Tuesday, November 19th, 2024
Welcome to the Sixth Study in our series on Biblical Characters. In this study, we’ll be exploring the enemy, the adversary also known as the Devil, Satan or in Hebrew Ha’Satan.
Satan, saw-tawn, is Strong’s Hebrew Word 7854, which simply means an opponent and the arch-enemy of good. Satan is an adversary or plotter, one who devises means for opposition. We will begin with Ha’Satan’s introduction in Bere’shiyth (Genesis) and follow his presence through the entirety of Scripture, culminating in his ultimate defeat and eternal punishment in Hitgalut (Revelation). Understanding who the enemy is, his strategies, and how to overcome him is crucial in our relationship with Yahuah and Yahusha Ha’Mashiach. Ha’Satan’s purpose is to oppose Yahuah’s plan and hinder the lives of believers, but we are not without tools to resist him.
Today, we will examine the identity, purpose, and strategies of Ha’Satan. We will also show that he and his followers are the only true enemies of humanity. Understanding Ha’Satan’s tactics helps us see that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces opposed to Yahuah. We will also focus on the ways Yahuah equips us to stand strong and victorious through Yahusha Ha’Mashiach.
So, let’s adopt our Berean mindset once again and get into this study!
1. Ha’Satan’s Introduction and Identity
Scriptural Foundation:
Bere’shiyth (Genesis) 3:1-5 : 1. Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which Yahuah Elohiym had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath Elohiym said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2. And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3. But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, Elohiym hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5. For Elohiym doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as elohiym, knowing good and evil.
This section of scripture is where we first encounter Ha’Satan, as the serpent in the garden. His approach to Chuah (Eve) is the same approach that he uses today and is rooted in deceit, creating doubt about Yahuah’s command, and praying upon our vanity and pride. It is the enemies goal to cause us to doubt or question Yahuah’s commands. Once he has done this, it is easier for him to get us to disobey Yahuah and seek our own desires and lusts that lead us to destruction.
Bere’shiyth (Genesis) 3:14-15: 14. And Yahuah Elohiym said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: 15. And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel.
After A’dam and Chuah’s fall, Yahuah declares a lasting enmity between the serpent’s seed and the woman’s seed, pointing to the ultimate defeat of Ha’Satan by Yahusha Ha’Mashiach on the cross.
Cross References:
Yochannon Aleph (1 John) 3:8. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of Elohiym was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
Yechezkel (Ezekiel) 28:13-17: 13. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of Elohiym; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. 14. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the set apart mountain of Elohiym; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. 15. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. 16. By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of Elohiym: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. 17. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.
Lesson: Ha’Satan is not a mere symbol of evil but a real adversary. Created “dressed to kill”, he was adorned with every precious stone, gold, and even created with exquisite musical instruments built into his being, and was, some have said, the leader of the worship and praise of Yahuah in heaven. His rebellion against Yahuah marked the beginning of sin, and his deception in Eden began his role as humanity’s true enemy – a role he continues throughout Scripture and intensifies today at an accelerating pace.
2. Ha’Satan’s Purpose: Opposing Yahuah and Humanity
Scriptural Foundation:
Iyov (Job) 1:6-12: 6. Now there was a day when the sons of Elohiym came to present themselves before Yahuah, and Ha’Satan came also among them. 7. And Yahuah said unto Ha’Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Ha’Satan answered Yahuah, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 8. And Yahuah said unto Ha’Satan, Hast thou considered My servant Iyov, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth Elohiym, and escheweth evil? 9. Then Ha’Satan answered Yahuah, and said, Doth Iyov fear Elohiym for nought. 10. Hast not Thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11. But put forth Thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse Thee to Thy face. 12. And Yahuah said unto Ha’Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Ha’Satan went forth from the presence of Yahuah.
After the adversary has taken away all of Iyov’s earthly possessions and even his children in chapter one, Iyov still blesses Yahuah and does not sin. In the second chapter, the sons of Elohiym again present themselves again before Yahuah and the same interaction occurs: the adversary tells Yahuah that if he is allowed to afflict Ivoy’s flesh, then he would curse Yahuah to His face.
In these passages, Ha’Satan’s role as the adversary and the accuser becomes clear. He seeks to test Iyov’s faithfulness by inflicting suffering, attempting to undermine his trust and faith in Yahuah and lead him to sin by sowing doubt through afflictions. Ha’Satan’s goal is to break Iyov’s faith and obedience by using pain and loss as tools to sever his relationship with Yahuah.
Zekaryah (Zechariah) 3:1-2: 1. And he shewed me Yahushua (Joshua) the high priest standing before the angel of Yahuah, and Ha’Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. 2. And Yahuah said unto Ha’Satan, Yahuah rebuke thee, O Ha’Satan; even Yahuah that hath chosen Yashar’el rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?
Ha’Satan is again seen accusing Yahushua the high priest before Yahuah, showing his constant opposition to Yahuah’s people.
Cross References:
Hitgalut (Revelation) 12:10: And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our Elohiym, and the power of His Mashiach: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our Elohiym day and night.
This verse describes Ha’Satan as the “accuser of our brethren,” emphasizing his role as the adversary of believers throughout history.
