THE STAGES OF HOW LUCIFER BECAME SATAN

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One of the questions that I am always asked is the nature of evil. Where did it originate? How could a perfect angel like Lucifer become the embodiment of darkness? These questions lead us to a profound and sobering exploration of evil, pride, deception, and the consequences of rebellion against God. Today, let’s delve into the Scriptures to trace the stages of Lucifer’s fall, uncovering valuable lessons that we can learn from it.

“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.” – Revelation 12:8

This verse tells us a dramatic scene of conflict in the heavenly realm. Lucifer, once a shining angel, led a rebellion against God, seeking to usurp His authority and glory. But the rebellion failed, and Lucifer, along with his followers, was cast out of heaven.

Jude 1:6 sheds further light on their fate: “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.”

Lucifer, who has been given a place in heaven along with other angels, lost everything because of his pride and ambition. This serves as a stark warning for all of us: those who exalt themselves will be abased (Luke 14:11).

“Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.” – Ezekiel 28:12

Lucifer was created with extraordinary wisdom and beauty. He is the embodiment of these two. God Himself anointed him for a special purpose. But Lucifer allowed pride to take root in his heart, leading him to believe he was deserving of more than God had ordained. He believes that he is more than an angel. He wanted to be like God.

Ezekiel 28:15 reveals the turning point: “Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.”

Lucifer’s iniquity stemmed from his pride. He began to focus on his own plan to be like God. This is a crucial lesson for us: the gifts and wisdom that God gives us are meant to be used for His service and glory, not for our own self-exaltation.

“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.” – Isaiah 14:12-14

Isaiah 14:12-14 provides a glimpse into the thoughts of the heart of Lucifer, revealing the stages of his descent into darkness. These can be summarized as the five “I”s:

This marks the beginning of Lucifer’s rebellion. He desires to be like the Most High, to rise above his place. This also reflect the deceptive nature of the heart, as described in Jeremiah 17:9: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

Lucifer’s desire to ascend into heaven represents his ambition to create a kingdom of his own, separate from God’s authority. This is the first step on the path to Nicolaitism – a hierarchical system where individuals seek to elevate themselves above others. This is the system originated by Lucifer.

Lucifer’s ambition grows, and he desires to establish his own throne above the angels. This represents a further step away from humility and submission to God. He seeks a level of authority like that of God

In the context of the Church, this stage manifests as the pursuit of titles and positions of power among ministers. Ministers who succumb to Nicolaitism desire to be called “Senior Pastor,” “Bishop,” or other titles that elevate them above the rest of the congregation.

This is a crucial turning point. Lucifer’s rebellion gains momentum as other angels join his cause. He establishes a counterfeit “mount of congregation,” a gathering of those who support his rebellion. This marks his entry into the “bottomless pit,” a spiritual realm of darkness and opposition to God.

In the church, this stage is evident when believers themselves begin to elevate their pastors, contributing to a culture of hierarchy and personality-driven ministry.

Lucifer’s pride reaches new heights as he seeks to surpass even the “clouds,” which symbolize God’s glory. This is a counterfeit glory, a facade with no true foundation.

In the church, this stage is marked by the pursuit of false glory, fueled by things like manipulated testimonies, fabricated miracles, and an obsession with outward appearances.

This is the culmination of Lucifer’s rebellion, the ultimate act of defiance against God. He declares war on the Almighty, seeking to overthrow His authority. This is where he became Satan.

This stage represents the final separation from God, a point of no return. In the context of the church, it manifests as a complete rejection of God’s Word and authority, leading to apostasy and spiritual death.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” – Philippians 2:5-8

In contrast to Lucifer’s pride and self-exaltation, we see the ultimate example of humility in the Lord Jesus Christ. Though He was equal with God, He willingly humbled Himself, taking on the form of a servant and dying on the cross for our sins.

This is the model for all believers, especially those in ministry. We are called to serve, not to be served. We are to follow Christ’s example of humility, putting others before ourselves and seeking God’s glory above our own.

The story of Lucifer’s fall is a sobering reminder of the dangers of pride and self-deception. It’s a call to examine our own hearts, to root out any seeds of ambition or self-exaltation that may be lurking within.

Let us be vigilant, guarding against the subtle influences of Nicolaitism and the pursuit of false glory. Let us strive to cultivate humility, serving one another in love and seeking to glorify God in all that we do. May we learn from Lucifer’s tragic example and choose the path of humility and obedience, walking in the footsteps of our Savior, Jesus Christ.