Satan as a "type of Christ"

[JonC]

On another thread a member came to a rather interesting conclusion, one that I personally had not considered previously. It is a conclusion that I believe can be rather quickly dismissed, but since a couple of members agreed with the posting I thought it worth exploring a little.

In the thread Christ made Sin? @Martin Marprelate (with the approval of @percho and winning approval of @SovereignGrace ) compared Christ as being lifted up to Satan in Revelation 12:3 and suggested that Scripture presenting Satan as "a type of Christ" is proof that Christ was literally made sin.

…Well where do we see in Scripture a red, fiery serpent? Well in Revelation 12:3, we are introduced to ‘A great fiery red dragon’ who, in verse 9, is seen to be the serpent, alias Satan himself. So how can Satan possibly be a type of Christ? He can only be a type of Christ made sin for us.

Let's consider: How does Scripture present Satan?

He is the father of lies (John 8:44).

He is the thief that comes only to steal and kill and destroy; contrasted with Christ who came that men may have life and have it in abundance (John 10:10).

He is the enemy of mankind (1 Peter 5:8).

He is the author of the “powers of this dark world” and the “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:11).

He is the accuser of men (Job 1:6-12).

He is the tormentor of men (2 Corinthians 12:1-10).

He is opposed to the Church (Revelation 2:8-10).

There are, of course, at least two sides of the argument: Those who affirm Satan as a type of Christ (at least @Martin Marprelate , @percho , and @SovereignGrace ) and those who reject the idea as unbiblical.

What is interesting is how Satan is viewed as well. When we look at Scripture Satan is not viewed as "God's accuser" but as the "accuser of man". So is Satan God's adversary or the adversary of man?

How one answers that question is important. I do not believe that God has legitimate adversary because no one can actually strive against God except as God has permitted. So I view Satan as the adversary of man. Therefore I view the claim Satan is "a type of Christ" as heretical foolishness.

But I can see at least two other ways of viewing the issue. One is that Satan is God's accuser or adversary. The other is considering that Jesus literally became sin (literally became an unholy, evil, act of rebellion against God) and trying to develop a fuller theory to narrate the error.

Open to discussion:

Is Satan a "type of Christ"?

 

[tyndale1946]

HELL NO!... While I can see Martins typology, would you ever use that comparison in the pulpit?... If you did I can only say your congregation is more forgiving than the one I grew up in.. If you said that they would show you the door and you would NEVER preach in our church again... Brother Glen

 

[Martin Marprelate]

I can well understand how one's traditions might prevent one from accepting this remarkable typology, but facts are facts. What was nailed to the pole and hoisted up in place was not a lamb, as one might expect, but a fiery serpent. Where have we seen a fiery serpent before? In Revelation 13. It's there. Everyone who looked at the serpent was healed from the penalty for their rebellion against God (Numbers 21:9). How can looking at a representation of Satan heal people in that way? But the Lord Jesus says, "And this is the will of Him who sent Me that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life" (John 6:40; c.f. also Isaiah 45:22).

It is a cardinal point about types that they cannot be pressed too far. If we say that Isaac or Joseph or David is a type of Christ, we do not mean that these people correspond exactly with our Lord in every way. Of course they don't. But we are able to see in the lives of these people a clear resemblance in certain respects to the Lord Jesus that is invaluable in preaching from the O.T.

So I would just encourage people to lay aside their traditions and preconceptions and look at the Scriptures to see that the brazen serpent is a representation of Satan and a clear type of Christ made sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

 

[church mouse guy]

Innumerable force of Spirits arm'd
That durst dislike his reign, and me preferring,
His utmost power with adverse power oppos'd
In dubious Battel on the Plains of Heav'n,
And shook his throne. What though the field be lost?
All is not lost; the unconquerable Will,
And study of revenge, immortal hate,
And courage never to submit or yield:
And what is else not to be overcome?

from Paradise Lost by John Milton

 

[church mouse guy]

I can well understand how one's traditions might prevent one from accepting this remarkable typology, but facts are facts. What was nailed to the pole and hoisted up in place was not a lamb, as one might expect, but a fiery serpent. Where have we seen a fiery serpent before? In Revelation 13. It's there. Everyone who looked at the serpent was healed from the penalty for their rebellion against God (Numbers 21:9). How can looking at a representation of Satan heal people in that way? But the Lord Jesus says, "And this is the will of Him who sent Me that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life" (John 6:40; c.f. also Isaiah 45:22).

