Thursday: The Serpent
Daily Lesson for Thursday 10th of April 2025
The issue of worship is a key subject in the book of Revelation. The perpetrator and enabler of false systems of worship is identified as the “dragon” (Revelation 13:2-4), and the serpentine description of this fallen cherub is no accident. It clearly points us back to the Garden of Eden, where a serpent entered Paradise and persuaded Adam and Eve to follow him into rebellion against the Creator.
Compare Genesis 3:1-5 with Revelation 12:1-9. What are some of the common themes in each account? How do the details found in the introduction of the serpent in Genesis help us to understand some of the issues that had previously led to the war in heaven mentioned in Revelation?
Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com
There are two accounts in the Scriptures in which Satan leads the whole world astray. In Genesis, at a moment when there were only two people in existence; and then in the account given in Revelation 12:1-17 and 13, in which Satan is identified as the one who “deceives the whole world” (Revelation 12:9) and as the one who enables the sea beast power so that “all the world” marvels and follows it (Revelation 13:2-3). One of the themes found in Bible prophecy is the unchanging nature of the great controversy. God’s character and Word do not change, and neither do the ambitions of the devil.
Fortunately, because the nature of the great controversy does not change, and because we have clear reference points in the prophetic Scriptures, Christians are able to sift through trends and begin to recognize where spiritual pitfalls might lie. God will always be who He is, and the same is true of the devil. Satan may wear a thousand disguises, but millennia of fallen human history, coupled with the prophetic scenario painted in Revelation, demonstrate that he never strays from the game plan he used in Eden. God has promised us wisdom and discernment (James 1:5), and armed with the certainty of the Scriptures, we need not fall for the devil’s lies. Unfortunately, many have fallen for them, and many more—the majority—will, as well.
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Consider how culture changes over time. Societal norms shift; things that were once acceptable become unacceptable and vice versa. Given that the underlying issues and actors in the great controversy do not change, what things should a Christian consider in examining the shifting cultural landscape? For example, the original lies that the devil told, such as you shall not die and you shall be as gods: where can you find them being told in your culture today? |
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It is profoundly important to take note how the Serpent is introduced in the Bible for the very first time. “The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made” (Genesis 3:1, NLT). I requested “Professor Google” to give me synonyms for the word shrewd and I was given the following words: Cunning, Crafty, Sly, Wily, Foxy, Sneaky, Devious, Artful, Tricky, Scheming, Calculating, Manipulative, Guileful, Sharp and Astute. Now I am thinking, what chance do I have against such a character with all such attributes? In fact, this Old Serpent (Revelation 12:9, Revelation 20:2 has since greatly matured in his tricks of the game. Ellen White, in The Great Controversy (p.518), writes that, "Satan is constantly seeking to deceive the followers of Christ with his fatal sophistry." No human being stands a chance whatsoever against this foe who has perfected his deceptive strategies. Praise be to our God and Saviour Jesus Christ who has disarmed and made public spectacle of the devil and triumphed through the power of the cross (Colossians 2:15). To Him all power, majesty, glory and dominion belong now and forever (Daniel 7:13-14). Amen.
In today's lesson, with its focus on the serpent, we have the first explicit mention of a prophetic symbol. Then the author jumps directly to Revelation 13:2-4 and Revelation 12:1-9. That seems like a breathtaking jump, since Genesis only mentions a serpent, not a dragon, and in the rest of the Old Testament, dragons are referenced a number of times, with a different Hebrew word. Then I read at BlueLetterBible.org that the word for "dragon" in Revelation also means a "great serpent." So it seems the two words are closely related.
But let's go where the author didn't go to explore this symbol. Do you remember the brass serpent on a pole in Numbers 21:9? How does this relate to the symbol of sin and Satan? Is the symbol itself prophetic?
Does the brass serpent on a pole symbolize more than the deadly serpents of the desert killing the people? If so, how significant is this?
Can you think of a New Testament allusion to this terrible time in Hebrew history?
Can you think of any contemporary allusions to a serpent on a pole?
A serpent on a pole is an insignia of the medical profession.
Indeed Leilani, however, it seems that even that biblical imagery has been co-opted by the devil. This interesting information comes from a Google search on the image of a snake on a cross.
The image of a snake coiled around a pole, also known as the Rod of Asclepius or Caduceus, is a widely recognized symbol of medicine and healing, with roots in ancient Greek mythology and later adopted by various cultures.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
Rod of Asclepius:
This version features a single snake coiled around a staff and is considered the more traditional and accurate symbol of medicine, representing the Greek god of healing, Asclepius.
Caduceus:
This version, often mistakenly used as the medical symbol, features two snakes coiled around a staff, with wings at the top, and is actually the symbol of the Greek messenger god, Hermes (or Mercury in Roman mythology).
That's interesting information as I never have researched the serpent as a symbol of the medical profession. But even if its roots are in Greek mythology, might it be possible that the story in the Bible influenced the mythology in some way? After all, the Israelite society is older than the Greeks, at least in terms of being a world power.
I'm not sure that I would say the symbol has been co-opted by the devil, though. In a sense it is true, as he is behind all false worship and the gods that go with those systems. But I don't really see that much power in the symbols themselves unless they are directly used for Satanic purposes. Everyday we invoke the names of many Roman gods (days of the week, months of the year), but they don't have that meaning to us. We could say that Satan is using the days of the week or months of the year for that purpose, but I am not willing to give him that power.
