THE LUCIFER QUESTION: Who is he?

"How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!"

To whom is addressed as being "Lucifer" -- Satan, the King of Babylon, Adam?

"And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." Revelation 12:7-9 (NKJV).

The casual readers may wonder why that since Lucifer is used so often elsewhere in the Bible that nowhere in these verses is the name "Lucifer" mentioned. They might think that since it was by the spirit of revelation John heard, saw, and wrote concerning this infamous character, that every base would be covered and Satan’s original name would have been included. That is, if Lucifer had ever been this arch-adversary’s name.

We are all familiar, I am sure, with the popular concept that most of the western world has of Lucifer. You know, that he was created the most beautiful angel and conductor of music in all the universe. Some believe that he was one of the "three" archangels who ruled over all the hosts of heaven prior to his coup d'état. It was then that everything came crashing down upon him and a third of the angels of heaven. We understand, of course, that there can only be one archangel. I believe that was made clear in our study, Michael And The Dragon, and the first verse of the book of Revelation plainly says that this war in heaven was to be a future event rather than one before Adam was formed and placed in the garden.

The above scenario is generally what is taught; however, if we take note, I believe we will find this is not quite the way it was. For instance, it is not realized by many just how many times Lucifer is found in the Bible. Most assume that it used as often as Satan. Would you be surprised to find that it is used only one time? One time alone! Not ten or twenty, not three or four, not even twice. Only once! One time in the entire Bible, and a worldwide dogmatic doctrine has been built around it. That’s shaky ground to stand upon to say the least.

The single place where Lucifer if found is in Isaiah 14:12. It reads, "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!" This so very often and little understood word comes from the Hebrew word Heylel which simply means shining one (Young's Concordance), morning star (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance), bright star or splendid star (Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon). etc. Lucifer is the Latin word which was translated from heylel, which is not a proper noun but is a word that tells us something about the one spoken of. The Hebrew does not indicate this is a personal name, not in the remotest sense; nonetheless, the Latin translators rendered it as such.

The Amplified Bible has this interesting note concerning this noted LUCIFER: "Some students feel that the application of the name Lucifer to Satan is erroneous, even though it is commonly taught to that effect. Lucifer, THE LIGHT BRINGER, is the Latin equivalent of the Greek word phosphoros, which is used as a title of Christ in II Peter 1:19 (...until the DAY STAR arise in your hearts.) and corresponds to the name `BRIGHT MORNING STAR' in Rev. 22:16, which Jesus called Himself. The application of the name Lucifer has only existed since the third century A.D., and is based on the supposition that Luke 10:18 (I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven) is an explanation of Isaiah 14:12, which authorities feel is not true."

If the one spoken of in Isaiah 14:12 is not Satan, as the authorities agree, then we might ought to consider who it really is. In the context of this verse we can see the king of Babylon is the primary subject matter; however, the description given here can also help us to see there is another MAN involved in this mystery. That man, as I believe we will see, is ADAM! "HOW HAST THOU FALLEN FROM THE HEAVENS, O SHINING ONE, SON OF THE DAWN." (Isa. 14:12, Young's Literal Trans. Of The Bible). Before Jesus, there was never anyone or anything fitting the description of the SHINING ONE except ADAM. Nowhere in the scriptures do we read that Satan was anything but a murderer and a liar from the very beginning; but Adam, he has most assuredly been identified with light. We are told in Gen. 1:27 that he was created in the image of God and after His likeness, and let us be reminded, one of those things God is like is LIGHT -- GOD IS LIGHT (I Jn. 1:5), and also, GOD IS THE FATHER OF LIGHTS (James. 1:17).

We have been taught, and had in the past taught it ourselves, that the one who had fallen from the heavens was Satan, as mentioned earlier, and we were convinced this verse was confirming it. However, it is not Satan who was removed from the heavens -- HE IS STILL THERE! and Revelation 12:7-11 makes this very clear (Ref. Pub. #24, WAR IN HEAVEN). Luke 10:18 (I beheld Satan as lightning falling from heaven) would seem to give credit to the traditional thought; however, if we take it in the context of what had just happened, we will see something else. The falling had actually taken place at the time the seventy were sent by Jesus, when they had cast Satan out of the heavenly dominion he had over the people who were sick and demon possessed. It was at that time He had seen him falling from heaven rather than thousands of years in the past.

The only other verse we can recall which mentions anything about Satan in reference to light is II Corinthians 11:14. It says Satan is able to transform himself into an angel of light, but according to the Greek, the word is not transform -- it is MASQUERADE (Strong's). This is as close as he has ever been to being light -- as a masquerading actor.

