So often we hear about or see depicted this epic battle between God and satan, between good and evil, but is that really what is happening? Personally, I think we Christians give satan way too much credit and power. So, let’s delve into the Word of God and see what it has to say about this so called epic battle.
First, we should take a look at who satan is. According to the Bible, his name was Lucifer and he was a created angel. In Ezekiel 28, God describes Lucifer through the prophet Ezekiel. In the scripture, he references the king of Tyre, but there are several references that would eliminate the possibility that this is about a man, rather it’s about the one motivating the king of Tyre – Lucifer. Let’s read together in verses 11-19:
Thus says the Lord God,
“You had the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. 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 sockets, was in you. On the day that you were createdthey were prepared. 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. 15 “You were blameless in your ways from the day you were createduntil unrighteousness was found in you.
16 “By the abundance of your trade you were internally filled with violence, and you sinned; Therefore I have cast you as profane from the mountain of God. And I have destroyed you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.17 “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I put you before kings, that they may see you. 18 “By the multitude of your iniquities, in the unrighteousness of your trade you profaned your sanctuaries. Therefore I have brought fire from the midst of you; It has consumed you, and I have turned you to ashes on the earth in the eyes of all who see you.19 “All who know you among the peoples are appalled at you; You have become terrified and you will cease to be forever.”’”
First, let’s confirm that this is not referring to a human. It mentions in verse 13 that this being was in the garden of God, which would be the Garden of Eden and the only humans there were Adam and Eve. Then in verse 14 we see clearly that this is an angel, as it says that this being is “the anointed cherub”. A cherub is an angel. We see this in the creation of the Ark of the Covenant in Exodus 25, “Make one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other.” Continuing in verse 14, it says that this angel was on the mountain of God, so it was a high ranking angel that had access to the throne room of God. Then in verse 16 it says that God cast this angel from the mountain of God and in verse 17 it tells us that God cast it to the ground (Earth). Clearly, this being is not a human, it is an angel.
Second, we can see from this scripture in Ezekiel, from Revelation 12:9, and Luke 10:18, that Lucifer, the guardian angel was cast out of heaven by God. In Revelation 12:7-9, we see that there was a war in heaven between Lucifer and 1/3 of the angels, against Michael (the archangel) and his angels. Michael prevailed and Lucifer and his angels were cast out of heaven to the earth.
Third, we know that Jesus will cast Lucifer, now known as satan, the devil, or the dragon, into the lake of fire (hell), when He returns to earth as the conquering King (Revelation 20:10). In fact, God created hell for Lucifer and the fallen angels, not for man, but hell was created for those who would disobey and rebel against God and when a person does not receive the offering of grace from Jesus, they are in rebellion and the punishment is eternity in hell.
Okay, let’s recap. Lucifer was a mighty and powerful angel. Some Bible scholars (and I would agree with this) believe that Lucifer was in charge of worship in heaven. No matter what, Lucifer was simply a created angel. He is not a part of God or some other god. And, we know that he was defeated by Michael the angel, not by God Himself. So, Lucifer/satan is no match for God and is in fact a defeated foe.
Let’s take this a step further and show that the Bible says, satan is actually now lower in the power hierarchy than those people who are re-born. Ephesians 1:22 says that God placed ALL things under Jesus’ feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church. Who is the church? We are – all born-again believers. Quite often we are referred to as the “body of Christ”, so if Jesus is the head and we are the body and everything is under Jesus’ feet, where is satan and his demons (fallen angels)? Under our feet!
1 Corinthians 15:27 and Hebrews 2:8 confirms this, as they both say that God put EVERYTHING under Jesus’ feet. Finally, it’s solidly confirmed in Romans 16:20, where the Apostle Paul is talking with the Roman believers and says, “The God of peace will soon crush satan under your feet.”
Satan is under our feet and has NO authority over us, unless we give it. He had no authority in the Garden of Eden until Adam and Eve believed Lucifer’s lie and disobeyed God. The moral of the story is don’t listen to the lies of satan, for he is the father of lies and has lying since the beginning.
It’s very easy to see that God is not battling against satan, as satan has already been defeated, thrown out of heaven, lost any authority he did have when Jesus died for man’s sins and was resurrected, and one day soon, Jesus will return and throw the devil into the lake of fire to be tormented for all eternity. So, the next time, satan shows up acting all bad, you remind him that he’s a defeated foe, has no power or authority over you, and then grind him into the ground with your feet (and your words, in the powerful name of Jesus)!
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