“Shall we play a game? Is this a game or is it real? What’s the difference.
Did you ever play Tic Tac Toe? The only winning move is not to play. Wouldn’t you prefer a nice game of chess? What is the primary goal? To win the game.” WarGames, 1983.
What if we never knew we were playing a game of global thermonuclear war? What if all the bad things that happened in our lives, in our world, were chess moves forcing us to play a game for eternal life or death? What if?
When we look at the words devil and satan we generally believe they are one being. This is because the Masoretes made one Hebrew word, śâṭân, rather than translate the words as two separate words the way the Septuagint has. This causes us confusion when we attempt to identify these beings. One is clearly a dragon, large and mighty, the other is an incorporeal being, transforming into an angel of light. When we investigate their appearances we see that these are two distinct beings that plague humanity, along with many demons and other fallen angels. By combining the devil and the satan as one being we lose sight of the the enemy we are fighting.
The Masoretes made the devil and the satan one being with this word:
H7854שׂטן
śâṭân saw-tawn' From H7853; an opponent; especially (with the article prefixed) Satan, the arch enemy of good KJV Usage: adversary, Satan, withstand.
Brown-Driver-Briggs' Hebrew Definitions
שׂטן
1. adversary, one who withstands
a. adversary (in general - personal or national)
2. superhuman adversary
a. Satan (as noun pr)
Origin: from H7853
TWOT: 2252a
Parts of Speech: Noun Masculine
Technically the Masoretes are saying “adversary” no matter who they are speaking about, the devil or the satan. Did they do this because they lacked the knowledge of there being two individual beings? Probably not as the Septuagint is clear. This was probably done to minimize the evil heavenly beings and the Nephil. In other words, if they swept all evil beings under a rug no one would see their dirt. If they could just give people laws to follow, even without a temple to fulfill those laws, it would be better than telling people the truth, that there are fallen heavenly sons of God and their heirs that are going to attempt to cause their people to turn away from the Yahweh.
Let’s remind ourselves of what we read in the Secrets of Enoch.
The Secrets of Enoch 31:3 And he was continuously in paradise, and the devil understood that I wanted to create another world, because Adam was lord on earth, to rule and control it. 4 The devil is the evil spirit of the lower places, as a fugitive he made Sotona from the heavens as his name was Satanail (Satan), thus he became different from the angels, (but his nature) did not change (his) intelligence as far as (his) understanding of righteous and sinful (things).
Anonime. The Book of the Secrets of Enoch (Kindle Locations 1220-1234). Axioma. Kindle Edition.
The Secrets of Enoch 29:3 And one from out the order of angels, having turned away with the order that was under him, conceived an impossible thought, to place his throne higher than the clouds above the earth, that he might become equal in rank to my power. 4 And I threw him out from the height with his angels, and he was flying in the air continuously above the bottomless.
Anonime. The Book of the Secrets of Enoch (Kindle Locations 1090-1101). Axioma. Kindle Edition.
The devil made Sotona/Satanail/Satan. He didn’t create him, the devil turned him from being an incorporeal angel to being a fallen incorporeal angel. The satan became different, but his nature did not change. He still understood good and evil. The satan turned away with the order that was under him. He then thought he would put his throne higher than the clouds above the earth. He thought he could be equal to the Creator.
The devil is the evil spirit of the lower places. The word used in the Greek for devil is diabolos which means “slanderer” and “accuser”. This is the behavior we see with the devil.
1228 LSJ Gloss:διάβολος slanderous, backbiting
Dodson:διάβολος slanderous, the Slanderer, the Devil (adj. used often as a noun), slanderous; with the article: the Slanderer (par excellence), the Devil.
Thayer:
1) prone to slander, slanderous, accusing falsely
1a) a calumniator, false accuser, slanderer,
2) metaph. applied to a man who, by opposing the cause of God, may be said to act the part of the devil or to side with himSatan the prince of the demons, the author of evil, persecuting good men, estranging mankind from God and enticing them to sin, afflicting them with diseases by means of demons who take possession of their bodies at his bidding.
