Did God create Satan?
Satan, the ultimate adversary. Sometimes they paint him as a red, cartoonish, mischievous creature with horns, tail, and a pitchfork. Many deny he exists. But according to the Bible, he is a very real being, a fallen angel who is responsible for the heartache and suffering we see in this world.
He is known by different names. Satan, Devil, Lucifer, the Dragon, the Old Serpent. Each has its own meaning.
So did God create Satan? Let's find out! In this study we will explore his origin and fall.
“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!” (Isaiah 14:12).
Satan's original name was Lucifer.
“Lucifer” is a Latin name that means, “he who brings light.” In the Greek text the name is eōsforos and has the same meaning. In the Hebrew text it is helel which means “the shining one.”
Did God create Satan? God created a beautiful angelic being who later became Satan. Here is what the Bible says about him before he sinned.
“Thus says the Lord God: ‘You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering…
Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created. You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; you were on the holy mountain of God; you walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones.
You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you’” (Ezekiel 28:12-15).
Notice four things. First, Lucifer was in the garden of God, on the mountain of God, i.e. in His very presence.
Second, he was an anointed cherub. If you recall, in the Most Holy place of the sanctuary was the Ark of the Covenant which symbolized God’s throne. On it were two cherubs, two angels, one on each side, with a wing each outstretched over the Ark, covering it. Lucifer had this exalted position, highest than all other angels, right next to the throne of God.
Third, Lucifer was a created being, an angel.So, did God create Satan? God created Lucifer, a beautiful, perfect, angelic being.
But fourth, at some point, iniquity (sin) grew in his heart. Notice how the text says that iniquity was found “in you,” i.e. in him. Adam was tempted by Eve and sinned. Eve was tempted by the serpent (Satan). But Lucifer was not tempted by anyone. Sin originated within him.
How can a beautiful, perfect, angelic being develop iniquity within him is a mystery. The Bible speaks about the "mystery of iniquity" (2 Thessalonians 2:7 KJV). We cannot understand how exactly it happened. But we know it did.
“Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor” (Ezekiel 28:17).
“For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation, on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High’” (Isaiah 14:13-14).
Because of his beauty, Lucifer became proud. He wanted to be higher than everybody else, and equal to God.
Notice the words “I will also sit on the mount of the congregation.” He already was there, on the Mountain of God. But as an angel, he was standing next to God’s throne. The Bible says that angels are God’s ministers or servants, and this is why they are depicted as standing, ready to fulfil God’s commands.
But Lucifer was not contend standing by the throne of God. He wanted to sit. Servants minister. Kings sit. Lucifer wanted to become king in God’s place, equal to God. He coveted God’s throne.
However, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18) and this is precisely what happened to Lucifer.
“War broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Revelation 12:7–9).
Lucifer could not take God’s throne. He is a created being. God is the Creator. Sensing his failure Lucifer endeavored to turn God’s angels against God.
Notice that Lucifer is no longer called Lucifer, the shining one, but Dragon, Serpent, Devil, and Satan. Satan is a Hebrew word and means, “adversary.” Devil is a Greek word and means “deceiver, or slanderer.” The once shining angel became an adversary to God and a deceiver.
His deceits were subtle and effective enough to deceive one third of the angels! These angels we meet in many instances in the Bible. They are sometimes called evil spirits, unclean spirits, or demons.
The rebellion against God failed and Satan and his angels were cast to the earth. Satan hates God. But since he cannot harm God, he endeavors to hurt human beings because he knows how much God loves us. By hurting humans, he desires to hurt God.
When God created Adam and Eve, He placed them in charge of His created order on this earth. He gave them dominion over the earth.
“Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (Genesis 1:28).
When Adam and Eve sinned, they handed dominion over the earth to Satan. It is for this reason that Satan is called the “god of this world” as well as the “ruler of this world:”
“Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them” (2 Corinthians 4:4).
“The ruler of this world is judged” (John 16:11).
You can read more about Creation and the Fall in the relevant studies.
Jesus Christ. By living a sinless life He succeeded where Adam had failed. By dying on the cross for our sins He paid the penalty for our sins. By rising from the dead, He defeated death.
“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Hebrews 2:14-15).
You can read more about Jesus in the relevant study.
“Therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee… and never shalt thou be any more” (Ezekiel 28:18-19 KJV).
“The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:10).
You can read more about the final judgment in the relevant study.
Satan is a fearsome enemy. But he is a defeated enemy. Jesus has conquered him and his end is certain. Satan is a loser. By making a conscious choice to live your life for Jesus, you ensure that you will be with the victorious side rather than the losing one.
I am not afraid of Satan. Jesus has utterly defeated him and one day will restore all things. I choose to belong to Jesus.
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