Satan

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Introduction

This will be a non-comprehensive study (essentially a scriptural outline) on the person of Satan.  It will cover some of the appellations (designations and/or names) to which he is referenced, his power, his work, and his career as revealed in Scripture.  This mighty angel appears in the Bible with prominence, importance, and power second only to the God.  He is mentioned in Scripture as often as all other angels together.  He is revealed in history from its first page to its last and always he is presented as a most vital factor in the life and progression of men, of angels, and of the universe itself.  It is significant that Scripture traces with detail this archfiend from his creation, through his career, and on to his final judgment.  Such distinction is not accorded to any other angel; or, arguably, to any human being.

His Appellations (designations and/or names)

• Lucifer, son of the morning (name & title prior to his fall) — Isaiah 14:12
• Satan (resistor) — Job 1: 6ff; Zechariah 3:1, 2; Acts 26:18; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 12:9
• Devil (accuser, slanderer) — Matthew 4:1ff; Luke 4:6, 12; 9:42; John 8:44; 13:2; Ephesians 4:27; 6:11; Hebrews 2:14; James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8;  Revelation 12:9; 20:10
• Serpent of old (implies guile, insidious deception) — Genesis 3:1ff; Revelation 12:9
• Angel of the bottomless pit — Revelation 9:11
• Abaddon/Apollyon (destroyer) — Revelation 9:11
• Dragon (implies his power) — Revelation 12:9; 16:13
• Belial (worthlessness) — 2 Corinthians 6:15
• Beelzebub (O.T. master of flies; N.T. prince of the demons) — 2 Kings 1:2, 3, 6, 16; Matthew 10:25; 12:24
• Prince of the demons — Matthew 12:24
• Father of “the lie” — John 8:44
• Murderer — John 8:44
• Adversary — 1 Peter 5:8
• Tempter — Matthew 4:3
• The evil one — John 17:15
• The accuser of our brethren — Revelation 12:10
• The prince (ruler) of this world — Luke 4:31; John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11
• The prince of the power of the air — Ephesians 2:2
• The god of this world — 2 Corinthians 4:4
• Wicked (Lawless) one — Matthew 13:19ff; Ephesians 6:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:8

His Power

1. Upon his creation — Ezekiel 28:11-16

2. After his moral fall — Job 2:7; Isaiah 14:12-17; Luke 4:6; 22:31; 1 Corinthians 5:5; Hebrews 2:14

3. After his judgment at the cross — Acts 26:18; 1 Corinthians 5:5; 2 Corinthians 4:3, 4; Ephesians 2:2; 4:27; Ephesians 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-9; James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8; 1 John 5:19

His Work

1. Relative to the unsaved — Isaiah 14:17; Acts 26:18; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; Ephesians 2:2; Colossians 1:13; 1 John 5:19

2. Relative to the saved — Acts 26:18; 1 Corinthians 5:5; Ephesians 4:27; 6:11-18; James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8, 9; 1 John 5:19

3. Relative to truth — John 8:44

His Career

1. Past

1. He experienced a moral fall — Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:15; 1 Timothy 3:6
2. His judgment was predicted in Eden — Genesis 3:15
3. His judgment was accomplished at the cross — John 12:31-33; 16:11

(It should be noted that although Satan’s judgment was achieved at the cross, his sentence will not be fully realized until the future — Revelation 20)

2. Present

1. He reigns as a usurper (one who seizes and holds by force without legal right) today — 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2; Revelation 2:13
2. He accuses Christians before God — Revelation 12:10
3. He fathers all who would be independent from God — John 8:44; Ephesians 2:2

3. Future

1. He will be cast out of heaven — Revelation 12:7-12; cf. Isaiah 14:12; Luke 10:18
2. He will be confined to the abyss for 1,000 years — Revelation 20:1-3, 7
3. Upon release from the abyss, he will lead armies against God — Revelation 20:8, 9
4. He will finally be doomed to the lake of fire — Revelation 20:10