It is a cardinal point about types that they cannot be pressed too far. If we say that Isaac or Joseph or David is a type of Christ, we do not mean that these people correspond exactly with our Lord in every way. Of course they don't. But we are able to see in the lives of these people a clear resemblance in certain respects to the Lord Jesus that is invaluable in preaching from the O.T.

So I would just encourage people to lay aside their traditions and preconceptions and look at the Scriptures to see that the brazen serpent is a representation of Satan and a clear type of Christ made sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

There's a fountain flowing for the soul unclean
O, be washed in the blood of the lamb

Zechariah 13:1 (KJV) In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.

 

[Dave G]

So is Satan God's adversary or the adversary of man?

IMO, he is both the adversary of Jesus Christ the man ( he tried to get Him to fall down at his feet and worship him, Matthew 4:1-11 ) and the adversary of Christ's sheep ( Revelation 12:10 ).

The adversary of God the Father?
He cannot hope to oppose God or God's Spirit, but he tries to oppose God's work and he does oppose God's people.

Is Satan a "type of Christ"?

Not by a long shot.

 

[JonC]

IMO, he is both the adversary of Jesus Christ ( he tried to get Him to fall down at his feet and worship him, Matthew 4:1-11 ) and the adversary of Christ's sheep ( Revelation 12:10 ).


Not by a long shot.

I agree. But I suggest this includes Christ as the "Last Adam". Christ was tempted as we are, and indeed Satan was the adversary of God incarnate.

 

[kyredneck]

Let's consider: How does Scripture present Satan?

He is the father of lies (John 8:44).

He is the thief that comes only to steal and kill and destroy; contrasted with Christ who came that men may have life and have it in abundance (John 10:10).

He is the enemy of mankind (1 Peter 5:8).

He is the author of the “powers of this dark world” and the “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:11).

He is the accuser of men (Job 1:6-12).

He is the tormentor of men (2 Corinthians 12:1-10).

He is opposed to the Church (Revelation 2:8-10).

Find the 'Christ opposites' and Satan could be a type of Christ by contrast as Adam is:

14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the likeness of Adam`s transgression, who is a figure of him that was to come.
15 But not as the trespass, so also is the free gift. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound unto the many.
16 And not as through one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment came of one unto condemnation, but the free gift came of many trespasses unto justification.
17 For if, by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; much more shall they that receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, even Jesus Christ.
18 So then as through one trespass the judgment came unto all men to condemnation; even so through one act of righteousness the free gift came unto all men to justification of life.
19 For as through the one man`s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one shall the many be made righteous.
20 And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly:
21 that, as sin reigned in death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Ro 5

Besides the fact that there's no 'pointer' in the scriptures that I know of alluding to it, Satan as a type of Christ is not appealing to me.

 

[JonC]

Find the 'Christ opposites' and Satan could be a type of Christ by contrast as Adam is:

14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the likeness of Adam`s transgression, who is a figure of him that was to come.
15 But not as the trespass, so also is the free gift. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound unto the many.
16 And not as through one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment came of one unto condemnation, but the free gift came of many trespasses unto justification.
17 For if, by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; much more shall they that receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, even Jesus Christ.
18 So then as through one trespass the judgment came unto all men to condemnation; even so through one act of righteousness the free gift came unto all men to justification of life.
19 For as through the one man`s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one shall the many be made righteous.
20 And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly:
21 that, as sin reigned in death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Ro 5

Besides the fact that there's no 'pointer' in the scriptures that I know of alluding to it, Satan as a type of Christ is not appealing to me.

I do not think Adam is a type by contrast. I stead Adam is a type of Christ as the first of his kind and a representative of man (Christ is the "Firstborn of many breathern"). The contrast does not substantiate Adam as a type.