διάβολος
diabolos dee-ab'-ol-os From G1225; a traducer; specifically Satan (compare [H7854]) KJV Usage: false accuser, devil, slanderer.
If we review the definition, we see a mixing of diabolos and satanas. Because of the one Hebrew word śâṭân, modern translators did the same. Fortunately we can rely on the Septuagint to differentiate the two beings. The Book of Job is a great example of the mixing up of the devil and the satan. The Septuagint uses the word devil while anything written from the Masoretic Text, for example the King James Version, uses satan.
Job 1:6 (KJV)
6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.
Job 1:6 G2532 And G1096 it came to pass G3588 G2250 this day, G3778 G2532 and G2400 behold, G2064 [4came G3588 1the G5207 2sons G3588 G2316 3of God] G3936 to stand G1799 before G3588 the G2962 lord, G2532 and G3588 the G1228 devil G2064 came G1722 in G3319 the midst G1473 of them.
Since the Septuagint separated these two beings we should consider that there is some hidden treasure here. There must be some knowledge and understanding that would help us. Would this knowledge help us if we were fighting an opponent? Would it help us strategize if we understood there is a fallen hierarchy? Would we learn the game faster if we knew that different fallen beings were responsible for different things?
Job 1:6 And it came to pass on a day, that behold, the angels of God came to stand before the Lord, and the devil came with them. 7 And the Lord said to the devil, Whence art thou come? And the devil answered the Lord, and said, I am come from compassing the earth, and walking up and down in the world.
What was the devil doing? Walking around the earth, and the places under heaven.
Job 1:9 Then the devil answered, and said before the Lord, Does Job worship the Lord for nothing?
The devil has nothing to accuse Job of so the devil tempts Yahweh by saying that Job only worships Yahweh because he is scared of him.
Job 1:12 Then the Lord said to the devil, Behold, I give into thine hand all that he has, but touch not himself. So the devil went out from the presence of the Lord.
Yahweh says that the devil can attack what Job has, but not Job himself.
Job 2:1 And it came to pass on a certain day, that the angels of God came to stand before the Lord, and the devil came among them to stand before the Lord. 2 And the Lord, said to the devil, Whence comest thou? Then the devil said before the Lord, I am come from going through the world, and walking about the whole earth. 3 And the Lord said to the devil, Hast thou then observed my servant Job, that there is none of men upon the earth like him, a harmless, true, blameless, godly man, abstaining from all evil? and he yet cleaves to innocence, whereas thou has told me to destroy his substance without cause? 4 And the devil answered and said to the Lord, Skin for skin, all that a man has will he give as a ransom for his life.
This is the same conversation as the last time the sons of God all met to stand before the Lord. This time the devil says that Job would give anything he has for a ransom for his life. It is interesting to notice that the devil who is accusing Job, as well as us, seems to have something against any human who worships the Lord. This is a clue.
Job 2:6 And the Lord said to the devil, Behold, I deliver him up to thee; only save his life. 7 So the devil went out from the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from his feet to his head.
This time the devil is allowed to harm Job but not kill him. Is this the type of negotiations that go on regarding us? Is this the way the game is played? Are the people who worship Yahweh, targets? Zacharias records a similar situation. This is a parallel section between Jesus our Lord and Joshua (Jesus) the High Priest.
Zacharias 3:1 And the Lord shewed me Jesus the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and the Devil stood on his right hand to resist him. 2 And the Lords said to the Devil,
3 The Lord rebuke thee, O Devil, even the Lord that has chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: behold! is not this as a brand plucked from the fire?
This is part of the plan of what the devil would do to Jesus when he would come to earth. Joshua the high priest would be a type of Jesus. This is the section of scripture that mentions Jesus has the seven eyes.
Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit after being baptized by John. Jesus fasted for forty days. After he fasted, Matthew tells us that the devil came to test Jesus. Mark records this a little differently as we will soon see.
