The History of Satan the Devil

  • The Hebrew noun satan, (sah-TAHN), transliterated (not translated) “satan,” means “adversary.” It occurs nine times in the Old Testament and generally has the meaning “adversary” or ”an adversary.”
  • Without the definite article, and meaning “Satan,” the word occurs only in I Chronicles 21:1. Some prefer to see it even here as “an adversary,” not necessarily an actual being as being Satan.
  • With the definite article, “the satan” (hassatan) means “the adversary.” It occurs seven times in Job 1:6-9, 12, seven times in Job 2:1-7, three times in Zechariah 3:1-2, and nowhere else in the Old Testament. Most Christian and Jewish interpreters have understood this title as “The Adversary,” i.e., Satan.

 Is there a literal Devil? Even some Christians debate the subject. Some think such a being was not real but an invention of religionists. We will show from the bible that such an Adversary DOES exist and what we see from his past, present and future from the truth of the scriptures. Jesus Himself testified of Satan’s existence and during His earthly ministry, He personally faced temptation from the devil.

  The Devil was not always the vile being he is today. The bible tells us some facts about this evil one. Lucifer was a created being. He was a cherub. (No, a cherub is not a little red-cheeked baby with fluffy wings.) The description of cherubim (plural form of cherub) is found in Ezekiel 1:7-24. Ezekiel's detail of these creatures tells us that they were both beautiful and fearfully awesome. The creatures described here had four faces: that of an Ox, an eagle, a lion, and a man. Please read from your bible what these spirit beings looked like and see if you can picture them in your mind.....its incredible.

 God did not create Lucifer as evil but allowed the potential for sin through free will (which reveals the character of a person). While God cannot commit sin, He doesn’t take the capability away from those who want to do such. When Lucifer chose to rebel, he instantly became the author of sin. His evil is the result of a free-will choice by Lucifer.

 Satan and sin don’t foil God’s divine purposes. Evil and good show God’s mercy to whom He chooses to provide salvation. God uses evil and demons for His divine purposes (1 Samuel 16:15-16).

Satan fears God’s predestined plan: salvation, new heaven, and new earth for His chosen people who are made holy, perfectly moral, and volitionally loving. God will prove that He is victorious over evil and evil beings who follow Satan’s ways. Personal peace of mind about Satan and evil comes from being God-centered. God rules forever! Satan is not a counter-balance to God or Jesus. Evil is not the opposite of good but rather the absence of good through personal free will choice to do evil rather than using the free will to choose good. Evil does not continue forever not is the devil equal to God in power. Satan only can do what God allows him to do (consider Job 1:8-12 where Satan must ask God's permission to attack Job who is under God's protection.).

KING OF TYRE

  Now Ezekiel 28:11-19 tells us of Lucifer through using the King of Tyre as a typecast for him. Lucifer was "full of wisdom", "perfect in beauty" and "in his ways"...until iniquity (sin) was discovered in his heart. He walked before God's own throne. He fellowshipped with the pre-incarnate Christ. He enjoyed all the love that flows from the very throne of the Eternal God. Yet, even in this utopia...he was discontent. Evil was born in his heart.

Ezekiel 28:11 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 12 Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. 13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. 14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. 15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

  Some erroneously say "That passage is only about the physical human King of Tyre!"

...Oh Really? WHEN was the King of Tyre in the garden of Eden?  WHEN was the King of Tyre on the "mountain of God" and "walking in the middle of the stones of fire"?  WHEN was the king of Tyre ever considered a CHERUB? (We think we made our point here, eh?) The bible often speaks with a duality when prophesying. The typology here refers to both in various ways, King of Tyre (probably possessed by Satan as in the end time Beast) and Lucifer apart from the King of Tyre.

  We know that the garden of Eden was a pattern of the heavenly temple; just as the tabernacle of Moses was. Satan was in the garden of God in Heaven (as well as in the earth), just as Adam was in the earthly type of the heavenly garden.  Just as Adam and Eve were cast out of the earthly Eden when iniquity was found in them so was Lucifer cast out of the Eden of Heaven when iniquity was discovered in him. But WHEN?  WHERE?

