How does Jesus characterize the devil according to John 8:44 and Revelation 13:1-6?

What are the three objects of slander for the satanic beast described in Revelation 13?

John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources (his lying nature), for he is a liar and the father of it.

Revelation 13:1-6 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him? And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven.

Key Points

• John 8:44 describes the devil as a liar, murderer, and the source of falsehood, with no truth in him.
• It seems likely that Revelation 13:1-6 portrays the satanic beast as a blasphemous figure, slandering God, His name, and His dwelling place.
• The evidence points to these characterizations highlighting the devil’s opposition to God and his role in deceiving humanity.

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Direct Answer

Jesus’s Characterization of the Devil in John 8:44

In John 8:44, Jesus characterizes the devil with stark clarity, speaking to those opposing Him: “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” Here, Jesus paints the devil as:

• A Murderer: From the start—likely a nod to the Fall in Genesis 3, where his deception led to human death and separation from God.
• A Liar: The originator of falsehood, with lying as his native language, devoid of any truth.
• The Father of Lies: The source and instigator of all deception, fundamentally opposed to God, who is truth (John 14:6).

This portrayal frames the devil as a destructive, deceitful entity whose nature drives him to undermine God’s creation and truth.

The Satanic Beast and Three Objects of Slander in Revelation 13:1-6

Revelation 13:1-6 describes a beast rising from the sea, empowered by the dragon (often identified as Satan), with a focus on its blasphemous actions. The passage reads in part: “And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven” (Revelation 13:6). The three specific objects of the beast’s slander are:

1. God: The beast directly blasphemes God Himself, challenging His authority and character, aligning with the devil’s opposition seen in John 8:44.
2. His Name: This refers to God’s identity, reputation, and divine titles (e.g., Yahweh), which the beast seeks to defame, echoing Satan’s pattern of lies.
3. His Tabernacle (and Those Who Dwell in Heaven): The Tabernacle represents God’s dwelling place—heaven—and includes the heavenly beings (angels and saints). The beast slanders this sacred realm and its inhabitants, attacking the divine order.

An Unexpected Detail
The beast’s blasphemy isn’t just verbal; it’s tied to its power and authority (Revelation 13:2, 5), suggesting a deceptive reign that mimics God’s rule, amplifying the liar motif from John 8:44.

Connecting the Two

Jesus’ depiction of the devil as a liar and murderer complements the Revelation beast’s blasphemous actions. Both show a figure bent on distorting the truth and opposing God, with the beast acting as Satan’s agent, slandering what is holy to deceive and dominate humanity.

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Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of John 8:44 and Revelation 13:1-6

This note provides a thorough examination of how Jesus characterizes the devil in John 8:44 and identifies the three objects of slander for the satanic beast in Revelation 13:1-6, grounded in scripture and theological insights.

Background and Methodology

John 8:44 occurs during Jesus’ confrontation with the Pharisees, revealing their spiritual allegiance to the devil. Revelation 13:1-6, part of John’s apocalyptic vision, describes a beast symbolizing satanic power in the end times. This analysis uses biblical text, cross-references, and scholarly resources to interpret these passages, focusing on the devil’s nature and the beast’s blasphemous targets.

Jesus’ Characterization in John 8:44

John 8:44 states: “You are of your father the devil… He is a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” Breaking this down:

• Murderer from the Beginning: Likely refers to Genesis 3, where the serpent’s lie led to Adam and Eve’s spiritual and eventual physical death. This aligns with 1 John 3:8, “The devil has sinned from the beginning.”
• No Truth in Him: The devil’s essence is falsehood, contrasting with God’s truth (John 1:14). John 8:44 Commentary notes this as his inherent nature, not a mere tendency.
• Father of Lies: He originates and propagates deception, as seen in his temptation of Eve and ongoing influence (2 Corinthians 11:3). This title underscores his role as the ultimate adversary to God’s truth.

Theological insights to John 8:44 emphasize his destructive intent and deceit as core traits, setting the stage for his actions through proxies like the Revelation beast.

The Beast’s Slander in Revelation 13:1-6

Revelation 13:1-6 describes a beast with ten horns and seven heads, given power by the dragon (Satan, per Revelation 12:9). Key verses include: “And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven” (v. 6), with authority for 42 months (v. 5). The three objects of slander are:

1. God: The beast’s blasphemy targets God directly, denying His sovereignty. Revelation 13:6 Commentary links this to Daniel 7:25, where a similar figure speaks against the Most High.
2. His Name: God’s name—His titles and essence (e.g., “I AM,” Exodus 3:14)—is slandered, aiming to diminish His glory. Revelation 13:6 notes this as an attack on God’s identity.
3. His Tabernacle and Heavenly Dwellers: The tabernacle, or God’s dwelling (heaven), and its inhabitants (angels, saints) are defamed. This is an assault on God’s realm, contrasting with heaven’s sanctity (Hebrews 8:2).

The beast’s actions reflect Satan’s character from John 8:44, using lies and opposition to deceive nations (Revelation 13:7).

Synthesis and Implications

Jesus’ portrayal of the devil as a liar and murderer aligns with the beast’s blasphemous slander, both rooted in opposition to God. The beast’s targets—God, His name, and His tabernacle—represent a comprehensive attack on divine authority, mirroring Satan’s deceitful nature. This suggests a consistent biblical narrative of Satan as the adversary (Hebrew: Satan = accuser), seen in Job 1:6-12 and 1 Peter 5:8.

Practical Insight
For believers, this highlights the need to discern truth amid deception, as the devil’s influence persists through lies and slander.