What is Satan’s Origin?
There is much that we do not know, for we see through a dark glass dimly (see I Corinthians 13:12). The Holy Spirit reveals all we need to know for life and godliness through the Word of God (II Peter 1:3). Regarding the origin of Satan, the Bible doesn’t give us all the details. However, the Bible does give us some clues
to piece it together.
First of all, we know with certainty that God created all things through His Word. (Genesis 1:1; John 1:3). God’s creation certainly would include the whole angelic realm, known as the “host of heaven” (Nehemiah 9:6).
Biblical evidence suggests that the angels were present during the first few days of creation, before man was formed (Job 38:4-7).
The devil was there in the beginning with the angels. It was he who tempted Eve to sin in the Garden of Eden (compare Genesis 3:1 and Revelation 20:2).
Now the question arises: did God create the devil as a perfect and holy creature that later fell from his heavenly state? Or, was the devil created already evil? When God’s creation was complete, it was “very good” (Genesis 1:31). Most would agree that although the devil is necessary for the time being, he is not good. Therefore, Satan must have fallen from a holy state sometime after God declared that all was “very good.”
Ezekiel 28 supports this observation. The passage is a prophetic utterance against the King of Tyre, but it quickly becomes evident that the message is not about a mere man. (Ezekiel 28:2, 12-17). Satan is not mentioned in this passage by name; however, the references to the Garden of Eden, the mountain of God, the stones
of fire, a covering cherub, and a heart lifted up in pride are major clues revealing a dark power which controlled the human king of Tyre.
Now, back to the Garden of Eden: the serpent was the most cunningly shrewd of all the beasts (literally, living creatures) that God had created (Genesis 3:1). He was endowed with extraordinary beauty and wisdom.
What was it, then, that caused this beautiful creation to fill his heart with pride? Well, perhaps the serpent thought he could rule the universe better than God could. Or, perhaps he envied Adam, who was made in the image of God (no other creature received that special honor — see Genesis 1:26-28). The serpent could have envied Adam, whom in his view was an inferior being to himself, because Adam was given rulership over the earth (Psalm 8:4-8). Whatever the reason, the serpent had spite against Adam and sought to destroy him.
When Was Satan Cast Out of Heaven?
Though we have discussed this some during our study of angels, one theory of when Satan and his demons were cast out of heaven that we haven’t discussed is presented below. I choose this to complete our study because it impresses urgency. Is this theory accurate? I’m not sure, but it is formulated scripturally.
After His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus triumphantly ascended into heaven. It was perhaps about this time that a great war took place in heaven (Revelation 12:7-9). As a result of this heavenly war, Satan was permanently cast out of heaven (Revelation 12:10).
Even after Satan was cursed in the Garden of Eden, he still had access to the courts of heaven (see Job 1:6). But all that changed as a result of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus foretold to His disciples in John 12:31-32 that in the judgment of this world the prince of this world will be cast out, and Jesus, if he be lifted up
from the earth, will draw all men unto Him. Jesus also said he would not talk much longer with his disciples for the prince of this world cometh (John 14:30; also see 16:11). Was Jesus saying that the devil would be cast out of heaven when He (Jesus) ascended to heaven?
Ever since Jesus’ victory, the devil and his fallen angels do not have access to the throne room of God. Where are they now? Here, on earth! “For this reason, rejoice O heavens and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short
time” (Revelation 12:12). Peter and the other apostles referred to the time after Christ as the “last days” (see Acts 2:17; Hebrews 1:2; I John 2:18), because Jesus’ second coming could happen at any time. Therefore, Satan wages war with the children of God in great rage, knowing that his time is short.