So many common ideas about the Biblical Satan, hell, and the relationship between the two in Christian theology are just assumptions inherited through asinine traditions, traditions that are rarely examined outside the context of presuming them to be internally consistent or an accurate reflection of the Bible. Satan is actually given very little attention in the Bible, to the point that many details about his past and identity within Christian theology are actually not even addressed. One idea about him that can be shown to contradict the Bible and thus to not be potentially true given what the Bible does say is the popular notion that he is somehow a tyrannical or egoistic ruler of hell, perhaps even tormenting other beings in hell with him.
Whether in contemporary entertainment like Darksiders or classic writings like Paradise Lost, it is not uncommon for Satan to be presented or at least alluded to as a figure who actively rules a demonic kingdom, this kingdom often located in hell, as if God simply ceded control of the realm to Satan for him to do as he pleases there. This depiction of the devil almost treats him as more of a comparable rival to God, since both have their own respective realms that they are associated with. Not once does anything in the Bible itself as much as imply this. Ironically, it says quite the opposite about hell when it comes to Satan. Very little is actually said about the devil himself, but one particular comment is all that is needed to show that, at least according to the Bible, hell is not a paradise of sorts for Satan.
Jesus says in Matthew 25 that hell was not even created with humans in mind, stating that it was prepared "for the devil and his angels." This is relevant to the fact that Revelation seemingly predicts that Satan will suffer perpetual torment while remaining consistent with the doctrine, found elsewhere with even greater clarity, that unsaved humans will eventually be brought to a state of cosmic death, but it also refutes the strange idea that hell is supposed to be a realm where Satan is free to rule and do what he pleases. Never once does the Bible say anything about the latter issue other than that hell was made for Satan and that he will also be punished like the other inhabitants of hell.
Satan's punishment is described as eternal in Revelation 20:10, while Revelation 20:14-15 describes the lake of fire as the second death for the humans thrown inside, adding to the promise of permanent nonexistence of consciousness for unsaved humans. Satan is specifically presented as a being hell is meant to punish rather than a being allowed to commit more sins in hell (beyond perhaps continued hatred of or lack of submission to God). He is not a demonic ruler of any sort as far as reigning in hell is concerned, nor is he somehow involved in inflicting God's just punishment on the unsaved--though they are ultimately reduced to eternal death, which is lack of consciousness--as if he is an agent of justice.
The identity of Satan beyond his opposition to Yahweh and spiritual nature is very ambiguous in the Bible, yet at least this detail about his eschatological future is made clear. He cannot be the recipient of divine wrath if his "punishment" is to live as he pleases and enjoy the freedom to act as a selfish tyrant. The Biblical hell was literally created for Satan and his fellow fallen angelic beings and human presence in hell is a secondary purpose. Humans are said to temporarily reside in hell before their annihilation (Ezekiel 18:4, Matthew 10:28, and 2 Peter 2:6, along with plenty of other verses clarify this), perhaps for a moment or perhaps for millennia or longer, as this is unspecified, but hell is intended as a place of just punishment for the grand spiritual entity that betrayed God out of arrogance.
No comments:
Post a Comment