Angelology-The Study (Doctrine) of Angels
Satan: The Angel of Light
The Bible teaches that Satan is the greatest enemy of both God and man. We
must search the scriptures so we are aware of his schemes.
A. The existence of Satan
1. Proof in Old Testament
“an adversary”
Job 1:6 One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and
Satan also came with them. 7 The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come
from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going
back and forth in it."
Zech 3:1-2 3:1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the
angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. 2 The
LORD said to Satan , "The LORD rebuke you, Satan !
Angelology-The Study (Doctrine) of Angels
Satan: The Angel of Light
2. Proof in New Testament
“an adversary”
The word Satan occurs about 37 times in the New Testament.
These scripture references uses the definite article in reference to Satan,
indicating a personal Devil.
Jesus taught the existence of Satan.
Matt. 13:39;Luke 10:18;John 8:44
Angelology-The Study (Doctrine) of Angels
Satan was a part of the original creation
Isaiah 14: 12
12 "How you have fallen from heaven,
o star of the morning, son of the dawn!
You have been cut down to the earth,
You who have weakened the nations!
Ezek 28:12
12 "Son of man, take up a lamentation over the king ofTyre and say
to him, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "You had the seal of perfection,
Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
Was Satan "perfect" like Jesus? No, but he was an angel. .. but God
gave Satan a free choice, just like He gives to us.
Angelology-The Study (Doctrine) of Angels
Satan was beautiful
Ezek 28:17
17 "Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty;
You corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor.
I cast you to the ground; I put you before kings,
That they may see you.
Although we know very little concerning the circumstances of Satan's original sin,
Christ gave us an insight into the iniquity that was found in Satan.
John 8:44
44 "You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father.
He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because
there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature,
for he is a liar and the father of lies. NASB
Angelology-The Study (Doctrine) of Angels
Satan's lie was that he said he could be like God. (Five I Wills)
Isa 14:13-14
13 "But you said in your heart,
'I will ascend to heaven;
I will raise my throne above the stars of God,
And I will sit on the mount of assembly In the recesses of the north.
14'1 will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.' NASB
Satan really believed he could be like God; which led to Pride.
Because of His pride, he influenced 1/3 of the angels to rebel
against God. Because of their sin, they could no longer dwell in
heaven
Angelology-The Study (Doctrine) of Angels
Satan is called:
the "god of this world" - 2 Cor. 4:4
Prince of the power of the air – Eph. 2:2
"the Prince of this world" - John 14:30
The adversary-1Peter 5:8
The accuser – Rev. 12: 1 0
Angelology-The Study (Doctrine) of Angels
When God sent him to the ground, apparently he did not lose his
supernatural abilities.
Powers of Satan:
1. He is able to blind the eyes of the ungodly
2 Cor. 4:4
in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the
unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the
glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
2. He is very subtle
Angelology-The Study (Doctrine) of Angels
3. He is powerful, but NOT omnipotent
4. He is intelligent, but NOT omniscient
-Satan can not read your minds
-he can oppress a Christian,
-but he can NOT possess a Christian
"greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world. "
1John 4:4
5. He is influential, but not omnipresent
Angelology-The Study (Doctrine) of Angels
Satan's future position
"Satan's future doom, prophesied in Genesis 3:15, is described in
Isaiah 14, Revelation 12 & 20.
The Scriptures record his final demise in two stages, at the end of the
Tribulation and at the end of the Millennium."
"In the midst of the Tribulation period, Satan no longer has any access
to God to tempt God's people. Therefore God cast Satan from His
presence, and event observed by John in Rev 9:1." Lake of Fire
Angelology-The Study (Doctrine) of Angels
Angelology-The Study (Doctrine) of Angels
The character of Satan
1. He is the adversary.
An adversary is one who takes a position against another.
From the opening pages of Scripture, Satan is seen as the one
who is set against everything that is righteous, good, and holy.
He is the arch enemy of God and His children. To stand with
Satan and his philosophy is to stand against God.
I
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as
a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may
devour." 1 Pet. 5:8
Angelology-The Study (Doctrine) of Angels
2.He is the accuser.
I "Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for
nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his
house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed
I the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
But put forth thine hand now and touch all that he hath, and he will
curse thee to thy face." Job 1:9-11
''And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come
salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the
power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down,
which accused them before our God day and night."
Rev.12:10
Angelology-The Study (Doctrine) of Angels
3. He is the tempter.
Of all Satan's character traits this one word describes him in his
primary occupation. He is continually tempting men to follow his
evil ways.
Angelology-The Study (Doctrine) of Angels
Evidently anything that Satan does today is by the permission of God.
