The Serpent of Old – The Angel Who Became a Demon

The opening section of this sermon presents Satan's identity and nature through various names: the great dragon, the ancient serpent, the devil, and Satan. Scripture passages from Revelation 12:7-9 and 20:1-3 describe the spiritual warfare between the archangel Michael and God's angels against Satan and his angels. The sermon emphasizes that Satan was cast down to earth and bound with chains to prevent him from deceiving the nations as before. This event is not merely a historical fact but reflects the ongoing spiritual conflict between good and evil.

The second section develops the thesis about Satan's origin, demonstrating that Satan was once a high-ranking angel. According to Ezekiel 28:11-15, Satan was originally a perfect cherub, full of wisdom and beauty, anointed as a guardian cherub dwelling in Eden, God's garden. All Satan's ways were then blameless. However, Isaiah 14:12-14 reveals Satan's fundamental sin: pride. Satan declared that it would ascend to heaven, raise its throne above the stars of God, sit on the mountain of assembly in the far north, and make itself equal to the Most High. This demonstrates Satan's desire to elevate itself to equality with or superiority over God.

The third section describes Satan's judgment and humiliation. Because of sin and pride, Ezekiel 28:15-17 records that God cast Satan out from the holy mountain like defiled things, removed it from the midst of the fiery stones, and eventually cast it down to the ground. Satan's pride in its own beauty corrupted its wisdom. The sermon emphasizes that pride is the root sin, and God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

The fourth section applies the message to the congregation's present life. Believers are warned through 1 Peter 5:5-9 to be humble, submit themselves under God's mighty hand, and cast all their anxieties on Him. The devil Satan is portrayed as a roaring lion seeking opportunity to devour those who do not actively resist. Believers are encouraged to be sober, vigilant, and stand firm in faith. The warning about false apostles and false prophets (2 Corinthians 11:13-15) shows that Satan still operates through disguised people, but the congregation can recognize them by their fruit. Finally, the sermon encourages the church to trust in God's power over Satan and commit themselves in humility before Him to receive His grace.

The final section emphasizes the certainty of ultimate victory. Revelation 20:10 reveals that Satan will ultimately be cast into the lake of fire and sulfur, where it will suffer day and night forever. This is not temporary punishment but eternal judgment. The sermon concludes with a call to action: believers must humble themselves under God's mighty hand, obey Him, and await the day when He will exalt them. Through humility and faith, the congregation can avoid Satan's snares and receive God's grace.