Introduction to the Prehistoric Past and the Fall of Lucifer (Satan).
Most of the world lives unaware of the Angelic Warfare all around them, yet suffering, aggression, corruption, and evil explode throughout the earth, as a result of this invisible warfare.
There is a very real spiritual battle in the heavens, throughout the universe, and in each of our personal lives. It may well be described as the real “Star Wars”— the “Battle between Good and Evil; God and Satan; The Angelic Conflict.”
Nothing in history escapes angelic observation. All of the major events throughout history since God created the first human being (Adam) are related to the Angelic Conflict. As a matter of fact, the human race, according to many scholars, was created by God to resolve the Angelic Conflict. The Angelic Spiritual Warfare began with the Fall of Lucifer at a point in eternity past.
The Fall of Lucifer (Satan) forms the background for the angelic conflict.
Let’s go back before time into the Age During (eternity) when there existed, always and always, only The Godhead. As we travel, keep in mind … only God can reveal to us the events that took place before the creation of man — before time, to a beginning when God elected to create the Angelic beings.
Below we have listed certain events for your edification.
1). A prehistoric catastrophe must have changed the original creation of the Earth into chaos. Then, God the Holy Spirit moved upon the face of the waters to begin restoring earth (Genesis 1:2).
2). The alleged catastrophe may have been caused by the Fall of Lucifer (Satan), which is found in Isaiah 14:12-17 & Ezekiel 28:11-19.
3). Satan’s fall because of pride and rebellion (arrogance — thinking independently of God) apparently turned the pre-Adamic earth into desolation and ruin — chaos as a part of God’s judgment on the spirit world at that time in eternity past (Genesis 1:2; Isaiah 14:17). Satan literally rejected God’s authority. (A spark of arrogance ignites the flames of power lust and the fires of hell).
4). The battle between good and evil apparently began in eternity past when Satan rebelled, thinking independently of God (Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28). It overflowed into human history when the woman took of the forbidden fruit and her husband also ate, both in direct opposition to God (Genesis 3:6). So, Adam too, rejected God’s authority. Throughout history, mankind in each generation has opportunity to accept Gods authority or reject it.
5). We know the earth was not originally chaotic from Isaiah 45:18.
6). Divine judgment had already been pronounced on fallen angels when restoration of earth began between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2, the earth was already packed in ice. Darkness was covering the ice so that the ice did not melt until the Holy Spirit moved, providing heat. Apparently there was no light from the sun because the sun was not yet created. ‘God’s Grace changed chaos into blessing!’
7). Satan is the enemy of Jesus Christ, Israel, the Church (body of Christ — soon to be the Bride of Christ), and mankind. Anti-Semitism is satanic, Satan is behind Anti-Semitism, he is the instigator of all evil (Revelation 12:4, 13, 15).
In every generation throughout history Satan has attempted to destroy the Jews, but he will never succeed. Satan understands God’s unconditional covenants with the Jews. Therefore, if he can annihilate the Jews so that none remain, he believes he has (will have) defeated God, and can rule the Universe and all creation, replacing God. How arrogant is that? Satan actually deceives himself. He actually believes he can outsmart his creator.
The entire eschatology of Scripture (doctrine of future events) involves Israel. Israel will survive to serve God in the Millennium. The unconditional promises made to Israel will be fulfilled at our Lord’s Second Coming.
The Jews are at the center of world politics and Satan heads up the world of political leaders. Satan’s goal is to destroy Israel so that God cannot keep His promises. This timely study therefore, reveals the great invisible, spiritual warfare that is all around us.
Please note: America must always support Israel or fall under the curse (judgment) of Almighty God. The Bible dogmatically states that God curses those who curse Israel (His people), Genesis 12:1-3.
INDIRECT STATEMENTS IN SCRIPTURE
There are instances in the Bible of indirect addresses to Satan. The first is found in Genesis 3:15. (Please read it in your Bible).
Next: In the Gospels the Lord spoke to Satan through Peter when suddenly the Lord turned on His disciple, and said to Peter: “Get thee behind me, Satan” (Matthew 16:22, 23). Note: This was only possible before Pentecost.
Another instance is found in Ezekiel 28:11-12 where the King of Tyre is used indirectly to address Satan … “Again the word of the Lord came to me saying, ‘Son of man, take up a lamentation over the king of Tyre and say to him, Thus says the Lord God, You had the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.'”
The Scripture records three individuals who were possessed by Satan (not demons, Satan):
1). The serpent in the garden of Eden
2). Judas Iscariot
3). And in this passage, where the Lord is actually addressing Satan who is indwelling the king of Tyre.
LUCIFER BECAME SATAN IMMEDIATELY WHEN HE FELL
The name Lucifer, in Latin, literally means: “light carrier.” In Hebrew “shining one.”
