The serpent

[Tellyontellyon]

Was the serpent in the garden of eden actually the devil?
Was the serpent evil?
When was Lucifer cast down: before or after the serpent tempting Eve?
Was it necessary for God's plan to unfold?

Edit.. garden of eden

 

[BobRyan]

1 .Was the serpent in the garden of evil actually the devil?
2. Was the serpent evil?
3. When was Lucifer cast down: before or after the serpent tempting Eve?
4. Was it necessary for God's plan to unfold?

Rev 12 calls the devil "The serpent of old".

But it is not clear that the serpent was not an actual animal being manipulated by Satan to make it appear that the serpent was talking.
In Gen 3 - the real serpent is there -- and then God curses all serpents by making them crawl on the ground so even though Satan is said in Rev 12 to be the "serpent of old" -- still actual snakes were cursed.

2. So then "The serpent" as in "The animal" was not evil at all. Rather it was made by God on the 6th day and God saw all that He had made - and it was good. But Satan (who was evil at that time) hijacked the serpent to approach Eve in a form that she would have known and would not fear.

3. Lucifer was cast out of heaven before life was created on Earth - he was "The serpent of old" in Eden.

4. Evil was never God's plan. He knew about it but He did not desire it to exist. Evil exists as a consequence of God's sovereign choice to create free will in His intelligent creation. The unfallen angels prove that having free will does not mean someone is destined to sin. They never sinned and they had/have free will.

 

[d taylor]

Was the serpent in the garden of evil actually the devil?
Was the serpent evil?
When was Lucifer cast down: before or after the serpent tempting Eve?
Was it necessary for God's plan to unfold?

-
​

No
The serpent was like Judas, used by satan.
Satan has lost his position in serving God. But he will eventually not be allowed to have access to heaven above and will be cast down to the earth during the tribulation and is barred access to heaven once and for all.
Was what necessary

 

[Maria Billingsley]

Was the serpent in the garden of eden actually the devil?
Was the serpent evil?
When was Lucifer cast down: before or after the serpent tempting Eve?
Was it necessary for God's plan to unfold?

Edit.. garden of eden

-The "serpent " is an anthropomorphism for the Adversary.
- The Adversary is the tester and tempter. God allows him to deceive those who believe a lie. Adam and Eve believed a lie. The Serpent is an " evil doer".
-Lucifer is not the name of the Adversary. This error continues because no one takes the time to find out who Lucifer really is. As far as being cast out of heaven , the Bible is rich in vivid imagery, using metaphors, similes, and symbolism to convey spiritual truths. The Adversary and his angels were not literally cast out of heaven as they have no place in it as " evil doers". This is a good example of scriptural imagery to convey contrast between good and evil and to reiterate the fact that he roams the earth to seek who he may devour.
- Anything God does is necessary according to His will.

Blessings