I don't usually like to talk about satan, but I thought it was appropriate for this time of year. People’s beliefs concerning Satan range from the silly to the abstract—from a little guy who wears a red suit with a pitch fork in his hand to poke you to a guy with horns who sits on your shoulder urging you to sin - to go against God’s commandments. None of these extremes are accurate, however, the Bible gives us a clear portrait of who satan is and how he affects our lives.
Put simply, the Bible defines Satan as an angelic being who fell from his position in heaven due to sin (his sin was and is pride-he wants to be God ) and he is now completely opposed to God, doing all in his power to stop God’s purposes and plans.
Here is what the Bible tells us:
Even though he was cast out of heaven, he still seeks to elevate his throne above God. He counterfeits all that God does, hoping to gain the worship of the world and encourage opposition to God’s kingdom. Satan is the ultimate source behind every false cult and world religion. Satan will do anything and everything in his power to oppose God and those who follow God. However, satan’s destiny is sealed—an eternity in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10).
Years ago I remember teaching a Sunday school class and the message that day was on forgiveness. I had a young man in that class ask this question: "If Satan asked forgiveness from the Lord, would the Lord forgive him and even bring him back into the Kingdom of Heaven?"
Good question and unfortunately, I had to answer "NO". There are two reasons which confirm this answer. The Bible tells us:
Satan and his lesser satans or demons act as executioners: they tempt people into sin, accuse sinners for their misdeeds, and finally execute divine judgment as angels of punishment. This angel satan became the devil and was banished from God's presence. In the Book of Revelation, satan appears as a great red dragon, who is defeated by Michael the Archangel and cast down from Heaven. He is later bound for one thousand years, (during the Millennial Kingdom) but is briefly set free before being ultimately being defeated by God and THEN cast into the Lake of Fire for eternity.
Not such a great ending picture is it? Today, remember, that we need to be aware of our adversary, but DO NOT need to listen to our adversary! Choose this day whom you will serve! If you are on the fence, just look at the final picture...satan will be in the Lake of Fire while JESUS will be on HIS ETERNAL THRONE leading us in the New Heaven and the New earth! Choose wisely...choose JESUS today!
Put simply, the Bible defines Satan as an angelic being who fell from his position in heaven due to sin (his sin was and is pride-he wants to be God ) and he is now completely opposed to God, doing all in his power to stop God’s purposes and plans.
Here is what the Bible tells us:
- Satan was created as a holy angel.
- Isaiah 14:12 possibly gives us satan’s pre-fall name as Lucifer.
- Ezekiel 28:12-14 describes satan as having been created as a cherub, apparently the highest created angel.
- He became arrogant in his beauty and status and decided he wanted to sit on a throne above that of God (Isaiah 14:13-14; Ezekiel 28:15; 1 Timothy 3:6).
- Satan’s pride led to his fall. Notice the many “I will” statements in Isaiah 14:12-15.
- Because of his sin, God permanently removed Satan from his exalted position and role.
- Satan became the ruler of this world and the prince of the power of the air (John 12:31; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2).
- He is an accuser (Revelation 12:10),
- a tempter (Matthew 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:5),
- and a deceiver (Genesis 3; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 20:3).
- His very name means “adversary” or “one who opposes.” Another of his titles, the devil, means “slanderer.”
Even though he was cast out of heaven, he still seeks to elevate his throne above God. He counterfeits all that God does, hoping to gain the worship of the world and encourage opposition to God’s kingdom. Satan is the ultimate source behind every false cult and world religion. Satan will do anything and everything in his power to oppose God and those who follow God. However, satan’s destiny is sealed—an eternity in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10).
Years ago I remember teaching a Sunday school class and the message that day was on forgiveness. I had a young man in that class ask this question: "If Satan asked forgiveness from the Lord, would the Lord forgive him and even bring him back into the Kingdom of Heaven?"
Good question and unfortunately, I had to answer "NO". There are two reasons which confirm this answer. The Bible tells us:
- It is written by God (and it WILL come true): And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. —(Revelation 20:10 ).
- Remember hell was created by God for Satan and his demons not for man. But man chooses his future for eternity.). In Ezekiel we are told that The devil is an angel (Ezekiel 28:14) and Jesus came to redeem mankind (not angels); therefore Satan's sins were not paid for on the Cross. You were the anointed cherub who covers, And I placed you there. You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked in the midst of the stones of fire. —Ezekiel 28:14 . . . there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved —Acts 4:12 .
Satan and his lesser satans or demons act as executioners: they tempt people into sin, accuse sinners for their misdeeds, and finally execute divine judgment as angels of punishment. This angel satan became the devil and was banished from God's presence. In the Book of Revelation, satan appears as a great red dragon, who is defeated by Michael the Archangel and cast down from Heaven. He is later bound for one thousand years, (during the Millennial Kingdom) but is briefly set free before being ultimately being defeated by God and THEN cast into the Lake of Fire for eternity.
Not such a great ending picture is it? Today, remember, that we need to be aware of our adversary, but DO NOT need to listen to our adversary! Choose this day whom you will serve! If you are on the fence, just look at the final picture...satan will be in the Lake of Fire while JESUS will be on HIS ETERNAL THRONE leading us in the New Heaven and the New earth! Choose wisely...choose JESUS today!
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