From the Desk of Grace Watcher Network

Satan is the malevolent chief of all fallen angels who bears a name synonymous with darkness, deception, and vehement opposition to God. He skillfully operates as the unrivaled master of disguise and deceit (2Co 11:14), positioning himself as the archenemy of both God and the saints. His singular purpose revolves around the destruction of God’s works and the pernicious deception of humanity, enticing the lost into following his ways, which lead to an eternity without hope and blackest darkness forever.

His origins trace back to the sacred mountain of God, where Ezekiel 28:14 speaks of him as “walking in the midst of the stones of fire” – a vivid portrayal of the divine meeting place between God and His angels in the heavenly realm. In this exalted position, known as Lucifer, he held a distinguished role among an elite order of angels known as Guardian Cherubs (see Eze 28:14, 16). However, due to his internal violence and sin, Lucifer was expelled, and cast as profane from the mountain of God and from the midst of the stones of fire (Ezekiel 28:16).

Satan is the second most powerful created being in existence surpassed only by Michael the archangel. This is supported by Daniel 10:10-14, Daniel 12:1, and Jude 9, where Michael “disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, but did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!'”

Satan wields formidable power and authority over the earth, a reality emphasized by the words of the apostle John, who declares, “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1Jn 5:19). This dominion was made evident when, during the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, Satan transported Him to a high mountain. From there, he showcased all the kingdoms of the world, proclaiming, “I will give You all this dominion and its glory, for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish” (Luke 4:6).

Satan (“adversary”) and Devil (“slanderer”) are by far the most frequent names used of Satan, but the Bible presents many more. The following twenty-seven titles offer glimpses into his diabolical character:

