Does G-d love Satan?

[cricket]

I'd like to start this thread by asking, does G-d love Satan? If so, has He ever stopped loving Satan? Is Satan His enemy? Does G-d ask us to love our enemies? Does He ask us to love Satan? If so, how are we to love Satan?

I'm interested in hearing people's opinions, as well as opinions backed by scripture. Please, keep it to one post per person in this thread though. Not looking for discussion. Just OPINION.

Thanks!!

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

I'd like to start this thread by asking, does G-d love Satan?

no

Quote:

If so, has He ever stopped loving Satan?

n/a

Quote:

Is Satan His enemy?

no...Satan is the enemy of the human race

Quote:

Does G-d ask us to love our enemies?

qualifed yes

Quote:

Does He ask us to love Satan?

no

Quote:

If so, how are we to love Satan?

Loving Satan is ONLY on Satan's terms, and in his best interests.

The next thing on the agenda will be that Lucifer and God will reconcile and all will be happy and rejoicing in the New Jerusalem, with Lucifer playing 1st violin.

However, that is all my opinion.

[cricket]

*bump*

[David Koot]

I would guess, Cricket, thinking about it, that the question you raised about God loving satan, is one which I could not venture to give an opinion. I simply don't know. Aside from that question, however, I do wish to speak to an idea which you have not expressed here, but which I have heard expressed elsewhere. Some time ago, a different individual spoke of his/her belief that there would, in the end, be reconciliation between satan and God, and that satan would be restored to heaven. That is absolutely, categorically false. Satan is the embodiment of evil. He does not love, he only hates and wants to destroy. He will cloak his malevolent designs in nice-sounding philosophies and the appearance of good, but it is a lie. He wants your death and my death. The less we think about satan, the better. Incidentally, I always now, intentionally do not use an initial cap when writing satan's name. I was reminded, some time ago, that satan likes to have attention called to himself and be exalted, and be the focus of attention. I will not indulge the monster.

Dave

[Woody]

Good Point Dave. I like what you said ... the less we think about him the better. We are to keep our focus on Christ and what He did for us to save us from Satan.

[David Koot]

Good Point Dave. I like what you said ... the less we think about him the better. We are to keep our focus on Christ and what He did for us to save us from Satan.

Amen, amen and amen!!!!! One of satan's great distractions and deceptions is to get our thoughts off of Jesus and onto himself--or on other things that only take us farther away from God.

You know, Redwood my friend, IMO a lot of the theological back-and-forth could be resolved very quickly by a reminder of the important truth you stated. IF we focus on Jesus, Who He is, His love, His power to save, and if only we will stay with Jesus, and walk with Him, He will sort it all out, and He will do whatever needs to be done. We can trust in Him.

Dave

[Morning Glory]

Personally, I think that God DOES love satan and that He must miss the person that he once was. However, that is my humanity speaking. I have no way of knowing how God actually DOES feel, nor can I. I do not wish to blaspheme by persuming to know...... My humanity tells me that since satan has become the embodiment of evil and uses all of his enormous resources and influence to trick humanity for the express purpose to cause ruin in this life and for the life to come, I believe that God hates what he has become. The Bible tells us that God loves the sinner but hates the sin. That is how I come to this conclusion. I also believe that satan has clearly sealed his fate and has passed the point of repentence.

I have read statements from someone who honestly believes that all will be "rectified" in the end. They believe that evil will be burned (for a lack of a better word) from the characters of sinners, that ALL humanity who has ever lived, including the demons of darkness, and especially satan, will be restored to God as sinless creatures. This person believes that the saved of the Lord will stand with loved ones to endure this "burning" in order to purge them for acceptance for the next life, and this person states that they have experienced this burning, and tho terrible, will gladly endure it for their loved ones at the end of the world.

To me, this philosophy is detestable. I feel a dread and a sorrow that I do not have words to express when I think that I may be forever separated from my God, Lord, and Saviour. However, if that is my fate, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I will have merited it. On the other hand, I am MOST GRATEFUL for the promise that all one must do for salvation is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and Him crucified and in Him who sent Him. PRAISE GOD, THAT IS NOT DIFFICULT AT ALL!!!

Yes, let us concentrate on Jesus and His great Love for us, and what He did to secure our salvation!! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!

Morning Glory

[John317]

The answer depends on what we mean by "love"? The Bible does not use the word in the way most of us use it. We usually have in mind a feeling or emotion, but that is not the Bible's meaning. The agape kind of love is a principle that motivates one's commitment to do what is best in regards to another. It's an action one takes to help others. In the case of God, God's love for mankind results in selfless action to help save as many of us as He can. Feelings come and go; commitment does not.

Does God "love" Satan in this way? Yes, He does. It results in God's commitment to utterly destroy both sin and Satan, because that is not only best for Satan but for all of God's universe. Satan can't be saved in the sense of being healed of his sins. He has made himself what he is. The only way God could save Satan is if God violated his freedom, making him into something he did not choose to be; and God won't do that. God respects our choices, even when they oppose God's will. Christ is proof that God respects our freedom and takes our choices seriously. Satan made his choices-- so are we.

