Isaiah 14:4-15 and Ezekiel 28:11-19 both use earthly kings, specifically the kings of Babylon and Tyre, respectively, as symbols of Satan. However, it’s important to note that the descriptions of the beings in these passages go beyond what could apply to any mortal man, indicating that the symbolism goes beyond just earthly kings. The passages describe Satan, formerly known as Lucifer, as having fallen from heaven (Isaiah 14:12), being full of wisdom and perfect in beauty (Ezekiel 28:12), having been in Eden (verse 13), being covered in every precious stone (verse 13), being the anointed cherub that covereth (verse 14), being upon the holy mountain of God (verse 14), and being perfect in his ways (verse 15).
The reason why the kings of Babylon and Tyre were used as symbols for Satan is because they exhibited similar policies and suffered similar complete destruction as Satan’s kingdom will. Therefore, God used them to represent Satan himself. This symbolism is widely accepted by Bible authorities. It’s worth noting that the Bible contains many other references to Lucifer (see Luke 4:5, 6, 10:18, John 8:44, 2 Peter 2:4, 1 John 3:8, Jude 6, Revelation 12:7-9), but without the accounts in Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14, we would not have the complete history.
There are three potential answers to this question:
1.One Third of the Angels Joined Lucifer (Revelation 12:3, 4) Many angels were convinced by Lucifer’s arguments, and a third of them rebelled and joined him. However, if God had destroyed Lucifer right away, some angelic beings who didn’t fully understand God’s character might have obeyed Him out of fear instead of love. This would not have resolved the underlying issues in the minds of God’s created beings
2.God Desires Only Loving, Voluntary Service God desires only willing and joyful service that is motivated by genuine love. He understands that obedience driven by other factors, like fear, is not effective and will ultimately result in rebellion.
3.God Is Giving Satan Time to Demonstrate His Principles
Adam and Eve committed a sin by consuming the forbidden fruit, as it was a direct violation of one of God’s few commandments. Their act was a blatant rebellion against God’s authority and His law. By disregarding God’s command, they aligned themselves with Satan and created a divide between themselves and God (Isaiah 59:2). Satan may have hoped that the pair would persist in eating from the tree of life and become eternal sinners, but God expelled them from the garden to thwart this plan.
“To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).
“Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4).
“Then the Lord God said, ‘Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever’ … He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life” (Genesis 3:22, 24).
We do not know. The Bible does not say.
The notion of the devil being portrayed as a red, horned, and tailed creature with a combination of human and animal traits has its roots in pagan mythology. This misconception is something that Satan finds pleasing since he understands that logical individuals tend to dismiss such creatures as legends, ultimately leading them to disbelieve in his existence. People who do not acknowledge the existence of the devil are more susceptible to his deceits.
In Genesis 2:17, the term “die” is translated literally as “dying you will die,” which is typically indicated in the margin of most Bibles. This phrase signifies that Adam and Eve were destined to experience the process of dying. Prior to their fall, they possessed an immortal, sinless nature, which was sustained by partaking of the tree of life. However, at the moment of their transgression, their nature was transformed into one that was sinful and mortal, as God had warned them would occur. Since they were no longer permitted to eat from the tree of life, the process of decay and degeneration leading ultimately to death began immediately. Death became an inevitable reality for them. God further emphasized this when He declared to them, “For dust you are, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19).
Absolutely not. God created Lucifer as a perfect, sinless angel, but Lucifer chose to turn himself into a devil. The freedom to choose is a fundamental principle of God’s governance. God was aware that Lucifer would sin even before creating him. If God had declined to create Lucifer, He would have rejected His own love characteristic of granting freedom to choose.
Freedom of Choice Is Essential to God’s Plan God knew what Adam and Eve, as well as every individual, would do before they were born, yet He still allowed them to exist so they could choose between following Him or the devil. God is willing to be misunderstood and falsely accused, giving people ample time to choose for themselves whom they will follow.
Only a Loving God Would Grant Full Freedom to All This gift of freedom is a precious and essential one that only a just, transparent, and loving God could give. It is a privilege to serve such a Creator, Lord, and Friend.
Choose to Follow God The problem of sin will come to an end soon. Initially, everything was “very good” (Genesis 1:31), but now “the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19). People worldwide are choosing to serve either God or Satan. Please exercise your God-given freedom to select to follow the Lord!