The Doctrine of Satan--a Bible Study

[Father Rick]

Since there are so many issues regarding demonology/deliverance, etc. on the forum right now I thought it might be good to back up a bit to lay out some foundations as to who/what Satan is, then from there move into who/what demons are (and are not). This is intended to be a BIBLE STUDY... meaning, all are welcome to join and discuss. I simply ask that scriptural support be given for positions presented. When we get to verses on which there may be disagreement, we'll dig in to see the various interpretations, and try to determine which one(s) stick closes to the scriptures.



The following is a study outline I put together years ago:

His existence

1. Taught in seven Old Testament books and acknowledged by every New Testament writer.
2. Christ acknowledged and taught the existence of Satan (Matt. 13:39; Luke 10:18 and 11:18).

[SIZE=+1]His nature[/SIZE]

1. A created being (Ezek. 28:14,15) -- Therefore he must answer to His creator.
2. A spirit being (Eph. 6:11,12).
3. Was a cherubim (Ezek. 28:14).
4. Highest of all angelic beings (Ezek. 28:12).
5. Limitations:
a. He is a creature and therefore, not
omnipotent, omnipresent or omniscient.
b. Can be resisted by the Christian
(James 4:7).
c. God has placed certain limitations on him (Job 1:12).

His personality

1. Intellect (Matt. 4; II Cor. 11:3) -- he quotes Scripture.
2. Emotions (Rev. 12) -- anger.
3. Will (II Cor. 2:26; Isa. 14; Matt. 25:41 and II Tim. 2:26) -- morally responsible.


[SIZE=+1]Personality traits[/SIZE]

1. He is a murderer (John 8:44).
2.He is a liar (John 8:44).
3. He is a confirmed sinner (I John 3:8).
4. He is an accuser (Rev. 12:10).
5.He is an adversary (I Pet. 5:8).

[SIZE=+1]Principle names[/SIZE]

1. Satan -- adversary (II Cor. 11:14).
2. Devil -- slanderer (Matt. 4:1).
3. Serpent -- deceitful (Rev. 12:9).
4. Lucifer -- son of the morning (Isa. 14:12).
5. Evil one (I John 5:19).
6. Dragon (Rev. 12:17).
7. Prince of this world (John 12:31).
8. God of this world (I Cor. 2:4).
9. Accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10).
10. Beelzebub -- prince of the demons (Matt. 12:24).
11. Belial (II Cor. 6:15).

Satan's fall

(cp. Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14)
1. His sin (Isa. 14:5 and 12-15) -- "I wills. . . ."
a. I will ascend into Heaven (I will take God's
place).
b. I will exalt my throne above the stars of God
(above the angels).
c. I will sit on the mount of the assembly in the
far north.
d. I will ascend above. . . clouds (the glory of
God).
e. I will be like the most high. (Satan wanted to
be the possessor of heaven and earth.) -His sin
was pride (I Tim. 3:6) and it may be
characterized as counterfeiting God (like the
Most High).
2. His punishments:
a. Cast out of his original position in Heaven
(Ezek. 28:16).
b. In the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:14-15).
c. At the cross (John 12:31).
d. Will be barred from all access to Heaven during the tribulation period (Rev. 12:7-13).
e. Will be confined to the abyss (Rev. 20:2).
f. Will be cast into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:10)..

Satan's work as related to:

1. God:
a. Tries to thwart the plan of God in every area and by every means possible.
b. Seeks to counterfeit God's program.
c. Tempted Christ (Matt. 4).
d. Possessed the body of Judas to betray Christ (John 13:27).

2. Unbelievers:
a. Blinds their minds (II Cor. 4:4).
b. es the word out of their hearts (Luke 8:12).
c. Uses unbelievers to oppose the work of God (Rev. 2:13).
d. He will gather them to the battle of Armageddon (Rev. 16:13-14).
e. He deceives them now (Rev. 20:3).

