INTRODUCTION
A. Until the present, there are still raging questions about Lucifer- the former angel turned rebel leader and finally God's adversary.
1. Who was Lucifer? Was he really an angel or a wicked god ever since?
2. Let us know the truth from the scriptures as Jesus said in John 8:32
B. This discussion will focus on the following items:
1. The Origin of Lucifer- From Archangel to Rebel Leader
2. Reasons for his Transformation from Good to Evil
3. His Power, Wicked Deeds and Final Destiny
4. Overcoming Lucifer as Disciples of Christ
DISCUSSION
A. The Origin of Lucifer- From Archangel to Rebel Leader
1. Only in KJV of Isaiah 14:12 we find the word " Lucifer."
2. Other versions, e.g. NIV translate " Helel " to day-star, son of the morning.
3. Isaiah 14:12 referred to the King of Babylon, but later it was applied to Lucifer, an angel of God by the KJV translators.
4. But in Revelation 22:16, the bright Morning Star was applied to Christ.
5. John Milton, 1608-1674, author of Paradise Lost wrote " as proud as Satan."
6. God created angels with freedom of choice, to worship God and serve man
- Acts 17:24 ( the world )
- Psalm 104:4 ( spirits )
7. From Ezekiel 28:12-15, Lucifer was described as one with...
- seal of perfection
- full of wisdom
- perfect in beauty
- anointed cherub
B. Reasons for his Transformation from Good to Evil
1. Ezekiel 28:16-17 described his transformation
- became filled with violence within and sinned
- heart was lifted up because of his beauty
2. Isaiah 14:13-14 gave the details of his becoming good to evil
- 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
- I will ascend the heights of the clouds
- I will be like the most high
3. Proverbs 16:18 " Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall."
4. He wanted the adoration of his peers and to be God's equal
5. Thus his name was changed to Satan ( adversary or enemy of God)
- the devil, great dragon, beelzebub ( lord of flies )
- ruler of demons, belial ( worthless, ruin )
- serpent, ruler of the world, father of lies, evil one, roaring lion
C. His Power, Wicked Deeds, and Final Destiny
1. Satan can transform himself into an angel of light, 2 Corinthians 11:14
- as such, he is an expert at counterfeting the work of God's servants
- I John 4:1 " Test the spirits whether they are of God for many false prophets have gone out into the world."
2. Jesus said, " He ( Satan ) came to steal, kill and destroy God's servants," John 10:10
- spiritually, Satan steals, kills and destroys God's people through deception
- Jesus called him the father of lies and a murderer, John 8:44
3. He causes some sickness and disease
- Luke 13:16 ( woman bound by Satan for 18 years)
- Paul had a thorn in the flesh given by a messenger of Satan, 2 Corinthians 12:7
4. Through the man of sin, Satan will perform fake miracles, signs and wonders to deceive people who follow error, 2 Thessalonians 2:8-9
5. Satan will finally be thrown into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone, along with the Beast and the False Prophet, Revelation 20:10
D. Overcoming Lucifer As Disciples of Christ
1. " Resist the devil and he will flee from you," James 4:7
2. Make prayer a daily weapon for protection and say " Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil," Matthew 6:13
3. Being humble, Romans 12:16 will overcome pride
- Pride of Life is of the world, I John 2:16
4. Truth will overcome lies and deception
- John 8:32 ( know the truth which shall make you free )
- Jesus said, " I am the way, the truth and the life" , John 14:6
- "Take up...the belt of truth," Ephesians 6:13-14
5. " Put on...the breastplate of righteousness," Ephesians 6:14
6. Use the " shield of faith by which we extinguish the fiery darts of the evil one," Ephesians 6:16
7. " Take up..the helmet of salvation," Ephesians 6:171
CONCLUSION
A. The devil is real and can deceive us to rebel against God.
1. Paul's advice is " Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the DEVIL's schemes," Ephesians 6:10-11
2. Be reminded that " the weapons we fight are NOT the weapons of the world...they have DIVINE POWER to demolish strongholds," 2 Corinthians 10:4
3. Peter wrote, " Be alert and be of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith," I Peter 5:8
4. Again Paul wrote, " ..We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us..neither angels nor demons..will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus, our Lord," Romans 8:37-39
B. If you are not yet in Christ, He invites you to come to Him for spiritual rest, Matthew 11:28-30
1. Believe and be baptized to be saved, Mark 16:16
2. Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:38
3. Now is the acceptable time, today is the Day of Salvation, 2 Corinthians 6:2