Modern religionists have a problem with my assertion that God created Satan to be the Adversary. Somehow they feel the need to protect God. They actually believe that if God had created Satan to be evil, to be the adversary that he is, somehow God would be a liar because after the creation event God said His creation was "good". If you missed part 1, read it here.
How is it that they can ignore many very plain scriptures that say Satan was a sinner and a murderer from the beginning? This of course is proof against Satan having been a perfect angel in the beginning. They ignore the simple facts but bring up several very questionable assertions to try to make their case. The religionists usually claim "types and shadows" to explain their smoke and mirrors. Let's take a look at their objections and dig into the scriptures for the answers.
Here is a quote from my friend the Primitive Baptist Elder: "I must say that you do not quote the entirety of the passage in Ezekiel 28 and thus miss the entire meaning. Also, (forgive me, again) you seem to be ignorant of a very important Biblical device of using one person as a type or picture of a higher being or person. This is a very common Biblical literary device, and it is what's happening in Ezekiel 28. I know that the first part of the chapter speaks of the prince of Tyrus, but note verse 13. "Thou hast been in Eden the Garden of God." Now, that cannot possibly be speaking of the king of Tyrus only. It must be speaking of someone else (in this case, Satan) which is the antetype that Tyrus points to. This is very common Biblical usage. Also, have you not read the words of our Lord Himself in Luke 10:17-18? "And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightening fall from heaven".
In a nut shell, the objections are: 1. Tyrus had been in the Garden of Eden and he could not have been, therefore that means Satan must be spoken of and 2. That the Lord commented Himself that He saw Satan fall from heaven in Luke 10:17,18. Manmade traditions abound! It never ceases to amaze me. First let's look at Ezekiel chapter 28 verse 13. Was Tyrus in Eden?
Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God...(KJV)
"You were in the luxury of the garden of Elohim...(Concordant Literal)
From God's word we have proof of rulers being spoken of as trees in God's garden. The trees in God's garden envied this ruler that Ezekiel is speaking of. But was Pharaoh actually in Eden, God's garden? Ezekiel 31:18 says:
To whom art thou thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? yet shalt thou be brought down with the trees of Eden unto the nether parts of the earth: thou shalt lie in the midst of the uncircumcised with them that be slain by the sword. This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith the Lord GOD. (KJV)
How is it that they can ignore many very plain scriptures that say Satan was a sinner and a murderer from the beginning? This of course is proof against Satan having been a perfect angel in the beginning. They ignore the simple facts but bring up several very questionable assertions to try to make their case. The religionists usually claim "types and shadows" to explain their smoke and mirrors. Let's take a look at their objections and dig into the scriptures for the answers.
Here is a quote from my friend the Primitive Baptist Elder: "I must say that you do not quote the entirety of the passage in Ezekiel 28 and thus miss the entire meaning. Also, (forgive me, again) you seem to be ignorant of a very important Biblical device of using one person as a type or picture of a higher being or person. This is a very common Biblical literary device, and it is what's happening in Ezekiel 28. I know that the first part of the chapter speaks of the prince of Tyrus, but note verse 13. "Thou hast been in Eden the Garden of God." Now, that cannot possibly be speaking of the king of Tyrus only. It must be speaking of someone else (in this case, Satan) which is the antetype that Tyrus points to. This is very common Biblical usage. Also, have you not read the words of our Lord Himself in Luke 10:17-18? "And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightening fall from heaven".
In a nut shell, the objections are: 1. Tyrus had been in the Garden of Eden and he could not have been, therefore that means Satan must be spoken of and 2. That the Lord commented Himself that He saw Satan fall from heaven in Luke 10:17,18. Manmade traditions abound! It never ceases to amaze me. First let's look at Ezekiel chapter 28 verse 13. Was Tyrus in Eden?
Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God...(KJV)
"You were in the luxury of the garden of Elohim...(Concordant Literal)
Taking a closer look at the English word Eden we find that it is mentioned 20 times in the KJ version of the bible. Three times it is translated from: Nde `Eden eh'-den ; meaning pleasure and a place in Mesopotamia and 17 times translated from Nde `Eden ay'-den the same as (masculine) the region of Adam's home:--Eden. Oddly enough, the Hebrew word `eden ay'-den or (feminine) aednah {ed-naw'} meaning pleasure, delicate, delight, is never translated as eden but is translated as pleasure, pleasures, delights and delicates. Additionally, of those twenty times Eden is mentioned, six times it is used as a person's name.
