Skip to main content
Bible Q

Who is Satan in Job 1?

Despite popular belief, there is a scholarly consensus that ‘satan’ in the book of Job is not a personal name, and does not refer to the supernatural evil being known as ‘Satan’ or ‘the devil’. ‘The appearance of “Satan” in virtually all English translations of the book of Job befuddles me since it is very […]

Does Satan send bad dreams?

There are two questions here. One does Satan exist and if so what is he or it? And two what causes bad dreams. We’ll deal with the second question: Where do dreams come from? Most dreams appear to arise from within our own subconscious minds (e.g., Eccles 5:3), although the Bible describes some dreams as […]

If Satan was not an angel, where did he come from?

‘Satan’ is a Hebrew word that means ‘adversary’ and in the Old Testament it is translated as adversary on 10 occasions, although on 16 other occasions it is left untranslated as Satan. There is not just one satan. Any adversary is a satan. In the account of Balaam and his ass in Numbers 22, we […]

Who is the great deceiver in the last days?

The most relevant Bible passage here is 2 Thessalonians 2 which describes a “man of lawlessness” who will be revealed before the second coming of Jesus Christ. Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness […]

How did Satan fall to earth? (Luke 10:18, Revelation 12:9)

This question appears to assume the popular mythology that Satan is a fallen angel. In fact, the Bible contains no such teaching. (See “Is Satan a fallen angel?”) Bible imagery – falling from heaven: In the Bible, “falling from heaven” is figurative of losing authority. To cite three examples, Isaiah 14:12 describes the king of […]

Why do OT and NT teachings on demons appear to differ?

See also What is the difference between “unclean spirit” and “demon”? Why does OT and NT teaching on demons appear to differ? It is undeniable that there is a difference between the way the Old Testament (OT) and New Testament (NT) describe illness and disability: Exodus 4:11 Then the Lord said to [Moses], “Who has […]

How does Satan disguise himself as an angel of light?

And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14) This appears to be one of two references in 2 Corinthians to a Jewish myth circulating in the 1st Century. The original primary source “The Life of Adam and Eve” appears to have been written in Aramaic in the 1st Century […]