Satan, the Devil |
God created a large number of beings without substance called 'spirits'.
All these spirits in God's Kingdom of Heaven, and their habitation (spiritual only, without body or soul) is called by Jude "their first estate" (verse 6). Jesus implies this state in the Lord's Prayer, Luke 11:2.
Some of the angels were given greater responsibility than others. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and 2 Esdras 4:36 we read of archangels. Some are named Uriel, Michael, Gabriel and Raphael (Daniel 12:1; Luke 1:26).
God also created evil and allowed it to appear in Lucifer (Satan), an archangel (see Ezekiel 28:15) to prove that good would ultimately prevail over the evil.
The devil is not merely the principal of evil, but is a distinct spiritual being. He is a distinct, evil personality, an unembodied spirit, who, with evil minded spirits, like himself, are referred in Jude 6, "angels which kept not their first estate, left their own habitation."
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning (see 1 John 3:8). Jesus and the Pharisees declared Beelzebub to be the Prince of Devils (see Matthew 12:24).
"Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works" 2 Corinthians 11:14,15.
Lucifer, one of God's Head Archangels, was overcome by the evil and it took hold of him. Iniquity was found in him (ie., covetousness, arrogance, boastfulness, pride). He was "perfect in all his ways until iniquity was found in him"...."and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, who opposeth and exalted himself above all that is called God, so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God" 2 Thessalonians 2:3,4.
Note, however, that God had created the evil, "Shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it" Amos 3:6 (see Isaiah 45:7), to prove His creation, and in the hope that the created beings would choose to serve Him (see Romans 8:20).
So Lucifer under the allurement of evil, and trapped by it wanted all the spirits in heaven to support him, and to become evil as he then was. He attempted to overthrow the power of God, and obtain absolute power to rule over his followers and all of God's creation.
Some of the spirits in heaven gave him full support, proclaiming him as sovereign and supreme creator, whilst others under the leadership - of the Archangel Michael, withstood his obviously deceptive allures. These were those who remained steadfastly faithful to God.
There were, however, still the majority of the spirits who initially gave their allegiance to neither group, but later were overcome and went with Lucifer and supported him.
God cast Satan out of heaven forever; "Yet thou shalt be brought down to Hell, to the sides of the pit", and He also said, "They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee". Read Isaiah 14:12-16. Satan was to become totally immersed in the influence of evil and enslaved to it; total prisoner unable to escape from it forever and ever, doing its terrible work. Such passages as Ecclesiastes 4:8 talk of the futility of Satan's endeavours.
Satan, by his rebellious action against God, had divided the spirit beings basically into three groups:
- Those who assisted and fell with Satan.
- Those who were persuaded to fall.
- Those who remained faithful to God.