The fall of Lucifer
In the last series, I quoted Isaiah 14:12-17; if you have time compare and read Ezekiel 28:11-19. Just a short comment concerning the prophet’s lamentation.
Clearly the references above go beyond the human king of Tyre. It is very descriptive language suggesting to us that the human king of Tyre is much like someone else--that “someone” is Satan! Undoubtedly, here we have another hint, it is obvious that Satan fell because of his rebellion against God and by reason of pride of heart as verse 17 indicates. Sin entered into the heart of Satan and a great portion of the angelic beings sinned.
2 Peter 2:4 tells us, “For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment.” In Jude 6, “And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling – these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.” E. H. Bancroft asserts, “We deduce that the sin of these fallen spirits was a free act on their part, dictated by dissatisfaction with the place that had been assigned to them in the hierarchy of heavens and by ambition to secure for themselves a loftier station than that in which they had been placed.”(Christian Theology Systematic and Biblical p.212)
There is a considerable interest and acceptance among Biblical scholars concerning Satan’s original commission in relation to this earth that God has created. It seems that Lucifer (translated, ‘light bearer’) was given the responsibility to be a steward of this earth according to Ezekiel 28: 14 “You were anointed as a guardian cherub for so I ordained you…” Yet, as we further search and read Isaiah 14:12-17, it tells us that this once anointed Cherubim lost his privileged position and dominion by a presumptuous act of rebellion against the sovereignty of God. This was the tragic background, where we find this created being challenging the authority of his Creator.
After that blessed harmony in heaven was broken between God and the once anointed Lucifer, the brilliant and bright dazzling beauty of the created earth had changed. The whole earth was covered by a gloomy atmosphere of darkness, wretchedness and chaos. No doubt it was depressing. The Bible says in Genesis 1:2a, “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep.” Bible scholars and great theologians have argued over the centuries about this particular verse. This mysterious period of eternity is hidden from our finite minds, but of course, clearly known to God. The secret things belong to God (Deut. 29:29). And we should never question that He is an all-knowing God, He knows His decrees and eternal purposes.
The apostle Paul acknowledges this when he exalts:
“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
(Rom.11:33 NIV)
One thing that amazes me in all these paradoxical ideas is that after Lucifer’s fall, in spite of his superiority and wisdom, far excellence than human, man was given the stewardship to have dominion over all creation. He forfeited this privileged position because of rebellion towards God. We know this truth and insight based upon the Holy Scripture. No other source can give us revelation and illumination, concerning this matter, except the Bible.
If a student of the Word would look at Biblical history, he or she would humbly bow to the evidence it presents, regarding how Satan has manipulated this earth and its people over the centuries. After Satan and his angelic followers were cast down from their “proper domain, but left their own abode” (Jude 6), they straightaway entered onto the stage of human history. Genesis chapter three gives us an accurate record.
(to be continued, but remember His grace. All by grace and by grace alone-‘we are what we are today’.)
