Is Satan Omnipresent?

[Glory Bound]

Many Christians believe, and a lot of sermons I’ve heard back this up, that Satan is watching each of us, waiting for a opportunity to temp us or trip us up in our walk with God. I’ve heard many sincere Christians say that Satan is tempting them. I’ve heard pastors preach that Satan had been attacking them recently.

If Satan does have that ability, wouldn’t that mean he possesses the attribute of omnipresence? If he can follow you around all day, as well as follow me around all day, he would have to be in two places at the same time. There are approximately 6 billion people in the world – he must be omnipresent in order to spend time with each (or even a significant portion) on a daily or weekly basis.

I’ve also heard that as a created being, that Satan can only be a one place at one time (I didn’t hear this from the people mentioned above

).

This has become a concern for me, and I would appreciate any thoughts, and especially scripture, that can back up the omnipresence of Satan – or to the contrary.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Brother Adam]

Remember that Satan is an angel, and angels are not omnipresent. Angels do not have God's divine nature and thus are not omnipresent.

UNP,
Adam

 

[Gina B]

He can appear to be many places at once, but as a created being, no he's not. He just has plenty of helpers! Including your own human flesh and thoughts. I have a feeling flyfree's gonna be on here quoting scripture in a sec, so I'll let him do that part, but there's my quick thought.
da Gina

 

[ddavis]

Omnipresent is an attribute of God and only he has it, along with omnipotent, immutable, omniscient and eternal.

 

[Kenneth77]

GloryBound,
I am off topic but just wanted to say howdy to a local.

I'm from Reidsville and work in Gboro.

What a small world it is. There also some from Durham, Charlotte, Boone, etc. Right many of us North Carolinians here.

God Bless you and may God show you your answers.

Kenneth

 

[Chris Temple]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ddavis:
Omnipresent is an attribute of God and only he has it, along with omnipotent, immutable, omniscient and eternal.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Correct. Only God is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent. Satan is a created being who can only be in one place at a time (though very quickly, I assume, as angels move).

Most of us do not merit the direct personal attention of Satan himself. We are evil enough in our own nature.

That is not to say that satan is not active in the world under the authority of God. We greatly experience the second hand effects of satan's determination to corrupt the world for evil.

The evil in our own hearts is enough to destroy us, save for the mercy of Christ.

 

[Glory Bound]

Hi Kenneth - we'll have to do lunch sometime! I've noticed several people here from NC. The Bible Belt is active!

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>
Correct. Only God is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent. Satan is a created being who can only be in one place at a time (though very quickly, I assume, as angels move).

Most of us do not merit the direct personal attention of Satan himself. We are evil enough in our own nature.

That is not to say that satan is not active in the world under the authority of God. We greatly experience the second hand effects of satan's determination to corrupt the world for evil.

The evil in our own hearts is enough to destroy us, save for the mercy of Christ.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

This is what I believe as well. But I feel I'm in the minority. My own wife thinks I'm crazy sometimes, because it seems everyone else says that Satan is everywhere.

Usually, when I mention that I believe that Satan can only be in one place at one time, the first response back is that he has a host of demons to do his dirty work. He gives them the mission and here they come! I have problems with this scenario as well.

I believe that this whole concept of Satan as a personal tormentor has been blown all out of proportion. While I believe Satan is active in the world, I question whether he has the ability to conduct an operation that keeps track of 6 billion people and their assigned tormenting demons.

But, like I say, I'm in the minority here where I live. That's why I would like the opinions of some of you. I think most folks who frequent these message boards are more "well read" than the average Christian. I appreciate your thoughts.

 

[Kenneth77]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Glory Bound:
Hi Kenneth - we'll have to do lunch sometime! I've noticed several people here from NC. The Bible Belt is active!

.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Let me know when, Kenneth

 

[donnA]

I think what people mean a lot of times is not satan himself, but his demons. Paople I've noticed to use satan interchangeably with a demon. No I don't think satan can be everywhere, but his demons are many, and are all over. This is the way I take it anyway.

 

[Glory Bound]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by katie:
I think what people mean a lot of times is not satan himself, but his demons. Paople I've noticed to use satan interchangeably with a demon. No I don't think satan can be everywhere, but his demons are many, and are all over. This is the way I take it anyway.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I've heard this, too. But isn't it inaccurate at best? Besides, I don't know of any scripture passages where Christians are tempted by demons.

Actually, I think it's the old Flip Wilson line "The Devil made me do it!" taken to the extreme. The devil is everywhere!

In James 1:14-15 it says "but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."

It's interesting that Satan isn't blamed here. In the book of Romans Paul writes of dealing with his own sinful nature. Even though Paul doesn't mention Satan, I've read commentary writers who indicated that Satan was troubling Paul.