SON OF THE MORNING gives additional evidence of who this individual might be. In the Hebrew SON (BEN) carries the thought of one who is B-O-R-N and is A BUILDER OF A FAMILY NAME. Satan, in his greatest moment, was never born and certainly not given an honorable name from which to build. However, God did bring Adam forth for such a purpose, and for four thousand years he did build the name (nature) that was given to him, even though he had corrupted it. Jesus, then picked up the building tools of the Spirit and finished the work in the glorious realm the first Adam could never do. Yes, indeed, Adam was the SHINING SON OF THE MORNING who brought forth the first ray of light to the world. The Lord of Glory then came to finish the work and declared, "I AM THE BRIGHT AND MORNING STAR." (Rev. 22:16).

SATAN'S ORIGIN and character of DARKNESS was spoken of by Jesus and should be enough to settle the querying minds of all, that he was never a shining angel of light. He made it clear that he was a murderer from THE BEGINNING and concluded His statement by saying, "...And in the truth HE HAS NOT STOOD." (Jn. 8:44; Diaglott, Westcott & Hort, and Marshall's Interlinear Grk/Eng N.T.). If he has NEVER STOOD IN THE LIGHT OF THE TRUTH, and also, if he "...HAS BEEN SINNING FROM THE BEGINNING," as John recorded (I Jn. 3:8, Diaglott), there is no honest way we can say Satan was ever a glorious, shining, angel of light with the name of Lucifer. If this be true, how then, can Isa. 14:12 be speaking of Satan? It is not likely that it is.

FALLEN ANGELS is a common term used by almost everyone, and a verse in Jude seems to relate to this. We probably won't cover every verse of scripture that might answer all of our questions concerning this subject, but this is one into which we should look. "And the angels which KEPT not their first estate, but LEFT their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains of darkness unto the judgment of the great day." (Jude 6). The Concordant Literal translates these two verbs (kept & left) as KEEP and LEAVE, for they are in the aorist active form. They are not in the indicative past tense. This would, therefore, indicate those being held in darkness with unbreakable chains are the ones who have and are PRESENTLY not remaining in the place God had placed them in. These angels, rather MESSENGERS (Grk), I believe to be none other than M-E-N today who fall into and submit to the same temptations Sodom and Gomorrah had lusted after. Verse 7 speaks of this, and think about it as you read it -- angels are not tempted with fleshy lusts, however, men are. Therefore, we believe Jude is referring to men who are the messengers rather than spirit beings, and because of their perverted desires they are held in darkness (strong delusion to believe a lie, II Thes. 2:11-12) until the day of judgment.

"HOW THOU ART CUT DOWN TO THE GROUND" (Isa. 14:12b) also speaks of Adam rather than Satan. Genesis 3:19 reminds us, "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, until thou return to the ground, because therefrom wast thou taken, -- FOR DUST THOU ART (WAST, margin) and dust shalt thou return." (Rotherham). This dust, the ground, the lower carnal realm from where man was raised and placed in the heavens is the very place he is cut down to. This dust is that which satisfies the appetite of the serpent, for we read that on his belly (region of appetite) he would go and dust would be his meat all the days of his life (Gen. 3:14). Man that is cut down from the light and glory of God becomes the bread basket of Satan -- man is the fallen one, not Satan. The serpent was created from its beginning a subtle beast of the field (earth), while Adam, until he sinned, was a creature of the garden (the heavens). However, after 6,000 or so years he has grown wings of a dragon and made his way to the lofty heights of the air of man's mind. And it is not until the man child of Revelation 12 is caught up to God and His throne do we see Satan being cast out of heaven.

"...I WILL ascend into heaven, I WILL exalt my throne above the stars of God: I WILL sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north." (Isa. 14:13). This is another description of the characteristic of man, and the first recording of him exercising his will outside of God is also found in the third chapter of Genesis. This was the dialogue: "And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God knoweth that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as God, (Heb. omits "as") knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat (thinking -- I WILL ascend, I WILL exalt myself, and I WILL be God)." (Parenthesis mine) (Gen. 3:4-6). You see, brethren, it was man who desired to be God not Satan. Although Adam was in the image (phantom, Heb.) and likeness (model, Heb.), he was not God but desired to be such. One the other hand, Satan's desire was to do what he was created to do, to be a liar and to murder, and he very effectively exercised both; for the woman believed the lie and after she and her husband ate, they died that day -- murdered at the subtle hand of Satan who was a murderer from his beginning.

