well i mean, the fact he's not in the lake of fire yet, what does that tell us?
see 2 Peter 3:9 -- i think it has application
Hi, posthuman.
The fact that Satan's not in the lake of fire yet doesn't mean that "God gave Satan all the chances in the world to repent" as pittsburghjoe alleged.
God has set forth a specific timeline in relation to both mankind and angels/demons, and, apparently, both Satan and demons are quite aware of this timeline.
For example, in relation to the timeline surrounding demons, we read:
Matthew chapter 8
[
28] And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.
[
29]
And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
[
30] And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.
[
31] So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.
[
32] And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.
Apparently, demons are quite aware that there is a set time of torment, and they didn't want Jesus to torment them before that time.
Similarly, in relation to Satan, we read:
Revelation chapter 12
[
7] And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
[
8] And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
[
9] And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
[
10] And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
[
11] And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
[
12] Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea!
for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
I won't go into a long discourse on this portion of scripture right now, but it is my understanding that this war, when it takes place, will usher in what we normally call "the great tribulation" which we're told in several places in scripture will be a timeframe of 3 1/2 years. When Satan and his angels are ultimately cast out of heaven and down to this earth, Satan will "come down...having great wrath, BECAUSE HE KNOWETH THAT HE HATH BUT A SHORT TIME" or 3 1/2 years. Again, my point is that Satan apparently KNOWS God's timeline surrounding certain events. If we were to continue reading elsewhere in Revelation, then we would also ascertain that Satan will be bound for 1,000 years during Christ's Millennial Reign, only to be loosed for another short season, and then ultimately be cast into the lake of fire.
None of these realities even remotely suggest that "God gave Satan all the chances in the world to repent" in that Satan's fate has long been determined. In fact, Jesus said that "everlasting fire" was "prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matt. 25:41) because, again, their fate has long been determined.
As far as II Peter 3:9 is concerned, that verse pertains to humans, and not to angels.
Nowhere in scripture is redemption for angels taught, and the purpose of repentance is to bring one to a place of salvation.
Jesus came in the flesh and died for mankind, and not for angels.
Hebrews chapter 2
[
14] Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
[
15] And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
[
16] For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
In Adam all (mankind) die, and in Christ all (mankind) can be made alive.
Hopefully, you can see this.
In either case, I'm honestly trying to get out of this conversation because I've previously perceived that it's going nowhere, but people keep on quoting past posts of mine here.
