The Devil

2 Corinthians 4:13 – “We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written (Psalm 116:10), I believe, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe and therefore speak…..”

We believe that the Devil or Satan is the fallen angel Lucifer, who corrupted his wisdom because of his beauty, while still in the presence of God in Heaven.  When cast down out of Heaven, he took one third of the angels with him and has set up the Kingdom of Darkness to resist God and to tempt and destroy all who believe in God.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10).

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (1 Peter 5:8).

God created Lucifer and set him as the anointed cherub that covereth and he walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.  He was perfect in all his ways from the day he was created until iniquity was found in him.  God then cast him out of the mountain of God and said that He would destroy him and cast him to the ground.  Lucifer’s heart was lifted up because of his beauty and he corrupted his wisdom by reason of his brightness.  His desire was to exalt himself above all that is called God and sit in the temple of God as if he was God. This rebellion against God started in heaven in the very presence of God.  Such was his influence that by his tail alone, he drew one third of heavens angels.

The scriptures declare that war had started in heaven:  Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.  And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth and his angels were cast out with him.  When the dragon saw that he was cast out unto the earth he came with great wrath to persecute and deceive all those that would be true followers of Jesus Christ.

His Kingdom, is a Kingdom of Darkness and he has an organised hierarchy of demonic angels at his disposal.  He has come to earth with one intention, to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.  He has been described in scripture as the prince of the power of the air, the god of this world, a thief and a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.  Clearly a very evil angel, in total rebellion to God and His creative order.

His fate has been sealed from the very moment that he sinned and confirmed throughout scripture.  However, his intention is to take captive at his will as many souls as possible to his final destination, the lake of fire.

The scriptures declare that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

When God raised his Son, Jesus Christ from the dead, He set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.

 (Ezekiel 28:13 - 19; Isaiah 14:12 - 19; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 12:4, 7 - 9, 12; Genesis 3:15; Hebrews 2:14; Revelation 20:10; 2 Timothy 2:26; Ephesians 6:12; Ephesians 1:20 - 23)