The question at hand remains was Tyrus in God's Garden Eden? Yes, of course he was, God's word says so. So was Pharaoh, yes, you read that correctly. Pharaoh was also in Eden, God's Garden. No, Pharaoh was not Satan and neither was Tyrus. It is very simple. The prophet Ezekiel often refers to world leaders as trees. Governments are sometimes referred to as mountains. God's Holy Mountain is none other than His government and during these times prior to Christ setting up God's kingdom on earth, God has allowed men to rule the earth. Frequently they become too big for their britches. In other words, the "trees" become too lofty and God cuts them down. Let's take a look at Ezekiel 31:2-6.
Son of man, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude; Whom art thou like in thy greatness? Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs. The waters made him great, the deep set him up on high with her rivers running round about his plants, and sent out her little rivers unto all the trees of the field. Therefore his height was exalted above all the trees of the field, and his boughs were multiplied, and his branches became long because of the multitude of waters, when he shot forth. All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations. (KJV)
So we see that Ezekiel is told to speak to the King of Egypt, Pharaoh and to his multitude. The Assyrian is said to be a cedar tree in Lebanon. Under his shadow dwelt great nations. Let's continue and see if these "trees" (leaders, rulers) were in Eden, God's garden. Ezekiel 31:8-11:
The cedars in the garden of God could not hide him: the fir trees were not like his boughs, and the chesnut trees were not like his branches; nor any tree in the garden of God was like unto him in his beauty. I have made him fair by the multitude of his branches: so that all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied him. Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast lifted up thyself in height, and he hath shot up his top among the thick boughs, and his heart is lifted up in his height; I have therefore delivered him into the hand of the mighty one of the heathen; he shall surely deal with him: I have driven him out for his wickedness. (KJV)
From God's word we have proof of rulers being spoken of as trees in God's garden. The trees in God's garden envied this ruler that Ezekiel is speaking of. But was Pharaoh actually in Eden, God's garden? Ezekiel 31:18 says:
To whom art thou thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? yet shalt thou be brought down with the trees of Eden unto the nether parts of the earth: thou shalt lie in the midst of the uncircumcised with them that be slain by the sword. This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith the Lord GOD. (KJV)
Is it not painfully obvious that if Pharaoh and other world leaders were in Eden that Tyrus was also in Eden, God's garden? It should be. I am not taking a stand on what the Hebrew `Eden ay'-den means in this case - the region of Adams birth or the luxury of God's garden. To me it matters not. What is important is that the common tradition of Tyrus being Satan can be put to rest. Leaders are spoken of as trees and the trees were in Eden, God's garden. Were they with Adam and Eve? Of course not.
Having been raised a Baptist...I have heard this ante-type stuff taught many times. Preachers love smoke and mirrors... I mean, types and shadows. I know the traditions regarding Ezekiel 28 and I reject them. One only has to read Ezekiel 31 to see why Tyrus was in Eden, God's garden.
The second objection is baffling to me. Somehow Luke 10:17, 18 is supposed to prove that Satan was not always Satan but that He was in fact a perfect angel. Luke 10:17, 18 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. (KJV)
The Pulpit Commentary on the Bible had this to say: "The Lord's words here were prophetic rather than descriptive of what had taken, or was then taking place. The seventy were telling him their feelings of joy at finding that his Name in their months enabled them to cast out evil spirits from the possessed."
Having played baseball as a kid, it reads like this to me: Dad! Did you see my homerun? Yes Son, I saw you knock the cover off of that baseball!
Of course Christ knows the future; He also knows that when Satan's job has been accomplished, He will personally lock Satan up. Satan will be bound while Christ and His anointed rule with an iron rod to subject non-belief and lawlessness under His feet. So yes, Christ has seen Satan fall!
Is there any doubt whatsoever that Satan is still the "God" of this word? What did Paul say? 2 Corinthians 4:3,4 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (KJV)
Yes my brothers and sisters, Satan is still the God of this world but not for much longer. Study to show yourself approved! Get a good bible study program and dig into the Hebrew and Greek. I promise it will be a real eye opener.
Be sure and thank God today for His grace and compassion.
Grace be with you!
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