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Satan means "the adversary," and is also used as a proper name. He is also called the devil, and Beelzebub/Baalzebul, the prince of demons, whom Israel's neighbors, the Philistines worshiped; they worshiped Satan. The apostle Paul said that worshipers of the Greco-Roman gods were worshiping demons, not God. Satan is also called a liar and a murderer from the beginning. He is also called the ruler of this world (John 14:30, 31) and that "the whole world lies in the power of the evil one" (1 John 5:19). Satan is even called the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4). 👀 "You've got several scriptural passages that seem to suggest that he [Satan] is in control here, that he's controlling how things are going. Now of course, this is only within the overall providence of God. But it would make more intelligible why there is so much evil and horror in this world. We are living in a world that is in the control of this malevolent being that is opposed to God and His purposes." "Job does illustrate how God gives Satan scope to do these evil, horrible things to Job, but only within the limits set by God. Remember our lessons on Divine Providence, how, especially on a molinist view, everything that happens is either by God's direct will or permission. "So ultimately, God is in control but he allows this renegade demon to wreak havoc throughout the earth, upon humanity, but only insofar as will redound ultimately to God's saving purposes for establishing His kingdom. So please don't misunderstand me to think that I'm saying God isn't in control." "Satan is presented as this powerful and evil adversary of the work of God and the kingdom of God, with whom we have to contend."
Incidentally, Dr. William Lane Craig mentions the story "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding as an example of how evil humans can be. However, a real life incident where a group of schoolboys were marooned on an island in 1965 turned out very differently...
Right before going back to college, my son and I were talking. I believe many (all?) religions other than Christianity and Judaism are instigated by demons or Satan. Paul says, "8But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!" (Galatians 1:8-9) In Islam, I believe Mohamed was approached by an angel. In Mormonism, Joseph Smith was approached by an angel that gave him new revelation. Paul warned us that we couldn't trust anyone, not even an angel, if they gave us a new gospel. He said they were to be accursed. I do find it interesting that the two were misled in the same way even though the two are so different. Islam is the face of hate and Mormons are some of the nicest people you will ever meet, but they are both misled by fallen angels contrary to the Word of God. I've also wondered (speculation, not certainty) how every nation in the world could react simultaneously in such a harmful and tyrannical fashion to the covid "pandemic". If most of the world's leaders were controlled by demons, it would explain a lot. I don't know if it is true, but it would explain something that didn't make sense to me.