The common belief about Satan is that he was an angel of God who rebelled and therefore was cast out of Heaven, and so he continues to pester us humans on earth. Muhammad also tells such a story in the Qur’an (see Qur’an post 15). But is that what the Bible says?
Now, there is a passage that people cite as a description of Satan’s origin:
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer [lit: morning star], son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend 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: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell [lit: sheol], to the sides of the pit. Isaiah 14:12-15 (KJV)
The Fall of Lucifer by Antonio María Esquivel. 1840. Oil on canvas.
I cite the King James translation here because it uses the name ‘Lucifer’ which people assume is another name for Satan. The word literally means ‘morning star’ or ‘light-bearer.’ I find it strange that people would think this is a name for Satan. Who is called the ‘morning star’ in the New Testament? Jesus claims that title for himself! (Revelation 22:16) There is no reason to associate the name ‘Lucifer’ with Satan. This is another example in which reading out of context can throw you off. Who is Isaiah describing in this passage? The king of Babylon (Isaiah 14:4); he specifically states so. Isaiah is describing the arrogance of the king in acting like a god, but he warns that the king will be sent to his grave (sheol and the pit are typical terms for the fate of the dead). Consider the next verse in the passage: “They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms?” (v.16) Isaiah is talking about a man, the king of Babylon, not a supernatural being, but he is using poetical, metaphorical language to do so; very common in the writings of the prophets. Nonetheless, this passage has entered the popular understanding of the origin of Satan.
The first time Satan makes a real appearance in the Bible is in the book of Job; specifically, in the prose prologue that was added to the original poem. In that passage the “sons of God [Elohim]” are presenting themselves before the Lord (Yahweh), and Satan shows up among them. (Is he then a “son of God?”) I should point out that the word ‘Satan’ means ‘adversary’ and that is how he functions in this passage. He engages Yahweh in a discussion about the man Job, and questions his faithfulness, setting up the ‘bet’ they make about whether Job will crumble given enough adversity. Note that here Satan is not portrayed as being banished to Earth but is in God’s throne room, having a discussion with Him. He actually seems to be working for God as His agent, following His instructions. This is not surprising, really, as much of the Old Testament reads as if God is responsible for everything that happens, both good and bad. Job even says that in the story: “Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” And if you read the long poem of Job’s discussion with his friends not once do they ever cite Satan as a possible source for Job’s troubles; it is all about why God would cause such suffering for Job. Do you recall how King Saul was troubled at times? We are told “an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him.” Not from Satan, but from God Himself.
Satan before the Lord by Corrado Giaquinto, ca. 1750.
This role of Satan as an agent of God and an ‘adversary’ or accuser is seen in the other few passages in which he is mentioned. In 2nd Samuel 24 it tells of the ‘angel of Yahweh’ punishing Israel because David took a census against Yahweh’s will, but in 1st Chronicles 21:1 which was written later than Samuel it becomes ‘Satan’ who does this for God. In the book of Zechariah 3:1, one of the later books of the OT, we read, “Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.” Kind of like a prosecuting attorney? But in this case the Lord rebukes Satan and his accusations and forgives Joshua, standing in symbolically for the kingdom of Judah.
But the Old Testament, the Jewish Scriptures, never describe the origin of Satan as we think of him today, a scourge of humanity, acting in opposition to God rather than for Him. That probably happened in the period between the Testaments. In the books of the prophets the people are told that the reason they are suffering is because they are not obeying God and they need to repent and get back to worshipping and obeying God as specified in the Law. But after their various oppressions and captivities the people were trying to follow the Law when the Seleucid Empire took control. When Antiochus IV Epiphanes became ruler he outlawed Jewish practices and tried to enforce pagan worship, prompting the Maccabean revolt. This created a philosophical problem for the Jews: they were trying to be faithful to God and His Law, so why were they being persecuted now?! They developed the idea that this world is actually under evil influences, with Satan as the leader of those evil forces in this world. But the time would come when God would intervene and overthrow the forces of evil. This set up the expectation for a liberating Messiah and thus the advent of Jesus and Christianity.
So, Satan was no longer an agent of God, but rather he stood in opposition to God and His people. Thus in the New Testament we see Jesus and others citing Satan as the source of evil, such as by inflicting disease (Luke 13:16) or even possessing people (many examples). He still functions as an ‘adversary’ or accuser, as we see in the story of Jesus being tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11), where he is called the ‘tempter’ and ‘the devil’ which literally means ‘slanderer’ or ‘false accuser.’ But he seems to be acting on his own, not for God.
Jesus casts out the devils. Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld (1794 – 1872)
Now the last book in the Bible, Revelation, finally (finally!) attempts to give some background for Satan:
And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.” Revelation 12:7-10
Still, there are a lot of unanswered questions. Why does Satan get to have angels, for one? And more importantly, why would God have him thrown down to Earth?! Don’t we have enough troubles already without a supernatural being picking on us and making life even harder?! Couldn’t God banish him to some uninhabited planet? Now, Revelation says that eventually God will defeat Satan and throw him into a lake of fire. Well, what is God waiting for?! Think of all the millions of people who (supposedly) have suffered because of Satan’s presence in this world. Why would God allow this to go on for centuries, even millennia, destroying so many people along the way? We humans have enough flaws on our own without a Satan adding to our difficulties. Why is God allowing Satan to continue his destructive work? Why did He even send Him to Earth in the first place? What if Revelation is wrong and Satan wins out over God in the end?
I don’t think the Bible ever answers these questions. I know theologians have offered various answers but I have never heard any that make sense to me. What do you think? Is there a Satan? Why is he here? Why would God allow him to remain here if He has the power to take him out? Scroll down to suggest your answers, or to pose your own questions about Satan.
Thinking exercises:
1. Do you think there are evil forces at work in the world, or is everything just the result of how the laws of the physical universe work?
2. Do you hold to the older view that everything that happens, good or bad, is attributable to God, or do you think there are evil forces in the world working against God? How can evil forces exist in a world created by a good and all-powerful God?
3. What is your explanation for why God is waiting for the end of the world to take out Satan, after all the damage has already been done?
4. The book of Job says Satan can enter God’s throne room and talk with Him. Revelation says Satan and his angels were thrown down to earth. How do you reconcile these two ideas?