In a conversation which we recently held with an inquirer, the twenty-eighth chapter of Ezekiel was mentioned, and the question was asked by what rule we applied a part of that chapter, verses 12-19, to Satan, when it is clearly stated that the personage referred to there is the king of Tyrus.
In this chapter, in verses 1-10, is a message of threatening to "the prince of Tyrus," to whom it is said, "Yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thy heart as the heart of God." But the description of the king of Tyrus is such as will not apply to any man that ever lived. Moreover, he is called, "the anointed cherub that covereth." This shows that he was highly exalted by his Creator; for the covering cherubim were closely related to the throne of God. Hence the expressions: "Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering." "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 comparing Ex. 25:18-22 with Eze. 10:18-20, and also chapter 1:4-28, it is seen that "the cherubim of glory shadowing the mercy-seat" (Heb. 9:5), in the earthly sanctuary, were representations of the "living creatures," or cherubim, closely connected with the throne of God in Heaven. One who originally was exalted to this high honor rebelled against his Maker, and led away certain angels after him. Together they are called "the devil and his angels." Matt. 25:41. See also 2 Peter 2:4, and Jude 6.
Turning for a moment to the book of Revelation, we find that the devil is called "the dragon." Rev. 20:2. But in chapter 12 the dragon is brought to view, and to him are ascribed certain deeds which were performed by a Roman ruler. Rome, then, in its pagan form, was not the devil, but it was the devil's chief instrument and agent on the earth at that time. Its deeds of wickedness were the deeds of Satan, who instigated them. He controlled the affairs of the nation; the wicked rulers, some of them very monsters of iniquity, did his will. What they did, he did.
In the same manner Satan was truly the head and ruler of Tyre in the days of her earthly splendor and glory. Tyre was his chief agent on the earth at that time, as Rome was some centuries afterward. And the supremacy of Satan is recognized in the prophecy by calling the reigning monarch "the prince of Tyrus." The rulers of Tyre, and Rome,183and of other wicked kingdoms, were not aware that they had a ruler over them who directed affairs as pleased him.
But it need not have been so. It was of their own choice that they did service to the arch-enemy, the adversary of all that is good. But when once they were fully committed to his service, he controlled them at his pleasure. And even so it is now. Every man has the freedom of his own will; he may choose the course he will pursue. But if the choice is for evil, if they choose the service of Satan, and fall into his wiles, they become, unconsciously, mediums through whom he works all manner of wickedness. These are led captive by Satan at his will (2 Tim. 2:26), for they have yielded their wills to his.
This is an awful thought, and one which may well cause us to fear and tremble. It is not the rulers alone who are in danger of being led captive by Satan to work his will. Satan is "seeking whom he may devour," or ensnare in his deceptions, among all classes, and at all times.
The law of God is given as our guide, our preceptor; for sin, by the commandment, becomes exceeding sinful. But sin, viewed through the medium of Satan's enchantments, looks very innocent, and even desirable. David had passed through a sad experience when he exclaimed: "Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults." These scriptures are written "for our learning." We may draw useful lessons from almost every page in the Old Testament, as well as in the New; and if watchful for instruction, we shall be led to say, with the devout poet,—
"Lord, let not all my hopes be vain;
Create my heart entirely new;
Let thy sweet Spirit me sustain—
O, guide me all my journey through."