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF "LUCIFER," as mentioned in Isaiah 14, are consistently identifying carnal man rather than the devil who is a spirit. One of the verses that clarifies this thought is: "They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this THE MAN that made the earth to tremble?" (Verse 16).

We can traverse the world over, search to the highest heaven, and scan to the bottom of the seven seas, but dear ones, we will never find one spirit, such as Satan or any others, between heaven and hell that fits the description of the "lucifer" spoken of in Isaiah 14. Man, however, does fit that description. Not only can we look at man and see this, but from one end of the written word of God to the other, we read in bold print of Adam's fall from his shining glory into the realm of darkness and death. We see the despair, the groaning pangs of grief wrapped about his soul and body as a foreboding death shroud -- impossible to escape from. In the Bible we see the perpetual struggle of mankind trying to rebuild from the ruin of corruption with hopes of going back to where they once were. Even though he has been blinded by the sin laden soul, he still seeks that which was lost in Adam. Man gropes in darkness, grasping at every straw -- power, sex, drugs, money, music, entertainment, and all manner of games and activities that satisfy only for a season -- hoping it will be that one thing which will relieve the pain of his tormented soul.

Man's kingdoms are built upon man's sandy foundations of the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life, only to find they all fail to fill that void. Every attempt to secure his self-made happiness eventually crumbles and falls into the rubble of futility and despair. In humanity's quest of life, deep calls unto deep, but true life is nowhere to be found; that is, not until God says "LET THERE BE LIGHT." When they begin to see for the first time the reality of their Creator, He places His SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS within the womb of their hearts, and they finally begin to shine as the Son. They shine, but not as the first Adam, the light bearer, but they shine as the SECOND ADAM -- AS LIFE GIVERS. These purified ones become a flaming fire (Ps. 104:4), possessing words of fire which proceed from their purified lips (Jer. 5:14), and their eyes in like fashion, as fire (Rev. 1:14), radiating life, equity and judgment to all (I Cor. 6:2-3) -- igniting and refining everyone they speak to or look upon. They shall walk upon the earth as the flaming Sons of the living God, manifesting the great splendor of His shining glory in a way the first Adam could never do! This, dear living ones, is what it is to be a true SON OF THE MORNING. THE ANOINTED CHERUB

EZEKIEL TWENTY-EIGHT (Verses 1-19) is another area of the scriptures men use to argue that Satan was once the most beautiful angel of all who abode in the vast heavens of God; but one fateful day he slipped and was cast out. If we will notice, however, like Isaiah 14, these verses are descriptive of man rather than a spirit being.

"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 a M-A-N is being spoken to and not a spirit; nevertheless, 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." With this we can see he identifies himself as one of the gods/elohim, and men are elohim (Ps 82), while esteeming himself as the highest of all the other gods.

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 to 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 never the spirit called Satan. The only things Satan has ever had are perhaps the latter of these attributes, and that was part of the curse. In the above verse, the one spoken to was 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.

"...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. The following are much more accurate translations:

Young's Anyl. Conc.....(Sealest): SEALED, FINISHED.
Young's Anyl. Conc (Sum): MEASUREMENT, STANDARD.
Strong's Exhau. Conc...(Sum): ADMEASUREMENT, i.e. CONSUMMATED.
Amplified Bible.....Thou art the FULL MEASURE and PATTERN of EXACTNESS.
Companion Bible...Thou art the FINISHED PATTERN. (Margin).

The subject matter here who is the SUM is THE EXACT, FINISHED PATTERN, A STANDARD OF MEASUREMENT from which those following him would likewise become. In other words, he was the prototype. That 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. Adam, therefore, was the first blueprint (the first Adam) for all humanity. Adam was the pattern son according to the natural dust of the flesh, and all of mankind would be molded after him, which they have been, for all mankind came from the assembly line of his loins. Jesus, on the other hand (the last Adam), He was and still is the last pattern son according to the spiritual realm of the heavens, which all mankind will be molded after. He indeed is the one "Who is THE IMAGE of the INVISIBLE GOD, THE FIRST BORN OF EVERY CREATURE. (Col. 1:15). All men, without the choice of being born, 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, I 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 the earthy man that had reached its capacity: man's wisdom and beauty. If his wisdom had been the wisdom of God he would never have fallen; however, being 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 change comes man will only be 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." Solomon sees man as the LUCIFER of Isaiah 14 and one of Ezekiel 28, the shining light bringer with much wisdom and beauty, but as Adam he eventually falls back into the darkness of dust.