 Satan was at the post-creation scene in Genesis 3:1. The text tells us that the serpent was extremely subtle. The Hebrew word for serpent is "Nachash" meaning to hiss, whisper, or mutter; a shiny one. This was Satan! Make no mistake! This was not a literal snake....was Judah really a lion? (Genesis 49:9), was Dan really a serpent ?(Gen 49:17), was Herod a fox ?(Luke 13:31). The answer to these questions is obviously "NO". The bible uses symbolism in many places which is a stumbling block to many who would try to understand.

  Now, this bright shiny, persuasive, beautiful spirit being was quite awesome to behold for the world's first human couple. You know the story - The nachash used God's own words ... but twisted them to fit his purpose of deceiving Eve. He called God a liar ... but he (Satan) is the liar ... the father of lies (John 8:44). Mankind is likewise deceived even to this age! The scripture tells us that Satan deceives the whole world! Revelation 12:9 clarifies this so well. What a powerful creature this is....able to dupe the whole world! Are you deceived? Your bible says so unless the light of Jesus has shone unto you the truth.

  His persuasive abilities drew many of heavens host of angels to agree with him! He turned some angels of God's kingdom against their very creator! [Some teachers say 1/3 of the angels from an erroneous interpretation of Rev 12:4 where it says he CAST a third of the angels down. This speaks of angels that he defeats in battle.] He looked good to them ... wasn't he a beautiful angel of light? ... what he said sounded righteous to their ears ... some of the angels worshipped him. He wanted to be God! (See Isaiah 14:12-14) The tides of war were building in heaven. Satan ended up being exiled from God's throne but still having access to accuse the brethren. Satan transgressed against God. He disobeyed his Creator (Father), he coveted and lusted for God's power and position, and he falsely accused God of being unrighteous in front of angels who believed his lies and stumbled (These would become the demon hordes or fallen cherubim). It is no great wonder why God put the 10 commandments in effect to warn us of these same dangers. God cursed Satan to 'crawl on his belly and eat dust' which was to circumvent his pride with forced humility but God did not strip him of all power.

 

  Satan's pride was stirred because he was so gorgeous to behold with the eyes and he was further lifted by arrogance of his corrupted wisdom. In his twisted mind he desired to usurp God's power and ascend to His throne and actually thinks he can obtain such a thing. He decided in his vanity that he no longer needed God and would get along just fine without him. Lucifer started a rebellion in THE TRUE GARDEN OF EDEN AT THE SAME TIME AS IN THE EARTHLY ... AND BY THE VERY SAME ACTION.

 We read concerning Adam in Genesis 3:23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. 24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

  Adam and Eve were only booted from the garden itself yet could dwell east of the garden (temple).  Satan, in a similar manner, was driven from the heavenly temple...but was still allowed in the outer court to the East!  

 

War in the Heavens

     Part of the Gap Theory (the belief that vast periods of time ensued between Gen1:1 and Gen 1:2) includes the belief that Satan and his angels fought a war in the heavens against Michael and the angels of God (as in Rev 12), prior to Gen 1:2--the "real Star Wars," they say that the craters are there in the various celestial bodies due to the angels hurdling one another into these planets and moons. Yet, as evidenced in the Genesis account, the heavens (sun, moon, stars, etc.) were not yet in existence prior to day four of the creation account of Genesis 1. Therefore, it could not have occurred as they hypothesize.  Lets spend a bit of time debunking the theory that Satan was cast down in Genesis chapter 1.

"Luciferic Flood"

     Many Gap Theory proponents also hold to a belief that this alleged "first" earth of Gen 1:1, was destroyed in this alleged war. They point to a Scripture in 2 Peter 3, which speaks of  "the world that then was being overflowed with water" as proof of a "Luciferic Flood."  Is that what Peter was referring to?  Let us examine it in context:

"Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep [died], all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: [God separated the waters from the waters in Gen 1:6-7-- this is the pre-flood world!  See also Psalm 24:1-2 and Psalm 136:5-6] Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: [the Noachian flood destroyed the existing world] But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. [In conformance with God's promise to Noah (Gen 9:11), this post-flood earth is scheduled for its end by fire rather than by water.] (2 Peter 3:3-7)

     Peter was clearly referring to the flood of Noah's day.  In fact, he had just addressed the Noachian Flood in the previous chapter of his epistle (II Pet. 2:5).  

     These Scriptures tie in with what is said by Jesus in Mt 24:37-39: "But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came [as Peter wrote: they were willingly ignorant], and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."

What is Satan after?

Satan has a trinity of Titles of Rulership

1. Ruler of this world/Age

John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

John 14:30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.

