Our original parents were not the only ones to rebel against God’s
rule. But who else was in existence at the time? Spirit creatures.
Before God created humans, he created a higher form of life, great
numbers of angels, to live in the heavenly realm. They too were created
with free will and also with the need to submit to God’s rule.—Job 38:7;
Psalm 104:4; Revelation 5:11.

The Bible shows that rebellion first broke out in the spirit realm. A
spirit creature wanted total freedom. He even wanted humans to worship
him. (Matthew 4:8, 9) This spirit rebel became a factor in influencing
Adam and Eve to rebel, claiming falsely that God was withholding
something good from them. (Genesis 3:1-5) So he is called Devil
(Slanderer) and Satan (Adversary). Later, he induced other spirit
creatures to rebel. They became known as demons.—Deuteronomy 32:17;
Revelation 12:9; 16:14.

Humans, by rebelling against God, gave themselves over to the influence
of Satan and his demons. That is why the Bible calls Satan “the god of
this system of things,” who “has blinded the minds of the unbelievers.”
Hence, God’s Word says that “the whole world is lying in the power of
the wicked one.” Jesus himself called Satan “the ruler of this world.”—
2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 5:19; John 12:31.