A Brief History of Satan (Part 2): Intertestamental and New Testament Periods
Introduction
When the Nation of Israel was taken into exile by the Babylonians in 586 BCE, they came into contact with new religious ideologies which challenged their ideas of God and the universe. The Old Testament books written during and after this time, reflect this interaction and as such take on a much more cosmological dimension. For example, God is no longer restricted to the temple in Jerusalem but is now understood as a being who can be met outside the temple, and even in a foreign land (Ezekiel 1:1).
In terms of the Jewish understanding of Satan, this was also challenged during this time and in particular during the 400 year period between the end of the Old Testament, and the events of the New Testament.
Developments in the Jewish Understanding of Satan in the Intertestamental Period
In the 400 year period between the end of the Old Testament and beginning of the New, Satan began to evolve into the malicious being familiar to us today. Evil began to be seen as something which was outside the will of God and began to be attributed to Satan (who also became the 'obstructer' (the satan), preventing God's will being done, and the 'accuser' calling people away from God (and ridiculing those who do obey God)).
Jews also began to understand the cosmos as that divided into both good and evil kingdoms. God's kingdom became separate and other-than the world and humanity, whilst Satan's domain was that of the world. Nations who opposed the Jews were now regarded as evil and under the control of Satan (the devil). On the other hand the Jews (as the Chosen people (see Genesis 12:1-2), saw themselves on the side of God (and goodness).
Naturally conflicts between various Jewish groups arose concerning their interpretation of what they believed 'standing for God' meant. This led to the outcast groups being branded as 'Satanic' (or led by Satan). An example of this can be seen in the teaching of the Essenes, who believed Satan had taken control of the world through the occupying forces and other Jews who often welcomed their oppressors. Their withdrawal from the world was literally (in their mindset), a withdrawal from Satan's kingdom. It was also during this time that the story of Satan's fall from heaven was developed, and began to be accepted as the true explanation of what Satan is.
A number of writings produced during this time (E.g. The book of Enoch), told the story of how certain angels left heaven to have sex with the women on earth. Through this they produced super-human offspring, who it is believed are referred to in Genesis 6:1-4, which led to great wickedness on the earth. This association of sin and sex has influenced and stayed with the Christian Church throughout it's history.
Satan in the New Testament
Whereas the Old Testament contained a rather small number of passages directly referring to Satan, the New Testament paints a much more vivid picture of its activities.* As with the Old Testament, we are also never actually told what Satan looks like despite the use of many metaphors for it:
'Then I saw another beast... he had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon.' (Revelation 13:11)
Jesus seemed acutely aware of the presence of Satan in the world, and spoke of a kingdom of the devil as well as a kingdom of God (implying that just as God exists, so must the devil (Matthew 12:26)). Jesus also performed exorcisms on people who were believed to be possessed (E.g. Mark 1:21-28, 5:1-20), and was said to be tempted by the devil after he had fasted for forty days in the wilderness before beginning his ministry (Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13).
It should be noted that a popular reinterpretation of Jesus’ exorcisms is that the people being healed were not actually possessed, but simply ill (E.g. They might have had epilepsy or were schizophrenic). The idea that these people's symptoms were medical rather than spiritual has contributed to the modern day suspicion over whether the devil actually exists.
Jesus also referred to the Jewish religious leaders, or those who opposed his teaching, as 'children of the devil':
‘You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.' (John 8:44)
The Apostle Paul also spoke to the activity of Satan in the world, referring to it as a being who tempts people away from God by pretending to be an angel of light ('... for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light' (2 Corinthians 11:14)). Peter later wrote that Satan was like a lion looking for people to devour (1 Peter 5:8). However, although they teach that Christians need to resist and fight Satan (Ephesians 6:10-18, James 4:7), they also recognise that Satan is a defeated enemy, and this is no more strongly stated than in the Book of Revelation.
Satan in the Book of Revelation
Written during a time when many Christians were undergoing fierce persecution and intended to encourage to them remain true to the faith, many also believe the Book of Revelation speaks of events yet to come. The Book of Revelation talks of a cosmic battle when Satan will be finally defeated by God and cast into the pit for all eternity.
Although the book was written for specific groups of Christians at a certain period of time (see Revelation 1-3), the imagery in the Book of Revelation has often been interpreted literally which has led to all manner of speculation concerning future world events. The best example of a literal interpretation is seen in the teaching of the Jehovah's Witnesses, who literally believe there will only be 144,000 people in heaven with God (Revelation 14:1), and that an anti-Christ (false prophet) will try to get Christians to leave their faith before the end of the world. This false prophet will also be recognised by a mark and a special number:
'If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666' (Revelation 13:18).
However one chooses to interprets the Book of Revelation, its overwhelming message in relation to Satan (the devil) is clear. Satan is a defeated enemy not to be feared:
And the devil who deceived them [all the nations], was thrown into the lake of burning sulphur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:10)
Notes
* We deliberately leave the gender of Satan ambiguous for theological and linguistic reasons.