Continuing our series on ‘The Dynamics of Authority,’ today we explore the origins of Satan because we understand that we have an adversary whose main mandate is to kill, steal and destroy. This has been his mandate from the very beginning, and when we have insight on his operations, we know how best to enforce our authority. While this origin is not clearly outlined in full detail in the scriptures, we do have traces that can lead us to some understanding that can deepen our conviction in the authority we have in Christ Jesus. Beginning with intent and roles, we understand from Hebrews 1:14 that angels were created for the purpose of serving children of God and advancing God’s kingdom. Speaking of angels, the scriptures read, “Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14), distinguishing them from the One to whom God said, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet” (Hebrews 1:13). We already see a distinction in rank here, and that by scripture, men outrank angels in authority, and have from the very beginning.
Looking further into the origin of Satan, who was created Lucifer by God, we see another narration from Ezekiel 28:12, “You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, Beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created. You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; you were on the holy mountain of God; you walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you” (Ezekiel 28:12-15). This narration shows us the credentials of this being, not short in splendour, and positioned in the garden of Eden, where man was created and stationed. He was sent to minister to Adam and Eve, but then he began to covet that which they had which he did not.
Church, understand that one can not desire anything less than what they already have. In all his credentials, Lucifer still fell short of the splendour that is man, and he set forth cunning operations to take from man what God had given them for himself. We read in Genesis 1:26, “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth”. Man was made in the very image of God, and unlike angels, man was given dominion and authority to be the God of the earth, something that angels did not have. And because Lucifer knew God’s integrity, he knew that if he legally acquired man’s authority over the earth, God would not superimpose His will over Lucifer’s victory by use of sovereignty. God obeyed the rules that He Himself put in place, and came in the form of a man, to take back the authority lost by Adam into the hands of Jesus and all who would be saved through Him.
This is key to understand, church. Lucifer has never outranked man, instead, he coveted man from the very beginning and set out a mission to take that which God had given to man for himself. Even now, when in Christ, believers have full authority and dominion over all as originally given in Genesis 1:26, and all the authority that the enemy has is yielded over by unwise and ignorant believers! Church, know who you are in Christ and do not be fooled to believe you are anything less! Blessings!
Prayer
Father we thank you for your word, that informs and equips. We thank you for choosing man, for creating us in your image, for setting us apart as the only creatures with your likeness and very nature. Father we pray, that our understanding be opened, and that we may perceive for ourselves who you have made us to be in Christ, and that we may walk in accordance to this revelation. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
