Who Is Satan?
In a sermon series titled Ghost, V1 Church learned about Satan's identity, origin, and influence in the world.
Christians sometimes confuse Satan's current role over the earth. Scripture explicitly states that he is ruler over the world, see John 12:31-33, John 14:30, and John 16:11. In order to overcome the enemy it is of great importance that the believer understands biblical teachings on the devil.
There is an active spiritual war for the souls of mankind. The nations of the world are being controlled by the sons of disobedience (Ephesians 2:2). However, Satan’s rule and reign is still limited because only God has dominion over everything in heaven and earth. The kingdom of Jesus Christ is not of this world but His majesty still reigns supreme and oversees everything. Christ's death on the cross greatly weakened the ruler of the air, the devil, who is subordinate to the authority that is secured in Christ. There is a spiritual battle for dominion but it is written that Satan loses and there is an impending judgment on him (John 12:31).
Pastor Mike Signorelli emphasizes that to defeat the enemy we must know who he is.
Satan's Origins, Who Is He?
Satan began as a holy angel who fell from heaven and was granted the role of ruler of the earth.
In Ezekiel 28:12–14 we see that before his fall, Satan was a beautiful creature and perhaps the most powerful of all the angels. Covered in jewels, his assignment in heaven was “guardian cherub” which many scholars believe indicated that he was the angel that guarded God’s presence. In verse 15 we learn something very interesting about angels that is not often discussed. Angels have the capacity to sin. Angels were created in a divine structure in which sin was found in satan and it is why he was cast out of heaven.
Angels are interdimensional as we see time and time again in scripture, angels coming to earth, operating as messengers (Luke 1:26, 27), some even appearing in human form (Hebrews 13:2) but they also operate in the heavenlies. They surround the throne (Revelation 5:11), and we see Satan, though banished to earth, still had access to heaven (Job 1:6).
In Isaiah 14:12-14 we see in more detail the sin that entered Satan and caused God to cast him out of heaven. Rather than giving God the glory for creating him so beautifully, Satan became prideful and wanted all the glory for himself. His rebellion resulted in his fall from grace and separation from God. His final fate will be spending eternity in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10).
For the Christian, examining yourself for pridefulness is vital to see whose throne you are really building. Satan’s job was to cover God’s throne but instead, he wanted all the glory for himself. That is equivalent to building personal thrones of success and status versus living to glorify God, the only one who truly sits on the throne above. Surrendering to God over self-centeredness is a vital spiritual priority.
Satan is often referred to as Lucifer, which is a latin word that means "light-bearing". The prophet Isaiah used the name Lucifer when comparing the king of Babylon to Satan. Isaiah said, "How art thou fallen from Heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!"
Satan is a Copycat
Another attribute of Satan is he is not original at all. He imitates divine concepts. Pastor Mike insists that aliens are demons. He says alien abductions are just emulations of the rapture where people will get caught up in the sky to God. If you study the occult and even in Greek mythology everything is an emulation of God. Demonic tongues, evil baptisms, sacrifices and so forth.
Satellites are located up high, and modern society has used skyscraper buildings in big cities with satellites to promote mass deception in the airwaves through television and media. But God’s people can use the same systems to promote mass truth as Pastor Mike is doing with his film Domino Revival and social media. The minister encourages all Christians to hijack demonic infrastructures.
Satan is the Accuser
As we see from his interaction with God in Job 1, Satan's role is to accuse believers day and night (Revelation 12:10).
The power of Jesus' blood however silenced Satan's accusations because those who are sons and daughters of God are clothed in the righteousness of Christ, not in our own doing. Good behavior does not silence the accuser, it is the blood of Jesus.
Believers can also pull down demonic strongholds by taking captive every word and lining it up with the truth of God’s word. Jesus' sacrifice defeated Satan's accusations and the believer must combat deception by using our spiritual weapons. Our spiritual allegiance is shown by truth and righteousness.
Satan as the accuser highlights the need for intercessory prayer and reliance on the blood of Jesus to silence accusations, believers must embrace their identity in Christ.
Satan is a Tempter
As we see in Matthew 4:3, the devil even tried to tempt Jesus in the wilderness promising to give the Son of God various things if He would only bow to Satan. Jesus used the word of God to fight back and the truth prevailed over the temptation. The Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 3:5 tells the believer that he feared the tempter had tempted them, potentially causing his labor of ministering to them to be in vain.
Satan’s role as the tempter reminds followers of Christ to be vigilant and discerning against subtle deceptions that can lead to sin. Being aware will help foster spiritual resilience.
Satan is the Deceiver
Satan's deception in the Garden of Eden and its implications for humanity is why we battle sin in the first place. The earth was created for Adam and God’s hierarchy design was established at creation but the deceiver caused Adam and Eve to lose their dominion. The ultimate defeat of Satan through the blood of Christ is where dominion in Christ is restored.
As he did with Adam and Eve, Satan still works to blind the eyes of people. Satan blinds unbelievers to prevent them from seeing the truth of the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4). They are blinded by Satan to keep them from seeing the light of Christ.
Believers must embrace their spiritual authority and engage in the ongoing battle for truth and dominion.
The good news is that Jesus defeated Satan (Revelation 20:3).
Pastor Mike calls for collective action against demonic influences and urges believers to come together in faith. Truth can reclaim territory for God’s kingdom.
About the Author
Jeannie Ortega Law is a chart-topping singer, evangelist, media personality and author from New York City. She can be reached on social media: @JeannieOrtega or emailed at Info@JeannieO.com
At V1 Church we believe in teaching Bible-based relationship principles so that you can your family can be strengthened. Connect with us using one of the links below – we’d love to see you and help you walk through the process of reconciliation.