The Fall of Satan and What Demons Do

The Fall of Satan

Before he fell, Satan was known as Lucifer. Lucifer means “light bearer” or “morning star”. He is not God’s equal but, like all beings, he is simply a creation of God and must submit to His sovereignty. (Ps 148:1-5; Col 1:16)

Lucifer held an exalted position in heaven. He may have been a cherub. (Ezk 28:14) Cherubs are high-ranking angels whose ministry involves, in some way, guarding the Lord’s holiness.

But Lucifer wasn’t satisfied with simply being in the presence of God’s throne. He became filled with pride (1 Tim 3:6) and desired a throne of his own, one exalted above God’s. (Isa 14:13) He wanted to be like the Most High (Isa 14:14).

Lucifer wasn’t alone in his quest to be his own god. He convinced one-third of the heavenly host to join him in his rebellion. (Rev 12:4) But God is omniscient (1 Jn 3:20) and omnipotent (Rev 1:8) no being can oppose Him. Lucifer’s war was lost before it even began. His fate is sealed. (Gen 3:15; Rev 20:10)

We tend to think that people reject God because they don’t know Him but that isn’t always true. Lucifer and his followers lived every moment before God yet they choose to hide their faces from Him. It isn’t enough to simply have knowledge of who God is, we must also be willing to come to Him on His terms and call Him our Lord. (Jam 2:19; Rom 6:16)

And so Lucifer and his followers turned against God. Angels who remained loyal to the Lord were the holy or elect angels (Matt 25:31;1 Tim 5:21) while those who choose to follow Satan became known as demons. (Matt 12:24)

Lucifer, the morning star, had fallen. Satan, the adversary, was born.

What Demons Do

Satan took his war against God to a new battlefront – the heart of man. He tempted Adam and Eve to sin (Gen 3:1) which led to man being spiritually separated from God. (Rom 6:23)

As Satan’s time runs short he and his demons increase their activity. (Rev 12:12) These activities involve opposing the plan of God (Dan 10:13) and leading people away from Christ. (1 Cor 10:20)

They appeal to man’s spiritual desires by disguising themselves as “angels of light” (2 Cor 11:14), seducing many with wicked doctrine, (1 Tim 4:1) and drawing them into a form of godliness which has no power to save. (2 Tim 3:5)

Demons can sometimes afflict people with various physical conditions (Matt 9:33; Mark 5:2-16) though it’s very important to note that Scripture distinguishes between natural and demonic illness (Matt 4:24; Mrk 1:32). They attempt to delay the answers to godly prayer (Dan 10:13) and draw nations into war (Rev 16:14).

Demons attempt to snare believers in sin (1 Tim 3:7). When they sin, Satan acts as their accuser (Rev 12:10).

No Need To Fear

God responded to this attack by promising to send a One who would restore that tarnished relationship and crush Satan (Gen 3:15). Jesus Christ, God the Son, was that One. At His death on the cross Christ defeated Satan. (Heb 2:14) Man’s relationship with God was restored, the countdown to Satan’s final judgment began. (John 4:16; Rev 20)

Christians have no need to fear Satan. When we resist his temptations, he flees (Jam 4:7), when he attacks, we are kept by the power of God (1 Pet 1:5), when he accuses, Christ defends us (1 Jhn 2:1).