The holy scriptures pull back the veil of the invisible world to expose the origin, character, and ultimate doom of the supreme adversary of God and man. Known across the pages of text by various descriptive titles—including the devil, the serpent, and the dragon—the name Satan literally means “the adversary” or “the accuser.” He is not a mythical caricature, but a highly intelligent, fallen angelic being who spearheads a cosmic rebellion against the sovereignty of the Most High.
The prophetic scriptures look back before the creation of man to describe his original state. He was created as Lucifer, the “son of the morning,” an anointed cherub of unsurpassed beauty, wisdom, and perfection who covered the throne of God. However, his heart became lifted up because of his beauty, and he corrupted his wisdom by reason of his brightness. In a fierce display of pride, he declared in his heart that he would exalt his throne above the stars of God and be like the Most High. This rebellion resulted in his casting out from the holy mountain, drawing a third of the angelic hosts into his defection.
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, 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 be like the most High. — Isaiah 14:12-14
Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. — Ezekiel 28:17
Satan introduced sin into the earthly realm in the Garden of Eden, using subtlety to beguile Eve and plunge humanity into fall and ruin. Throughout Old Testament history, he appears as a malicious prosecutor, seeking permission to afflict righteous Job and standing at the right hand of Joshua the high priest to resist him. His ultimate defeat, however, was sealed at the cross of Calvary. When Jesus Christ came in the flesh, Satan attempted to tempt Him in the wilderness and later entered into Judas Iscariot to orchestrate the crucifixion—unknowingly executing the very divine plan that stripped him of his power over death.
And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: — Luke 22:31
In this present era, during what the scriptures define as the great falling away, Satan operates as the prince of the power of the air and the god of this world, blinding the minds of them which believe not. He does not always appear as a roaring lion; frequently, his ministers transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, and he transforms himself into an angel of light to deceive, if possible, the very elect. Yet his time is short. The Book of Revelation declares that during the final judgments, he will be cast out of heaven entirely, bound for a thousand years, and ultimately cast into the lake of fire to be tormented day and night forever.
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 12:9
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. — Revelation 20:10
Satan’s entire career is marked by an uncompromised hatred for the truth and a relentless desire to drag humanity into his own damnation. While his deceptions are pervasive in our modern culture, the remnant believer stands secure, knowing that the adversary is a defeated foe whose head has been bruised by the seed of the woman, and whose kingdom will be utterly consumed at the glorious appearing of our Lord and Savior.