Satan is known by many names. For the most part, his names reflect his nature or intent— Scripture refers to him as the destroyer, the father of lies, the one who masquerades as an angel of light, and the one who seeks only to kill, steal, and destroy. Satan is more of a title or descriptive term than a name. Satan means the one who opposes or is the adversary.
It is important to know our enemy, for he will play a pivotal role in man’s affairs in the last days. He will work through the Antichrist and assume control of all world systems, His initiatives and malice will usher in an unprecedented season of persecution and death
Perhaps the closest the Bible comes to assigning a name for Satan is Lucifer, a term found in the King James text meaning, angel of light—a reference to who he was, not who he is. The names for Satan provide insight into his nature. He is known by more titles in the Bible than anyone except Jesus Christ. A few references follow:
Abaddon: Hebrew name for Satan meaning “Destruction”. “And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon.” (Revelation 9:11)
Accuser: “Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, ‘Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.’” (Revelation 12:10)
Adversary: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
Angel of light: “And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:14)
Anointed covering cherub: “You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones.” (Ezekiel 28:14)
Beelzebub: “Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, ‘This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.’” (Matthew 12:24)
Deceiver: “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” (Revelation 12:9)
Devil: “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8)
Dragon: “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” (Revelation 12:9)
Father of lies: “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” (John 8:44)
God of this age: “Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” (2 Corinthians 4:4)
Leviathan: “In that day the LORD with His severe sword, great and strong, Will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan that twisted serpent; And He will slay the reptile that is in the sea.” (Isaiah 27:1)
Little horn: “And out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land. And it grew up cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them. He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down.” (Daniel 8:9-11)
Lucifer: “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’” Isaiah 14:12-14
Murderer: “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” (John 8:44)
Prince of the power of the air: “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience.” (Ephesians 2:1-2)
Ruler of demons: “But some of them said, ‘He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.’” (Luke 11:15)
Ruler of this world: “Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” (John 12:31,32)
Satan: “And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.” (Mark 1:13)
Serpent of old: “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” (Revelation 12:9)
Tempter: “Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, ‘If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.’” (Matthew 4:3)
Wicked one: “Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” (Ephesians 6:16)
Origins: Satan was not always evil. He was once an angel of authority—beautiful. Yet, with pride, he sought to elevate himself above the throne of God. The prophet Isaiah speaks of Satan’s former glory and fall. “Your pomp and the music of your harps have been brought down to Sheol…How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn! … you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God…I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ (Isaiah 14:11-14)
The apostle John notes that when Satan fell, he took with him 1/3 of the angels in heaven. “Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads. Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth…” (Revelation 12:3-4a)
The prophet Ezekiel wrote of Satan’s former glory and origin: ‘You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: carnelian, chrysolite and emerald, topaz, onyx and jasper, lapis lazuli, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared. You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you…you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth…By your many sins…you have desecrated your sanctuaries.” (Ezekiel 28:12b-18a)
Satan’s schemes
How does Satan work to accomplish his objectives?
- He attempts to discourage, divide, and destroy (Deut. 14:1, 32:16-17; 1 Cor 7:51 John 4:1, 23:17; 1 Kings 14:24, 18:25-28; Psa. 106: 35-37; Gal 1:8, Acts 13:8-11, 14:8-13; Mark 5:2-4; 9:17-22; 1 Thes 2:17-18; 1 Thess. 3:5; 2 Thess. 2:9-10; 1 Sam 18:10-11; 2 Cor 4:3-4, 11:14,12:7; Job 1:13–2:8; Matt 17:15-17.
- He attempts to compromise the witness and ministry of believers. Satan attempts to discredit true teachers and compromise the witness of believers: (2 Cor 11:14;Gal 1:8; 1 John 4:1).
- They will tempt Christians in an attempt to discourage and render their witness ineffective (1 Cor 7:5; 1 Thess. 3:5).
- He blinds and deceives: Satan attempts to shift credit for answered prayers and heavenly blessings to coincidence or our efforts (Acts 14:8-13).
- He seeks to deceive non-believers (Acts 13:8-11, 2 Thes 2:9-10).
- He attempts to blind people to the Gospel (2 Cor 4:3-4).
- He accuses (Job 1:6-11; Zech 3:1)
- He deceives (Gen. 3:1-13; John 8:44)
- He hinders (1 Thess. 2:18)
- He perverts (Acts 13:10)
- He schemes (2 Cor. 2:11; Eph 6:11)
- He steals (Matt. 13:19; Luke 8:12)
- He tempts (Mark 1:13; Luke 4)
Scripture Promises
- “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7b)
- “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
- Remember Jesus’ example in standing against Satan and temptation by quoting the Word. (Luke 4; Matthew 4)
Click HERE to download this document.