Does God "miss Lucifer"? I'm sure He does. He no doubt wishes Lucifer had chosen otherwise than he did. I believe that throughout all eternity there will be something akin to an empty space in God's heart for every man and woman who is not in His kingdom.

Are we to "love" Satan? No. Satan is the self-declared enemy of Jesus Christ and of God, and he proved that if he could, he would kill God Himself.

Regards,

"John 3: 17"

[Amelia]

satan does love after a fashion. he loves himself.

As an aside. I found this interesting

Quote:

In Christianity, terms that are synonymous with 'Satan' include:

The most common English synonym for 'Satan' is 'Devil', which descends from Middle English devel, from Old English dēofol, that in turn represents an early Germanic borrowing of Latin diabolus (also the source of 'diabolical'). This in turn was borrowed from Greek diabolos "slanderer," from diaballein "to slander": dia- "across, through" + ballein "to hurl."[10] In the New Testament, 'Satan' occurs more than thirty times in passages alongside Diabolos (Greek for "the devil"), referring to the same person or thing as Satan.[citation needed]

Lucifer is sometimes used in Christian theology to refer to Satan, as a result of identifying the fallen "son of the dawn" of Isaiah 14:12 with the "accuser" of other passages in the Old Testament.

Beelzebub (Be'elzebub "Lord of Flies") is originally the name of a Philistine god, but is also used in the New Testament as a synonym for Satan. A corrupted version, "Belzeboub," appears in The Divine Comedy.

"The dragon" and "the old serpent" in the Book of Revelation 12:9, 20:2 have also been identified with Satan, as have "the prince of this world" in the Book of John 12:31, 14:30; "the prince of the power of the air" also called Meririm, and "the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience" in the Book of Ephesians 2:2; and "the god of this world" in 2 Corinthians 4:4.[citation needed]

The angel Leviathan is described as "that crooked serpent," which is also used to describe Satan in Revelation 12:9. 'Sar ha Olam,' a possible name for Metatron, is described as Satan by Michael, Jehoel and St. Paul.

[John317]

Yes, some good, interesting information there. I agree Satan does "love" himself in a way but not in the agape sense. His "love" is all about himself and does not even include the other fallen angels who were foolish enough to believe him. Now all he is interested in doing is taking as many people with him so he can have lots of company when he's annihilated. He hates everything God loves and is committed to our destruction.

[Amelia]

Sorry, didn't mean to imply anything other than love that was self serving.

[Norman Byers, N.D.]

Quote:

I'd like to start this thread by asking, does G-d love Satan? If so, has He ever stopped loving Satan? Is Satan His enemy? Does G-d ask us to love our enemies? Does He ask us to love Satan? If so, how are we to love Satan?

Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

A man who does not have the knowledge of God as Satan has will have the Father love him and the Father and Son will dwell in him. This is what it means for God to love us. It is not a passive phrase when God says, "I love you." For God to love Satan would mean the same thing - No, God does not love Satan. Joh 14:30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. It's one thing for God to love creatures who are evil and are ignorant of Him,(He can pity them) but this creature knew Him better than all other created beings.

[Neil D]

Quote:

No, God does not love Satan. Joh 14:30

1 John 4:8

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

[Woody]

Quote:

No, God does not love Satan. Joh 14:30

1 John 4:8

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Does that include loving what is Evil ? Just asking.

[Nan]

Is it that God loves each of His created beings enough to let them make their own choices about their eternal destiny?

[John317]

Originally Posted By: Neil D

Quote:

No, God does not love Satan. Joh 14:30

1 John 4:8

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Does that include loving what is Evil ? Just asking.

I think it is dangerous to even consider our "loving" Satan. If God loves Satan, that is one thing, but for humans to get into the mind-set of loving Lucifer, or the Devil, it is just exactly what Satan loves to hear. I had lengthy correspondence and IM with a former member of CA who told me many times that that Satan was her "lover" and that he controlled her and possessed her. She defended him and said God was wrong to accuse Satan of all those terrible, untruthful things. There are many people who feel this way. Talk of loving the devil only serves Satan's purposes. We need to pray and work for the time when the controversy between Christ and Satan is over, Satan and his followers are destroyed, and total harmony reigns once again throughout all of God's universe.

Regards,

"John 3: 17"

[Stan]

One really needs to define what Love is..

[David Koot]

Just tagging onto Nan's post (although I agree with what she said) I do feel some concern, which I'm not sure I can express accurately. Does God love satan? Should we love satan? A potentially dangerous line of thinking IMO. Some time ago, I happened to become engaged in a discussion--with whom or where is immaterial--which was one of the more chilling encounters I have ever experienced. The other person seemed to have a burden that satan had been misunderstood and unfairly treated by God, and that God had put a 'spin' on the account of what happened, which was unjust to satan. As the discussion continued, it took a chilling turn--chilling to me, at least. It became clear that the party was in love with satan--as in, romantic love. And, there was an agenda--to 'tell the truth,' to vindicate satan against God's unfair treatment of him. A most extraordinary experience. This poor soul was attempting to gain sympathizers and supporters--supporters of satan! S/he experienced some success, as it turned out. At any rate, I noticed that the individual seemed to be referring to satan as a god of sorts--using an initial cap with pronouns referring to satan such as 'he,' 'him,' and exalting satan to a higher level. (which is why I began using lower case when typing his name.)

