Lucifer

 

     Do you see Satan as the opposite of God, as equals, one evil and one good? The truth is Satan (or Lucifer) was created as one of God’s high-ranking angels. His pride led to his fall and he took 1/3 of the angels with him. The spiritual battles continue today and will ultimately, in God’s timing, be dealt with swiftly and forever.

     Read this account of Lucifer and his story:

You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you; carnelian, chrysolite and emerald, topaz, onyx and jasper, lapis, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold, on the day you were created they were prepared.  You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. You were blameless in your ways, from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. Through your widespread trade, you were filled with violence and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God and I expelled you, guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings. Ezekiel 28:13-17

     Two other references to Satan’s fall are in Luke 10:18 and Isaiah 14:12-14. He saw himself as exalted above the stars of God.

     God created Lucifer as one of his guardian cherubs. He was filled with splendor and beauty and it was pride that caused him to turn from God.  All of the world’s strife, violence, wars, and our struggles from within are spiritual in nature. Listen to this:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12

     Satan is on his last legs and he is pulling out all of the stops. Here are some of the names the Bible gives to him. Be aware.  He tempted Jesus while he was on the earth and offered him the world. He has temporary control of much of the world around us.

     He is our accuser (Revelation 12:10), our adversary (1 Peter 5:8), and he disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14) His ways can be manipulative and enticing and dangerously close to truth. The Bible is where we  need to land when we are seeking truth.

     He is deceptive (Revelation 12:9) and he is our enemy (Matthew 13:39). He is the evil one (John 17;15) and the father of lies (John 8:44). These next descriptions may surprise you, but as we consider the world around us, we better understand. He is the god of this age (2 Corinthians 4:4) and the power of darkness (Colossians 1:13-14), the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:1-2). He walks about like a roaring lion ready to devour (1 Peter 5:8). He is the ruler of demons (Luke 11;15) and, finally, he is the ruler of this world (John 12:31-32)

     There are many more names for Satan in the Bible, including the dragon and the beast (Revelation). Tomorrow we will read Scripture verses to comfort us as children of God. Yes, we need to be aware of this fallen angel, the prince of the air and the ruler of this world. His time is short. Never forget it. We are children of the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Creator of all. He is our Savior and our strength.

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32

Father,

We have no fear. Help us to understand the spiritual battles around us. Your Holy Spirit is stronger and mightier and in control. Take away the fear of our enemy and keep us close to You, in the shadow of the Almighty.

In Jesus Name,

Amen