Matthew 4:1 G5119 Then G3588 G* Jesus G321 was led G1519 into G3588 the G2048 wilderness G5259 by G3588 the G4151 spirit, G3985 to be tested G5259 by G3588 the G1228 devil.
We see recorded that Jesus was supposed to be tested by the devil. This is similar to what we saw last week recorded in Job 41:24. The devil was created to be sported with by the angels. This is the purpose of the devil. Not the purpose of the satan. The devil is an opponent who tests and tries us. Paul tells us to strive for masteries, 2 Timothy 2:5 and 1 Corinthians 9:25. This is the same idea. The devil tempts Jesus with turning stones to bread. Next the devil tempts Jesus to test the Father by throwing himself off the pinnacle of the temple. The devil even quotes scripture.
Matthew 4:5 G5119 Then G3880 [3takes G1473 4him G3588 1the G1228 2devil] G1519 unto G3588 the G39 holy G4172 city, G2532 and G2476 he stands G1473 him G1909 upon G3588 the G4419 border G3588 of the G2413 temple.
Jesus quotes scripture to the devil and reminds him that no one tests the Lord God, Yahweh Elohim. Next, the devil takes Jesus to a high mountain and shows him all the kingdoms of the world. The devil says that he will give Jesus all these kingdoms if Jesus worships him.
Matthew 4:8 G3825 Again G3880 [3takes G1473 4him G3588 1the G1228 2devil] G1519 unto G3735 [3mountain G5308 2high G3029 1an exceedingly], G2532 and G1166 shows G1473 to him G3956 all G3588 the G932 kingdoms G3588 of the G2889 world, G2532 and G3588 G1391 their glory. G1473
The devil is taking Jesus all over the place. The devil can’t give what is not his. The devil is the god of this world, the father of the children of disobedience. He can give people who worship him positions in this world.
Matthew 4:10 G5119 Then G3004 [2says G1473 3to him G3588 G* 1Jesus], G5217 Go G3694 behind G1473 me G* Satan! G1125 For it is written, G1063 G2962 [2 the Lord G3588 G2316 3your God G1473 G4352 1You shall do obeisance to], G2532 and G1473 to him G3441 alone G3000 you shall serve.
Jesus says “…get behind me satan”. He had been talking to the devil but calls the devil, satan. Here the word satan is translated as a name, however it may very well have been a title, “adversary”. Using the word satan as a name is not translated in the Greek, so depending on the person translating this from the Greek we could make it a name or a title.
This is the same expression Jesus used when speaking to Peter, Matthew 16:23. Peter did not want Jesus to die. Peter did not understand that Jesus had to die in order to rescue the dead saints as well as the living saints. Jesus’ death also rescued the future saints and set in motion a plan that would clean up the heavens, removing the rebellious fallen sons of God.
Luke’s translation uses the word satan as a title.
Luke 4: 8 G2532 And G611 answering G1473 to him G2036 Jesus said, G3588 G* G5217 Go G3694 behind G1473 me G4567 Satan! G1125 for it has been written, G1063 G4352 You shall do obeisance to G2962 the Lord G3588 G2316 your God, G1473 G2532 and G1473 to him G3441 alone G3000 shall you serve.
The devil tried three times to get Jesus to follow his directions, but Jesus spoke scripture to him. The devil then left. Did Jesus win? Yes.
Matthew 4:11 G5119 Then G863 [3left G1473 4him G3588 1the G1228 2devil]; G2532 and G2400 behold, G32 angels G4334 came forward G2532 and G1247 served G1473 to him.
The angels came and ministered to Jesus after the devil left. Think about this, Jesus had been fasting for forty days, and even though he overcame, he was probably in need of food and strengthening. Notice what Hebrews says.
Hebrews 2:14 (KJV)
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;
Jesus partook of flesh and blood, like humans, so that he might destroy the devil who had the power of death over humans. Remember the devil is of the spirit of the underworld. Jesus took back the keys to hades and death, so Jesus stripped the devil of his power.
Here is something the devil does, he sows tares, people who are weeds. Why does he do that?
