In my last post, called “What are the Three Types of Created Being’s We’ll See in Heaven?” I discussed the differences between the Seraphim, Cherubim, and Angels, and at the end of it, I asked the question, “Which of the three do you think Satan is?”  So in this article, I want to give my answer to that question, and on what evidence from Scripture do I believe supports that position.

WHAT IS SATAN’S NAME?

The word “Satan” is actually NOT a name, but a title, and it means “Adversary.”  Many believe that Satan’s name is LUCIFER, which is seen in the following verse:

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!  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 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 14:12-14; Emphasis Mine)

However, contrary to the beliefs of many, the word “LUCIFER” is actually a Latin word that’s not part of the actual Hebrew text.  The Hebrew word here is actually hêlêl (Strong’s #1966) or “morning star.”  Some have suggested the translation of “morning star” is a conspiracy to deny the deity of Messiah (Christ) since He is the only true “Morning Star.”  However, if there’s a conspiracy, it was committed by the King James translators who kept a Latin word in a Hebrew text, rather than just translating the Hebrew term.

I believe that we are not supposed to know his name because by denying him a name, it is a way for God to completely strip him of any identity, any status, any influence or position.  And who knows?  Maybe, Satan influenced the KJV translators here to retain the Latin term so that he could give himself a name and, therefore, attempt to reclaim for himself what God originally intended to deny him.

WHAT ABOUT THE NAME “BEELZEBUB”?

After Jesus casts out a blind and dumb demon, and healing him, He was accused by the Pharisees of casting “out devils, but by BEELZEBUB the ruler of the demons” (Matthew 12:22-24; Mark 3: 20-21).  In response, Jesus says,

Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself shall not stand.  And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand?  And if I by BEELZEBUB cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out?  Consequently they shall be your judges.  But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

In this passage, it seems like the words “Satan” and “Beelzebub” are being equated; however, the word “Satan” here is being used in a generic sense, rather than specifically referring to “THE SATAN.”   The word “Satan” means “Adversary” or “Opponent,” and the proof that Jesus is using this term in a generic sense, rather than referring to the specific Satan is the second use of the word Satan in the phrase “if Satan casts out Satan.”

Jesus just cast out a blind and mute demon, and He is calling this demon “Satan,” so if the second “Satan” in the phrase can be used to refer to a blind and mute demon, then it’s just as likely that the first “Satan” in this phrase, referring to Beelzebub, can likewise be someone other than “THE SATAN” as well.  He could be one of Satan’s generals for all we know.  But the point that Jesus is making here that any kingdom that’s divided, or working against itself, cannot stand and endure.

“IS ISAIAH 14:12-17 ABOUT SATAN?”

This passage is a TAUNT [MOCKING] against the King of Babylon.  As we’ve discussed, the name “LUCIFER” is a Latin word, and it’s not part of the actual text.  Once you remove that from the text, then the only other thing to explain are the five “I WILL” boasts within the text:

But you said in your heart, “I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, and I will sit on the mount of the assembly in the recesses of the north.  I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.  (Isaiah 14:13-14)

But in spite of these boasts of what this individual will do, God responds by saying,

Nevertheless you will be thrust down to Sheol [the grave], to the recesses of the pit.  Those who see you will gaze at you, they will ponder over you, saying, “Is this THE MAN who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms, who made the world like a wilderness, and over three its cities, who did not allow his prisoners to go home.  (Isaiah 14:15-17; Emphasis Mine)

In fact, we can see a parallel of this in the life of Nebuchadnezzar.  In Daniel 4, God gives Nebuchadnezzar a dream warning him about what would happen to him due to his pride in thinking that he was solely the one who can be credited for Babylon’s greatness (Daniel 4:4-23), and what was prophesied to happen to him due to his pride:

This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord and king:  that you be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place be with the beasts of the field, and you be given grass to eat like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven; and seven periods of time will pass over you, until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whomever he wises.   And in that it was commanded to leave the stump with the roots of the tree, your kingdom will be assured to you after you recognize that it is Heaven that rules.  (Daniel 4:24-26)

And one year later, just as God warned would happen and Daniel explained, the king was glorying in himself by saying, “Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:30), and as soon as he said those words, his dream came to pass (Daniel 4:31-33).

I can see people scoffing and laughing as “the Great King Nebuchadnezzar” who ruled with such glory and power, now lost his sanity, and they watch as he forages for grass to eat like cattle.  Am I saying that Isaiah 14:12-17 is about Nebuchadnezzar?  I’m just saying that the prophecy and what happens in Daniel seem to match, so it’s at least a possibility. Also, since the taunt identifies it as being aimed at a MAN, rather than a spiritual being, I don’t believe there’s enough textual evidence here to say that this text applies to more than just the king of Babylon.

IS SATAN A FALLEN ANGEL?

