The History Of Satan





Who is Satan? Is he real? What is his purpose? Is there anyone more evil than this being sometimes referred to as "the devil"? What is the history of the most evil being in the universe? This bible study will look closely at the person who is largely responsible for all of mankind's miseries. First of all, Satan was once an angel. In fact, he was the highest ranked angel of all the angels. His name was Lucifer. Lucifer means, "son of the morning star". He was highly favored by God.

First of all, Lucifer was a created being. He was created by God Himself. Colossians 1:16 states, “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created by Him and for Him.” We know from scripture that Lucifer had dominion and authority. This authority was given to Lucifer by God.

So what happened? Lucifer wanted to leave his proper abode as a created being or creature and become like God. Lucifer wanted to know the difference between good and evil so he rebelled against God and became the personification of evil..He became Satan. The same thing happened to man. Adam and Eve were created beings. But they fell from God's grace. Why? In Genesis 3:5, the serpent (Satan) tells Eve, For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil."

Adam and Eve committed the same sin as Lucifer. They wanted to be gods. Apparently the knowledge of good and evil is what separates a fallen creature from one who is still in the grace of God.

Lucifer probably demanded of God to give him the knowledge of good and evil. He probably accused God of being unfair and holding back information. Reluctantly, God granted Lucifer his wish, knowing full well what the consequences would be.

Ezekiel 28:11-19 has this to say about the fall of Lucifer:Thus the word of the LORD came to me: Son of man, utter a lament over the king of Tyre, saying to him: Thus says the Lord GOD: You were stamped with the seal of perfection, of complete wisdom and perfect beauty. In Eden, the garden of God, you were, and every precious stone was your covering (carnelian, topaz, and beryl, chrysolite, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, garnet, and emerald); Of gold your pendants and jewels were made, on the day you were created. With the Cherub I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God, walking among the fiery stones. Blameless you were in your conduct from the day you were created, Until evil was found in you, the result of your far-flung trade; violence was your business, and you sinned. Then I banned you from the mountain of God; the Cherub drove you from among the fiery stones. You became haughty of heart because of your beauty; for the sake of splendor you debased your wisdom. I cast you to the earth, so great was your guilt; I made you a spectacle in the sight of kings. Because of your guilt, your sinful trade, I have profaned your sanctuaries, And I have brought out fire from your midst which will devour you. I have reduced you to dust on the earth in the sight of all who should see you. Among the peoples, all who knew you stand aghast at you; You have become a horror, you shall be no more. New American Bible

Isaiah 14:12-17 states: " How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! [How] you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.' Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit. "Those who see you will gaze at you, [And] consider you, [saying:] '[Is] this the man who made the earth tremble, Who shook kingdoms, Who made the world as a wilderness And destroyed its cities, [Who] did not open the house of his prisoners?' New King James Version

Because of Lucifer's rebellion, he became Satan. In the book of Revelation Chapter 12, Satan is referred to as a "dragon". But what was he like before he became Satan. In our text above we see that Satan, as Lucifer, had

1. Perfect Beauty - Lucifer was probably the most beautiful creature in the universe

2. Complete Wisdom - Isn't it ironic that both Lucifer and Solomon were wise, yet both rebelled against God, which is foolish?

3. He walked in Eden the garden of God - This is probably referring to a pre-adamic eden.

4. He was adorned with riches - This signifies that he was was ruler (like a king) who was given the riches of the land. Riches glorify kings.

5. He was one of the Cherub - Cherubim are associated with guarding the holiness of God (Gen. 3:24), with the throne of God (Ezek. 1:5), and here apparently with the actual presence of God. Satan was on the holy mountain of God and he walked in the midst of the stones of fire, likely references to the presence of God Himself. Apparently Satan was the chief guardian of God’s holiness and majesty.

6. He was perfect -How could such a magnificent creature become such an evil loathsome being we now know as Satan? Referred to in Revelation 12:7 as a "dragon" Dragon is derived from the Greek word drakwn which means "hideous monster or serpent".

Lucifer’s sin lay in his ambition to ascend into heaven and set his throne above the stars of God and to become equal with God. Beholding his own beauty, a created beauty, and being lifted up in pride, he aspired to leave the bounds of his proper position as a created being and fell into sin. Such was precisely the case with the temptation and the fall of man. This can only happen if one has free will. The will to choose what path to follow. Because Lucifer was puffed up with pride, then we can see that sin originates in the heart.

Satan/Lucifer did not want to subject himself to God. He wanted to act independently of God. We see that in our fellow man. That is one of the reasons it is so hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. He has all he needs for this life and has convinced himself that he doesn't need God. Was not Lucifer rich?

Copyright 2003 by Gary Goodworth

History of Satan



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