Matthew 13:39 Matthew 13:39 (KJV)
39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
One way to subvert the children of God is to mix unbelievers into the fields where the believers grow. This is one way to play the game, use unbelieving pawns to confuse the children who believe on Jesus. Luke tells us that the devil takes the word out of people’s hearts.
Luke 8:12 devil Luke 8:12 (KJV)
12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
The only way to not be one of those by the way side is to believe on Jesus as Lord and Messiah. If someone hears the word of God but does not believe on Jesus, the devil takes the word out of their heart. Paul told us that the armor was for us to be able to stand against the craft of the devil.
Ephesians 6:11 G1746 Put on G3588 the G3833 full armor G3588 G2316 of God! G4314 for G3588 G1410 you to be able G1473 G2476 to stand G4314 against G3588 the G3180 craft G3588 of the G1228 devil.
We are to put on full armor and not give place to the devil. There is a reason that this game requires armor, mostly for defense. Let the armor do most of the work, then we can use our offensive weapon, our sword of the Spirit, when we need it, just as Jesus did. Sometimes, in a no win situation, the only way to win is not to play.
Ephesians 4:27 (KJV)
27 Neither give place to the devil.
Why would we play Tic Tac Toe with the devil? Walk away. Pride will cause us to fall into the condemnation of the devil, therefore to thwart the devil always be humble. If we are baited, if we are tempted, we can simply not play.
Timothy 3:6 (KJV)
6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
We are to correct others with gentleness so that God would help them have a change of heart and that the person we are gently correcting will be able to recover and escape the snare or trap that the devil set for them.
2 Timothy 2:26 (KJV)
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
The devil sets traps. Is this a game or is it real? What is the difference? The devil takes people captive who are in error. Therefore we are to submit ourselves to God.
James 4:7 (KJV)
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
When we resist the devil he will flee. We are always to be on guard, sober, and vigilant. Put on armor and let the armor do most of the work.
1 Peter 5:8 (KJV)
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
The devil seeks to devour. The devil also has children.
John 8:44 (KJV)
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.
The devil uses his children to harm us as well. Sometimes his children are religious leaders. The devil was a murderer from the beginning, he caused the death of Adam and every human after that. There is no truth in the devil. He only speaks lies, he invents lies.
1 John 3:8 (KJV)
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
The Son of God was manifested to destroy the works of the devil, because the devil sins from the beginning, from the time the adam was put in the garden.
1 John 3:10 (KJV)
10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
Whoever is born of God is a child of God, because that one believes on Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God. The devil’s children who are tares among the wheat are unrighteous and do not love others. But there is an end.
Matthew 25:41 (KJV)
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
The devil and his angels will end up in the lake of fire. We know how the game plays out. This is the finale. How will our portion of the game turn out? The devil has demons, fallen angels, and the satan under his control, as well as some humans. We may never fully understand the hierarchal structure of the devil’s kingdom and the positions of all the fallen angels and demons under his command, but we can gain a sense that there is a structure and that there are many beings under his kingdom.
Let’s look at the conversation between Beelzebub and the satan.
The Acts of Pontius Pilate, The Gospel of Nicodemus
CHAPTER XV. 1 WHILE all the saints were rejoicing, behold Satan, the
prince and captain of death, said to the prince of hell,
2 Prepare to receive Jesus of Nazareth himself, who boasted that he was the Son of God, and yet was a man afraid of death, and said, My soul is sorrowful even to death.
3 Besides he did many injuries to me and to many others; for those whom I made blind and lame and those also whom I tormented with several devils, he cured by his word; yea, and those whom I brought dead to thee, he by force takes away from thee.
4 To this the prince of hell replied to Satan, Who is that so powerful prince, and yet a man who is afraid of death?
Wake, William. Forbidden books of the original New Testament (Kindle Locations 2000-2008). Public Domain Books. Kindle Edition.
