Breathingbook

Greetings! In my recent post, “Job 1:9 The Meaning of Cost,” I went over how one of Satan’s “functions” is that of the “sifter,” who “sifts” believers like wheat and pointed to the examples of Satan’s “sifting” of both Job and Simon Peter (Job 1:6-12; Job 2:1-7; Lk 22:31-34).  In this post, I’ll continue revealing more about this “sifting” process concerning why the Lord allows Satan to continue to operate in this fashion. I’ll begin with a brief explanation as to why evil remains in this world as a force to be dealt with.

Now, one thing that remains common to all believers in this world is “the sin which so easily besets us.” For Christians, it’s a daily battle against sin that involves not only seeking forgiveness for ourselves (Mat 6:12-15; 7:1-5; 18:21-35), but also freely granting it to others (Mat 5:21-22, 23-24, 38-42; Lk 6:35-38; Rom 12:14;18-21).

Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

After all, it’s for our sins that Jesus came to offer Himself for upon the cross. Yet, though we are granted forgiveness (when we seek it), sin continues to present itself to us daily (naturally) because we are all born into it (Psa 51:5). As such, we are “so easily beset” (Gk. euperistatos) by sin, as if sin, itself, were someone competing against us and moving to thwart us on every side.

G2139. euperistatos, yoo-per-is’-tat-os; from G2095 and a derivative of a presumed compound of G4012 and G2476; well standing around, i.e. (a competitor) thwarting (a racer) in every direction (figurative of sin in general):–which doth so easily beset.

How and why sin comes upon us in this manner is connected to the good and evil of this world. In other words, when Adam and Eve chose to eat from the tree of “the knowledge of good and evil,” both good and evil suddenly became thrust upon us (Gen 3:5). And now, sin remains constantly moving to “thwart” us (Gen 3:22-24; Isa 45:6-7) because that’s how our intimate knowledge of good and evil continues to increase every day of our lives (Isa 7:14-15).

Gen 2:16-17 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

But who would administer or govern the evil in this world? That would be none other than the fallen angel, Satan, himself. As god of this world (2 Cor 4:3-4), prince of this world (Jn 12:31; Jn 14:30; Jn 16:11), and ruler of the darkness of this world (Eph 6:12), he has been placed in the authoritative position to continue administering the induction of the knowledge of both good and evil to mankind.

So, what exactly do the terms god of this world, prince of this world, and ruler of the darkness of this world mean? Well, “god of this world” means he’s a son of god (not like Jesus – the only begotten Son; Heb 1:4-5), but is an “angel” of God’s creation (Gen 6:1-8; Job 1:6; Job 2:1; Job 38:4-7).

You see, unlike the “princes” of Persia and Greece (Dan 10:12-14; 20-21), Satan is not a prince of a nation or tribe, but is the god/angel/prince of the whole world. As such, he not only has authority over all the kingdoms of the world (Lk 4:5-7), but over all other angelic principalities of the earth, as well (Mat 12:24-29; Mk 3:22-27; Lk 11:15-22; Rom 8:37-39; 1 Cor 2:5-8; Col 1:16; Eph 3:9-12; 6:11-13).

Eph 6:12 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.

Some might ask why God didn’t simply annihilate Satan for his misdeed in the garden when he tempted Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit. There are two facets to this: one, when God says there will be consequences for disobedience, He means it, and two, the prolonged assignment which ultimately ends with Satan being cast into the lake of fire IS all a part of his everlasting punishment (Gen 3:14-15,17; Rev 20:10). Furthermore, Satan had to continue in his position as god/prince of this world, etc., because he was uniquely fashioned from the beginning for such an assignment (Gen 3:1; Isa 14:12; Ezek 28:11-19; Jn 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; 2 Cor 4:3-4; Eph 6:12). After all, not just anybody would have been allowed to be in the presence of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden - who would have been capable of betraying the trust they had in him as evidenced by the naivety of their deception.

All that being said, I now turn to expanding on the biblical background behind this function called ‘sifting” by looking at the four specific names of Satan associated with it in the bible:

• Satan (1 Chr 21:1; Job 1:6-12; Job 2:1-7; Mat 12:26; Mk 1:13; Rev 12:9-10),
• the Adversary (1 Pet 5:8),
• the Accuser (Rev 12:9-10) and,
• Destroying Angel (Exo 12:22-23; Job 2:3; 1 Cor 10:9-10 [Num 11:1; 14:36-37]; Isa 54:15-16; Lk 22:31-34; 1 Cor 5:5; Rev 9:11).

Let’s nail three of these down with one blow by simply looking at the Hebrew and Greek definitions for the word “Satan” and noting how “adversary” and “accuser” are contained within their meanings. In other words, when you’re saying the name “Satan” – though you may not have been aware of it – you’ve also been saying “adversary” and “accuser” at the same time.

So let’s look… Beginning with the main Hebrew word for Satan, first we see it means “opponent” and has been translated in the KJV as “adversary, Satan” and “withstand.”

