The Devil’s Fall Is 14: 11-15 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO
This is a Sunday school lesson about the Devil’s fall. The devil promotes himself to gain worship and his ultimate desire is to replace Jesus Christ as God. However, he will fail as the Lord demotes him from his original position as the anointed cherub in eternity past to the Lake of Fire in eternity future.
To promote himself, the devil uses:
A Spectacular Exhibition – v.11 – pomp – this is the regal display of kings like Ahasuerus in Esther 1:3-9. You see this movement toward spectacular productions in the modern churches today. There is nothing more spectacular than being in fellowship with Jesus by faith [1 Jn 1:3-7].
Sensual Music – v.11 – viols – viols are in the class of stringed instruments – in addition, the devil also has percussion instruments [tabrets, Ezek 28:13] and wind instruments [pipes, Ezek 28:13] – these three classes of instruments are in him; they make up his being. You see this movement toward sensual music in the modern churches today. The devil’s music drives people to idolatry and away from God [Job 21:7, 11-15; Dan 3:4-5, 7; Ex 32:17-18]. The Lord’s music causes the word of Christ to dwell in your heart [Eph 5:19; Col3:16].
Counterfeit Light – v.12 – Lucifer – this is a name for the devil – it means “Light-bearer” – when the devil was created, he was “the anointed cherub that covereth” – that is he was the fifth cherub and he covered the throne where God was – since then, he has transformed himself into an angel of light [2 Cor 11:14]. You see this move toward artificial light in the modern churches today. True light comes from Jesus [Jn 8:12] and from God’s words [Ps 119:130].
Instead of being promoted, the devil gets demoted. Five times the devil said, “I will” to gain his ultimate promotion and so five times he falls to his ultimate destruction.
His five professed promotions are as follows:
- I will ascend into heaven – v.13 – he wanted the power to ascend [Eph 4:8-10]
- I will exalt my throne above the stars of God – v.13 – he wanted the throne [Matt 19:28]
- I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation – v.13 – he wanted the mountain [Ps 48:1-2]
- I will ascend above the heights of the clouds – v.14 – he wanted the clouds [Acts 1:9, 1 Thes 4:17, Matt 24:30].
- I will be like the most high – v.14 – he wanted the image [Heb 1:3; 2 Thes 2:4]
His five consequent demotions are as follows:
- From covering the throne to the 2nd heaven [notice the second day, when the 2nd heaven was made, is the only day that is not called “good” (Gen 1:6-8)].
- From the 2nd heaven to being spoiled [Jn 12:31, Col2:15]
- From being spoiled to the earth [Rev 12:9]
- From the earth to the bottomless pit [Rev 20:2-3]
- From the bottomless pit to the lake of fire [Rev 20:10]