Speaking of the Devil

Speaking of the Devil

Eileen Renders                                                May 2024

   Although we do not want to “get to know him”, we do want to understand his evil and cunning ways so that we are not caught off-guard. “Lucifer” means “light-bearer” and is most associated with a high-ranking angel who fell from heaven and God’s grace because of his pride and rebellion against God.

   As a fallen angel, we understand that Satan’s ability to tempt and to trick people is explained in part, due to his falling from grace, and his nature. Although God created Lucifer, now referred to as Satan, or the evil one, as good, Satan became evil by his own doing.

   Ironically, his fall is best described as a result of how he made choices through free will and pride. This information provides us with the knowledge to use our free will wisely in making choices and be reminded that self-pride not used properly, or in excess leads to sin, a fall from God’s grace.

   In the Book of Isaiah (14: 12-15) The fall of Lucifer, although not clearly about Satan but rather a taunt against a Babylonian King. However, Christian tradition has interpreted this passage as an allegory for the fall of Satan.

In the Book of Ezekiel (28: 12-19) Here we find a lament over the King of Tyre, which has also been interpreted allegorically to refer to the fall of Satan due to pride.

In the Testament of Matthew 4:3, Satan is referred to as the “tempter”, and Jesus speaks of Satan as “a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him.

John (8:44) In these passages it is mentioned that there is a belief that Satan’s power lies in deception and temptation, leading God’s people away from Him.

   The Catholic church teaches that while Satan has the power to tempt, he does not have the power to force anyone to sin; rather, he influences the will toward evil. The church also affirms that God permits such diabolical activity for reasons that are mysterious but ultimately serve His just and merciful plan and that in everything, God works for good with those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

Book of Revelation, Chapter 20, There is a mention of 1,000 years. This chapter describes an angel coming down from heaven, seizing the dragon, the ancient serpent, which is the devil or Satan, and binding him for 1,000 years. It states that Satan is thrown into the Abyss, which is to be released for a short time.

This passage is often interpreted as part of the eschatological narrative, which deals with the end ties and the final judgment. The 1,000 years mentioned in Revelation is commonly referred to period. Some see it as a literal thousand-year reign of Christ on Earth, others interpret it symbolically, representing a long period of peace and righteousness.

   Finally, it is important to note that the text does not describe this period as a time given specifically for Satan to win over God’s people but rather as a time when he is restrained from deceiving the nations. The focus of the passage is more on the reign of Christ and the blessedness of those who take part in the first resurrection.