John 16:11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

2. Prince of the power of the air

Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

3. God of this world

2Corinthians 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

 We can see in the above table that Satan is already the ruler of this world!  

Earth's Dominion--To Whom Was it Given?

     Many believe the theory that "Lucifer" ("Heylel," as the Hebrew says)--Satan--was given dominion over this "first" earth by God. Does this theory concur with Scripture? Who does Scripture record this dominion over the earth being given to?

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. (Gen 1:27,28)

What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet"(Psalm 8:4-6)

     Scripture reports that Adam was given dominion over the earth and all that in it is. Then how did Satan get the control of man's kingdoms as shown in Luke 4:5,6?

And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power [authority] will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. (Luke 4:5,6)

     Read and consider Genesis chapter three, while keeping this tidbit in mind: "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey..." (Rom 6:16)

     Now, who did our forefather Adam yield himself to?  Therefore, Adam gave the dominion he received of God over to his "new master."

Satan doesn't desire to rule the earth because he already does!  The Gospel clearly shows that the kingdoms of the world belong to Satan.  Matthew 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.  The Devil offered these things to Jesus because they were his to give! Satan is currently the lord of this world.

So what is it that Satan is really after?  We can know with confidence that Satan is not thinking small but on the grandest of scales.  Does he make an alliance with Abaddon [The angel king over the demon hoarde in the Bottomless Pit. Ref: Rev 9:11]? Events in Heaven seem to correlate with events taking place on Earth. Does Abaddon desire to rule the earth while Satan tries for something bigger?

WHAT SATAN WANTS

In Isaiah Chapter 14 verses 13 and 14 we can see Satan's self exalting nature and the ultimate desire of his lusts from his own words.

The Five "I Wills" of Satan
I will ascend into heaven, Satan wants to rule over Heaven
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: He wants to rule over the angels (stars).
I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: He wants to rule over the heavenly city (sides of the North)

See Psalm 48:1,2

I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; Satan wants to rule more than what he has now.
I will be like the most High Satan wants God's position of power & authority.

In extreme self-exaltation, Satan proclaims in Isaiah 14:13-14 "....I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also above the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the North: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds: I will be like the most High"  

Satan wants to be God!  Not just be treated like God on earth but to literally usurp God's position and authority.    

FALL OF SATAN AND HIS CASTING DOWN

  An important piece of understanding is the timing of the 'fall of Satan" and his being "cast out of heaven."  The casting out of Satan from Heaven is a very important part of understanding Revelation.  First we must explain about WHEN the fall of Satan occurs or more importantly - when it does not occur.  

  Keep always in your judgment that God sometimes talks of things that have yet to happen like they already did occur. Romans 4:17(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.  -- The example cited within the passage makes a second credible witness besides the scripture from Paul. God had called Abraham the father of many nations BEFORE he even had any children of his own ... let alone a nation or several of them. In the light of this scriptural fact we proceed in our study.

  Perhaps the most touted “proof” offered for the gap theory resides in the speculation that the “gap” provides an excellent place to chronologically insert the fall and judgment of Lucifer into earth history. Elaborate details are invoked to picture the perfect creation in verse one despoiled by a cataclysmic judgment of sin prior to verse two that resulted as a consequence of Lucifer’s prideful attitude toward God and his (Lucifer’s) subsequent punishment. This argument is probably the most impressive of all inasmuch as Satan (Lucifer) is a viable reality to those who believe the Scriptures and his attitude toward God and God’s attitude toward him is clearly revealed. The “proof” texts offered in this cause are of course, Isaiah 14:12 to 15, and Ezekiel 28:12 to 19.

 
 How Satan came to be what he is, is shrouded in mystery, however his judgment and fall from heaven is described and it is A FUTURE EVENT, not past history. Satan still has access to heaven as the account in Job 1:6,7 clearly indicates. Job 1:6-7 Now there was a day when the [bene elohim] sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. ( Also see Job 2:1 & Zechariah 3:1 )

  Satan is also described as standing before the heavenly throne accusing the brethren. Revelation 12:7 to 13 describes this and the fall of Satan to earth. Revelation 20:10 describes the judgment imposed upon Satan. Jesus’ comment in Luke 10:18 can only be interpreted as a prophetic statement in light of the Revelation verses. There are no other verses in the entire Bible that force an historical, as opposed to a prophetic, interpretation of these verses. Please indulge a brief technical dive into the Greek tenses here.

