Lucifer, often referred to as the devil or Satan in the Bible, was one of God’s angels. He is described in the Bible as one who opposes God’s will and his plan for his people. Lucifer is mentioned in the Bible since the beginning when he successfully tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. In the New Testament, he is seen tempting Jesus in the desert to quit his mission. However, though we know what Lucifer did on earth, what was Lucifer’s role in heaven?
The Bible portrays Lucifer’s role in heaven as a guardian. He was an angel in heaven whose role was to serve God. Several verses in the Old Testament describe the role of a guardian as one who is supposed to protect and cover. Additionally, the Bible suggests that Lucifer was a cherub in heaven. Therefore, he had an important role in heaven with a higher rank before he sinned.
What was the role of Lucifer in heaven? Does the Bible describe the role of Lucifer in heaven before he sinned against God? Does Lucifer have any role in heaven today? How did Lucifer lose his position in heaven? Continue reading to find the answers to these questions and more.
Does the Bible describe Lucifer’s role in heaven before he sinned against God?
Some Bible verses describe the role of Lucifer in heaven before he sinned against God. In the book of Ezekiel, Prophet Ezekiel portrayed Lucifer as the anointed one and classified him as a cherub when he was in heaven. Ezekiel 28:15-19, “you were blameless in your ways, from the day you were created, till wickedness was found in you. Through your widespread trade, you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So, I drove you in disgrace from the Mount of God, and I expelled you, guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before Kings. By your many sins and dishonest trade, you have desecrated your sanctuaries, so I made a fire come out of you, and it consumed you, and I reduced you to ashes on the ground in the sight of all who were watching. All the nations who knew you are appalled at you; you have come to a horrible end and will be no more.”
From Ezekiel’s description of Lucifer’s role in heaven, you might wonder what Lucifer was guiding in heaven. The main reason why God created Lucifer was to serve him; therefore, being a guardian cherub was part of the service that Lucifer had to play in heaven. Lucifer was not only a guardian but an anointed angel in heaven whose rank and role were higher. In Hebrew, the word guardian is derived from ‘cakak,’ which means cover. Therefore, the main role of Lucifer in heaven was to protect, cover, and serve God.
Which Bible verses teach about Lucifer’s role in heaven?
Several verses in the Bible talk about the role of Lucifer in heaven. As mentioned above, the book of Ezekiel talks in depth about the role of Lucifer in heaven and why he was cast out from heaven due to his pride. Isaiah 14:12 briefly describes the role of Lucifer in heaven while mentioning why he was thrown out. “How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of the dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low.”
Revelation 12:7-9 also describes what transpired when Lucifer was in heaven. It says, “Now war rose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fighting back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, the ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world, he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.”
Jude 1:6 says, “and the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chain’s under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day.”
1 Timothy 3:6 says, “he must not be a recent convert, or he might become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.”
Does Lucifer have a role in heaven today?
The Bible portrays Satan as a holy angel of God who disobeyed God and was thrown out of heaven. Though his role in heaven ended, and he became the “the Prince of the world,” as described in the book of John, it seems Lucifer still has limited access to heaven. In Job 1:6-7, we see Lucifer in the presence of God. The verse notes that “one day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. The Lord came to Satan, “where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.” The same situation also happens in the book of 2nd Chronicles 18:18-21 where it involves a lying spirit.
However, it might be confusing how Satan has some access to heaven when God is holy and clean from any sin. The answer to anyone asking themselves this question is God’s sovereign restraint of sin. In the book of Job, we see Satan standing before God to give an account of himself. This led to the power of Satan being restricted and the power of God being glorified. Job 1:12, “the Lord said to Satan, “very well, then everything he has is n your power, but on the man, himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.”
However, it is essential to note that Lucifer has no access whatsoever to God’s presence; it is God himself who summons him. God can only allow a sinful being to stand temporarily in his presence, as he did with Satan, but He still remains to be God who does not condone sin.
How did Lucifer lose his position in heaven?
Bible scholars unanimously agree that Lucifer lost his position in heaven because of pride. However, the same Bible scholars differ on which verses teach about how Lucifer lost his position in heaven. For example, the teachings on Lucifer in the book of Isaiah chapter 14 have faced a lot of disagreements among Bible scholars compared to the teaching about the fall of Lucifer in Ezekiel. Most scholars agree that Ezekiel 28:1-9 gives a clear picture of why Lucifer lost his position in heaven: due to pride.
Additionally, most scholars agree that the book of Timothy 3:6 hints at why Lucifer lost his position in heaven. “He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.” Though some scholars translate this verse as the devil leading to an elder’s fall, most scholars agree that this verse means that if the elder is a recent convert, he will succumb to pride, just like Lucifer did. Therefore, it is suggested that Lucifer lost his position in heaven due to pride and disobedience to God. God created Lucifer to serve Him, but instead, Lucifer went against what was required of him due to his pride, and God threw him out of heaven.
References
Does Satan still have access to heaven?
The origin and fall of the devil
What was Lucifer’s Job in heaven?
Why was Lucifer, Satan, cast out of heaven and banished to hell?
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
