In Genesis 3, the first humans are deceived by a talking snake. Did animals talk in the beginning, or was there something else going on here? Here are a few ideas about what is happening with the serpent in the garden.
Continue readingIs Lucifer Satan’s name? What does Lucifer mean? Where do the words Devil and Satan come from?
Continue readingIf God is so good, why does evil exist? Did God create evil? If evil is inevitable, why didn’t God just kill Satan after he rebelled?
Continue readingWho is Satan? Is Satan attacking people in the Old Testament, or is this God’s judgment? The Bible says God doesn’t tempt us (James 1:12-15), but rather is Satan is the tempter (Matthew 6:13). Yet oftentimes in the Old Testament when bad things happen scripture says that God was testing Israel (Deut 8:16, Deut 13:3, Judges 2:22). It seems that the revelation of Satan’s role is revealed more and more throughout scripture until the time of the Messiah (or Savior). The Gospel reveals him as the true enemy because he is the serpent whose head will be bruised by the Messiah (Gen 3:15). Satan is rarely mentioned in the Old Testament. Hence, some people believe that Satan either is a metaphor or is an agent of God to exact judgment, rather than a rebel. However, Jesus and the apostles define him as a real spiritual enemy of God seeking to devour us (1 Peter 5:8).
Continue readingIn recent years, subliminal messaging in various media has promoted the idea that Satan works for God as an executioner of God’s judgment rather than against God’s will. It’s even accepted by some that Satan is a misunderstood victim of God’s wrath rather than an enemy that will receive punishment on Judgment Day. If that’s true, then why was Jesus sent to defeat him?
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