Isaiah 14 and the Fall of Lucifer

Isaiah 14

1 For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall join to the house of Jacob.

2 And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the LORD for servants and handmaids: and they shall take them captives, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors.

3 And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give you rest from your sorrow, and from your fear, and from the hard bondage wherein you were made to serve,

4 That you shall take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How has the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased!

5 The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked, and the scepter of the rulers.

6 He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hinders.

7 The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing.

8 Yes, the fir trees rejoice at you, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since you are laid down, no feller is come up against us.

9 Hell from beneath is moved for you to meet you at your coming: it stirs up the dead for you, even all the chief ones of the earth; it has raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.

10 All they shall speak and say to you, Are you also become weak as we? are you become like to us?

11 Your pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of your viols: the worm is spread under you, and the worms cover you.

12 How are you fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how are you cut down to the ground, which did weaken the nations!

13 For you have said in your heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also on the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

15 Yet you shall be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

16 They that see you shall narrowly look on you, and consider you, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;

17 That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?

18 All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house.

19 But you are cast out of your grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcass trodden under feet.

20 You shall not be joined with them in burial, because you have destroyed your land, and slain your people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned.

21 Prepare slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers; that they do not rise, nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities.

22 For I will rise up against them, says the LORD of hosts, and cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant, and son, and nephew, says the LORD.

23 I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools of water: and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, says the LORD of hosts.

24 The LORD of hosts has sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:

25 That I will break the Assyrian in my land, and on my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders.

26 This is the purpose that is purposed on the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out on all the nations.

27 For the LORD of hosts has purposed, and who shall cancel it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?

28 In the year that king Ahaz died was this burden.

29 Rejoice not you, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote you is broken: for out of the serpent’s root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent.

30 And the firstborn of the poor shall feed, and the needy shall lie down in safety: and I will kill your root with famine, and he shall slay your remnant.

31 Howl, O gate; cry, O city; you, whole Palestina, are dissolved: for there shall come from the north a smoke, and none shall be alone in his appointed times.

32 What shall one then answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD has founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it.

Isaiah 14 clearly depicts the fall of Lucifer, the "son of the morning," from his exalted position in heaven due to his overwhelming pride and ambition to be like the Most High. This passage serves as a foundational text for understanding the origin of sin and Satan's rebellion.DD 2.1+21

Lucifer's Exalted Position and Perfect Creation 🌟

Before his fall, Lucifer was an exceptionally beautiful and wise angel, holding a position of immense honor and glory, second only to Christ in heaven. He was a "covering cherub," an anointed angel who stood in the very presence of God, reflecting the divine glory. He was created perfect in his ways until iniquity was found in him.DD 2.1+14

• Full of Wisdom and Beauty: Lucifer was described as "seal[ing] up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty." Ezekiel 28:12. This indicates his extraordinary intellectual and aesthetic perfection.DD 1.5+4

• A Covering Cherub: His role as the "anointed cherub that covereth" meant he was intimately connected with God's throne and majesty. Ezekiel 28:14.DD 1.5+11

• Highest in Power and Glory: He was pre-eminent among all creatures and possessed ruling authority, having a throne of his own.DD 1.5+9

The Seeds of Rebellion: Pride and Self-Exaltation 🌱

Lucifer's fall originated from a desire for self-exaltation and an unwillingness to submit to Christ's authority. His heart was lifted up because of his beauty, corrupting his wisdom with his own brightness.DD 2.1+23

• "I Will Ascend" Statements: The core of his rebellion is captured in his repeated "I will" statements: "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." Isaiah 14:13-14. This reveals his ambition to be equal with God.DD 2.1+19

• Envy of Christ: Lucifer was envious of Christ, who was uniquely united with the Father in the councils of heaven and possessed prerogatives that Christ alone could wield.DD 2.1+9

• Discontent and Deception: He began to insinuate discontent among the angels under his command, subtly winning many to his side before his true intentions were fully revealed.EP 13.2+4

The War in Heaven and Expulsion ⚡

Lucifer's rebellion led to a war in heaven, where Michael (Christ) and His loyal angels fought against the dragon and his angels. Satan and his followers were ultimately defeated and cast out of heaven.BDOC 51.15+11

• First Defeat: This was Satan's first significant defeat and the initial step towards his complete destruction.SSP 325.1

• Cast to Earth: He and his angels were cast down to Earth. Revelation 12:7-9.BDOC 51.15+1

• A Lesson for the Universe: This rebellion and its consequences were intended to be a perpetual lesson to the entire universe, demonstrating the terrible results of sin and the importance of divine authority.4BC 1162.6+5

Satan's Continued Work of Deception 🐍

Even after being cast out, Satan (Lucifer fallen) continued his work of rebellion and deception on Earth, influencing humanity and striving for supremacy.TR 10.4+111

• Prompting Disobedience: Satan incited Adam and Eve to transgress God's law, leading to the fall of humanity.Pr 80.5+8

• Accuser of the Brethren: He continually accuses God's people, seeking to bring reproach upon God's cause.BDOC 51.15+2

• God of This World: Satan is referred to as "the prince of this world" John 14:30 and "the god of this world" 2 Corinthians 4:4, wielding significant influence over those who disobey God.EVCO 471.2+6

• Future Annihilation: Ultimately, Satan and his followers will be destroyed in the lake of fire, ending his work of ruin forever. Malachi 4:1+1.EVRR698+3

Understanding Isaiah 14 and the fall of Lucifer helps us recognize the true nature of sin, the ongoing great controversy between Christ and Satan, and the importance of remaining loyal to God's divine government.4BC 1162.6+5