3. Believers:
a. Tempts believers to lie (Acts 5:3).
b. Accuses and slanders believers (Rev. 12:10).
c. Can hinder the work of a Christian (II Thess. 2:18).
d. Tries to defeat us through demons (Eph. 6:12).
e. Tempts us to immorality (I Cor. 7:5).
f. Sows counterfeits among believers (Matt. 13:38,39).
g. Incites persecutions against believers (Rev. 2:10).


[SIZE=+1]Defense of the believers [/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]against Satan:[/SIZE]

1. Intercession of Christ (Heb. 7:25; John 17:15).
2. Have proper attitude toward Satan (I Pet. 5:8 and Jude 8,9).
3. Be on guard against Satan (I Pet. 5:8).
4. Take a stand against Satan, although at times we should flee (James 4:7 and II Tim. 2:22).
5. Use the spiritual armor (Eph. 6:11-18).





Since Ezekiel states that he was a cherubim (one of the angelic hosts) before his fall, we'll need to look at the nature of angels as well.

 

[Father Rick]

Existence of angels

1. Angels are found in thirty-four books of the Bible in two hundred seventy-five references.
2. Christ taught the existence of angels (Matt. 18:10; 26:53).
3. The angels are a distinct order of creation and have been given a heavenly position, or sphere, above the sphere of man (Heb. 2:7-9 and Rev. 5:11; 7; 11).
4. Angel means "messenger." In the New Testament, they are always referred to in the masculine gender

[SIZE=+1]Creation of Angels[/SIZE]

-- Colossians 1: 15-17
Angels are not a race but a host. They are the sons of God (Job 1:6), not of other angels. They were created (Job 38:6,7) at some point in time before the creation of the physical world. The angels were created in a state of holiness (Jude 6). They are innumerable (Heb. 12:22)[SIZE=+1].[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+1]The personality of angels:[/SIZE]

Angels have distinct personalities, each possesses:
1. Intellect (I Pet. 1:12).
2. Emotions (Luke 2:13).
3. Will (Jude 6) -- able to leave their first estate.

[SIZE=+1][SIZE=+1]The nature of angels: [/SIZE]

1. They are spirit beings (Heb. 1:14).
2. They do not reproduce (Mark 12:25).
3. They are masculine (except in Zech.5:9 )
4. They do not lie (Luke 20:36).
5. They have great power (II Pet. 2:11).

[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]The Ministry of Angels[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+1]1. To Christ: [/SIZE]
a. Predicted His birth (Luke 1:26-33).
b. Announced His birth (Luke 2:13).
c. Protected Him as a baby (Matt. 2:13).
d. Strengthened him after His temptation (Matt. 4:11).
e. Prepared to defend Him (Matt. 26:53).
f. Rolled away the stone and announced His resurrection (Matt. 28:2,6).
g. At Christ's ascension (Acts 1).

2. To believers:
a. Help believers in general (Heb. 1:14).
b. Involved in answering prayer (Acts 12; 7).
c. Give encouragement (Acts 27:23-24).
d. Guardian angels (Heb. 1:14; Matt. 18:10).
e. Observe Christians' experiences (I Cor. 4:9; I Tim 5:21).
f. Interested in evangelistic efforts (Luke 15:10; Acts 8:26).
g. Care for believers at death (Luke 16:2; Jude 9).

3. To unbelievers:
a. Involved in executing the judgments of the tribulation period (Rev. 8,9 and 16).
b. Bring punishment to unbelievers (Acts 12:23).
c. Involved when the Lord returns to establish His kingdom (Matt. 13:39).

