Facing Off With Our Adversary

Posted on July 11, 2007

Various Scriptures

ONE GREAT TRUTH: Lucifer was a part of God’s “very good” creation, but sin was born in his heart and he now represents the essence of sin: rebellion against God, pride, and a total ignorance of consequences.

In our study of Genesis, and particularly the garden of Eden, we’ve seen Satan rearing his ugly head, but we don’t really see where he comes from or what he is really like. This study is a supplement to Journey Through the Word that helps fill in the gaps and explores what the Bible says about the identity of our great adversary.

I. The Rise and Fall of Satan

A. Ezekiel 28:11-19

This passage deals with the evil king of Tyre (Ethbaal III), but it has a larger reference to the evil one who was empowering this wicked king. This is often true, such as when Satan and the serpent in the garden seem to be spoken of as one and the same character.

1. This evil character was in the garden of God.

2. He was robed in an array of beautiful and precious stones.

3. He was a created being.

4. He was an anointed cherub, a type of angel often seen guarding the presence and glory of God.

5. The “stones of fire” are often compared by scholars to the “sea of glass” before the throne of God spoken of in Revelation 4:6.

6. He was created in righteousness and innocence.

7. Sin was the product of his own choices, not assigned by God.

8. His doom is already prophesied.

B. Isaiah 14:12-19

Isaiah is predicting, long in advance, the rise of the Babylonian empire. He further prophecies, even longer in advance, the fall of the Babylonian ruler. He writes of him as though he and the evil one who empowers him are one and the same, as Ezekiel did with Ethbaal.

The key phrase is “I will.” Sin began when Satan uttered these words.

1. “I will” ascend into heaven.

2. “I will” exalt my throne above the stars (angels), ruling them alone.

3. “I will” sit on the sovereign throne of Jerusalem.

4. “I will” have more glory than God.

5. “I will” be like the Creator, the Lord of Sabaoth.

C. Revelation 12:1-17

In this short study, we don’t have time to evaluate all of the elements raised in this chapter, but we do have time to reflect on the elements that discuss Satan’s origin and fall.

1. Verse 4 says Satan drew one third of the “stars” (angels) away with him, each one making the choice to follow him.

2. Verse 7 says there was war in heaven, waged between Michael, the archangel, and the dragon.

3. Lucifer lost the war (verse 8) and was cast down to earth (verse 9) and became the accuser of God’s people (verse 10).

4. Lucifer’s wrath is kindled because he knows the certainty of his own doom (verse 12).

D. Revelation 20:1-3, 10

Satan’s demise is spelled out very clearly in the revealed Word of God.

1. He will be bound during the 1,000 year reign of Christ on earth.

2. He will be cast into the lake of fire forever.

II. Satan’s Character

A. False beliefs about Satan.

1. He is truly god, the view of Satanism, and he will eventually fulfill his evil intentions.

2. Dualism teaches that God is good, Satan is evil, and they are nearly equal powers battling for control of the universe, like “the force” in Star Wars.

3. He is mythological, or mystical at best, not even a real figure at all, but merely representative of the sinful side of humanity.

B. Satan’s real character (as exposed by the Scriptures).

1. He is Satan, the “adversary.” This is the name most often used.

2. He is the Devil, from diabolos (to throw). By this is meant that he hurls accusations at God and God’s people.

3. He is the serpent. He used a serpent in the garden of Eden, and he is described with serpent-like characteristics elsewhere. This indicates his craftiness.

4. He is Beelzebub (Matthew 12:24). This, perhaps, is derived from 2 Kings 1:2 in describing the false god of the Philistines. It’s ancient form means “lord of the flies,” or “lord of filth.” Gehenna was the dump of ancient Jerusalem and was the illustration of the lake of fire. So Beelzebub would be lord of all the filth of hell.

5. He is the ruler or prince (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Eph. 2:2). He is the ruler of a counter-kingdom, opposed to the Kingdom of God. He rules the cosmos, a word used to signify the evil thinking of the lost and rebellious world.

6. He is the god of this world (2 Cor. 4:4), blinding the minds of lost people to the truth of the gospel.

7. He is the Dragon (Rev. 12:3-4, 7, 9, 13, 16-17).

8. He is the Evil One (John 17:15; 1 John 5:18-19).

Conclusion:

The most important verse in knowing how to overcome Satan and his demons is Revelation 12:11. How do you overcome?

• The blood of the Lamb which cleanses and covers our sin and shame.
• The word (truth) of our testimony of salvation.
• Loving not our lives unto death, choosing rather to love the afterlife we have in Christ.