HEAVEN'S DESCENDERS

(Part 4)

#139.01

I WILL CAST THEE TO THE GROUND

"Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground..." (Ezek 28:17).

Not only Isaiah 14, but also Ezekiel 28 (Verses 1-19) is another area of the scriptures people use to argue that Satan was once a beautiful angel. It is commonly said that his abode was in the vast heavens of God. Even though there is only one archangel (chief messenger), he supposedly held the exalted position of being one of three. He was a part of the hierarchy that generated eternal bliss in the expanse of heaven. He presumably led all the angels in perpetual praise and worship to God. For untold eons everything ran like a fine-tuned machine. Perfect harmony was known throughout the universe; that is, until one fateful day when he attempted to dethrone God. His quest failed, of course, and he was cast out of that lofty place. Ah, the story can be exciting, spell binding, to say the least. It affords many pulpits ample material for graphic sermons. And all would be well if it were true, but it is NOT! If we will notice, as it is with Isaiah 14, these verses are descriptive of a man rather than a spirit:

"Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord God; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I AM A GOD, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; YET THOU ART A MAN, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God." (Verse 2).

Thou art A MAN is sufficient to determine that a MAN is the subject and not a spirit, yet we will also consider a couple of other thoughts. In the statement "I AM A GOD," the word for God is EL (singular) which is ascribed to the ONE supreme God. Also, in the Hebrew text the indefinite article "a" is not present. Hence, this individual is declaring, "I AM GOD." The word for God in "I sit in the seat of GOD," is "ELOHIM" (plural); which is saying, "I sit in THE THRONE of THE GODS." He sees himself as the one who sits in the chief throne among the lesser gods/elohim. Incidentally, men who judge are called elohim (Ps 82, Exo 21:6 the word for judges is often elohim).

Men are referred to as "gods" (elohim) in the Bible, but never as "God" (El), while neither of the titles were ever used to identify Satan, and we can see why: The characteristics of El and elohim are that of strong ones who can create, can weigh a situation and make a judgment, and have authority, rule and dominion over others. Both God and men have all these qualities; but Satan has never been able to create, has never stood in a place to weigh a situation and determine whether it is good or evil and then pass judgment upon it. Satan has had a certain amount of dominion over carnal man. However, that was part of the curse. He was given the dust of the earth (man) to eat all the days of his life. The point that needs to be made is that in the above verse, the individual spoken to was not the devil. He was also told he was not the God of the gods but a mere MAN -- a man that could fill the shoes of one of the elohim but not those of the El.

Due to his riches of silver and gold (which men lust after), he ascended by the winds of pride, and he set his heart as the heart of God. In his rising, he met God's fire coming down, which was in the form of the nations that defiled his brightness (Ezek 28:4-7). And the rebuke of judgment continues to the man: "Will you still say, 'I am God?' In the presence of your slayer, Although you are a MAN and not God..."(Ezek 28:9, KJV & NASB).

"...THOU SEALEST UP THE SUM...." (KJV, Verse 12), doesn't really speak to us as having any particular substance of unusual worth. However, reading it from other sources certainly sheds some valuable light on the two words sealest and sum:

Young's Analytical Concordance........ Sealest: sealed, finished.

Young's Analytical Concordance........ Sum: measurement, standard.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance... Sum: admeasurement, i.e. consummated.

Amplified Bible..... Thou art the full measure and pattern of exactness.

Companion Bible... Thou art the finished pattern (Margin).

Please note -- the one who is the SUM is the exact, finished pattern. He is a standard of measurement from which those following him would become. In other words, he was the prototype. And everyone must know that the prototype, the model, was ADAM and NOT Satan. The devil was never created to be a model for anything; but according to Genesis Adam was brought forth for this very purpose. It says, "Let us make man in our image, and after our LIKENESS..." (Gen. 1:26). The word likeness in this verse is from the Hebrew word (demuwth) which means a MODEL. The first man, therefore, was the first blueprint for all humanity. Adam was the pattern son according to the natural dust of the flesh, and the whole of humanity was molded after him. All mankind came from the assembly line of his loins.