[SIZE=+1]Classification of Angels[/SIZE]

1. Archangel-Michael whose name means "Who is like unto God" (Jude 9).

2. Elect angels (I Tim. 5:21).

3. Principalities and powers -- used of all angels and sometimes of only the fallen angels (Eph. 1:21; 3:10).

4. Gabriel (Luke 1:19). While commonly thought to be an archangel, scripture does not specifically state this.

 

[Father Rick]

THE ORIGIN OF DEMONS
Angels were created by God before He created the heavens and the earth; but one-third of them became demons when they rebelled against God. (Revelations 12:3-4,9; Matthew 25:41)​

THE NATURE OF DEMONS​

A. WHAT DEMONS ARE NOT
Demons are not the disembodied spirits of a pre-Adamic race. The Bible speaks of Adam as the first man (1 Corinthians 15:45, 47), and its explanation as to the origin of demons contradicts, and therefore nullifies, that view. ​

Demons are not the disembodied spirits of those who have died without Christ. Scriptures specifically says when such die, they "lift up their eyes in Hades" (Luke 16:22). They remain in this state until Christ returns for final judgement. (Job 14:12) They do NOT continue "roaming" the earth.​

B. WHAT DEMONS ARE
Demons are angels; and everything that the Scriptures teach about the nature of angels - except for holiness - is true of demons. Demons are angels, but unholy ones; ones that have chosen to rebel against God and have retained their defiled, sinful nature since that time.
A simple definition of demon is: A demon is an unholy, rebellious, thoroughly depraved angel bent on destroying the plans, the works, and the people of God; indeed, all people.​

An important note here... based on the scriptures in the posts above describing both angels and satan we know that demons:​

1) Are "beings" -- not just "a force" or "an energy"
2) These beings have personality, will, and intelligence​

We also know that they may appear to people in a bodily form-- as angels were seen by and held conversations with people. (John 20:12; Matthew 28:5). We also know that this bodily form is such that angels can open doors and roll stones. (Matthew 28:2; Acts 12:7-11)​

 

[liketotalk]

Thank you Father Rick! You are such a blessing on these forums. This is excellent. I just put it in my favorites. This is going to help a lot of people.

 

[Ciana]

Thank you Father Rick! You are such a blessing on these forums. This is excellent. I just put it in my favorites. This is going to help a lot of people.

Agree! . . . and find myself full of questions.

 

[Father Rick]

Thank you Father Rick! You are such a blessing on these forums. This is excellent. I just put it in my favorites. This is going to help a lot of people.

Thanks...

I really don't like starting "teaching" threads per se... I really prefer for people to dig out the scriptures for themselves. But, if it's helpful then great...

 

[Optimax]

There are several points we do not agree on, however, this is a no debate area that your thread was posted in.

 

[Father Rick]

There are several points we do not agree on, however, this is a no debate area that your thread was posted in.

IMO, there's a difference between discussion/disagreement and debate.

If you disagree with something, please feel free to give scripture as to why you disagree and we can study it out. That's how we learn from each other. And if we can't reach a consensus, then we may have to just agree to disagree agreeably.

 

[ralangley]

Thank you for posting this! Interesting!

Question on your assertion that at times we should flee demons....

You cited:

James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

2Tim 2: 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

I'm not reading that we should flee in these two passages. I'm reading that the devil will flee from us but that we shouldn't endulge our youthful lusts....

Also curious on your take of demon possession/inhabitation of Christians. Thanks!

 

[Yekcidmij]

Want to see something odd?


Num 22:22
But God was angry because he was going, and the angel of the LORD took his stand in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was riding on his donkey and his two servants were with him.

The actual Hebrew word for the highlighted portion is "satan". So it literally reads that the angel of the LORD stood in his way as satan against him.

The same thing happens again a few verses later:

Num 22:32
The angel of the LORD said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way was contrary to me.


This time the angel of the LORD identifies Himself as "satan".


Weird huh?

 

[Father Rick]

Want to see something odd?


Num 22:22
But God was angry because he was going, and the angel of the LORD took his stand in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was riding on his donkey and his two servants were with him.

The actual Hebrew word for the highlighted portion is "satan". So it literally reads that the angel of the LORD stood in his way as satan against him.

The same thing happens again a few verses later:

Num 22:32
The angel of the LORD said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way was contrary to me.


This time the angel of the LORD identifies Himself as "satan".


Weird huh?

There's a difference between "an adversary" and "the adversary".

