The Creator, The First and always!
“Awesome.” A word that was so overused in the 90’s that it has lost its awesomeness.
The formal definition of awesome is: extremely impressive or daunting; inspiring great admiration, apprehension, or fear.
So, a good pizza or an exciting TV show are really not that awesome. But God IS awesome. Anytime that someone in the Bible approached the presence of the Lord they were overwhelmed with a sense of awe. Can you think of a few stories in the Bible where people were awe-struck with God or with and angel? Find one. How did the individuals respond to being in the presence of God?
Here is another example to consider: Read some of Ezekiel 1. The call of the prophet Ezekiel lifted him to see the spiritual realm. Read a little of this amazing view of glorious heavenly figures. After Ezekiel witnesses the vision, here is how he responds:
Ezekiel 1:28
“This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.”
Ezekiel’s response is typical to anyone who approaches the presence of God… his knees buckle and he does a face-plant! Why is this? Because God is AWESOME! His power brings us to our knees. His brilliance is blinding. His holiness is overwhelming. We become speechless. Worshipful. Completely submissive to the authority and might of God.
This is a really good place for us to be… on our knees aware of God’s infinite strength. This reminds us that HE is the star of the show… not us. He is working to bring about the fulfillment of His Kingdom. All things are created by Him and designed to serve Him… and we are participants in this great universal worship service that is going on right now.
The New Testament tells us that the prophets are not the only ones who can approach God. Everyone of us have been given the ability to come into the awesome presence of Lord through the blood of Christ.
Hebrews 12:22-24
“But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.”
When was the last time that you bowed to your knees in worship with a sense of awe in the presence of God? Try it now… really. Find a place where you can be alone. Fall to your knees. Raise your hands. Praise God for who He is. Take your focus off of yourself. Praise God.
You can praise Him in speech or in song as you think about his attributes (like Psalm 103).
Or you can sit in silence and turn your thoughts to Him.
Psalm 46:10
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
Today… right now… worship. Lift Your eyes to the mountains!
Beauty does not even begin to describe The Perfection of Perfection!!! Glory be!!!
One tiny clue is The Word of God created Lucifer. As a name for the devil, the more common meaning in English, “Lucifer” is the rendering of the Hebrew word הֵילֵל (transliteration: hêylêl; pronunciation: hay-lale) in Isaiah (Isaiah 14:12) given in the King James Version of the Bible.
Lucifer became so impressed with his own beauty, intelligence, power, and position that he began to desire for himself the honor and glory that belonged to God alone. This pride represents the actual beginning of sin in the universe—preceding the fall of the human Adam by an indeterminate time.
The story of Lucifer’s fall is described in two key Old Testament chapters—Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14. Let’s briefly look at both of these.
It would seem from the context of Ezekiel 28 that the first ten verses of this chapter are dealing with a human leader. Then, starting in verse 11 and on through verse 19, Lucifer is the focus of discussion.
The Fall of Lucifer in the Bible
What is the rationale for the conclusion that these latter verses refer to the fall of Lucifer? Whereas the first ten verses in this chapter speak about the ruler of Tyre (who was condemned for claiming to be a god though he was just a man), the discussion moves to the king of Tyrestarting in verse 11. Many scholars believe that though there was a human “ruler” of Tyre, the real “king” of Tyrewas Satan, for it was he who was ultimately at work in this anti-God city and it was he who worked through the human ruler of the city.
Some have suggested that these verses may actually be dealing with a human king of Tyre who was empowered by Satan. Perhaps the historic king of Tyrewas a tool of Satan, possibly even indwelt by him. In describing this king, Ezekiel also gives us glimpses of the superhuman creature, Satan, who was using, if not indwelling, him.
Now, there are things that are true of this “king” that—at least ultimately—cannot be said to be true of human beings. For example, the king is portrayed as having a different nature from man (he is a cherub, verse 14); he had a different position from man (he was blameless and sinless, verse 15); he was in a different realm from man (the holy mount of God, verses 13,14); he received a different judgment from man (he was cast out of the mountain of God and thrown to the earth, verse 16); and the superlatives used to describe him don’t seem to fit that of a normal human being (“full of wisdom,” “perfect in beauty,” and having “the seal of perfection,” verse 12 NASB).
Who is Lucifer, Why did He Rebel?
Our text tells us that this king was a created being and left the creative hand of God in a perfect state (Ezekiel 28:12,15). And he remained perfect in his ways until iniquity was found in him (verse 15b). What was this iniquity? We read in verse 17, “Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor.” Lucifer apparently became so impressed with his own beauty, intelligence, power, and position that he began to desire for himself the honor and glory that belonged to God alone. The sin that corrupted Lucifer was self-generated pride.
Apparently, this represents the actual beginning of sin in the universe—preceding the fall of the human Adam by an indeterminate time. Sin originated in the free will of Lucifer in which—with full understanding of the issues involved—he chose to rebel against the Creator.
This mighty angelic being was rightfully judged by God: “I threw you to the earth” (Ezekiel 28:18). This doesn’t mean that Satan had no further access to heaven, for other Scripture verses clearly indicate that Satan maintained this access even after his fall (Job 1:6-12; Zechariah 3:1,2). However, Ezekiel 28:18 indicates that Satan was absolutely and completely cast out of God’s heavenly government and his place of authority (Luke 10:18).
Isaiah 14:12-17 is another Old Testament passage that may refer to the fall of Lucifer. We must be frank in admitting that some Bible scholars see no reference whatsoever to Lucifer in this passage. It is argued that the being mentioned in this verse is referred to as a man (Isaiah 14:16); is compared with other kings on the earth (verse 18); and the words, “How you have fallen from heaven” (verse 12), is alleged to refer to a fall from great political heights.
