"Where Did Satan Come From?"

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Wednesday Night Bible Study, December 7, 2022

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Satan means “adversary” (שָׂטָן). Scripture also refers to Satan as “the devil” (Matt 4:1, 5; Lk 4:2, 3; Eph 6:11), “the serpent” (Gen 3:1; 2 Cor 11:3; Rev 20:2), “the great dragon” (Rev 12:9; cf Rev 20:2), “the prince of the power of the air” (Eph 2:2), “the god of this age” (2 Cor 4:4), “the evil one” (Matt 13:19, 38; Jn 17:15; Eph 6:16), “the prince of demons” (Matt 9:34; 12:24; Mk 3:22; Lk 11:15), “the accuser” (Rev 12:10), and “the tempter” (Matt 4:3; 1 Thess 3:5). (Lexham Survey of Theology)

The Bible Does Not Definitively Reveal the Origin of Satan.

Satan (the Serpent) is just “there” at the beginning of the biblical story (Genesis 3:1-19).
Satan shows up rarely in the Old Testament story.
Genesis 3:1 NIV
1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
1 Chronicles 21:1 NIV
1 Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.
Job 1:6–12 NIV
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 throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.” 8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” 9 “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. 10 “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” 12 The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.
Job 2:1–7 NIV
1 On another day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. 2 And the Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.” 3 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.” 4 “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life. 5 But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.” 6 The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.” 7 So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head.
Zechariah 3:1–2 NIV
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! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”
None of these Old Testament passages clearly describe Satan’s origin.
The New Testament record just assumes the existence and work of Satan without clearly revealing his origin.
He is especially active during the ministry of Jesus in the Gospels.
At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, Satan tempts him in the wilderness (Matthew 4; Mark 1; Luke 4).
Satan is described as stealing the Word before it can take root in someone’s heart (Mark 4:15).
Mark 4:15 NIV
15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.
He is described as sowing tares (false professors, unbelievers) in the midst of the wheat (true believers) (Matthew 13:38-39).
Matthew 13:38–39 NIV
38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
Satan is described as afflicting a woman with an illness for 18 years (Luke 13:16).
Luke 13:16 NIV
16 Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?”
He is described by Christ as a murderer and a liar (John 8:44).
John 8:44 NIV
44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Christ calls him the “prince of this world” (John 12:31).
John 12:31 NIV
31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.
Satan enters the heart of Judas to betray Christ (Luke 22:3; John 13:2, 27).
Luke 22:3 NIV
3 Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve.
John 13:2 NIV
2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.
John 13:27 NIV
27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.”
Satan desired to scatter the disciples, but Jesus prayed for them that their faith would not fail (Luke 22:31).
Luke 22:31–32 NIV
31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
Most of Satan’s activity during Jesus’ ministry in the Gospels is carried out by demons.
The rest of the New Testament describes more of Satan’s activity but does not clearly describe his origin.
He fills the heart of Ananias to lie to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3).
He tempts people to sin (1 Corinthians 7:5).
He is described as plotting and scheming against God’s people (2 Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 6:11; 1 Timothy 3:6, 7).
He is described as the deceiving Serpent who brings a false gospel (2 Corinthians 11:3-4).
He is a deceiver and masquerades as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14).
He afflicts Paul with a thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7).
He is called the ruler of the kingdom of the air (this world) (Ephesians 2:2).
He is described as hindering Paul’s desire to personally visit the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 2:18).
He empowers and enables the “Lawless One” (2 Thessalonians 2:9).
Those under church discipline are “handed over” or “delivered to” Satan (1 Corinthians 5:5; 1 Timothy 1:20).
He is said to be the one who holds the power of death (Hebrews 2:14).
He is our enemy who prowls around like a roaring lion seeking to devour (1 Peter 5:8).
He is behind the persecution of the church (Revelation 2:10).
In Revelation, he is the one who influences and empowers the enemies of Christ and his people, such as the beast and the false prophet.
In Revelation, he is described as the old Serpent who wages war against the church (Revelation 12).
The Scriptures say more about his ultimate destiny than it does about his origin.
In the original curse on the Serpent, his ultimate defeat is prophesied (Genesis 3:15).
Genesis 3:15 NIV
15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
Paul encourages the church that they will be victorious over Satan by crushing him under their feet (Romans 16:20).
Romans 16:20 NIV
20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
He is seen falling from heaven due to the healing and exorcising ministry of Jesus’ disciples (Luke 10:17-18).
Luke 10:17–18 NIV
17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” 18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
Satan’s defeat to Michael the Archangel and his expulsion from heaven is described in Revelation 12.
Revelation 12:7–9 NIV
7 Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8 But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
This is most likely not a description of his original fall but a description of his defeat because of the resurrection and ascension of Jesus (Revelation 12:5).
Satan is bound in the bottomless pit (Abyss) during the reign of Jesus (Revelation 20:2).
Revelation 20:2 NIV
2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.
He is ultimately judged by God and thrown in the lake of fire for ever (Revelation 20:10).
Revelation 20:10 NIV
10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Matthew 25:41 NIV
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

