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John 8,44

 

44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

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This verse is sometimes interpreted as referring to Cain, the first son of Adam and Eve. However, this interpretation is contradicted by the fact that wherever the New Testament makes analogies to people, these people are named (2nd Timothy 3,8 / 2nd Peter 2,15 / 1st John 3,12 / Jude 1,11). Whenever a person is referred to as Satan, the context always makes it clear who is meant (2nd Samuel 16,10 / 2nd Samuel 19,23 / Mark 8,33). In this case, Jesus does not use the word devil as a metaphor for a person, but addresses a specific individual whose identity is known to the listeners. Furthermore, Cain is not the father of lies, but rather the serpent (= Satan) who deceived the first humans with a lie and who existed long before Cain (Genesis 3,1-15 / Revelation 12,9). Therefore, the term murderer (Old Greek: anthrōpoktonos) also refers to the serpent (= Satan). For the disobedience of Adam and Eve brought death to them and to all of humanity (Romans 5,12-19 / 1st Corinthians 1,21). This was the aim of Satan's deception from the very beginning. Cain is not said to have killed more than one person. Satan, however, has countless deaths on his conscience to this day.

 

John 8 deals with spiritual role models. The Jews call Abraham (verses 39 f.) and GOD (verses 41 f.) their father. Jesus, however, explains that physical lineage is not what matters. Rather, a person's attitude and actions reveal their true allegiance. The Jews' actions revealed that they truly belonged neither to Abraham nor to GOD, but to Satan, because they acted according to the devil's example. Just like Abraham and GOD, the devil is a real person. The term son of the devil (Old Greek: huios diabolos), which Paul uses to describe the magician Elymas, expresses precisely the same thing (Acts 13,9 f.). James describes envy and contentiousness as devilish (Old Greek: daimoniódés) because they correspond to Satan's disposition (James 3,15).

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John 14,30

 

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30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.

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John 16,8-11

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8 And when he (the Holy Spirit) is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

 

 

The term prince of this world (Old Greek: archōn tou kosmou) demonstrates that Satan, the devil, is a person and not an abstract force. If Jesus were referring to an ordinary person, he would have specified it accordingly. Therefore, neither the Sanhedrin nor the Roman governor Pontius Pilate could be meant, since neither of them was the prince of the entire world. Satan's rule is primarily spiritual, much like GOD's rule. By transgressing GOD's commandments, people become servants of the devil. Conversely, those who obey GOD's commandments prove themselves to be servants of GOD.

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Romans 16,20

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20 And the GOD of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

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This verse is connected to the promise in Genesis 3,15, according to which the seed of the woman (= the Messiah) would crush the head of the serpent (= Satan). The word bruise (Old Greek: syntripsei) means to destroy someone. The power to do so comes from the heavenly Father, the GOD of peace. Unlike in some prophetic visions that use animals as metaphors for world empires, Satan is not used here as a metaphor, but, as in most other instances, as a proper name for the prince of darkness.​​

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2nd Corinthians 2,10 f.

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10  To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; 11 lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

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2nd Corinthians 11,12-15

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12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

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In both of these passages, Satan is used as a proper name, as indicated by the pronoun his (Old Greek: autos). The term angel of light (Old Greek: angelon phōtos) clearly refers to a heavenly being and not a human messenger, while the terms false apostles (Old Greek: pseudapostoloi) and deceitful workers (Old Greek: ergatai dolioi) refer to people who act in the service or spirit of Satan by spreading lies, just as the devil has done from the beginning (Genesis 3,1 / John 8,44). Furthermore, only a real person can transform (Old Greek: metaschématizó), have a thought (Old Greek: noéma), and deceive someone (Old Greek: pleonekteó), just as Satan does.

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Ephesians 2,1 f.

 

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1 And you hath He (GOD) quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience (...).

 

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The Greek word archōn can mean, among other things, prince, powerful one, or ruler. In any case, it refers to a specific person. The Greek word exousia means sphere or realm. It can refer to the sphere in which power or authority is exercised. Accordingly, Paul describes the devil as the one who rules over the evil spiritual powers of darkness in the air (Ephesians 6,12 / Colossians 1,13). The word air (Old Greek: amphibologia) can have both a literal and a symbolic meaning. On the one hand, the devil controls the air and lives partly within it. In the battle between GOD and Satan, the devil tries to use the weather against GOD's people (Job 1,19). Many verses in the Old Testament show that the weather is influenced by human obedience. On the other hand, it can also refer to the sphere of evil that surrounds this world.

