SATAN


ISAIAH 14:12 Introduces us to the arch enemy of God and mankind. Originally known as Lucifer, this being was the greatest of all the created angels.

ISAIAH 14:13 Reveals to us Lucifer and the origin of evil.  Lucifer's ego swelled to such a degree that he wanted to exalt himself above the FATHER himself.  It was at that moment that Lucifer fell from grace and became known as Satan.

JESUS further reveals to us the nature of Satan, also known as 'the devil'

JOHN 8:44 "YE ARE OF YOUR FATHER THE DEVIL, AND THE LUSTS OF YOUR FATHER YE WILL DO. FOR HE WAS A MURDERER FROM THE BEGINNING'  'FOR HE IS A LIAR, AND THE FATHER OF IT (ALL LIES)".

Satan is a Lawyer! REV. 12:10 calls him "the accuser of the brethren".  What, you may ask, is he accusing them (us) of?  Why, breaking the Law of Moses, of course.  Satan knows that the FATHER is a God of justice - an upholder of the law.  And, a God of pure justice would have to punish every infraction of the law to the maximum penalty available. As shown by the temptation of JESUS in the wilderness, Satan even know the Scriptures. You can just hear him now arguing his case before the thrown."  Did not even JESUS say in MATTHEW 5:28 "whosover looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her in his heart."?   Well then, one of your children just looked at a woman lustfully. Surely he must pay the full price for breaking the law of Moses!   I demand eternal death for that man!


The above illustration shows that Satan is totally blind to the truth. Otherwise he would know that the judgment of the FATHER and the penalty for breaking the law of Moses has already been 'PAID IN FULL'.  Historically, JESUS CHRIST took upon himself the full penalty for sin and His shed blood on the cross was accepted by the FATHER as payment in full for all the sins of mankind (mine and yours included).  (Sin referred to here is not a specific act, but rather it is indicative of the fallen nature of man.  Individual sins are the outward manifestations of the sin nature that lies beneath withing the heart of man.  Much like a warped branch of a tree indicates that there is something wrong with the root.) demanded a man's blood - all of his blood - as payment for sin (lawbreaking).  During Old Testament times, the blood of goats, bulls, and sheep were accepted as substitutes for man's blood. The entire Jewish priesthood was built upon this. However, these blood sacrifices were only a foreshadowing of a greater plan.

On the Cross, JESUS willingly took upon Himself the full punishment for our sin nature.  He was the sacrificial LAMB OF GODHIS love for us was so great (He was the Good Shepherd laying down his life for the flock) that he took upon himself the wrath we so rightly deserved.  He ended the heart-centered rebellion of man against GOD.  This is part of 'THE GOOD NEWS' of the GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST!  May praise be unto His Holy Name for ever and ever!!

If Satan truly knew this, he wouldn't waste his breath accusing anyone.

Scripture tells us that 1/3 of all the angels in heaven followed Satan in his rebellion (REVELATION 12:4). And to isolate these rebels from disrupting the peace of heaven, the FATHER created a place of "everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and all his angels' (GOSPEL OF MATTHEW 25:41)NOTE HERE: THIS PLACE, CALLED HELL WAS NOT MADE FOR MAN, but rather as a place of torment for Satan and his fallen angels.  So much for the devil's lie that he will be king of hell.  He will be in so much torment, he will not be ruling anything.


At the Cross, JESUS showed to the world the true nature and intentions of Satan.  Acting by his basic nature, he actually thought he was defeating JESUS - THE SON OF GOD.  Beaten, whipped, crowned with thorns, scorned, and spat upon - Satan revealed to the world his true nature.  Not being satisfied with the death of JESUS, Satan even arranged for a spear to be thrust into the dead body!  And if Satan did that to the SON OF GOD, my friend, what do you think he wants to do to YOU?

But once again, Satan's ignorance was shown.  He did not even know that the FATHER was using even the most violent acts of Satan to put an end to the rebellion of mankind!  The death of JESUS led to the birth of millions of eternal children for THE FATHER.  Sinless children created in the image of His Son,  JESUS paid the price in full for our sin.  He tasted death, hell, and eternal separation from THE FATHER SO THAT WE WOULD NOT HAVE TO!!

With the demands of eternal justice met, there was still an injustice that GOD THE FATHER, in perfect justice, had to make right.  HE could not leave JESUS in the grave.  HE could not turn his back on HIS OWN WORD.  And so, JESUS was raised from the dead.  It was this event which culminated his earthly ministry and ascended him to become THE CHRIST - THE MESSIAH OF ISRAEL. He became the firstborn of millions that were to follow and, in spite of the Jewish tradition which always sought to earn favor with GOD through works of the law, JESUS CHRIST is the only one who ever really earned the right to be in heaven.

The works of Satan, his 'gifts' to mankind, are sin, sickness, disease, infirmity, poverty, pride, and an host of other things. Working through his fallen angelic hierarchy of principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12), Satan seeks to take the eyes of man off of GOD.  He uses the 'fiery darts' of fear, doubt, disbelief, and confusion, to name but a few. His intent is to destroy mankind - the crown of GOD'S creation. The jealousy of Satan is too great for him to bear, for he see the love of the FATHER for mankind.

Knowing the intentions of Satan, THE FATHER purposed a solution:

1 JOHN 3:8 "FOR THIS PURPOSE, THE SON OF GOD WAS MANIFESTED, THAT HE MIGHT DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL."

Satan's end will be first the bottomless pit and then the lake of fire!