It's become an issue with me, because if I'm correct, then a lot of people are actually lifting up Satan to a position just short of God Himself. It's as if Satan was God's equal - only evil instead of holy. Satan is everywhere, knows our thoughts and weaknesses, plants thoughts into our brains,
and can rally enough church members together to split a church wide open! When you consider all the things people say Satan does, you'll realize that it seems that Satan is MORE powerful than God, because God won't make us do things while Satan will!

I wonder if making Satan to be so powerful and blaming him for all of our distress is sinful?

This just bothers me . . . can you tell?

Thanks for everyone's input - If you have any additional thoughts I'd love to hear them!

 

[Dr. Bob]

55 times in the NT the King James uses the word "devils" for "demons". While that is their right to use such a term, I believe it adds to the confusion on this issue.

There is ONE devil, the highest angel of God, but fallen through sin. He is not bound by the dimensions of time and space as is humanity, so we cannot know how he works or where he is.

And he has 1/3 of the cherubs, seraphs (the living creatures) and 1/3 of the angels at HIS beck and call, to do HIS will as he had previously done the will of God.

Thankfully, the modern versions use the modern term "demon" to demon-strate a difference between Satan (devil) and other fallen beings.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

" Be sober and vigilant; because your advisary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" 1Peter 5:8 KJV

Would this support the "only one place at a time" theory ?

 

[Chris Temple]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Glory Bound:
It's become an issue with me, because if I'm correct, then a lot of people are actually lifting up Satan to a position just short of God Himself. It's as if Satan was God's equal - only evil instead of holy. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

There are two great errors concerning satan: ignoring him, and exalting him. Most of the world does one or the other. Believers should not.

 

[Phillip]

Paul indicates that we are in the midst of a spiritual battle. Obviously, angels, although they can appear as men or possibly other forms are most likely spiritual beings. Because it is obvious through intense study that there is a battle waging for our souls and our lives between angels and demons. This being the case; where do some people get the idea that the devil is not omnipresent? I am not saying he is, but I would like to see Biblical proof that a spiritual being is not.

I do not think Job is a good answer when Satan says he was walking to and fro on the earth. I think this is a figure of speach that he was moving around or looking around at people on the earth. I seriously doubt that Satan actually has to WALK whever he goes. He (at least at that time) still has access to heaven and still has access to appear before God and obviously God still communicates with him. God is a spiritual being and without our transformed bodies we would be killed to come into his presence and glory. Obviously, Satan is a spiritual being and is immune to the damage a human being would be exposed to. Let us not forget that Satan was one of the highest demons on the chain of command in heaven. He was in charge of the angels which maintained the glory of God (in a certain form) before he fell from glory. Therefore, we are dealing with a VERY power angel that went bad and obviously he is a very powerful enemy that only the spirit of God and the angels still on his side can stand up to his attacks and protect us. Satan is obviously only allowed to attack in limited form as allowed by God as described in Job. So, where exactly do we find in the Bible that he and any of the other angels or spiritual beings are not omnipresent? I have heard from preachers that he is not, but none can give me verses besides the one in Job.
Just asking????????

 

[Phillip]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by flyfree432:
Remember that Satan is an angel, and angels are not omnipresent. Angels do not have God's divine nature and thus are not omnipresent.

UNP,
Adam<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I am not trying to argue with you Adam, but is this backed up by scripture and if so where? also, is it also scriptural that divine nature and omnipresence are linked together somehow? Just curious.

 

[Phillip]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ddavis:
Omnipresent is an attribute of God and only he has it, along with omnipotent, immutable, omniscient and eternal.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

As I asked others can you give me scriptures that back this up. "omniscient" especially? Also, eternal---I can agree with this that he was not originally an eternal being as God is in having been present all throughout the ages in the past, but does he not spend eternity with the lost people? (Of course you could refer to this as living death, but it is eternal consciousness.)

 

[Bro. Curtis]

Mathhew 25:41 Tells us hell is everlasting, created for the devil & his angels.
Luke 16:24-25 speak of torment. So that supports being consious.
I can't find in the Bible anything supporting satan being apart from everybody else. Every reference I see has lost souls cast into hell along with satan & his angels. ( Revelation 20:10-15 )

 

[Glory Bound]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally written by Phillip:

Because it is obvious through intense study that there is a battle waging for our souls and our lives between angels and demons. This being the case; where do some people get the idea that the devil is not omnipresent? I am not saying he is, but I would like to see Biblical proof that a spiritual being is not. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I would be interested in seeing scripture indicating the "battle waging for our souls...between angels and demons" mentioned. I've heard this before, but I don't know the source in scripture.

 

[Aaron]

Let's just keep in mind that though Satan is not omnipresent, "on earth is not his equal," as the great reformer once said.

 

[Jack]

Back to the original question is everywhere at once or omnipresent. I think in the context of Job 1:6-8 where God asks where he's been. s response is such that it implys a literal physical presence in time and space and of a singular nature. Had replied with "I am everywhere" or some such tort I could see a case for omnipresence, but he didn't.