We believe that one of God's mightiest archangels, "Lucifer, son of the morning" (Isaiah 14:12), sinned and fell through his pride, jealousy of God, and ambition. He then became Satan [the Devil], the infernal foe of all righteousness. About a third of the angels followed him in his rebellion against God, and thus became demons, evil spirits, which are presently active as his agents and associates in his malignant and God-defying activities. Satan's evil spirits now influence many people, and are largely responsible for the rampant crime, violence, wickedness, and disease flooding the world. We hold Satan to be the open and avowed enemy of God and humankind, who, as a usurper, now rules as the unholy "god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4 KJV). He will be defeated at the apocalyptic Battle of Armageddon after the Second Coming of Christ (Revelation 20:1-3).
- Isaiah 14:12-15; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:7-9; Ezekiel 28:11-19