Satan unmasked

July 4, 2020 (Saturday)

 

Today, we look at the final defeat of Satan in Revelation. This fact calls for a celebration.

 

“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the abyss and a huge chain. He seized the dragon, the old snake, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the abyss, then locked and sealed it over him. This was to keep him from continuing to deceive the nations until the thousand years were over. After this he must be released for a little while” [Revelation 20:1-3 CEB].

 

Okay, it’s not the FINAL defeat, Satan gets one more chance to deceive humanity after the thousands years. But the results are similar. The difference here is that Satan is thrown into “the abyss” while in verse 10 he is tossed into the “lake of fire.”

 

Notice, “an angel” seizes Satan. This angel is NOT named. This is not a special angel, just an angel. Notice he is “seized.” In other words, this is not much of a struggle. I think God is making a point. In Satan’s pride, he would elevate himself to God’s throne. The reality is, he’s not even a match for a random, nameless angel.

 

Satan has several names in this passage the give us clues to his nature, character, and limits. He is called “the dragon.” In mythology, dragons are as intelligent as they are powerful. We are reminded that the enemy of our souls is much smarter than we are. However, he ultimately must submit to the authority of God.

 

Satan is called “the old snake.” This goes back to the temptation in the Garden of Eden where he is described (or appears) as a “snake.” So we must not underestimate his ability to deceive. This was primarily done by questioning God and suggesting God does not have our best interest at heart. Eventually, those things opened the door for humanity to believe a lie (“you will not die” and “you will be like God”). Ummm, how’s that been working?

 

In other places in the Bible we know Satan as the “Devil.” This is from the Greek “diabolos” which means “slanderer” or “accuser.” Notice words are the main tool of Satan. Twisting, spinning, and questioning are standard. Whenever you hear a plausible argument against the law of God, Jesus, or Christians in general, you are hearing the voice of Satan.

 

The name “Satan” is the English transliteration of the Hebrew word for “adversary” (enemy). Originally he may have been called “Lucifer.” The name Lucifer comes from Isaiah 14, KJV. The name means “shining star” (or “morning star”). In fact “Lucifer” is the Latin name for Venus.

 

In Ezekiel 28:12b he is described, “You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.” [NIV] Later he is given earth as a trust, “You were anointed as a guardian cherub for so I ordained you.” [Ezekiel 28:14a] Satan started out well but something happened, “You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you.” [Ezekiel 28:15 NIV] Ezekiel identifies that wickedness as violence and, “Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor.” [Ezekiel 28:17 NIV] For the record, God mourned Satan’s fall and eventual demise in Ezekiel 28.

 

Paul warns us, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” [2 Corinthians 4:4 NIV] In other words, Satan who has set himself up as “god” keeps people from seeing the truth of the gospel and understanding Jesus correctly. Satan makes us and keeps us ignorant.

 

Paul later describes the war between humanity and Satan, “We aren’t fighting against human enemies but against rulers, authorities, forces of cosmic darkness, and spiritual powers of evil in the heavens.” [Ephesians 6:12 CEB] It’s not the color of our skin or political party we are fighting about. Those are just distractions. Like a magician directing our attention one way so we don’t notice what is really happening.

 

Tomorrow we look at the millennial kingdom. A time of peace away from Satan’s influence. And maybe more… stay tuned.