Satan, Demons and Spiritual Warfare
The words Hell, Devil or Satan, and Demons are common in today’s vocabulary. How much of this is real and how much of it is fiction?
Because God is a God of love He has created all beings with free will. He does not want robots for servants. God created Lucifer as the most beautiful and highest ranking angel in Heaven. Lucifer means “light bearer”. Lucifer coveted the praises of God and decided that he wanted to be God.
“How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascent to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.'” Isaiah 14:12-14
By trying to elevate himself above God, Lucifer made himself a devil. His pride was a terrible sin against God. One third of the angels in Heaven joined with Lucifer; by turning from God their very characters became hellish.
Hell is the eternal tragedy. It was created for Satan, and his demons, but not for people. After sin entered the world people who are not the children of God join these evil ones in Hell when they die on earth.
“The rich man also died and was buried. In Hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.” – Luke 16:23
Hell is described as a place of never ending torment. It is for the hellish, people who do not love God. It is a place of burning fire. God loved the world so much that he gave His only Son, Jesus Christ to die for the sins of the world. If people are so prideful that they think that they do not need God and think that they can live by their own power, then they deceive themselves and suffer from the same sin of Pride that was the downfall of Lucifer. Jesus does not force anyone to believe in Him; we all have free choice.
Hell is isolation. People who say that they want to party in Hell with their friends do not know what they are talking about. Hell will be the loneliest place ever. In Revelation it is described as the second death, a terrible death. Hell is referred to as the place of outer darkness where the light of God does not shine. Does this sound like a fun place to party? Each person in Hell will be someone who rejected the love of God and chose darkness.
Descriptive words of Hell include torture or torment (Revelation 20:10), outer darkness (Matthew 8:12 Matthew 22:13 Matthew 25:30), weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 8:12 Matthew 13:42 Matthew 22:13 Matthew 24:51 Matthew 25:30) and eternal fire (Matthew 18:8 Matthew 25:41 Jude 7).
Satan
Contrary to popular opinion Satan does not roam about in a red suit carrying a pitchfork. He is a very real person and active. Beelzebub, Belial , Adversary, Dragon, Serpent, Prince of this World, Prince of the Power of the Air, Accuser of the Brethren, Tempter, Fowler, Destroyer, Wolf, Thief, Father of Lies, Murderer, Sower of discord, Satan and Devil are some of the names for Lucifer, the fallen angel. These words describe his character. Satan is not to be mocked, but he is not to be worshipped. He has all of the power of an angel but none of the love or goodness.
Satan is a masterful deceiver. He is called the Father of Lies and the Old Dragon. He has been around since before the foundation of the earth. Unlike God, he cannot see all things at the same time and he cannot be everywhere at the same time. Though he is very powerful, God is more powerful. Satan has thousands of servants around the world doing his work. He prowls throughout the earth seeking someone he can destroy.
The apostle Peter warned us, “Be of Sober Spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” I Peter 5:8
John 8:44 says that “the Thief comes only to steal, to kill, and to destroy…” Satan hates everyone, but most of all he hates Christians. His very nature is to hate.
By dying on the cross Jesus Christ conquered Hell and Death; He defeated Satan once and for all. This means that when we die, we have the hope of eternal life in heaven. Because of the penalty of sin everyone was doomed to Hell. Jesus’ death enables those who believe in Him to have eternal life. His blood redeems us from all sin. Satan thought that he had won when Jesus was crucified, but Jesus was victorious over death. Jesus was to die as the perfect sacrifice for our sins (John 3:16). It is just a matter of time before Satan will be thrown into the lake of eternal fire. Someday Satan and all unbelievers will have to bow before God and worship Him.
In Revelation 1:18, Jesus said “I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
There is only one way to escape hell! Believe upon Jesus. Confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and to cover your sins with His blood. You will not perish but will have everlasting life with Jesus in Heaven.
Click here to pray the sinners prayer and escape Hell.
Demons
Spiritual Warfare
Spiritual Warfare
Every spirit regardless of its rank, including the devil, is subject to the name of Jesus Christ. You can pray firmly, “Satan, I bind you by the blood of Jesus Christ. I command you to shut your mouth, to leave, and never come back in Jesus name!”
The good news is that by the power and authority of the Blood of Jesus Christ we have the power to resist the devil. James 4:7 tells us “Submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”