Could Satan repent and be forgiven?

[Riverwolf]

I am getting back to the bare roots of things in my life, and my Bible study may as well start over too. So, on a simple picture, we have a main good guy, and a main bad guy. Where does it say that the main bad guy (Satan) cannot just give up? Had enough and throw in the towel? Why can't Satan just say he is sorry and go home? Opinions are great and respected, but please show me the scripture that says it is so.
Thanks in advance.

 

[theLords]

I am getting back to the bare roots of things in my life, and my Bible study may as well start over too. So, on a simple picture, we have a main good guy, and a main bad guy. Where does it say that the main bad guy (Satan) cannot just give up? Had enough and throw in the towel? Why can't Satan just say he is sorry and go home? Opinions are great and respected, but please show me the scripture that says it is so.
Thanks in advance.

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is not forgiven.

 

[Alabaster]

Jesus didn't die for the angelic order. His shed blood cleanses man of his sin. God's love and mercy is extended toward man only.

Romans 5:8 NLT
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

 

[kimberlie]

To answer your question in a nutshell, the Bible has told us in several places of Satan’s fate. He is going to torment humanity as harshly as he can, continue to defy God, and will literally go down in flames. He loses.

Ergo, he isn’t going to repent. He has no desire. It isn't in his nature.

To repent, one has to be in submission to the Holy Spirit’s lead. Satan will not do that. Submission isn't in his vocabulary. He did and still today defies the God who made him and desires nothing more than to be a god, himself, - still.

Also, angels don’t experience salvation. There is not one angel in heaven or one doing the bidding of the devil that can be or is “saved†as we understand salvation. Salvation is a redemptive plan for fallen mankind. There is no such plan for immortal, angelic beings. God can’t “forgive†by just overlooking an offense. There must be a redemptive plan.

The plan for the angels is this. Jesus said that hell was CREATED for the devil and his angels. Matthew 25:41. They made their choice a long time ago. But angel in heaven ARE curious about salvation and the church – so says 1 Peter 1:12. Hebrews 1:14 says that God’s angels are ministering spirits that serve those of us who will inherit salvation.
The holy angels don’t need salvation because they obey God perfectly. They needed no law to show them that they were sinful because they obey God perfectly. What the cross did for the UNholy angels was to strip them of their power over those who follow Christ and to “publicly humiliate†them. Colossians 2:15.

Here’s some other scripture to consider.

Isaiah 14:3-18 is a prophecy like many other prophecies in the Old Testament that is “dual†in nature. It has an immediate reference to a mortal person and a distant reference to something in the spiritual realm.

It speaks of the literal king of Babylon, King Nebudchadnezzzar and it also speaks of the spiritual “king of Babylonâ€, Satan.

It tells why he fell and it tells his fate. Here’s a commentary that might aid in your reading of that passage. It’s quite good. Blue Letter Bible - Commentaries - David Guzik - Updated Study Guide

Ezekiel 28:11-19 is another one of those dual prophecies. This time it concern the king of Tyre and Satan. It gives another description of the fall of Satan or possibly his name was Lucifer.

His fate is sealed. He is not interested in repenting.

What IS his interest? He STILL wishes to usurp God’s Throne. He counterfeits everything that God does. He is not opposite in power or strength. No yin and yang, if you will. He is merely a creature. A creature created beautifully and who lived in the very presence of God and who despised it all.

I think of it like this. He was in the very presence of God, in the presence of the Holy Spirit, in the presence of God’s Son – in a perfect heaven with no sin, no death, no sorrow, no corruption. And it wasn’t good enough for him. He desired more. He coveted God, Himself.

He knew God FULLY – in a way that no mortal human on this earth can know God presently. His FULL knowledge of God was unhindered by any immoral obstruction.

Yet, he looked God in the face – seeing reality for what it truly was and wasn’t satisfied. And he convinced 1/3 of the angels to leave with him, when he was banished. Imagine – angelic creatures looking at God and then looking at the devil and saying, “Sorry, God, I’m gonna go with this guy.†That's why hell was prepared for these beings.

Revelation 12 gives you more insight as to his fate that is predicted and sealed. It’s very symbolic in nature. The “woman†is Israel, the “child†is Jesus, and the “great dragon†is the devil. Note in verse 9 that is says that the names “old serpentâ€, “devilâ€, and “satan†are synonymous.

Here’s a commentary to help with that highly symbolic chapter. Blue Letter Bible - Commentaries - David Guzik - Updated Study Guide

David Guzik says that Satan has four “fallsâ€.

