Topical Studies
What the Bible says about
Satan as Liar
(From Forerunner Commentary)
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Revelation 12:9
Revelation 12:9 informs us that the dragon, also known as the Devil and Satan, "deceives the whole world." If God had not freed us from slavery and given us eyes to see things spiritually, such would still be our state. Jesus gives a similar description of our adversary: 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) Here, Jesus calls Satan the "father of lies." All of this world's deceptions originate in him, and wherever his spirit is present, destructive fruit, including deception, will be in evidence. Satan has deceived the whole world, but it is important to note that he is not limited to a single deception. He does not have just one game or a singular tactic. The whole world is not deceived by Christmas and Easter and a triune godhead. One and a half billion Muslims have not fallen for these lies, nor have the legion atheists or followers of the various Eastern religions. On the other hand, billions have not fallen for the deceptions of Buddha or Muhammad. So, while universal deception exists, it comes in more forms, shapes, and flavors than we can categorize. Satan does not have to get the whole world to believe the same thing to have everyone under his sway. Thus, just because a person recognizes the deceptions in the various pagan holidays does not mean that he is not deceived or cannot be deceived—it simply means that those particular deceptions do not have any hold on him at that point. Recognizing one lie does not mean that we are immune to all others. Paul observes in II Corinthians 2:11 that "we are not ignorant of [Satan's] devices." This does not mean that, once we receive God's Spirit, we get a copy of Satan's playbook, and suddenly we know everything he is doing. Rather, Paul means that because we have been freed from spiritual slavery, we have eyes to see spiritually, and we can begin to recognize what is of God and what is not. We begin to understand some of the ways that Satan works, and we have the means to discern good fruit from bad. Though the danger of deception is lessened, it remains.
David C. Grabbe
The Truth About Deception (Part One)
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Revelation 20:3
The prophesied release of Satan after the Millennium teaches us significant lessons. God says, “For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done” (Isaiah 46:9-10). What Satan does after he is released is history written in advance. His deceptions and warmongering are the future, recorded thousands of years before they happen. This fact is remarkable to consider. Mankind desires to know the future; we look to news analyses and weather forecasts to glimpse an idea of what lies ahead so we can respond appropriately. We use such indicators to prepare for the future or perhaps to work to change the course of events. What is astounding is that the Adversary also knows the Scriptures, and he sees his future written in advance. This reality provides vivid testimony of Satan's nature—that he simply will not change, even knowing how disastrous the end will be for him. The advance knowledge makes no difference. So, in addition to God giving Satan his freedom so he can commit his final rebellion, a second reason He must release him is to provide us with this final, powerful lesson about the Serpent's nature. When God releases Satan, the Deceiver does what he has always done. Even after a thousand years of stasis, his nature remains unchanged. After a millennium of reflecting on his plight, calculating his ideal course of action, and contemplating his spiritual navel, as it were, he reaches the conclusion he started with: He knows better. Maybe he will not be aware of the peace and prosperity as it blooms outside the pit, but when he is released, he will be able to see that goodness and abundance with his own eyes. Yet even with all the years of mankind under Christ, living the best that people can live, and all the good humanity will produce in cooperation with God, Satan will emerge, discount the evidence, and continue to act in the way that seems best to him, even though it destroys the lives of others. Isaiah 14 reveals this attitude when it speaks of Helel ascending, exalting his throne, and trying to become the Most High. His image of self-perfection is written in stone. In his heart, he is convinced that he deserves more and better than God gave him.
David C. Grabbe
Why Must Satan Be Released?
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