WHEN WAS SATAN CAST OUT OF HEAVEN?
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. When was Satan cast out of heaven and made to fall to the earth?
a) One large Christian denomination (and no doubt others) believes God cast out his adversary Satan from heaven in 1914 when World War I started. This is, however, clearly not true. Though no doubt a pivotal year in world history, the great tribulation did not start at that time nor did the Second Coming occur. The devil clearly was removed from heaven many years prior to 1914 A.D.
b) One foundational Bible verse that gives us a time frame for when Satan was cast out of heaven is in the verse you refer to in your question. Jesus, in Luke 10:18, stated he personally witnessed this momentous event which occurred with all the quickness and power of lightning. He was literally ejected from God's throne long before what happened in Genesis 1:2 took place.
c) Satan's revolt took place when he was on the earth. Our Maker states, in Isaiah 14, that Lucifer planned to ASCEND to the third heaven where his throne resided (meaning he was not already there!). And what would our Father's adversary DO once he arrived at the very center of all power and authority? He would mount on all-out assault, with his army of demonic followers, to FORCIBLY take control of God's throne so that he could rule everything (Isaiah 14:13 - 14)!
d) Before his rebellion and sin, Lucifer's position as a powerful covering cherub (a special class of angels), right over the throne of the universe, is confirmed in Ezekiel 28:14 - 15.
e) While still obedient, God put him on the earth with certain responsibilities. While on the planet he (and one third of the other angels) decided to rebel against God (Revelation 12:3 - 4). God tossed Satan from his heavenly abode when he and his angels arrived to attack it, as Jesus witnessed.
f) It does appear, however, that the devil will once again try to rise up from the earth to attack God's headquarters, only to get thrown down yet again (Revelation 12:7 - 9). 1914 is far too long ago for Lucifer's second attempt, with his twisted helpers known as demons, to try and take control of the entire universe.
g) The second of three attempts Satan will try to rule creation (the third being after the millennium when he is loosed for a season - see Revelation 20:7- 9) will happen at the very end of what the Bible calls the Great Tribulation, just prior to Jesus' return to earth! If some teach this event happened in a particular year they are flat WRONG. Christ simply did not come back to the earth secretly or otherwise in 1914 or in any other year for that matter.
h) On a final note, many believe that the angels and the devil are not capable of dying because they are spirit beings and immortal. However, angels (especially fallen ones) know they CAN be put to death! We can draw the following conclusions from Jesus' statements in Mark 1:23 - 25.
i) Evil spirits know that their destruction is possible.
ii) Some evil spirits know they are going to die for their rebellion.
iii) Jesus has the power to destroy evil spirits.
The End ...
1. When was Satan cast out of heaven and made to fall to the earth? a) One large Christian denomination (and no doubt others) believes God cast out his adversary Satan from heaven in 1914 when World War I started. This is, however, clearly not true. Though no doubt a pivotal year in world history, the great tribulation did not start at that time nor did the Second Coming occur. The devil clearly was removed from heaven many years prior to 1914 A.D.
b) One foundational Bible verse that gives us a time frame for when Satan was cast out of heaven is in the verse you refer to in your question. Jesus, in Luke 10:18, stated he personally witnessed this momentous event which occurred with all the quickness and power of lightning. He was literally ejected from God's throne long before what happened in Genesis 1:2 took place.
c) Satan's revolt took place when he was on the earth. Our Maker states, in Isaiah 14, that Lucifer planned to ASCEND to the third heaven where his throne resided (meaning he was not already there!). And what would our Father's adversary DO once he arrived at the very center of all power and authority? He would mount on all-out assault, with his army of demonic followers, to FORCIBLY take control of God's throne so that he could rule everything (Isaiah 14:13 - 14)!
d) Before his rebellion and sin, Lucifer's position as a powerful covering cherub (a special class of angels), right over the throne of the universe, is confirmed in Ezekiel 28:14 - 15.
e) While still obedient, God put him on the earth with certain responsibilities. While on the planet he (and one third of the other angels) decided to rebel against God (Revelation 12:3 - 4). God tossed Satan from his heavenly abode when he and his angels arrived to attack it, as Jesus witnessed.
f) It does appear, however, that the devil will once again try to rise up from the earth to attack God's headquarters, only to get thrown down yet again (Revelation 12:7 - 9). 1914 is far too long ago for Lucifer's second attempt, with his twisted helpers known as demons, to try and take control of the entire universe.
g) The second of three attempts Satan will try to rule creation (the third being after the millennium when he is loosed for a season - see Revelation 20:7- 9) will happen at the very end of what the Bible calls the Great Tribulation, just prior to Jesus' return to earth! If some teach this event happened in a particular year they are flat WRONG. Christ simply did not come back to the earth secretly or otherwise in 1914 or in any other year for that matter.
h) On a final note, many believe that the angels and the devil are not capable of dying because they are spirit beings and immortal. However, angels (especially fallen ones) know they CAN be put to death! We can draw the following conclusions from Jesus' statements in Mark 1:23 - 25.
i) Evil spirits know that their destruction is possible.
ii) Some evil spirits know they are going to die for their rebellion.
iii) Jesus has the power to destroy evil spirits.
Comments
Post a Comment