"THOU HAST BEEN IN EDEN, THE GARDEN OF GOD..." Ezekiel 28:13. It has been assumed this was speaking of Satan, since it appears the serpent was in the garden when Eve was tempted. However, according to church doctrine, this is not possible. In a letter from Bill Britton to a pastor, he wrote:

"As for Satan being 'Lucifer' (King James Version only) of Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28, consider this... this being who fell was described as holy and beautiful and wise before he fell, and was described as being in the Garden of God, walking among the stones of fire, etc. Read Genesis account of creation, and find that the Garden was prepared for ADAM, not Satan, and that according to the 'gap theory' (a foundation for the Holy Angel Lucifer theory), the Garden was not even created until after 'Lucifer' was supposed to have fallen and become Satan. So Satan could not have walked in the Garden of God in a holy state, as per Ezekiel. Read the footnote on Isaiah 14:12 in the Amplified Bible, as to why 'Lucifer' is only in King James."

Other than Adam and Even, Let us notice another who was in the garden. In Ezekiel 31 this one is referred to as a tree and is called Pharaoh:

"...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." (Parenthesis mine) (Ezk. 31:2,5,6,8,9,18).

I believe 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 also are compared to Adam who was once in the garden of God (heaven), but fell from it. This garden/heaven is akin to the heavens wherein we N-O-W sit in Christ Jesus, while our feet remain on the ground of this earth.

"...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 or from 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 priest as stones, like we as living stones are in the breast of Christ our high priest, they were sanctified and therefore radiated the particular beauty of God they were. This king, 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 Adam subdued, of which he became their mediator to God. If this was so, when he as their federal head fell, and all those he had subdued fell too -- the whole world.

We can speculate a lot of things about Adam and his obscure past, who the other trees in the garden are, when he actually went forth to subdue the world, and who were subdued, etc. However, the primary point we want to take note of is this -- precious stones are things that adorn man and not a spirit which has never had a body with which to radiate and manifest the glory through. If Satan wants to reveal himself in any form, the only way he can do it is through a human body, and he has never had the privilege of having. He can take over a man's body, or have a many membered body of people, of course, 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 being call Satan.

"...THE WORKMANSHIP OF THY TABRETS AND OF THY PIPES WAS PREPARED IN THEE IN THE DAY THAT WAST CREATED." (Verse 13c). This is a very interesting portion of verse 13, especially when it is translated to our 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 or 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 the gem's beautiful 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 viewed. 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 us and we are set as precious in His crown (Zech. 9:16) or elsewhere in His kingdom as He desires.

THE JEWEL RADIATES the glory of God as a result of WHAT IT SIMPLY IS, as a 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 almost 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 to 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 as a result of 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 the 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. Therefore, can we not 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 Satan, and every time we win a battle the tabret of the spirit sounds the praise of victory.

WHEN ALL THE WARS ARE WON that we wage or are waged against us, I believe we will be able to identify with the following song, and hopefully, 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." (Ps. 149).

Who, now, 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 "Lucifer" into the world as he radiated the beauty each stone possessed? Not Satan, dear ones, not in a million years; 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 (Jn. 1:1), will never return unto Him void (Isa. 55:11). He is the true LIGHT BRINGER of God, who coming into the world LIGHTS EVERY MAN (Jn. 1:9), for He is the FIRST BORN and MORNING STAR TO ALL CREATION. Indeed, He is the true SON OF THE MORNING and will never fail to accomplished what He was sent to do. If He does not achieve God's purpose to the full end, then 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 what 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 (a spirit being), and it is clear that Adam was a physical being rather than spirit. Therefore, the conclusion to which many come is that the one spoken of must be Satan, for he was presumably in the garden with Adam. Since it has also been presumed there were no others in Eden, and Adam was not an angel, then Satan is the only one to which this title could have been ascribed. Induced logic would reason it to this end.

We believe the cherub speaks much more of a quality in man rather than that of it being a spirit entity outside of him. I must confess, we do not have all the answers to the mystery of the cherubim (ref. Secrets of the Cherubim series); but I am confident in what we do know -- that Satan has never been one. Remember? Jesus said he was "A MURDERER FROM THE BEGINNING." (Jn. 8:44). -- Not a cherub, but a MURDERER!

