The kingdom of darkness is a reality which everybody should be well aware of. Satan and his demons – which are the fallen angels who were cast out of heaven because of their complicity in his rebellion – are engaged in a fierce battle against God and His kingdom. They strive to be worshipped and for power. Satan is an imitator of God who is intent on replacing God as ruler of the universe. His aim is also to be worshipped as God. In his imitation of the Triune God, Satan’s kingdom is also ruled by a triumvirate – the devil, the Antichrist and the false prophet. The devil pretends to be God and his future world leader, the Antichrist, will be offered to the world as the Christ, while the false prophet will imitate the ministry of the Holy Spirit by doing great signs and wonders.
Lucifer was a good, wise and beautiful angel who was created by God, but he was corrupted by pride and a lust for power. He revolted against God’s authority in an effort to raise his own status to be equal with God. In Ezekiel 28 are descriptions of the earthly king of Tyre, and also of Satan who was the spiritual power who instigated and controlled him. Lucifer, therefore, was the real king of Tyre. Both of them have fallen because of their pride. The Lord says of Lucifer:
“You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering: the sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created. You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; you were on the holy mountain of God; you walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you. By the abundance of your trading you became filled with violence within, and you sinned; therefore I cast you as a profane thing out of the mountain of God; and I destroyed you, o covering cherub, from the midst of the fiery stones. Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendour; I cast you to the ground” (Ezek. 28:12-17).
The following four reasons make it quite clear that these verses refer to Lucifer and not the earthly king of Tyre:
· He was in the Garden of Eden.
· He was a cherub who covers.
· He enjoyed free movement on God’s holy mountain.
· He was perfect since the day of his creation, till iniquity was found in him and caused his downfall.
The angels who were deceived by Lucifer and sinned by sharing in his rebellion were cast out of heaven with him. Their iniquity transformed them into perverted and hateful creatures. After his fall, Lucifer was described as Satan, who is the adversary of God.
In Isaiah 14, the Lord uses the fall of the king of Babylon to describe Lucifer’s fall from heaven. Babylon is a well-known symbol of Satan’s kingdom on earth. This is evidenced by the fact that Satan took possession of Nimrod after Babylon was first established, and influenced him to become a violent person, so arrogant and great in his own eyes that he built a city and a tower with its top reaching to heaven (Gen. 11:4). In this way, it was thought that fallen man could rule over the whole earth, ascend to heaven and declare himself to be God.
During later history, the city of Babylon remained the symbol of a mighty kingdom, still violently opposed to the kingdom of God. According to Revelation 18, the city will be rebuilt in the end-time and will once again exercise dominion over the nations of the world. The demonic nature of this evil city is clearly evident from prophecies regarding its final downfall: “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a habitation of demons, a prison for every fowl spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!” (Rev. 18:2).
Throughout the centuries, Lucifer was the real king of Babylon, also of mystery Babylon, the harlot mother of all the false religions. The human tyrants who ruled in Babylon were all personifications of him who gave expression to his rebellion, violence, religious self-deification and idolatry in the most extreme forms. It is fitting that Lucifer’s fall from heaven should be likened to the fall of Babylon’s king, as his kingdom is also destined to destruction. From the context it is very obvious that it is Lucifer’s fate which is being discussed here, as the earthly king of Babylon was never described as Lucifer, (son of the morning,) who sat on the mount of the congregation in heaven and exalted himself to be equal with God:
“How you are fallen from heaven, o Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High. Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit. Those who see you will gaze at you, and consider you, saying: is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms, who made the world as a wilderness and destroyed its cities, who did not open the house of his prisoners?” (Isa. 14:12-17).
It must have been a sudden and highly dramatic event when Lucifer and his angels were cast out by God. John says that he drew a third of the angels of heaven with him (Rev. 12:4), which is an indication of his considerable power and influence. The consequences of Lucifer’s expulsion from heaven were far-reaching. He swore to take vengeance on God and His kingdom by incessantly attacking and destroying His creation. This declaration of war finally transformed him into Satan – God’s Enemy and Adversary. He is particularly intent on controlling and destroying human beings who were created in God’s image; therefore, God describes him as a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44).
