PRIDE leads to DESTRUCTION but EXALTATION COMES FROM GOD

 

July 20 Bible Reading: Isaiah Chapters 13-15

PRIDE leads to DESTRUCTION but EXALTATION COMES FROM GOD

"How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning? How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations? For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.' Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit." (Isaiah 14:12-15)

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 reference to the spiritual power behind those kings, namely, Satan who is referred here as Lucifer (in Latin) or, Morning Star (in English). We know that Jesus Christ is "the bright and morning star" (Rev. 22:16), so Lucifer (Satan) is only a counterfeit version of Jesus.

Bible scholars are of the opinion that Lucifer’s fall from heaven in all probability happened during the first earth age. Lucifer wanted to sit “on the mount of the congregation”, which according to Psalms 82:1 was where God stands. He also wants to sit "on the farthest sides of the north" where God's throne is situated (Psalms 75:6-7). He wanted to be like the “Most High”, which is one of the divine names of God as being the possessor of heaven and earth. However, Isaiah 14:15 says that Lucifer would be “brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depth of the Pit”. This will happen in the millennium when Satan is cast into the bottomless pit for a thousand years (Revelation 20:2-3).

Why did Satan fall from heaven? 1 Timothy 3:6 indicates that pride caused Satan’s downfall. 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 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.

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). Let us be careful not to follow the footsteps of Lucifer, who became Satan because of his pride. Let us clearly understand that "pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall." (Prov 16:18)

"I said to the boastful, 'Do not deal boastfully,' and to the wicked, 'Do not lift up the horn. Do not lift up your horn on high; do not speak with a stiff neck.' For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another." (Psalms 75:4-7)