A Brief Study of Angels
Where does Satan come from?
There is not a definitive answer to this question. In the Scriptures Satan appears on the scene suddenly in Genesis 3 either disguised as or, more likely, in possession of a serpent who spoke to Eve. We know this serpent was Satan because of the words of Revelation 12:9, 20:2. But how did Satan get there to begin with? We cannot be certain, but we can make some deductions that may give us an idea. To start, we know that the Lord God created all (Gen. 1:1). So Satan must have originally been made by God. But this raises another question--if God created everything and proclaimed it all “good” in Genesis 1 (and, because of His perfect, holy nature, we know that He would not create anything that was “bad” at this or any previous occasion) then why is Satan so evil? We can assume that Satan was not created in his current state but rather fell from a state of holiness and service to God through sinning (much like Adam chose to disobey and also fell from his perfect state).
After hearing these things, another question from someone unfamiliar with these doctrines might be: “Okay, but what was Satan created as before he fell?” The vast majority of biblical scholars would answer that he was an angel. Why think this? First, because, as we saw in the section on demons, there are several passages that connect Satan and the fallen angels (or demons)--Matthew 12:24-26; 25:41; Luke 10:17-20; Revelation 12:7-9. It makes sense that Satan is also another evil angel, but the one who is the leader. Second, Paul makes a reference to the devil who “transforms himself into an angel of light” (II Cor. 11:14). Some take this as a statement that points toward Satan’s original nature. The context is that Paul is comparing the tactics of false apostles to those of the one who inspires them. They seek to deceive others into leaving the pure gospel and that is how Satan operates as well. But Paul’s main point concerns Satan’s mode of operation, not his essential nature. However, one could argue that these fake apostles were passing themselves off as disciples of Christ which was consistent with their nature as men. Just so, Satan’s passing himself off as a holy angel of God would be consistent with his nature as an angelic spirit being. Plausible but nevertheless inconclusive reasoning. For a passage that actually calls Satan an angel, a better one might be Revelation 9:11 which most understand to refer to the devil.
The third passage which we will refer to concerning his original nature is the most informative but also very controversial. It is found in Ezekiel 28 and some deny that it is speaking about Satan at all. If it is not, then we have little to go on about Satan’s beginnings. However, there are good reasons to believe it does speak of the devil and many conservative scholars affirm this. Ezekiel primarily prophesied to the captive Jews in Babylon in the sixth century B.C. In chapters 25-32 he shared God’s word about the coming judgment on various nations for their wickedness. In chapter 28 verses 1-10 the focus is on the “prince of Tyre” which Robert Lightner tells us refers to Ethbaal III who was an arrogant, wicked man (Angels, Satan, and Demons, p. 69). But in v. 12 Ezekiel speaks of another who is said to be the “king of Tyre.” Here is where the disagreement starts. Some believe that it’s simply a continuation of the prophecy against Ethbaal. Others believe this verse marks a change of subject and up through v. 19 refers to Satan as he was before his fall and immediately after. I believe that it is speaking about Satan. For one thing, the first set of verses specifically say that the subject (“the prince”) was a “man” (v. 2). The second passage says that the subject (“the king”) was “the anointed cherub who covers” (vv. 14, 16). And that’s not all--it describes this person as “the seal of perfection” (v. 12)and “perfect in your ways” (v. 15) whichhas not been true of any man after Adam. He is said to have been in “Eden, the garden of God” (v. 13) and “on the holy mountain of God” (v. 14-- perhaps meaning the very presence of God). Twice he is said to have been “created” (vv. 13, 15). From verse 15 onward we are told of his “iniquity” and subsequent judgment. From these statements and descriptions it seems fair to say that the person the passage portrays is beyond a normal human being. It makes sense to think it describes Satan as being originally one of the highly privileged angels who was appointed to serve “as a protector or honor guard of God’s presence and holiness” (Angels, Satan, and Demons, p. 69).Some even assert that before his fall he was the greatest or highest in rank of all the angels created. Though we have no way of knowing for sure, it makes sense that an angel at the top of the hierarchy would be the one to lead the others in a rebellion.
One final consideration of this question of the origin of Satan would involve what Satan actually did to fall. Ezekiel gives us a hint in 28:17 when he says that Satan’s “heart was lifted up.” Another controversial passage which may give us more details is Isaiah 14:12-15. It is debated for the same reason--not all agree that it is speaking of Satan. In the context Isaiah is prophesying against the king of Babylon (vv. 3-11). There are several interpretations to explain v. 12ff. and we admit that it is easier to rectify this passage with being attributed to a human king than Ezekiel’s. Still, many think that the name of the subject “Lucifer” (literally “Day Star”), “son of the morning” (“shining one”) and the fact that he was “fallen from heaven” (cf. Luke 10:18) point to a decription of Satan’s fall. Also, the five “I will” statements of vv. 13-14 seem to be beyond what a mere man (even a king) would aspire to and fit more with what Satan would desire. If this is speaking of Satan’s sin then it is clear that he foolishly (Ezek. 28:17) acted in pride to attempt to unseat God and take His place. This resulted in his fall from holiness, being cast out and becoming the being who we know today as the devil, first and ultimate enemy of God.