Who Is Satan (the Devil) — Meaning Explained

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).