What the Bible says about Satan Paperback August 4, 2016 by D B Domenico Barbera

Description

Speaking and writing about Satan may seem inappropriate, especially in evangelical circles, where much is made of subjects that are characteristically edifying. Adding a discussion of this kind to the vast evangelical field, even giving the work a title that speaks specifically about this intrusive character, may be deemed out of place, if not utterly misleading. Nevertheless, the Bible, God’s book, mentions Satan 54 times in its sixty-six books, of which over half of the references are found in the New Testament. The Bible does not speak about Satan using only this specific name, but it presents him also as the devil (34 times – all in the New Testament), that ancient serpent, deceiver, adversary, strong man, accuser of the brothers, slanderer, the father of lies, the evil one. Jesus even gave him the honorary title of prince of this world. The apostle Paul, for his part, beyond giving Satan the same honorary title of prince, places his power in the air: … in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. (Ephesians 2:2). Finally, Jesus spoke about Satan’s kingdom, his throne and synagogue: Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand”. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? (Matthew 12:25-26) I know where you live– where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city– where Satan lives. (Revelation 2:13). I know your afflictions and your poverty– yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. (Revelation 2:9) I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars– I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. (Revelation 3:9). We must not close our eyes to these facts; indeed, we must open them to understand why the Bible is articulated in this way when it speaks about Satan. The Bible texts, in providing us many details concerning Satan, describe him through symbols and characteristics of a real person, even if there are those that do not believe in his existence. When a person does not believe what the Bible says, human logic persists in believing that Satan does not exist and it is easy to place him among the myths that religious people have invented. But for those instead, that believe and accept the Bible as the Word of God, it is not possible to deny Satan’s existence without denying the very same Bible that speaks extensively about him. We are perfectly convinced that Satan in person has infused in the minds of many people a rejection of the truth of his existence. For what purpose? So that he can carry out his ominous activity freely without being hindered. The argument against Satan, in our opinion, must be dealt with as a theme that the Bible presents without any constraints. In this work, we propose to consider all the Bible texts that speak about him, in order to have a broad panorama of what he is and at the same time, to reveal the diabolic work that he does in humanity as well as among the people of God.

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