Jesus, on the other hand (the last Adam), was and still is the last pattern (1 Tim 1:16) according to the spiritual realm of the heavens, after which all will be molded. He is the one "Who is the image of the invisible God, the first born of every creature (Col 1:15). All men followed Adam, the first, exact pattern, into death. Likewise, all men will follow the second, exact, express pattern, JESUS, into life. (ref. Heb 1:3, 1 Cor 15:45-49 & 22-28, Eph 1:9-11, and Rom 5:18).

"...FULL OF WISDOM, AND PERFECT IN BEAUTY..." (Verse 12) also points to something in man that had reached its capacity -- his shining wisdom and beauty. If his wisdom had been the wisdom of God he would never have descended by sin into a fallen state; however, having the wisdom of natural man, even in all its glory, he failed. The corruptible, as great as it was or might be, must die and give place to the incorruptible. Man will then be able to say as God did, "I change not."

Until that time comes, man will be only as good as Solomon when he penned these words, "...A man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed" (Eccl 8:1). Solomon sees man as a shining one, or as a "lucifer." He shines with wisdom, yet can fall back into the darkness of dust.

"THOU HAST BEEN IN EDEN, THE GARDEN OF GOD..." (Verse 13a). Due to church dogma, it has been assumed this was speaking of Satan; but there is no reason to suppose such a thing. Again, it speaks of a man. Let us notice another place where it is recorded that a man, along with other men, was in the garden. Ezekiel 31 tells us of a man who is a glorious tree, one who is above all the other trees:

"...Whom art thou like in thy greatness...the water made him great, the Deep set him up on high...Therefore his height was exalted above all the trees of the field...All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations...no tree in the garden of God was like unto him in his beauty. I have made him fair by the multitude of his branches: so that all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied him. To whom art thou thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden: yet shalt thou be brought down with the trees of Eden unto the nether parts of the earth: thou shalt lie in the midst of the uncircumcised with them that be slain by the sword. This is PHARAOH and all his multitude (Or can we say, this is ADAM and all his multitude?), saith the Lord God." (Parentheses supplied) (Ezek 31:2,5,6,8,9,18).

It is clear that this speaks of a man, Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he is compared to another man, his pattern, Adam. In like manner, Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 are admonitions and prophecies that are directed to kings, which can relate to Adam who was once in the garden of God (heaven), but fell from it when he attempted to ascend apart from God. This heavenly garden is akin to the heavens wherein we now sit in Christ Jesus, while our feet remain upon the ground.

"...EVERY PRECIOUS STONE WAS THY COVERING..." (Verse 13b). Precious stones speak of certain characteristics of men as they are manifested when the light of God passes through them. There were precious stones in the breast plate of the high priest, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. The priests were the mediators between God and man. When the twelve tribes were in the breast of the high priest as stones, they were sanctified, and, therefore, radiated the particular beauty of God that they were. We, today, are living stones in the breast of Christ, our High Priest.

The king of Tyrus, like Adam, possessed some of this grandeur in the day of his glory. The stones that covered the one of Ezekiel 28 could very well be typical of the people over whom Adam had dominion and was their mediator to God. If this was so, when he as their federal head fell, the whole world fell with him.

We can speculate and presume a lot of things about Adam and his obscure past, who the other trees in the garden represent, when he actually went forth to subdue the world, and who was subdued. However, one point we want to make is that precious stones are for the purpose of adorning people and not a spirit. Satan has never had a body with which to radiate and manifest the glory. If Satan wants to reveal himself in any form, the only way he can do it is through a human body, something he has never had the privilege of having. He can take over a man's soul and body, or move through a many membered body of people; but he has never had a personal body of his own. Therefore, we maintain that the one who was covered by stones in Ezekiel 28 must be a man and not a spirit called Satan.

