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Deposing This World’s Ruler
We have
been running a series of articles that describe the Fall
Holy Days that God desires all men to celebrate. These
Holy Days are described in the Bible in the 23rd chapter
of the book of Leviticus. To read this year’s first
installment, please read our article “Bigger Changes
Ahead” listed on this website. There are four festivals
that are celebrated in the Fall. They are in time
sequence, The Feast of Trumpets, The Day of Atonement,
The Feast of Tabernacles, and the Last Great Day. When
you are finished reading this article, please refer to
our article listed on this website titled, “Have You
Kept This Festival.”
The Feast of Trumpets pictures the return of Christ to
establish the Kingdom of God on this earth. It is
followed by another feast that will be celebrated on
October 9th this year. It is called the Day of
Atonement. Before the Kingdom of God can be established,
and mankind brought to salvation, there is an enemy that
must be deposed. He is the ruler of this world and is
known by many names, the most common being Satan the
Devil. Read on to find out about the one Christ must
depose:
Is
There Really A Devil?
One of
the most misunderstood characters of the Bible is that
of Satan the Devil. Many Christians have no idea there
really is a being who bears that title. Many, instead,
believe he is a mythical creature, one who
metaphorically appeared as a snake in the Garden of
Eden, and today as a whimsical figure who wears a red
suit, has horns and a pitchfork, and plays the role of a
comical tormentor of those who have gone to the fiery
labyrinth of hell to be tortured forever. Is Satan a
mythical being, a metaphorical figure representing evil?
Or is he a being of power and importance on the world
scene today? Your Bible reveals the answer, so read on.
You may be surprised.
Who
Tempted Eve?
To find
out who tempted Eve to eat the infamous forbidden fruit
in the Garden of Eden, we have to travel from the book
of Genesis all the way to the book of Isaiah along a
serpentine trail and look beneath the surface of more
obvious scriptures to begin the unveiling of this
camouflaged, reptilian figure. Two passages in both the
books of Ezekiel and Isaiah give specific information
about him, and then Christ adds other details in the
gospel accounts and in the book of Revelation. First,
let’s take a look at a passage in the book of Isaiah
that gives some details about this being who, it
appears, would rather not be disclosed.
This portion of the story begins in Isaiah 14:12. The
first part of the 14th chapter is devoted to details
about the fall of the King of Babylon, the one who had
taken the Jews into captivity in 586 BC (This captivity
is discussed in the 25th chapter of the Book of II
Kings). Following a pronouncement of doom upon this
fearsome king of Babylon, another king is revealed in
verse 12 of chapter 14. This second king is referred to
as Lucifer, son of the morning; and this king is one,
whom we are told, fell from heaven:
Isaiah 14:12: 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! KJV
In verse 13 of the same chapter we are told this being,
Lucifer, ascended into heaven with the idea that he
would exalt his throne above the stars of God:
Isaiah 14:13: 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: KJV
This gives us two important details: this was a ruler,
and he knew God. This ruler wanted to establish HIS
throne above the “stars” of God. What or who were those
stars?
Symbolism in the Bible
The Bible is a book full of symbolism. To understand
what the meanings of the symbols are, we can let the
Bible interpret them for us. We are told in Isaiah
28:9-10 that the Bible can be understood by putting
various scriptures together, adding one precept to
another until we have the whole picture. It is a book
that requires intense study and effort, along with
revelation, to fully comprehend its message. In order to
understand the meaning of the “stars” Lucifer wanted to
rule over, let’s take a look at another scripture found
in Revelation 1:20. Here we are told:
Revelation 1:20 ……The seven stars are the ANGELS…. KJV
This passage reveals the metaphorical meaning of the
word stars as used in Isaiah 14. The meaning is clear.
The stars are angels, and the being known as Lucifer is
shown as one who desired power and authority over the
angels of heaven. He is revealed as one who ascended
into heaven in an attempt to take over the throne of the
one who rules the entire creation (Psalm 11:4; 2
Chronicles 20:6). This was the greatest coup attempt of
all history. But it failed, as will be shown later.
We are further told in Isaiah 14:13 that Lucifer wanted
to “sit upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides
of the north.” And what was his real intention? Verse 14
tells us his desire was to be “like the Most High”. His
desire was to become God and sit as a ruler over the
entire universe! Was this the goal of any earthly king?
Could any earthly king attempt to ascend into heaven to
dethrone God? Of course not. Isaiah 14:12-14 is not
speaking of any earthly king, but of Lucifer – who is
later revealed as Satan the Devil himself.