As the "accuser of the brethren," he mocks everything that is holy and
just. He ridicules the spiritual Christian before God day and night”
Once allowed by God to tempt an individual, he will try everything
at his disposal to make the holy unholy.
But we have the confidence that "greater is he that is in you
[God], than he that is in the world [Satan]" (1 John 4:4).
God will never allow us to be tempted by Satan to an unbearable degree.
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to
man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer allow you to be
tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also
make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." 1 Cor.
10:13
Angelology-The Study (Doctrine) of Angels
It is important to understand how Satan tempts us so that we
can be prepared to defend ourselves (in God's power) against
him. From 1 John 2:16 we learn that the Devil has three
primary methods of temptation:
"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh,and the lust
of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is
of the world."
1 John 2:16
Angelology-The Study (Doctrine) of Angels
Each one of these temptations arises out of an area of God-given
desire but is then taken beyond the limit of Scripture. Satan used
these three areas of temptation with Eve as well as with Jesus Christ.
Christ's glorious victory over the Devil's temptations gives us
confidence that we, too, can overcome his temptation. By submitting
to the Holy Spirit and using the Word of God, we can overcome the
temptations of the Tempter. We need not fear what he can do to us.
Our confidence is in the One who soundly defeated the Devil.
Angelology-The Study (Doctrine) of Angels
Present and Future Position 0f Satan
A.Satan's present position
1.He has a position of great power.
a.Over the world (Matt. 12:26; John 12:31; Eph. 2:2)
b. Over his fallen angels (Matt. 25:41; 1 John 5:19; Rev. 12:7)
Angelology-The Study (Doctrine) of Angels
2. He is the possessor of a great kingdom.
In Matthew 12:26 Christ refers to the kingdom of Satan.
In the temptation of Christ in the wilderness Satan offered Christ the kingdoms of the
world if Christ would bow down and worship him.
Did Satan have the right to make such an offer? Evidently he did. Christ
never disputed Satan's claim. God had given to Satan temporary rule over this world,
and Satan offered that rule to Christ. Jesus Christ rightfully refused the offer, for He
knew that someday He would receive His kingdom, but it would come in God's time
and in God's way. Christ knew that first there must be Calvary, then the kingdom.
This should be a lesson to those who are impatient concerning God's will and His
perfect timing. God's way and timing are always best.
There can be no "short cuts" to long-term spirituality.
Angelology-The Study (Doctrine) of Angels
3.He is the perpetrator of much wickedness.
a. Satan is involved in tireless activity.
"Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, [I have come]
From going to and from in the earth, and from walking up
and down in it."
Job 1:7
Angelology-The Study (Doctrine) of Angels
b. He is in a continual conflict with God.
15
And I will put enmity Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her seed ;He shall bruise you on the
head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.” Gen. 3:15
C. He is involved in continual temptation.
(1) He capitalizes on man's weaknesses.
Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that
you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again so
that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
1 Cor. 7:5
(2) He believes the end justifies the means.
5 For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be
opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Gen. 3:5
Angelology-The Study (Doctrine) of Angels
(3) He is subtle in his temptation.
"Now the serpent was more subtle." Gen. 3:1
"lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil" 1 Tim. 3:7
"And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil,
who are taken captive by him at his will." 2Tim.2:26
"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of
light." 2 Cor. 11:14
Angelology-The Study (Doctrine) of Angels
d. He is the great counterfeiter.
"But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the
wheat, and went his way. The field is the world; the good seed are
the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the
wicked one; the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is
the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels."
Matt. 13:25, 38-39
As tares and wheat are similar in appearance until the harvest, so some
unsaved people may appear to be saved when they really are not.
Angelology-The Study (Doctrine) of Angels
B. Satan's future position
1. Christ has defeated Satan in the past.
a. At Christ's temptation (Matt. 4:1-11)
Jesus Christ soundly defeated Satan at His temptation. Although Christ could have defeated Satan with divine power, that
was not His purpose. Jesus wanted to be an example to all mankind in
His defeat of the Devil. He overcame outward temptation
by submitting Himself to God the Father and resisting the Devil
(James 4:7), which is the way that each Christian must also resist
temptation. Three times during the temptation Christ quoted from the
Old Testament book of Deuteronomy.
Matt. 4:4-Deut. 8:3
Matt. 4:7-Deut. 6:16
Matt. 4:10-Deut. 6:13; 10:20
Angelology-The Study (Doctrine) of Angels
2. At Christ's crucifixion
In the Garden of Eden, God promised mankind that Satan
would be ultimately defeated.
