The Depths of Satan: How to Identify the Deception of False Prophets According to Revelation
To understand what “the depths of Satan” means in Revelation 2:24 (KJV) , we must examine the full context of the message to the church in Thyatira. This phrase does not refer to deep mysteries of God, but to a subtle, highly sophisticated deception that operates in the depths of the human heart.
Revelation 2:18–29 (KJV)
18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.
What Are the “Depths of Satan” in the Bible?
First, the context reveals that Satan operates through a woman who self-proclaims herself a prophetess. The phrase “which calleth herself a prophetess” indicates that God did not appoint her to this ministry. Therefore, what she transmits does not come from God, and she is not a prophet of the Lord.
The Strategy of Deception: To Teach and to Seduce
This woman taught in the church, presenting a message as if it were divine. Church leaders permitted this, suggesting she convinced them of her authenticity, even though she was an imposter.
Greek word analysis for “teach” (διδάσκω / didaskō):
To instruct, teach, indoctrinate, explain.
Furthermore, she seduced and deceived the servants of God. Her goal was to make them fall into sin and rebellion against God.
Greek word analysis for “seduce/deceive” (πλανάω / planaō):
To cause to wander, lead astray, lead out of the way; figuratively: to seduce, deceive, corrupt.
Here we are dealing with one of the most refined forms of spiritual deception. It is so subtle that it is extremely difficult to detect. This essence is what the Bible calls “the depths of Satan.” The name “Satan” means “adversary” or “liar,” and this is the highest and deepest form of lying: a deception that many are not even aware of, as Scripture says: “which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak.”
The Nature of the False Prophet
To understand this phenomenon, we must study how those who prophesy without being sent by God operate. These false prophets do not speak what God commands them; rather, they speak from their own inspiration.
These individuals are often deeply rooted in churches. They enjoy the trust of other leaders, are well received, and are permitted to teach and minister. They are eloquent, quote Scripture to support their “authority,” and present themselves as authentic spokespersons of God.
What Is the Trap? How Does Satan Deceive Through Them?
Let us look at the specific sins this false prophetess promoted in Thyatira:
· Fornication (spiritual adultery).
· Eating things sacrificed to idols (idolatry).
It is important to understand that these believers did not necessarily worship statues or commit physical sexual immorality. Their sin resided in the heart.
The Root of the Problem: Rebellion and Idolatry
1 Samuel 15:23 (KJV) gives us the hermeneutical key:
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
Deep Application:
· Rebellion = Sin of witchcraft.
· Stubbornness (obstinacy) = Idolatry.
Conclusion: The false prophetess, through her messages, influenced believers to resist the perfect will of God, thereby committing spiritual adultery (unfaithfulness to God).
God has a specific will for every believer. To ignore or disobey it, even by following an “attractive” prophecy, is rebellion.
Practical Example:
God calls a man to be a pastor, but a false prophet declares: “God showed me your ministry is in music.” If the man obeys the prophecy and abandons the pastorate to sing, he is being bewitched. He is under the control of powers of darkness that use him to frustrate God’s sovereign plan.
The Bait: Prophecies That “Tickle the Ears”
2 Timothy 4:3 (KJV)
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.
Greek word analysis for “lusts” (ἐπιθυμία / epithymia):
Desire, longing, passion, craving, lust, covetousness.
Demons, through false prophets, tickle the ears. They detect the selfish desires and hidden ambitions of the heart, and prophesy accordingly:
· To the one who loves money: “God is calling you to business to make you a millionaire.”
· To the one who seeks fame: “God will give you an international ministry.”
· To the one who craves power: “God will make you head over multitudes.”
This flattery is the perfect vehicle to lead people out of God’s will.
Old Testament Prophetic Support
Jeremiah 5:31 (KJV)
The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
Jeremiah 14:14 (KJV)
Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.
Jeremiah 23:25–27 (KJV)
I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed. How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart; Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal.
The Case of Peter: When a Good Intention Becomes a Satanic Trap
Matthew 16:21–23 (KJV)
21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
Fundamental Lesson:
Even an apostle can be used by Satan to dissuade someone from the cross. The false prophet operates the same way: he offers “compassion,” “blessing,” and “glory” to turn the believer away from the path of sacrifice and obedience.
Dreams and Visions: The Battlefield
God speaks through dreams and visions (Job 33:14–18, Acts 2:17). However, not every dream comes from God.
Jeremiah 23:32 (KJV)
Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the Lord, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the Lord.
The Danger:
The false prophet interprets dreams according to the deceit of his own heart, manipulating dream imagery to support his doctrine or his financial gain.
The Root of Covetousness
Micah 3:11 (KJV)
The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say, Is not the Lord among us? none evil can come upon us.
Practical Conclusion:
Greed and covetousness are frequent drivers of false prophecy. Like Balaam, many prophesy for reward, saying what people want to hear in order to secure donations, offerings, or salaries.
Case Study: Ahab, Jehoshaphat, and the 400 Prophets
In 2 Chronicles 18, we find one of the clearest lessons on prophetic discernment.
1. 400 prophets against 1 (Micaiah). All prophesy “good” and “victory.”
2. The king hates Micaiah because he never prophesies good of him, but always evil.
3. The messenger tempts Micaiah to join the chorus of flattery.
4. Micaiah declares the truth: He sees Israel scattered like sheep without a shepherd.
5. The mechanism of deception: “The Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets” (v. 22).
6. The test of the true prophet: Historical verification. Micaiah said: “If thou certainly return in peace, then hath not the Lord spoken by me” (v. 27). Ahab died.
Application:
If a prophecy always flatters, always exalts you, or always justifies your passions — be suspicious. The true prophet brings fire and hammer (Jeremiah 23:29), not just honey.
The Biblical Command: Examine and Judge
1 Corinthians 14:29 (KJV)
Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
God does not call us to consume prophecies passively. He calls us to examine, judge, and discern. If you do not know the “depths of Satan,” you can fall victim to them.
Final Conclusion
The depths of Satan are not an occult, mystical knowledge. They are the supreme capacity of deception to present lies as if they were the will of God, appealing to the deepest desires of the fallen heart.
How to protect yourself?
1. Love truth more than blessing.
2. Submit to sound doctrine, not emotions.
3. Examine the fruits and character of the prophet.
4. Reject any word that contradicts Scripture, no matter how “spiritual” it seems.
5. Seek the will of God, not the confirmation of your own desires.
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)
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