Satan
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Satan 

“In the Hebrew Bible, as in mainstream Judaism to this day, Satan never appears as Western Christendom has come to know him, as the leader of an “evil empire,” an army of hostile spirits who make war on God and humankind alike.” (The Origin of Stan, Pagels, pg. 39) The idea of Satan was one that evolved from the Hebrew into the Christian concept. With an open mind, let us reason together.

We find that the word “Satan” appears first in Numbers 22:22 translated as “adversary” and in Job the same word is translated Satan. These two locations present Satan as an obedient servant of the Lord, which is contrary to the New Testament position. It appears in 2 Corinthians 11:14 that Satan is an angel, actually a divine messenger is what it means.

The important thing to note is that Satan never once in the Hebrew Old Testament describes a particular person.  The role of Satan is that of an adversary and as one reads the root of the Hebrew of the word “stn” one finds it means an adversary. The corresponding Greek word is “diabolos” which means one who throws something across one’s path.

We find in Job 2:1 that God, Satan and bene’ elohim (sons of God) were gathered together.  Verse two states that Satan came from roaming over the earth. It is interesting to note that some sources of the Hebrew state that the word “roam” “shut” in the Hebrew implies or suggests that Satan was a roaming type secret police. (Pagels pg.39)

Satan was found on the same classification, position or rank as the sons of God in that he was in the presence of the Lord but this does not make him equal to God or the sons of God. Yet he was a created vessel by God. Consider these verses: Isaiah 45:7, Ex 4:11, John 1:3, Col.1:16.

There is no disagreement among scholars that Satan means “adversary.” But further study of the Scriptures will reveal that God is even an adversary and the same word is used. See 1 Chronicles 21:1. The usage of adversary in Numbers 22:22 where it first occurs, proposes God as the adversary. Some serious thinking and pondering before God must be done in this area. Such a study as we propose will shake the foundations of religiosity and all that typical religion suggests. But the truth is the truth regardless of false religious doctrine.

John 8:44 quotes Jesus saying in the NAS: “You (Pharisees and Scribes see verse 3) are of your father the devil and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature for he is a liar and the father of lies.” It is obvious that Jesus is speaking to a group of people who are not literally fathered by one person but rather spiritually are kin to devil. Note that Jesus is addressing the issue of moral depravity, the whited sepulchre nature, hypocrisy etc.

We must note that the Greek for devil is “diabolos.” One who is thrown across your path to test you. This word, devil, is generally used in conjunction with Satan. And is, in fact, considered synonymous. The reason the words are considered interchangeable is based on Revelation 12:9 which reads: “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

However, the succinct point is that Jesus states devil was a murderer from the beginning. This statement alone is contrary to normal traditional Christian teaching. Fact is often different than fantasy. Most of the theologians believe that devil was good and then fell. Their concept is based upon Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28. However, Jesus clearly states that the devil was evil from the beginning. The word “beginning” here means from the original starting point of creation. This point will be discussed further as we proceed with the discussion of cherubim. But suffice it to say that the word “beginning” is in reference to the very beginning not some starting point that came after the beginning.

Note the word “stand” in John 8:44. The Greek is the imperfect tense and means that the devil “was keeping his standing.”  By this it means that the devil was remaining in what he was from his own creation point. He was faithful to his corrupt nature. The implication here is that the devil was evil from the starting point. Since he was “not in truth” he was in deception from the beginning. Yet, even though theologians preach the fantasy of the devil being good and then falling, they have not considered 1 John 3:8 which reads in the NAS: “...for the devil has sinned from the beginning...” This could not be true of any other vessel. Adam was good and then fell. But Satan, the devil, is first found as the serpent in the garden and is evil from his first appearance.

We find Jesus being tempted by the devil in Matthew 4:1-11. Jesus was tempted by Satan but was “lead of the Spirit” to be tempted. Here the word devil is used which is the Greek “diabolos” meaning adversary. Have you ever had an adversarial role with your children in order to cause them to think and make the right decision? I believe in the U.S. it is called “playing the devil’s advocate.”  So who is the adversary?

It is the same word used by Jesus when he states in John 6:70 that Judas is the devil or the adversary. Yet, Judas was a man who was called for the hour to fulfil the purposes of God (see our message on Enoch, Elijah, Judas). Later we see Satan enter Judas at the last supper. The adversarial nature, that adamic nature, that deceived nature enters Judas (Luke 22:3, Matthew 26:25). It is interesting to note that the word “diabolos” is used with the prince of devils, like in Matthew 4:1, Revelation 12:9 or in general for evil spirits as found in Acts 10:38, Ephesians 4:27, 6:11. Thirty-eight times devil is used in the New Testament and thirty-four times the word Satan is used.

