Just how much can he do?

Can he make you sick, stir you up to take a census, can he cause you to be sick, change the weather, delay a message of God through the agency of his dark angels, read your thoughts,accuse the saints, cast visions...give messages that appear to be revelation?

In David's census-taking, Job's struggles and Zech 3, can we see any patterns in all three regarding the person and work of Satan?

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Pergamum


"If a commission by an earthly king is considered a honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?"
-- David Livingstone

Is it really possible to define the limits of Satan's power? It seems like the opening narrative in Job tells us that his native abilities are not really nearly so important as the scope God gives him in every given case.

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Ruben
Moderator
F.P.C.I.
Indiana

Vanities and disguises have covered us, and thereby we are naked; licenciousness hath inflam'd us, and thereby we are frozen; voluptuousness hath fed us, and thereby we are sterved, the fancies and traditions of men have taught and instructed us, and thereby we are ignorant.
John Donne

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Calvinistas Conversando
Teología en Mexico
The Howling Wilderness

So, his powers vary according to how long God lets out his leash?

Well, when you say powers it sounds to me like you're asking about strength or ability. But Superman can bench a train on any day that he hasn't been exposed to radiation from a red sun. In other words, power seems to me to be intrinsic, though I don't suppose it's a very important point; but Satan's "reach" in any given situation depends on what God allows. In other words, he didn't need help to take Job's family; but he couldn't impact Job's health the first time, not because he lacked the strength, but because God said, "don't do that".

Satan is not omni-present, potent or scient....but seems to tempt people, send plagues and do a great deal of things...