Study of Satan (Satanology)

Grace Bible Church

4000 E. Collins Rd. P.O. Box #3762 Gillette, WY 82717 (307) 686-1516

- Preaching the Living WORD through the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4:2 -

STUDY OF SATAN (SATANOLOGY)

Grace Bible Church, Gillette, Wyoming

Pastor Daryl Hilbert

I. THE EXISTENCE OF SATAN

A. Introduction

1. Satanology and Demonology, technically, are under the Study of Angels since Satan and Demons are angels , though they be fallen angels.

2. One of the most common forms of disbelief in Satan is to personify him as “evil” but not as a bona fide person.

3. In addition, Dualism (Theology, struggle between good and evil) has always held a prominent place in ancient and modern belief systems.

4. Or perhaps a more modern view is that Satan wears red leotards and a pitchfork creating havoc wherever he goes.

5. However, it is not until we come to the Scriptures we see a fuller and accurate picture of Satan.

B. Biblical Sources

1. Satan is mentioned in seven Old Testament books (Genesis, 1 Chronicles, Job, Psalms, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Zechariah).

2. He is mentioned by every New Testament writer.

3. Jesus refers to Satan in 24 of the 29 times mentioned in the Gospels.

C. Names and Titles

1. There are approximately 27 names, titles, and references to Satan (See chart).

2. Specific Names and titles

a) The name “Satan” (Heb. Satan, Grk. Satanas) used aprox. 52 times, literally means, adversary or enemy (1Ch 21:1; Mat 4:10).

b) The name “Devil” (diabolos, Eng. diabolical) is only used in the NT aprox. 32 times and means slanderer (Mat 4:1; Eph 4:27).

c) He is known as the “Serpent” because of his sly and crafty character (Gen 3:1; 2Co 11:3).

d) He is called, “accuser of the brethren” because he opposes believers before God (Rev 12:10).

e) He is called the, “Father of lies” because he is a deceiver and the originator of lies (Joh 8:44).

II. THE NATURE OF SATAN

A. The reason that Dualism (struggle between good and evil) is erroneous is because Satan is a created being (Eze 28:15; Col 1:16), whereas God alone is the omnipotent Creator.

B. Satan was created as an angelic being, who was:

1. Originally perfect and holy (Eze 28:12, 15)

2. Full of wisdom and beauty (Eze 28:12)

3. In the Garden of Eden (Eze 28:13)

4. The highest (probably) anointed cherub (Eze 28:14).

5. In the presence of God’s throne (Eze 28:14)

C. Satan’s personality is understood through his:

1. Intellect (Mat 4:1-11; 2Co 11:3)

2. Emotion (1Ti 3:6; Rev 12:17)

3. Will (2Ti 2:26; Mat 25:41)

III. THE FALL OF SATAN

A. Views on Ezekiel 28:11-19

1. Literal Only (King of Tyre)

a) There was an actual king of Tyre.

b) Though exaggerated language, he was righteous at first but then fell by his pride.

c) God brought judgment against him.

2. Figurative Also

a) All hold to a literal Ruler of Tyre. But many hold that Eze 28:11-19 goes beyond the Ruler of Tyre and points to Satan

b) Numerous symbols

(1) Symbol of mythology (Pagan, Phoenician).

(2) Primal being removed from Garden of Eden.

(3) Symbol of Mankind.

(4) The ideal man, Adam.

(5) Antichrist.

(6) Satan.

c) The only real plausible explanation is that Eze 28:11-19 in addition to the Ruler of Tyre, is speaking of Satan’s original condition and fall.

(1) Paul Enns comments, There is considerable discussion concerning the interpretation of this passage; however, the text must pass beyond the king of Tyre since expressions such as “perfect in beauty,” “you were in Eden,” “anointed cherub,” “you were on the holy mountain of God,” and “you were blameless” are hardly descriptive of that heathen king. These statements must be understood as referring to Satan as a high ranking angel prior to his fall.

(2) Further arguments for Satan in Eze 28:11-19:

(a) It would be difficult for an earthly king to fit this description.

(b) Just as Satan will ultimately be behind Antichrist, he was behind the Ruler of Tyre.

(d) Note the contrast between "man" (9) and "cherub" (14,16).

B. Satan’s Sin in Eze 28:16-19

1. From a biblical perspective, it was the first and original sin.

2. Satan’s sin was internal pride (17a). His heart was lifted up because of his beauty.

3. Satan foolishly took the credit for something God had created (17b).

4. 1 Timothy 3:6 makes reference to Satan’s pride and conceit (tuphóō - swollen or puffed up with pride).

5. Isa 14:13-14 details Satan’s pride and exaltation.

6. Satan’s pride lead to jealously and violence (16).

7. Satan was cast out of heaven (16, 17) and judged (18-19, cp. Mat 25:41; Rev 20:10).

C. The Five “I Wills” of Satan (Isa 14:12-14)

1. Satan desired the divinity of God

a) Satan said, "I will ascend to heaven" (13a)

b) Satan tempted Eve with the same temptation in Gen 3:4 - "you will be like God."

c) Religions have even incorporated the possibility of divinity (Mormons, New Age etc.)