The angel of the Lord is not saying that he is "Satan", rather that he was an enemy of one trying to do evil.

 

[Father Rick]

Thank you for posting this! Interesting!

Question on your assertion that at times we should flee demons....

You cited:

James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

2Tim 2: 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

I'm not reading that we should flee in these two passages. I'm reading that the devil will flee from us but that we shouldn't endulge our youthful lusts....

Also curious on your take of demon possession/inhabitation of Christians. Thanks!

First, I believe we should flee situations that put us in temptation. For instance, Joseph "fled" from Potifer's wife. An alcoholic should avoid bars like the plague, etc. Sometimes our avoidance of places/situations-- especially in areas where we may be weak and know we are more susceptible to attack-- should not just be a passive avoidance, but an active running away from.

As to demon possession/inhabitation of Christians, I'll be glad to answer that separately... just want to cover a few basics first before we get there.

 

[Yekcidmij]

There's a difference between "an adversary" and "the adversary".

The angel of the Lord is not saying that he is "Satan", rather that he was an enemy of one trying to do evil.

Father,

I know He's not saying He is the devil prince of evil. You're right, the article "the" is not present in either of those verses. "Satan" is actually used as a verb (to satan) in those verses anyway and not a noun. I just thought it looked weird, that's all.

 

[Father Rick]

Father,

I know He's not saying He is the devil prince of evil. You're right, the article "the" is not present in either of those verses. "Satan" is actually used as a verb (to satan) in those verses anyway and not a noun. I just thought it looked weird, that's all.

Oh, I completely agree that it looks weird, especially if you don't know the language enough to understand the context/syntax of the passage to understand what is being said.

It's one of the reasons why it's important to look at some of these passages carefully rather than building a doctrine around an interpretation of a single passage taken out of it's context.

 

[Yekcidmij]

Father,

I know He's not saying He is the devil prince of evil. You're right, the article "the" is not present in either of those verses. "Satan" is actually used as a verb (to satan) in those verses anyway and not a noun. I just thought it looked weird, that's all.

Ps 109:6 (noun), 1 King 11:14-25 (noun), 1 Chr 21:1 all use "satan" as a noun meaning "adversary". It's not always a proper name in the OT that talks about THE Satan.


Ps 38:20; 109:4,20-20; 1 Sam 29:4 (verb), and 2 Sam 19:22 (verb) use "satan" as a verb meaning "to adversary".


I think Job and Zechariah are the only Old Testament books that talk about "satan" as being a particular individual. But I'm not so sure it's a proper name there as much as it would be a title. But I do think the particular figure deemed "satan" in Job and Zech is the same figure talked about in the NT.

 

[ralangley]

First, I believe we should flee situations that put us in temptation. For instance, Joseph "fled" from Potifer's wife. An alcoholic should avoid bars like the plague, etc. Sometimes our avoidance of places/situations-- especially in areas where we may be weak and know we are more susceptible to attack-- should not just be a passive avoidance, but an active running away from.

As to demon possession/inhabitation of Christians, I'll be glad to answer that separately... just want to cover a few basics first before we get there.

Yeah, I agree that there are many places where we may be weak and more susceptible to attack. I'm thinking though, that as we become stronger spiritually, we embody Christ to the extent that our very presence is a threat to demons. Ideally, we shouldn't have to flee anything, they would flee us.

When you get to the subject of demon possession, I'm very interested in a non-combative discussion. So many people seem polarized on this subject and for me, its hard to learn anything from such discussions.

 

[Father Rick]

Yeah, I agree that there are many places where we may be weak and more susceptible to attack. I'm thinking though, that as we become stronger spiritually, we embody Christ to the extent that our very presence is a threat to demons. Ideally, we shouldn't have to flee anything, they would flee us.

This is one of those dichotomies that we find in scripture. On the one hand, scripture is very clear that we have authority over demonic spirits. Personally, I have experienced just my presence in the room has caused them to freak out at times. However, that doesn't stop me from being tempted or from coming under attack just like everyone else.