"...THE WORKMANSHIP OF THY TABRETS AND OF THY PIPES WAS PREPARED IN THEE IN THE DAY THAT THOU WAST CREATED." (Verse 13c). This is a very interesting portion of verse 13, especially when it is translated into modern English. Using the Strong's Exhaustive Concordance it would be read this way: "...The DEPUTYSHIP, i.e. the MINISTRY of thy tabrets and of thy BEZELS, were erected and established in thee in the day that you were created."

PIPES, that is, BEZELS will be considered first. A bezel is the sloping sides of the faces of a CUT GEM, especially those of the upper half. It is also the grooved ring or rim that holds the gem in its setting. A jewel, no matter how rare or potentially beautiful it is, has virtually no value until the facets or bezels are cut into it. These bezels serve two primary purposes. They allow light to enter into the jewel's body and then reflect it outwardly after the light has gathered up its beautiful refracted colors and has joined itself and become one with them. The second function of the bezel is so the jewel can be secured into its proper place, that its beauty can be seen. Without the bezel, a stone cannot be set and will lose its usefulness for what it is intended. We as living stones are no different. We can only manifest God's glory after the bezel has been cut into our lives, and we are set as precious stones in His crown and lifted up as an ensign upon his land (Zech. 9:16).

THE JEWEL RADIATES the glory of God. This is the result of being subjected to the tools of the Master's hand. The tabret/tambourine, on the other hand, is something the servants used as a result of their inexpressible love and gratitude for their great Master. In the Bible it is recorded that the tabrets were always used when there was an exceeding amount of overflowing joy for God. Sometimes words fail to express our thanksgiving and praise we have for Him. This is when the tambourines of the spirit break forth into rejoicing that satisfies our exulting souls. Israel would always beat their tambourines when they were overwhelmed with joy after gaining victory over the enemy by the sovereign power of God. It is the same with us. When He, in His mighty strength, brings our fierce adversary to naught, and the burdensome warfare is over, a joy of victory wells up inside to the point of bursting our hearts, and the only way to find relief is to release it with singing, dancing, and playing our heart's musical instruments to the high praises of God! Hallelujah! What a glorious ministry -- A MINISTRY UNTO GOD!

TABRETS WERE PLACED IN MAN for the purpose of victorious praising after winning a battle. We can, therefore, conclude that if these tabrets had been placed in Satan it would have been for the same purpose. However, we are persuaded that he was never created to be winning any wars against anyone or anything, so there was no reason for him to be created with such an instrument of praise. MAN, however, does have an enemy to conquer; namely anything having to do with death. Every time a battle is won, the tabrets of our spirits sound the praise of victory.

Not everyone has the talent of playing musical instruments, or sounding a trumpet; but everyone can play the tabret. It is something they are born with. And at every battle-won victory, the tabret of every winner is sounded loud and clear!

WHEN ALL THE WARS ARE WON that we wage or are waged against us, we will be able to identify with the following song, and I know there are some who are already singing it: "PRAISE YE THE LORD. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and His praise in the congregation of the saints. Let Israel rejoice in Him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their king. Let them praise His name in dance: let them sing praises unto Him with the TIMBREL (same Heb. word as tabrets) and the harp. For the Lord taketh pleasure in His people: He will beautify the meek with salvation. Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth. And a two edged sword in their hand. To execute vengeance upon the people, to bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; to execute upon them the judgment written: This honour have all His saints. Praise ye the Lord" (Psa 149).

