Lesson 9 December 31, 2003

7. He establishes principles and policies that His creation is to follow. Gen 2:17; 6:1-4 (function as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Rev 19:16)

a. Yet He leaves it up to whether or not to follow them. Gen 3; Isa 14:12-14

b. His non-volitional creation (animals) obeys in all things. Gen 7 cf Jonah

8. His relationship to volitional creatures:

a. He is absolutely truthful to His creation.

Jn 7:28 = He, (the Father) He who sent Me is true,

b. He is infinitely faithful to apply His Essence toward His creation in everything. 2 Tm 2:13 = If we are faithless, He remains faithful.

c. His infinite love for His subjects is manifested in His plan of grace, called mercy. (grace in action) Ps 145:8-10; Ps 111; 103:8; 86:15; Lk 6:36

d. He deals with His subjects in Grace. Ps 103:1-18

e. All of His attributes in relation to volitional beings must be filtered through His +R/J, His holiness. Isa 6:3 (Holy, Holy, Holy)

- every action or relationship must be consistent with His holiness.

f. He also demands Righteousness from His creatures because of His Essence. Lev 19:2 = you shall be holy for I the Lord your God am holy. ; Lev 20:17; 1 Pet 1:15-16

g. God's emotions, which are Anthropopathisms, describe Divine policy in terms of human characteristics so that we are able to understand what is being communicated.

O. God cannot compromise His Essence. Satan's major focal point in history would therefore be to try and get Him to compromise His Essence even one time in human history as one flaw does away with Perfection.

Ø SATAN'S Characteristics Compared to and Related to GOD:

A. Satan is the Adversary. 1 Ths 2:18

(What the title "Satan" means = adversary or constant enemy)

B. Satan, as are all angels, is finite and material, although invisible to our perception. Ps 33:9 cf Col 1:16

C. Yet he demonstrates that he possesses an immaterial part also, the equivalent to a soul, because he exhibits the traits of personality.

1. intelligence - 2 Cor 11:3 - crafty - deceptive

2. emotion - anger - Rev 12:17

3. desire/will - makes demands - Lk 22:31

4. he has volition - Isa. 14:12-14; 2 Tim 2:26

5. Satan is referred to as a person, Job 1, Mt 4:1-12 by Jesus

D. Satan was created perfect and was the highest ranking angel.

Eze 28:12 = You were the one sealing a pattern.

28:14 = "You were the anointed cherub who covers,"

28:15 = You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created (bara')

E. Satan's essence now (after his fall) stands in total contrast to God's.

F. His life is from God. He is everlasting but not eternal.

G. Man may share Satan's destiny by not believing in Jesus Christ. Mt 25:41 cf. Rev. 20

H. His personality is seldom consistent since he is not immutable.

I. The contrast with God's Infinity:

1. Satan had boundaries. Eze 28:18 = "You profaned your sanctuaries"

2. The only thing he approaches infinity on is his propensity for evil. Jn 8:44

3. Since Satan is not infinite, his life is sustained by God, which in itself is a demonstration of Grace.

4. Satan is not the source or cause of any life or material coming into being. God is the cause and source of all life. Col 1:16; Jn 1:3

5. He is changeable in that he becomes worse over time.