CHERUB is often used in the scriptures in reference to GUARDING THE WAY OF LIFE, that is, to keep the man of corruptible flesh from ever approaching unto that BEAUTIFUL TREE OF GOD -- JESUS CHRIST; except of course, by the prescribed way which deals tremendously with the flesh. The first time cherubim are mentioned is in Genesis 3:24: "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." The word KEEP is translated from the Hebrew word SHAMAR which means "TO HEDGE ABOUT, i.e. guard or PROTECT." (Strong's Exh. Conc.). In Ezk. 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 fallen man. 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 ones life, the anointing oil before entering the holy place, the oil of His Spirit in the lamp stand, the flame from the lamps, the show bread of His body, the refining 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 -- He will lead us through each step of the way.

Everything we read and know about the cherubim speaks of something in man himself that keeps him from the pleasures of God until his journey is found in and through Jesus Christ. But nowhere, do we find it even remotely hinted that Satan was ever a cherub or had anything to do with them in any form or fashion at all. Therefore, we see Ezk. 28:14 is speaking of 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 beast of the field, his dominion in the holy Kingdom of God (Heaven/Garden/Eden/Paradise) was removed. (For ref. see Gen. 1:28, 3:6, and 3:24).

"...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 upward. Prior to descending from the ladder, the ladder that God is over, he must ascend. 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 come down with Heaven's Descenders. The City from above must descend into the earth before salvation for all is known.

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 without it coming through God, he was cast down and lost it all. He became a lowly creature of sweat and tears. 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, until he was found to be cunning like the serpent who had beguiled the woman. 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 SUBTIL than any beast of the field...." (ARUWM). Of course, they had no idea such an earthy thing as subtly lay dormant within themselves; so even before God made man He made something (the serpent and the tree of knowledge) that could bring this subtle, earthy, carnal nature to the surface and cause it to be manifested. Then in the light of their cunning character and in shame, they attempted to cover it up by sowing fig leaves together which is with us to this day. Man has covered his crafty carnality with great church buildings, tall steeples, stained glass windows, creeds, doctrines, ordinances, ceremonies, rituals, 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 awe-inspiring 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 Spirit.

"BY THE MULTITUDE OF THY MERCHANDISE THEY HAVE FILLED THE MIDST OF THEE WITH VIOLENCE, 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 the same thing happened to this man that is still transpiring today with others who get great gain, supposing gain is godliness (I Tim. 6:5). The multitude of their getting makes ruthless, selfish, demanding, proud, arrogant men in sheep's clothing who have erred greatly. God has sent them STRONG DELUSION TO BELIEVE A LIE (II Thes. 2:11). If you don't believe it, just really LISTEN to, or better yet, get to know your favorite T.V. evangelists and find out for yourselves. There is only one big name I know of today who seems to have a genuine love for God and His people. However, from some of the things we see him entangled with, I wonder about him too. Since I do not know him personally, however, I cannot say for sure, but this Texas minister does seem to be more genuine than most. At least he is teaching that religion is the most ruthless thing in the world, with which we fully agree. He also encourages people to seek after and hear personally from Christ and not to put their trust in men or religion. The others I have heard, however, are more like the one of Isa. 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.

"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 as the holy of holies, the holy place and 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." (Jn. 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 declared 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." (Mt. 3:11-12). Also, Jesus said, "EVERYONE SHALL BE SALTED WITH FIRE" (Mrk 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 theology. 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. 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 rise again. The Psalmist wrote, "...THE WAY of the ungodly WILL PERISH." (Ps. 1:6). Our conclusion in the matter of the famed "LUCIFER REBELLION" is not of a war Satan waged against God eons ago; but rather, it is very much in evidence of reflecting MAN'S REBELLION that stemmed from being tempted by Satan. The only war Satan has ever know has been in man and is going on right now in the very midst of the heavenly realm of the lives and minds of men (Rev. 12). Therefore, we maintain that the Latin word, LUCIFER, meaning SHINING ONE, is not referring to Satan at all, but is very descriptive of Adam. Therefore, knowing this, we should refrain from giving credit and glory to the very one who deserves it the least -- Satan. We should never honor him by saying he was ever a shining angel of light, for he has never been on. He has always been the waster, the prince of darkness, a liar and murderer from his beginning.

MAN, however, is the one who has been all the things Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 speak of; namely, LUCIFER, 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 and among the Stones of fire -- radiating the glory of his creator. Even so, it was in a pale light, for he was only a model of finished product. But we see Jesus the true shining one coming forth with the awesome splendor of all those things and more, for the increase of His government there shall be no end!