Satan

> "I am the greatest demon there ever was, your lord, the demonic father below. I will come to you during the ends of time and bring hell on Earth."
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**Satan**, known as **The Devil**, stands as the primary antagonist in the Bible, often portrayed as the supreme ruler of Hell and demons. Across various religions, he is seen as the embodiment of evil, with power second only to God. While originating from Judeo-Christian concepts, nearly all religions feature an evil godlike figure akin to Satan in nature and purpose.

Perceptions of Satan's power vary; some view him as nearly omnipotent, while others limit his influence to corrupting or deceiving humanity. Certain beliefs see Satan not as absolute evil but as a figure testing faith through suffering. Despite nuanced interpretations, in popular imagination, Satan remains the epitome of evil in the universe, though the Bible places the responsibility for evil primarily on humans.

## OVERVIEW

### Christianity

In the Old Testament Satan is described as a cherub, some Christians interpret Lucifer as the same entity as Satan.

Satan was angelic seraph, however, pride and jealousy consumed Satan, he attempted to overthrow God, leading a rebellion with legions of fellow angels in the first war in Heaven(Mostly Said To Be Lucifer). Michael the Archangel defeated him, and as a consequence, Satan was cast into Hell, he later tried to tempt Jesus and prevent His crucifixion. It is foretold that on the Day of Judgment, Satan will rise again, leading a final war against Heaven before facing eternal punishment in the Lake of Fire.

Contrary to popular culture depictions, the Bible doesn't explicitly state Satan as the ruler of Hell. Instead, he is suggested to be currently roaming the world (Job 1:7, 1 Peter 5:8). Some interpretations in the Old Testament refer to him simply as Ha-Satan or the Accuser. Notably, Satan was considered an adversary of humanity, not God. Acting as one of God's close angelic advisers, he's role was to test human righteousness and loyalty by tempting them away from God's law, showcasing the complex dynamics within this celestial narrative.

### Gnosticism

In Gnosticism, Satan is often viewed through a lens that differs significantly from mainstream Christian perspectives.

Gnostic cosmology often features a transcendent, unknowable deity, referred to as the Monad or the True God. The material world, in contrast, is seen as a creation of a lower, ignorant deity known as the Demiurge. This Demiurge is sometimes associated with the God of the Old Testament.

But some believe Satan is not necessarily an adversary of the True God but rather an opponent of the Demiurge, who is considered a false god responsible for trapping divine sparks within material existence.

In some traditions, Satan is seen as a liberator or enlightener rather than an evil force. He is the one who imparts knowledge (gnosis) to humanity, aiding them in transcending the material world and escaping the influence of the Demiurge.

Gnostic interpretations of the Adam and Eve story often cast the serpent as a positive figure. Instead of tempting humanity into disobedience, the serpent is sometimes seen as the one who encourages humans to seek knowledge and freedom from the false reality created by the Demiurge.

Others consider Satan as a redeemer figure, assisting humans in breaking free from the ignorance imposed by the Demiurge.

## Judaism

In many Jewish teachings, Ha-Satan is not seen as an independent evil force opposed to God. Instead, Satan is often considered an agent of God, carrying out specific tasks or acting as an accuser in the divine court.

Satan's role in Judaism is more akin to that of an accuser or tester rather than a malevolent tempter. Satan is depicted as presenting evidence against individuals in the heavenly court, challenging their righteousness. This role is evident in the book of Job, where Satan challenges Job's devotion to God.

The presence of Ha-Satan in Jewish thought is sometimes viewed as a means for individuals to overcome challenges and demonstrate their commitment to God. The adversarial role played by Satan is seen as part of a broader divine plan to test and refine human faith.

Unlike some Christian traditions that depict Satan as a fallen angel, Judaism does not generally hold such a narrative. Ha-Satan is seen as a celestial being created by God, fulfilling a specific purpose within the divine order.

Some Jewish interpretations, Ha-Satan is understood more symbolically, representing the inclination or impulse within individuals to stray from the path of righteousness. The emphasis is on personal responsibility rather than attributing moral failings to an external, malevolent force.

In Jewish tradition, the High Priest would confess the sins of the people on the Day of Atonement, and a scapegoat symbolically carrying the sins of the community would be sent into the wilderness. This ritual reflects the idea of removing obstacles, including symbolic ones represented by Ha-Satan, to achieve atonement.

### Satan As a God

In theistic Satanists and believe in Satan as a deity. In this context, Satan is often seen as a powerful supernatural being, and worship or devotion may be part of their religious practices. Theistic Satanism encompasses diverse beliefs, with some viewing Satan as a benevolent force, a liberator, or a deity associated with personal empowerment.

In Pagan or syncretic belief systems, Satan may be integrated or reinterpreted as a god. This can occur in eclectic spiritual practices that draw from various traditions and mythologies. Such interpretations might not align with traditional Christian views of Satan as the embodiment of evil.

## APPEARANCE

Depictions of Satan's appearance vary widely across cultural and religious contexts. In Western Christian art and literature, Satan is commonly represented as a malevolent figure with horns, often colored red or dark, and sometimes portrayed with wings, a tail, and cloven hooves. These visual elements symbolize aspects of rebellion, demonic nature, and fallen angelic status, though they are more reflective of artistic traditions than explicit religious descriptions.

It's important to recognize that these visual representations are interpretations influenced by cultural and artistic traditions, and there is no specific, universally agreed-upon description of Satan's physical appearance in religious texts. Different cultures and belief systems may offer diverse images of Satan, and individual interpretations can further contribute to the variety of visual depictions. Additionally, in certain religious perspectives, Satan may not be assigned a specific physical form, existing more as a spiritual or symbolic entity.

## POWERS AND ABILITIES

**Nigh Omnipotence**

**Nigh Omniscience**

**Nigh Omnipresence**

**Darkness Manipulation**

**Reality Manipulation**

**Time Manipulation**

**Sin Manipulation**

**Great Demon Physiology**

**Seraphim Physiology**

**Afterlife Manipulation**

**Death Manipulation**

**Pain Manipulation**

**Shadow Manipulation**

**Evil Embodiment**

**Darkness Embodiment**

**Blood Manipulation**

**Chaos Manipulation**