The problem with accepting Satan as a type of Christ is the commonality in kind it places on Christ.

 

[kyredneck]

I do not think Adam is a type by contrast.

What does this 'pointer' mean, "Adam...who is a figure of him that was to come", if not a type?

And then the text immediately gets into the contrasts between Christ and Adam. "Not as", "so is".

Seems plain and clear to me. Adam is a type of Christ by contrast in this text.

He's also a type of Christ in the Garden story.

 

[JonC]

What does this 'pointer' mean, "Adam...who is a figure of him that was to come", if not a type?

And then the text immediately gets into the contrasts between Christ and Adam. "Not as", "so is".

Seems plain and clear to me. Adam is a type of Christ by contrast in this text.

He's also a type of Christ in the Garden story.

Adam is a type (I agree there). The point of a type is the commonality (Adam is the "first man", Christ the "Last").

The purpose of the passage was showing the difference between the type and what the type pointed to.

The differences it not what makes Adam a type. (A soda can is not a "type" of Christ because it is different).

My view is that Satan is not "a type of Christ".

 

[kyredneck]

Adam is a type (I agree there). The point of a type is the commonality (Adam is the "first man", Christ the "Last").

Most types/allegories are defined by similarities, "for as", "so is" John 3:14, Galatians 4:29. The type given in Ro 5 is defined by dissimilarities, "not as", "so is". I'm surprised you don't see this.

 

[Forever Settled]

My view is that Satan is not "a type of Christ".

You are absolutely right.

This belief is closely aligned with masonic teachings concerning Christ and Lucifer. So some of this heresy is creeping into churches via the masons .

 

[JonC]

Most types/allegories are defined by similarities, "for as", "so is" John 3:14, Galatians 4:29. The type given in Ro 5 is given in dissimilarities, "not as", "so is".

I disagree that the dissimilarities constitue "type".

More to the point, though, is that @Martin Marprelate was not arguing t hyb at Satan is completely different from Christ. He was arguing that Satan is "a type of Christ" in that Christ became sin.

 

[JonC]

You are absolutely right.

This belief is closely aligned with masonic teachings concerning Christ and Lucifer. So some of this heresy is creeping into churches via the masons .

That thought had crossed my mind (the Scottish Rite "Luciferian doctrine"). I don't know if @Martin Marprelate belongs to the group, so I wasn't going to bring it up. I was a member decades ago and can say they are a gnostic group.

I have learned quite a bit about views I never thought existed within "Christianity". This was the first time I heard of Satan being presented as a type of Christ within a Christian argument. As @SovereignGrace agrees I take it this is just my own ignorance and lack of experience with some sects.

 

[Forever Settled]

I can well understand how one's traditions might prevent one from accepting this remarkable typology, but facts are facts.

Are you a mason ?

 

[Forever Settled]

and Satan could be a type of Christ by contrast as Adam is:

Are you a mason ?

 

[kyredneck]

I disagree that the dissimilarities constitue "type"....

Well, FIGURE then: Adam...who is a figure of him that was to come. But not as the trespass, so also is the free gift...

Joseph as a type of Christ is defined by well over 100 similarities between the two. Adam as a FIGURE of Christ is defined by 7 dissimilarities in the text of Ro 5.

 

[JonC]

Well, FIGURE then: Adam...who is a figure of him that was to come. But not as the trespass, so also is the free gift...

Joseph as a type of Christ is defined by well over 100 similarities between the two. Adam as a type of Christ is defined by 7 dissimilarities between the two in Ro 5.

I think we may be talking past each other to an extent. Adam was a type of Christ because they were both representatives of man. But the firse Adam is not like the Last Adam. The same is true of the high priest and Christ as High Priest (see Hebrews). The same is true of Jonah. And, now that I think of it, probably any type.

The type points to the One it represents. It is the same type, not the same.

Satan and Christ are not the same type.

 

[kyredneck]

they were both representatives of man

Defined by what, similarities? NO. Defined by dissimilarities.