Page 72 - Foundations

I Timothy 1:20
Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered over to Satan, so that they may
be taught not to blaspheme.

Will Satan the blasphemer be used to teach others not to blaspheme? Indeed, Yahweh can, and will,
use him in this manner. This does not imply that Satan is a righteous minister. King Saul, after
becoming puffed up with pride, was not a righteous ruler. Nevertheless, Yahweh used Saul to carry
out His will. The apostle Paul furthermore speaks of God using an “angel of Satan” to prevent him
from becoming unduly exalted in his mind and falling into pride.

II Corinthians 12:7-9
And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting
myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, an angel/messenger (Greek - angelos) of Satan to
buffet me - to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it
might depart from me. And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected
in weakness."

What does this declaration of the apostle reveal? It reveals that Yahweh continues to use Satan’s
angels to carry forth His will, a will that ever seeks the welfare of His people. God even gives Satan
and his angels assignments that safeguard His people from spiritual loss.

I think that the prevailing thought in the minds of most Christians today is that there has been an
irreconcilable break between Yahweh and those angelic hosts that have fallen. In the minds of some,
there is no longer any interchange or communication between God and Satan and his angels. This is
NOT what the Bible reveals, however. The fallen angels have continued to fulfill roles of authority
and power in the same way that King Saul continued to be the anointed King of Israel after God had
pronounced judgment upon him. The prophet Micaiah revealed that lying spirits assemble before
Yahweh in His divine councils, even as do the holy angels. So too do we read in the book of Job of
Satan appearing before Yahweh when the sons of God (bene ha elohim) came to present themselves
before Him.

Job 1:6-12
Now there was a day when the sons of God (bene ha elohim) came to present themselves before
Yahweh, and Satan also came among them. And Yahweh said to Satan, "From where do you come?"
Then Satan answered Yahweh and said, "From roaming about on the earth and walking around on
it." And Yahweh said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him
on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil." Then Satan
answered Yahweh, "Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge about him and his
house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions
have increased in the land. But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse
You to Your face." Then Yahweh said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not
put forth your hand on him." So Satan departed from the presence of Yahweh.

Here we see Satan in the role of the ruler and god of this world. We are not told how often that Satan
appears before Yahweh in the heavens, but it is apparent that he continues to have access there. This