After last week’s article a reader asked about the difference between Satan and the demons. Satan and demons are created beings. They belong to the same class of creature, but Satan is superior to the demons.

Satan is an angel. In Ezekiel 28:14 Lucifer, or Satan, is called the “anointed cherub.” A cherub is most likely a type of angel. Satan is also connected with the “sons of God” in Job 1:6. The sons of God in the book of Job are most likely angels. Angels are the only ones, aside from God, who saw the creation of the world. (Job 38:4-7) Second Corinthians 11:14 says Satan is able to transform “himself into an angel of light.” Though the Bible does not directly identify Satan as an angel, the evidence strongly suggests he is an angel who rebelled against God.

When Satan rebelled against God a large number of other angels sinned with him. (Revelation 12:4) The other angels which fell with Satan are referred to as “his angels.” (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:7, 9) The Bible also says Satan is the ruler of the demons. (Matthew 12:24) Therefore, the best conclusion from the Biblical evidence is demons are angels who sinned with Satan and are now under his authority.

Satan also wields authority over this earth. He is the “god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4) and “the prince of the power of the air.” (Ephesians 2:2) The Bible says little about the nature of Satan’s rule, except that it is genuine, malicious, and destructive. (1 Peter 5:8) Demons appear to possess some level authority over people (Mark 5:2-5) and nations. (Daniel 10:13)

Little is said in the Old Testament about Satan’s activity in the world. He tempted Eve to sin (Genesis 3:1-6; Revelation 12:9), made false accusations against Job (Job 1:9-10, 2:4-5), and opposed the high priest of Israel. (Zechariah 3:1) In the New Testament Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), filled Judas so that he betrayed Jesus (John 13:27), and filled Ananias’ heart to lie to the Holy Spirit. (Acts 5:3) Satan’s primary activities today are making accusations against believers (Revelation 12:10) and roaming the earth seeking the destruction of men. (1 Peter 5:8)

People today have no way to distinguish between the direct working of Satan and the working of his demons. Satan is a creature possessed of great ability and intellect. However, he is not all knowing or able to be in multiple places at once. He is furiously active, but is always limited in his activity. Satan has many demons who do his will. His power and malice are felt in the world through the working of his subject demons.

Satan is powerful and has great authority, but he is a defeated enemy. His power is restrained (Matthew 12:28-29). He has been judged by Jesus at the cross. (John 12:31; 16:31) As Martin Luther wrote, “His doom is sure.” Consequently, Christians have no need to fear Satan. They can resist the Devil and he will flee from them. (James 4:7) Believers have been given full armor to stand victorious against all the attacks of Satan. (Ephesians 6:13-17)

Satan is a powerful angel who rebelled against God. When he rebelled, other angels followed him. Those fallen angels are demons under Satan’s rule. Satan is the chief enemy of God and of God’s people. He continually rages against God and man. Despite Satan’s vicious assaults, the Christian has been given by God all that is needed to stand firm against the Devil.