254. The seed of the serpent' is used to mean all faithlessness. This is clear from the meaning of 'a serpent' as evil of every kind. Seed is something which brings forth and is brought forth, or which begets and is begotten. And because the subject here is the Church, 'seed' means faithlessness. When in Isaiah the subject is the corrupted Jewish Church it is called 'the seed of evil ones', 'the seed of the adulterer', 'the seed of deceit',

Woe to a sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evil ones, perverted sons! They have forsaken Jehovah, they have challenged the Holy One of Israel, they have turned away backwards. Isaiah 1:4.

Also,

Draw nearer, sons of the sorceress, seed of the adulterer. Are you not those born of transgression, the seed of deceit? Isaiah 57:3-4.

And,

You are cast out from your sepulchre like an abominable branch, for you have corrupted your land, slain your people. The seed of the evil ones will not be named forever. Isaiah 14:19-20.

This refers to the serpent or dragon, which in this chapter is called Lucifer. ¹

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