H7854. satan, saw-tawn’; from H7853; an opponent: especially (with the article prefix) Satan, the arch-enemy of good:–adversary, Satan, withstand.

But, when you look at its “root,” H7853, we see Satan means “to attack” and “accuse.”

H7853. satan, saw-tan’; a primary root; to attack, (figurative) accuse:–(be an) adversary, resist.

In the Greek, however, the definition simply says “Satan” means the “accuser, i.e. the “devil.”

G4567. Satanas, sat-an-as’; of Chaldee origin corresponding to G4566 (with the definite article affixed); the accuser, i.e. the devil:–Satan.

So, the name Satan means Adversary, Opponent, and Accuser within itself. But, there is more in scripture to be understood concerning this “Accuser” aspect of Satan. If we look at Rev 12:9-10, we see several of Satan’s names given – “great dragon, old serpent and Devil” – but we see we have “the accuser of the brethren” expanded upon by the Apostle John because there’s an introduction there of a couple of new words.

So, again, let’s take a look at this:

Rev 12:9-10 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan (G4567), which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser (G2725) of our brethren is cast down, which accused (G2723) them before our God day and night.

the accuser The first word used for “accuser” here is the Gk. kategoros, which means someone “against” the “assembly, i.e. a complainant at law (specially Satan).” In other words, this describes Satan as someone who does the equivalent of filing “legal” complaints.

G2725. kategoros, kat-ay’-gor-os; from G2596 and G58; against one in the assembly, i.e. a complainant at law; specially Satan:–accuser.

which accused them This time the Greek word for “accused” is the Gk. word kategoreo, which means to “be a plaintiff, i.e. to charge with some offence.”

G2723. kategoreo, kat-ay-gor-eh’-o; from G2725; to be a plaintiff, i.e. to charge with some offence:–accuse, object.

Now, that Satan, as god/prince of this world, would act as a prosecutor in the governing of this world is understandable, but here he’s also presented by kategoreo as a “plaintiff.” That means in the realm of the authority given him by God, he is not only actively filing charges against all those who disobey the standards of God’s commands, but also petitioning God for damages when he feels he’s been wronged (or disrespected; Lk 4:5-7; Col 1:16-17; Tit 1:1-2).

Jd 1:8-9 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

Which brings us to the last of the three names associated with Satan’s “sifting” which is the “Destroying Angel.” Now, to explain that, let’s take a good look at the word meanings of Rev 9:11.

Rev 9:11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.

they had a king… the angel of the bottomless pit Rev 9:1-11 tells the story of a “star” falling to earth, who’s given the key to open the bottomless pit. He opens it and locusts are released upon the earth to torment men (Rev 9:3-4). The word for “king” is Gk. “basileus” and speaks of someone who has sovereign power. This king is also an “angel.”

The “bottomless pit” is the Gk. “abussos,” which speaks of the “infernal abyss” (and “infernal” is another word for “hell”).

G12. abussos, ab’-us-sos; from G1 (as a negative particle) and a variation of G1037; depthless, i.e. (specifically) (infernal) “abyss”:–deep, (bottomless) pit.

If we look at Psa 16:10, which is a psalm of David foretelling Jesus’ resurrection from the dead (Acts 2:25-28), we see it says He would not be left in “hell.”

Psa 16:10 For Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell (H7585); neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption.

The Hebrew word for “hell” here is “she’owl” and refers to “hades or the world of the dead” as an underground (or subterranean) retreat.

H7585. she’owl, sheh-ole’; or she’ol, sheh-ole’; from H7592; hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates:–grave, hell, pit.

This “hades” or “subterranean retreat” has also been translated as the “pit,” hence, the “bottomless pit.”

whose name in the Hebrew… is Abaddon The name of the king/angel of the bottomless pit is “Abaddon.” In Hebrew, Abaddon means a “perishing” or “Hades.” Perishing is another word for “destruction” or “death.”

H11. ‘abaddown, ab-ad-done’; intensive from H6; abstract a perishing; concretely, Hades:–destruction.

in the Greek … his name Apollyon In the Greek, Apollyon means “destroyer, i.e., Satan:”

G623. Apolluon, ap-ol-loo’-ohn; active participle of G622; a destroyer (i.e. Satan);–Apollyon.

Thus, Satan is the Destroying angel, or “perishing” (which means he’s the angel over “death”).

Heb 2:14-15 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Now, Satan as the Destroying angel first clearly shows up in scripture when the children of Israel received the Passover instructions the night before their release from Egypt (Exo 12:21-30).

Exo 12:23 For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the Destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.

He was also the Destroyer who destroyed in the wilderness (1 Cor 10:9-10 [Num 11:1; 14:36-37]).

1 Cor 10:9-10 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the Destroyer.

And, just before David decided to move the site of the new temple from Mount Zion to Mount Moriah there was an apparent “sifting” incident with king David. First, scripture says “God’s” anger was kindled against Israel so “God” moved David to number Israel ( 2 Sam 24:1-25):

2 Sam 24:1 And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and He moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.