I am reminded of that experience as I consider what is going on here. Beware, I say. Don't even start down the road to consider 'loving satan.' He is a malevolent monster. Not only should we not give consideration to 'loving' satan. I submit we shouldn't give the assassin the time of day. Don't entertain thoughts about satan. Don't give him/it that much credence.

Some years ago, I had another startling experience. Someone I knew had gone to a 'deliverance' seminar, where they talked about casting out satan, casting him out of each room in the home. There was no suggestion of 'loving' satan, just casting him out. The point is, though, there was a lot of thought given to satan. Well, guess what happened? This lady started having visitations. At 2 in the morning, an evil spirit would come into her bedroom and start harassing her. As we talked long-distance on the phone, I remembered Christ's promise. I prayed with this lady, and in the name of Jesus commanded the evil spirit to leave her alone. As I did so, I felt power and authority from God. A week or so later, I checked back with her. The thing had left.

So, I suggest it is not good to give satan the time of day. Don't even think about him. Don't give him that credibility or power.

Dave

[John317]

One really needs to define what Love is..

Exactly. I tried to do this:

The answer depends on what we mean by "love"? The Bible does not use the word in the way most of us use it. We usually have in mind a feeling or emotion, but that is not the Bible's meaning. The agape kind of love is a principle that motivates one's commitment to do what is best in regards to another. It's an action one takes to help others. In the case of God, God's love for mankind results in selfless action to help save as many of us as He can. Feelings come and go; commitment does not.

Does God "love" Satan in this way? Yes, He does. It results in God's commitment to utterly destroy both sin and Satan, because that is not only best for Satan but for all of God's universe. Satan can't be saved in the sense of being healed of his sins. He has made himself what he is. The only way God could save Satan is if God violated his freedom, making him into something he did not choose to be; and God won't do that. God respects our choices, even when they oppose God's will. Christ is proof that God respects our freedom and takes our choices seriously. Satan made his choices-- so are we.

[John317]

Completely agree.

[Nan]

I have used this quotation in other places, from CS Lewis - in the end there will be two groups - those who say to God, Thy will be done, and those to whom God says the same thing.

The one who used to be called Lucifer had ample opportunity to make an informed choice. I am aware of the line of discussion David describes, having had a similar experience with an individual.

And on the deliverance ministries, I am reminded of how strongly Roger Morneau advised against going down that road. Not that everyone will agree with all he has written, but his books are interesting at the least.

[Neil D]

Originally Posted By: Neil D

Quote:

No, God does not love Satan. Joh 14:30

1 John 4:8

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Does that include loving what is Evil ? Just asking.

The context of those two verses are related to loving people, not things...so loving evil is not applicable in this case.

Does God love Satan? I would tend to agree with this statement, but I also know that an evil person can go in and out of doing good things...of course, for the wrong reason.. but nevertheless, the behavior can be good. [look at pharasees]. I also tend to think that John has the right idea when it comes to defining agape love...that is, it is the principle of doing what is best for other individual(s). Since Satan can never consistantly do good behavior, the best thing for him [and, because of this, for us as well]is to be destroyed...It places God in a 'catch 22' situation...there is no place for Satan, and therefore, there is no place for him in God's universe....And God continues to love Satan for the rest of eternity...

Just my thoughts that Satan can enjoy and look forward to....

[Neil D]

Oh yes, forgot to add...

What about us...that is, those of us who choose to become children of God? Are we to love Satan?

I think that because of our experiences with the things that Satan has done, we are not obligated to love him...However, since he is a person, we are not obligated to hate him either...

That may be very difficult to do...I think that the best thing that we can do is to place Satan's fate into the hands of God and trust that God will do for him what is best....

[Amelia]

satan is not a person, he is an angelic being. Though his fall must have changed him, he is still an angel.

But hasn't satan commited the unforgivin sin?

Quote:

But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin.

—Mark 3:29, NIV

That in itself has sealed his fate and he knows it. satan can't act has he does AND have the Holy Spirit to dwelling within him.

[Woody]

I hate to get on the band wagon but Amelia ... I agree with you.

Quote:

" After Satan was shut out of heaven, with those who fell with him, he realized that he had lost all the purity and glory of heaven forever. Then he repented and wished to be reinstated in heaven. He was willing to take his proper place, or any place that might be assigned him......He and his followers repented, wept and implored to be taken back into the favor of God. But no, their sin, their hate, their envy and jealousy, had been so great that God could not blot it out. It must remain to receive it's final punishment " (Spiritual Gifts Vol. 1 pp 18,19).

He was willing to be demoted to a lessor Heavenly office ... but he could no longer be trusted to lead or to even be in Heaven.