Is Satan Immortal?

Is Satan immortal? The Bible states that God “alone has immortality” (1 Timothy 6:13–16). This means that no creature possesses immortality. As a created angel, this fact applies to Satan, formerly known as Lucifer, who once held the highest position among the angels.

Also, the Bible directly states that “the soul who sins shall die” (Ezekiel 18:20). Nephesh, the Hebrew word from which we get the word “soul,” includes the meaning of “creature” and “living being.” So this verse applies not only to human beings, but also to angels. Not only has Satan sinned, he is the originator of sin. Jesus said to wicked religious leaders, “You are of your father the devil. … He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth” (John 8:44). Since Satan is a living being, and since he is the originator of sin, he will certainly experience the consequence of sin, which is death. After all, the “wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

Jesus spoke of “the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41). Does this mean that Satan will burn forever in eternal misery? There is a Bible passage that explains both parts of the question. God, speaking to Satan, said, “By the abundance of your trading you became filled with violence within, and you sinned; therefore I cast you as a profane thing out of the mountain of God; and I destroyed you, O covering cherub. … I brought fire from your midst; it devoured you, and I turned you to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all who saw you” (Ezekiel 28:16–18).

Is Satan immortal? God said that Satan would be devoured. Will Satan burn forever in hellfire? God said that in the sight of everyone, Satan will be turned to ashes.

Apply It:

How does it make you feel to know Satan will die one day?

Dig Deeper:

Isaiah 14:12–21; 1 Corinthians 15:51–55; 1 Timothy 1:17

Key Bible Texts

Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. (Ezekiel 28:18 KJV)