How Art Thou Fallen?

“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.” Isaiah 14:12-15

Lucifer was the most elevated of God’s creatures. We do not know everything about him, but the Bible describes him as a beautiful, talented, and powerful creature who was originally one of the three named archangels. He is called “the anointed cherub that covereth” in Ezekiel 28:14. This title seems to reference the Ark of the Covenant, which was fashioned as a replica of the throne of God in heaven. The ark had two cherubim that faced each other and covered the mercy seat that was on the top of the ark with their wings. These word pictures lead us to believe that Lucifer was initially given the privilege and responsibility of continually standing beside the throne of God. It would seem that this would have been the most exalted position that an angel could occupy. He certainly could have been the envy of all of the other angels. But Lucifer was not satisfied with his lofty station. He decided that he wanted to go even higher and become equal with God, but he soon found out that pride is extremely dangerous and can do immeasurable harm. Satan’s fall is the prime example of the devastation pride will bring if we allow it to enter our hearts.