Again, Jesus uses the example of Satan entering a man. Jesus states that Peter is Satan in Matthew 16:23.  Peter was a man into whom a thought or spirit came into. Again it appears that Satan is not a person.  Both Judas and Peter were men into whom came either a thought or a spirit. I might consider a thought more valid because the carnal mind is at enmity with God’s way, that would be adversarial (Romans 8:7).

We find 1 Chronicles 21:1 that Satan caused David to number the people which reads like this: “Then Stan stood up against Israel and moved David to number the people” but if we read 2 Samuel 24:1 we find the following: “…the LORD burned against Israel and incited David against them to say, ‘Go, number Israel and Judah.’”  Again, we must reiterate that Satan means an adversary, one who stands in the way. There is no doubt that Satan is a messenger, a divine messenger (an angel) in that he is sent to do God’s bidding. Job clearly shows that Satan is controlled by God. But could God reveal Himself as an adversary? I believe so when He desires someone to take the steps necessary to follow His principles.

We find in Corinthians that Satan masquerades as an angel of light - 2 Corinthians 11:14. We cannot doubt that he appears to be holy and pure but in truth is the exact opposite of truth. However he can be conquered by Christ which shows that he is less than Christ in power, not only because he is a created vessel but because of his position also. We must not forget that through Christ all things have been placed under our feet. We are victorious because the serpent crawls on the earth (old Adamic nature) and we have now set in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

 As we have discussed he was created by Christ (John 1:3). Just because he was cast out of heaven does not mean that he was good before he fell!

Now we find in Revelation 12:9 that John writes: “And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth and his angels were thrown down with him.”  The word “old” in the Greek is transliterated into English as the word “archaic.”  The actual Greek means from the very first starting age. If one were to go to the root word for archaic we would find that it comes from “archomai” which means to commence in order of time. The Amplified Bible reads: “And he gripped and overpowered the dragon, that old serpent of primeval times...” A very close friend, J Preston Eby whose research is seen in this paragraph , presents this thought: “Man on the one hand, says a fallen angel, Satan, used the serpent in Eden. God on the other hand, says that the original serpent is the Devil and Satan.” So who is correct - theologians or the Scriptures themselves?” J. Preston Eby The Serpent, Where did Evil Come From?, El Paso TX  1977

In Revelation 12:9 we see the different names for Satan. Each has its place and is interchangeable with the word Satan but at the same time each has its special meaning and place of importance. The serpent we remember from the Garden of Eden. It was not a literal snake that talked! One needs to know that the snake was a symbol of the religion of Babylon. The book of Genesis was written many years after creation, some say by Moses. If this is so, then it was written around 1500 BC. The symbolism selected would be current ideas - and Babylon was a great power then and would reemerge as a power centuries later too. The serpent was the symbol of false religion - any religion that places itself above God, which was the sin of Eve (we have a tape on this subject about Eve).

We can note that Satan touches the creation that is of the earth - where he was thrown down to. Adam was made of the earth. Satan works on the flesh. In Matthew 4 we find Jesus tempted in three areas:

·         lust of the flesh (turn stones into bread),

·         lust of the eyes (seeing kingdoms to rule over)

·         and the pride of life (worshipping Satan).

These same three temptations are found in Genesis 3:6 that Eve partook of  and they effect the saint and they are:

·         tree was good for food

·         delight to the eyes

·         desire to be wise

 Again we find the same three temptations in Revelation 21:8 which presents three areas of failure:

·         First in importance is idolaters, sorcerers (Greek pharmica - drugs) and liars. This represents spiritual corruption.

·         Secondly is murders and sexually immoral which represents sins of the flesh.

·         Thirdly are things related to the carnal mind - unbelief, cowardly.

Thus all three areas of corruption are seen - mental, fleshly and spiritual. Every possible realm is tested and the key is to remain in the nature of God and not yield to the flesh, following the pattern of Jesus. Remember when Satan entered Judas he went and conferred with the Pharisees and priests? Satan always deals with false religion, that which is of the Law and not of Grace.

Paul writes: “…deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” This statement by Paul is to show that the desires of the flesh - lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and the pride of life have to be worked out in a person. A person cannot be free, even a Christian, since Paul is writing about a Christian in particular, until the desires are removed. These desires are in the mental arena, the carnal mind that must be destroyed because it is at enmity with God. The fullness of corruption must occur first (James 1:15, Matthew 23:32) before a person seeks deliverance.

Hopefully, we have shown that Satan is a spirit of corruption but not one spirit in particular; that Satan is not a person; that Satan is a created being for a purpose in God’s plan; that Satan did not fall but was evil from the beginning; that Satan works on three different planes; that Satan is an angel, a messenger. But there is more that must be determined concerning Satan and some theological misconceptions that must be removed from the mind of Christians. The concern is that these thoughts are so embedded that it will take centuries! After all, if I say Satan to you automatically think of a red devil with a pitchfork!  

