To face these days without fear we must know that Lucifer will come to ruin
Isaiah 14:12-17 “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit. “Those who see you will gaze at you, And consider you, saying: ‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble, Who shook kingdoms, Who made the world as a wilderness And destroyed its cities, Who did not open the house of his prisoners?’
What more could be done?
This portion of scripture is inserted in the middle of a description of the fall of the king of Bablyon. The Israelites had turned away from the Lord their God and had yielded to pagan worship. As a result they had come out from under the protection of the Almighty and into the hands of this evil king and into captivity. Such drastic action was God’s last resort as He speaks of in Isaiah 5:4 ‘What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it?’ Yet many can testify that it is only in the trials and tribulations of life that we turn to Him. And this evil was permitted.
Archetypes
Many take these particular verses from Isaiah to depict when the devil or Lucifer was cast out of heaven, whilst still being part of the description of the king of Babylon. There are many archetypes or shadows throughout the Bible. Indeed this king of Babylon was depicted as an archetype of Lucifer or one who opposes God. Other archetypes throughout history include: Nimrod, Nero, Napoleon to name a few.
The great contest
We have a very real God and we have a very real enemy. Lucifer was once one of the highest angels. The original Hebrew word means ‘shining one, light-bearer’. But pride took hold of him and he wanted the adoration for himself that ought to be attributed to God. And so a great contest was held and he was overthrown and thrown down to earth along with a third of the heavenly hosts that he had led in the rebellion.
I love the phrase here that says, ‘Is this is man who made the earth tremble’? – that we will look on him with incredulity for the fear he attempted to instil in us and see his miniscule-ness compared to the all surpassing greatness of God. The day will come when he will be bound and torment no more.
A Living Hope In side me now A living hope; New found energy Boundless scope. So I look forward Waking, sleeping To what my God Is so beautifully keeping. Soon, very soon I will be possessing The Promised Land With all its blessing All lies before me. Hasten that glorious day For I know that what is kept for me in Heaven Cannot decay, spoil or fade away. Through faith I’m kept safe hour by hour For that day when I shall see The full extent of Your power. Spirits now soar in anticipation For all that is for the present concealed Will at the close of time Be beautifully revealed. By the late Andrew Feakin (passed away 16th March 2019)
Prayer: Father I thank You that You keep me safe. That You put Your hedge of protection all around me. I thank You that Your promises are ‘Yes’ and ‘Amen’ in Jesus and that we have the ultimate promise of a glorious future with You. As Jesus taught us to pray.. Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed, wonderful is Your Name. Let Your Kingdom come, Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us, Lord, from every evil. For Yours in the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory forever and ever. Amen.