What Does the Bible Say about Satan and Where He Came From?

While the Bible is silent on the subject of the exact timeline of when the Lord created angels, what is known for sure is that the Lord created everything good because He is holy. When Satan, who was once the angel Lucifer, rebelled against God, he fell immediately from heaven (Isaiah 14; Ezekiel 28).

When Satan fell, one-third of the angelic host joined him in his rebellion (Revelation 12:3-4, 9). These angels who fell with Satan are now known as demons. “The first to rebel was Satan, who was promptly thrown out of heaven along with myriads of angels who followed his lead. The Bible says they ‘did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling’ (Jude 6). This is in contrast to ‘the elect angels’ (1 Timothy 5:21) who were given the grace to remain sinless. Satan is mentioned more frequently than all other evil angels combined. Twenty-nine times Satan is referred to in the Gospels, and of those twenty-nine, Jesus spoke of him twenty-five times.”

– Satan is “the prince of the demons” (Matthew 12:24).

– Satan is “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31).

– Satan is “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

– Satan is “the prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2).

Thirty-five times Scripture refers to Satan as the Devil – “accuser” or “slanderer.” Here are some other mentions in the Bible that describe Satan:

– The evil one (John 17:15)

– A roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8).

– Abaddon (destroyer, Revelation 9:11).

– A great red dragon (Revelation 12:3).

– That ancient serpent (Revelation 12:9).

Such descriptions of Satan help readers understand the influence he cleverly wields over those under his control.