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Ephesians 6,10-12

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10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of GOD, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

 

Christians do not primarily fight against flesh and blood, nor against abstract systems of rule composed of people, but against spiritual forces in the invisible world, by which they clearly mean Satan and his angels as spiritual beings. The terms principalities (Old Greek: arché), powers (Old Greek: exousia), and rulers of the darkness (Old Greek: kosmokratōr) can refer to both earthly (Luke 12,11 / Titus 3,1) and heavenly authorities (Ephesians 2,2 / Ephesians 3,10 / Colossians 3,16). In this case, they are demonic powers, as is evident from the context. Both angels and demons possess varying degrees of power and authority. They are organized in a hierarchy that influences both their actions and their ministry (Daniel 10,13), with some angels being more powerful than others (Daniel 10,12-14).

 

The word kosmokratōr appears only here in the New Testament and was used in ancient Greece for world-ruling "gods." With this, Paul wants to make it clear that Christians are dealing with extremely powerful adversaries who exert an enormous influence on events on earth and against whom no human being can stand up on their own. It is solely thanks to GOD's grace and the intervention of His heavenly angels that the devil cannot act unhindered as he pleases. The word darkness (Old Greek: skotos) clarifies that these heavenly rulers work not for, but against GOD and the truth. The term spiritual wickedness (Old Greek: pneumatikos ponēria) is to be understood as an umbrella term for all the forces mentioned above. The word high places (Old Greek: epouranios) underlines that these are supernatural, i.e., non-human, powers. Since Satan was cast out of heaven, his sphere of influence is limited to earth (Luke 10,18 / Revelation 12). Nevertheless, his power far surpasses that of earthly rulers. The devil's power manifests itself primarily in his temptation to rebel against GOD. Satan accomplishes this through lies and cunning deception (verse 11), just as he did in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3) when he tempted Adam and Eve. For this reason, faith in and obedience to GOD are the most effective means of resisting Satan and his angels and breaking their power (James 4,7 / 1st Peter 5,8 f.).

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1st Thessalonians 2,17 f.

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17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire. 18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

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 Even though it is people who persecute Christians, it is the devil who incites them to do so. Paul refers to the hindering circumstances, above all hardship and imprisonment, through which the devil and his henchmen make both preaching and traveling difficult for the apostle.  

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2nd Thessalonians 2,7-10

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7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

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Revelation 13,4

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4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

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Here Paul explains that the devil gives power to the Antichrist. He not only acts on behalf of the Antichrist, but also in the same way as Satan, by seducing people through lies and deception (John 8,44). Furthermore, only a real person can bestow or transfer power.

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Jude 1,8 f.

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8 In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings. 9 But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

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Here, a dispute is described between Michael, the highest-ranking angel in GOD's service, and the devil. Both are clearly described as celestial beings. Angels are beings with supernatural powers and far more powerful than humans. Verse 9 shows that Satan is a strong and equal opponent. For this reason, the archangel leaves it to GOD to punish the devil. If Satan were merely an ordinary mortal man, Michael would have no reason to argue with him or hold back. Furthermore, nowhere in the Bible do humans argue with angels, but always treat them with humility and reverence. Moreover, Scripture states that no one knows where Moses is buried (Deuteronomy 34,6).

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1st Corinthians 6,2 f.

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2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

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Paul explains that the saints will judge both unbelievers and angels. This statement only makes sense if fallen angels (= demons) exist alongside the holy angels. For angels of GOD are not subject to GOD's judgment. Rather, they are the ones who will execute judgment on the ungodly (Matthew 13,41 / Matthew 24,31). The context clearly shows that these are heavenly beings who have rebelled against GOD and are designated for judgment (Matthew 25,41 / Jude 1,6).

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1st Corinthians 5,4 f.

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4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 to deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

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With this statement, Paul makes it clear that there are two realms of dominion: 1. the realm of GOD, namely the church, whose head is Jesus Christ, and 2. the realm of Satan, namely the world, which is currently ruled by the devil and his angels. When a believer who sins is temporarily excluded from the fellowship of saints, they are in Satan's realm. To be released from this, they are called to confess their guilt and sincerely repent, that is, to crucify their carnal desires (Galatians 5,16-27). Once this has been done, the person remains saved and can be readmitted to fellowship. Otherwise, they remain excluded.

