The enemy is alive and well
By Merrill Olson
If people deny that there is a wicked force in the world that is the cause of all the violence, hatred, and chaos, they have been personally blinded by this evil (2 Cor. 4:3-4). In fact, the Bible names, among other names, this source we know best as Satan whose evil has been since shortly after creation.
However, this article is not meant to cover everything the Bible says about him. That would take pages. Yet, to simply say that Scripture is faithful to record the character of all beings whether they be good or evil. This includes humans as well as angelic beings. Regarding Satan, Jesus spoke of the devil and his angels whereby He will someday say to the unsaved “Depart from Me you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt. 25:41).
Therefore, many people ask, ‘Where did he come from?” We know from the Word of God, the Scriptures, that he was created by God along with other angelic beings. In fact, the Lord Jesus is the Creator (John 1:3; Col. 1:16). And the Bible speaks of Him creating all things in heaven and earth “visible and invisible whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers” (Col. 1:16). These refer to the various ranks of angels. The writer of Hebrews makes it clear that there is a distinction between Christ and His angels (Heb. 1:7-8). Jesus is God. Hebrews says, “Your throne, O God…” (v. 8). He is the Creator and the angels worship Him and are subject to Him. Satan was part of the created angelic hosts.
But he was not referred to as Satan at that time. Two unique passages of Scripture explain his beginning and fall (Ezekiel 28:11-19; Isaiah 14:12-15). In Ezekiel 28:12 it speaks of the proverb addressed to the “king of Tyre,” but the language goes beyond him to Satan who is originally “Lucifer” (Isaiah 14:12) and means “Son of the morning. The Light Bearer.” However, after pride entered his heart (Isaiah 14:13-14), he became the Prince of Darkness and took a third of the angels when God cast him out (Rev. 12:4). These became his demonic forces. Their very nature became evil and wicked and they submit to and serve Satan.
Now we know from Scripture that after the Lord God created everything, He saw that “it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). Whatever time after, Satan fell and showed up in the Garden and enticed the human beings God created. With their fall came human depravity and sin along with the fall of creation (Rom. 8:19-20).
Therefore, since Satan’s fall he is alive and well on the planet earth. His evil influence is evident everywhere. For instance, the violence and murders including babies, the diabolical hatred of Jews for centuries, the revulsion for Bible believing Christians, gender confusion, same-sex marriages, corrupt politicians devising evil plans, cults, false preachers and much more!
Yet, the final say rests in the Lord Jesus. He will return in His Second Coming in judgment. Finally, Satan and his demons will be cast into hell (Rev. 20:10).
Merrill Olson served as a senior pastor for thirty-four years. He received a B.S. from Minnesota State University-Mankato, an M. Div. from Bethel Theological Seminary, and a D. Min. from Columbia Evangelical Seminary. He is currently involved as an interim pastor along with a teaching and writing ministry. His emphasis is on apologetics and training believers to defend their faith in Christ from God’s Word. He is well versed in Bible prophecy as it pertains to end times. He is a gifted speaker with the conviction that only by the Word of God can people experience inward transformation by the Holy Spirit. He and his wife, Jan, reside in Minnesota and have two daughters and four delightful grandchildren.