kutz@cis.ohio-state.edu (Kenneth J. Kutz) (12/14/90)
The serpent=Satan in Revelation 20:2. This text would certainly indicate to me that the readers knew what he was talking about and that this wasn't some radical new idea. In Genesis, the serpent is one who: (1) Casts doubt and twists the word of God (2) Tempts man and woman to disobey God (3) Dangles the benefits of disobedience in front of man and women (4) Appeals to the lust of the eyes, flesh, and the pride of life (Eve saw it was good for food, wisdom, and she would "be like God, knowing good and evil") Of course, Satan did these same things to Jesus in the wilderness. Whoever this serpent is, the tactics are exactly the same as Satan in Matthew 4. If the serpent isn't Satan, who from hell is it? :-) The origin is obviously the same. No other being seems plausible. At least I don't see any evidence for another conclusion. -- Kenneth J. Kutz Internet kutz@andy.bgsu.edu Systems Programmer BITNET KUTZ@ANDY University Computer Services UUCP ...!osu-cis!bgsuvax!kutz Bowling Green State Univ. US Mail 238 Math Science, BG OH 43403