PART XI. LIFE ONLY IN CHRIST

The Open Grave At Hanover, Germany. "This grave, purchased for eternity, must never be opened."—German Princess. See page 515.

Origin, History, And Destiny Of Satan

The Temptation. "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!" Isa. 14:12.

1. Have any others than the human family sinned?

“God spared not _the angels that sinned_, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.” 2 Peter 2:4.

2. What is the name of the one who led the angels to sin?

“Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for _the devil_ and his angels.” Matt. 25:41.

3. By what other names is he known?

“And the great _dragon_ was cast out, that old _serpent_, called the Devil, and _Satan_, which deceiveth the whole world.” Rev. 12:9. See also Isa. 14:12, where he is called “Lucifer.”

4. What was Satan’s condition when created?

“_Thou wast perfect_ in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.” Eze. 28:15.

5. What description is given of him by the prophet Ezekiel?

“Thus saith the Lord God; _Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty_. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, ... the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.” Verses 12-14.

NOTE.—From this it is evident that Satan was a high and exalted angel before he fell, a masterpiece of wisdom and beauty. From the reference to his “tabrets” and “pipes” it seems probable that he was chorister of heaven, and led the angelic host in song. In the earthly sanctuary the cherubim overshadowed the mercy-seat. Ex. 25:16-22; Heb. 9:3-5; Ps. 99:1.

6. What unholy, ambitious spirit took possession of Satan, and led to his fall?

“For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.” Isa. 14:13, 14.

7. Did pride also contribute to his fall?

“_Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty_, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy _brightness_.” Eze. 28:17.

8. What does Solomon say precedes destruction and a fall?

“_Pride_ goeth before destruction, and _an haughty spirit_ before a fall.” Prov. 16:18.

9. How does the prophet Isaiah describe Satan’s fall?

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!” Isa. 14:12.

10. Why was Satan cast from his high position?

“By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, _and thou hast sinned_: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.” Eze. 28:16.

11. When cast out of the mountain of God, to what place were Satan and his angels banished, to be kept till the judgment?

“For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but _cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness_, to be reserved unto judgment.” 2 Peter 2:4.

NOTE.—This, we understand, is the darkness surrounding this world, and is symbolic of the darkness of utter hopelessness and despair in rebellion and sin. When Satan led man to sin, darkness was brought upon this world. But God did not leave man to hopelessness. In His mercy and great love He caused “the light of the glorious gospel of Christ” to shine, to call men “out of darkness into His marvelous light.” That Satan and the angels who fell with him had a period of probation and opportunity to repent, there can be no doubt. Their fate is the result of stubborn rebellion and persistence in sin in spite of the overtures of mercy and the offers of pardon. For this they were cast out of heaven. The wicked angels are kept in everlasting chains of darkness.

12. How is the conflict which took place in heaven between Christ and Satan described by the revelator?

“And there was war in heaven: Michael and His angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Rev. 12:7-9.

13. In what terms did Christ refer to Satan’s fall?

“And He said unto them, _I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven_.” Luke 10:18.

14. Has Satan ever appeared before God since his fall?

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, _and Satan came also among them_.” Job 1:6. See also