From glorified to profane (Ezekiel 28:14-16)
From having access to heaven (Job 1:12; 1 Kings 22:21; Zechariah 3:1) to restriction to the earth (Revelation 12)
From the earth to bondage in the bottomless pit for 1,000 years (Revelation 20)
From the pit to the lake of fire (Revelation 20)

After that 1,000 bondage, one would think that IF the devil were going to show any remorse that this would be time. One would think that he would do ANYTHING, not to go back.

But the Bible tells us differently. Revelation 20 says that after he is "loosed" that he will set about deceiving the nations once again.

It isn’t in the nature of the devil to repent. His nature is found in 1 Peter 5:8 "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."

 

[Mike]

It's not that I dislike hypotheticals, but knowing what we know and who you're talking about, it seems pointless to even consider this one. I wouldn't want to give him that consideration.

 

[tim-from-pa]

I second what Kimberlie says --- the first thought that came to my mind is that the bible already tells of his fate. Try the end of Revelation for starters.

In man's case, the fate is yet open since the bible clearly teaches he can repent.

 

[Riverwolf]

It's not that I dislike hypotheticals, but knowing what we know and who you're talking about, it seems pointless to even consider this one. I wouldn't want to give him that consideration.

I was not giving Satan any considerations at all, not really. Just looking for the Bible verses to prove this point. I feel this knowledge to be very usefull when talking to others. I had thought this would have been easy for someone to show me.

Kimberlie - Thank you for your answer, I will read this tonight and get back to you.

 

[Riverwolf]

Jesus didn't die for the angelic order. His shed blood cleanses man of his sin. God's love and mercy is extended toward man only.

Romans 5:8 NLT
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

Thank you. But that was not my question.

 

[Sam21]

I tend to agree with Kimberlie, however much of what is believed by christians about satan is conjecture, the bible has too many blank places when it comes to satan, we know that he is a great evil spirit being who hates God and man, however his origin is questionable,actually even WHAT HE IS, is questionable.

 

[Vic C.]

Yes, Kimberlie expounded very nicely on the OP question.

Why would God prepare such a place for Satan and his angels if there was even a remote chance their fiery place of eternity was not needed?

 

[Riverwolf]

Ok. Again, I am only trying to understand this for myself and for those who will ask me. Help me to understand why Satan after even the last 2000 years is still hanging out when he knows he will and simply has to lose? I assume he can also read so he knows his fate as surely as we do. Maybe I am asking questions that we should not be asking? Perhaps.

 

[Vic C.]

Ok. Again, I am only trying to understand this for myself and for those who will ask me. Help me to understand why Satan after even the last 2000 years is still hanging out when he knows he will and simply has to lose? I assume he can also read so he knows his fate as surely as we do. Maybe I am asking questions that we should not be asking? Perhaps.

Satan, using one word only, represents the very meaning of the word "pride" and how pride can blind us (and him) from the truth.

He simply doesn't believe he is going to lose because for the prideful, losing isn't an option.

 

[kimberlie]

Ok. Again, I am only trying to understand this for myself and for those who will ask me. Help me to understand why Satan after even the last 2000 years is still hanging out when he knows he will and simply has to lose? I assume he can also read so he knows his fate as surely as we do. Maybe I am asking questions that we should not be asking? Perhaps.

My own opinion? Which doesn't count for a whole lot?

I think he knows his fate because he knows scripture. He quoted scripture to Jesus during Jesus' temptation. He twisted it, of course, for his own agenda, but he knows it. Does he believe it? That's another story. As Vic says above, he is consumed with pride.

And God told the devil, in the Garden, that his fate was sealed. God told him that He was going to put an "enmity" between him and the "seed of the woman" (which is Jesus). He told him that he would "strike at His heel", but that the "seed of the woman" would "crush his head". God told him the outcome before before Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden.

Why does he STILL go about like a roaring lion? I think because he is so full of rage and hate - blind hate.

He wanted to BE God and God cast him out of heaven for it. And then God took a lump of clay and said, "I think I'll make an image of Myself from this." I think it drives Satan mad with rage.

I think that the reason that he continues is because he KNOWS he is going to be cast into the lake of fire and he plans on taking everyone that he can with him for hate's sake.

Here's the thoughts of someone else that might help you.

When we study angels and heavenly beings in the Bible, we come away with more questions than answers. The Bible contains what we need for salvation and holy living, but does not promise to be a comprehensive encyclopedia of angelic knowledge.

