Satan

Today in class, we talked about angels, and especially about Satan. I personally find some of the biblical descriptions of angels rather frightening. They are extremely powerful creatures. Likewise, Satan was originally a beautiful creature (Ezekiel 28:12-17), but was cast out of heaven because of his pride. He is losing, and he knows his time is short (Revelation 12:7-12). I thought these pictures were interesting. I think in general, Satan is hardly the goofy guy in a red suit.

Something about him remains beautiful to us, but his beauty is only surface deep. He looks appealing, and he makes us think that in following him, we'll find happiness and whatever we desire. But in the end, he seduces us to our doom.

I thought this one artist's picture of Satan as a devouring lion was pretty scary!

How about you guys? Based on some of the passages we read, has it changed the way you think about Satan?

If you need a refresher, I'm going to paste some passages below:

Ezekiel 28 -
14 You were anointed as a guardian cherub,
for so I ordained you.
You were on the holy mount of God;
you walked among the fiery stones.

15 You were blameless in your ways
from the day you were created
till wickedness was found in you.

Luke 10 -
18He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

Revelation 12 -
7And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 9The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

10Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
"Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God,
and the authority of his Christ.
For the accuser of our brothers,
who accuses them before our God day and night,
has been hurled down.
11They overcame him
by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much
as to shrink from death.
12Therefore rejoice, you heavens
and you who dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea,
because the devil has gone down to you!
He is filled with fury,
because he knows that his time is short."