As we begin part 4 of this series, remember the whole reason we are doing this. The question of "If Satan was defeated at the cross, why does he continue?" must be answered. If not for us, for a dying world that is seeking answers.
Lucifer is not creative and has a limited knowledge base.
Ezekiel 28:15” Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee".
The previous verses in this chapter lead up to this. This was the turning point for Lucifer and his downfall. All the other verses and meanings culminate in this statement. Lucifer was perfect. The word for perfect in Hebrew is tamiym. It means without spot or blemish. It is the same word used of the sacrificial lambs when they were sacrificed. In this context, the Holy Spirit ties it to the word ways. The word for ways in Hebrew is derek. It means a road or course of life. It was the puffed up and immoral business practices that brought Lucifer down. It was the self-absorption and desire for worship that made him come to this point. Everyone with freewill has choices to make. Lucifer's choices led him to his downfall.
Isaiah 14:16-17 "They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?"
Our first real insights into a pre-Adamite world come into view in this series of verses. Verse 16 is packed full of information; however, a couple of words are very important. Look at "that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms”. The word for earth in Hebrew is erets. It means ground, land, or dirt. This is dry land. This is very important as this is the same word used in Genesis 1:1. We will complete this point a little later, but it is important to point it out here as to the condition of the location where Lucifer was as he was going through his transition.
The word for tremble in Hebrew is ragaz. It means to quiver with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear. Whatever or whomever these pre-Adamite beings were, they were afraid of Lucifer. The word for shake in Hebrew is ra’ash. It means to undulate, particularly through fear; make afraid. Intimidation and fear have been the lifeblood of bullies throughout time. Now we know its origin.
The last word to look at in this verse is kingdoms. The word for kingdoms in Hebrew is mamlakah. It means dominion. Interestingl that this word is used. Lucifer made his dominion, or place he was "set” over, to fear him. The second verse in this passage, like the others, is full of information. However, we are only going to look at a few words. The word in Hebrew for world here is an interesting choice. This word in Hebrew is tebel. It means encompasses the earth and its inhabitants. The Holy Spirit wants us to know that Lucifer made this “earth and its inhabitants” a wilderness. There has not been a time on this planet that anyone can point to and say Lucifer did that in the last 6,000 years. Further into the verse, it says he “destroyed the cities”. Again, at what point in the last 6,000 years has God allowed Satan to destroy cities? Anytime a city is destroyed, God did it in judgment. The final part of this verse is very simple. The words are exactly what they were intended to mean. Lucifer had these beings in bondage and would not let them go. While we may look at prison as somewhere to send someone who has done something wrong, when living with an abuser, our own house can be a prison, can it not?
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!"
This verse is straight and to the point, so it needs no explanation. Lucifer was judged. However, the Holy Spirit wants us to know that he “didst weaken the nations”. The word for weaken, in Hebrew, is chalash. It means to prostrate, to overthrow. While this may not seem like an earth-shattering insight, think about the fact that Satan has not overthrown any nation in the last 6,000 years.
If we were to summarize Lucifer’s career so far, we would be correct in saying that he took full advantage of the gifts given to him from his Creator. He then abused the position given to him to oversee a world that was here before Adam. When we get to Genesis 1:2 in the next section, we will begin to see exactly how God works when He takes control. Before we can do that, we must cover our verses in Jeremiah. Keep in mind as we read them, Jeremiah is known as the “weeping prophet”. He did not weep because he was weak, he wept because of his love for Israel and the coming judgments told to him. The passage that will follow is given as a warning to Israel as outlined in the verses prior to these in the book of Jeremiah.
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