Is Satan the master of hell?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Satan is not the master of hell; rather, hell was created by God as a place of eternal torment for Satan and his demons. In the Old Testament, Satan is depicted as a wandering figure without a home, not as a ruler of hell. The New Testament reveals that Satan and his demons are currently roaming the earth and heavens. Hell, more properly known as the lake of fire, is a future place of punishment where Satan and all who follow him will suffer torment for eternity (Revelation 20:7–15). God, who has the power and authority over hell, is its creator and ultimate judge (Revelation 1:17–18; Matthew 25:41). Although God created hell and will punish those who reject Him, His desire is for all to put their trust in Him for salvation and therefore escape the consequences of hell (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:3–4).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Satan is not currently in hell. Job 1:6–7 pictures Satan not as a powerful ruler, a master of hell, but rather a wanderer without a home.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Satan and his demons are not currently residing in hell—they are roaming the earth and the heavens. Peter says that Satan "prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8).
• The Bible says that Satan and his demons, as well as those who follow Satan, will be cast into the lake of fire (hell) where they will all be tortured. Satan is not the master of hell; he is punished in hell (Revelation 20:7–15).
• The Bible clearly teaches that God has power over hell. In Revelation Jesus says, "Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades" (Revelation 1:17–18). Satan is not the master of hell, but God is.
• Not only is God in control of hell, but God was the actual creator of hell—its purpose is as a place of everlasting punishment for Satan and the demons (Matthew 25:41), and when God comes to judge the earth, he will cast them into hell forever (Revelation 20:10, 14–15). Though hell is the "eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41), all those who refuse to put their faith in Jesus Christ will also be eternally condemned there (John 3:16–18, 36).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Satan is not the master of hell; it is not his realm to control. Rather, hell was created by God as a place of everlasting torment for Satan and his demons; it is also the place of judgment for those who follow the ways of Satan and continue to rebel against God. Satan is not a being equal to God; he is a being created by God who rebelled against Him. God's power is infinite. Though He now waits with patience for more people to come to salvation in Jesus Christ, God will one day bring judgment on the earth and final judgment on Satan (2 Peter 3:8–10; Romans 16:20). As Jesus said in Matthew 10:28, we should "fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell," highlighting that our fear should be directed towards God, who alone possesses the ultimate power and authority. This fear is not about terror but about recognizing God's sovereign position and aligning our lives in obedience and trust to Him.

UNDERSTAND

• Satan is not in hell, but he will be tormented in hell for eternity.
• Hell was created by God as a place of punishment for Satan and his followers, and God alone has authority over it.
• Although hell is a place of punishment, God desires all to be saved and escape its consequences through faith in Jesus Christ

REFLECT

• How does understanding that Satan is not the master of hell but is destined to be punished there impact your view of God’s justice and sovereignty?
• What do we learn about God in the truth that God created hell yet desires for everyone to be saved and not go there? How does that shape your perspective on sharing the gospel?
• How does knowing that God is in control of hell and that it is not Satan's realm encourage you to trust in God's ultimate authority and plan for justice?

ENGAGE

• Literature like Dante's Divine Comedy (specifically the first part of that epic poem, called Inferno) and Milton's Paradise Lost have shaped the contemporary conception of Satan and hell. They paint pictures of Satan as the master of hell, and his demons in charge of torturing people. However, Satan will be the one tortured in hell, not the master of it.
• What are the implications of God holding the "keys of Death and Hades" (Revelation 1:17–18) for our understanding of the nature of hell?
• How does the concept of Satan being tortured in hell rather than being its master reflect on the nature of evil and its ultimate fate according to biblical theology?