Lesson: Ha’Satan’s ultimate purpose is to oppose Yahuah and cause His image bearers, humanity, to rebel against Yahuah. His tactics focus on leading people away from Yahuah’s truth, then accusing them of wrongdoing, and trying to destroy their faith. This makes him and his followers the true adversaries of humanity, as they seek to sabotage the plan of salvation Yahuah has for each and every one of us.
3. Ha’Satan’s Strategies of Deception and Temptation
Scriptural Foundation:
Mattityahu (Matthew) 4:1-11: 1. Then was Yahusha led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by Ha’Satan. 2. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He was afterward hungry. 3. And when the tempter came to Him, he said, If thou be the Son of Elohiym, command that these stones be made bread. 4. But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of Yahuah….. 8. Again, the devil taketh Him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9. And saith unto Him, All these things will I give Thee, if Thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10. Then saith Yahusha unto him, Get thee hence, Ha’Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship Yahuah Elohayka, and Him only shalt thou serve. 11. Then the devil leaveth Him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto Him.
The temptation of Yahusha in the wilderness exemplifies Ha’Satan’s tactics: twisting scripture, manipulating circumstances, and challenging Yahuah’s authority.
Yochannon (John) 8:44: Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Yahusha identifies Ha’Satan as “as a murderer and the father of lies,” showing that death and deception are at the core of his strategies.
Cross References:
2 Qorintiym (2 Corinthians) 11:14: And no marvel; for Ha’Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Ha’Satan’s ability to appear as an “angel of light” emphasizes the subtleness of his deceptions.
Eph’siyim (Ephesians) 6:11-12: 11. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
We are reminded to put on the full armor of Elohiym to withstand Ha’Satan’s schemes.
Lesson: Ha’Satan’s strategies are designed to ensnare humanity in sin and separate us from Yahuah. He uses deception, temptation, and false teachings to mislead Yahuah’s people. Recognizing these tactics is crucial for spiritual discernment and victory.
4. Yahuah’s Provision for Victory Through Yahusha
Scriptural Foundation:
Luqas (Luke) 10:18-20: 18. And He said unto them, I beheld Ha’Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Yahusha declares Ha’Satan’s fall, and He gives His disciples authority over all the power of the enemy.
Qolasiym (Colossians) 2:14-15: 14. Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross; 15. And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Yahusha’s victory through the cross disarms Ha’Satan’s powers.
Cross References:
Yochannon (John) 12:31: Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
Yahusha’s mission includes judgment of Ha’Satan, the “prince of this world.”
Hitgalut (Revelation) 12:11: And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
The saints overcome Ha’Satan by Yahusha’s blood and the word of their testimony.
Lesson: Yahusha Ha’Mashiach’s victory is our basis for overcoming Ha’Satan. Yahuah has provided spiritual armor, His Word, and Yahusha’s blood as weapons of warfare. The believer’s strength is not in their own power, but in submission to Yahuah and the finished work of Yahusha.
5. Ha’Satan’s Final Defeat
Scriptural Foundation:
Hitgalut (Revelation) 12:7-9: 7. And there was war in heaven: Miyka’el and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8. And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Ha’Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
A war in heaven results in Ha’Satan’s expulsion to earth, marking a decisive defeat in the spiritual realm and begins the time of tribulation on earth.
Hitgalut (Revelation) 20:7-10: 7. And when the thousand years are expired, Ha’Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8. And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the set apart ones about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from Elohiym out of heaven, and devoured them. 10. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Ha’Satan’s final rebellion leads to his eternal punishment in the lake of fire.
Cross References:
Mattityahu (Matthew) 25:41: Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for Ha’Satan and his angels.
Yahusha describes the lake of fire as prepared for Ha’Satan and his angels.
Lesson: Ha’Satan’s defeat is inevitable. Yahuah’s ultimate plan culminates in Ha’Satan’s eternal judgment, signifying the complete victory of Yahusha Ha’Mashiach and the establishment of Yahuah’s Eternal Kingdom.
Reflections
In this sixth study on Biblical characters, we’ve explored Ha’Satan, the adversary of Yahuah and humanity. Starting with his deception in the Garden of Eden, we traced his presence throughout Scripture, understanding his identity, purpose, and strategies. Ha’Satan’s role as the accuser and deceiver is evident from his interactions with A’dam and Chuah, his accusations in the courts of heaven, and his attempts to lead even Yahusha Ha’Mashiach into temptation. The adversary’s purpose has always been to oppose Yahuah, disrupt humanity’s relationship with Him, and sow destruction through deceit and pride.
Ha’Satan’s tactics of deception and temptation are deeply embedded in his methods, aiming to create doubt and distance between humanity and Yahuah. He manipulates circumstances, twists Scripture, and targets the vulnerabilities of the faithful. Yet, Yahuah has not left us defenseless. Through Yahusha Ha’Mashiach, believers are equipped with spiritual armor, authority, and the strength to resist the adversary. Yahusha’s victory on the cross disarmed Ha’Satan’s powers, providing a way for believers to overcome him by the power of Yahuah’s Word and the testimony of Yahusha’s sacrifice.
The study concludes with the ultimate assurance of Ha’Satan’s defeat. Scripture promises that his opposition will end in his final judgment, casting him into the lake of fire along with his followers. This certainty offers hope and strengthens our faith, reminding us that Yahuah’s sovereignty prevails, and His Kingdom will stand forever.