Who then is Lucifer, if not Satan?  

"How art thou fallen from heaven,  O Lucifer, son of the Morning!"(KJV)       

"What a fall from heaven on high O Shining star of the dawn!"  (Moffat)             

"How hast thou fallen from heaven, O Shining One, son of the dawn!" (Rotherham)                 

"How are you fallen from heaven O light-bearer and day star, son of the morning!"(Amplified Bible)  

Note how each translation NEVER uses the word "Lucifer" but goes directly to the Hebrew and uses a transliteration of the word Shining star, Shining One, Light-bearer/day star. Each of these translations is far more accurate than the King James in the matter. We also note that these other translations are in UNISON on what the word means! 

Peter calls Jesus the daystar in 2 Peter 1:19 and how He is to arise in our hearts. The Strong's concordance brings out that the Greek word is "phosphoros" and can be translated as light-bearing or morning star. Our English word from the Greek is phosphorus. Phosphorus gives off its own light- light-bearer. Now, why would Peter, an inspired writer of the letter,  being under the direction of the Holy Spirit, compare Jesus as  

the day star with Lucifer (as the KJV calls it) if Lucifer is the devil or Satan ? There surely is a mistake here if it were so! But Peter does NOT draw that comparison; it is the erroneous translation of the King James that infers such.

Many of you are aware of the theological teaching that Lucifer is Satan. This teaching comes out of Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28. We shall look at these two areas because it is a subject that deals with ‘angels’.

First, let me say that the KJV has created a monster doctrine because it translated and thereby fostered a doctrine based on a word that is used only once in the whole Bible. The word “Lucifer” should be translated like any other word rather than created into a name. The American Standard and newer editions of the Bible translate it correctly - “lightbearer.” The Hebrew “helel” means shining one, brightness, morning star. It is not a person’s name just as Satan is not a person’s name; just as Gabriel is not a person’s name.

For over 200 years the doctrine has been taught in evangelical churches that Lucifer was Satan. Please reread that again. It has only been since the early 1800’s that Satan has been taught as Lucifer. This doctrine has not always been taught. It was not the belief of the early church.

We need to explore certain aspects of the truths about Cherubim (cherub is singular, cherubim is plural, KJV cherubims is erroneous) and we should start with the anointed Cherub found in Ezekiel and Isaiah.

Please read Ezekiel 28:12-19 and Isaiah 14:12-16. Now the Essenes as well as the first book of Enoch show a fallen angel. But these books are ‘extrabiblical’ and should not be considered as valid in the light of the Scriptures themselves. Now theologians use these two scriptural locations as the foundation for the doctrine of Lucifer as Satan. Therefore it behooves us to reacquaint ourselves with these scriptures.

Ezekiel 28:13 states that this cherub was in Eden, the place of beginning of creation.  The word “cherubims” in the KJV is first used and found in Scripture in Genesis 3:24. Cherubim being plural of cherub. The angel was given as a guardian of the “way.” The flaming sword of the cherubim were to circumcise the flesh of anyone who sought to reenter. They were not to keep anyone out, but to make sure that no one entered with any carnality. But it is supposed that the cherubim were placed there by God after the fall. Many writings indicate that man was an angelic being before the fall. Could Adam have been a cherub?

Now we know that in Eden there were many things but specific to this discussion - Adam, Eve and the serpent. The cherub was perfect until iniquity was found in him (vs.15) Ezekiel states. It cannot refer to the cherubim since that is plural. It is referring to one. Note he was perfect until iniquity was found, but we know Satan was NOT a cherub don’t we? And we know that Satan was NOT good and then fell since Jesus aid he was evil from the beginning.  

"For the creature was MADE subject to vanity, NOT WILLINGLY, but by reason of Him who subjected the same in hope."     (Romans 8:20)                 

"Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created,TILL iniquity was found in thee." (Ezekiel 28:15)  

So then, what of this “iniquity?”  Here we see that the vessel was created with a malformation and the purpose was to bring a positive end result. The truth here is that this cherub (vs.14) fell. I have shown how man fell also in Romans 8:20 but we must not forget that Genesis 3 shows the fall of man also.

Adam was in a heavenly realm (Isaiah 14:12) and when sin occurred with Eve (the soul) he like Christ stepped forth and bore her sin. For the iniquity in Adam was Eve, the soul that sins dies (Ezekiel 18:4,) the carnal mind must be removed. Eve was saved through child bearing in that Christ Jesus came through her. The iniquity found in Lucifer, the Light bearer was Eve.

