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FALLEN ANGELS

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 19, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 8.

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FALLEN ANGELS.

By Augusta W. Heald

THERE is much obscurity in the popular mind as to the origin and nature of Satan, and as Scripture is its own interpreter, a few passages on the subject of “fallen angels” may give a ray of light to those who desire it.
Evil angels were not created as such, but fell from their first estate through sin: “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.
The instigator of this revolt was the most exalted angel in heaven, second only to the Son of God. To him it was said: “Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden, the garden of God. . . . Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so. . . . Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.” Eze. 28:12–15.
The sin of Satan was pride: “Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty.” Eze. 28:17. “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! . . . For thou hast said in thine heart, . . . 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. 14:12–14.
In consequence of Satan’s sin, there was war in heaven: “Michael [Christ] 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.” Rev. 12:7, 8.
They were cast out into the earth: “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.” Verse 9.
They never repent, but are “reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.” Jude 6.
Satan sought in vain to destroy Christ on earth. See Matt. 4:1–10.
He now shows his enmity toward the Son of God by accusing and persecuting those for whom Christ shed His blood. See Rev. 12:10, 17. “In all their affliction He was afflicted.” Isa. 63:9.
Satan and fallen angels will finally be destroyed, together with wicked men: “Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” Matt. 25:41.
They will be cut off, root and branch: “For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.” Mal. 4:1.
AUGUSTA W. HEALD.