THE DEVIL
                                                        November 30, 2008

                                                             HIS ORIGIN

    Ezekiel 28:12-15  The unfallen state of Satan is herein described.

    ·       vs. 12 He was full of wisdom ans beauty.

    ·       vs. 14 He guarded the throne of God.

    ·       vs. 15 He was perfect in his ways when God created him.

                                                               HIS FALL

    Isaiah 14:12-14 His beauty, his pride and his brightness brought about his corruption.

                                          HIS HISTORY AND CHARACTER

    ·       I Chronicles 21:1; Job 1:6-12; I Peter 5:8-9 The Bible presents him as a real being.

    ·       Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13 Christ dealt with him as a real being.

    ·       Ephesians 4:27; 6:10-18; I Peter 5:8-9 The apostles thought of and warned of Satan as a real being.

    Satan’s  character is revealed in the many names given to him throughout the Bible.

   ·        Revelation 12:9 Devil and Satan, Matthew 10:25 Beelzebub, I Peter 5:8-9 Adversary, Revelation 12:3-12 Dragon,
II Corinthians 11:3 Serpent, II Corinthians 4:4 God of this world, Matthew 4:3 Tempter, Matthew 13:19,38
The wicked one, John 8:44 murderer.

                                                BIBLE FACTS ON SATAN

   ·        Job 1:6-12; Mark 4:15 He has the ability to go from place to place throughout the earth.

   ·        Daniel 10:12; Ephesians 6:10-12 He has a kingdom and is the head of all powers of evil and darkness.

   ·        Matthew 25:41; John 8:44 He controls fallen angels and fallen mankind.

   ·        II Corinthians 11:14; Revelation 2:9 He is active in religions and religious affairs.

   ·        I Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:5 He sows tares throughout the church, and is the accuser of the brethren of the church.

   ·        Luke 13:16; Acts 10:38; Revelation 2:10 He is the author of persecution and tribulation towards Christ’s church.

   ·        Revelation 20:1-3; 7-15 He will be overcome by Christ and will share eternal torment with all those he has seduced.

                        WHY SATAN IS ALLOWED TO CAUSE PROBLEMS

   ·        Job 1:11, 20-21 In order to test our service and our commitment to God.

   ·        James 1:12; I Peter 1: 7-10; Jude 20-24 In order to develop character and faith.

   ·        II Corinthians 12:7 In order to make us humble.

   ·        II Corinthians 2:11 In order that we might be able to identify and comfort others in need.

                                   OUR RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD SATAN

   ·        I Peter 5:8-9 We are to be sober and watchful lest he devour us.

   ·        Ephesians 4:27 We must not give him a foothold in our lives.