The typical description by most Christians of Satan is that he’s “a fallen angel.”  Part of this speculation comes from 2 Corinthians:

For such men are false apostles deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.  And no wonder, for EVEN SATAN DISGUISES HIMSELF AS AN ANGEL OF LIGHT.  Therefore, it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their deeds.  (2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Emphasis Mine)

Obviously, if SATAN DISGUISES HIMSELF AS AN ANGEL OF LIGHT, then an “Angel of light” is not who he truly is.  It’s a mask, a false front, a disguise, something that he pretends to be.  So if he’s pretending to be an “angel of light,” then logically, he must be  something else other than an “angel.”

In the Scriptures, Satan is pictured coming before God with the angels, the sons of God (Job 1:6; 2:1), but nowhere does it identify him as an angel.   Also, in Zcehariah 3, when Joshua is standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan on his right hand to accuse him, it still does not identify Satan as an angel.

Instead, in Revelation 12:9, we learn the following:

And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and HIS ANGELS were thrown down with him. (Emphasis Mine)

Although the Bible does not identify Satan as an angel, it does teach that there are angels who work for him and serve his needs.

“IS EZEKIEL 28 ABOUT SATAN?”

Although Ezekiel 28 is specifically addressing the overthrow of the “king of Tyre,” I do believe that there is enough textual evidence here to support the idea that this passage is discussing more than just the king of Tyre.   Instead, I believe that a portion of this text about the fall of the king of Tyre is also being used to present us with a picture of the fall of Satan.

In Ezekiel 28:13, this verse begins by saying, “You were in Eden, the garden of God.”  Obviously, there’s no chance that the king of Tyre could have been in Eden; however, we know that the serpent, who is called Satan (Revelation 12:9), was, in fact, in the garden of Eden.

The passage then goes on to describe him:

Every precious stone was your covering: the ruby, the topaz, and the diamond; the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper; the lapis lazuli, the turquoise, and the emerald; and the gold, the workmanship of your SETTINGS AND SOCKETS, was in you.  On the day that YOU WERE CREATED they were prepared. (Ezekiel 28:13; Emphasis Mine)

There’s three things I want to point out about this verse:

  1.  Four of the jewels that are listed here as “his covering” are also used as the “foundation stones” of the New Jerusalem that will come down out of the New Heaven: the topaz, the beryl, the jasper, and the emerald.  Therefore, at least alluding to a heavenly connection to this individual whose covering is being described.
  2. There is a dispute on how the phrase translated in the NASB as  “SETTINGS AND SOCKETS” should be translated.  Many translators claim that this phrase in the Hebrew is extremely difficult to interpret.  For example, many translations translate the phrase the same way as the KJV as “TABRETS AND THY PIPES,” but one translation, the Orthodox Jewish Bible, translated it as “HAND DRUMS AND OF THY WIND INSTRUMENTS.”   While others, like the Amplified, the New International Version, the Christian Standard Bible, the Tree of Life Version and others translate it like we find in the NASB.  Many people believe that Satan was the worship leader based on the KJV, OJB, and others which describe these as musical instruments, but if the other translations are correct, then there’s no basis for such a claim.
  3. Another indication that this is alluding to someone other than the “king of Tyre” is the statement that “on the day that YOU WERE CREATED were they prepared.”  If this was a man being discussed, God would have said on the day you were CONCEIVED, or on the day that you were BORN, but not “on the day that you were CREATED.”  This again suggests that Ezekiel is alluding to more than just a human king.

In verse 14, we are finally given information about this heavenly being.

You were the ANOINTED CHERUB who covers, and I placed you there.  You were on the holy mountain of God; you walked in the midst of the stones of fire.  (Ezekiel 28:14; Emphasis Mine)

Obviously, a man, the king of Tyre, is NOT an “ANOINTED CHERUB;” indicated that both the king of Tyre and this ANOINTED CHERUB suffered a similar fate, they both were thrown down from their positions of power and authority, which is why the king of Tyre is being used to present us with a glimpse into the fate of this ANOINTED heavenly being.  Consequently, I believe that as we continue on, we will find that there’s more textual evidence to strongly suggest that this heavenly being, who was cast down from his position of power and authority, is Satan.  And as a result, then, this identifies Satan, not as one of the Seraphim or a “fallen angel,” but as a fallen Cherub.

As a cherub, then, this means that Satan also has a human form with “four faces and four wings.” His legs are straight, and his feet are “like a calf’s hoof.”  He, like the other cherubs, have “the face of a man, the face of a lion on the right and the face of a bull on the left, and the face of an eagle” (Ezekiel 1:5-12).  This is definitely not the way that Satan is also pictured.  There’s no horns, no tail, and no pitchfork, and he definitely isn’t red all over.  Much like the angels and cherubs, the picture of Satan that’s often presented does not line up with the biblical record.

