Satan’s Limitations: Satan Is Not Omnipresent Series

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Job 1-2 gives us some remarkable information about Satan.

Job reminds me of Revelation in that the scenes go back and forth between spiritual and physical. In both books of the Bible, we see scenes in the spiritual realm in Heaven and the resulting physical ramifications on earth.

Job 1:6 presents a special scene that takes place after Satan was cast out of Heaven. “There was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came among them.”

This is an intriguing situation since we know, “There was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought but didn’t prevail, and their place wasn’t found in heaven any more.” Revelation 12:7-8

The next verse identifies that dragon.

The great dragon, that old serpent called the Devil and Satan, was cast out (of Heaven) to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. The one who deceives the whole world was cast out. Revelation 12:9

There are differing opinions on how these verses from Job and Revelation can be reconciled. Satan no longer has a place in heaven, yet he is in the presence of God. There are a few ways it can be explained. (That is a message for another time.) We may not have the answer, but we know both statements are true, because every word in the Bible is true.

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Satan is Not God’s Equal

#1 is a little speculative. I don’t usually do speculative, but I liked this thought and didn’t want to discard it. Bear with me. Even if you don’t like the speculation of #1, you will like the facts in the rest of this message.

The Lord acknowledged Satan’s presence by asking him, “From where have you come?” Job 1:7

Satan’s situation is similar to Esther’s as she considered presenting herself before King Ahasuerus.

Esther said, “There is a law known to all the king's servants and the subjects of his provinces. They know that whoever comes to the king in the inner court without being called is put to death unless the king holds out the golden scepter that he may live.” Esther 4:10-11

Satan is a subject of God’s province. He is under God’s authority and owes allegiance to His supreme power. Although Satan is in rebellion against God, he wouldn’t dare come into His presence with anything other than a respectful and submissive attitude.

The question directed to Satan acknowledged his presence and gave him permission to speak. God, in essence, “holds out the golden scepter that he may live.”

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Satan is not OMNIPRESENT (Everywhere at Once)

Satan’s response to God’s question in Job 1:7 is a revealing statement. It answers the question, “Where is Satan today?”

Satan answered, “From going to and fro in the earth and from walking up and down in it.”

Peter confirmed that Satan was still roaming the earth in New Testament times.

Be sober and vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8

This verse helps us realize that Satan is not the equal opposite of God. Unlike God, Satan is roaming to and fro, walking up and down in the earth. Satan is only in one place at a time. Satan is not omnipresent.

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As a side note:

Before Satan sinned and was cast out of Heaven, he was “on the holy mountain of God,” and he “walked up and down in the middle of the stones of fire.” Ezekiel 28:14

It’s interesting that he still does the same thing (walking up and down), but his purpose has changed. That’s another message for another time.

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God is OMNIPRESENT

Satan isn’t omnipresent, but God IS. God IS everywhere at the same time. You won’t find the word “omnipresent” in the Bible, but many verses support this concept. Here are several of them.

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, watching the evil and the good. Proverbs 15:3

His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees all his goings. Job 34:21

“Can anyone hide himself in secret places so that I won’t see him?

Don’t I fill the heavens and the earth?” says the Lord. Jeremiah 23:24

David wrote, “Where will I go from Your Spirit? Where will I flee from Your presence?

If I ascend into heaven, You are there. If I make my bed in Hell, You are there.

If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

Even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will hold me.” Psalm 139:7-10

Where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the middle of them. Matthew 18:20