What is interesting is that there is no scripture that shows Satan fell because of sin. There is scripture that shows he was cast down from heaven (Revelation 12:9) but that implies God forced him out and not that sin caused him to leave. Even Job shows Satan had the right to be there with the sons of God. The other point to remember is that Satan was “evil from the beginning” (John 8:44) that is he was evil from his creation and there was nothing good in him. The verse goes on to say that there was no truth in him (Satan) but in contrast, we find that the cherub had good and then iniquity was found in him. Thus the two cannot be the same can they? Unfortunately most theologians think they are, believing a lie rather than the truth.

Imperfection is ascribed to angels but never to Satan. Consider Job 4:18 in the KJV which states: “Behold he puts no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly.”   Romans 8:20 states in the KJV: “For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, by reason of him who has subjected the same in hope. Folly and vanity are similar. Verse 19 of Romans says the world looks for the sons of God  and Luke 3:38 states that Adam was a son of God. The similarity here cannot be denied.  Adam, an angelic being, who falls from his heavenly estate when he sins fulfills Romans 8:19 and Job 4:18.  For the sons of God were with God in the beginning.

Now, as we look at Isaiah 14:16 we find that the lightbearer is a man: “Is this the man…” it states talking literally about the king of Babylon, but spiritually about the man of Babylonish religion which is what Adam followed. Remember that Adam was deceived into worshipping the serpent, that Babylonish religion. All false religious systems are called Babylon in the Bible (Revelation 14:8 17:5). Eve fell for all the desires as we have already indicated which are desires for “self” who is the ultimate god of carnality. Only man sets himself up as God.

 Satan cannot be a man, a person, as we have shown. But to emphasize this even more, Ezekiel 28:2 states: “…Yet you are a man not a god…” Another confirmation that this is talking about a man literally - the King of Tyre and spiritually a man also. Besides, a man needs salvation, redemption, deliverance. If Lucifer was a satan, he could be redeemed or saved because he is a spirit. As we read further in Isaiah it states that the man will be placed in Sheol which is the Hebrew for grave. Satan, as taught cannot be placed in a grave, only a man can be.

Saints have been taught by doctrine that Lucifer is Satan. Yet, we can see clearly that Lucifer (actually lightbearer) is a person and not a spirit. Secondly, the name Lucifer meaning lightbearer is contradictory to what Satan is. Satan had NO truth in him at all. He was the father of lies. He is darkness since there is no truth in him at all. The word lightbearer means one that carries the light, i.e. that there is NO darkness. This is in contrast to Satan and could not be the same as Satan could it?

In summary, Satan is spirit and not flesh and blood. Lucifer, lightbearer, is a man of flesh and blood. Men can be angles as we shall discuss later on and men can be cherubim as is noted in Ezekiel and Isaiah that the lightbearer was a cherub (28:14). Lucifer, Adam, had truth in him until iniquity was found but Satan was evil from the beginning. The differences are too great to assume that these verses are talking about the same thing, don’t you agree?

In 2 Peter 1:19 we read in the NAS: “We so we have the prophetic word made more sure to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arise in your hearts.” The Morning Star is Christ Jesus and Lucifer, the day star, was to be in the image of Him who is the Morning Star. Satan could never be a vessel of light. There was no light in him at all. In Revelation 2:26-28, the overcomer, the one who overcomes his fallen nature, receives the Morning Star which Revelation 22:16 reveals clearly is Jesus Christ. If Lucifer was Satan why would Peter be so excited and encouraged about having Satan arise in our hearts? Foolishness. No, my friends, Satan is not Lucifer.

Lucifer is the Latin word equated with the Greek word “phosphoros” which is used as Christ’s title in 2 Peter 1:19.  The concept that Lucifer was Satan and fell from heaven is based on Luke 10:18 and Isaiah 14:12. This idea developed in third century and some authorities do not believe the correlation is true. This can be found in the footnotes of the Amplified Bible. Phosphorous is a bright, burning, light. One that removes all that is in its way - can be used for cleansing, although in wars it is used for killing. Yet, Lucifer, here is one who gives light out of himself, even as phosphorus has the ability to give light out of itself.

“When Jerome made his translation of the Bible from the Latin, termed the Vulgate Version (383 A. D.), instead of simply translating “son of the morning,” “day star,” or “morning star” he inserted the word Lucifer. This was the name by which the ancients knew the morning star and was inserted as a means of clarification.” Foundation for Biblical Research, Lucifer is not Satan, Pasadena, CA, 1979.  Adam was made in the image of God but was a failure.

If you study the Isaiah and Ezekiel scriptures you will find that the stones on the breastplate of the Light bearer are closely related to the stones of the priest’s garments. The Light bearer was to be a revelation of Light, even as Jesus was the Light of the world. Even as Jesus was our high priest, so Adam was to be after the order of the Lord too. Even now John states that we are a kingdom of priests in Revelation 1:6.

SUBJECT STILL NOT COMPLETE YET

 

 

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