Lucifer was created by God as the most beautiful creature ever to come from the hand of God (Ezekiel 28:13). He was the leader (highest authority) over the Angels. He is superior in genius, beauty, authority, personality and obviously in his persuasiveness as he has a great army of demons. One-third of the angels chose to follow Satan — they are the fallen angels — the demons ruled by Satan. Satan persuaded them to join him in revolt against God.
Let’s look closer at the conversation:
Ezekiel 28:13: “You were in Eden, the Garden of God; every precious stone was your covering; the ruby, the topaz, and the diamond; the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper; the lapis lazuli, the turquoise, and the emerald; and the gold, the workmanship of your settings and the sockets, was in you. On the day that you were created they were prepared.”
The adorning of all these jewels indicates a glorious position and authority, for example: It is very interesting to note that these precious stones are mentioned only three times in Scripture:
1) In the breastplate of the high priest
2) In the New Jerusalem
3) As the covering of this great angel before his fall, signifying the highest form in all creation.
He was truly glorious — perfect in appearance. Ezekiel 28:14 “You were the anointed cherub who covers, and I placed you there. You were on the Holy Mountain of God; you walked in the midst of the stones of fire” (the throne room of heaven). Ezekiel 28:13, “You were in Eden the Garden of God …” Notice that Lucifer was created and placed in “Eden the Garden of God.” Adam was created and placed in “The Garden of Eden” two entirely different places! Lucifer is in a perfect environment (Ezekiel 28:12). Adam lived in a perfect environment.
Note: It could be and has been argued that the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, made the Garden of Eden less than perfect. Generally it is conceded that the potential for evil was there, but not evil itself. Evil begins in the mind — what we think! We know this because God gave Man free will — the ability to choose, to be obedient to God’s only prohibition: “do not eat of this tree” Genesis 2:17. The Bible does not tell us if there was a restriction placed on Lucifer, neither does it tell us if Lucifer had the opportunity to be saved. But as we speculate this point of interest, we must remember, God is Perfect Justice and Perfect Righteousness. God is also the “Potter” and Architect of Creation – the “Life Giver.”
The original transgression among angelic creatures, like the original sin among human beings, interestingly occurred as negative thinking, in a perfect environment. Both Lucifer and Adam had everything they needed, they were perfectly happy. Lucifer was the head of the Angelic creation Adam was head of the human creation.
In closing, what we must see here in our study is that both Lucifer and Adam thought independently of God. Both creatures rejected the authority of God. They both coveted something. Satan coveted power — to replace God. Adam coveted to be like God — “thou shalt be like God knowing good and evil.”
Thinking independently of God is rebellion. Sin entered both the Angelic creation and the human creation in the same way — coveting, which resulted in rejection of God’s Authority.
How often do you reject God’s Authority? How often do you go against doing what you know you should do? Be honest. Sin entered both creations (angelic and human) by rebellion — rejection of God. We’re all guilty as charged. We all need a Savior! This is why God sent Jesus Christ to pay your sin debt — rejection of authority … God’s Authority.
Why is it that we, God’s creatures, want to think independently of God? Why do you? The answer is quite interesting: because we can! God gave each of us freedom to choose (volition). If we use our freedom to choose against God, we become anti-God. Each person theoretically has the same opportunity as Satan and Adam, and that is: to accept the authority of God or reject HIM. To accept Christ or reject HIM. Think about your relationship with the LORD your God.
Are you obedient or disobedient. Disobedience is rejection of authority. Disobedience, disrespects God. There must be respect and reverence for God. God Loves us and wants us to understand and experience His Great Love. God’s Love is demonstrated by the fact that God is always giving. This is God’s Grace in action. God gave us His Living Language Word — the Bible.
God gave us the opportunity to choose Him by sending His Only Son to pay our sin debt by dying on our cross in our place because there was no other way that we could be saved. Then, Christ sent the Holy Spirit to lead us and actually seal us — God sealed our salvation by the Holy Spirit.
We are totally helpless apart from God’s intervention to save us. It is because we cannot be saved by our own merit that Christ died in our place. We have no hope apart from God’s Cross-Plan. But, because of the Cross of Jesus Christ we are offered peace with God. God can and does forgive us our sins, our disobedience IF we will believe in Christ who paid our price — death! The Holy Spirit cleanses us when we confess our transgressions (1 John 1:9).
You can be saved from God’s coming wrath on mankind and earth — receive Christ right now. Believe on the LORD Jesus Christ and you will be saved (Acts 16:31; John 3:15-18, 36). Accept God’s authority. God’s authority is vested in His Son Jesus Christ. Christ died for you. Christ defeated death — by the resurrection. God has done all the work necessary for man’s redemption. Believe it or not. The choice is yours and it is an eternal choice, so be sure you think long and deep. Rejection of God’s Plan of Grace is the worst decision you can make.
Thank you Father for this very informative message. We realize you were the only witness. In Jesus we pray, Amen.
(Please note: This study is presented in summary. For a detailed study we recommend the book “THE INVISIBLE WAR” by Donald Grey Barnhouse, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids Michigan, copyright 1965).