The Evolution of the Concept of Satan

The Evolution of the Concept of Satan

Introduction

The Scriptures indicate that the creature known as Satan did not always have that name . Rather , this descriptive name was given to him because of his taking a course of opposition and resistance to God . The name he had before this is not given . God is the only Creator , and `his activity is perfect ' with no injustice or unrighteousness (De 32 :4 ) Therefore the one becoming Satan was , when created , a perfect , righteous creature of God . He is a spirit person , for he appeared

in heaven in the presence of God (Job chaps 1 , 2 Re 12 :9 ) Jesus Christ said of him : That one was a manslayer when he began , and he did not stand fast in the truth because truth is not in him (Joh 8 :44 1Jo 3 :8 ) Jesus here shows that Satan was once in the truth , but forsook it . Beginning with his first overt act in turning Adam and Eve away from God , he was a manslayer , for he thereby brought about the death of Adam and Eve , which , in turn brought sin and death to their offspring (Ro 5 :12 ) Throughout the Scriptures the qualities and actions attributed to him could be attributed only to a person , not to an abstract principle of evil . It is clear that the Jews , and Jesus and his disciples , knew that Satan existed as a person

So , from a righteous , perfect start , this spirit person deviated into sin and degradation . The process bringing this about is described by James when he writes : Each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire . Then the desire , when it has become fertile , gives birth to sin in turn , sin , when it has been accomplished , brings forth death (Jas 1 :14 , 15 ) In the course that Satan took , there seems to be , in some respects , a parallel with that of the king of Tyre as described in Ezekiel 28 :11-19 . - See PERFECTION (The first sinner and the king of Tyre . The Scriptural account , therefore , makes it plain that it was Satan who spoke through the medium of a serpent , seducing Eve into disobedience to God 's command . In turn , Eve induced Adam to take the same rebellious course (Ge 3 :1-7 2Co 11 :3 ) As a consequence of Satan 's use of the serpent , the Bible gives Satan the title Serpent ' which came to signify deceiver he also became the Tempter (Mt 4 :3 ) and a liar , the father of the lie ' - Joh 8 :44 Re 12 :9

SATAN AS A TRUE PERSONA

FROM Genesis to Revelation God 's Word asserts the personality of Satan the Devil . Though referred to as the Serpent in the Genesis account , we need not speculate as to who that serpent is , for that is apparent from Revelation 12 :7-9 . There we are told that he who is misleading the entire inhabited earth ' is the original serpent , the one called Devil...