Bible Discussion Thread

My Grandaughter asked if Satan was a beautiful Angel in heaven at one time and in heaven there is no bad . How did Satan become to think he could be higher than God?

Yes, we get an indication of the physical Satan in Ezekiel 28:12-19. Though Ezekiel is directing his prophecy to the King of Tyrus, we understand that through the description of his wickedness, the picture of Satan (& specifically Satan's former position in Heaven as a 'cherub' & 'having being in the Garden of Eden') clearly show us a dual meaning to this prophecy. Yes, Satan had beauty & perfection (verses 12,13,17) & as a cherub, that position is normally associated in being in close proximity to God's Presence (as in the Tabernacle on Earth & over the Ark of the Covenant), & in relation to God's Holiness.

Why did Satan go bad? Verse 17 tells us that his heart "was lifted up because of his beauty". Not that he always admired himself 'in the mirror', but his heart was lifted up against the Most High, believing that he was as good or better than God. See Isaiah 14:12-15, & particularly, that he was perfect, Ezekiel 28:15 (sinless, as all the other heavenly beings), until his pride took over & he believed he was better than God. But the big question: how was it possible for Satan to sin, & can other heavenly beings likewise sin? It seems that even by being in the Holy Presence of God & finding complete delight in worshipping Him, there can still be that element of choice. For in his pride & estrangement from God, he also gathered to himself other 'defecting' angels (see 2 Peter 2:4; Revelation 12:7-9; Jude 1:6).

We see Jesus in His humanity, though pure & sinless, He was tempted of Satan (Matthew chapter 4). Jesus resisted Satan using God's Word against him. However, Satan was in the presence of God & His Word in Heaven, yet allowed the thought of grandeur to enter in & develop into sin ( James 1:15) & finally a full blown wickedness that saw him banished from God's Presence & ever since, working against God to bring & keep humanity in his solid grip. But the Cross of Jesus brings us release from that grip - if we can only trust Jesus for it.