Satan, Devil and Demons - 2 Corinthians 11:14

Satan, Devil and Demons

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2 Corinthians 11:14: "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."
Problem:: This passage is interpreted as a description of the subtle nature of a personal superhuman being - Satan the Devil. A S.D.A. publication puts it this way:; "The unsaved are in the 'power of Satan' (Acts 26:18), and the wicked world lies in his evil embrace (1 John 5:19, R.S.V.). He has many subtle 'devices' (2 Cor. 2:11), even transforming himself into an angel of light (2 Cor. 11;14)."¹
Solution:

How can Satan be transformed into an angel of light when it is taught that he was transformed from an angel of light because of his rebellion?
The Satan of this passage is not a rebel angel but rebel Jewish adversaries who were undermining the apostle Paul's influence in the Corinthian ecclesia. (See 2 Cor. 10:2, 10-18; 11:3-26). As Paul said: "for such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder for even Satan {the chief leader} disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is not strange if his servants {misguided supporters} also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness." (vs. 13-15, R.S.V.). The same Satan is referred to in 2 Cor. 2:11: "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices."

Footnotes:

Seventh-day Adventists Answer Questions on Doctrine, (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Ass., 1957), p. 620. Return