I’m currently reading a book by popular conservative Catholic blogger Matt Walsh called The Unholy Trinity: Blocking the Left’s Assault on Life, Marriage, and Gender. I’m currently in chapter 3.  In chapter one he sets up the premise of the book.  In chapter two he reveals the reason so many liberals defend abortion, and destroys their arguments, revealing abortion to be the horror that it is.   I highly recommend this book and would encourage you to pick it up.

However, Mr Walsh makes three glaring errors in the opening paragraphs of his book. First of all, he claims that Lucifer lived in heaven “before time itself.” Satan is a linear being, which means he was created to live inside of time. There is only one being that is outside of time, and that is God. The best statement against this view (expressed again in chapter two) is Genesis 1:31 which states that after God created everything (including Man) that “everything was very good.”  If Satan had already rebelled, then not everything would have been good.

Secondly, Matt claims that Satan “and those who followed him were cast out of Paradise, down into the hideous depths of Hell.”  This is the extrabiblical idea that Hell is a very hot place where demons torment the ungodly and Satan is ruling over everything down there. Nothing could be further from the truth.  Satan was cast out of his position in heaven, but as Job states, he can still go there sometimes.  Also, Revelation 12:9 says that he was cast down to earth, NOT hell.

Thirdly, Matt claims that in hell Satan reigns “over his pitiful kingdom of darkness” in hell. This is a common misconception because nowhere in the Bible does it say that Satan is somehow “in charge” of Hell. Satan is the “prince of the power of the air” and “the god of this world.” I Peter 5:8 says Satan is walking amongst living humans. In Job 1 AND 2 Satan states that he has been walking around on the earth. In all likelihood Satan has never even been to Hell and will not go there until the end of the Tribulation period as foretold in in Revelation 20.

I think this is an important point.  Satan does not rule over Hell.  The idea that he does gives him an authority that he does not have. Matthew 25:41 is clear that Hell was created to punish Satan and his demons, not for humans (though it will be used for this).  Hell is a place of unimaginable torment and the only people that go there are those who reject Christ.  They will be tormented for eternity not by demons, but by God’s wrath.  In reality, the demons (including Satan) will be tormented right next to the humans. Satan is dangerous, yes, but if you trust in Christ, you need not fear him.

In conclusion, if you have questions about the logical flaws in modern liberalism, Matt Walsh is a good source for information.  If you have questions about angelology (the study of angels, including Satan), look elsewhere.