Then, the same incident is told a second time, but this time scripture says “Satan” – not God – stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number them (1 Chr 21:1-30, 22:1-11):

1 Chr 21:1-30 And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.

This incident resulted with the Destroying angel coming in and killing seventy thousand men.

1 Chr 21:15 And God sent an angel unto Jerusalem to destroy it: and as he was Destroying, the LORD beheld, and He repented Him of the evil, and said to the angel that Destroyed, It is enough, stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD stood by the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.

And, finally, Paul, who instructs us that as much as possible, we are to live peaceably with all men (Rom 12:18-21), and also of how he continuously searches to be sure he is without offence towards God and men (Acts 24:16), speaks of delivering someone to Satan for the destruction of the flesh.

1 Cor 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the Destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

In all of these examples, Satan moves about as the Destroyer, bringing forth forms of “death.”

Thus, in the beginning God created all things, but only God, the angels, and Adam and Eve were “immortal.” Although scripture is not clear whether creatures were intended to die, none the less, the grass, herb of the field and trees were to provide food for Adam and Eve and all creatures. So, in as much as an aging/dying piece of fruit falls to the earth to lay its seed, or crops, flowers in bloom, or trees age as they grow taller and more beautiful – some to die back in various seasons – then, “death” as a process of “nature” was established by God from the very beginning (Gen 1:1-19; 1:20-31; Jn 12:24).

Jn 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

Furthermore, Ezek 28:12 tells us that in his creation, Satan sealed up the sum (the full measure), being full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. Ezek 28:13 says he was in Eden, the garden of God. If we follow the root meaning for Eden, we find it means “pleasure,” and with the word for “garden” being “gan,” all together, these two words tell us the garden of Eden was to be a” fenced, protected” place of “pleasure.”

H1588. gan, gan; from H1598; a garden (as fenced):–garden.

H1598. ganan, gaw-nan’; a primitive root; to hedge about, i.e. (generally) protect:–defend.

Ezek 28:13 tells us every precious stone was Satan’s covering. The Hebrew world “mecukkah” and it’s root “cakak” define the precious stones as a “part” of Satan’s means of protection or defense.

H4540. mecukkah, mes-ook-kaw’; from H5526; a covering, i.e. garniture:–covering.

H5526. cakak, saw-kak’; or sakak(Exod. 33:22), saw-kak’; a primary root; properly to entwine as a screen; by implication to fence in, cover over, (figurative) protect:–cover, defense, defend, hedge in, join together, set, shut up.

Scripture tells us the “workmanship” (Heb. mela’kah, meaning deputyship or employment) of his tabrets and pipes was prepared in him the day he was created (Ezek 28:13), making it most probable that all music began with the sounds of nature, and he was charged with watching over all such musical sounds, as well.

Ezek 28:14 tells us he was the “anointed” (Heb. mimshach) cherub that “covereth” (Heb. cakak), because God had “set him so.” The Hebrew word for “anointed” is “mimshach” and means an “anointing that spreads out in a sense of expansion – like wings outstretched.” The Hebrew word for “covereth” is, again, “cakak.”

Together these words speak of Satan’s assignment to spread out the anointing given him over the whole earth to “cover” or “protect” in “defense.”

H4473. mimshach, mim-shakh’; from H4886, in the sense of expansion; outspread (i.e. with outstretched wings):–anointed.

H5526. cakak, saw-kak’; or sakak (Exod. 33:22), saw-kak’; a primary root; properly to entwine as a screen; by implication to fence in, cover over, (figurative) protect:–cover, defense, defend, hedge in, join together, set, shut up.

Ezek 28:15 says he was perfect in his ways when he was created, until iniquity was found in him. This points to the free will to choose to sin that all angels apparently have (Gen 6:2-4; 2 Pet 2:4; Jude 1:6).

Ezek 28:15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

Ezek 28:16 tells us that the multitude of his merchandise (or that which he had authority to distribute) filled the midst of him with violence, and he committed “iniquity.” Ezek 28:17 tells us his own beauty lifted up his heart and the brightness of it corrupted his wisdom. Isa 14:13 tells us, he said within his heart, he would ascend into heaven and exalt his throne above the stars of God, and sit upon the mount of the congregation (Dan 11:31; 12:11; Mat 24:15-21).

He said to himself, “I will be like the Most High” (Isa 14:14).

And so, he who was uniquely created to be the god/angel/prince over this world, to cover, protect, defend, and administer the seasons of life/death, had rule over everything on the earth, except Adam and Eve. That is, until he deceived them into disobeying God’s command and they ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and lost their immortality.

Thus, we all continue to deal with Satan’s administration of good and evil to us, coupled with the sin so ever present in our lives, unto this very day (1 Cor 15:51-58; Heb12:1).

1 Cor 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Peace out!

Loris Anne James