In my studies of the Biblical figure, Satan, I took issue with Christian tradition and concluded he wasn’t an archangel or even an angel, and he didn’t lead a rebellion against God in heaven. If this conclusion is based on solid evidence within the Bible itself, to whom, then would we attribute the subtlety of the serpent (Genesis 3:1)? According to my study: Was Satan the Serpent? the only possible figure that fits such a description would have been Adam, who was there with the woman (Genesis 3:6), all the while she was being tempted. In other words, Adam was the subtle serpent who tempted the woman.
The fact is that Adam wasn’t deceived in the thing he did (1Timothy 2:14), and he hid his sin (Job 31:33), and in doing so he deceived the woman (1Timothy 2:14). He lied to her by telling her that touching the tree would bring death (cp. Genesis 3:3). Once she accepted Adam’s lie, he could then repeatedly touch the tree to prove to the woman that touching doesn’t cause death (Genesis 3:4-5). Once she accepted Adam’s argument that God had deceived them, she ate the fruit and gave it to her husband as well (Genesis 3:6), and he ate as well, but he was the one who orchestrated the whole matter through lying about what God had said, vis-à-vis he slandered God. The word devil is found first in Matthew 4:1 in the Bible, where he tempts Jesus. The point is devil means slanderer (G1228).
I take issue with the Christian tradition that Satan is a spirit being who led and angelic rebellion against God prior the Lord’s creation of mankind. Nevertheless, let’s consider the scriptures in Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28, which Christian scholars use to show that Satan’s rebellion occurred prior to the creation of men.
According to Isaiah 14:4 this prophecy concerns the king of Babylon. However, \ Isaiah 14:12 and onward scholars conclude the text refers to Satan: “How are you fallen O Lucifer…?” It was he who had weakened the nations (or gentiles, verse-12). He also ascended to heaven (v.13), but from where? If his location was the earth as implied in verse-12, mankind is already present and represented in the nations he has deceived. If we presume the heavens and the earth and all that in them is (Exodus 20:11; including angels), where was the time to rebel? Moreover, Adam, when he was created was immediately placed in authority over all that God had made. So, if angels were in authority over the earth, when was that?
According to Isaiah 14:13) he (Lucifer) desired to exalt his throne… What throne? It appears Lucifer’s throne was on earth, but Adam was placed in authority over it immediately after he was created! If Lucifer is Satan, then Lucifer must also be Adam, because, clearly, he rules on earth. If one claims Satan acquired his throne by defeating Adam in the garden and taking Adam’s throne, the argument is illogical, because the scriptures say Adam was not deceived (1Timothy 2:14). Did Adam, simply, abdicate his throne? Lucifer is called a man in verse-16 and makes the world a wilderness (v.17). Frankly, I don’t see a place for Satan, a spirit being, an angelic figure in this passage. Do you? I have no trouble seeing Adam, but the tradition about Satan is an assumption.
What about Ezekiel 28? It begins as a prophecy against the king of Tyre (v.2, 12). He claimed to be a god (v.2) as did many of the kings, pharaohs and emperors of old (cp. 2Corinthians 4:4). He ruled in the midst of the seas (v.2), but the seas of the earth were created on the third day (Genesis 1:10, 13). He was in Eden, but traditional Eden was created on the 6th day, specifically for Adam (Genesis 2:7-8). Furthermore, God created the king of Tyre (v.13) full of wisdom and perfect in beauty (v.12), perfect in all his ways (v.15) until iniquity was found in him. Thus far, if anyone wants to say this about Satan, I can say the same about Adam! Was he not created and then placed in a literal or metaphorical Eden, given authority over the entire world, a prince, if you will, and therefore a god in the sense of Psalm 82? Was he not wise and created perfect in all his ways until iniquity was found in him?
His heart was lifted up, and he corrupted his wisdom (v.17) and God cast him to the ground (H776). This is the same word as earth in verse-18, where God says he will bring him to ashes (Genesis 3:19). The earth is already in existence, when this king rebels We, simply, have no record that angels ever ruled the earth before mankind was created. And, even when we use scriptures like Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 to show an angelic rebellion, we have the earth and the nations already in existence. In other words, there is absolutely nothing in scripture that shows God ever created a being we know as Satan before he created Adam, nor do any scriptures show how or when he received his power over mankind. Therefore, Satan and Adam must be one being! Of course, after Adam’s death, other leaders assumed the office of God’s enemies, his slanderers and those subtle enough to deceive the world.
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This study has been updated from its original in December of 2024.
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2 responses to “The Subtlety of Adam”
Señor te bendiga fabulosa revelación podemos ver mas claro lo que vino hacer nuestro salvador.
Quisiera hacer un aporte cuando Dios le dio mandamientos a Adán era una relación de unidad con Dios total ya que Adán comía del árbol de la vida para su crecimiento en el momento que Dios le dio la ayudad idonia empezó a meditar en lo que Dios le había dicho y se enalteció su corazón con respecto al bien y el mal que era solo desicion de Dios y dejo de comer del árbol de la vida y cayo de la presencia de Dios
Greetings Alberto and thank you once more for reading my studies. I hope with all my heart that the Lord guides you in all you do.
I hope I was able to translate your comment correctly, but there was a word I couldn’t translate. As I understand it, this is what you said:
We agree that in the beginning Adam and the Lord dwelt in unity. However, I believe that, if Adam partook of the Tree of Life, he would not have fallen. As I understand this issue, the Tree of Life represents Christ. We partake of him and have eternal life. If one has eternal life, one cannot die. If the Tree of Life offered eternal life, then Adam couldn’t have died if he ate from it. To the best of my knowledge, this is true. However, I have learned not to put all my trust in my own understanding. So, I’ll say: unless the Lord reveals differently to me in his word, I believe this is true. Therefore, although Adam had the enviable pleasure of speaking face to face with God, I don’t believe he was able to understand spiritual knowledge as you and I are able, today, through the power of God’s Spirit.
Lord bless you, Alberto.