Satan’s fall from heaven was only the beginning of his humiliation. Following that, the opportunity was given him to reveal his true character, thereby filling up the measure of his iniquity. He did so by deceiving and destroying people. All of creation likewise suffers because of the Fall and the destructive acts of the devil and his human henchmen (Rom. 8:20). Satan will launch his most violent attack on mankind during the seven year-long reign of the Antichrist: “Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time” (Rev. 12:12). Many people will die because of wars, pestilences, famines and other calamities while the earth and its resources will be devastated.
Satan’s fall, as described by Ezekiel and Isaiah, occurs during different stages. It will assume a further dimension when, at the end of the great tribulation when Christ returns, he will be incarcerated in the bottomless pit for 1000 years (Rev. 20:1-3). Then, it will be said of him: “Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms, who made the world as a wilderness and destroyed its cities?” Following his release from the pit at the end of the thousand years, Satan and all his followers will be cast into the lake of fire forever.
It is important to notice that Satan is progressively revealed in the Bible. In the process, quite a number of descriptive names have been assigned to him. These names are further indications of his motives, strategies and evil character. Satan and his demons arise from the abyss (Luke 8:31) and operate in mystical spheres or heavenly realms, i.e. the supernatural sphere (Eph. 6:12). They prefer to hide their true identity in order to gain easy access to people’s hearts and minds. Initially they assumed the identity of various idols, and even ancestral spirits, to ensure that people would unwittingly serve and worship them through prayers and sacrifices. This practice became very popular throughout human history, and Christians have clearly been warned to have no part in this (1 Cor. 10:19-21). Whether deceived humanity is aware of it or not, they are serving the devil through their false religious practices.
During Old Testament times the heathen nations served a large number of Baals (foreign gods) and Ashtoreths (goddesses) (Judg. 2:11-13; 1 Sam. 12:10). Israel was often deceived into participating in the worship of these idols. Idolatry was practised along with occult activities such as consulting the spirits, divination and soothsaying, which are all works of darkness by means of which Satan deceives people. Israel was sternly warned against these activities:
“There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practises witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord… For these nations which you will dispossess listened to soothsayers and diviners; but as for you, the Lord your God has not appointed such for you” (Deut. 18:10-14).
In addition, astrology is prohibited as one of the works of darkness (Isa. 47:12-14).
Furthermore, the Old Testament contains concepts which are more directly related to the devil and his demons – among which are examples of explicit Satanism. The Hebrew word “sa-ir” means “devil” or “demon.” In Leviticus 17:7 and 2 Chronicles 11:15 it is translated as “demon.” The KJV renders it “devil.” However, “sa-ir” can also be translated as “hairy demon”. W.L. Holladay (1988) says that “sa-ir” is “a hairy demon in shape of he-goat.” This perception accounts for the fact that the devil may also be depicted as a hairy he-goat. Among Satanists, the devil is often visualised as a black goat or a human-like creature with the head of a goat. This abominable creature has human as well as animal features, but always with two goat-horns on his head.
The Hebraic Old Testament also uses the word “shed” for “devil” (cf. Deut. 32:17). In Psalm 106:37-38 an ancient form of Satanism is described, in which people sacrificed their children to the devils: “They even sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons, and shed innocent blood… whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan.” In this case, devils are equated with idols.
As a precise and direct revelation of the Wicked One, the name “Satan” is only mentioned a couple of times in the Old Testament. This name means “Adversary” or “Enemy” and depicts Satan as the big adversary, or enemy, of God and all believers. “Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel” (1 Chron. 21:1). He deceptively motivated David into doing something that was contrary to God’s will. He is also the accuser of believers: “Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose [or accuse] him” (Zech. 3:1). In the following verse is another descriptive name that strongly alludes to Satan: “In that day the Lord with His severe sword, great and strong, will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan that twisted serpent” (Isa. 27:1).
In the New Testament, both the names “Satan” and “devil” are used. “Devil” has been derived from the Greek term “diabolos” and means “false accuser” or “slanderer.” Other descriptive names which are used for the devil in the New Testament are “the wicked one” or “the evil one” (Matt. 3:19; 1 John 5:19), Mammon, the god of money (Luke 16:13), the angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14), the deceiver (Rev. 12:9), the father of lies (John 8:44), Apollyon, the destroyer (Rev. 9:3), Beelzebub, the dung-god (Matt. 12:24), Belial, the worthless one (2 Cor. 6:15), the accuser (Rev. 12:10), the murderer of people (John 8:44), the prince of the power of the air (Eph. 2:2), the ruler of this world (John 12:31), the tempter (1 Thess. 3:5), the serpent (Rev. 12:9), the great dragon (Rev. 12:9), the roaring lion (1 Pet. 5:8), and the god of this age (2 Cor. 4:4).