Notice verse two, Jesus’ play of weakness. Isn’t this the art of war? Making one’s enemy think that you are weak when in fact you are causing the enemy to let his guard down? Allowing your enemy to puff up and become prideful? Being strong sometimes means that we bait our enemy into erroneous thinking. Notice the prince of hell is wondering how can one who cures by his word be afraid of death? The prince of hell knows something is wrong. Remember this is a game. A game of strategy.
The Acts of Pontius Pilate, The Gospel of Nicodemus
CHAPTER XVIII. 1 THEN the prince of hell took Satan, and with great indignation said to him, O thou prince of destruction, author of Beelzebub's
defeat and banishment, the scorn of God's angels and loathed by all
righteous persons! What inclined thee to act thus?
2 Thou wouldst crucify the King of Glory, and by his destruction, hast made us promises of very large advantages, but as a fool wert ignorant of what thou wast about.
3 For behold now that Jesus of Nazareth, with the brightness of his glorious divinity, puts to flight all the horrid powers of darkness and death;
4 He has broke down our prisons from top to bottom, dismissed all the captives, released all who were bound, and all who were wont formerly to groan under the weight of their torments, have now insulted us, and we are like to be defeated by their prayers.
5 Our impious dominions are subdued, and no part of mankind is now left in our subjection, but on the other hand, they all boldly defy us;
6 Though, before, the dead never durst behave themselves insolently
towards us, nor being prisoners, could ever on any occasion be merry.
7 O Satan, thou prince of all the wicked, father of the impious and abandoned, why wouldest thou attempt this exploit, seeing our prisoners were hitherto always without the least hope of salvation and life?
8 But now there is not one of them does ever groan, nor is there the least appearance of a tear in any of their faces.
9 O prince Satan, thou great keeper of the infernal regions, all thy advantages which thou didst acquire by the forbidden tree, and the loss of Paradise, thou hast now lost by the wood of the cross;
10 And thy happiness all then expired, when thou didst crucify Jesus Christ the King of Glory.
11 Thou hast acted against thine own interest and mine, as thou
wilt presently perceive by those large torments and infinite punishments which thou art about to suffer.
12 O Satan, prince of all evil, author of death, and source of all pride, thou shouldest first have inquired into the evil crimes of Jesus of Nazareth, and then thou wouldest have found that he was guilty of no fault worthy of death.
13 Why didst thou venture, without either reason or justice, to crucify him, and hast brought down to our regions a person innocent and righteous, and thereby hast lost all the sinners, impious and unrighteous persons in the
whole world?
14 While the prince of hell was thus speaking to Satan, the King of Glory said to Beelzebub the prince of hell, Satan the prince shall be subject to thy dominions for ever, in the room of Adam and his righteous sons, who are mine,
Wake, William. Forbidden books of the original New Testament (Kindle Locations 2094-2123). Public Domain Books. Kindle Edition.
It seems Jesus’ “fake out” worked perfectly. The prince of hell calls the satan a fool because he was ignorant. The satan should have inquired as to whether Jesus was worthy of death. Jesus broke down the prisons and set the captives free. Remember when Jesus rebuked Peter, it was because Jesus’ plan was not simply to set the living free, it was to also set the dead free.
Notice the prisoners had no hope of salvation. They knew the scriptures but did not know when or if their salvation from hell would occur. David wrote that the Lord would not leave his soul in hades, Psalm 16, Acts 2. The satan is a prince of evil, an author of death and a source of pride. Now the satan is defeated by the cross and will be under Beelzebub’s dominion in the room of the adam. The room of the adam is the place Jesus called Abraham’s bay.
The Greek translation of Mark’s gospel never uses the word devil, instead the word used is demon possessed, daimonizomai. The KJV translators, as well as many others, use the word devil. Mark uses the word satan as a word not a name, but that is subject to the translators just as Matthew’s translation.
Mark tells us something different here in his mention of Jesus being tested in the wilderness. Mark says that while Jesus was fasting forty days he was being tested by the satan. Matthew says after the forty days of fasting the devil came to test Jesus. Was Jesus being tested by the satan during his fast and then tested by the devil after his fast? Mark also says that Jesus was with the wild beasts.
