The Subtlety of Adam

As a conclusion of this study of Satan and Adam, I would like to speak of Adam’s deception, that is, he hid his sin from our indiscriminate observation (Job 31:33).

If Satan and Adam are really two different creatures (see “The Devil, Called Satan, Unveiled“), when did Satan sin and how is it recorded in the Bible? To answer this, one must explain how Satan can be a spirit, and how sin really entered our world through him and not through Adam (Romans 5:12). The word of God says, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth…” (Genesis 1:1). When he created the earth, the angels, or sons of God shouted for joy (Job 38:4-7; cp. Job 1:6, 2:1). So, the angels preceded the creation of the earth, but not necessarily the creation of the heavens. The word of God records only that they shouted for joy at the creation of the earth (Job 38:4-7)! Furthermore, Scripture says God created the heavens and the earth and all that was in them (including angels?) in only six days, and on the seventh day he rested (Exodus 20:11; 31:17). If Satan is not Adam, when did Satan rebel, and from where did he rebel? When was iniquity found in him? If we accept the literal interpretation of Genesis 1, he had only five or six days in which to organize a rebellion? If we assume the days account for seven ages of indeterminate length, we still have problems with when and how Satan could have rebelled as seen below. The problem with tradition that is not based upon the Scripture is that it is so difficult to prove; yet it is so easy to believe. Why is that?

 

Adam

In the beginning, God created Adam in his own image and gave him authority over all the earth (Genesis 1:26-28). Scripture never reveals that God gave this authority to anyone other than Adam and then later to Jesus. If I conjure up myths of spirit beings before Adam having this authority, I must admit two things. First, I must admit that the story is all my own. I would be adding my words to the word of God, as though these words had the same authority as Scripture, and take the consequences (Revelation 22:18-19; cp. 1Corinthians 4:6). Secondly, I would have to say that God’s word is not true. He does not indiscriminately take away what he gives to one and give it to another (viz. taking authority from Satan then giving it to Adam and then taking it from Adam again to give it back to Satan). The gifts (including the gift of authority) and calling of God are without repentance (Romans 11:28-29)? God doesn’t change his mind as though he has a better idea like man changes his. Psalm 15:1-4 says (paraphrased), “who shall dwell with the Lord? The man who walks with integrity and swears to his own hurt but doesn’t take back his word but takes the consequences.” If God looks to this man, can we expect less of Jesus? Can’t we see that this is the reason Jesus had to die, if Adam’s race was to be saved? God promised a Savior to rebellious humanity who has rejected God.

 

Satan and Adam

Only God is omnipresent. If this is so, how can Satan contaminate the entire world? How can he tempt each one of us to sin? If, indeed, Satan and Adam are one and the same creature (see “The Devil, Called Satan, Unveiled“), then it is possible to see how Satan could infect our entire race, because all human life has sprung from Adam/Satan. Pollute the source and the whole becomes unclean. On the other hand, if Satan and Adam are two different beings, then how could Satan get around to billions of people to insure that all rebel against God?

 

The Devil, Called Satan, Unveiled

This study is the fourth in a series beginning with The Invincible, Omnipresent Satan. In them we have found no reason to believe Satan is an angel or an archangel. We have looked at him as the Serpent of Eden, but found he is not as powerful as tradition would have us believe. In the present study, we shall look at him as he is called the Devil.

Satan is referred to as the Devil or as his name is defined, the slanderer. He is the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10). Scripture often connects certain men with the devil or the accuser of God’s people. Paul called Elymas the sorcerer, a child of the devil (Acts 13:3-10). Jesus said that the one who would betray him is a devil, someone who slanders or falsely accused him, turning him over to those who desired his life (John 6:70-71; cp. John 13:2). He also claimed that the religious leaders who would not receive him were children of the devil (John 8:44). Moreover, Jesus said that all those who claim to be Christian are not necessarily so. Though they dwell among his people claiming his name, they are really the children of the devil. They bring slander and accusation upon Christ and his Body, the Church (Matthew 13:24-25, 37-39; cp. Revelation 2:9; 3:9; 2Peter 2:2)

 

Satan as the Serpent

We meet the serpent in the Garden of Eden where God says of him that he was more subtle than any beast of the field (Genesis 3:1). The scene opens with the serpent speaking with the woman. Since I was a little boy, I had always visualized Eve speaking with a snake. I wondered how a snake could speak, but I had no doubt that this story of our first parents was true. However, now I am an adult and as Paul said, I need to put away childish things (1Corinthians 13:11). Snakes don’t speak. They never have and never will unless God causes it to take place (Numbers 22:21-30)! If I agree that God’s word is always true, then my preconceptions may need to be adjusted to see its reality.

 

Is Satan an Archangel or an Angel?

Some believe Satan is an archangel, but one may search Genesis and read on until the end of Revelation, but one would never read that Satan is an archangel. In order to discover any information about Satan being an archangel, one must read extra-biblical literature. It simply is not in the Bible.

What about an angel? If Satan is not an archangel could he be an angelic being? Well, 2Corinthians 11:14 might be claimed by some to say so.

2 Corinthians 11:14 KJV (14) And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

 

The Invincible, Omnipresent Satan

Concerning Satan, we Christians paint a picture of an almost invincible creature, whose only rival is God. We envision him at battle with the Son of God in chapter 4 of both Matthew and Luke, and wonder what would have happened if our Lord was tripped up and made a meal out of those stones. I remember reading somewhere, concerning the trial of Jesus, of the writer’s surprise that Jesus didn’t cast Himself off the pinnacle of the Temple. The writer believed such an act would have shown that Jesus had great power and would have attracted many to God. Of course, all this is nonsense for there never was a real contest in the sense that Christ might have failed, but we love a drama and love to exalt the power of Satan. Some men seem to make a business out of casting out Satan and binding him up. They make up a really nifty package that could have top billing on the sci-fi channel. They mold their ideas to attract people to a religious sideshow. I can go on and on, but I should stop here. When I begin to enjoy the put-downs, it is time to stop. I must be careful, because I know such criticism offends some who are caught in their snares. Nevertheless, I have very little patience with people who believe they can preach Christ by exalting the power of Satan, and in so doing, exalt themselves by binding him up and casting him out …through Christ of course. I must not forget to add through Christ, though sometimes it is difficult to believe his precious name has anything to do with how these men parade themselves before the crowds of people, who are attracted to their spectacle.