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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
People's beliefs concerning Satan range from the silly to the abstract - from a little red guy with horns who sits on your shoulder urging you to sin, to an expression used to describe the personif...
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Chuck Smith Jr
Supporter
I think that "adversary" or "accuser" (Rev. 12:10) gives a clear picture of Satan's role in the Book of Job--and throughout the Scriptures. Notice how Satan slips into the company of angels reporting to God, but he has a unique role. Unlike the "ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation" (Heb. 1:14), he is there to bring charges against those who are righteous. That he cannot form any complaint against Job that will stick--Job is "blameless"--he insinuates that Job's motives are mercenary and corrupt. It is not so much that Satan worked with God or had any intention of cooperating with God--we see just the opposite when he plays out his hand against Job, 2:3--, but that God exploited Satan's evil designs to promote his will, reveal truth, deepen the spiritual life of his people, and do good (cf. Gen. 50:20). Satan is also referred to as the "tempter" (Mt. 4:3), which is clearly his role in Genesis 3. Jesus said that Satan was "a murderer from the beginning" and "a liar" (John 8:44). So, yes, Satan is definitely the bad guy. Yet, at the same time, he is only a created being and no match for God, the Creator. Therefore, his evil is limited and unwittingly he constantly plays into God's hand. That is why, in their cosmic game of chess--so to speak--,no matter what move Satan makes, God overrides it and uses that very move to "destroy the works of the devil" and accomplish his own will (1 John 3:8).
Colin Wong
Supporter
The word "Satan" means "adversary" or "opponent" in Hebrew. In Bible context, it means the arch-enemy of God. Another common term used to describe Satan is "devil", which in Greek means "false accuser" or "slanderer". Satan is called Lucifer by name, (meaning "Morning Star" or "Day Star" in Hebrew) (Isaiah 14:12), a cherubim (or angel) who was cast out of heaven because of his pride. Satan played a role in the Book of Job in proving that Job's faithfulness was not dependent on God's blessings. Job loved God, not what God did for him. In this regard, Satan's "work" glorified God even though it was not his intention. Often times we go through trials and tribulations, not realizing that it is what helps us to grow and mature in our faith and our relationship with God. We should give thanks to the Lord, both in good times and in bad times, as Job did.
Jamin Fratello
Supporter
Well, in Job 1:6, it says that the sons of God came to present themselves, and Satan came also. It never says Satan was a son of God and like what Craig Smith Jr said, Satan means "adversary". In Job, Satan was just a man, not a devil. Also, in Hab.1:13, it says evil cannot go before God, so it couldn't have been a rebel angel. It was just a man who was jealous of Job. Also, this man told God to do these things, he didn't have the power to.
Rachel R
Supporter
Satan could be anyone, the person just has to be an adversary to something. For example, in 1 Chronicles 21:1-2 it says, "And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel. 2 And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beer- sheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it. -1 Chronicles 21:1-2". In Chronicles then, a satan made David number Israel. But in the parallel account in 2 Samuel 24:1-2, it says, "1 And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah. 2 For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people." So here, it says that The LORD made David do it. So therefore a satan could be anyone.
Ronald Ingram
Supporter
Satan or Lucifer or baal he is just one of God,s creatures who by his own free will decided he just did not want to be The Lord servant but he suffered from the worst case of delusion any creature of The Creator he thought he was God. What I do not understand how did he think he was going to pull off this deception,I wonder in his own mind he had to know that there would be HELL to pay. personally I look forward to the time when he gets all that he has coming to him
Carol Cheung·
Supporter
Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world - he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
Noah Hinson
Supporter
Satan is a Hebrew word that means, "The accuser" or "The Prosecutor". Satan isn't a name, rather it is a title. Although many would disagree, the Bible never actually gives a background story to Satan. All the chapters hat are used as back stories are taken horribly out of context. Satan first appears in Genesis 3 as a creature in rebellion against God. He wants humans to join with him in rebelling against the one true God, and tries to get them to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. God doesn't want them to learn about good and evil, because he wants them to trust him and not define it for themselves. They ultimately give into Satan's temptation, and the earth fell away. Satan is the enemy of God. He traps people in their sin. God gave people free will to sin, and when Satan shows us false things about sin, we want it. Sin traps us and we can't get out of it. Jesus has provided a way through his death. In The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, we see that Satan isn't just a serpent anymore, he is a ravaging dragon. This shows how much more sin has a grasp on the world. Despite this, Jesus defeats him by throwing him into the lake of fire. Satan is the ultimate enemy of God. We are called to resist his temptations and take refuge in Christ.
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
Satan is a personal being created by God with personality (not in the nice sense of the word): He has intellect (2 Cor. 11:3), emotions (Rev. 12:17), and a will (2 Tim. 2:26). He is also treated as a morally responsible person (Matt. 25:41). Not to mention that personal pronouns are used of him (Job 1). Isa. 14:12 He was Lucifer, son of the morning before the Fall (Gn 3). As S. Michael Houdmann said, “Satan was created as a holy angel. Isaiah 14:12 possibly gives Satan's pre-fall name as Lucifer. … Notice the many "I will" statements in Isaiah 14:12-15. Because of his sin, God permanently removed Satan from his exalted position and role.” Compare Colin Wong’s comment, “Satan is called Lucifer by name, (meaning "Morning Star" or "Day Star" in Hebrew) (Isaiah 14:12), a cherubim (or angel) who was cast out of heaven because of his pride.” Ezk. 28:14 He was the anointed cherub that covers. Dr. Charles Ryrie in his Ryrie Study Bible says of the nature of Satan: “He is a creature (Ezek. 28:14). He is in the order of angels called cherubim (Ezek. 28:14). See S. Michael Houdmann on this: “Ezekiel 28:12-14 describes Satan as having been created a cherub, apparently the highest created angel. He became arrogant in his beauty and status and decided he wanted to sit on a throne above that of God (Isaiah 14:13-14; Ezekiel 28:15; 1 Timothy 3:6).” Michael adds, “He became arrogant in his beauty and status and decided he wanted to sit on a throne above that of God (Isaiah 14:13-14; Ezekiel 28:15; 1 Timothy 3:6).” Jn. 12:31; 14:30 He is the prince of this world S.Michael Houdmann said, too, ” Satan became the ruler of this world and the prince of the power of the air (John 12:31; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2).” And as Chris Eleam said, “However, Jesus identified Satan as the criminal mastermind behind the corrupt world we live in. He called him “the ruler of this world.” (John 12:31;16:11).” • Mt. 25:41 He is a fallen angel, and according to Mt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10 his ultimate fate is Gehenna. • Rev. 12:9 He is the deceiver. • Rev. 12:9; 20:2 He is the dragon, that old serpent. This is one of his “Designations,” “Serpent” (Rev. 12:9). RSB And as Chris Eleam delineated, “Satan effectively uses “the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one’s means of life” in “misleading the entire inhabited earth.” (1 John 2:16; Revelation 12:9).” 2 Cor. 4:4 He blinds people spiritually. And as Michael adds, “He is an accuser (Revelation 12:10), a tempter (Matthew 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:5), and a deceiver (Genesis 3; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 20:3).” Mt. 25:41 He is a fallen angel, and according to Mt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10 his ultimate fate is Gehenna. 1 Pet. 5:8 He seeks to harm believers. 1 Pet. 5:8-9 He is overcome by faith!
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