"And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between
thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt
bruise his heel" Gen. 3:15
The Devil is a defeated foe. The death of Jesus Christ on the cross
spelled defeat for the forces of Satan.
Angelology-The Study (Doctrine) of Angels
Because of Christ's victory, the Christian can experience
victory over sin and Satan.
Saved from the penalty of sin in the past
Saved from the power of sin in the present
Saved from the presence of sin in the future
Angelology-The Study (Doctrine) of Angels
2. Christ will defeat Satan in the future.
Satan's future doom, prophesied in Genesis 3:15, is described
in Isaiah 14, Revelation 12, and Revelation 20. The Scriptures
record his final demise in two stages, at the end of the
Tribulation and at the end of the Millennium.
Origin of demons
Demon is another name for "fallen angel." Satan is the leader
of fallen angels (Rev. 12:7) and the prince of demons
(Matt. 12:24).
Characteristics of demons
1. Their names
a. Fallen angels (Jude 6-7)
Demons
This word is often translated "spirits" or "unclean spirits"
(Luke 11:24).
Devils, When found in the plural or without the definite
article , refers to a group of demons.
2. Their number
Their number is one third of the original host of
heaven (Rev. 12:4).
A great host of demons can possess an individual
simultaneously (Mark 5:9).
3. Their nature
4. Their notoriety
Demons were especially active during the life of Christ on earth.
They are seldom mentioned in the epistles. As emissaries of Satan,
they attempt to hinder God's purposes. In Scripture they are called
"wicked" and "unclean." Their own form of doctrine (1 Tim. 4:1-3)
leads to immoral conduct in the lives of those who follow it.
As "spirits" they evidently desire some sort of body (Matt. 12:43-45;
Mark 5:12).
When Jesus cast the demons out of the maniac of Gardara, they
begged Him to allow them to enter into the swine. Having great
physical strength (Luke 8:29), they can inflict physical deformities
upon the unsaved (Luke 13:11-17).
Most Biblical examples of demon possession occurred during the
ministry of Christ on earth.
Cases of demonic activity
The Syrophoenician's daughter (Matt. 15:22; Mark 7:25)
The maniac of Gadara (Matt. 8:28; Mark 5:2; Luke 8:27)
The man from Capernaum (Mark 1:23; Luke 4:31-37)
The blind and dumb demoniac (Matt. 12:22-30; Mark 3:22-30; Luke
11:14-23)
Characteristics of demonic activity
1. Definition of demon possession
"Demon possession means a demon residing in a person, exerting
direct control and influence over that person, with certain derangement
of mind and/ or body.
Demon possession is to be distinguished from demon influence or
demon activity in relation to a person.
The work of the demon in the latter is from the outside; in demon
possession it is from within. By this definition a Christian cannot be
possessed by a demon since he is indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
However, a believer can be the target of demonic activity to such an extent that he may give the appearance of demon possession ....
Usually there is an outbreak of demon activity when truth and light are
the strongest (e.g., time of Christ)." -Charles Ryrie, Ryrie Study Bible,
(Chicago: Moody Press, 1976),p.1838.
Characteristics of demon possession
a. Demons can cause dumbness. (Matt. 9:32-33)
b. Demons can cause blindness. (Matt. 12:22)
Demons are associated with disease, but certainly not all
disease is the result of demonic activity.
(1) Prolonged illness (Luke 13:11)
(2) Mental anguish (Luke 8:26-35)
(3) Various physical disorders (Matt. 4:24; 9:32; Mark 9:18;
Luke 11:14)
Demons give the possessed person great strength. (Mark 5:3)
Demons cause the possessed person to act wild. (Mark 5:4)
Demons use the vocal cords of the one they possess. (Mark 5:7-9)
Demons have names. (Mark 5:9)
Past and future course of demonic activity
a. In the past
The main accounts of demon possession occurred during the
time of Christ. It is doubtful if such a powerful outpouring of demon
possession would be seen today. However, in many animistic
cultures (animism is the belief that spirits reside in objects),
missionaries have reported occurrences of demon possession.
But this should not frighten the Christian because of the promise of
1 John 4:4''Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because
greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" 1 John 4:4
b. In the future
According to Scripture the next great outpouring of demon
activity will be during the Tribulation (Rev. 9:1-11).
Ultimately all demons will be cast into the Lake of Fire
(Matt. 25:41). The final abode of the lost was originally
prepared for
the Devil and his angels. Man goes there only because he
rejects
Christ's offer of salvation. The demons once had the privilege
of fellowship with God and rejected it. Human beings are the
only creatures who have the privilege of salvation in Jesus
Christ.