Satan: His Past, His Present, and His Future

Satan is a figure who has fascinated many. His rebellion against God has served as literary inspiration for thousands of years. Today, many TV shows present Satan and demons as redeemable, with some good or understandable qualities. Some even suggest that he had a good reason for rebelling! There are many ideas about Satan from history, other religions, and culture, so it’s important that we start with a biblical foundation.

Before Eden: The Beautiful Light-Bearer Destroyed by Arrogance

God created the angel who would soon be known as Satan during creation week, with the other angels and everything else that exists outside of God himself. And like everything else God created, this angel was originally good. Some think, based on Job 38:7, that all the angels, including Lucifer, were created on day one or no later than before the separating of the dry land from the waters at the beginning of day three of creation week, only five days (or three days if the latter position is held) before the creation of Adam and Eve.

There are a few places that speak about Satan before his fall, and both are in laments against human kings who, like Satan, tried to be like God.

Ezekiel 28:12–19 is addressed to Ethbaal III, who was the king of Tyre during the first fall of Jerusalem and the siege of Tyre by Nebuchadnezzar II for 13 years. When Nebuchadnezzar failed to capture Tyre and Ethbaal survived, this likely contributed to his arrogance. Ezekiel’s message was that because of Ethbaal’s arrogance, he would undergo a destruction so complete that it is all anyone would remember him for. However, the language used in verse 12 surpasses what we would expect for a merely human king and ultimately refers to the ultimate figure whose arrogance destroyed him—Satan.

This passage states that the being addressed was in Eden, the garden of God. If this passage is talking about Satan, then there is a clear reference to Satan being in the garden of Eden. Because Satan was a created being and because Eden was guarded by cherubim after the fall, he must have been in Eden between his creation and the fall of man.

This Ezekiel passage is a lament regarding the king of Tyre, but the prophecy extends far beyond the immediate king and includes attributes that could not and do not apply to a mortal man. For example, the Bible only states that God, Adam, Eve, Satan, and the two cherubim placed there to guard it were ever in Eden (and Eden would have been destroyed in the global flood). Ethbaal II certainly was not ever in Eden. Also, in verse 14, this being is referred to as a cherub; no man is ever referred to as a cherub anywhere else in Scripture.

In verse 15, the being is described as perfect in all his ways—until iniquity was found in him. This means that this being was created (not born) perfect and remained so until he sinned. This statement could only apply to Adam and Eve (before the fall), Satan, or fallen angels (before their fall), not to any earthly king. The king of Tyre was “shaped in iniquity and conceived in sin,” just like all other humans (Psalm 51:5; Romans 3:23). While the king of Tyre may have been the immediate target of the prophecy, the ultimate “woe” of this lament is directed at Satan.

In Isaiah 14:4–23, there is a taunt (or prophetic warning) addressed to the king of Babylon (verse 4). But again, the prophecy goes beyond the description of a mortal man. Verses 12–14 state that Lucifer (“the shining one” or “the day star”) had fallen from heaven. Mortal men do not fall from heaven; however, twice we read of Satan falling from (or being thrown out of) heaven (Luke 10:18; Revelation 12:9). It is highly unlikely that a mortal man could honestly think that he could ascend into heaven and dethrone God, as this Lucifer thought, according to verses 13 and 14. Clearly then, this taunt includes both the mortal king of Babylon (likely Belshazzar) but also the person influencing him (Satan).

Ultimately, the creature that is being addressed here is Satan, the shining one, who disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). Regardless of the play on words, Lucifer can rightly be used as a name as well. Most of God’s names that he reveals constitute a play on words as well (e.g., Jehovah Jirah means the Lord provides, etc.).

The Crafty Serpent

The book of Genesis does not mention the name or title “Satan,” nor does it specifically state that Lucifer or any demonic being controlled the serpent in the garden of Eden. Having said that, however, we can figure out who was controlling and speaking through this serpent from other passages of Scripture and from the context of Genesis 3 itself.

In addition to being an accuser, Satan is also a deceiver.

Revelation 12:9 explicitly calls Satan “that serpent of old” and says that he was punished (cast out) and that he presently deceives the whole world. In addition to being an accuser, Satan is also a deceiver. Revelation 20:2–3 calls Satan a serpent and speaks of his punishment again. Then in Revelation 20:11, Satan is thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur and will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Satan’s work of deception began in the garden of Eden and has continued worldwide ever since then. Christians can escape Satan’s deceptions by simple and pure devotion to Christ (i.e., trusting and obeying his Word by his Spirit) and by putting on the armor of God.

Satan is called a serpent, not once but three times in the book of Revelation (Revelation 12:9, 12:15, 20:2). When combined with Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 11:13, the identification of the serpent in Genesis 3 with Satan is unmistakable.

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. (Revelation 12:9)

But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:3)

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds (2 Corinthians 11:13–15)

In Genesis 3, God declares a war between the serpent and his offspring and the woman and her offspring. This conflict is apparent in the very first sons born to Eve—Cain and Abel. However, ultimately, this was a prediction of Jesus’ ultimate victory over the serpent.