And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, 'Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through Thy name.' And he said unto them, 'I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven'. (Luke 10:17-20)

I beheld Satan fallen (|etheôroun ton Satanân pesonta|). Imperfect active (I was beholding) and second aorist (constative) active participle of |piptô| (not {fallen}, |peptôkota|, perfect active participle, nor {falling}, |piptonta|, present active participle, but {fall}, |pesonta|). As a flash of lightning out of heaven, quick and startling, so the victory of the Seventy over the demons, the agents of Satan, forecast his downfall and Jesus in vision pictured it as a flash of lightning." (A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the Greek New Testament, note on Luke 10:18)

Imperfect--"2 Gram. (of a tense) denoting a (usu. past) action in progress but not completed at the time in question (e.g., they were singing)." (Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus - American Edition, 1996, p.737)

I beheld. The verb denotes calm, intent, continuous contemplation of an object which remains before the spectator. So John 1:14, we beheld, implying that Jesus’ stay upon earth, though brief, was such that his followers could calmly and leisurely contemplate his glory. Compare John 2:23: they beheld his miracles,' thoughtfully and attentively. Here it denotes the rapt contemplation of a vision. The imperfect, was beholding, refers either to the time when the seventy were sent forth, or to the time of the triumphs which they are here relating. 'While you were expelling the subordinates, I was beholding the Master fall' (Godet)." (Marvin Vincent, NT Word Studies, Vol 1, p.356, note on Luke 10:18)

According to synoptic tradition, our Lord in the crisis of temptation immediately following the baptism (Matthew 4 and parallel) met and for the time conquered Satan as His own personal adversary. This preliminary contest did not close the matter, but was the earnest of a complete victory. According to Luke (10:18), when the Seventy returned from their mission flushed with victory over the powers of evil, Jesus said: `I saw Satan fall (not “fallen”; see Plummer, “Luke,” ICC, in the place cited.) as lightning from heaven.’ In every triumph over the powers of evil Christ beheld in vision the downfall of Satan. In connection with the coming of the Hellenists who wished to see Him, Jesus asserted (John 12:31), 'Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.' In view of His approaching passion He says again (John 14:30), 'The prince of the world cometh: and he hath nothing in me.' Once again in connection with the promised advent of the Spirit, Jesus asserted (John 16:11) that the Spirit would convict the world of judgment, 'because the prince of this world hath been judged.' In Hebrews (2:14,15) it is said that Christ took upon Himself human nature in order 'that through death he might bring to nought him that had the power of death, that is, the Devil.' In 1 John 3:8 it is said, 'To this end was the Son of God manifested, that he might destroy the works of the Devil.' In Revelation 12:9 it is asserted, in connection with Christ’s ascension, that Satan was cast down to the earth and his angels with him. According to the passage immediately following (12:10-12), this casting down was not complete or final in the sense of extinguishing his activities altogether, but it involves the potential and certain triumph of God and His saints and the equally certain defeat of Satan. In 1 John 2:13 the young men are addressed as those who 'have overcome the evil one.' In Revelation 20 the field of the future is covered in the assertion that Satan is 'bound a thousand years'; then loosed 'for a little time,' and then finally 'cast into the lake of fire.' A comparison of these passages will convince the careful student that while we cannot construct a definite chronological program for the career of Satan, we are clear in the chief points. He is limited, judged, condemned, imprisoned, reserved for judgment from the beginning. The outcome is certain though the process may be tedious and slow. The victory of Christ is the defeat of Satan; first, for Himself as Leader and Saviour of men (John 14:30); then, for believers (Luke 22:31;Acts 26:18;Romans 16:20;James 4:7;1 John 2:13; 5:4,18); and, finally, for the whole world (Revelation 20:10). The work of Christ has already destroyed the empire of Satan." (James Orr, The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Vol 4, p.2695, article: Satan, section II, pt. 4. History of Satan)

  Jesus said that Satan SHALL BE yet cast out.  Consider this passage: 'Father, glorify thy name.' Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, 'I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.' The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, 'An angel spake to him.' Jesus answered and said, 'This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me'. This he said, signifying what death he should die. (John 12:28-33)