When you get to the subject of demon possession, I'm very interested in a non-combative discussion. So many people seem polarized on this subject and for me, its hard to learn anything from such discussions.

I agree. It's frequently difficult to have a good study, since so many people add things to scripture that aren't actually there-- often without realizing they are doing so. It's very easy to allow oneself to interpret scripture in the light of one's experience, rather than interpretting one's experience in the light of scripture.

 

[EternalSummer]

First, I believe we should flee situations that put us in temptation. For instance, Joseph "fled" from Potifer's wife. An alcoholic should avoid bars like the plague, etc. Sometimes our avoidance of places/situations-- especially in areas where we may be weak and know we are more susceptible to attack-- should not just be a passive avoidance, but an active running away from.

As to demon possession/inhabitation of Christians, I'll be glad to answer that separately... just want to cover a few basics first before we get there.

I'm enjoying this study so far. Thanks for bringing the various scriptures togheter on these subjects.

I find it interesting that the Bible also says to flee fornication, and you mention Joseph with Potphar's wife. Good illustration of that. I read somewhere once about how other sins are things outside the realm of who God created us to be, and therefore we resist those, but that fornication touches upon sexuality which is a valid part of who God made us to be, and that is why we should "flee" it. Don't know if that could be supported by scripture but I found it an interesting contemplation.

I think a Christian can definitely become demonized (and even inhabited if things progress that far) just like anyone else. But then again I don't have a conventional view of that which relies upon the need to ascribe worse sin, more sin, or bigger sin to the person who suffers that way than to someone who suffers, say, a car wreck, a stillborn baby, or a case of cancer. I'm looking forward to reading what you have to share in that respect as well.

God bless.

 

[EternalSummer]

Ps 109:6 (noun), 1 King 11:14-25 (noun), 1 Chr 21:1 all use "satan" as a noun meaning "adversary". It's not always a proper name in the OT that talks about THE Satan.

Ps 38:20; 109:4,20-20; 1 Sam 29:4 (verb), and 2 Sam 19:22 (verb) use "satan" as a verb meaning "to adversary".

I think Job and Zechariah are the only Old Testament books that talk about "satan" as being a particular individual. But I'm not so sure it's a proper name there as much as it would be a title. But I do think the particular figure deemed "satan" in Job and Zech is the same figure talked about in the NT.

This is interesting. As an aside could these uses of the term "adversary" also apply to explaining the discrepancy between 1 Chronicles 21:1 and 2 Samuel 24:1? Look --

"And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel." 1 Chronicles 21:1.

"And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah." 2 Samuel 24:1

If we built a doctrine from these two verses stuck together alone, we might end up believing Satan to be a name given to "the anger of the Lord". Which means Satan would be like an alter-ego or alter-personality of God somehow -- a sort of "Mr. Hyde" to God's "Dr. Jekyll"?? Now THAT would just be WEIRD. Of course in some ways it would make sense, too, which is even weirder ...

ACK!

 

[EternalSummer]

Yeah, I agree that there are many places where we may be weak and more susceptible to attack. I'm thinking though, that as we become stronger spiritually, we embody Christ to the extent that our very presence is a threat to demons. Ideally, we shouldn't have to flee anything, they would flee us.

When you get to the subject of demon possession, I'm very interested in a non-combative discussion. So many people seem polarized on this subject and for me, its hard to learn anything from such discussions.

Amen to that, ralangley. I too would welcome a non-combative discussion of the subject.

With regard to what you say above about embodying Christ so much that demons perceive us as a threat? I honestly think that the full embodiment of Christ in our lives is the goal of walking in the Spirit and fighting the good fight of faith (not the fight Christ already won but the fight to lay hold of it -- the fight of FAITH). And I think what you propose there to be completely possible indeed. However I will state in my own (admittedly limited) experience I have yet to meet any fellow Christians who currently demonstrably occupy such a position -- and with all due respect, without exception, every one I've met who seems dead sure they fill that bill falls so far short it's literally scary to watch. Literally.

God bless.