Mark 1:12 G2532 And G2117.1 straightway G3588 the G4151 spirit G1473 cast him G1544 G1519 into G3588 the G2048 wilderness.
13 G2532 And G1510.7.3 he was G1563 there G1722 in G3588 the G2048 wilderness G2250 [2days G5062 1forty] G3985 being tested G5259 by G3588 G4567 Satan, G2532 and G1510.7.3 he was G3326 with G3588 the G2342 wild beasts; G2532 and G3588 the G32 angels G1247 served G1473 to him.
4567 Dodson:Σατανᾶς an adversary, Satan.
Thayer:
1) adversary (one who opposes another in purpose or act), the name given to
1a) the prince of evil spirits, the inveterate adversary of God and Christ
1a1) he incites apostasy from God and to sin
1a2) circumventing men by his wiles
1a3) the worshippers of idols are said to be under his control
1a4) by his demons he is able to take possession of men and inflict them with diseases
1a5) by God's assistance he is overcome
1a6) on Christ's return from heaven he will be bound with chains for a thousand years, but when the thousand years are finished he will walk the earth in yet greater power, but shortly after will be given over to eternal punishment
1b) a Satan-like man
Σατανᾱς
Satanas sat-an-as' Of Chaldee origin corresponding to G4566 (with the definite article affixed); the accuser, that is, the devil KJV Usage: Satan.
2342 LSJ Gloss:θηρίον a wild animal, beast
Dodson:θηρίον a wild beast, animal properly: a wild beast, hence: any animal; met: a brute.
Thayer:
1) an animal
2) a wild animal, wild beast, beast
3) metaph. a brutal, bestial man, savage, ferocious
For Synonyms see entry G5846
θηρίον
thērion thay-ree'-on Diminutive from the same as G2339; a dangerous animal KJV Usage: (venomous, wild) beast.
The word thērion speaks of animals, but also the beast of revelation. The Nephil are also known as wild beasts. Who was Jesus being tested by for forty days? The disembodied spirits of the Nephil, the fallen angels, the satan, and any other adversary. After the forty days was Jesus then tested by the devil? Then the angels came to minister to him. They did not minister to Jesus while he was going through this time of testing, they came after he was finished. Jesus was not peacefully meditating in the desert for forty days, he was being aggressively spiritually tormented.
We generally cry at the slightest bit of spiritual warfare, believing that something is wrong and God doesn’t love us. Jesus did not do anything worthy of this warfare, yet he overcame the attacks for forty days, without food. This is a game, a strategic game where the stakes played for were the salvation of the heavenly sons of God, the salvation and redemption of the human children of God, the freeing of the dead captives, and the abolishment of the devil and the satan. Those are some pretty high stakes.
Again, the definition here for the satan combines the devil and the satan as one being. The devil is an adversary, but is also an accuser. The fallen incorporeal, the satan, is also an adversary, but not an accuser. The devil accuses before the throne of God, not the satan.
Another storyline in scripture to look at in three of the gospels is the satan casting out satan and Beelzebub. Jesus was being accused of casting out demons via Beelzebub. Jesus is explaining that the devil’s kingdom is not divided.
Matthew 12:26-27 (KJV)
26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.
Mark 3:22-23 (KJV)
22 And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.
23 And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?
Mark 3:26 (KJV)
26 And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.
Luke 11:18 (KJV)
18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.
The satan is a fallen being under the kingdom of the devil. The kingdom of the devil would fall if they fought among themselves. Keep in mind, this was occurring while Jesus was on the earth. As we saw, the conversation recorded in the Acts of Pontius Pilate, aka the Gospel of Nicodemus, the devil’s kingdom did become divided when Jesus overcame hell. The satan arranged a murder of someone who was not worthy of death.
Remembering when the seventy were sent out, they came back overjoyed because demons were subject to them. Jesus tells them that he saw the satan falling as lightning.
Luke 10:18 G2036 And he said G1161 G1473 to them, G2334 I viewed G3588 G4567 Satan G5613 as G796 lightning G1537 [2from out of G3588 3the G3772 4heaven G4098 1falling].
