Devils (or Demons if you prefer)

What are devils?  Where did they come from?

As we've already determined, the word "devil" (demon if you prefer using the English spelling and pronunciation from the Greek "daimon"), means an evil, supernatural spirit.  I mentioned on the previous page and I will again state:  In no form or fashion does the word imply, denote, or otherwise indicate that this might be a set of ideas, or thoughts.  The idea that a devil is not literal, personal, spiritual, evil and real is not supported anywhere in the bible.

In order to understand what a devil is, we must examine the biblical passages concerning the devil.  Since we know (by definition) that a devil is an "evil, supernatural spirit", we need to examine the bible to find the first mention of evil in any form or fashion.  As we begin to read, it doesn't take long to arrive at our answer!  We first read of the serpent in the Garden of Eden in Genesis chapter 3.

I realize there are those today who cannot bring themselves to make the connection and understand the identity of the serpent, but the failure of some to understand doesn't negate the truth of the Word of God.  Allow me to help you identify who this serpent is. 

Remember, as you always should, the Word of God is written "precept upon precept, line upon line".  One scripture is built upon another.  One cannot simply read one passage of scripture and assume they have the complete understanding of it based upon a verse or two.  The bible was NOT written this way, nor was it ever presented to mankind in this manner!  ALL scripture is profitable for us in that we may gain understanding!

Let's determine the identity of this serpent from the facts we know:

1.  This serpent was in the Garden of Eden.  We have a record of 3 others being in that Garden:  God, Adam and Eve.

2.  Although we have serpents recorded in the scriptures as both physical and symbolic creatures, we have in Genesis 3 and other passages a specific reference to this "serpent" who could (a) reason (b) think (c) speak.  It is THIS serpent we are trying to understand.  Paul Mentions that serpent in his letter to the church of Corinth in 2 Corinthians 11:3.

3.  The next place we see this serpent referenced is in Revelation.  In Revelation we have 2 other names (or titles) associated with this serpent:

Revelation 12:9 "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."

Revelation 20:2 "And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,..."

4.  We learned that this serpent has additional names/titles associated with him:  "the Devil" and "Satan".  We also learned 2 additional facts from Revelation 12:9!  (a)  He deceives the whole world and (b) he was cast out (from heaven) AND HIS ANGELS were cast out with him.

We can readily determine the identity of this serpent and understand him to be Satan or "The Devil".  We also understand that he has angels who were cast out of heaven with him.  No matter how you look at it, the term "and his angels were cast out with him" explicitly indicates these are not "thoughts or ideas" these are living entities! 

Jesus said:  "...  I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven."  Luke 10:18  Certainly this is in agreement with Revelation 12:9 when John wrote '...he was CAST OUT into the earth...".  His fall was forceful and violent and his angels were cast into the earth with him.

Hence the term "fallen angels" was coined to described Satan's angels.   We do not know just how many angels Satan has but we do know that it is very likely a GREAT number!  Back in Revelation 12:4 we read of an unspecified, yet assumed, great number: 

Revelation 12:4 "And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born."

One Third!   How many is that?   We don't have a number but 1/3 of anything is a great portion.

Who is Satan?

Strong's Concordance records:

satanaV Satanas sat-an-as'

of Chaldee origin corresponding to 4566 (with the definite affix); the accuser, i.e. the
devil:--Satan.

See Hebrew 4566

We read of the confrontation between Jesus and Satan in the Gospel accounts and we read of Satan's dealings with Job, Israel, and the world in general.   There are numerous character traits listed about Satan and enough are given in the bible to realize this character is UNHOLY, UNRIGHTEOUS, and SINFUL and that he wants to destroy everything pertaining to God or the Kingdom of God.   Allow me to present a few verses to establish this:

1 Chronicles 21:1 "And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel."

Mark 4:15 "And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts."

Luke 13:16   "And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?"

John 13:27  "And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly."

Acts 5:3  "But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?"

1 Thessalonians 2:18  "Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us."

John 8:44   "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."

We can readily determine from a few scriptures that Satan is a liar, a thief, a murderer, and a destroyer, among other things also. 

Before I really get into the core of the teaching, I want to cover a few more scripture to give you some insight. 

Let's answer this question:  Where did the Devil (Satan) come from?  In other words, how did the Devil become the Devil?
 

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