There are other scholars who interpret this passage as referring only to the fall of Lucifer, with no reference whatsoever to a human king. The argument here is that the description of this being is beyond humanness and hence could not refer to a mere mortal man.
There is a third view that I think is preferable to the two views above. This view sees Isaiah 14:12-17 as having a dual reference. It may be that verses 4 through 11 deal with an actual king of Babylon. Then, in verses 12 through 17, we find a dual reference that includes not just the king of Babylon but a typological description of Lucifer as well.
If this passage contains a reference to the fall of Lucifer, then the pattern of this passage would seem to fit that of the Ezekiel 28 reference—that is, first a human leader is described, and then dual reference is made to a human leader and Satan.
It is significant that the language used to describe this being fits other passages in the Bible that speak about Satan. For example, the five “I wills” in Isaiah 14 indicate an element of pride, which was also evidenced in Ezekiel 28:17 (cf. 1 Timothy 3:6 which makes reference to Satan’s conceit).
As a result of this heinous sin against God, Lucifer was banished from living in heaven (Isaiah 14:12). He became corrupt, and his name changed from Lucifer (“morning star”) to Satan (“adversary”). His power became completely perverted (Isaiah 14:12,16,17). And his destiny, following the second coming of Christ, is to be bound in a pit during the 1000-year millennial kingdom over which Christ will rule (Revelation 20:3), and eventually will be thrown into the lake of fire (Matthew 25:41).
Beyond perfection created in and with the seal of perfection an angel…
“ ‘You were the seal of perfection,
full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
You were in Eden,
the garden of God;
every precious stone adorned you:
carnelian, chrysolite and emerald,
topaz, onyx and jasper,
lapis lazuli, turquoise and beryl. b
Your settings and mountings c were made of gold;
on the day you were created they were prepared.
You were anointed as a guardian cherub,
for so I ordained you.
You were on the holy mount of God;
you walked among the fiery stones.
You were blameless in your ways
from the day you were created
till wickedness was found in you
Wow! My God is an AWESOME God, He Reigns from Heaven above with Wisdom, Power and Love – my God is a beyond AWESOME God!!!
A six pack? 😂
How does Essence have what Man has? We are made in His Image! Do we look alike? Twins – Yes! But, even then there are differences in ‘personality’ 🤔 Isn’t that what makes you who you are?
What is the same? Our true being! Aren’t we all “Human beings”? A man, woman, or child of the species Homo sapiens, distinguished from other animals by superior mental development, power of articulate speech, and upright stance.
What is “spirit”?
- The nonphysical part of a person which is the seat of emotions and character; the soul.”we seek a harmony between body and spirit”synonyms:soul, psyche, inner self, inner being, essential being; pneuma; anima, ego, id;ka; atman”we seek a harmony between body and spirit”
- Those qualities regarded as forming the definitive or typical elements in the character of a person, nation, or group or in the thought and attitudes of a particular period.”the university is a symbol of the nation’s egalitarian spirit”synonyms:ethos, prevailing tendency, motivating force, animating principle, dominating characteristic, essence, quintessence;atmosphere, mood, feeling, temper,tenor, climate; attitudes, beliefs,principles, standards, ethics”the spirit of the nineteenth century”
So, in God’s Form we are made. Is God everlasting? We are at present time less than the Heavenly host, by God’s grace we shall be lifted up to ‘judge’ those we are currently far beneath.
Angels have certain things in common with humans as well as things that are different.
Both Created Perfect
Both angels and humans were created perfect in the beginning.
And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day (Genesis 1:31).
Not Created In God’s Image
Only humans, however, were created in the image of God.
Then God said, “Let Us make humanity in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” And God created humanity in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them (Genesis 1:26,27).
The Entrance Of Sin
Though humanity and angels were created perfect, sin touched both of these rational personal beings. After Adam and Eve sinned, all the humans that were born afterward, with the exception of the Lord Jesus, were born with a sin nature. The Bible says.
When Adam had lived one hundred thirty years, he became the father of a son in his likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth (Genesis 5:3).
The likeness of Adam was a sinful likeness. All humans who are born inherit that sin nature. The Bible says.
since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
Some angels also sinned. However many did not.
Humans Can Bear Children
Unlike humans, angels cannot bear children. They cannot, therefore have any type of family relationships. Jesus said.
At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven (Matthew 22:30).
Humans Can Be Forgiven
Though all humans and some angels sinned, there is forgiveness only for humans.
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21).
The angels who sinned are awaiting the day of judgment.
Then He will also say to those on the left, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41).
Humans Share His Exalted Position
Believers are a new creation in Christ. Consequently we share His exalted position.
and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6).
Conform To Image Of Christ
The final state of redeemed humans is far above angels – believers will be conformed to the image of Christ.
For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family (Romans 8:29)
Humans Will Someday Judge Angels
The ones who have believed in Jesus will eventually judge angels.
Do you not know that we are to judge angels – to say nothing of ordinary matters? (1 Corinthians 6:3).
Summary
Though there are some things that angels and humans have in common, there are many things that separate them. Humans have been made in the image of God. They are able to bear children and have family relationships. Though sin entered into both the angelic and human sphere, only the sin of humans can be forgiven. Christ came to die for the sins of humanity, not of angels. Those humans who have trusted Christ as their Savior will eventually judge angels. Because of these things, the humans who have believed in Jesus will have a superior position to the angels in the ages to come.
