Torch, Summer 1990

- ---------------------- instances of demon possession induced by the supposedly innocent practice of "channelling. " Who is the devil, anyway? Does the Christian need to fear him? Let's consider what the Bible teaches about this monster of wickedness. First, we ought to determine His Derivation The devil is a real person possessing intellect, emotion, and will. He was created by God 2 as a spirit being, 3 and therefore is invisible and immaterial, although he is able to assume a visible appearance or indwell a body, whether human 4 or otherwise. 5 In his original state, Satan was evidently at the top of the highest rank of angelic beings, cherubim 6, and was "perfect" in his ways. 7 As a cherub, he was involved in the protection and proclamation of the holiness of God. At the conclusion of the creation week, God ' s pronouncement of "very good" included Satan in his unfallen splendor. What happened to pervert "the anointed cherub" into "that old serpent, the devil"? 8 Let's consider next His Deviation Most Bible scholars agree that the content of Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 goes beyond the literal kings of Babylon and Tyre to picture the sin of Lucifer (alias Satan) which brought about his deprav– ity and deposition, and Jed to the temp– tation and fall of mankind. His proud ambition "to be like the Most High" 9 apparently occurred sometime between the events of Genesis 2:25 and Genesis 3:1. One-third of the angels joined him in his rebellion 10 and comprise the army of demons who assist him in his evil work to this day . Although God banished him from his position of grandeur and pronounced his ultimate condemnation to hell , 11 Satan continues to have access to heaven 12 and earth, 13 while he directs his evil empire from the atmosphere. 14 The awesome extent of his power and influence are revealed as we consider His Dominion The devil rules over his kingdom 15 which includes his angels, the present evil world system, and his family which encompasses all the unsaved. Satan 's angels 16-the demons-are highly organized 17 and extremely active around the world as they carry out his sinister plan. They are very powerful, 18 intelligent, 19 and deceptive. 20 They promote false doctrine and religions, 21 often inhabit bodies, 22 inflict illness, 23 hinder Christian workers, 24 oppose the spread of the Gospel, 25 and are able to work miracles. 26 The present evil world system is under the devil's domination.27 "The whole world is under the control of the evil one" ( 1 John 5: 19 NIV). He is active in the affairs of government and has assigned some of his high ranking demons to oversee and influence par– ticular nations. 28 In fact, an invisible political war rages between God's angels and Satan's hosts. 29 The magni– tude of his jurisdiction is revealed by his ability to hand over the kingdoms of this world to whomever he wills. 30 One day he will confer the authority and glory of this world's kingdoms on the shoulders of the antichrist. 31 The devil's family includes all the unsaved. 32 He directs their lifestyle, 33 influences their thinking, 34 keeps them in spiritual darkness, 35 and holds them in his control. 36 The character and work of Satan are clearly revealed in the Bible by His Designations A study of the names and titles the Scriptures ascribe to the devil teaches us a great deal about him. A partial list includes: the prince of this world, the prince of the power of the air, the god of this world, the prince of the demons , old serpent, great dragon, the evil one, destroyer, tempter, accuser, deceiver, enemy, murderer, liar, and angel of light. His two most famili ar names, the devil and Satan, communicate essential understanding of his attributes and intents. Devil (diabolos in the Greek) appears 35 times and means "slanderer." He brings accusation to God against His people, 37 inspires others to speak against them, 38 and promotes gossip among believers. 39 The meaning of Satan ("adversary" or "opposer") divulges the primary objective of all he does, that is, to oppose God, His work, His plan, and His people. This name is used more than 50 times to expose the obsession of his antagonism against God. This pas– sionate rivalry is displayed by His Designs Fundamental to his multifaceted program are the dual purposes of keeping people from salvation and hindering Christians in growth and service. When the Gospel is preached to the lost, he quickly seeks to remove it from their hearts. 40 He blinds the minds of the unsaved 41 and uses his chil– dren to pervert the message and tum people away from saving faith. 42 He impedes the travel of mis– sionaries to prevent their evangelism and discipling ministries. 43 He attracts unbelievers to false doctrine and reli– gions,44 is capable of using miracles to lead them into fal se worship, 45 and even enables unsaved people to work miracles in the name of Christ to deceive them into thinking they belong to God. 46 Many of Satan 's wiles are directed toward frustrating the growth and service of believers. He tempts them to sin, 47 plants thoughts in their minds that are contrary to the will of God , 48 leads them astray from devotion to Christ, 49 promotes confusion and strife among them, 50 instigates an unforgiving spirit in their midst,51 afflicts them with illness, 52 tempts them to immorality, 53 encourages them to gossip, 54 hinders