For further evidence of this, let’s look at another
passage in the Bible found in Ezekiel 28, where even
more detail is given about this wicked being. Just as in
Isaiah 14, this chapter begins by addressing an earthly
king. In this instance, this ruler is referred to as the
prince of Tyrus who is described as one of great
“worldly” wisdom, one who was full of arrogance, even to
the point of claiming to be a god:
Ezekiel 28:9 Wilt thou yet say before him that slayeth
thee, I am God? but thou shalt be a man, and no God, in
the hand of him that slayeth thee. KJV
Satan Revealed
In verse 12 of the same chapter, the focus shifts from
this earthly prince, who let arrogance and worldly
success go to his head, to another of similar spirit,
yet even greater in stature; for this individual is
referred to as the “KING” of Tyrus, and by implication
one who ruled over this arrogant “PRINCE” of Tyrus. It
is this King of Tyrus who needs our close attention, for
he is slipped into scripture almost without notice,
giving the impression that he and the prince over whom
he rules are one and the same.
Ezekiel 28:12: Son of man, take up a lamentation upon
the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord
GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and
perfect in beauty. KJV
Verse 12 of Ezekiel 28 reveals a being who was full of
“wisdom” and “perfect in beauty” with garments covered
with gemstones – definitely someone who would catch your
eye! He is also described as being one who had tabrets
(tambourines), or the ability to produce music like one
who possibly sang and danced. But verse 13 also tells us
this individual had been in “Eden” the garden of God:
Ezekiel 28:13: Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God;
every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius,
topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the
jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle,
and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy
pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast
created. KJV
Now, the Bible tells us in Genesis 2 there were only two
humans in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve. And it also
tells us the Lord visited them there. So who was this
other individual, besides the Lord, Adam, and Eve who
appeared in the Garden of Eden? Let’s read Genesis 3:1:
Genesis 3:1: Now the serpent was more subtil than any
beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he
said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not
eat of every tree of the garden? KJV
Here we are shown the picture of a “subtil” or
camouflaged serpent – who was in the Garden of Eden also
– and who appeared much different from the opulent being
mentioned in Ezekiel 28:13 – who, later scriptures tell
us, was none other than Satan the Devil. And now we find
what happened to Satan when he attempted to overthrow
God:
Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out (of
heaven), that OLD SERPENT, called the Devil, and Satan,
which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into
the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. KJV
It is significant that after Adam and Eve fell under the
influence of Satan, they too changed. They attempted to
hide from God, covering themselves with the closest
thing at hand, “fig leaves!” Perhaps, rather than the
proverbial apple, Eve had reached for a fig, the tree
that Jesus later cursed in Matthew 21:19.
Satan the Deceiver
The above verse tells us that Satan not only served to
deceive Eve, he is the one who has deceived the WHOLE
WORLD – and much of that deception has been about his
own identity. But Ezekiel 28 further reveals the
identity of this one who was in Eden – this “King of
Tyrus” – mentioned earlier as being “The anointed cherub
that covereth:”
Ezekiel 28:14: Thou art the anointed cherub that
covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the
holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in
the midst of the stones of fire. KJV
This king is no worldly king, but a ruler who at one
time had actually been at the very throne of God,
serving in the position of a “covering” or Arch Angel.
There are very few mentions of an Arch Angel in the
Bible. Michael and Gabriel are revealed as being Arch
Angels, also referred to as Cherubim (Exodus25:19-20).
These angels are described in the Bible as being very
powerful, and are depicted as spreading their wings over
the very throne of God (I Kings 8:6-7): this “King” had
been one of them. But what happened to him? Verse 15 of
Ezekiel 28 tells us this “King” who had been “created”
in perfection was found to be filled with iniquity. And
in verse 16 we are told God forcefully cast him out of
His presence. But where did he end up? Christ tells us
the following:
Luke 10:18: And he (Christ) said unto them (his
Disciples), I beheld Satan as lightning fall from
heaven. KJV
Where is Satan Today?
And where did he land after he was cast out of heaven?
