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.
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