For a PDF version of this study, click here

Some claim that God created the Devil, who is also known as the great dragon, the serpent of old, and Satan (Rev. 12:9). If this were the case, everything that God created could not be considered good. Also, if God created a being that could tempt mankind He would be guilty of tempting people to sin,

Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good… (Gen. 1:31a; NKJV used throughout unless otherwise noted; emphasis added).

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning (changing) (Jas. 1:17; Ed. note in parenthesis; emphasis added).

To what were its (the Earth’s) foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstones, ⁷ when the morning stars (cf. Rev. 22:16; Nu. 24:17; 2Pe. 1:19) sang together, and all the sons of God (other angels) shouted for joy? (Job. 38:6-7; cf. 1Cor. 15:41; Ed. notes in parentheses; emphasis added).

Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone (Jas. 1:13; cf. 14-16).

Combining these scriptures, it is evident that God created the Earth and all the various angels, including the one who later became known as Satan, in complete harmony and obedience. Everything was good until a change took place. This change could only occur if Almighty God allowed all those He created to have freedom of choice, which He did. Whenever anyone is given this freedom, there is the possibility they will make a wrong choice at some point,

How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer (Day Star; cf. Rev. 22:16; Nu. 24:17; 2Pet. 1:19), son of the morning! (Isa. 14:12a; Ed. note in parenthesis).

Lucifer, or Day Star, was among the other angels, and at least one other morning star, when they all rejoiced at the creation of the Earth (Job 38:6-7). As the one who became Jesus Christ is referred to as a Morning Star (Rev. 22:16), it is apparent that Lucifer and Jesus Christ both shared a similar position in the angelic realm. However, Lucifer made a wrong choice and decided to exalt his position to that of his heavenly Father, which is contrary to a number of God’s commandments,

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 (location of Almighty God’s throne; cf. Job 37:22; Psa. 48:2; Eze. 8:5); ¹⁴ I will ascend above the clouds, I will be like the Most High (Isa. 14:13-14; cf. Ex. 20:3; 12-13, 15, 17; Ed. note in parenthesis; emphasis added).

This section of scripture mentions that Lucifer had a throne, or position, and that it was located beneath Almighty God’s throne because he wanted to ascend into heaven and be above the clouds. Presumably, Lucifer was given a position of responsibility over the Earth when it was first created (cf. Job 38:6-7), but he felt entitled to more and therefore began coveting the position of His Father in heaven. Lucifer was not created to fail, and His Father gave him all the necessary tools to be successful,

You (Lucifer) were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom (cf. Mt. 10:16) and perfect in beauty. ¹³ 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 (musical talent) was prepared for you on the day you were created. ¹⁴ You were the anointed (are an anointed) cherub who covers (symbolic language depicting a desire to sacrifice when/if necessary); I established (appointed) you; you were on the holy mountain (government) of God; you walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones (symbolically representing God’s law and commandments; cf. Deut. 33:2; NKJV). ¹⁵ You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity (sin; cf. 1Jn. 3:4) was found in you (Eze. 28:12b-15; Ed. notes in parentheses; emphasis added).

Although Almighty God provided the tools necessary to assist Lucifer with his responsibilities, Lucifer made a decision to rebel against His Father in heaven. Instead of being grateful for everything his Father had done for him, he began using his talents and abilities for evil rather than good,

Your heart was lifted up (became proud) because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor (Eze. 28:17a; Ed. note in parenthesis).

Because Lucifer rebelled against God his name was changed to Satan (adversary; opponent), which reflected his attitude and activities. Instead of bringing light to those he was responsible for, he led them into darkness. Light is associated with God’s truth while darkness is associated with deception,

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Ps. 119:105).

For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light (Prov. 6:23).

From those who leave the paths of uprightness (as Lucifer did) to walk in the ways of darkness (Prov. 2:13; Ed. note in parenthesis).

But this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world (light = righteousness, referring to Christ’s work and example) and men loved the darkness rather than the light, for their works were evil (Jn. 3:19; RNT; Ed. note in parenthesis).

Satan’s activities became self-serving with no regard for the well-being of others. He became very competitive and this attitude eventually led to various forms of violence,

By the abundance of your (Satan’s) trading you became filled with violence within, and you sinned (Eze. 28:16a; Ed. note in parenthesis).

At this point in time, Satan was removed from the position he previously held and another Morning Star, the one who became Jesus Christ, witnessed Satan’s fall,

Therefore I (Almighty God) cast you as a profane thing out of the mountain (government) of God; and I destroyed you O covering cherub from the midst of the fiery stones (Eze. 28:16b; Ed. notes in parentheses).

And he (Jesus Christ) said to them (the disciples), “I observed the Adversary as lightning having fallen from heaven” (Lk. 10:18; RNT; Ed. notes in parentheses).

