Satan, By Any Name, Is Our Enemy

Posted byCharles


cffblog6.jpgJanuary 25, 2019 (Friday)
The Hebrew word translated “Lucifer” should have been translated differently. “Lucifer” is the rendering of the Hebrew word הֵילֵל‎ (helel) in Isaiah (Isaiah 14:12) given in the King James Version of the Bible. The translators of this version took the word from the Latin Vulgate, which translated הֵילֵל (helel) by the Latin word lucifer (uncapitalized), meaning “the morning star, the planet Venus”, or, as an adjective, “light-bringing”. Isaiah was addressing the King of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar II, and was saying that the king’s glory would be removed by the judgment of God.*
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Nebuchadnezzar II

The Bible definitely teaches the reality of evil in our world, personified in a person called “Satan” or “The Devil.” Chuck Swindoll wrote the following about the Devil: “We battle the Devil. The Devil, also called Satan, was an elite angel who rebelled against God, seeking to steal His glory and usurp His authority. He became the commander-in-chief of a war against God so God cast him out of heaven with a minority of angels now known as demons. Satan and his demons operate by deceiving us, seducing us, blinding us, accusing us, and seeking to influence us in such a way as to defeat us and thereby rob God of His glory (Eph. 6:12).

We can have victory over Satan through Jesus, the Son of God, the Word of God (the Bible), the presence and power of the Holy Spirit within us, and the encouragement and help of fellow believers. The Scripture says, “Resist the Devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

(Edited from 11/15/2015 blog).

* The planet Venus goes by two names: “Morning Star” and “Evening Star.” It disappears below the horizon for days and then reappears either in the morning or the evening. It makes a perfect illustration of the wicked king who appears for only a while and is destined to lose his glory. Isaiah chose this method to warn the king not to attempt to take God’s place. Venus seems to “fall from Heaven” as it sinks below the horizon. “Lucifer” is a Latin word for “Venus.” It would be an apt description of anyone, including Satan, who attempts to usurp God’s place and power.