Now who do we suppose was created with the sounding tabrets that rang out the high praises of God when wars were won? Or who might it have been that had the bezel cut into his life by the Master craftsman? And again, who could have been the one that was covered with God's selected jewels of glory, bringing light as "lucifers" into the world as he radiated the beauty each stone possessed? Not Satan, dear ones, not in a million years. The answer is obvious -- it was the only one who could have had such a ministry and was the ambassador of shining glory -- ADAM! He failed, of course, to bring that light to all creation; but praise God, the last Adam, Jesus as the Word of God will never return unto Him void. He is the true LIGHT BRINGER of God, who coming into the world LIGHTS EVERY MAN (John 1:9), for He is THE FIRST BORN and MORNING STAR TO ALL CREATION. Indeed, He is the true SON OF THE MORNING who will never fail to accomplish what He was sent to do. If He does not achieve God's purpose to the full end, He is not much better than the first Adam. However, I am persuaded after the last enemy, death, is destroyed, He will return to His Father with that which He was sent to save and secure.

"THOU ART THE ANOINTED CHERUB THAT COVERETH" (Verse 14a). This particular word has probably been the most influential statement of the entire Bible when it comes to the belief that Satan was once an angel in heaven. Perhaps, the reason is due to the wide spread teaching that a cherub is an angel, even though there is not one shred of evidence to support it. When viewed through dogma-colored glasses, it may appear that a few scriptures support the supposition; but they don't. When we remove our preconceived ideas and look at them objectively, everything takes on an entirely different shape.

Cherubim are not angels -- they are the exact opposite. The purpose of cherubim have been to conceal those things which pertain to God, not to reveal them. Angels, you see, are messengers, and messengers are sent from God to reveal things, while cherubim conceal and protect them.

The word, cherub, speaks much more of a quality in man than a spirit entity outside of him. Although we know some things about the cherubim, I must confess, we do not have all the answers to the mysteries of the cherubim; but I am confident that Satan has never been one. Jesus made that clear when He said that he was "A MURDERER FROM THE BEGINNING" (John 8:44) -- not a cherub, but a MURDERER!

CHERUB is used in the scriptures in reference to guarding the way of life. It was designed to keep the unregenerated man of corruption from approaching unto that BEAUTIFUL TREE OF GOD -- JESUS CHRIST. He could, however, come to and eat of that tree by the prescribed way, the prescribed way of Jesus Christ, which deals tremendously with the flesh.

The first time cherubim are mentioned is in Genesis 3:24, in reference to guarding the way: "So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden cherubim to KEEP the way of the tree of life." East speaks of the soulish, natural, selfish part of man. The word KEEP is translated from the Hebrew word SHAMAR which means "TO HEDGE ABOUT, i.e. guard or PROTECT." (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance). In Ezekiel 28:14 the word covereth implies this also. It means "to entwine as a screen, to fence in, to cover over, TO PROTECT." (Strong's). We also see this illustrated in the tabernacle.

The walls of the two inner sanctuaries (the holy place and the holy of holies) had cherubim sown into them, the veil over the door to the holy of holies had cherubim sown into it, and the mercy seat had two cherubim over it also. The way back to the heart center of the garden of God (the tree of life/the ark of the covenant) was very well protected from the first man who descended from, or rather, was cast out of heaven.

The only way back into the paradise of God would be the prescribed way of God, which is through Jesus Christ. He is all the doors of the tabernacle, the sacrifice, the water of the laver for cleansing one's life, the anointing oil before entering the holy place, the oil of His Spirit in the lamp stand, the flame from the lamps, the showbread of His body, the transforming fire in the incense altar, the governing rod of Aaron that budded, the manna, and the holy laws of God. None of these, brethren, and we repeat, none of these, can be partaken of except through Jesus Christ who is the Captain of our Salvation. The Author and Finisher of our faith is the one, and only one, who can lead us each step of the way. The cherubim (imaginative figures) in the veil of the carnal mind, however, will keep men from the tree of life.

Everything we read and know about the cherubim speaks of something in man himself which keeps him from the pleasures of God until his journey is found in and through Jesus Christ. But nowhere, do we find that it even remotely hints Satan was ever a cherub. Therefore, we see Ezekiel 28:14 is speaking of a man rather than Satan.