 The judgement (|krisis|). No article, "A judgement." The next few days will test this world. The prince of this world (|ho archôn tou kosmou toutou|). This phrase here, descriptive of Satan as in possession of the evil world, occurs again in 14:30; 16:11. In the temptations Satan claims power over the world and offers to share it with Jesus (Mt 4:8-10; Lu 4:5-8). Jesus did not deny Satan's power then, but here proclaims final victory over him. Shall be cast out (|ekblêthêsetai exô|). Future passive of |ekballô|. Note |exô|, clean out. The Book of Revelation also proclaims final victory over Satan." (A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the Greek New Testament, note on John 12:31)

 Shall be cast out. In every case but one where the word ekblêthêsetai exô occurs in John, it is used of casting out from a holy place or society. See 2:15; 9:34, 3; 3 John 10; Revelation 12:2. Compare John 10:4." (Marvin Vincent, NT Word Studies, Vol 2, p.956, note on John 12:31) 

Let us look at a scripture that may help us place the timing of the "casting out" event.  Turn to the book of Isaiah.

For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob. And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the LORD for servants and handmaids: and they shall take them captives, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors. And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve, That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, 'How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased! The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers. He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth. The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing. Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, 'Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us'. Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us? Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High'. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, 'Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners? All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house. But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet. Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, and slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned. (Isaiah 14:1-20)

  Truth derived from these verses:

  Keeping this in mind, we will proceed to the scroll of Ezekiel for more scripture on the subject.

The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying, 'Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, 'Thus saith the Lord GOD; 'Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, 'I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas'; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God: Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee: With thy wisdom and with thine understanding thou hast gotten thee riches, and hast gotten gold and silver into thy treasures: By thy great wisdom and by thy traffick hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches: Therefore' thus saith the Lord GOD; 'Because thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God; Behold, therefore I will bring strangers upon thee, the terrible of the nations: and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of thy wisdom, and they shall defile thy brightness. They shall bring thee down to the pit, and thou shalt die the deaths of them that are slain in the midst of the seas. Wilt thou yet say before Him that slayeth thee, 'I am God'? but thou shalt be a man, and no God, in the hand of Him that slayeth thee. Thou shalt die the deaths of the uncircumcised by the hand of strangers: for I have spoken it', saith the Lord GOD'. Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 'Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, 'Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more'. (Ezekiel 28:1-19)
There appears to be four different time settings here in Ezekiel 28:16-19.
Satan cast out from Eden for his iniquity. (his fall from grace / still had access to Heaven but not the inner court of God's temple. / Already past)
Satan cast down to the ground (same timing as Revelation 12: 8-12, Isaiah 14:12  / cast down to earth from Heaven / during tribulation / angry -knows time is short before his imprisonment.)
Satan laid low before the kings of the earth. (same timing as Isaiah 14:15,16 / imprisoned in the Abyss / pre-millennial)
Satan destroyed in a devouring fire and ceases to be a source of terror.  (Cast into the lake of fire / Revelation 20:10 / post-millennial)

 We know that the garden of Eden was a pattern of the heavenly temple just as the tabernacle of Moses was. Satan was in the garden of God in Heaven, just as Adam was in the earthly type of the heavenly garden.  Just as Adam and Eve were cast out of the earthly Eden when iniquity was found in them so was Lucifer cast out of the Eden of Heaven when iniquity was discovered in him.

War in Heaven

We are never told in the bible that Satan seduced one-third of God's angels to follow him. This is purely religious FICTION.  We are never told what portion or how many angels were in rebellion. The truth revealed in the scriptures is Satan's tail takes down one third of the angels in WAR as he approaches his deepest desire...the place of God.  We see Satan being met with force as he tries to lead his demon hordes into an all out assault on the heavenly palace.

And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 12:1-17)

   We are told that Satan is cast to earth and we are told exactly when.  When Satan is no longer standing accusing the brethren it is because he has been cast down.  The heavenly host are filled with joy over this but the inhabitants of the earth are faced with the Third Woe ... an angry Satan ... who is desperate because he knows that he will soon be sent to the spiritual prison called the Abyss.

     This expulsion from Heaven seems to happen just prior to the midpoint of the seventieth week of Daniel.

Revelation 12:13-17 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman (The Church) which brought forth the man child. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Daniel 8:10-27  And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered. Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man. And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision. Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright. And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be. The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia. And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power. And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days. And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.