In verses 15, we read,

You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, UNTIL unrighteousness was found in you.

When God originally created Satan, he was “blameless in his ways.”  He was not created as a sinful, evil being, but like humanity,  it is apparent that all of the heavenly being created by God were also given the freedom of choice.  Satan was perfect, “blameless in his ways,” UNTIL he chose to rebel, and Satan must be quite a charismatic speaker because he convinced one-third of the angels to join him in his rebellion (Revelation 12:4); therefore, proving that the angels, likewise, have the freedom to choose.  And then Satan, the serpent, deceived the first man and first woman, Adam and Eve (Heb. Chavah) to make the same choice that he and the one-third of the angels who followed him made, to rebel against God.  And since that time, Satan and his angels have been convincing people to do the same thing over and over and over again.

But let’s continue,

By the abundance of your TRADE you were internally filled with violence, and you sinned; therefore I have cast you as profane from the MOUNTAIN OF GOD.  And I have destroyed you, O COVERING CHERUB, from the midst of the stones of fire. (Ezekiel 28:16; Emphasis Mine)

In this verse, we read, “By the abundance of your TRADE you were internally filled with violence, and you sinned.”  What was this “TRADE“?  And how did it internally fill him “with violence,” and result in him “sinning”?   The word translated as “TRADE” is the Hebrew word r’chullatecha (Strong’s #7404), and means “traffic” or “merchandise.”  Today, I think we could include the idea of “peddling.”  But what the king of Tyre and Satan were each “peddling” led to their downfall, and as we will see, also led to the downfall of others.  It is for this reason, that God cast him as something “profane” (common, average; opposite of holy) from the “MOUNTAIN OF GOD.”

And God destroyed him, “O COVERING CHERUB,” so again, God identifies him as a CHERUB, but this time as the “COVERING CHERUB.”  Perhaps, Satan was originally one of the two covering cherubs over the throne of God, but due to his sin, he was stripped of his name, his office, his position, and even his authority in heaven, and he was branded with the name “SATAN” (Adversary, Opponent).

And what led him to believe that he could his own god?  We are told in the next verse:

Your heart was lifted up because of your BEAUTY; you corrupted your wisdom by reason of your SPLENDOR.   I cast you to the ground; I put you before kings, that they may see you. (Ezekiel 28:17; Emphasis Mine)

Satan got wrapped up in his own beauty and splendor, and as a result, he thought he could be a god as well, and that all those in heaven should bow down in reverence to him as they do God.  And so his pride and narcissistic belief that he should be the center of all things were the seeds that led to his downfall.  And apparently, he was not only beautiful to behold – contrary to the ugly, hideous picture we commonly have of him – but he was also extremely charismatic and convincing.

By the multitude of your iniquities, in the unrighteousness of your trade, you profaned, you profaned your sanctuaries. (Ezekiel 28:18a)

The term “sanctuaries” may be a reference to not only to God’s temple in heaven, the three heavens, but the angels who were corrupted into following him.  So what did God do as punishment besides throwing him down from the “Mountain of God”?

Therefore I have brought fire from the midst of you; it has consumed you.  And I have turned you to ashes on the earth in the eyes of all who see you. (Ezekiel 28:18b)

According to the text, God brought “fire from the midst of you,” the fire of his pride, anger, hatred, jealousy, and it consumed him, turning him “to ashes on the earth.”  The word “ashes” here is a description of his appearance.  He is now burnt, dark, ashen in appearance, the opposite of the beauty that he once possessed.  The statement that he would be thrown “on the earth in the eyes of all who see you” is yet future.

In Revelation 12, we are told that there will be a war in heaven between Michael and his angels, and Satan, the Great Dragon, and his angels.  And that Satan and his angels would be thrown down to earth  (Revelation 12:7-9).

All who know you among the peoples are appalled at you; you have become terrified, and you will be no more. (Ezekiel 28:19)

During the tribulation, Satan will be on the earth with humanity, but he will know then that his time will be short, so he will seek to destroy as many of God’s people as possible.  Believers will be “appalled” at him, but once the Lord returns, he will be “terrified,” realizing his coming punishment in the bottomless pit and, then, into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone where his memory among God’s people “will be no more.”

CONCLUSION

As we’ve seen, the best textual evidence seems to point to Satan originally being one of the covering cherubs over the throne of God.  However, he became enamored with his own looks and beauty, became filled with pride and rebellion, and began to spreading it to the angels within God’s Kingdom.  A third of the angels joined him in his rebellion and were cast out of heaven, and their names were erased from the writings of God.

His appearance was changed by the hideous fire that burned within him to a dark, black, ashened figure, and no longer the beautiful being that he once was.  He now rules as Satan, “the adversary,” the “god of this world,” and “the prince of the kingdom of darkness.”

 

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