Let's talk Satan, demons, it's powers

Satan can not be everywhere at once. He is not omniscient like God. There is only 1 Satan, how many demons are there? Billions? Trillions???? millions?? There multi trillions of celestial stars... There are only 8.2 billion humans. Satan can not directly kill right? He can only deceive and trick, lie manipulate. If there are trillions of demons, there could be 10x each demons to attach each nonbeliever like a guardian demon or inverse of guardian angel.

What powers do his demons have? What powers do they exactly possess. Grant wishes to witches, etc etc? Satan said to Jesus, if you worship me, I will give you the entire earthly Kingdoms, so what can Satan exactly do and how can he do? What can he soley do and what can his demons do? Must all the demons submit to Satan? If you have Christ, demons cant inhabit you right, but they can still trick you.

I remember when I was a kid, I played a game called Dungeons and Dragons.. and basically there labels of Chaotic Evil and Lawful Evil.. Chaotic evil being the worst, because you were evil but unpredictable and self serving.

I found Jesus 25+ years ago. how did Satan trick me for so long to go away... maybe that's another thread. haha

http://www.wicwiki.org.uk/mediawiki/index.php/Angels_are_numerous,_possibly_in_trillions

Angels are numerous, possibly in trillions
I'm just estimating here about numbers but wouldn't be surprised if there were trillions or more of angels. This part on their numbers is a very gray area that we can afford to speculate on without undermining the scriptures.

Daniel received a vision of God referred to as the “Ancient of Days,” over his courtroom surrounded by countless angels. It is presumable they were God's angelic cloud of witnesses:

“Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened,” Daniel 7:10.

For those that love biblical math ten thousand times ten thousand is one hundred million (100,000,000). One hundred million angels attended God's courtroom alone. God's courtroom can be compared to our earthly supreme courts or high courts. How many attend Supreme Court sessions in our respective countries? Probably a handful.

For instance in USA there are currently nine Supreme Court Justices (judges) that debate a case - at the time of writing this book (2008). (Congress can whenever needed increase (or decrease) the number of Justices – usually influenced by population growth metrics). Thus nine Supreme Court Justices convene at the highest court in USA. The only any other persons there if allowed are journalists and law school students (usually from nearby Georgetown University).

In contrast to our human supreme or high courts God's highest court alone has one hundred million beings – God's angels. What more all the angels in the various departments of God's heavenly government? There are likely one hundred million there, five hundred million somewhere else, and so on. The numbers are staggering. So that's how I came up with trillions. Angels could even be more than this: quadrillions, quintillions, and so on!

The only power satan (and what is so for satan is also so for other demons) has over humans is the power humans give over to him by choosing to believe his lies and to live in conformity to his lies. God gave all authority over the earth to humans. Adam was deceived into putting himself under satan through trusting satan and his lies above God and His truth. Satan lied to Jesus. Satan could not and would not have given Jesus ALL the world's kingdoms. But satan can do whatever he can get people to believe he can do. That is why we need to be transformed by the renewing of our mind, replacing our accumulated lies with God's countervailing truths, and then walking in those truths by faith. We must know the truth, and the truth will set us free.

.
● Gen 3:15 . . I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between
your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.

* Just about everybody on both sides of the aisle concurs that prophecy
predicted Christ; and in point of fact, the New Testament emphasizes a
woman brought Jesus into the world, viz: he didn't just magically appear on
the scene out of nowhere. (Luke 1:26-31, Gal 4:4)

FAQ: Who are those "your offspring" spoken of in Gen 3:15?

REPLY: According to John 8:38-44 they're everyday people.

FAQ: How so?

REPLY: The Serpent-- a.k.a. the Devil (Rev 20:2) --has the power of death
(Heb 2:14) and the ability to tamper with the human body and the human
mind in ways not easily detected. (Ps 51:5, Luke 13:16, Mark 5:1-5)

FAQ: Are you suggesting the Devil tampers with people's conception so that
they come into this world with a demonic nature instead of a divine nature?

REPLY: Yes.

● 1John 3:7-8 . . Little children, let no one deceive you; the one who
practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; the one who
practices sin is of the Devil; for the Devil has sinned from the beginning. The
Son of God appeared for this purpose, that He might destroy the works of
the Devil. (cf. Eph 2:1-3 & 2Tim 2:24-26)
_

Let's not forget you were born into sin, raised around sin. A demon may help influence your desire to seek God, but it's you that makes that decision. And having a sin nature makes it easy enough on its own to not seek God.
So while demons can have influence, it's still in us to rebel against God on our own. So be careful not to give demons more credit than they're do. Nor try to throw off personal responsibility under the guise of blaming demons.

