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Taken from "Dispensational Truth" by Clarence Larkin
There are many who deny the existence of Satan. They claim that what we call Satan is only a "principle of evil." That this "evil" is a sort of "malaria," an intangible thing like disease germs that floats about in the atmosphere and attacks people's hearts under certain conditions. The existence of Satan cannot be determined by the opinions of men. The only source of information is the Bible. That is the reason why Satan tries to discredit the Word of God. He is not a "principle of evil" he is a - Person.
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the Devil, as a 'roaring lion,'
walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Pet. 5:8.
He "walketh," he "roareth," he is to be "chained." Rev. 20:1-3. These could not be said of a "principle of evil." He has many names or aliases - "Satan," "Devil," "Beelzebub," "Belial," "Adversary," "Dragon," "Serpent." He is mentioned by one or the other of these names 174 times in the Bible.
He is a great "Celestial Potentate." He is
"The Prince of the Powers of the Air."
Eph. 2:2
"The God of this World" (Age.)
2 Cor. 4:4
He is the "God" not of the earth, for that belongs to its Maker - God. "The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof." Satan is the God of the
"World Systems"
of the habitable earth. These "World Systems" embrace business, society, politics, and religion. Satan is the Ruler of the "Powers of Darkness" of the "Spirit World." (Eph. 6:11, 12), and his position is so exalted that even Michael the Archangel dare not insult him. (Jude 9). So mighty is he that man cannot successfully resist him without Divine help.
I. His Origin
This is more or less shrouded in mystery. One thing is certain, he is a "created being," and that of the most exalted type. He was before his fall
"The Anointed Cherub That Covereth."
That is, he was the guardian or protector of the "Throne of God." He was perfect in all his ways from the day that he was created, until iniquity was found in him. In him was the "fullness of wisdom," and the "perfection of beauty," but it was his "beauty" that caused the pride that was his downfall. He was clothed in a garment that was covered with the most rare and precious gems, the sardius, topaz, diamond, beryl, onyx, jasper, sapphire, emerald, carbuncle, all woven in with gold. He dwelt in Eden, the "Garden of God."
This probable refers not to the earthly Eden but to the "Paradise of God" on high, for Satan dwelt on the "Holy Mount of God." All this we learn from Ezek. 28: 11-19, where the Prophet has a "foreview" of the Antichrist under the title of the "King of Tyrus," and as Antichrist is to be an incarnation of Satan, the Prophet here describes Satan's original glory from which he fell. There never has been as yet such a King of Tyrus as is here described.
The cause of Satan's fall is given in Isa. 14:12-20. He is there called
Lucifer, Son of the Morning.
This was his glorious title when he was created, and this world of ours was made, at which time -
"The 'Morning Stars,' (probably other glorious created ruling beings like himself) sang together, and all the 'Sons of God,' (angels), shouted for joy." Job 38:7
It is well to note that the one here called "Lucifer, Son of the Morning," is in verse four, (Isa. 14:4), also called the "King of Babylon." As there never has been a King of Babylon like the one here described, the description must be that of a "future" King of Babylon. And as "Antichrist is to have for his Capital City Babylon rebuilt," this is probably a "foreview" by the Prophet of Antichrist, as indwelt by "Lucifer," or "Satan," in that day when he shall be "King of Babylon."
Some think that when this world was created and fit for habitation, Satan was placed in charge of it, and it was then, as Isaiah declares, that Satan said in his heart -
"I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the 'Stars of God'
(other ruling powers); I will sit also upon the Mount of the Congregation, in
the sides of the North. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
I will be like The MOST HIGH:"
and that it was for this presumptuous act that the "Pre-Adamite World" became a chaos, and "without form and void," as described in Gen. 1:2
This would justify the claim of Satan that this world belongs to him, and that he had the right and power to transfer the "kingdoms of this world" to Christ, if He would only acknowledge Satan's supremacy. (Matt. 4:8,9.) And it accounts for the persistent war Satan is waging against the Almighty to retain his possession of the earth.