The incorporeal satan is lightning; light, air, aether, and fire. The satan alighted, fell prostrate, piptō petō. The satan descended from heaven to earth, but he may have also descended, as in prostrated. Isn’t this the secret of exousia and dunamis? What did Jesus say next?
Luke 10:19 (KJV)
19 Behold, I give unto you power [exousia] to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power [dunamis] of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Jesus gave them exousia over all the dunamis of the enemy. Now imagine after the Day of Pentecost when we have the Holy Spirit and dunamis within us. Shouldn’t we walk in this exousia and dunamis? Our game pieces include being superhuman potentates. We have might as heavenly forces. We are not weak pawns, we are super strong Czars, but if we don’t know it we will not use what we have. This is important. The Masoretes wanted to sweep all evil and demonic beings under the rug, but so do many church leaders today. How can humans overcome without the knowledge that there is an enemy who is trying to defeat us, let alone the reason we have exousia and dunamis.
Paul tells us what Jesus said to him on the road to Damascus.
Acts 26:18 (KJV)
18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power [exousia] of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Jesus came to make humans aware of the enemy. He came to extract us out of the authority of the satan. The satan binds people. He keeps people sick.
Luke 13:16 (KJV)
16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
The satan can enter into people. This is similar to demons entering into people, but demons stay while the satan will only enter for a time.
Luke 22:3 (KJV)
3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
Notice that it is not The devil entering into Judas, nor is it A devil entering into Judas. It is the satan entering into Judas. This is the way the satan set up Jesus’ murder. As soon as the deed was done the satan left Judas and Judas knew he had betrayed the Son of God.
What did the satan want to do to Peter?
Luke 22:31-32 (KJV)
31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
To Sift is to winnow. It is to shake through a sieve. It can also mean to cause inward agitation in an attempt to overthrow one’s faith or to riddle, which is to cause one to question and be puzzled over one’s faith.
2 Corinthians 2:11 (KJV)
11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
If we know how the satan acts, we will not be ignorant of this ways. We should not lack information or be willfully ignorant of the satan’s mental perceptions, purposes, or disposition. Meditate on how the satan sifts us and how we may be uninformed of his ways. If we don’t know that he exists, if we are not told that there are two separate beings, if we believe that it is better to keep people ignorant of the game of tests and challenges, then how will we overcome? Instead we may succumb. This is a game that is played for keeps.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (KJV)
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.
2Corinthians 11:14 G2532 For G3756 it is not G2298 surprising G1473 [3himself G1063 1for G3588 G4567 2Satan] G3345 to change appearance G1519 into G32 an angel G5457 of light.
15 G3756 It is not G3173 a great thing G3767 then G1499 if even G3588 G1249 his servants G1473 G3345 change appearance G5613 as G1249 servants G1343 of righteousness; G3739 whom G3588 the G5056 end G1510.8.3 will be G2596 according to G3588 G2041 their works. G1473
3345
μετασχηματίζω
metaschēmatizō
met-askh-ay-mat-id'-zo
From G3326 and a derivative of G4976; to transfigure or disguise; figuratively to apply (by accommodation)
KJV Usage: transfer, transform (self).
1249
διάκονος
diakonos
dee-ak'-on-os
Probably from διάκω diakō (obsolete, to run on errands; compare G1377); an attendant, that is, (generally) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); specifically a Christian teacher and pastor (technically a deacon or deaconess)
KJV Usage: deacon, minister, servant.
Isn’t this interesting, the satan transfigures into an angel of light. He was an incorporeal being so this is not as magnificent as it might sound. His servants also transfigure into deacons and ministers of righteousness. Those who serve the satan, whether human or fallen heavenly beings, can transform themselves into looking like pastors, or deacons of righteousness. Their end will be according to their works. Didn’t Jesus tell us about this in his seven letters to the seven churches? Didn’t Jesus reveal the depths of evil in this game?