Satan is head of the kingdom of darkness and has many evil spirits, or demons, under his control. Since the Fall he has controlled and manipulated all unsaved people who are spiritually in his direct sphere of influence. It is this evil power that the Lord saves us from: “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love” (Col. 1:13).
The devil tries everything possible to gain authority over God’s creation with the specific intention of destroying it. He unceasingly endeavours to destroy the image of God in human beings by blinding them spiritually and making them slaves of sin. His final objective is to be served and worshipped by all people. Additionally, his plans are to establish the Antichrist in a position of authority on earth in the place of Christ. One of the methods he utilises to achieve these goals is to oppose the work of the Holy Spirit by subjecting people to the influence of deceiving spirits and doctrines of devils. Are you sufficiently equipped spiritually to fight this battle? The Bible says: “Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:11-12).
The spiritual position of power which Satan attained on earth is a direct consequence of the Fall. All people are born with a nature which is inclined to sinning, and therefore join the devils in their rebellion against God. All are spiritually dead and morally depraved (Rom. 3:10-18). Even after the coming of Jesus Christ, nevertheless, most continue to prefer darkness to light because their works are evil (John 3:19). This is the reason for the devil being referred to as the ruler and god of this fallen, evil world (John 14:30; 2 Cor. 4:4). John says that the whole world lies in the sway of the wicked one (1 John 5:19). Therefore, Satan’s influence is far-reaching. He uses a variety of methods to spiritually deceive mankind.
Although Satan was defeated on the cross by the Lord Jesus, he has not yet been bound up in a bottomless pit and is still actively involved in the struggle against God’s kingdom. Jesus Christ came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8), and His Holy Spirit empowers us to prevail against the temptations and attacks of the evil one. We should remain vigilant at all times, putting on the full armour of God. It will only be at the second coming of Christ that Satan will be stripped of his power as the ruler of this fallen world, and incarcerated in a pit. Until then, the struggle will continue.
At the end of Christ’s thousand year reign of peace, Satan will be released for a short time to test the people on earth spiritually. Those who are not truly born again will immediately be overcome by Satan’s power and then they will be engaged by him to launch a renewed attack against the kingdom of God: “Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. And the devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Rev. 20:7-10).
Satan’s fall and humiliation will then be complete. Satan and his deceived followers will remain in the lake of fire for ever. Resist him and give him no place in your life (Jas. 4:7; Eph. 4:27).
The multiple revelations of Satan regarding his fallen state render clear evidence of his continued efforts to wage war against God and His kingdom. In this way he endeavours to muster up more support for his alternative kingdom of darkness with a view to ultimately establishing himself as the sole ruler of the universe. It is expedient to conduct a closer examination of his kingdom’s structures and methods since he still wields considerable power.
Right from the onset of human history the devil has made concerted efforts to promote apostasy among people by leading them into false religions in which foreign gods (demons) are worshipped. By his masterminding the Fall of man he achieved a major victory by establishing a sinful nature in all people’s lives, thereby making them easy targets for further deception.
During the first coming of God’s Son to the world, Satan often carried out virulent attacks against Him in an effort to kill Him, deceive Him spiritually, and also to instigate His own people and the world to reject Him. If Satan had succeeded in incorporating Jesus into his kingdom of rebels, it would have afforded him a shortcut to fulfil his ultimate objective of becoming sole ruler of the universe. The fact that Jesus came in the form of a humble servant with a frail human body, could have led the devil to believe that He was an easy target for attack and deception.
According to Luke 4:1-13, Satan’s cleverly planned strategy to deceive Jesus was based upon three false arguments. Although he completely failed to achieve his purpose, he did not give up. During subsequent centuries he has been even more determined to implement new techniques of deception by which he offers these same lies to tempt the Christian church and the depraved world. For this reason it is imperative to clearly take note of Satan’s historical efforts to deceive Jesus. The three deceptive strategies which he employed are the following:
A prosperity gospel based on the fulfilling of material needs. The Lord Jesus had fasted for 40 days, and had become very hungry, thus the devil exploited his biggest physical need at the time by saying: “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread” (Luke 4:3). Jesus immediately overcame this temptation by emphasising that man’s life does not depend on satisfying of his material needs, but rather on spiritual fulfilment: “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God” (Luke 4:4). If we first seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33), we will never become victims of Mammon’s kingdom of earthly wealth and worldly prosperity. If we are dedicated to seeking God’s kingdom, these other needs will be provided for.
