How Powerful Is Satan?

In a message addressed to the king of Tyre, but obviously meant for Satan, we have these words, "You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty... You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; you were on the holy mountain of God... You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you" (Ezekiel 28:12-15).

And in Isaiah, "How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!... For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God... I will be like the Most High'" (Isaiah 14:12-14).

Satan was the highest of the created beings. As such, he is extraordinarily powerful. He is also subtle, deceitful, vile, and hateful beyond imagination. Jesus called him the "prince of this earth" and the "father of lies." (See John 8:44)

His name Lucifer means "the light one." His name Satan means the "adversary." His name Beelzebub, according to some, means the "lord of the flies" or the "restless lord." His name Apollyon means "destroyer." (See Unger's Bible Handbook, Chicago: Moody Press, 1966, p. 520-521.) The apostle Peter said that he is like a roaring lion going to and fro seeking whom he may devour (see 1 Peter 5:8).

Christians must remember that Satan appears as "an angel of light" — very beautiful, very seductive, very appealing (2 Corinthians 11:14). His initial appearance is not that of some hideously deformed creature. That view comes later. Satan's guile and power notwithstanding, every Christian has the power, in the name of Jesus, to resist him and to overcome him. Jesus gave His disciples authority over all the power of the enemy (see 1 John 3:8, Luke 10:19, and James 4:7).

Excerpt taken from Answers to 200 of Life's Most Probing Questions, Copyright 1984 by Pat Robertson.