Satan’s Names Satan – Devil – Serpent – Great Red Dragon – Rev. 12 God of this world – 2 Cor. 4:4 Ruler of this world – John 12:31 Prince of the power of the air – Eph. 2:2

Beelzebub – Luke 11:15, Belial – 2 Cor. 6:15 Wicked One – Matt. 13:19 The tempter – Matt. 4:3 Abaddon – Apollyon – Rev. 9:11 Lucifer – Isa. 14:12

Satan’s Plan The devil has never relinquished his desires to replace God. His hatred for God underlies all of his efforts to accomplish his own enthronement. This is clearly seen in the prophecy of the enthronement of antichrist during the Tribulation. (2 Thes. 2:3-12 ) This was the ploy in Satan’s temptation of Christ. (Matt. 4:8-10)

Every would-be dictator who rises to power in the earth demanding universal homage is actually an emissary of the evil one. To render reverence and service to such a person is to render worship to the evil one behind that person. The worship of charismatic human leaders as well as idolatrous objects is actually the worship of Satan. (Rev. 9:20) Satan has a definite program. It will crescendo in the reign of antichrist. Paul’s discussion of the quickening experience of the new birth contains some important information about the program of the devil. (Eph. 4:1-3)

References to the world generally refer to the world system that dominates the people who inhabit the earth. This system is ruled by the prince of the power of the air. He is the master-mind behind all the schemes that foster the toleration of evil and in some cases actually further the cause of evil. Since Satan wants above all else the worship of men, he is busy destroying any vestiges of freedom and independence. While many world leaders are duped into thinking that socialism is actually for the benefit of mankind, the reality is that socialism is a tool for the subjugation of men under the dominion of government. (2 Thess. 2:7)

A significant part of Satan’s plan for world dominion includes opposing the liberating power of the gospel. Saved people are a threat to the devil’s program for several reasons. First, they are evangelists who snatch victims out of the devil’s hands. (2 Cor. 4:1-7) It is impossible to ultimately deceive saved people. (Matt. 24:24) Truth liberates. (John 8:32)

Satan’s Methods Satan is a liar. It stands to reason that one who hates the truth as much as the devil does, would resort to lies in contradiction to the truth. (John 8:44) Even when Satan speaks the truth, he does so in a way that distorts it. This is evident in the temptation of Christ (Matthew 4). This same methodology is utilized by those who abuse Scripture for their own purposes. (2 Pet. 3:15-18; 1 Tim. 4:1-3; Ezek. 22:28)

Satan is a master deceiver. He is the author of subtle devices (2 Cor Satan is a master deceiver. He is the author of subtle devices (2 Cor. 2:11), the strategist of many wiles (Eph. 6:11), and has and will use his power to perform miracles so as to deceive human hearts (2 Thes. 2:9,20; Rev. 13:11-14; Matt. 24:24). He blinds people to prevent their salvation (2 Cor. 4:4) and steals the truth from many who hear it (Luke 8:12). He imitates the true representatives of truth so as to insinuate falsehood (2 Cor. 11:14,15).

Satan is the author of temptation Satan is the author of temptation. He holds most of the world in the thralldom of sin. Utilizing the unregenerated part of the believer (the flesh) and the world the devil is able to entice saved people to commit sin. (Jam. 1:13-15; 1 Thess. 3:5).

Satan is a counterfeiter Satan is a counterfeiter. Outright opposition to the truth is often ineffective. A counterfeit to the truth often is effective. The apostasy that parades as a legitimate expression of Biblical Christianity has snared millions. They think themselves quite safe because of their indulgence in religion which more often than not is bereft of Christ and the truth. This present age will not end with mankind lost in atheism. It will end with man worshipping antichrist. The prefix “anti” means more than opposition. It also means “in place of.” (2 Thess. 2:3-12)

Counterfeit Trinity Rev. 13 The Dragon Versus The False Prophet The Beast

Satan is violent. From the first murder committed by Cain to the present time, our world has been saturated in blood. Remember that Satan is a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44). It is significant to note that the coming antichrist is described as that Wicked (2 Thessalonians 2:8) which is literally “lawless” (anomos). The increase of violence is our day was predicted in Scripture and will increase until the end of the age. The author of this chaotic violence is the devil.

Satan is the author of human suffering Satan is the author of human suffering. As he occasioned the first sin that plunged the human race into the cesspool of sin, the suffering in our world is the result of sin. Beyond that fact at least twice in the New Testament the devil charged particularly with being the source of suffering. (Acts 10:38; Luke 13:16)

Satan sis a captivator. (2 Tim Satan sis a captivator. (2 Tim. 2:26) Satan most certainly influences the thinking of men even as he did with Judas Iscariot (John 13:2) and Ananias (Acts 5:3). Satan is an accuser. He accuses God to men as he did in the Garden of Eden with Eve. He accuses men to men. He even accuses men (believers) to God, the accuser of our brethren. (Revelation 12:10)

Satan is an opposer, not only of the truth, but of those who endeavor to propagate the truth. (Zech. 3:1; Dan. 10:12,13; 1 Thes. 2:18)