Verse 17 of Ezekiel 28 tells us this vain and corrupt
being was cast to the ground – to the earth, where his
cloaked presence will one day be made known to the
rulers of the world:
Ezekiel 28:17: Thine heart was lifted up because of thy
beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy
brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay
thee before kings, that they may behold thee. KJV
Today, mankind does not behold Satan. His presence is
hidden from the eyes of men, just as he hid himself
within the serpent he used to deceive Eve, but the Bible
tells us that he is the power behind the throne of the
kings of this earth – that he is the true ruler of this
world:
John 14:30: I (Christ) will not speak much more with
you, for the ruler of the world (Satan) is coming, and
he has nothing (not found any sin) in Me; (NAS)
Just as Satan stood behind the King of Babylon, and just
as he stood behind the Prince of Tyre, so he stands
behind the thrones (powerful offices) of the rulers (or
leaders) of this world, deceiving and influencing the
direction they take in world affairs, except when God
ordains otherwise:
Revelation 12:9: And the great dragon was cast out, that
old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which
deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the
earth, and his angels were cast out with him. KJV
This scripture tells us Satan was cast down to this
world, and that his work of deception had caused other
angels to follow after him into sin. Together they were
thrown down from God’s presence to the earth where
[except in instances when God calls Satan before his
throne to give account of himself (Job 1:6-7)] they
carry on their work of deception to this day. And how do
they deceive? Again, let the Bible tell us:
Ephesians 2:1-2 And you hath he quickened, who were dead
in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked
according to the course of this world, according to the
prince of the POWER OF THE AIR, the spirit that now
worketh in the children of disobedience: KJV
Ephesians 2 above reveals Satan as the “Prince of the
Power of the Air”. What is the power of the air? It is a
mode of transmission. Much as radio and television come
to us over the airwaves, Satan broadcasts his thoughts,
attitudes and moods to the minds of receptive
individuals over the airwaves. He is quick to recognize
a mind that will be open to his influence. In the same
way humans recognize weaknesses in others, Satan and his
demons recognize drunkenness, drug use, depression,
slovenliness, moodiness, disorderliness, rebelliousness,
arrogance, covetousness, and other weaknesses as
conditions that comprise a fertile milieu for their
influence. Such weaknesses reveal defenses that are down
and minds that are careless, without discipline, and
open to negative, lustful, and sinful suggestion. Demons
prey on the weak: they look for signs of weakness.
Satan also uses his power of transmission to influence
the workings of those who rule in the world today. But,
as mentioned already, rulers are not his only targets.
The above-quoted scripture makes it clear that all those
who sin are under the sway of Satan; and that, of
course, means all mankind has fallen under his
influence, for we were also told in Revelation 12:9 that
he has deceived the ENTIRE world.
So is it any wonder that humanity does not comprehend
the workings of a cloaked being who camouflages himself
while he uses the “power of the air” to corrupt all
humanity, to turn them away from God, whom he hates?
Today, we can still think of Satan as a serpent hidden
among the trees, much like a soldier hides in
camouflaged fatigues, whose intent is to corrupt and
separate man from God, just as Adam and Eve were tempted
into sin and thus were cast out from the Garden of Eden:
Genesis 3:23-24: Therefore the LORD God sent him forth
(both Adam and Eve) from the Garden of Eden, to till the
ground from whence he was taken. 24 So he drove out the
man; and he placed at the east of the Garden of Eden
Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way,
to keep the way of the tree of life. KJV
Satan succeeded in his mission. Adam and Eve were cast
out from the Garden, much as Satan had been cast down
from before God’s throne, and all of mankind was cut off
from “the Tree of Life.” But that is not the end of the
story. To learn more about Satan’s future on this earth,
we invite you to download or request your free copy of
our booklet, The Gospel According to Christ.
The Day of Atonement celebrated annually by many
Christians pictures the fulfillment of God’s plan as it
relates to the governments of this world. A great day of
liberation lies just around the corner for this world
when its present evil master is dethroned. It’s a day to
celebrate!
Revelation 20:1-3
1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the
key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent,
which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand
years,
3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up,
and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the
nations no more, till the thousand years should be
fulfilled:
This scripture together with Ezekiel 1:4 tells us that
God’s throne is located in the Northern reaches of
heaven. It was from the North that the Lord came to
appear to Ezekiel.
An interesting side note is that the name Lucifer
appears only once in the Bible. The word “Lucifer” has a
superficial meaning of “light-bearer” but stems from a
root word meaning one who is both boastful and
clamorously foolish. The name of this individual was
changed to that of Satan meaning “an adversary or
opponent” and this word comes from another root word
meaning “to attack or accuse”. This definition defines
the character of the one whose name was changed from
Lucifer to Satan.
In
Revelation 17:4 another being is shown much like Satan,
covered in Gemstones with a golden cup in her hand. This
is accepted by many Biblical scholars as representative
of a great false church under Satan’s sway that both
persecutes and slays the saints of God down through
history. In addition, Revelation 18:16 speaks of the
great city Babylon, metaphorically dressed in the same
manner. Together these two represent the false religious
and political/economic systems of this world that Satan
has used to both deceive and separate mankind from God,
and also to persecute the saints of God. |