Is Satan in heaven right now?

Bible Question:

Is Satan in heaven right now? — Revelation 12:7-10

Bible Answer:

Satan is a mysterious creature to many people. This has happened because he is trying to protect himself by deceiving people about his character and personality. Satan wants people to have a positive view about him (2 Corinthians 11:14). Revelation 12:9 says that he deceives the whole world. Satan is a fallen angel and Isaiah 14:12-14 reveals that Satan would like to be God. He seeks your worship. He is a dangerous, powerful, evil angel. Now, our primary question can be summarized as, “Is Satan in heaven right now?” We are also interested in these related questions: “Is Satan in hell?” “Where is Satan right now?” and “Where does the Devil live?”

Is Satan In Heaven Right Now?

Was Satan In Heaven?

Our first question is, “Was Satan in heaven?” The answer is revealed by first learning that Ezekiel 28:11-17 and Isaiah 14:12-15 are descriptions about Satan. Ezekiel 28:12-14 is about a created angel that was a cherub. The word cherubim refers to more than one cherub. This angel was in heaven and verse 16 says that the cherub was cast out of heaven. Note the mountain of God refers to heaven. Why was he cast out of heaven? Because he sinned (v. 16). Verse 17 adds that he was proud.

You were the anointed cherub who covers,
And I placed you there.
You were on the holy mountain of God;
You walked in the midst of the stones of fire.
You were blameless in your ways
From the day you were created
Until unrighteousness was found in you.
By the abundance of your trade
You were internally filled with violence,
And you sinned;
Therefore I have cast you as profane
From the mountain of God.
And I have destroyed you, O covering cherub,
From the midst of the stones of fire.
Ezekiel 28:14-16 (NASB)

Isaiah 14:12-14 provides more information about Satan. In Isaiah 14:12 he is called the “Star of the morning” in the NASB and Lucifer in the KJV. Verse 12 also says that he was cast down to the earth. That is, he was cast from heaven down to the earth and he has “weakened the nations.” That is, he motivates them to sin. Verses 13-14 says that he was proud and wants to like God. Verse 15 prophesies that he will eventually be sent to hell.

“How you have fallen from heaven,
O star of the morning, son of the dawn!
You have been cut down to the earth,
You who have weakened the nations!
But you said in your heart,
‘I will ascend to heaven;
I will raise my throne above the stars of God,
And I will sit on the mount of assembly
In the recesses of the north.
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.’
“Nevertheless you will be thrust down to Sheol,
To the recesses of the pit.”
Isaiah 14:12-15 (NASB)

In Luke 10:18, Jesus said that He saw Satan fall from heaven like lightening. Revelation 12:3-4, 9 reveals that when Satan was cast out of heaven, one third of the angels of heaven were also cast out of heaven. Why? Revelation 12:7-9 says that “his angels” followed him when he was cast out of heaven.

Can Satan Visit Heaven?

Even though Satan has been cast down out of heaven, we should ask, “Can Satan visit heaven?” The answer is, “Yes.” For example, Job 1:6 tells us Satan and his angels entered heaven and “presented themselves” to the Lord.

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. The LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” Job 1:6-7 (NASB)

Job 1:6-7 also teaches that Satan had come from “walking around” on the earth. That is, Satan and his evil angels are not normally in heaven, but are on the earth. Verse 6 reveals that on some days they are allowed to appear before God. On this occasion Satan’s purpose was to obtain permission to attack Job, and he was successful.

We have already discovered that Job 1:7 tells that Satan normally roams about the earth and was “walking around on it” before he and his evil angels appeared before God. This helps us understand that the answer to the question, “Where does the devil live?” is “the earth.”

1 John 5:19 also tells us that the whole world is controlled by Satan. The verse says,

We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 1 John 5:19 (NASB)

Jesus says in John 14:30 that Satan is the “ruler of this world.” Some translations say, “prince of this world.” In 2 Corinthians 4:4 the apostle Paul called him the “god of this world [who] has blinded the minds of the unbelieving.” In Ephesians 2:2, Satan is called the “prince of the power of the air.”

So, Satan controls the world and 1 Peter 5:8 informs us that he prowls around it seeking people he can hurt and even destroy.

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (NASB)

In Matthew 12:25-27 Jesus affirms that Satan has a kingdom of followers.

“If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? Matthew 12:26 (NASB)

Revelation 12:9 also says that Satan has followers — “his angels.” That is he has helpers or other evil angels. His kingdom is composed of his evil, angelic followers and the unbelievers.

1 John 3:10 refers to these unbelievers as the children of the devil. In John 8:44 Jesus told the Pharisees that their father was the devil. He is the father of lies.

By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother. 1 John 3:10 (NASB)

So, where does the devil live? The answer is that Satan lives here on the earth and he is seeking to deceive everyone. He is an angry, evil cherub who wants to be the supreme deity. Is Satan in heaven right now? The answer to this question is that he and some of his followers might be in heaven asking for permission to attack someone, maybe you, or, he could be here on earth looking for you.

Will Satan Make War In Heaven?

Our next question is, “Will Satan make war in heaven?” The answer to the question is, “Yes.” Revelation 12:7 says that Satan will make war in heaven at some time in the future.”

And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. Revelation 12:7-8 (NASB)

The passage tells us that Satan and his angels will be defeated.

Is Satan In Hell?

The last question is, “Is Satan in hell?” The answer is, “No!” as we have already discovered. But after the second coming of Christ, Satan will be chained and thrown into the bottomless abyss. Revelation 20:1 says that Satan will be imprisoned for one thousand years.

Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years . . . Revelation 20:1-2 (NASB)

After one thousand years, he will be released and will be allowed to make war on the earth once again. But fire will come down from heaven and “devour” the people waging war against the saints on the earth. Revelation 20:10 says that Satan will then be sent to the lake of fire or hell. He will live there for eternity.

Conclusion:

Is Satan in heaven right now? The answer is that he may be here on earth seeking people to destroy or he may be in heaven seeking permission to attack someone. He is actively working to prevent people from believing in Jesus is Savior and Lord. He is also actively working to cause Christians to disobedient. He wants God to be dishonored and for people to worship him, as if he were God.