For example, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth: is speaking of the time the heavens and the earth were actually physically created (not just in the mind of God). God manifests His wisdom through many things, and while it is not possible to list all the things God has created from the beginning, we can sum it up by saying: "In the beginning God created all things. "Shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it?" Amos 3:6. "I form the light, and created the darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things." Isaiah 45:7.

If God wants to take responsibility for doing these things, why do we want to take it away from Him? God can handle this responsibility. He knows what He's doing. He's not just tossing evil around for the fun of it. There's a purpose for it. Man says the serpent in the garden was a snake and when Satan fell he used that serpent. We have all seen pictures of the snake on the tree whispering to Eve. The devil was supposed to be using the snake to talk to her. This is what man says, but what do the Scriptures teach? There are to verses, which plainly teach who that serpent is (and two is the number of witness). "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, call the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth…" Revelation 12:9. "And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years" Revelation 20:1-2.

Was God saying the devil is a serpent? No! Serpent is a symbolic term to describe the devil's nature. Doesn't God say we shall tread upon serpents and scorpions? Does this mean we are going to be walking on top of snakes? No! He's using these terms to describe the nature of demon power: "And the huge dragon was cast down and out, that ages-old serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, he who is the seducer (deceiver) of all humanity the world over; he was forced out and down to the earth…" Revelation 12:9, Amplified Bible). We now understand that the serpent in Eden is the devil. Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made…" Genesis 3:1. Let's read it with the other word: "Now the devil was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made…"

How did God make him? Beastly, subtle, a devil, a Satan, a liar, a sinner, a murderer… right from the beginning! God is in control. Until you know this and see Him like this, you will never understand what the Scriptures really teach. "For all things originate with Him and come from Him; all things live through Him, and all things center in and tend to consummate and to end in Him. To Him be glory forever! Amen-so be it." Some things? No! All things! "All things were made by him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made." John 1:3. Why did God create the Devil? "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…" John 10:10. "Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy." Isaiah 54:16.

Doesn't Isaiah 48:10 tell us He has chosen us in a furnace of affliction? How do you think the furnace is heated up? Aren't the fiery trials the things that perfect us? Who do you thing they are? The Bible tells us of Jesus Christ, though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered." Hebrews 5:8. God teaches by contrasts (by opposites) : righteousness - unrighteousness; saints - sinners; good - bad; Jesus - Satan; sons of God - sons of the devil; Godly seed - serpent seed. Everything is contrast. There is a purpose in affliction and it is not just to suffer. It's seasonal. Every trial, temptation and sorrow have their purpose.

To order your copy of "Satan and Lucifer: Who are They?" by Peter Demetris simply E-mail: pastorpeterd@comcast.net