Revelation 13:6-7 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle (heaven), and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints (hagios or holy ones), and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

 Furthermore, if this IMAGINED Gap-theory pre-creation rebellion of Satan occurred during this gap of time doesn't it contradicts God's description of His completed creation on day six as all being “very good” (Genesis 1:31). Doesn't the theory's timing of the division of Satan's angels from God's angels negate that fact that "the morning stars sang TOGETHER, and ALL the sons of God (bene elohim) shouted for joy?"

Job 38:4-9 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb? When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,   Compare to the identical timing in: Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

Herbert W. Armstrong promoted this error in the book "The Bible Story" where he wrote:

HWA wrote: God didn't make the universe just so He could admire His work. He also created millions of spirit beings, or angels, to live in it. Many of them served Him in the third heaven, the place of His throne. (II Cor. 12:2.) We are not told where the third heaven is, but possibly it's somewhere in the northern sky. (Isa. 14:13.) We do know that it is invisible to human eyes, just as spirit beings can't be seen by us (II Cor. 4:18).

"A long time ago there was a chief angel in heaven. His Latin name "Lucifer" meant "Light Bringer", or "Shining Star of the Dawn". God created Lucifer to be very wise, good and capable. He was perfect in his ways when he was brought into being, and brilliant in knowledge and appearance. Therefore God made Lucifer ruler over the newly created Earth, where millions of angels were sent to dwell. [where does the bible say this?-ed] Lucifer was to govern the angels of the Earth by carrying out all of God's orders and laws. Because God created and owns the universe, He is the supreme ruler over it. Lucifer at first was subject to Him. He did all that God commanded. There were years and years of happiness and contentment among the angels while they and Lucifer obeyed every one of God's laws. This was because God's laws are given to make beings happy. Matters went very well as long as Lucifer obeyed every rule and instruction. (Ezekiel 28:13-15.)

But in time he permitted wrong thoughts to come into his mind. "I am king over millions of angels," he thought. "From them I could form a great army powerful enough to attack God's angels. If I could seize God's throne in heaven and depose God, I could become supreme ruler of the whole universe!" (Isa. 14:12-14.) The mere thought of conquering and replacing God caused great pride and ambition to grow. With it grew greed and a burning desire to carry out his desires. At last Lucifer made his plans known to those who were most likely to succumb to his tempting promises to make them rulers, under him, of other worlds, and to give high offices even in heaven to those who would rebel with him. He was elated to learn that a third of all the angels were foolishly willing to risk their happiness by joining his evil cause. (Rev. 12:4 and Job 4:18.)[Rev12:4 says he fought and cast down 1/3 of the angels not deceived them-ed] The other two thirds remained loyal to their Creator. [supposition -ed]

The pride, lust and greed that had grown from an evil idea caused Lucifer's great wisdom to become perverted. Otherwise, he would have know that successful war against his Creator would be impossible. His thinking was so distorted that from then on his reasoning became false. Filled with the belief that he could actually conquer his Creator, Lucifer moved to carry out his rebellious plan. With millions of angels willing to obey him, instead of God, he swept up to heaven with them for the attack. The war that resulted between vast numbers of spirit beings was an incredible, awful thing. Human beings know nothing of the strange and cataclysmic forces that were used. Even hydrogen or cobalt bombs are puny compared to the powers at God's command. God has always been the most powerful Being to exist. No armies of human beings or spirits are strong enough to dethrone Him. Lucifer ran into dreadful defeat. The terrible power of the Creator was unleashed with such frightful force that the attackers were blasted out of heaven and back down to Earth. (II Peter 2:4 ,and Isa. 14:15.)

God wasn't done with the rebellious angels, however. Lucifer's sin of rebellion against the rule of God turned him into a devil. His name was changed to Satan, which means ENEMY in Hebrew. (Rev. 12:9.) Those angels who had followed him were from then on known as demons. Demons are hateful, bitter, unhappy spirit beings whose pure spirit light has gone out forever, and who have only a miserable, hopeless future (Jude 13). 

Whenever God's laws are broken, suffering, trouble and destruction are bound to follow. During the great battle when Satan and his demons tried to conquer God, an awesome change came over the Earth. (Gen. 1:2.) What had long been a beautiful planet had been turned into a cosmic wreck because Lucifer rebelled against his maker. The atmosphere was filled with smoke and poison gases so thick that nothing could live in it. The raging elements pounded the Earth. Little or no physical life could survive through that terrible time. (Ps. 104:29.)  The only living beings left on the planet were the evil, restless demons whose lawbreaking had broken the perfect balance, harmony and beauty of a world God had lovingly created for His creatures.  For a time our world stayed buried in a deep blanket of gases, smoke and water. Oceans covered the whole Earth. There was no longer any dry land. The atmosphere was so clogged with clouds of tiny bits of matter that no light could reach the seas. We don't know how long this condition lasted, but later came the time when God started preparing for a very important event in His great plan. That was the bringing of human beings into existence.  (quoted from The Bible Story by H.W. Armstrong)

This is a FANTASY - not scripture-based!