Revelation 2:9 (KJV)
9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
Didn’t the light bearer, the evening star, the one created after the cherub, have sanctuaries according to Ezekiel 28? We are not talking about dedicated satanic temples, we are talking about churches or synagogues that look like they are dedicated to Jesus Christ.
Revelation 2:13 (KJV)
13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
Is Jesus telling us that the game is also sometimes played in the church? Out of seven churches how many was the satan attacking? All of them.
Revelation 2:24 (KJV)
24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
Out of seven churches how many had people within the church persecuting them? Five. There were people coming into the church who were people overcomers, who were of the synagogue of satan, who had people worshipping at the satans throne, and who were prostitutes. Those are the problems going on within the churches.
Revelation 3:9 (KJV)
9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
What if satan’s deacons and ministers look like righteous people but they are not? Are they simply in the churches to thwart people from knowing Jesus Christ and engaging in this warfare? What if the true evangelists are hindered?
1 Thessalonians 2:18 (KJV)
18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
Who will tell the story if the apostles or evangelists are hindered? What will happen when the children of the Living God are harpazo’d. What will happen when the Holy Spirit is taken out of the way and people are left on earth who rejected Jesus as Lord and Savior? Someone will come to power who is a follower of the satan.
2 Thessalonians 2:7-12 (KJV)
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 [dunamis] 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.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
The people on earth at that time will still have an opportunity to receive Jesus as Lord, but if they do not then they will be damned. This is the pathway of the game. This is the direction that the game takes. This is the global thermonuclear war. This is the end battle. The people of earth will be forced into a decision as to who to serve, Jesus Christ or the devil.
The devil seems to be an accuser, and one who is in charge of the fallen heavenly beings. The satan is a servant of the devil. The satan and his servants enter into our places of worship to lead people astray. The stakes are higher when we find out that the very places we believe are safe from satanic influence are not.
Jesus endured far more gameplay than we realize. If we think of his birth, we see the angels came to announce his birth to shepherds. Then the shepherds saw a multitude of the heavenly host praising God.
Luke 2:13-14 (KJV)
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Why? Because Jesus not only came to redeem men, but to also clean out the fallen heavenly host. They are sparring and sporting with the devil too. The universe is in chaotic turmoil and warfare, and this is not a drill. It is not practice. The game is on.
Jesus played his entire earthly life. Jesus’ family had to move to Egypt. The entire time Jesus healed people the religious leaders tried to kill him. They always spoke negatively about him and tried to trap him with what looked like on the surface, deep questions. Jesus always prevailed. And the entire time Jesus walked the earth healing people, he knew what he would have to endure. He knew what the devil would do to him and what the satan would do to one of his disciples to have him murdered. Without any angelic help or the help of the Heavenly Father, Jesus, in a human body, overcame everything the devil threw at him. Jesus even tricked the satan into believing that he was weak and fearful. CHECKMATE. They didn’t see it coming. Jesus took back the authority and the keys to death and hades.
We now know how this game will play out. We now know the end as it has been written for nearly two thousand years. Jesus won the day that he died. It is similar to a chess game where no matter what one player does to move his pieces there is no winning. No matter what move the player makes, his king is in such a position that the opponent will win. Throw the chess board across the room if you like, scatter the pieces, the game has been won. Solomon says this:
Wisdom of Solomon 2:23 For God created man to be immortal, and made him to be an image of his own eternity. 24 Nevertheless through envy of the devil came death into the world: and they that do hold of his side do find it.
Mankind is created incorruptible and in the image of the Elohim. The devil was created a dragon/draco/hydra, a reptilian. He seems to be one of a kind. The satan is an incorporeal, a borealis. He believed himself to be beautiful, he was full of pride. But humans were made in the image of the Elohim. Humans also have exousia and dunamis. This created envy in the devil. Which is why the serpent, the devil, stole the adam’s lordship on the earth. Whoever holds onto the devil’s side finds death. Whoever holds onto the Lord Jesus’ side finds eternal life. That is the game. What is the primary goal? To win the game.
