Wednesday, 4 May 2016

How, why, and when did Satan fall from heaven?

Satan's fall from heaven is symbolically described in Isaiah 14:12-14
and Ezekiel 28:12-18. While these two passages are referring
specifically to the kings of Babylon and Tyre, they also reference the
spiritual power behind those kings, namely, Satan. These passages
describe why Satan fell, but they do not specifically say when the
fall occurred. What we do know is this: the angels were created before
the earth (Job 38:4-7). Satan fell before he tempted Adam and Eve in
the Garden (Genesis 3:1-14). Satan's fall, therefore, must have
occurred somewhere after the time the angels were created and before
he tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Whether Satan's fall
occurred hours, days, or years before he tempted Adam and Eve in the
Garden, Scripture does not specifically say.

The book of Job tells us, at least at that time, Satan still had
access to heaven and to the throne of God. "One day the angels came to
present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. The
LORD said to Satan, 'Where have you come from?' Satan answered the
LORD, 'From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it'"
(Job 1:6-7). Apparently at that time, Satan was still moving freely
between heaven and earth, speaking to God directly and answering for
his activities. Whether God has discontinued this access is a matter
of debate. Some say Satan's access to heaven was ended at the death of
Christ. Others believe Satan's access to heaven will be ended at the
end times war in heaven.

Why did Satan fall from heaven? Satan fell because of pride. He
desired to be God, not to be a servant of God. Notice the many "I
will..." statements in Isaiah 14:12-15. Ezekiel 28:12-15 describes
Satan as an exceedingly beautiful angel. Satan was likely the highest
of all angels, the anointed cherub, the most beautiful of all of God's
creations, but he was not content in his position. Instead, Satan
desired to be God, to essentially "kick God off His throne" and take
over the rule of the universe. Satan wanted to be God, and
interestingly enough, that is essentially what Satan tempted Adam and
Eve with in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-5). How did Satan fall
from heaven? Actually, a fall is not an accurate description. It would
be far more accurate to say God cast Satan out of heaven (Isaiah
14:15; Ezekiel 28:16-17). Satan did not fall from heaven; rather,
Satan was pushed.

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