"...THOU WAST UPON THE HOLY MOUNTAIN OF GOD..." (Verse 14b). Mountains in scripture are symbolic of kingdoms upon the earth, whether that of God or man. In this case, we see the kingdom as being God's with Adam having dominion over it. However, when he was no longer worthy to rule, after he had placed himself under the ruling influence of the serpent of the field, he was removed from that holy Kingdom of God, the Garden of Eden. His dominion of life which would have brought the Garden to all creation was changed to death. Rather than the river of life flowing from its base came the river of death (Jordan) to all mankind (for more on this mountain of life and death see Pub.#58, free upon request).

"...THOU HAST WALKED UP AND DOWN IN THE MIDST OF THE STONES OF FIRE." (Verse 14c). Walking UP and DOWN, especially in the Hebrew, speaks of two dimensions of life -- heavenly and earthly. Before one can walk circumspectly in the earth and make a godly impact therein, he must first walk up, and then he can walk down. We see this in Jacob's dream and the ladder reaching into heaven with God ruling over it.

The first walk is high and elevated (up). The second is low, a position of humility. It is in the earth (down). Every Son of God must walk not only up, but also down before deliverance is seen in the world. There is no other way for humanity to be born into the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom must drop down with Heaven's Descenders. The City from above must descend into the earth before salvation for all begins to be seen on a wide scale.

At one time the king/Adam had everything as he ruled among the stones of fire; but because of submitting to the temptation of I WILL BECOME, and this was independent from God, he was cast down and lost it all. He became a lowly creature of sweat and tears and death. He was cast down, and he remained down, never again to walk upward, as least, not until Jesus made the Way.

"THOU WAST PERFECT IN THY WAYS FROM THE DAY THAT THOU WAST CREATED, TILL INIQUITY WAS FOUND IN THEE." (Verse 15). Yes, indeed, Adam was perfect in all facets of his life. This lasted until he was found to be cunningly subtle, crafty, like the serpent who had beguiled the woman. And I say this because of the single meaning of the two Hebrew words naked and subtle. The word naked in Genesis 2:25 -- "And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed" -- is the same Hebrew word aruwm as Genesis 3:1 (E.W. Bullinger's notes in the Companion Bible). "Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field...." (aruwm). Of course, they had no idea such a crafty thing lay dormant within their own souls. Notwithstanding, it was there, and in the darkness of their cunning character, they both said, "I am God, I will ascend." Afterwards, of course, and in shame, they attempted to cover their naked subtlety by sowing fig leaves together, which is with us to this day. Man has covered his cunning carnality with great church buildings, tall steeples, stained glass windows, creeds, doctrines, ordinances, ceremonies, rituals, robes, miters, programs, laws and bylaws, you name it and they have it and have done it. Man has sown religious facades together to cover their stark nakedness; but all these holy looking things are nothing but fig leaves that will eventually dry up, crumble to nothing, and be blown away by the holy wind and breath of God's fiery Spirit.

"By THE MULTITUDE OF THY MERCHANDISE they have filled the midst of thee with violence (unjust gain, Heb.), and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire" (Verse 16). We can see this is typical of man. There are no other creatures who merchandise. The multitude of their unjust gain makes ruthless, selfish, demanding, proud, self-serving, arrogant men in sheep's clothing. They have erred greatly. These are the ones, we suppose, to whom God has sent strong delusion to believe a lie (2 Thes 2:11). They are much like the one of Isaiah 14:17 who "opened not the house of his prisoners." They seem to go out of their way to teach lies that will keep people from being free. Many are charlatans to say the least. I have tried to keep an open mind and look at them as rebellious brothers who will be corrected by our Father, but the more I meditate upon it the more I believe most of these men are of their father the devil, as Jesus so firmly identified the religious Pharisees of that day. And please know, brethren, I do not speak of those who have laid down their lives for those they minister to.

