When people imagine Satan, they often picture a red-skinned figure with horns, a pitchfork, and an ominous presence designed to lead people into sin. However, according to theologian Jared Brock, author of the new book A Devil Named Lucifer, such depictions are entirely inaccurate and not based on Scripture. In reality, the truth about Satan is far more unsettling than the cultural stereotypes or movie portrayals suggests.
"I think culture just got so obsessed with this idea of this little red devil on your shoulder haunting you at all times," Brock explained in an interview about his upcoming book with the Daily Mail.
Rather than a monstrous figure, or a purely physical creature, Brock says, the devil is a spiritual being, capable of appearing in appealing forms to entice rather than frighten. Instead of an image drawn from horror movies, Scripture suggests that Satan presents himself in a way that makes his temptations seem desirable. Brock also clarifies that there are two Biblical words used for the devil: one meaning "accuser" and another meaning "adversary," which clarifies how he will manifest his presence.
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But his powers are far from unlimited. There is no scriptural evidence that Satan can be everywhere at once. Unlike God, he is not omnipresent and does not possess the divine ability to be in multiple places simultaneously.
Painting from 1750 by Corrado Giaquinto, entitled ‘Satan Before the Lord.’ (Public Domain).
The Reality of Hell and Satan's Role
Many believe that Satan rules over Hell and torments lost souls by breathing fire, but Brock emphasizes that this is another misconception. The Book of Revelation states that Satan actually spews water, not fire.
"The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood," reads Revelation 12:15.
Hell itself is a subject of debate within Scripture. Brock points out that there are five or six different references to the afterlife’s underworld, leading to uncertainty about its actual nature.
"Are these physical? Are they spiritual? Are they forever? Are they for a limited period of time? And the answer to all of that is we just don't know," he said.
Christian doctrine teaches that Satan was once a powerful angel who fell from Heaven due to his pride and ambition. Revelation 12:7-9 recounts the celestial battle that led to this earth-shattering result:
"And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."
Which means that Satan has had a presence on Earth for a long time, during which he has undoubtedly made himself known through his works (a topic for discussion in Jared Brock’s book).
Painting from 1895 by Ilya Repin, entitled ‘Get Thee Behind Me Satan.’ (Public Domain).
More Myths and Misconceptions
Another common misunderstanding is the name "Lucifer." Many assume it is Satan’s true name, but Brock notes that it appears only once in Scripture.
Isaiah 14:12 states, "How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, that didst lay low the nations!" The verse is often linked to Satan's fall, but not all translations include the name "Lucifer," with some instead using "morning star." While nothing definitive can be determined, it seems possible that Lucifer actually refers to a meteor or asteroid that struck the Earth sometime in the distant past, causing a huge amount of destruction that was still remembered in ancient mythologies.
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Similarly, the number "666" is frequently associated with the devil, but Brock argues that its meaning is more complex.
Revelation 13:18 reads, "Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six." According to Brock, this number might refer to figures such as Goliath, who had six pieces of armor, a specific height, and a heavy spear, or it could symbolize King Nebuchadnezzar or Emperor Nero through a numerical code.
Another misconception is that Satan commands legions of demons. While some believe he leads vast armies, Brock points out that Scripture only mentions a handful of demons. The Bible does, however, state that Satan took a third of the angels with him when he was cast out of Heaven, as referenced in Revelation 12:4.
Recognizing the Devil’s True Face
Jared Brock’s goal is not to simply dispel all traditional ideas about Satan, as a debunker of legends and myths. He believes the Devil is among us and that it is important to know who he is and who he isn’t, in order to protect ourselves and our loved ones from his depredations.
"It’s vital we know what the devil really looks like—in both a material and spiritual sense—so we can more easily spot him at work in the world around us," he said. He explains that Satan rarely takes the form of a monstrous, fire-breathing creature because fear is less effective than seduction.
Roy Thinnes playing a college professor who is really Satan in disguise, surrounded by his sorority sister disciples in the 1973 movie ‘Satan’s School for Girls.’ (Killer Kittens from Beyond the Grave (blog)).
Brock has spoken to numerous individuals who claim to have had demonic spiritual encounters. He believes that spiritual forces operate in the world, one of which is "mammon," an Aramaic term Jesus used to describe money. However, he also emphasizes personal accountability in matters of evil.
"We've all heard the phrase ‘The devil made you do it.’ The devil has never made anyone do anything. The devil can't make you pull the trigger and shoot someone," he said.
But in a world fraught with danger and peril, learning to recognize who the Devil really is and how he really works is a matter of personal responsibility as well, which is why Brock chose this time in our history to contribute to the broader discussion about the true nature of good and evil.
Top image: Illustration of Al Pacino showing his human and true faces, playing Satan in the movie ‘The Devil’s Advocate.’
Source: Bill Strain/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0).
By Nathan Falde