The Likely Origin of Satan May Be Pieced Together with the Help of Several Scriptures.

He is an angel, most likely originally an archangel.
Job 1:6 NIV
6 One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them.
Matthew 25:41 NIV
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
2 Corinthians 11:14 NIV
14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
Revelation 12:7–9 NIV
7 Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8 But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
As an angel, he is a created being.
John 1:3 NIV
3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
Colossians 1:16 NIV
16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
Revelation 4:11 NIV
11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
Genesis 3:1 NIV
1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
As a created being, he is not eternal and cannot be infinite in power, knowledge, or presence.
Matthew 4:11 NIV
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
James 4:7 NIV
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
His Fall most likely occurred shortly after the creation was finished but before the Fall of Man.
Genesis 1:31 NIV
31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.
John 8:44 NIV
44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
1 John 3:8 NIV
8 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.
Two Old Testament passages likely describe the reason for his Fall.
Isaiah 14:3-23.
A Rebuke and Proclamation of Judgment against the King of Babylon
Isaiah 14:4 NIV
4 you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon: How the oppressor has come to an end! How his fury has ended!
This passage has traditionally also been used to describe the Fall of Satan.
Though likely originally intended as an oracle against an earthly king, its language may serve as instructive for the type of pride and hubris that caused the downfall of Satan as well.
Isaiah 14:12–15 NIV
12 How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! 13 You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. 14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” 15 But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit.
Ezekiel 28:1-19.
A Rebuke and Proclamation of Judgment against the King of Tyre
Ezekiel 28:1–2 (NIV)
1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:
Ezekiel 28:12 (NIV)
12 “Son of man, take up a lament concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:
Though likely originally intended as an oracle against an earthly king, its language may serve as instructive for the type of pride and hubris that caused the downfall of Satan as well.
Ezekiel 28:2 NIV
2 “Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “ ‘In the pride of your heart you say, “I am a god; I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the seas.” But you are a mere mortal and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god.
Ezekiel 28:12–17 NIV
12 “Son of man, take up a lament concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “ ‘You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. 13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: carnelian, chrysolite and emerald, topaz, onyx and jasper, lapis lazuli, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared. 14 You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. 15 You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. 16 Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. 17 Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings.
Two New Testament Passages May Speak to the Original Fall of Satan.
2 Peter 2:4 NIV
4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;
Jude 6 NIV
6 And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.

