Bible Question: When was the angel Lucifer kicked out of heaven |
Bible Answer: LSmith, There was never an angel named Lucifer. This word is a Latin word that means "light-bearer," and was, in the second century, taught by Origen in "The First Principles" to be the "identification" of an opposing power (though he quoted it more than specified it as a name) that rose up in rebellion against God. The passage this theory comes from is Isaiah chapter 14, but many scholars are in agreement that the prophetic statements are referring to the fallen king of Babylon. Another passage often used to describe the fall (though the person in question is not called Lucifer here) is Ezekiel chapter 28. These prophetic statements are of the same ilk. Other scripture, if carefully observed, will show that this passage, too, is relating to the stated subject of the passage; the king of Tyrus. The only clear reference we have to Satan being kicked out of heaven is in Revelation chapter 12. Here, the dragon is identified as being the devil and Satan, and at the conclusion of a battle between himself and his angels against Michael and the host of heaven, he is finally cast down to the earth. The events of these happenings, based upon the earlier passages of this same Revelation chapter 12, relate this event as taking place after the ascension of Christ. The woman, commonly recognized by many as being Israel, brings forth a manchild that will rule all nations with a rod of iron. If you search the scriptures, you will find that Jesus is the one commonly spoken of as being ordained to rule in such a manner. Then this woman's child is caught up to God and to his throne. The woman flees into the wilderness, "and there was war in heaven." It is not my intent to provoke a discussion of premillenialism/preterism, but to address the question. According to the chronological order of events in Revelation 12, Satan falls after the ascension of Christ. If Revelation 12 deals with the future, as premillenialists hold to, then it hasn't happened yet, and perhaps the manchild is a symbolic reference to the church being taken up to God and his throne. If Revelation 12 is a forgone conclusion, then he fell after Christ ascended. Either way, I haven't read anything to positively conclude that Satan fell before the creation of man. All other scriptures indicate that he still spoke with God, and that he was "going to be" punished in the Great Day of the Lord. See Isaiah 26:16-27:1 for a comparison to Revelation chapter 12. The two correlate well. Thanks for your patience. This, as always regarding Revelation based topics, is my view according to what I have seen, not absolute fact. I hope I was able to edify you. Ancient |