"THOU HAST DEFILED THY SANCTUARIES by the multitude of thine iniquities... therefore will I bring fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee." (Verse 18). God has created in man three distinct sanctuaries for the purpose of cohabitation -- SPIRIT, SOUL, and BODY, and they are typified in the tabernacle. They are the holy of holies, the holy place and the outer court. Adam defiled these sanctuaries when he submitted to the temptations of the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. Satan, however, was never created with any sanctuaries; therefore, with him there were none to defile. Man alone has been set apart and blessed with such honors of being a holy sanctuary for God's habitation. Jesus said, "...He dwelleth with you, and shall be IN YOU." (John 14:17).

When God's habitation was defiled, He promised a burning, cleansing, transforming fire for Adam, who was the house of God. He will not live in a defiled house full of dust and dirt. We see a beautiful type to this fire in the sacrificial altar of the outer court and the altar of incense. The latter was usually in the second sanctuary, but once a year it was taken into the holy of holies and burned before the ark of the covenant. Each realm of man has its season for purification. These same fires of Christ's presence within the heart of man's bosom will purge, destroy, and consume every faction of carnality that might be in him. John the Baptist said it very well when he said of Jesus -- "He shall baptize you with the holy ghost, and with FIRE: Whose fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor...He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable FIRE" (Mat 3:11-12). Also, Jesus said, "Everyone shall be salted with FIRE" (Mark 9:49). After this fire of brimstone has left nothing but ashes, man will lament, but only for a season, for God will be faithful, as He promised to Israel, and "give unto them beauty for ashes" (Isa 61:3).

"All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and NEVER SHALT THOU BE ANY MORE." (Verse 19). If the latter part of this verse, "...and never shalt thou be any more," is referring to Satan, then there must be something done about some traditional tenets. Namely, that Satan will either be the caretaker over hell throughout eternity, or he will be burning there throughout eternity. Either way, he would be eternally alive and very much in existence according to this unsupported, yet accepted belief. However, verse 19 informs the reader that something is to NEVER BE ANY MORE. That which we see as never being after the fire has been applied is the first Adam along with his flammable carnal, rebellious, I will nature. Even the desire, the avenue to sin, will have been removed and destroyed to never be traveled again. That crooked broadway will be no more. The Psalmist wrote, "...THE WAY of the ungodly WILL PERISH." (Psa 1:6).

Our conclusion in the matter of the famed Lucifer rebellion is not of a war that Satan waged against God eons ago. It speaks of man's rebellion! It stemmed from man being tempted by Satan; but it is not Satan who was called Lucifer. Moreover, the only war in heaven Satan has ever known has been in the heavens of man. It is a war that is going on right now in the lives and minds of godly men and women everywhere, and will continue until it can be declared from the heavens, "Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night." Revelation 12:10. It will be then that the dragon and his angels are cast down. The battles will be over, and the war won!

With this understanding, let our pure minds be riveted with the bold truth that the Latin word, LUCIFER, meaning SHINING ONE, is not referring to Satan at all. Let us know that it is descriptive of ADAM. Therefore, knowing this, we should refrain from giving credit and glory to the very one who deserves it the least, which is the dust eating serpent. We should never honor him by saying he was ever a shining angel of light. For he has always been the waster, the destroyer, the prince of darkness, a liar and murderer from his beginning.

MAN, however, is the one who has been all the things of which Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 speak. ADAM/LUCIFER, was the resident of Eden, the beautiful one, the prince of God, even the shining cherub among the stones of fire. He was in Eden, the Garden of God, in Paradise, in Heaven, ruling from the Mountain of God. He was among the Stones of fire -- shining with the glory of his Creator. Even so, it was in a pale light, for he was only a model of the finished product. But we, praise God, see Jesus the true SHINING ONE! He is coming forth with the awesome splendor of all those things and more, and of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end!

In conclusion, Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 speak of two men, the king of Babylon and the king of Tyrus. These two areas of scripture are not referring to Satan, but to specific men. In the spiritual sense, each king could be typified as Adam; for he fits all the criteria listed. He was in the height of glory until iniquity was found in him when he said in his heart, "I AM GOD, and I WILL ASCEND!"

To be continued...

Elwin R. Roach

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