Herbert W Armstrong

   The words "immortal" and "immortality" are not used in connection with the devil — indeed "immortal" is used only once in all the Bible (King James version). in I Tim. 1:17 speaking of Christ: and "immortality" five times, saying Christ only of all born human has it, He brought it to light thru the Gospel, we are to seek for it, and if we receive it as God's gift we shall put it on at the resurrection.
   However, the Scriptures do teach that Satan is immortal. He is a former archangel who occupied high office (Isa. 14:12-14), where he is called "Lucifer" meaning "Shining Star of the Dawn" or "Light Bringer"; and Ezek. 28:12-17 where he is called, as originally created, the anointed "cherub" or archangel that covered the throne of God. Angels are spirits (Heb. 1:7), not composed of matter as are humans — invisible unless specially manifested — and are eternal (II Cor. 4:18).
   Satan is ultimately to be "tormented day and night for ever and ever." (Rev. 20:10). That is, for the ages of the ages — thru ALL ages — for eternity. Therefore he is immortal and shall live forever.
   But, some ask, is he not to be destroyed? In Heb. 2:14, the King James translation renders it: "that thru death He (Christ) might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." The Adam Clark Commentary renders it: "he might counter-work, or render useless and ineffectual, all the operations of him who had the power, or influence, to bring death into the world." The original inspired text, of course, was in the Greek language, and the Greek word is "kratos," meaning "counter-work, or render useless and ineffectual." That is, destroy his INFLUENCE, not destroy Satan or bring cessation of his existence. In Ezek. 28:17, God says of Satan that He will "destroy thee... from the midst of the stones of fire." There God is not speaking of the destruction of Satan but of his POSITION. He is to be removed from the "midst of the stones of fire."
   A listener points to I John 3:8, but here it is not speaking of destroying the person, but "that he might destroy the works of the devil" — that is, destroy SIN, "for the devil sinneth from the beginning."

Plain Truth Magazine

November 1949

Vol XIV, No.3