As we are all well aware, because he is a created being himself, Satan is not a creator, but he is a counterfeiter. This is most evident in Isaiah 14:13-14 where we bear witness to the infamous five “I will” statements. The final statement, recorded in Isaiah 14:14 is this: “I will be like the Most High.”
In Hebrew, reference to “the Most High” is rendered “El Elyon.” This is one of the truly exquisite names for God found in the Bible. As we know, each of the divine names is given in order to reveal to man some quality or characteristic of God that cannot be found to the same extent in any other being. All divine names (and this one in particular), therefore, set God apart from and elevate Him infinitely higher than all other beings, whether in heaven or earth.
For Satan to believe that he could become like El Elyon shows the extent of his foolish pride. As Donald Grey Barnhouse said in his book entitled The Invisible War, “He awoke in the first moment of his existence in the full-orbed beauty and power of his exalted position; surrounded by all the magnificence which God gave him. He saw himself as above all the hosts in power, wisdom, and beauty. Only at the throne of God itself did he see more than he himself possessed, and it is possible that even that was in some sense not fully visible to the eyes of the creature.”
But it begs the question – of all the names and characteristics attributed to God, why does Satan want to be like El Elyon? Well, let’s examine some passages where the name is used to give us a better idea.
The mysterious Melchizedek, who Abram meets as recorded in Genesis 14, uses the name El Elyon for God. In Genesis 14:18-20 we read: “Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said: ‘Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.'”
After his meeting with Melchizedek, Abram then also identifies himself with El Elyon (Genesis 14:22).
Moses also worships God as the Most High God. In Deuteronomy 32:8, we read: “When the Most High divided their inheritance to the nations, when He separated the sons of Adam, He set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the children of Israel.“
Since God is revealed to be the possessor of heaven and earth, we come to learn that His sovereignty and power knows no bounds. In other words, the authority of the Most High God transcends heaven and earth, including all created things. Even though most of mankind fails to acknowledge this, the demons have their theology correct. In Mark 5:7, we read of Jesus healing a demon-possessed man: “And he cried out with a loud voice and said, ‘What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.'”
That acknowledgment was also made by the demon-possessed slave girl. In Acts 16:17, we read: “This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, ‘These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.'”
Perhaps the most significant use of this name for God (El Elyon) is found in the Book of Daniel. You will recall that Nebuchadnezzar was the king of a vast empire. But the king was taking credit for these achievements and was in great danger because his heart was becoming proud. Daniel 4:30 reads: “The king spoke, saying, ‘Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?'”
As punishment for his pride, Nebuchadnezzar would dwell with the beasts of the field and eat grass like oxen… “till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.“
After his period of punishment ended, Daniel 4:34 records: “And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation.“
If we were to translate El Elyon into English, it not only refers to God as the Most High, it also fundamentally defines God as “the strongest strong One.” In every instance where the name El Elyon is used for God, it stresses His strength and sovereignty, meaning His plans always prevail. Now, for the prideful creature we know as Satan, that is exactly the power and authority he desires. His sin was a direct challenge to the power and authority of God.
In seeking to counterfeit God’s work through mankind, Satan is also searching for men through whom He can work in order to exercise his authority throughout the earth and establish a powerful kingdom with him as its ruler. The men he desires must not only carry out his will but also cooperate to do the one thing that he believes will stop the introduction of the Millennial Kingdom of Christ – destroy every Jew.
On the basis of Satan’s work through the proud human rulers of ancient Tyre (Ezekiel 28) and Babylon (Isaiah 14) and his future work through the Antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2; Revelation 13), Satan’s strategy is to cultivate pride in the hearts of human rulers in order to mirror the sin which led to his fall.
As Geoffrey W. Grogan wrote in the Expositor’s Bible Commentary: “When Satan works his malign will through rulers of this world, he reproduces his own wicked qualities in them, so that they become virtual shadows of which he is the substance… All rulers of international significance whose overweening pride and arrogance bring them to ruin under the hand of God’s judgement illustrate both the satanic and the Antichrist principles, for these principles are really one.”
In the future Tribulation Period, Satan will empower and use two men in particular—the Antichrist and False Prophet—to establish a worldwide form of his kingdom to rule over the earth. His chief goal will be to destroy all witness for God (including Israel) and ensure worship is directed to himself.
The time is growing ever closer when Satan will unveil his plan to the world, seeking to convince mankind that he is in fact “the strongest strong one.” But it is all a deception. There is only one El Elyon and very soon, He will demonstrate His power and sovereignty by establishing the Millennial Reign of Christ throughout the whole world. What a day that will be.
