1. What are the various names and titles for Satan? Read Genesis 3:1-14,
Job 1:6-12, Ezekiel 28:12-16,
Matthew 4:1-11; 6:13;
12:24; 13:19; 13:25-39,
Mark 3:22, Luke 11:18-22,
John 8:44; 12:31;
13:2; 14:30;
16:11, 2 Corinthians 4:4;
6:14-15, Ephesians 2:2;
6:16, 1 Thessalonians 3:5,
1 Peter 5:8, and Revelation 12:3-10.
2. What do the terms "devil" and "Satan" mean? Consult a Bible dictionary!
In all cases where the term "devil" is found, it is preceded by the article "the," which indicates that the term is a title rather
than a name. "Devil" is translated from the Greek term "diabolos," which means "false accuser" or "slanderer." "Satan" is the personal name of the devil,
which, translated from its Hebrew term, means "adversary."
3. What was Satan originally and how did he become the devil? Study Ezekiel 28:1-19.
The origin of Satan is not explicitly explained in the Bible; instead, it is found in the writings of the Old Testament prophet Ezekiel
who is declaring God's judgment to the Gentile nation of Tyre.
In contrast to his prior two prophecies directed at the Phoenician city-state of Tyre, Ezekiel's third prophecy is directed specifically
at the "leader of Tyre," and the prophetic language in verses 1-10 appropriately applies to a human being.
However in verse 11, Ezekiel uses the term "king of Tyre," which is uncharacteristic of Ezekiel's writings. The title "king" was rarely
used, even as a designation for any of Israel's kings, except on one occasion, King Jehoichin. Thus the use of this term heralded a change in the subject
matter. While verses 1-10 confront a human being who claims to be a god, verses 11-19 confront a king who has qualities beyond a human being. In consideration
of historical and cultural influences of the time, the best interpretation of this passage was that Ezekiel was addressing Satan who was behind the power of
the "ruler of Tyre." And while the ruler of Tyre was motivated by and being judged for his sin of pride, so was the "king of Tyre."
From Ezek 28:11-19, the following aspects of Satan can be seen:
1) God created Satan with perfection: full of wisdom and beauty. (v. 12)
2) Satan enjoyed the privilege of being in the Garden of Eden and was adorned with precious stones. (v. 13)
3) Satan was the "anointed cherub," which is a singular term that infers a position or rank of significance. He covered the glory of God,
was in God's presence, and had free access to God's abode. (v.14)
4) Satan was created sinless, like all angels, and remained so until he sinned. (v. 15)
5) As the consequence of his sin, Satan lost his position as God's anointed cherub, cast from God's abode, and judged. (v. 16)
6) Satan's sin was pride in his beauty; he was blind to the fact that his being and beauty was a consequence of God's creation.
5. When Jesus speaks of watching "Satan fall from heaven like lightening" (Luke 10:18), when did
Satan fall from heaven?
While the judgment of Tyre mentions "cast you as profane from the Mountain of God" (Ezek 28:16)
and "I threw you to the ground" (Ezek 28:17), it does not specify when Satan was cast out.
Because Satan was created on the first day of Creation and was present to in the Garden of Eden, the anointed cherub apparently was cast
down from covering God's glory sometime before the temptation of Eve.
However, Satan was not banned from heaven as seen in this interaction with God:
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. The LORD said
to Satan, "From where do you come?" Satan answered the LORD and said, "From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it."
(Job 1:6-7)
It isn't until the resurrected King Judge Jesus breaks the seals of the scroll that Satan is banished to the confines of earth to the great
rejoice of heaven (Rev 12:7-12).