The rebellion of Lucifer occurred prior to the creation of Adam and Eve because Adam was instructed not to fellowship with the individual represented by the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,

And the Lord God commanded the man (Adam), saying, ‘Of every tree (angel) of the garden you may freely eat (receive instruction from); ¹⁷ but of the tree (angel) of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat (not receive instruction from), for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die (Gen. 2:16-17; Ed. notes in parentheses; see the study: What Tree Did Eve Eat From?).

As Adam could fellowship with all the other trees (angels) in the Garden of Eden (City of God), it appears that Satan had not influenced any of the other angels at this point in time. However, after Adam and Eve decided to believe the word of Satan rather than the word of God, they hid among the trees in the Garden (Gen. 3:8). These trees should not have allowed Adam and Eve to hide among them unless they too began to believe, and agree with, the word of Satan (Rev. 12:9b),

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has unrighteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? (2Cor. 6:14; emphasis added).

But now I (Paul) have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother (cf. Rev. 22:8-9), who is a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner – not even to eat with such a person (1Cor. 5:11; Ed. notes in parentheses).

Because Adam and Eve had sinned prior to seeking refuge amongst the other angels, these angels should have moved away from them. Because they didn’t move away, it is apparent that Satan was able to deceive them at the same time he deceived Adam and Eve. This is confirmed by other scriptures describing this scene,

I made it (a great tree compared metaphorically to Satan; cf. Eze. 31:3-7) beautiful (cf. Eze. 28:17a) with a multitude of branches, so that all the trees of Eden envied it, that were in the garden of God (Eze. 31:9; Ed. notes in parentheses; emphasis added).

To which of the trees (angels) in Eden will you (Satan) then be likened in glory and greatness? Yet you shall be brought down with the trees of Eden to the depths of the earth; you (Satan) shall lie in the midst of the uncircumcised with those slain by the sword (Eze. 31:18a; Ed. notes in parentheses; emphasis added).

The fate of Satan, Adam and Eve, and the angels that Adam and Eve hid among is exactly the same. They all sinned and earned the wages of sin, which is death. Although Adam and Eve lived a long life, they eventually died. Satan along with the fallen angels will also die, at a future date,

For the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23a).

The soul who sins shall die (sooner or later) (Eze. 18:4b, 20; Ed. note in parenthesis).

During Christ’s ministry some of these fallen angels acknowledged their future judgment,

And when he (Christ) had come to the other side, into the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him as they were coming out of the tombs (symbolically significant; representing death),  so very fierce that some were not able to pass through that way. ²⁹ And behold, they shouted saying, “What to us and with you, son of God? Have you come before the appointed time (future date) to torment (judge) us?” (Mt. 8:28-29; RNT; Ed. notes in parentheses).

It was through Satan’s lies that he was able to deceive Adam and Eve as well as many angels,

When he (Satan) speaks a lie, out of his own he speaks because he is a liar and the father of it (Jn. 8:44b; RNT; Ed. note in parenthesis).

In this last scripture, Christ made it plain that Satan lies from his own resources and was the first one to lie. His choice to lie was his own. Almighty God did not influence him in any way. Satan’s lies permeate society today to the point that everyone is deceived in one way or another,

So that great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world, he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him (Rev. 12:9; emphasis added).

The only way to reduce Satan’s influence is to embrace God’s way of life, including observance of His law and commands. However, this cannot happen until someone is led by Almighty God to repent of sin,

Remove from me the way of lying (Satan’s way of living), and grant me your law graciously. ³⁰ I have chosen the way of truth (cf. Ps. 119:160); your judgments I have laid before me. ³¹ I cling to your testimonies; O Lord, do not put me to shame! ³² I will run in the way of your commandments (enthusiastic about obeying), for you shall enlarge my heart (deeper desire to obey) (Ps. 119:29-32; cf. Rom. 2:4b; Ac. 2:38; Ed. notes in parentheses).

The carnal mind (natural mind of man) cannot and does not want to obey God, especially with the influence of Satan and his ability to deceive and mislead,

Because the carnal mind is enmity (hostile) against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be (Rom. 8:7; Ed. note in parenthesis).

Although God knows in advance what Satan is going to do, it does not mean that God controls his thoughts and actions,

Remember the former things of old. For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, ¹⁰ declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things that are not yet done (Isa. 46:9-10a; emphasis added).

Christ pointed out that God knows everything that is going on in His Creation,

Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God? (Lk. 12:6).

Christ also emphasized that Almighty God is aware of every tiny detail in our lives,

But the hairs of your head are all numbered (Mt. 10:30).

God even knows what people are thinking,

…You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two you have chosen (Ac. 1:24b).