2. Satan desired the dominion of God

a) Satan said, "I will raise my throne above the stars of God" (13b).

b) Satan wanted to have God’s dominion and perhaps over the entire angelic realm (Eze 28:16; Jude 9)

c) Satan’s original rebellion resulted in one-third of the angelic host joining his insurrection and becoming demons. (Rev 12:4 - MacArthur Study Bible)

3. Satan desired the domain of God

a) Satan said, "I will sit enthroned on the mount of the assembly on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain” (13c).

(1) Satan was given temporary rule on earth (Joh 12:31; 16:11; Eph 2:2),

(2) His influences reaches the nations and their leaders (Rev 20:3).

4. Satan desired the dignity of God

a) Satan said, "I will ascend above the tops of the clouds" (14a).

b) Satan ultimately desired the glory and worship due God (Mat 4:8-9).

c) The reality is that Satan lost whatever glory he originally had (Luk 10:18).

5. Satan desired the depiction of God.

a) Satan said, "I will make myself like the Most High" (14b)

b) Satan wanted to be like El-Elyon (the Most High = above all others) which literally means he wanted to be the “Most High God.”

c) Satan’s strategy of counterfeiting is clear in that he shows himself to be an Angel of light (2Co 11:14).

D. Application: Pride

1. Pride in essence was the original sin and is preeminently hated by God (Pro 6:17).

2. Pride could be defined as:

a) Putting oneself in the place of God.

b) Not accepting our God-given position.

c) Taking the credit for something God has done.

d) Seeking self-glory instead of God’s glory.

3. “I” is the middle letter of the word “sin.” “I” is the middle letter of the word “pride.”

4. Scripture is full of admonitions against pride (Pro 11:2; 15:25; 16:5, 18; 21:4, 24; 29:23; Jam 4:6; 1Pe 5:5-6; 1Jo 2:16).

IV. THE ACTIVITIES OF SATAN

A. In Relation to God

1. Satan has attacked God and set up a counterfeit program. Satan attacked:

a) God’s creation, namely man (Gen 3:1),

b) God’s Word (“has God said,” and “not die,” Gen 3:1, 4)

c) and God’s character (“God knows,” Gen 3:5).

2. Satan’s program involves counterfeit religion with a form of godliness but denying its power (2Ti 3:5).

3. Satan’s strategy involves a counterfeit teaching (1Ti 4:1-5; 2Co 11:14).

4. Satan’s ultimate deception will take place at the end times with the Antichrist (2Th 2:9-11).

B. In Relation to Christ

1. Satan has great animosity toward Christ because He is both Savior and victor over the Devil. This animosity was prophesied from the beginning in the “protoevangelion.” The protoevangelion (first mention of the gospel) reveals the conflict between Satan and Christ in Gen 3:15:

a) There will be enmity (LXX - éxthra - hostility or hatred) between Satan and the woman’s seed (Christ).

b) Satan symbolically bruised Christ’s “heel” at the crucifixion.

c) Christ literally defeated Satan (“bruise on the head”) through the crucifixion.

2. Satan attempted to kill Christ from an infancy (Mat 2:16).

3. Satan attempted to thwart Christ by tempting Him to sin in the wilderness (Mat 4:1) in the beginning of His ministry.

4. Satan attempted to get to Christ through Christ’s disciples (Mat 16:23; Joh 13:27).

C. In Relation to the World

1. Satan influences the world to follow their sinful lusts and desires and is called the “prince of the power of the air” (Eph 2:2-3), “ruler of this world” (Joh 12:31; 14:30; 16:11 cp. Job 1:7).

2. Satan influences nations through deception (Rev 20:3 cp. Rev 12:9) and employs his demons to such work (Dan 10:13, 20).

3. Satan ensnares and blinds the eyes of unbelievers to the saving light of the gospel (2Co 4:4).

D. In Relation to Believers

1. God allows Satan to tempt believers:

a) for God’s glory (Job 1:8-12),

b) to prove believers (1Pe 1:6-7),

c) and to increase the believer’s love and gratitude for God (Jam 1:12 cp. Jam 1:13-14).

2. Satan tempts the believer in all areas, but especially in the areas of:

a) immorality (1Co 7:5),

b) selfishness or self-gain (Act 5:1-11),

c) and pride (1Ti 3:6; Jam 4:6-7).

3. All three areas are mentioned in 1Jo 2:16 and the argument could be made that both Eve and Christ were tempted with these three:

a) “lust of the flesh”

(1) Eve (“good for food” - Gen 3:6a),

(2) Christ (“stones become bread - Mat 4:3).

b) “lust of the eyes”

(1) Eve (“delight to the eyes” - Gen 3:6b),

(2) Christ (“all the kingdoms of the world” - Mat 4:8).

c) “pride of life”

(1) Eve (“make one wise” - Gen 3:6c),

(2) Christ (“throw yourself down” - Mat 4:6).

4. Satan directly attacks the believer by hindering the spread of the gospel (1Th 2:18), accusing the brethren (Rev 12:10; 1Jo 2:1-2), and devouring the believer’s testimony (1Pe 5:8 cp. Heb 11:29; 1Ti 3:7).

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