The devil, satan, evil

The spirit-being called the "devil" originally was a beautiful, bright and glorious angel. However, he rebelled against God and became an evil spirit-being and he continues to be in total opposition to the only true God and all the things of God.

The devil was the first spirit-being that rebelled against God; he wanted to take God's position (refer to Genesis chapter 3). He is the chief of the devil-spirits, which are the other evil spirits in subordination to him; they fell from the position that God had given to them and they are referred to as devils (devil-spirits, demons, evil spirits, unclean spirits, etc). Genesis chapters 6-10, I Peter 3:19 and 20, and Jude 1:6 and 7 also refer to angels that sinned and they are cast down to prison. These angels left their own habitation in like manner to the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah. The time of their fall took place in the days of Noah. These angels are kept in prison awaiting their final judgment (refer to II Peter 2:4) - they are not in gravedom because they are not dead, nor are they in some place called "hell."

The name "devil" is only one of the many names used in the Bible to describe his characteristics, attributes, qualities, activities, etc. It is the Greek word diabolos which comes from the words: "through" and "throw/cast" – the devil throws (casts) things through people, like stabbing a person from outside through the person and out the other side with an accusation, slander, etc. The devil's intention is to interrupt and then destroy any connection between the only true God and mankind, as stated in John 10:10.