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Chapter 500 [Home] [Accept Jesus] [More] [Previous] [Next] 500.000.000 Torrey: p513 THE DEVILSatan is the most intelligent and most powerful being ever created. He is the second-most intelligent, second-most powerful being in existence, second only to God. In carrying out his activities, Satan often relies on the fact that humans, including Christians, do not give him full credit for his abilities. Non-believers, or those with weak faith, often refuse to believe he even exists. Christians often think (at least subconsciously) that God reduced the intelligence and/or power of Satan and his followers after they rebelled; there is no scriptural basis for this belief. Alternatively, Christians often think, at least subconsciously, that the mere fact they are good and demons are evil or the mere fact that the Christian believes in Christ is enough to protect them from demonic attacks. In fact, quite the opposite is true; someone once said "If you never meet the Devil on the road of life, it's probably because you are both headed in the same direction." PRELIMINARY NOTE -- Distinguish carefully between the Devil and Demons. This distinction is quite overlooked in the Authorized Version, and even in the Revised Version, though the Revised Version notes it in the margin. The Devil and Demons are two entirely distinct orders of beings. The Bible doctrine regarding Satan is a very practical doctrine. There are certainly few doctrines that will go further than this in teaching us our utter dependence upon God and in driving us to prayer. 500.010.000
Torrey: p513, T:I 500.010.010
Torrey: p513, T:I, P:1 Note: This does not mean that each person has his own devil, it means that the devil is a living being with thoughts, a personality, an agenda, etc., not some vague "evil force". Matthew 13:19, 38b-39 [19] When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. [38] ... The weeds are the sons of the evil one, [39] and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. John 13:2 The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Acts 5:3 Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?" 1 Peter 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Ephesians 6:11-12 [11] Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. The Devil's personality will come out more clearly as we study his nature. 500.020.000
Torrey: p514, T:II 500.020.010
Torrey: p514, T:II, P:1 Jude 1:9 But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" === DISCUSSION === "Slanderous" means defamatory. "Defame" means to ridicule, disparage, or malign. How can one defame the Prince of Lies, the Great Deceiver? In common usage, a statement does not have to be false to be slanderous or defamatory. Other texts translate this as (King James) "a railing accusation", (Authorized) "a reviling judgment", (New English Bible) "condemn him in insulting words" or (New English Bible footnote c) "to charge him with blasphemy." The context might seem to imply that the position of the Devil was more exalted than that of Michael himself. Further on, other passages will be considered that seem to confirm this idea. Just because Satan is evil does not mean he is weak or a fool. Light, contemptuous speech about the Devil is entirely unwarranted. 500.020.020
Torrey: p514, T:II, P:2 Ephesians 2:1-2 Authorized Version [1] And you he made alive, when you were dead through the trespasses and sins [2] in which you once walked, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience. Ephesians 2:1-2 [1] As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, [2] 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. QUESTION: What does "the prince of the power of the air" or "the kingdom of the air" mean? ANSWER: There are three "heavens": (a) Earth's upper atmosphere, e.g., the ionosphere, (b) outer space and (c) the "third" heaven, where God visibly manifests Himself. 2 Corinthians 12:2, 4 [2] I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know -- God knows. [4] was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell. Earth was put in the control of Man. When Adam and Eve sinned, they voluntarily handed control of the Earth to Satan. Hence, he is the prince of the "air." God could have prevented Satan from taking charge, but He voluntarily let Satan take over so He could show men how merciful He is by offering salvation to each man. 500.020.030
Torrey: p514, T:II, P:3 John 12:31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. John 14:30 [30] I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, John 16:11 [11] and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. QUESTION: When did Satan become the prince of this world? Did he become so through Adam and Eve listening to him in Eden, or was this world a department assigned to him by God as separate kingdoms have been assigned to different celestial potentates? Compare Daniel 10:12-13 [12] Then he continued, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. [13] But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. If this world was assigned to Satan before the Fall, did Satan drag his dominion down with him in his own fall? These are questions which the Bible does not seem to answer very clearly, and we should not speculate. Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law. This much is clear: Satan is now "the Prince of this World." This is clear also from a study of the social and commercial life of the day. 500.020.040
Torrey: p515, T:II, P:4 2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 500.030.000
Torrey: p515, T:III 500.030.010
Torrey: p515, T:III, P:1 Ephesians 6:11-12 [11] Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Satan has under him beings so great in power and dignity as to be spoken of as "the Principalities, the Powers, the World-Rulers, Spiritual Hosts (spiritual beings) of wickedness in the heavenly places." The conflict we have on hand is terrific. Let us not underestimate it. 500.030.020
Torrey: p515, T:III, P:2 Luke 11:14-18 [14] Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. [15] But some of them said, "By Beelzebub, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons." [16] Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven. [17] Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: "Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. [18] If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebub. 500.030.030
Torrey: p516, T:III, P:3 Daniel 10:5-6, 12-13 [5] I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of the finest gold around his waist. [6] His body was like chrysolite, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude. [12] Then he continued, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. [13] But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. 500.030.040