Exodus 7: 9-12:
When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent. And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent. Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.
The evil one and his minion have great power to affect the material world, but the Lord is greater!

Satan can do that which God allows.


Luke 22:31-32 ~ Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat...

What my two cents worth finds fascinating is that the Book of Job tells us Satan can do nothing without God allowing it.

Thank you for the practical and thoughtful response… yes I thought about this quite often and how I drifted away.. and to tell you the truth, I don’t think it was Satan. I drifted away because I wasn’t getting fed the word because after I moved, I didn’t find a new church so I stopped going to church, which snowballed into not hearing the word, which snowballed into not reading the Bible, which snowballed into other things. And then the rroot of my faith withered because I was getting no water.

I don’t believe this is accurate because there are stories about demons possessing people… and people getting filled with demonic spirits all over the Bible stories. Book of John…..” and Satan entered Judas”…

But what does God allow is the question..,

So what you’re saying here is contradicting what other people are saying so which is it?

ChatGPT to the rescue..


In Christian theology, demons and Satan are seen as fallen angels who rebelled against God, and their powers are limited by God’s sovereignty. While they have certain abilities, they are not all-powerful or equal to God. Here are some of the powers traditionally associated with demons and Satan:

1. Deception

• Satan as the deceiver: Satan is often referred to as the father of lies (John 8:44). His primary tactic is deception, tempting people to believe falsehoods and turn away from God.
• False teachings and confusion: Demons and Satan can promote false doctrines or philosophies to lead people away from truth (2 Corinthians 11:14-15).

2. Temptation

• Enticement to sin: Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), showing his ability to lure individuals into sinful actions. Demons can exploit human weaknesses to promote disobedience to God.
• Influencing thoughts and desires: While they cannot control human free will, they can plant thoughts or stir desires that lead to temptation (James 1:14).

3. Opposition to God’s Work

• Hindrance of believers: In the book of Job, Satan is seen as an accuser and one who seeks to destroy or harm believers (Job 1:6-12). In 1 Thessalonians 2:18, Paul mentions that Satan hindered him from visiting the church.
• Spiritual warfare: Ephesians 6:12 describes spiritual warfare as a struggle against rulers, authorities, and powers of the dark world. Satan and demons oppose believers, making spiritual conflict a reality for Christians.

4. Possession and Influence

• Demonic possession: Demons can inhabit and control individuals, as seen in the New Testament where Jesus casts out demons from various people (Mark 5:1-20, Luke 8:26-39). This control over individuals is extreme but can only occur where people open themselves up to such influence.
• Oppression: Even if demons cannot possess a believer (because the Holy Spirit resides in them), they can still oppress or attack, causing spiritual, emotional, or physical distress.

5. Causing Harm

• Physical illness or torment: In several instances in Scripture, demons are associated with causing physical afflictions, such as in the case of the boy possessed by a demon in Mark 9:17-29.
• Destruction: Satan’s goal is often described as bringing about destruction in people’s lives, as Jesus said in John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.”

6. Manipulating Circumstances

• Worldly influence: Satan is referred to as the “god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4) and the “prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2). He influences worldly systems, cultures, and values to oppose God’s ways.
• Causing division and strife: Demons can stir up conflicts, sow discord, and bring about chaos in relationships, organizations, or communities (James 3:14-16).

7. Accusation

• Satan as the accuser: In Revelation 12:10, Satan is called the accuser of the brethren, continually trying to bring accusations against God’s people, undermining their confidence in God’s grace and forgiveness.

Limitations of Demons and Satan

While demons and Satan have significant powers, there are crucial limitations:

• Not omnipotent: They do not have unlimited power. God has ultimate control and can limit their actions (Job 1:12).
• Not omniscient: They do not know everything. Their knowledge is limited compared to God’s infinite wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:8).
• Not omnipresent: They cannot be everywhere at once. Satan is a created being and can only be in one place at a time, unlike God (Job 1:7).
• Defeated: Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, Satan’s ultimate defeat is assured (Colossians 2:15, Revelation 20:10). Believers have authority over demons in Jesus’ name (Luke 10:19).