Almighty God is not only able to see in advance what Satan and the fallen host are going to do, He also had these future events recorded in scripture using primarily symbolic language. It is apparent from Daniel’s writings that Satan was not the only one involved in a power struggle that took place in the spirit realm, but he was able to control, manipulate, and eventually take over control of the fallen host. According to a number of prophesies, it appears that there will be another major battle in the spirit realm just prior to Christ’s return. In these prophesies God uses the names of physical nations, as well as various animals, to depict certain authorities within the realm of the fallen host. The context in which the name of these nations and animals is used is critical to understanding activities that cannot be seen with human eyes. For instance, a battle took place in a vision that Daniel had in which a little horn (symbolic of leadership) grew up and eventually cast down some of the host of heaven,

Therefore the male goat grew very great; but when he became strong, the large horn was broken, and in place of it four notable ones came up toward the four winds of heaven. ⁹ And out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land (reference to God’s throne). ¹⁰ And it grew up to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them (cf. Rev. 12:4). ¹¹ He (Satan) even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host… (Prince: the one who became Jesus Christ; cf. Col. 1:13-18) (Dan. 8:8-11a; Ed. notes in parentheses; emphasis added).

Continuing from the book of Daniel, a power struggle is prophesied in the context of Christ’s return,

And he (the angel Gabriel) said, ‘Look, I am making known to you (Daniel) what shall happen in the latter time of the indignation; for at the appointed time the end shall be. ²⁰ The ram which you saw (Dan. 8:3), having the two horns – they are the kings of Media and Persia (separate authorities within the fallen host). ²¹And the male goat is the kingdom of Greece (another authority within the fallen host). The large horn that is between its eyes is the first king. ²²As for the broken horn and the four that stood up in its place (Dan. 8:8), four kingdoms shall arise out of that nation, but not with its power. ²³And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors have reached their fullness, a king shall arise having fierce features, who understands sinister schemes. ²⁴His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power (empowered by Satan); he shall destroy fearfully, and shall prosper and thrive; he shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people. ²⁵Through his cunning he shall cause deceit (Rev. 12:9) to prosper under his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart (Isa. 14:13). He shall destroy many in their prosperity (Rev. 18:9-20). He shall even rise against the Prince of princes (Jesus Christ); but he shall be broken without human hand (Rev. 17:7-18). ²⁶And the vision of the evenings and mornings which was told is true; Therefore seal up the vision, for it refers to many days in the future (Dan. 8:19-26; Ed. notes in parentheses; emphasis added).

This same scenario is described in the book of Revelation using different symbolic language,

And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon (cf. Dan. 12:1-3); and the dragon and his angels fought, ⁸but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. ⁹So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to earth, and his angels were cast out with him. ¹⁰Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, ‘Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. ¹¹And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. ¹²Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time’ (Rev. 12:7-12; Ed. notes in parentheses).

Almighty God works with everyone, including those who have sinned in the realm of the fallen host, but that does not mean that God condones their sins. For instance, Abraham lied about Sarah being his sister when in fact she was his wife (Gen. 20:2-13), but God did not abandon him. Instead, God patiently worked with him until he reached the point in his life where he relied and trusted in God and His word (Gen. 22:12).

As hard as it is for some to believe, Almighty God will continue to work with Satan and the fallen host until every avenue and opportunity for their repentance has been exhausted (2Pet. 3:9; see the study: The Last Great Day). This is yet another proof that God did not create Satan. Instead, Lucifer created Satan through the wrong decisions he made following his perfect creation by Almighty God (Eze. 28:12-15). If Satan repents at a future date, what he represents as a result of his sinful choices will be destroyed (cf. Rev. 21:8) and he will become a new creation (Gal. 6:15) that reflects God’s truth and light (as was the case when he was in his prior position as Lucifer, i.e. Day Star or Light-bringer).

If God had created Satan, He would have been responsible for introducing sin. If God had introduced sin, then He is responsible for sin and not mankind. Therefore, there would be no reason to repent of sin, and no need for a Savior to redeem us from sin and death. If God had created Satan, God would not have been a perfect being. Consequently, Almighty God would not be worthy of obedience and worship. Thankfully, because this theory that God created the Devil is false, mankind has hope in God’s salvation from our sins for which Christ died.

This document is the collaborative work of individuals who believe God's truth should be given freely (Mt. 10:8; 1Cor. 2:12; 2Cor.11:7; Rom. 10:14-21) and the message of the one true God should be made available to all nations (Mt. 24:14) as a prerequisite to the return of Jesus Christ as King of kings (Mt. 17:10; 19:17; Mk. 9:11; Lk. 1:17; Rev. 19:11-16).

To protect the integrity of this document and prevent alteration and misapplication of its contents in whole or in part, this document is protected under copyright law.

Copyright: This document may be freely copied and distributed provided it is copied without alteration, addition, deletion, or charges, and includes the name of the publisher and this copyright. Quotations may be taken from this document provided the name of the publisher is cited.

All Rights Reserved

(Copyright ©1truth1law.com 2011)