. This preceded the creation and laying of the foundations of the earth, with no time period given.

Satan was one of the angels. He was not only an angel, but the highest angel of them all as revealed in Ezekiel 28. In this chapter, it is revealed that Lucifer was God’s anointed cherubim and that he even had the priesthood and the kingship. In fact, Satan was given authority over all the earth and is considered the ruler of the world (Jn. 12:31) and the prince of the air (Eph. 2:2). Consider the temptations of the Lord in Matthew 4:

“Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, ‘All these will I give You if You will fall down and worship me.'” vv. 9-8

How could Satan make such an offer if he didn’t have all the kingdoms of the world? He is in control of this earth and has created the system in which we live.

Fall

“Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom by reason of your brightness.” Ezekiel 28:17

“But you, you said in your heart: I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will exalt my throne. And I will sit upon the mount of assembly in the uttermost parts of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” Isaiah 14:13-14

“Not a new convert, lest being blinded with pride he fall into the judgment suffered by the devil.” 1 Timothy 3:6

Satan fell due to pride. Satan looked upon himself and willed that he would be like God. In his self-righteousness and arrogance, Satan was cast down from heaven, even to the uttermost parts of the pit (Is. 14:15). Satan did not rebel alone, but he took a third of the angelic host with him (Rev. 12:4, 9).

However, Satan has not lost his dominion or his role on the earth. Today he freely roams to and fro on the earth, even coming into the assembly of the angels before the face of Jehovah (Job 1:7, 12).

His Replacement and Executioner

“And God blessed them; and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion'” Genesis 1:28a

“Now the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.” Romans 16:20

When the Lord created man, undoubtedly Satan was watching. When he saw God step out of heaven and come down to intimately form Adam, Satan was watching (2:7). And as the Lord uttered the words in 1:28, undoubtedly Satan heard.

God is infinitely wise, just, and righteous, but more than all, God desires to and will be glorified. Thus, God did not just crush Satan like an ant from the get-go. Surely the Almighty could have dealt with Satan immediately, yet He willed a more glorious plan: create a creature that would do it for Him! Thus, man was made as Satan’s replacement and executioner.

Here, I must make mention of something that theologians have called the “principle of incarnation.” This is the principle God uses to execute His will on the earth. You will struggle to find a single instance after the original creation where God does something directly. He always works by, with, and through man. If God wants to rebuild the temple, Daniel must be praying (Dan. 9), if God wants to split a sea, Moses must lift up his staff (Ex. 14), if God wants to redeem humanity, He must do it through a man (Jn. 1:14).

So God created man not as a superior creature to the angels and Satan, but rather as a vessel through which God could execute His judgment on Satan, take back dominion of the earth, and have His kingdom (Matt. 6:10). God will not simply crush Satan. He will use a lesser creature, man, to subdue His foe. This is why Satan hates us. We are His replacement and executioner.

Schemes

“The thief does not come except to steal and kill and destroy” John 10:10a

“Be sober; watch. Your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

“And no wonder, for Satan himself transfigures himself into an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 11:14

“The accuser of our brothers has been cast down, who accuses them before our God day and night” Revelation 12:10b

Satan has many tactics, and we must recognize that he plays an active role in the distress of the saints. There are many asking questions today such as, “why did God do this to me?” or “how could God let this happen?” This is identical to the situation of Job  where people blamed God (1:16) but should have blamed Satan (v. 12).

He causes us harm, seeks to devour us, deceives us as an angel of light, and accuses us day and night. We must stand firm to not only resist him, but even to bind him, plunder his house, and let Christ execute His judgement.

“Whatever you bind on the earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on the earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” Matthew 18:18

“Or how can anyone enter into the house of the strong man and plunder his goods unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will thoroughly plunder his house.” Matthew 12:29

“And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they loved not their soul-life even unto death.” Revelation 12:11

Lord, bind Satan and crush him under our feet! Thank You that You desire to work through us. Praise You that You have given us the power of the Spirit to bind Satan and plunder his house. Praise You for Your precious blood that allows us to testify to Satan that He has been defeated and we are innocent in Christ! Lord, crush Satan shortly!