With that said, we need to start with some assumptions:

• Satan's fate is clear in the Bible
• Satan knows the scriptures
• Satan twists the meaning of scripture
• Satan is not omniscient

Satan's Fate is Clear

The book of Revelation gives us a very clear picture of Satan's fate. Here we see at the end of the clash between good and evil, that Satan will be thrown into Hell to be punished forever.

And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever (Rev. 20:10 NIV).

Satan Knows the Scriptures

When he tempted Jesus, Satan made use of the scriptures (Mt. 4:5-6). This is nothing mysterious, since the Bible is available to everyone. In fact, since Satan was created around the beginning of time, so he has had many more years than any human to learn the Bible.

Satan Twists the Meaning of Scripture

We also see in the temptation of Jesus that Satan's understanding is different than reality. Although he uses scripture to conform to his own ideas and plan (as many people do today), Jesus was quick to correct him. Did Satan have a twisted understanding of the scripture, or was he intentionally twisting it to thwart Jesus? Probably some of both.

Satan Is Not Omniscient

We know that Satan was a created being and that the Bible does not show him as having any divine power. He was given a position of authority, but it was given to him by God and accountable to God for his actions (Job 2:1-2, Ez. 28:13-15). Where God is all knowing (omniscient) and has foreknowledge of his plan and man's destiny, Satan has limited knowledge. In this way, we can reason that Satan is in the same boat as us -- he sees the past and present, but not the future.

Conclusion

From these foundational ideas/assumptions, we can see that Satan is aware of his position with God, and God's promise of eternal punishment for him. He is fully versed in the scriptures, but he either does not believe it or is fully aware and is holding on to his power while he still can.

</H2>

 

[Alabaster]

Thank you. But that was not my question.

Well, it is your answer. If Satan ever had remorse, his repentance would fall on deaf ears for forgiveness and restoration is not offered to him. God says only the shedding of blood brings remission of sins.

Hebrews 9:22 NLT
In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.



Jesus' blood doesn't cover any of the angelic order.

 

[Sam21]

I believe that satan has a heavenly residence(Ruler of the air)but it is not the third heaven where God and the angels live, at the end of this age, Revelation tells us that satan and his angels will be cast out of that residence by Michael and his angels, until that happens I believe satan is still hopeful that he can put off defeat.

 

[Alabaster]

Ok. Again, I am only trying to understand this for myself and for those who will ask me. Help me to understand why Satan after even the last 2000 years is still hanging out when he knows he will and simply has to lose? I assume he can also read so he knows his fate as surely as we do. Maybe I am asking questions that we should not be asking? Perhaps.

Years ago on the Phil Donahue program, he had a Roman Catholic priest as a guest, who was a highly experienced exorcist. Someone from the audience asked him, "What is the most frightening thing you have ever seen in your experience?"

His answer?

"The most frightening thing for me was the realization of just how much Satan hates our very flesh."

I will never forget that. This is what fuels his continual relentless fight. He will destroy lives and kill as many people as he can before his time comes. He is thrilled to do so.

 

[Sam21]

Some folks seem to underestimate satan, it is incredible to think, but he actually tried to convince the Son of God(God in the flesh)to come over to his side. As humans we are so out gunned by satan that our only chance is to simply believe,say, and practice the words of God, apart from that satan can deceive us.

 

[kimberlie]

I believe that satan has a heavenly residence(Ruler of the air)but it is not the third heaven where God and the angels live, at the end of this age, Revelation tells us that satan and his angels will be cast out of that residence by Michael and his angels, until that happens I believe satan is still hopeful that he can put off defeat.

What you say is quite in the realm of possibility. Especially in the light of Revelation 19:11-21. It speaks of the the "beast" gathering together the armies of the entire world to fight against "him who sits on the white horse" (Jesus) and "his armies".

What I get amazed at every time I read this is verse 21 where it says that the battle is over as soon as Jesus opens His mouth. He speaks ..... and it's all over before it ever even begins.

 

[Pizzaguy]

Help me to understand why Satan after even the last 2000 years is still hanging out when he knows he will and simply has to lose?

I've raised two teenagers, they always knew they were gonna loose when they came up against me - and yet, on we battled. :yes

I don't think Satan works/thinks logically all of the time - and neither do we.

If no one has said it, welcome to the board - tough questions are never a waste of time! You are asking a tough question.

 

[Sam21]

I think that satan and the demons enjoy some sort of victory every time evil is done on the earth and specially when a soul is cast into hell, I think they live to hate. So they are getting something out of doing what they are doing.