HOW A PERFECT ANGEL BECAME SATAN

Ezek. 28:11-19

Morning Meditation 11/16/2013

"Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: 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. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. 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."

There is a two fold application of this passage of Scripture. There is a reference to an earthly king, yet some of the thing said cannot apply to the earthly king. It is also obvious that Satan is being spoken of and that is the emphasis this meditation will pursue.

LUCIFER FELL THROUGH PRIDE

First it was pride of position; This is seen in Ezekiel 28:14, "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."

The word "anointed" translates "mimshach" and means, " anointed, expansion." It may mean that Lucifer had taken on himself to expand his domain that had been given to him of the Lord. cherub, cherubim, pl., an angelic being, as guardians of Eden as flanking God's throne."

The words, "I have set thee so," means that the angels did not evolve. They were created beings created by God for His pleasure and assigned to guard His throne. Lucifer had pride of position. God did not create Lucifer with pride of position. This was developed over a period of time. How much time we do not know.

Then there was the pride of administration; Ezekiel 28:16, "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."

1. The words "By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence," hint at what Satan did to alienate himself from God. The word "merchandise" merchandise, traffic, trade." This suggests that merchandise, traffic and trade took place with Satan in charge.

2. Success caused the first fall. Satan was a fallen creature before the creation of man. Some do not believe this, but it is true just the same. Even in this life there have been partnerships formed where one partner felt that he was the one who was responsible for the growth of the company. A split was inevitable. Jealousy and pride took over and it left the partners enemies.

LUCIFER FELL THROUGH CHOICE

This is brought out in Isaiah 14:12-16, "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! 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. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;"

Lucifer's sin was heart deep. "For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven.

He said, "I will exalt my throne above the stars of God." This is an "I will" sin. He was not satisfied with the place God had given him in life.

He said, "I will be like the most High." Satan wanted to be a god. And the fact is, while he is already defeated; he has become the god of this world. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."

GOD IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS FALL

James 1:13, "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:"

This would definitely satisfy the bible-believer that Satan is a self made angel and has fallen into sin with no blame placed on God.

GOD DID DETERMINE THE CONSEQUENCES OF HIS CHOICE

One may reject Jesus but he cannot reject the consequences of his choice. All Christ rejecters will be eternally separated from God and the glorified saints.

GOD ALSO LIMITS THE EFFECTS OF SATAN'S REBELLION

He did this on the cross; Colossians 2:14-15, "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it."

Jesus did battle with Satan at the cross and came away victorious. John 12:31-33, "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die." 1 John 4:4, "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." This is partaking in a victory already won by Jesus.

He also limits the effects of Satan's rebellion through the doctrine of security; Romans 8:34-39, "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.

In Christ

Bro. White