GETTING TO UNDERSTAND SATAN A LITTLE BETTER

Before his fall, Lucifer was the first of the covering cherubs, holy and undefiled, but he came to indulge a desire for self-exaltation. [ISA 14:12, EZE 28:15] Lucifer coveted the praise and worship due the infinite Father and His Son -- he went forth to diffuse the spirit of discontent among the angels. Lucifer urged, since their natures were holy, that the angels should obey the dictates of their own will, intimating that the laws that governed heavenly beings imposed "unnecessary restraint." Ultimately, using deceit and cunning, Lucifer urged fully one third of God's angels into open rebellion.

Coveting literally means to want more than what belongs to you. Satan wanted Christ's position.

"Lucifer" comes from the Latin, LUCIFER, meaning "light bearer." The phrase "son of the morning" was a common expression meaning "morning star" -- Venus. "A literal rendering of the Hebrew expression translated 'Lucifer, son of the morning' would be 'shining one, son of dawn.' The figurative application of the brilliant planet venus, brightest of all the heavenly luminaries, to Satan before his fall ... is most appropiate as a graphic illustration of the high estate from which Lucifer fell." ["Lucifier", SDA Bible Dictionary, rev. ed., p. 683]

What are the names that Scripture gives to the one who opposes Christ? Lucifer, serpent, dragon, devil, Satan. [ISA 14:12, REV 12:9] What kind of being was Lucifer when he was created? "Thou was perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created." [EZE 28:12-15] God didn't create a bad devil, He created a perfect angel named Lucifer. Lucifer, so perfect, wanted himself to be glorified... he became evil by choice. What did he attempt to do in heaven? "I will asscend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north." [ISA 14:13]

...and there was war in heaven. Michael and His Angels fought against the 'dragon' and that old serpant, Satan, was cast out of heaven, down to earth. [ REV 12:7-9 ] Satan was cast out into the earth. Once there whom does he seek to deceive? "Woe to the inhabiters of the Earth." [ REV 12:12 ]

How does Satan deceive people? [2 COR 11:13-15]

Satan appears as "an angel of light." His ministers appear as ministers of righteousness. ...he does not appear as an evil being by professing to have great light and truth.

Thus, long ago began the great controversy between Christ and Satan, in a universe that had only known peace and love and harmony.

Can Satan really work miracles? "They are the spirits of devils, working miracles." [REV 16:13,14] Yup. We must know the real truth so if we encounter something disguised as the truth (truth + error) we don't fall for it. And how effective are Satan's deceptions? "If it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." [MAT 24:24] There you have it, he'll confuse and confound the cream of the crop, if they let down their guard... Alas, they already have.

God could have easily destroyed Lucifer at any time, but the unfallen beings needed to clearly see that Lucifer was wrong...

Sin had to be given time to grow, so that the heavenly beings and all the inhabitants of the universe might see it for what God knew it would become. The earth is the only world on which sin has been permitted to run rampant. It will run its course until a point of self-destruction, showing where sin leads.

We are a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. [1 COR 4:9] The entire universe watches what the fallen Lucifer has wrought... Do we know there are other worlds (yes, plural)? "He (Christ) made the worlds." [HEB 1:1,2] Yes, there are other worlds out there, according to the Bible.

With whom does Satan wage war in the last days? Revelation 12:17 tells us with "the woman (church)... which keeps the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." So we know what Satan is striking against.

If we know that sin is here to cultivate and grow, and we know that the rest of the universe is existing in peace, and that a cleasing process is coming; it is reasonable to extrapolate that we will not reach out in space to other worlds until after the cleansing, thus preventing the spread of sin. Extensive space travel will not be achieved until after the return of Christ. ... an interesting side thought.

Is the devil in charge of hell-fire? "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire." [REV 20:10] "I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee." "And never shalt thou be anymore." [EZE 28:18,19] Absolutely not. The devil will be cast into the fire and it will turn him to ashes.

Satan knows he's going to be destroyed. And in an attempt to get even with God, is going to take as many of God's creations down with him as he can. Satan doesn't play favorites; he'll use you, if you let him. You don't need to join Satan to be against God, you simply need not to be for God, and Satan is content.