The Devil rules this earth. Notice in Matthew 4: 3-10 "The devil taketh him (Christ)...and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world...and sayeth unto him, all these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me." Make no mistake- the world was obviously his to give! Jesus himself calls Satan "the prince of this world" (John 14:30 and John 16:11). Who is the god that this world unwittingly worships?

 Satan has always counterfeited God's truths with his persuasive lies. The reader can find the truth through your own submission to God...and all His righteous commands. The devil caused man to worship the Sun  instead of the Son (himself becoming the sun-god).  Mankind chose to worship something tangible rather than have faith in a god they couldn't see. Your salvation is dependent upon whom you choose to obey... God ... or your own way ... just like Satan did. (Read Romans 6:16 & Matthew 6:24) Which is your master?

Now, the devil being very wise and more powerful than any human being, does not just wait for you to sin....he has laid intricate traps and subtle lures to deceive the whole world. Could he deceive the whole world if he appeared as this mythical red, bearded, horned devil carrying a pitchfork ? Is that wise and subtile? The bible tells us what he appears as. The bible tells us who his ministers are....yes, Satan has ministers too...open your bible to II Corinthians 11:13 -15" For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." So we see that his ministers call themselves, and appear as, Christ's own ministers!!! And they deceive the whole world!!! No wonder there are so many "Christians". Satan has foisted himself off as a Christ! An angel of light whose false ministers are perceived to the whole world as "ministers of righteousness" who cause the people to worship the wrong god!! He tells people that God's Laws no longer apply to them and distorts every truth. How can we tell what is truth? By submissive prayer to the true Creator God and study of His Word.

The fourth commandment says to keep the Sabbath holy and the bible tells us that the seventh day is the Sabbath and that the Sabbath is a sign indicating his people(Exodus 20:11, 31:17; Isaiah 56:6). This sign marks God's true followers. Matthew 12:8, Mark 2:28, and Luke 6:5 tell us that Christ is Lord of the Sabbath day. If you search the New testament you will find that Jesus kept the sabbath and he was an example for us to follow...his apostles all kept the Sabbath. Ezekiel 46:3 tells how we will worship before God on all his Sabbaths in the millennium. Do the devils' ministers have a counterfeit for this weekly day that the Lord called holy? You betcha' ...Sunday....the day of the Sun (as opposed to the Son). This is not to say that keeping the Sabbath is all that God requires of us to be called His children...but it is a sign....a sign God placed on His People. Is God's mark upon you? Do you live as Jesus did...obeying God the Father....keeping his commands? Or do you justify your own way...the way that the world acknowledges? Isn't that the sign of Satan? Have you ignored God as being the Head of Authority? Have you too, like the devil, decided you can live without God and His Commands?

                 

Will Satan get away with all the damage he has wrought? What is God going to do about this deceiver?

Revelation 20:1-3 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

Well, after God binds Satan and allows the earth to live for 1000 years without his evil influence those living on this planet will no longer have him to blame for their own evil hearts. Then the devil is loosed for a while and he again stirs the armies of the world to do battle against God's people. God sends a fire out from heaven to destroy the armies of flesh. Satan, God casts into the Lake of Fire and consumes him. (See Revelation 20: 7-10) Thus is the end of all who willingly transgress the will and commands of God.

Revelation 20:7-10 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

                                      

Will you be among the good and faithful servants? Will you surrender your will to do His ? It is your free-willed choice to make...just as it was Satan's or Adam and Eve's (and all who have ever lived)...what will you choose........

DEATH

      IN GEHENNA FIRE                    

The words usually rendered hell in the bible merely means "the grave" or "death" but the Lake of Fire is a place where complete and utter destruction is the reality.

OR

LIFE

             

"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed shall live: That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life,...."- Deuteronomy 30:19-20

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord - Romans 6:23

Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.  

Kenneth M. Hoeck 1998 revised 4/24/10

 

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