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1st Timothy 5,21

 

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21 I charge thee before GOD, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

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This wording suggests that there are two groups of angels: good and evil. Otherwise, this statement would make no sense. The Greek word translated as chosen is eklektos. It is the same word used in connection with believers and should therefore be understood in the same sense. The chosen angels are those who have remained faithful to GOD and have not participated in Satan's rebellion against their Creator. They are chosen by GOD because they have chosen GOD, just as Christians are chosen because they have chosen Christ (Romans 8,33 / Colossians 3,12). The city of Ephesus, where Timothy was staying, was likely a center of magic and demonic activity (Acts 19,12-30). For this reason, Paul explicitly refers at this point to the good angels who are present in the assembly of the saints and watch over the believers, while at the same time distinguishing them from the fallen angels who deceive people.

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2nd Timothy 2,25 f.

 

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25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if GOD peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

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Only a real person possesses free will. The will of the devil stands in diametrical opposition to the will of GOD. As in several other instances, the term devil (Old Greek: diabolos) here refers to a specific person whose identity is apparently known to the target audience and who is not an ordinary, mortal human being, since Paul would have explicitly named such a person.

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1. John 3,8-10

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8 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of GOD appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. 9 No one who is born of GOD will continue to sin, because GOD’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of GOD. 10 This is how we know who the children of GOD are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not GOD’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.

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Here, the devil and GOD are contrasted as persons and spiritual role models. The word born (Old Greek: gennaō) always and exclusively refers to living beings. No one can be a child of an impersonal power or be born from it. Furthermore, the word devil (Old Greek: diabolos) also appears here with the definite article as a proper noun. It is the spiritual being Satan, who has sinned from the beginning. If a human being (e.g., Adam or Cain) were being referred to, they would be named here. Moreover, nowhere in the Bible is there mention of "children of Adam" or "children of Cain".

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Revelation 9,20 f.

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20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: 21 neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

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In 1st Corinthians 10,18-22, Paul explains that behind the various pagan deities are actually demons who want to be worshipped by people. This truth, which makes idolatry so abhorrent in GOD's eyes, is also expressed in Revelation 9. Whoever worships an idol opens themselves to the influence of evil spirits and incurs GOD's wrath.

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Hebrews 2,14 f.

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14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

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Satan's power lies in making people act according to his will by transgressing GOD's commandments. Disobedience, in turn, leads to death ( Genesis  2,17 / Romans 6,23). Since all people since Adam had sinned (Romans 3,23) they were all under the curse of death. Therefore, until the appearance of the Messiah, the devil had power over death. Christ took away Satan's power by resisting all of the devil's temptations to the very end, thus destroying the devil's dominion. Jesus conquered Satan not through strength, but through his obedience. His absolute faithfulness to GOD unto death marks the beginning of Satan's end and brings salvation from death to all believers. (Romans 5,15-19 / 1st Corinthians 15,21). After Jesus rose from the dead, GOD gave him the power to ultimately destroy the devil completely (Genesis 3,15 / Romans 16,20 / Revelation 20,10).

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Revelation 20,1-3

 

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1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3 and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

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Revelation 20,7 f.

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7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

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In this passage, too, the terms dragon (Old Greek: drakonta), serpent (Old Greek: ophis), devil (Old Greek: diabolos), and Satan (Old Greek: satanas) are equated (verse 2). Like the angel who descends from heaven, the devil is also a real person, since only a person can gather others for battle (verse 8). The word old (Old Greek: archaios) implies that the serpent cannot be a literal animal that has existed since the Fall, but rather a metaphor for a heavenly being. Moreover, neither a human nor an animal, both of which are mortal, is capable of surviving 1000 years in captivity; only an angel can. The serpent, behind which the devil is in truth concealed, by no means played a neutral role in the Garden of Eden, but from the very beginning was intent on tempting humankind and thus bringing about their death. While Satan initially used deception, in this final great rebellion against GOD and His saints he openly and unashamedly reveals his true diabolical nature, which manifests itself in hatred and murderous lust. However, shortly thereafter Satan perishes in the lake of fire, while his soldiers are completely destroyed (verses 9 f.).

 

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