Who is This Lucifer? Reflections from a Study of Isaiah

Ever feel lied to? Ever feel like the people you trust to guide you in the right direction have given you false information? Well, I have and at no time can I remember questioning more about the Biblical truths that I had been taught than when I decided to delve into a deep study of demons in the Bible. This occurred a few years back and there was one thing that stood out to me from everything that I found in this study. There is no Biblical backing for the fact that Satan was a fallen angel. Actually, other than the embodiment of evil, no study of scripture can lead to any true definition or understanding of Satan.

As I have continued in my recent study of the book of Isaiah, I was remined of this fact and of one of the verses that even to this day men use to back the seeming falsehood that Satan was a fallen angel. The verses of course are Isaiah 14:12-15 which read:

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! 13 You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ 15 But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit. (ESV - note, KJV reads "O Day Star, son of Dawn" as "Lucifer")

Yes, this would seem like a good description of Satan as we read about him in Revelation 12 and Luke 10 but it is not even discussing him. Men have taken these verses in Isaiah and ignored the context of the writing in order to fit their idea that this chapter must be speaking of Isaiah. How dangerous. How heretic?

Without delving too deep into the study, no, Isaiah 14:12-15 is not describing Satan. Rather, in context, it a taunt that God is instructing the house of Jacob to shout when this prophecy against the king of Babylon is fulfilled. No more, no less. Now, there are many great lessons in this passage but none of them give us an understanding of Satan's fall from grace. Let us all strive to follow the rules of Bible study, especially when teaching those younger in their faith than we. Context is so important and when violated leads to confusion and hurt.