1. ABADDON. Occurring once in the Bible at Revelation 9:11, meaning “the Destroying One.”
2. ACCUSER (Zech 3:1; Rev 12:10). A name given to the devil by the rabbis. Literally meaning a prosecutor, one who is “against another in the assembly.”
3. ADVERSARY (1Pt 5:8). The devil is presented by Peter as an adversary who “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” The Greek word means “an opponent or prosecutor; an adversary in a lawsuit.”
4. ANGEL OF THE ABYSS (Rev 9:11). Also known as the bottomless pit, the abyss, described in Revelation 9:2-11, serves as the current imprisonment for demons who will be released to torment mankind during the tribulation. It is the very location where the legion of demons, expelled from a demoniac by Jesus, fervently pleaded not to be thrown (Luke 8:31). The term “abyss” literally means “bottomless; an unfathomable depth.” The title “Angel of the abyss” emphasizes his headship over its contents.
5. ANOINTED CHERUB WHO COVERS (Eze 28:14). This designation refers to Satan in his pre-fallen state, holding an exalted position as an angel guarding and covering God’s throne, akin to the cherubim who guarded the way to the garden of Eden (Gen 3:24). The term “anointed” conveys a sense of “far-covering” or “far-reaching,” derived from the root word “mashach” (to smear, anoint), signifying expansion and outspread wings. The verb “who covers” indicates the act of overshadowing, screening, and providing a protective cover.
6. APOLLYON. This title, occurring once in the Bible at Revelation 9:11, means “the Destroying One.” This word is a Greek parallel to the Hebrew “Abaddon.”
7. BEELZEBUL. Referenced seven times in the New Testament (Mat 10:25, 12:24, 27; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15, 18, 19). The term means “lord of the dung, lord of the flies; fly-god,” signifying the chief among evil spirits. Its origin traces back to the Philistine god Baal-zebub, mentioned six times in 2 Kings 1, denoting “Baal of flies.”
8. BELIAL. Mentioned once in the Bible at 2 Corinthians 6:15. It is a transliteration of the Hebrew “beliyaal,” conveying the essence of one who is utterly worthless, base, and vile. The significance of this term becomes evident when Paul poses the question in 2 Corinthians 6:15: “What harmony has Christ with Belial?” This question sheds light on why being yoked to unbelievers is deemed repulsive to the Spirit of God.
9. DEVIL. Used 38 times in the New Testament between Matthew 4:1 and Revelation 20:10. The Greek word is “diabolos,” meaning to “slander, accuse, defame.” The Devil is the supreme Slanderer, engaging in the act of defaming both God to man and man to God.
10. DRAGON. Used 13 times in the book of Revelation (12:3, 4, 7, 9, 13, 16, 17, 13:1, 2, 4, 11, 16:13, 20:2). Described as an ancient flying mythical serpent of colossal proportions, the imagery of the dragon holds a significant place in the apocalyptic narrative. In ancient Greek beliefs, dragons were attributed with extraordinary insight, enabling them to locate prey in the most concealed hiding places.
11. ENEMY. Referenced in Matthew 13:25, 28, 39, and Luke 10:19. This designation characterizes one who is openly hostile, fueled by a deep-seated and irreconcilable hatred. The term conveys an intense animosity rooted in personal disdain, driven by a fervent desire to inflict harm
12. EVIL ONE. Found in passages ranging from Matthew 5:37 to 1 John 5:19. This term is employed to highlight the stark contrast to the righteousness of Christ. Satan is the full embodiment of evil while Christ is the full embodiment of righteousness.
13. FATHER OF LIES (John 8:44). Not only is Satan a pathological liar, but he is the sole originator of lies (Gen 3:1-5). By deceiving Eve into disobedience, Satan led the entire human race to walk in lies, following the footsteps of their infernal father.
14. GOD OF THIS AGE. Paul used this title one time in 2 Corinthians 4:4, signifying that God has permitted Satan to wield authority over this present age, albeit within the constraints of God’s divine sovereignty. This concept aligns with insight provided by the apostle John, who said, “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1Jn 5:19).
15. KING (Rev. 9:11). This title portrays Satan’s kingship over the demonic realm. Just as he is “ruler of the demons” in Matthew 12:24, Satan is king over their kingdom in Revelation 9:11.
16. LIAR (John 8:44). Satan is the arch-deceiver, the originator of falsehood, embodying the essence of one who falsifies, misrepresents, distorts, and misleads humanity.
17. LUCIFER (Isa 14:12). A Hebrew word meaning “shining one, light bearer, or day star,” often associated with the sun of the dawn. Lucifer is likened to a celestial body that ushers in the morning.
18. MURDERER. In John 8:44, Jesus says of Satan, “He was a murderer from the beginning.” This statement finds its roots in the aftermath of Satan’s deception of Eve. When she succumbed to his lies and ate from the forbidden tree, God’s warning in Genesis 2:17 was fulfilled: “For in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.” The death mentioned here has a dual significance – Eve died spiritually, and later died physically, plunging the entire human race into that same death.
19. RULER OF THE DEMONS (Matt 9:34, 12:24; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15). Satan is the great leader of the fallen host of heaven. The Greek noun “ruler” can mean “governor, leader, chief; a commander with authority.”
20. RULER OF THE POWER OF THE AIR (Eph 2:2). The term “air” refers to the lower, denser atmosphere in contrast to the atmosphere above the mountain tops. Satan is the leader of the authority of the lower atmosphere, where humans reside. It is in this realm where Satan and his demons prey upon humanity.
21. ROARING LION (1Pt 5:8). The word “roaring” in the Greek text speaks of the howl of a beast in fierce hunger. Satan, acting like a hungry lion, is ready to launch a fierce attack on any potential prey.
22. RULER OF THIS WORLD (John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11). By God’s sovereign allowance, Satan is given the position of ruling over this world. The term “world” is used here in the sense of the global system that is inherently hostile to God, as echoed in 1 John 5:19.
23. SATAN. Mentioned in passages ranging from Matthew 4:10 to Revelation 20:7, “Satan” is a term derived from both Hebrew and Greek, meaning “adversary.” It stands as the most frequently used name for the Devil, appearing eighteen times in the Old Testament and thirty-six times in the New, and consistently portrays him as the perennial enemy and opponent of God and His people.
24. SERPENT (Gen 3:1, 4, 13-14; 2Co 11:3; Rev 12:9, 20:2). The Hebrew word is “nahash,” and the Greek is “ophis,” the most common word for snake. The term “serpent” is associated with cunning and deception. It implies his clever and manipulative tactics in endeavors to lead humanity astray
25. STAR. In Revelation 9:1, a fallen star from heaven is described as receiving the key to the abyss, with the implication that Satan is the referenced “star.” The use of the term “fallen” in the perfect tense denotes a completed action, a moment recorded in Revelation 12:9 when Satan and his angels were cast down to earth. This event aligns with Jesus’ words in Luke 10:18, where He stated, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”
26. STRONG MAN (Mat 12:29; Mark 3:27; Luke 11:21). Satan is portrayed as a “strong man” who claims ownership over humans as possessions. However, Jesus, being stronger than Satan, has the power to bind him and plunder his house (his kingdom).
27. TEMPTER (Matt 4:1, 3; 1Th 3:5). As the Tempter, Satan seeks to test and try one’s faith, virtue, or character by enticing them toward sin. The Greek term used implies a process of making proof, testing, or trying the nature of a thing, akin to refining metals by fire. In a moral context, it involves testing virtues to see how they endure and tempting individuals away from virtue by suggesting motives for evil.