In Genesis 3:14–15, we read of God’s curse upon the serpent and the promise of a Savior from the seed of the woman.

The Lord God said to the serpent,

“Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.”

The prediction of enmity (hatred and warfare) between the seed (zera, offspring or descendant ) of the woman and the seed of the serpent is nonsensical if the serpent was merely a physical animal. The seed of the woman is a future male child, ultimately fulfilled in the virgin birth of Jesus. If only serpents and natural human descendants are in view here, then that means that snakes are destined to slither around biting men on their heels and then getting their heads crushed. Given the references in Revelation and 2 Corinthians, this obviously is not the intent of the prophecy. So even in Genesis 3, we can easily deduce who was influencing the serpent. Plus, Romans 16:20 makes the identification plain because the same terminology is used here in regard to Satan’s fate: “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.”

Satan: The Adversary of God and Man

Chronologically, the word Satan first occurs in Job 1:6, and it is used as a title, not a personal name. It does not reappear until 1 Chronicles 21:1 with the last reference in Zechariah 3:1. So there are only three OT passages that use Satan to refer to our “adversary.” Of course, there are also several NT passages that use the word Satan as a name, applied to the ultimate evil spirit.

The OT passages that use the name Satan (adversary) give us insight into his character. In Job 1, he accuses Job of only loving God because he is wealthy and blessed. God allowed Satan to test Job, including murdering Job’s sons, daughters, and servants, as well as killing his livestock. In Job 2, Satan accuses Job of serving God because of his health. God allows Satan to torment Job physically (with boils) all over his body. In Zechariah 3, Satan accuses Joshua the high priest before the Lord (we are not told what the accusation was), but God rebukes Satan and the angel of the Lord orders (presumably) other angels to remove his filthy garments and clothe him in fine linen, signifying forgiveness of sins and ritual purity.

In 1 Chronicles 21:1, Satan stirs up David to number the people of Israel. This caused the death of 70,000 Israelites. Satan, as an enemy, suggested this census as an occasion to incite a sin. Satan is sometimes described in Scripture as doing what God merely permits to be done; and so, in this case, he permitted Satan to tempt David. Satan was the active mover, while God only withdrew his supporting grace. Throughout Scripture, Satan seems to enjoy his role as the accuser and persecutor of the saints (as mentioned in Revelation 12:10).

Satan (and/or in some Bible versions, the devil, Greek diabolos ) is frequently mentioned in the NT. He is described as a deceiver but also as a robber, a liar, a murderer, a roaring lion, and one who constantly seeks to harm God’s children. He wants to prevent people from hearing about God and his Word (Mark 4:15; Luke 8:12; Acts 13:8–10), lie to people that they can access God, not through Christ but by their own good works (like the Jewish leaders in John 8:43–44), and discredit any who are followers of Christ (Ephesians 6:11; 1 Peter 5:8; James 4:7). He keeps unbelievers in his sway so they will not come to Christ (Acts 26:18; 2 Timothy 2:26) and uses the fear of death as his chief weapon (Hebrews 2:14–15). He even causes physical harm to people to keep them in bondage (Luke 13:16) and prevented Paul from returning to Thessalonica for a while to hinder the gospel (1 Thessalonians 2:18).

One of the most telling passages about Satan is John 8:42–47 (especially verse 44). This passage sheds light on Satan’s designs but also reinforces who the serpent in Eden was. Let’s look closely at this passage.

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44)

When Satan deceived Eve, he lied about what God said and meant (Genesis 3:4–5). He knew that this would cause Eve to eat the forbidden fruit and likely cause her to give some to Adam, who also ate (Genesis 3:6). He was a murderer from the beginning because death entered the world at that point (Genesis 3:19; Romans 5:12, 18–21), and he was the instigator. He continues to lie, using false apostles and prophets and deceitful philosophies (Colossians 2:8, 15).

So Who Is Satan?

Satan was/is a fallen cherub and rebelled against God because of his pride. He likely wanted more power and responsibility and was not content with being a ministering servant to humans (Psalm 104:4; Hebrews 1:13–14).

Satan is, ultimately, a defeated enemy who is doing his best to take as many people as possible to hell with him.

Christians have always understood Genesis 3:15 (often referred to as the protoevangelium) to be the first prophecy of the Messiah, who would be the Savior of the world. Satan did bruise Jesus on the heel (from a human perspective) by moving men to crucify him. But Jesus knew about his upcoming death, telling his disciples beforehand (Matthew 20:18–19), and he submitted to the Father’s will (Matthew 26:39; Philippians 2:8). However, this was only a temporary wound, for Jesus rose from the dead. But the same act by which Satan thought he had defeated Jesus Christ was the very act by which Jesus destroyed the power of Satan. His resurrection was the proof and seal of that victory, granting us access to heaven through Christ’s atonement (Romans 5:9–11; Colossians 1:21–22; 1 Peter 1:3–4).

Satan is, ultimately, a defeated enemy who is doing his best to take as many people as possible to hell with him. We can rejoice in Jesus’ victory and participate in that victory by taking the good news to as many people as we can.