Key Scripture
"Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty." (Ezekiel 28:12 KJV)
"Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so." (Ezekiel 28:14 KJV)
"Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee." (Ezekiel 28:15 KJV)
As we continue our study of the great conflict between God and Satan, we come to one of the most mysterious figures in all of Scripture. Before he was known as Satan, the Devil, the Dragon, the Serpent, or the Adversary, he was known by another name—Lucifer, the son of the morning.
When most people think of the devil, they picture a creature of darkness, evil, and corruption. Yet that is not how he began.
God did not create a devil.
God created a glorious being who later became the devil.
That truth is important because it reminds us that evil did not originate with God. Everything God creates is good and perfect in its original design. The corruption came later.
As we examine the Scriptures, we discover that Lucifer was unlike any other created being. His beauty was unmatched. His wisdom was extraordinary. His position was exalted. Yet despite all that God gave him, pride entered his heart and destroyed him.
His story serves as both a warning and a lesson for every generation.
Full of Wisdom and Perfect in Beauty
Ezekiel writes:
"Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty."
What an amazing description.
The phrase "sealest up the sum" carries the idea of completeness. Lucifer represented the pinnacle of God's created angelic beings. He was not lacking in intelligence. He was not lacking in ability. He was not lacking in beauty.
If we could have seen Lucifer before his fall, we would have witnessed a being whose glory surpassed anything we have ever known on earth.
His beauty reflected the wisdom and creativity of God.
Every precious stone adorned him.
Every aspect of his being testified to the greatness of his Creator.
Yet there is a danger that accompanies beauty, talent, intelligence, and success.
If those gifts are not surrendered back to God, they can become the very things that lead to destruction.
I have known men who could preach powerful sermons but became proud of their abilities.
I have known singers who once sang for the glory of God but eventually wanted the applause of men.
I have known churches that were blessed by God yet became so impressed with themselves that they forgot who had given them their blessings.
The gifts were never the problem.
The pride that followed the gifts became the problem.
Lucifer's story reminds us that what God gives us must always be used for His glory and not our own.
The Mystery of Lucifer's Music
One of the most fascinating passages in Ezekiel speaks of Lucifer's connection to music.
"The workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created." (Ezekiel 28:13 KJV)
Bible scholars have debated the exact meaning of this verse for centuries. While there are different interpretations, many believe Lucifer possessed a unique connection to music and worship.
If this interpretation is correct, Lucifer may have had a significant role in the worship of heaven before his fall.
Think about that for a moment.
The very one who once may have led worship became the leader of rebellion.
The one who was created to glorify God sought glory for himself.
There is a lesson here for every believer.
It is possible to be involved in religious activity while allowing pride to grow in the heart.
One can stand behind a pulpit and still become proud.
One can sing in a choir and still become proud.
One can teach a Sunday School class and still become proud.
Position does not protect us from pride.
Only humility protects us from pride.
The higher God lifts us, the more carefully we must walk.
The Anointed Cherub That Covereth
Ezekiel continues:
"Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so."
This may be the most revealing statement concerning Lucifer's original position.
A cherub was not an ordinary angel.
Throughout Scripture, cherubim are associated with the presence and glory of God.
Cherubim guarded the way to the Tree of Life after Adam's fall.
Cherubim were woven into the veil of the Tabernacle.
Cherubim overshadowed the Mercy Seat above the Ark of the Covenant.
These heavenly beings were closely connected with God's throne.
Lucifer is described as "the anointed cherub that covereth."
This suggests a position of extraordinary honor and responsibility.
Notice something important.
God said:
"I have set thee so."
Lucifer did not earn his position.
God gave it to him.
Lucifer did not appoint himself.
God appointed him.
Everything Lucifer possessed came from God.
The same is true for us.
Every talent we have.
Every blessing we enjoy.
Every opportunity we receive.
Every position we hold.
All of it comes from God.
The moment we begin believing we achieved it by our own greatness, we are walking the same dangerous road Lucifer traveled.
A Throne Near the Throne
While Scripture does not reveal every detail of Lucifer's responsibilities, many Bible students believe he occupied one of the highest positions in God's heavenly government.
Some even suggest he may have been the highest created being in existence before his fall.
Whether that is exactly correct or not, one thing is certain.
Lucifer possessed authority.
He possessed influence.
He possessed access.
He possessed privilege.
Yet none of those things satisfied him.
That should serve as a warning to all of us.
The human heart is never satisfied when pride takes control.
Pride always wants more.
More power.
More recognition.
More influence.
More control.
Lucifer's problem was not that God had given him too little.
His problem was that he wanted what belonged only to God.
Why Was Lucifer Given Such Authority?
This brings us to an important question.
Why would God create such a powerful being?
Why would God entrust Lucifer with such authority?
The simple answer is that God created him for His own purposes and glory.
Every position in heaven exists because God ordained it.
God is not threatened by power.
God is not intimidated by greatness.
God is not fearful of authority.
Lucifer's authority was not a mistake.
His creation was not an accident.
His position was part of God's perfect order.
The tragedy was not what God gave him.
The tragedy was what Lucifer chose to do with what God gave him.
The same principle applies today.
God gives people intelligence.
Some use it to glorify God.
Others use it to deny Him.
God gives people wealth.
Some use it for His kingdom.
Others use it for themselves.
God gives people influence.
Some point others toward Christ.
Others point others toward themselves.
The blessing is not the problem.
The heart determines whether the blessing becomes a tool for service or a weapon of pride.
The Beginning of the Fall
The saddest verse in this entire passage may be:
"Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee."
What a tragedy.
Perfect.
Created by God.
Exalted by God.
Blessed by God.
Yet iniquity entered his heart.
The corruption did not come from outside.
It began within.
That is always where sin begins.
Long before there is outward rebellion, there is inward pride.
Long before there is outward disobedience, there is inward self-exaltation.
Lucifer's fall began in his heart.
And every fall since then has followed the same pattern.
Final Thoughts
As we look at Lucifer before his fall, we are reminded that the greatest danger facing God's people is not weakness.
It is pride.
Lucifer was not brought down because he lacked wisdom.
He was not brought down because he lacked beauty.
He was not brought down because he lacked authority.
He was brought down because he forgot that everything he possessed came from God.
The lesson is as relevant today as it was before Adam walked into Eden.
Whenever we become impressed with ourselves, we place ourselves in danger.
Whenever we begin seeking our own glory rather than God's, we are walking the same path Lucifer walked.
In our next chapter, we will examine the moment pride entered heaven and explore the five "I wills" that transformed Lucifer from the anointed cherub into the adversary of God.
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