The Serpent of Paradise: The Incredible Story of How Satan's Rebellion Serves God's Purposes

Initial reservations about this book disappeared as I began an exhaustive study of this extremely well written presentation which left me with an undeniable conviction that it should be required reading for every Christian.A comment on the rear cover of my copy descries the book as a "veritable treasury of Biblical insight". I am in wholehearted agreement with such a statement although having some minor disagreements with some of the personal views that are contained.The reader is provided with an in depth study of the fall of Lucifer (the devil/Satan) with insights into the latter's character, his limitations as a "created being" together with his purposes and his ultimate destination in the "lake of fire". Such are approached through a clear portrayal of the Sovereignty of Almighty God. A clear and fundamental Scriptural study leaving the reader in no doubt that, as the devil may tempt, temporarily rule and even destroy, he is ultimately restricted by God's Will and eternal Purposes and that the devil's outcome is certain and unavoidable.The book illustrates how the devil exists sometimes as God's "instrument of justice" for the disobedient and God's means of "purification" for the obedient with the reader being instructed about the nature of sin itself, the Holiness & Mercy of God and the helplessness of man apart from God's Grace.The book also analyses what are cited as the bankruptcy and inherent wickedness of human nature extending from the Fall in Genesis to the Return of the Messiah Jesus Christ. One section describing how that God's Judgement may be seen by some as "long in coming" but when it arrives, as it surely will, it is "swift and sure". A section of this excellent work is devoted to how God will "wrap up human history" amid the return of His Son Jesus Christ. The imagery of lightning and thunder being used to describe such. The study depicting how alghough lightning and thunder occur at the same time, the "lightning" is seen first with the roar of the "thunder" being heard later. The "lightning" occurring at the Cross of Calvary and we now await the "thunder" of Christ's return. During this lapse of time the book reveals how the devil continues to "fight" but that even now the "war is over".I highly recommend this excellent study along with a book by the late Derek Prince entitled "War in Heaven; God's Epic Battle With Evil" and Dwight Pentecost's "Your Adversary, The Devil".

This book was one of the greatest books on describing Satan and his cunning ways, things we may never think about. I caught myself rereading a lot of the material because I wanted to really retain what was being taught about how we as humans fail to see the dark side of things. This book is one I won't forget. The descriptions of Satan and his whiling ways are just enormous. This book helped me tremendously in my Christian walk in noticing Satan's works in daily living. I would highly recommend this book for anyone, but read it slowly, to retain the meaning.

God revealed more depth to us about Lucifer and Satan through the revelation and research of Erwin Lutzer. Once you start reading it, you cannot put it down. In spite of the fact that the author does voice a couple of his own personal opinions I cannot agree with, the information he gives us, based on scripture, is noncomparable with any other author's writings. A must for any library, being a complete documented sojourn into the "mind" of what was once the most beautiful, intelligent being that was ever created, until God created Man. Thus, began the pride, jealousy, and hatred of a spirit that decided on his own free will to rebel against the Holy One. Now, it makes even more sense why this outrageous battle between good and evil constantly thrusts forward.

This book puts Satan in his place -- squarely under God! This is a book you need to read if you are dealing with spiritual warfare. Lucifer set in motion a whole set of circumstances when he decided to rebel against God that is and will ultimately bring greater glory to God. Satan is now only able to move within the confines that God allows him to. The devil, although trying to deceive us into thinking that he is on a par with God, fighting Him and has the possibility of winnning the war, is rather trapped in a plan that will bring about his destruction and that of his rebellious demonic horde. Jesus Christ won the victory against sin on the cross. God uses Satan to bring forth His perfect plans for mankind. As Martin Luther said "the devil is God's devil." An important book for all Christians