I would say the same of the medical symbol. To me I think of the healing in Numbers. That's my personal connection whether it be right or wrong. Most people don't think of it one way or another. So I don't see it having a lot of power for Satan right now.
I think mythology demonstrates how God's symbols of salvation have left traces in all cultures.
We also find flood myths around the world, myths of towers reaching into heaven, original humans being punished for eating forbidden fruit, and we could go on.
The blood offerings of Genesis were truly co-opted by Satan, and the most fiendish perversion was the sacrificing of humans in several cultures. Substituting pigs for lambs in African religions is the second-most-repulsive perversion, IMO.
So, yes, I believe the symbol of the serpent on a pole found in Greek mythology was influenced by the serpent Moses made. Biblical symbols are often claimed to have been patterned after historically contemporary symbols and practices. But, in this case, it seems like the "rod of Asclepius" originated around 800 BC, while most scholars place the Exodus around 1500 BC. I don't think it's coincidental that a symbol for healing "originated" 700 or so years after Moses. 😉
Thanks, Leilani. That's what I was thinking. But, like Tim mentioned, Satan has twisted the symbol for his own use. It seems that the symbol for medicine was originally a single serpent twisted around a pole (like it was in Exodus), and the current symbol employs two serpents.
The original symbol in Exodus was meant to point to the Savior to come by whose sacrifice not only physical poisoning but also spiritual poisoning would be cured.
Jesus alluded to this symbol to tell Nicodemus much about His work and sacrifice. John 3:14,15. Jesus would "become sin" for humanity, just like the serpent represented the cause of their suffering and death. Yet, paradoxically, this very Man who became sin for us is the only One who can save us! 2 Cor. 5:12
The saying, "The more things change, the more they remain the same," is most certainly true in regard to how the devil repeats his original lie to the masses today. Back in the Garden, Satan used a media, or medium, to seduce and deceive Eve and entrap her in his false theology. Today things are more "sophisticated" as the doctrine of spiritualism is promoted through a modern-day media, or medium, television (vision from afar) and Hollywood (which has a very dark and occultic underbelly) have combined to program (there's a reason it's called programming) as a mass formation event, the entire world, to accept Satan's lies as well as to prepare people to accept a counterfeit Second Coming of Jesus Christ. We must carefully select our media choices to safeguard ourselves from being exposed to belief systems that are diametrically opposed to scripture. If that isn't bad enough, even religious teachers and preachers are repeating the devil's original lie by teaching that you don't really die when you die, you go on to some other existence immediately, either eternal reward in heaven, or eternal punishing in hell. All totally in opposition to scripture. Through entertainment, humor, and even religion our barriers are lowered and we are subtlety introduced to damning heresies that wage war against our souls. We must protect the temple of the Holy Spirit from the influence of these false doctrines and false gods. Our very salvation is at risk.
There is a current trend toward being yourself, following your feelings, and accepting your nature. Who wants to fight natural self-flaws? The enemy of the soul knows by experience how difficult it is to battle with self because he gave in to evil and started to worship his own character's defects instead of God's perfect essence, to the point of no return.
While culture evolves, God's Word remains the same. Isaiah 40:8 says, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”
We as Christians must be anchored in the great controversy theme as culture changes. Scripture is the lens that helps us discern truth from deception.
If something contradicts God's law or misrepresents His character of love and justice, it's not just a “cultural” issue—it’s part of the larger battle between Christ and Satan.
Being anchored means living out God’s law in everyday choices, not legalistically, but as an expression of love and loyalty to Him. Ultimately, we are not just anchored in ideas or doctrines, but in a Person—Jesus Christ. He is the Rock that never shifts (Hebrews 13:8).
In Revelation 12:9, Satan is explicitly called the one who “deceives the whole world.” Deception is his signature move, twisting truth to mislead. In Genesis, his lies led to humanity’s fall, while in Revelation, his deceptions have global consequences, influencing nations and systems of false worship.
Satan’s lies persist in modern culture through ideologies that deny accountability or elevate human autonomy above God. Christians are called to discern these deceptions by relying on Scripture for wisdom and guidance. Believers can avoid falling prey to Satan's schemes while remaining steadfast in their worship of the true Creator.
What is the purpose of a lie? Is it not to divorce us from reality? Since God alone in the 3 Persons of the Godhead is eternal, His existence alone defines reality. Satan in rejecting God has divorced himself from reality. He is insane. The purpose of Satan’s lies is to divorce us from reality and attempt to create a different reality apart from God. This is of course impossible. To the degree that this world has believed Satan’s lies, it can be said that this world is the insane asylum of the universe.
Mark 8:36 - ”For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? ‘How was the serpent successful? What did he employ to persuade to abandon God and follow one’s own counsel?’ He promoted the use of the senses for instant gratification as being more important than the fostering of the spiritual relationship with our Creator, Father. Unconverted Man, will always want to prioritize the satisfaction of the senses over spiritual values of trust and loving obedience to God.
Mattew, Mark, and Luke asked the same question: What will a man give in exchange for his soul? Man will always seek out the advantages life and living will offer him to 'comfort' his senses. Yes, “God has promised us wisdom and discernment”, though, do we focus them on strengthening our relationship with our heavenly Father, or do we use them to accumulate earthly treasures?