An unbiblical kingdom theology associated with the worship of a foreign god. Satan deliberately tried to introduce Jesus into his alternative kingdom, on condition that He would be prepared to worship Lucifer as God. The promise of great earthly power and dominion was made to Him, if He would have been willing to follow this radical advice: “Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours” (Luke. 4:5-7).
The Lord Jesus did not dispute the fact that Satan, through his deception of virtually all of humanity, has gained control over earthly kingdoms – that being the reason for Jesus referring to him as “the ruler of this world” (John 14:30). However, while He persisted against Satan’s temptations, Jesus clearly stated that neither He nor any of His followers would be permitted to subject themselves to an earthly kingdom which is hostile towards the kingdom of God, nor to worship the god of such a renegade kingdom: “And Jesus answered and said to him, Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve” (Luke 4:8).
A religion of supernatural signs and wonders. A final effort was made by the devil to convince Jesus to relinquish His role as the humble Servant who would be rejected, persecuted and eventually crucified. Rather than Him enduring these awful events, Satan suggested to Jesus that He jump off from the pinnacle of the temple and miraculously make a safe landing, so that the people would be convinced by this sensational sign and recognise Him as the Messiah sent by God (Luke 4:9-12). However, the Lord Jesus resisted the devil by stating that one should not succumb to megalomania by tempting God into giving you supernatural powers in order to exalt and glorify yourself.
In the light of these personal attacks on Christ it is obvious that Satan has a comprehensive plan of action to pursue his evil war against God and His kingdom with all the might at his disposal. Firstly, it is a battle for his survival in an effort to avert his further humiliation and eternal condemnation as prophesied in the Bible. Secondly, it is an attempt to change his fortunes by achieving victory in his battle against the kingdom of light and thus becoming ruler of the universe in God’s place. With this being his ultimate goal, he continues to expand his support base through relentless efforts to gain control over more and more people.
When Christ returns to the world at the end of the great tribulation, the devil will again personally confront Him in the battle of Armageddon by waging war against Christ and His heavenly army (Rev. 16:13-16; 19:19-20). The turn of events on that day will prove to be disastrous for Satan and his myriad of supporters.
As the end of the church dispensation rapidly approaches, it becomes obvious that Satan realises that time is running out for him to execute all his plans. Conspicuously, the strategies which he used in his temptation of Christ in the wilderness, are once again being extensively applied to all people in preparation for the revelation of the Antichrist and his world empire.
Churches are deceived into proclaiming a prosperity gospel focussed on earthly wealth, thereby impoverishing themselves spiritually and making themselves victims of shallow thinking. With these worldly values being the centre of their attention, they will be receptive to the establishment of an earthly kingdom, even before the coming of Christ as King of kings. In order to realise this kingdom they must be deceived into a compromise with all other faiths under the erroneous premise that all religions worship the same God.
However, they do not realise that the devil is the universal God of all false and unbiblical faiths, and they also disregard the fact that no compromise is possible between God and all the false gods (2 Cor. 6:14-18). Multireligious deception will progress to the extent that a Satanically driven alliance of world religions will have been formed in a humanistic world empire. Apostatised humanity, involved in the building of a modern tower of Babel, will employ cosmic powers to perform signs and wonders.
All these false religious manifestations will be typical of the Antichrist once he assumes dominion on earth during the final seven years before the second coming of Christ. He will amass earthly treasures, gain political and religious control over all people, and also perform astounding signs by means of his occult powers. His coming will be “according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish” (2 Thess. 2:9-10).
Paul adds that people who are deceived by the Antichrist, wilfully turn their backs on biblical truths and the true Christ: “And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thess. 2:10-12).
It is vitally important that all people of all ages take note of Satan’s temptation and deception, because without this knowledge they are easy targets of subtle lies. The strategies which are applied by the kingdom of darkness are all aimed at harming God’s kingdom by influencing people to fall away from the truth (Heb. 3:12). The more knowledge people have regarding this dark kingdom, its principles and plans of action, the better they will be able to defend themselves against it.