| THE SERPENT Gen. 3:1-6; Rev. 12:9; Rev. 20:1,2 |
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| With the exception of Moses serpents (the rod and the brazen serpent - both of which interestingly enough appear in a context of judgement) the serpent in the scriptures consistently is a type of the archenemy of both God and the human race, namely, the Devil. Not the characteristics of the Serpent. I. His Appetite - "the great dragon" This term could also be translated "sea monster" of "sea snake." It is descriptive of a ferocious creature with an insatiable appetite. I Peter 5:8 describes Satan as a beast of pray. He stalks his prey relentlessly and rends it mercilessly and devours it voraciously. He is a ravening wolf which preys n the flock. Ps. 22:12, 13 describe the demonic hordes which tormented Christ on the cross. They "gaped" upon Him "as a ravening and a roaring lion." Isa. 14:12-14 reveals the insatiable aspirations of the devil. These have never changed. He still desires to be worshipped and will find that aspiration met in the person of the Anti-Christ. (2 Thes. 2:3, 4; Rev. 13:1, 15; Dan. 11:36-39) II. His approach - "that old serpent" "which deceiveth the whole world" The devil is a master deceiver (Gen. 3:1 - "more subtil"). He is a liar. (John 8:44) To make matters worse he is a very convincing liar. (2 Corinth. 4:4). Genesis 3 is a graphic example of his method. - He creates doubt as in what God has said - vs. 1. - He denies God's word - vs. 4 - He impugnes God's motives - vs. 5 The participle describing his deception of the world is a present participle meaning that the devil is incessantly doing so. III. His attitude - "called the devil" The word translated devil is the Greek word from which we get our english word "diabolical" which refers to hos incalculable wickedness. He was "a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44). His "coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders." (2 Thes. 2:9) IV. His activity - "satan" The word "Satan" means "adversary." Satan Accosts - 2 Corinth. 2:11. Satan Rev. 12:10, Satan Abuses: - By lying - John 8:44 - By tempting - Matt. 4:1 - By robbing the Word of God from men's minds and hearts - Matt. 13:19 - By harassing - 2 Corinth 12:7; Job 1,2 - By hindering - 1 Thess. 2:18; Eph. 6:12 - By sifting - Luke 22:31 - By imitating - 2 Corinth. 11:14, 15 - By destroying - 1 Corinth. 5:5 - By possessing the unsaved - John 13:27 Though the serpent be a powerful and malicious foe, we are not to fear him. For the victory over him has been secured for us in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Tim. 1:7; 1 Corinth. 15:57; 2 Corinth. 2:14; 1 John 4:4 |
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