Good question...
...Did Christ die for Satan?
I recently got this question:
Dear Glen, Our Sabath School Teacher is always coming up with these
philosophical questions for us to 'chew' on. This week he asked: Did Jesus
die for Satan as he did for all of mankind? Is there any Biblical
reference to this question?
Thanks
I responded:
I can only make the briefest of remarks here, but they MIGHT be of some
value to you:
- Hebrews 2.14-18 seems to clearly indicate that he does NOT 'help' angels
(this, of course, assumes that you believe that the devil is a fallen
angel, but the general teaching of holy writ supports that). And that taking a 'nature' is somehow necessary to saving us.
- The death of Christ DID have some heavenly impact, but it was for
cleansing of the heavens and not for substitution for angels (as far as
we can tell)---Heb 9.23ff, Col 1.20ff
- The above col 1.20 passage suggests some kind of 'cosmic'
reconciliation, but it is generally not considered to include Satan,
because of the pictures in Rev 20 etc. Notice, though, that the Col. passage
points out that OUR reconciliation came because He had a human body. (Even though He is called the "Angel of YHWH" in the OT, He
never had an angelic nature/body; he actually CREATED the angels.)
- Consistently, Jesus is said to have died for the sins of the world, for
humanity, for people, for us...never is it affirmed that he died for
anything 'else' (turtles, angels, rocks)
- His death was SUBSTITUTIONARY--He died IN OUR PLACE...this
could only happen for agents who CAN DIE...and angels cannot die...thus,
this death cannot be 'in place of' theirs...
- Heb 1.14 indicates that the angels are meant to serve the saved...implying a distinction between the two.
- Romans 5 pretty well limited the effects of the ministry of Christ (of salvation) to humans.
- Hebrew 2.9 said He tasted death for every 'man'--not every 'creature'.
This should be enough to get you started.
hope this helps...
warmly,
glenn
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