The True Satan?

[linz]

It is my belief that Satan has a reason. I cannot prove what is scriptural, but by paying attention to the descriptions of the fiery red dragon mentioned in Revelations, "who accuses us day and night before our God" one is too quickly reminded of the Job. It seems very frightening to me and yet profoundly comforting in a way, the implications of Job. First off, I realize mentioning that comfort is not exactly an ideal word association with Job. But, the sorrows of Job led by 'The Watcher of Men' is not merely a display, but to the purpose of, that after Job triumph of suffering, no evil can touch him. I myself have not suffered much in my own life, and have not been just always, but I often think about righteousness, and it is to this end that I would say definitively that Job is the most intense and profound writing of religious text that I have ever come across. If this 'Watcher of Men' is Satan, then he himself admits the afflictions are for the purpose of becoming free of evil. But remember God for 'Both the deceived and the deceiver are His'.

I am in the process of studying Job. I might add more information are thoughts to this thread.

[weepingforloman]

This reminds me of Weston in "Perelandra..." Satan is evil in and of himself. If his actions work to the greater benefit of God and man, then that is only because God turns all to good in the end. He desires evil-- he is not a driving force to good, he really wants us to be evil. But, because God's will is inexorable, even his evil serves good.

[linz]

This reminds me of Weston in "Perelandra..." Satan is evil in and of himself. If his actions work to the greater benefit of God and man, then that is only because God turns all to good in the end. He desires evil-- he is not a driving force to good, he really wants us to be evil. But, because God's will is inexorable, even his evil serves good.

Then why did the 'Watcher of Men' say, "After the six sorrows, with the seventh, no evil can touch him."?

[Scheherazade]

Please note that any off-topic posts will be deleted.

[JGL57]

I perceive Satan as science fiction. That is on topic.

[linz]

I perceive Satan as science fiction. That is on topic.

How can you have a clue of the depths of such things with just whiffing it away haughtily as you did? I understand you better than you think, I was the most tyrannical atheist imaginable, and still hold many disagreements with the religiously assumed of the evangelical movement in the U.S.A. But I don't judge them or you as I am taught not to. I can tell you're clever, perhaps you should not be stepping in the Religious arena, if you are just going to trodden it under foot.

[hyperborean]

I perceive Satan as science fiction. That is on topic.

I perceive him as that as well. Still on topic.

[linz]

There are things mentioned in Job, of such a profound pain and fear of Creator, that only through seeking death more than the finest treasure, can be unlocked the secret things of wisdom.

[Redzeppelin]

I perceive Satan as science fiction. That is on topic.

On topic and irrelevant.

I perceive him as that as well. Still on topic.

Cf. 1 inch above.

How can you have a clue of the depths of such things with just whiffing it away haughtily as you did? I understand you better than you think, I was the most tyrannical atheist imaginable, and still hold many disagreements with the religiously assumed of the evangelical movement in the U.S.A. But I don't judge them or you as I am taught not to. I can tell you're clever, perhaps you should not be stepping in the Religious arena, if you are just going to trodden it under foot.

Well said.

Job is a magnificently troubling book - one with tremendously important meditations on suffering, evil, good, God, the Devil.

[linz]

At the end of the 28th chapter an answer comes like this, "Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding."

I have spotted the use of 'to and fro' in reference to the movement of a leaf by the wind, and in this fabulous passage, "He breaks open a shaft away from people; in places forgotten by feet they hang far away from men; they swing to and fro." When The Lord asks Satan where he came from, Satan replies "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it."

Very Interesting.

[ennison]

You perceive him as science-fiction! Maybe we should rest our case for his/its existence. Science-fiction has had a history of being fact before too long.

A late friend of mine used to describe Satan as a dog on Christ's long leash. It was an image that I found difficult to accept but my friend was a man given to the striking and unsettling image. A man who'd cheated death at sea more than once and had risen by self education to have a great turn of phrase in his native Gaelic when discussing these important matters.

[weepingforloman]

Then why did the 'Watcher of Men' say, "After the six sorrows, with the seventh, no evil can touch him."?

God's commands are authoratative-- He can restrain Satan, and did so.

[linz]

God's commands are authoratative-- He can restrain Satan, and did so.

I don't think he has restained him quite yet, after all, in those days he will be cast to earth.

[weepingforloman]

If God could not restrain Him, why did He appear before God and have to attain permission to torment Job?

[linz]

If God could not restrain Him, why did He appear before God and have to attain permission to torment Job?

Why did God have to ask him who he was?