Historic Doctrine on the Fall of Satan

Second Helvetic Confession
This good and almighty God created all things, both visible and invisible, by his eternal Word, and preserves the same also by his eternal Spirit: as David witnesses, saying, ‘By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth’ (Psa. 33:6); and, as the Scripture says, ‘All things that the Lord created were very good’ (Gen. 1:31), and made for the use and profit of man.
Now, we say, that all those things do proceed from one beginning: and therefore we detest the Manichees and the Marcionites, who did wickedly imagine two substances and natures, the one of good, the other of evil; and also two beginnings and two gods, one contrary to the other—a good and an evil.
Among all the creatures, the angels and men are most excellent. Touching angels, the Holy Scripture says, ‘Who maketh his angels spirits, his ministers a flaming fire’ (Psa. 104:4); also, ‘Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?’ (Heb. 1:14).
And the Lord Jesus himself testifies of the devil, saying, ‘He that hath been a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth’ because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar and the father of lies’ (John 8:44).
We teach, therefore, that some angels persisted in obedience, and were appointed unto the faithful service of God and men; and that others fell of their own accord, and ran headlong into destruction, and so became enemies to all good, and to all the faithful, etc.
Wilhelmus à Brakel
The angels were created, for whatever exists is either Creator or creature. Since they are not the Creator, they are creatures and have been created. Paul confirms this when he states, “For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him” (Col. 1:16). An angel is an incorporal, personal being which God has created and gifted with an extraordinary intellect, will, and power. In the beginning all angels were created in a holy state; however, a large portion of them have apostatized so that presently both holy angels and devils exist.
God created all angels in a state of holiness; however, a large multitude apostatized. “For if God spared not the angels that sinned …” (2 Pet. 2:4); “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation …” (Jude 6).
Charles Hodge
The Scriptures inform us that certain of the angels kept not their first estate. They are spoken of as the angels that sinned. They are called evil, or unclean spirits; principalities; powers; rulers of this world; and spiritual wickednesses (i.e., wicked spirits) in high places. These evil spirits are represented as belonging to the same order of beings as the good angels. Their original condition was holy. When they fell or what was the nature of their sin is not revealed. The general opinion is that it was pride, founded on 1 Tim. 3:6.
1 Timothy 3:6 NIV
6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.
Louis Berkhof
Besides the good there also are evil angels, who delight in opposing God and antagonizing His work. Though they are also creatures of God, they were not created as evil angels. God saw everything that He had created, and it was very good, Gen. 1:31. There are two passages in Scripture which clearly imply that some of the angels did not retain their original position, but fell from the state in which they were created, 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6. The special sin of these angels is not revealed, but has generally been thought to consist in this that they exalted themselves over against God, and aspired to supreme authority.
Satan appears in Scripture as the recognized head of the fallen angels. He was originally, it would seem, one of the mightiest princes of the angelic world, and became the leader of those that revolted and fell away from God. The name “Satan” points to him as “the Adversary,” not in the first place of man, but of God. He attacks Adam as the crown of God’s handiwork, works destruction and is therefore called Apollyon (the Destroyer), and assaults Jesus when He undertakes the work of restoration. After the entrance of sin into the world he became Diabolos (the Accuser), accusing the people of God continually, Rev. 12:10. He is represented in Scripture as the originator of sin, Gen. 3:1, 4; John 8:44; 2 Cor. 11:3; 1 John 3:8; Rev. 12:9; 20:2, 10, and appears as the recognized head of those that fell away, Matt. 25:41; 9:34; Eph. 2:2. He remains the leader of the angelic hosts which he carried with him in his fall, and employs them in desperate resistance to Christ and His Kingdom. He is also called repeatedly “the prince of this (not, “of the”) world, John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11, and even “the god of this world,” 2 Cor. 4:4. This does not mean that he is in control of the world, for God is in control, and He has given all authority to Christ, but it does convey the idea that he is in control of this evil world, the world in so far as it is ethically separated from God. This is clearly indicated in Eph. 2:2, where he is called “the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience.” He is superhuman, but not divine; has great power, but is not omnipotent; wields influence on a large but restricted scale, Matt. 12:29; Rev. 20:2, and is destined to be cast into the bottomless pit, Rev. 20:10.
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