Conclusion

The power of demons and Satan is real but limited by God’s sovereignty. Their primary tools are deception, temptation, and opposition, but they can be resisted through faith in Christ, reliance on the Holy Spirit, and the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Demons are Chaotic Evil…

In Christian theology, demons are generally understood as fallen angels who, along with Satan, rebelled against God. As such, they are often seen as part of Satan’s forces working against God’s purposes. However, whether all demons specifically “follow” Satan or operate under his direct command is less clear and not explicitly detailed in Scripture. Here’s a breakdown of the common understanding:

1. Demons’ Rebellion and Fall

• Demons are believed to have fallen with Satan during his rebellion against God. Satan, originally an angel, is often identified with the figure of Lucifer who sought to exalt himself above God (Isaiah 14:12-15, Ezekiel 28:12-17, though these passages are subject to interpretation). Revelation 12:4 suggests that a third of the angels fell with Satan, symbolizing those who became demons.
• These fallen angels, now demons, are in opposition to God and align with Satan’s rebellion.

2. Satan as Their Leader

• Satan is referred to as the “prince of demons” (Matthew 12:24) and “ruler of this world” (John 12:31), implying a leadership role over demonic forces. He seems to organize and direct these forces in their efforts to deceive, tempt, and oppose God’s work.
• The hierarchical language in the Bible, such as “principalities,” “powers,” and “rulers of darkness” (Ephesians 6:12), suggests an organized structure among demonic forces. While Satan is seen as their leader, there may be ranks and levels of authority within the demonic realm.

3. Autonomy Among Demons

• Though Satan is often portrayed as their leader, demons may not be entirely dependent on him for their actions. In the Gospels, demons act independently when possessing individuals, and Jesus confronts them directly (e.g., Mark 5:1-20, Luke 8:26-39). These accounts suggest that while they may serve Satan’s larger purposes, they don’t necessarily require his explicit orders for every action they take.
• The demonic realm appears to be chaotic and rebellious by nature. Though aligned with Satan’s rebellion, demons might not always work in perfect harmony or coordination.

4. Satan’s Ultimate Authority Over Demons

• Although demons can act independently, they are ultimately aligned with Satan’s goals. In Matthew 12:24-28, the Pharisees accuse Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub (another name associated with Satan). Jesus responds by explaining that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand, implying that demons and Satan are part of the same evil kingdom, working toward common destructive purposes.
• Satan is presented as the one who influences and motivates their rebellion against God, even if he doesn’t micromanage every action.

5. Judgment and Defeat

• Ultimately, all demons, including Satan, will face judgment and defeat by God. Revelation 20:10 describes Satan being cast into the lake of fire, along with the demons who follow him. This indicates that their destiny is intertwined, suggesting they are on the same rebellious path, even if their actions are sometimes independent.

Conclusion

While demons are generally considered part of Satan’s forces, aligned with his rebellion against God, it is not explicitly stated that every demon must follow Satan’s direct command at all times. They operate in opposition to God, serving a common purpose, but may have some level of autonomy in their actions. Nevertheless, Satan is recognized as their leader and the figurehead of their rebellion, and both Satan and the demons will ultimately face judgment together.

Jacko,

the devil has dominion over the world until Jesus comes back but God is still ruler of the universe.

As for demons, the most common thing that demons do is keep people distracted see in quiet this is where God speaks with us.

the next thing is putting thoughts in your head with me its just random bad thoughts that pop out of nowhere that's the devil. saying you want to do something then suddenly thinking you can't that a demon. then there are disgusting thoughts and you're like wow where did that come from? do this but I would never do that or say that but i would never say that. there in your head so you think those thoughts are yours. there not. thank goodness theirs a way for them to mostly leave you alone constantly reading scripture. I say 'get thee hence' and I also put more crosses up in the house but I still have bad dreams occasionally.

I know this sounds wild but when i prayed when i was younger i felt like someone was literally pushing me.

also, Someone with many demons like Charlie Manson made the school bus fly. these people are so demon-possessed that they are
outright lunatics.

People want to make demons and the devil more powerful than they are but God will always win.

Satan got permission to harm things pertaining to Job. There was a whirlwind which killed Job's children.

Is Satan in Job, the 'satan', the opposer of Balam that his donkey tried to avoid, and the 'satan', the angel of the Lord that struck Jerusalem with plague until David offered sacrifice all the same satan? Do they all refer to the Satan who is the Devil in the New Testament.

If Egyptian magicians could mimic some of Moses' miracles, including turning sticks into snakes (though his staff ate theirs), can demons do some amazing things to matter?

They chose to follow the urges stirred up by lying demons instead of the healthy aspirations of the Holy Spirit. Obey a demon often enough and you make yourself a slave to it, and you put out a welcome mat for occupation.

Sometimes parents, who have authority over their children, invite and allow demons into their own kids by speaking and behaving in harmony with those demons' lies as well.

I agree so unless you have Christ, you stand no chance

if you were not saved, there is no Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit is only for the saved.

Possession, causing harm, manipulating circumstances..