Who Is Satan (the Devil)?
Who Is Satan (the Devil)? Satan is a fallen angel who rebelled against God and now leads the forces of evil, seeking to oppose God's purposes and destroy humanity.
Key verse: 1 Peter 5:8 (KJV)
Satan is a fallen angel who rebelled against God and now leads the forces of evil, seeking to oppose God's purposes and destroy humanity.
Satan is a fallen angel who rebelled against God and now leads the forces of evil, seeking to oppose God's purposes and destroy humanity.
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." — 1 Peter 5:8 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
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The Biblical Answer
Satan (meaning 'adversary') was originally created as a magnificent angel. Ezekiel 28:12-15, while addressed to the king of Tyre, is widely understood to describe Satan's original state: 'Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.' Isaiah 14:12-14 describes his fall: motivated by pride, he declared 'I will be like the most High' and was cast from heaven. Jesus confirmed this: 'I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven' (Luke 10:18). Satan is called by many names in Scripture: the devil, the serpent, the dragon, the accuser, the tempter, the prince of this world, and the god of this age. He tempted Eve in the Garden (Genesis 3), accused Job before God (Job 1-2), tempted Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), and continues to prowl 'as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour' (1 Peter 5:8). Despite his power, Satan is a defeated enemy — Christ crushed his authority at the cross (Colossians 2:15), and his ultimate fate is the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10).
Key Scripture References
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
"And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What Does the Bible Say About Angels?
Angels are powerful spiritual beings created by God to serve Him, deliver messages, protect believers, and carry out His will.
What Does the Bible Say About Demons?
Demons are fallen angels who rebelled with Satan against God, who seek to deceive, oppress, and destroy humanity but are subject to God's authority and Christ's power.
Why Does God Allow Suffering?
While the Bible doesn't give a complete answer, it reveals that God uses suffering for growth, discipline, compassion, and ultimately His glory.
Did Biblical Miracles Really Happen?
Yes — the Bible presents miracles as actual historical events performed by God to reveal His power, authenticate His messengers, and accomplish His purposes.
Does God Still Heal Today?
The Bible records numerous healings by God, Jesus, and the apostles, and many Christians believe God continues to heal today through prayer and faith.
Deep Dive Commentary
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Read it in context
The answer above sits inside 1 Peter. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read 1 Peter on day 347 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “Who Is Satan (the Devil)?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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