Torrey: p516, T:III, P:4 Acts 26:17-18 [17] I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them [18] to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me. 500.030.050
Torrey: p516, T:III, P:5 1 John 5:19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 500.030.060
Torrey: p516, T:III, P:6 Job 1:10-12 [10] "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. [11] But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face." [12] The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. 500.040.000
Torrey: p516, T:IV 500.040.010
Torrey: p516, T:IV, P:1 2 Corinthians 2:11 in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. 500.040.020
Torrey: p516, T:IV, P:2 Ephesians 6:11-13 [11] Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. [13] Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. The Devil doubtless gets the mastery of many through his wiles and devices, that he could not overcome by an open exercise of his power. We have an illustration of his wiles in the temptation of Eve and of Christ. The "old serpent" is more dangerous than the "roaring lion." 500.040.022
Torrey: no Ephesians 6:13 [13] Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Exactly what is this 'full armor of God?' Ephesians 6:14-17 [14] Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, [15] and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. [16] In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. [17] Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 500.040.024
Torrey: no The 'full armor of God' protects the chest with a breastplate, the hips with a belt, the feet with readiness, the head with salvation and the arms and legs with a shield. Furthermore, the armor is not merely passive or defensive, as it includes a sword -- the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Many students of the Bible have noted that this leaves the back totally unprotected. This is not an oversight. Psalms 27:1 [1] The LORD is my light and my salvation -- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life -- of whom shall I be afraid? [2] When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Psalms 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. In battle, the only reason a soldier would be turning his back on the enemy is if he is in full retreat. If we trust in the Lord, He will conduct the battle on our behalf. We have no need of retreat; we can face the Evil One with full confidence that the victory is already won by the blood of Christ. The only ones who need their back protected are the only ones God will not protect -- those who do not trust in Him. 500.040.030
Torrey: p517, T:IV, P:3 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 [9] The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, [10] and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Compare Matthew 24:24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect -- if that were possible. Many have pointed out that Satan imitates God's work. 500.040.040
Torrey: p517, T:IV, P:4 2 Corinthians 11:14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. The Devil is never more dangerous than when he does this. When Satan gets into the pulpit, or the theological chair, and pretends to teach Christianity, when in reality he is corrupting it; pretends to be teaching Christian evidences when in reality he is undermining the very foundations of faith; pretends to be teaching Biblical Introduction, when in reality he is making the Bible out to be a book that is not worthy of being introduced -- then look out for him; he is at most dangerous work. There was never a science more really godless and subversive of true Christian faith than that which Satan is now exploiting under the pseudonym, "Christian Science." Happy is the man in these days who is not ignorant of the devices of the Devil, and realizes that he frequently masquerades as an angel of light. 500.050.000
Torrey: p517, T:V 500.050.010
Torrey: p517, T:V, P:1 1 John 5:19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. Matthew 5:37 Simply let your `Yes' be `Yes,' and your `No,' `No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. 500.050.020
Torrey: p518, T:V, P:2 1 John 3:8 He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. QUESTION: What beginning is referred to here? Does this mean that the Devil sinned from the very origin of all things, and that he was created sinful? We shall see later that Ezekiel 28:15 refers to Satan, and that the Devil was created upright. The verse means, then, that Satan was the first to sin. The expression "from the beginning" is characteristic of this epistle, and does not necessarily mean from the origin of things. 500.050.030
Torrey: p518, T:V, P:3 John 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. === DISCUSSION === CAVEAT: Many people fear that Satan can physically kill them. This is not entirely true. The proof is quite simple: Satan hates all that is holy. If he had authority to kill whenever he wished, he would simply kill all who try to live righteously. There are natural consequences to our actions and supernatural consequences, e.g., damnation. Although God will normally cancel adverse supernatural consequences if we repent, he normally will not cancel natural consequences. For instance, if a woman has an adulterous encounter and becomes pregnant, God will forgive the adultery if she repents, but He will not change the natural consequences -- the baby will still be born, and He will hold her responsible to take care of it. Similarly, a person can go down the road of destruction by using narcotics or alcohol. Satan can seduce the person into a course of action that will result in physical death, and, in that sense Satan can "kill" him, but Satan cannot simply execute those he opposes, the way God sometimes did in the Old Testament, e.g., Korah in Numbers, Ezekiel, all the first- born Egyptian males in Exodus. When the Bible calls Satan a "murderer" it is not referring to physical death, but rather spiritual death, i.e., perdition. 500.060.000
Torrey: p518, T:VI 500.060.010
Torrey: p518, T:VI, P:1 John 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 500.060.020
Torrey: p519, T:VI, P:2 2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. What amazing incredible malignity is that! 500.060.030
Torrey: p519, T:VI, P:3 Luke 8:12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. We will have further evidence and illustration of his malignity under his own work. 500.070.000
Torrey: p519, T:VII 500.070.010
Torrey: p519, T:VII, P:1 James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
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