EARTH: THE KINGDOM OF MAN - PART C: GOD, MAN, SATAN & EARTH

The Anointed Cherub This chapter seem to be the same as "The Kingdom of Man Part B - Anointed Cherub"

It is certain that the Lord created an angelic being who betrayed Him over the course of time. It is believed that this cherub is known as Lucifer. Here is how I arrived at the name of this arch enemy of God.

Ezekiel 28:12-16

12 Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.

13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.

14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.

15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

16 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.

Here we have an account of the creation of an anointed cherub. Though he is referred to as the King of Tyrus, there was never been an earthly king to fit this description as of yet.

1. This creature was in the Garden of Eden. Note: “Thou has been in Eden the garden of God.” The past history of this creature included residence in the Garden of Eden. Thus, concluding that he existed from the foundations of the world.

2. He was created by God, not born of men.

3. In him were tabrets (tambourines) and pipes.

4. He was perfect in all his ways.

5. He was a covering (guardian) or protecting cherub (angelic being).

CHERUBIM The first reference to the "cherubim" is in , which should read "...at the East of the Garden of Eden He caused to dwell in a tabernacle the cherubim, and the flaming sword which turned itself to keep the way of the Tree of Life." This was not simply to keep fallen human beings out; the presence of the "cherubim" suggests that redeemed men, restored to God on God's conditions, would have access to the Tree of Life.

6. He worked on the holy mountain of God.

7. He walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. (Most theologians believe that the stones of fire are a type of altar in the temple of heaven). I believe that we can conclude that this creature was not a mere man. But rather an angelic being of high degree. It is also safe to conclude that he betrayed God. Because of his ambition, lust and greed, iniquity filled his heart and violence consumed him.

Nevertheless, this creature began his life, anointed and appointed of God. It is also interesting to note that the writer describes the character of the prince of Tyrus first. In this discourse, he makes it plain that the prince is indeed a man, a very ambitious man, but indeed a man.

Revelation 22:14

14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. Here, as well as in the vision of Ezekiel 1, we see the cherubims seemingly as guardians of the Word, will and glory of God.

THE PRINCE OF TYRUS

Ezekiel 28:2-10

2 Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:

3 Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee:

4 With thy wisdom and with thine understanding thou hast gotten thee riches, and hast gotten gold and silver into thy treasures:

5 By thy great wisdom and by thy traffick hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches:

6 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God;

7 Behold, therefore I will bring strangers upon thee, the terrible of the nations: and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of thy wisdom, and they shall defile thy brightness.

8 They shall bring thee down to the pit, and thou shalt die the deaths of them that are slain in the midst of the seas.

9 Wilt thou yet say before him that slayeth thee, I am God? but thou shalt be a man, and no God, in the hand of him that slayeth thee.

10 Thou shalt die the deaths of the uncircumcised by the hand of strangers: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.

I want to make sure you realize the distinct difference in these two beings:

1. The Prince was a ruler of the nation, Tyrus. He declared himself a god.

2. He walked in the character of the evil king.

3. God declares him a man, while he declares the king an anointed cherub.

4. The prince is slain by the hand of strangers, while the king is destroyed by a fire from within.

ANTI-CHRIST: THE KING OF BABYLON

Isaiah 14:4-11

4 That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased!

5 The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers.

6 He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth.

7 The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing.

8 Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us.

9 Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.

10 All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us?

11 Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.

LUCIFER: THE FALLEN ANGEL, THE ANOINTED CHERUB, SATAN AND THE DEVIL

Isaiah 14:12-21

12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

13 For thou hast said in thine heart, 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, in the sides of the north:

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;

17 That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?

18 All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house.

19 But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet.

20 Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, and slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned.

21 Prepare slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers; that they do not rise, nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities.

1. This creature ruled and weakened the nations of the earth from the heavens. Finally, he was cut down to the ground.

2. He had the ability to do the things no man could do (see verses 13-14).

3. He did indeed ascend into heaven as we will discuss in more details later in the study.

4. He wanted to rule from the holy mountain of God, located in the northern region of heaven.

5. This star of the morning had knowledge of things in heaven which man knew not. He had worked at the altar in the mount of God. He was familiar with the congregation of the Lord. This angel wanted to be exalted. He wanted to be worshiped in heaven and on earth. He wanted to be like God, his creator.

Ezekiel 28:14

Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.

Consider this expository taken from Nelson’s Bible Dictionary.

SATAN [SAY tuhn] (adversary)-- the great opposer, or adversary, of God and man; the personal name of the devil. The Hebrew word from which Satan comes sometimes refers to human enemies <1 Sam. 29:4; Ps. 109:6>. Once it refers to the angel of the Lord who opposed Balaam . But whenever this word is used as a proper name in the Old Testament, it refers to the great superhuman enemy of God, man, and good <1 Chr. 21:1; Job 1--2>. This use of the word also occurs frequently in the New Testament. Another common name for Satan in the New Testament is "the devil," meaning "slanderer" or "false accuser." Other titles by which Satan is identified in the New Testament include "the tempter" <1 Thes. 3:5>, "Beelzebub" ; "the wicked one" ; "the ruler of this world" <John 12:31>, "the god of this age" <2 Cor. 4:4>, "Belial" <2 Cor. 6:15>,; "the prince of the power of the air" ; and "the accuser of our brethren" . History. Two Old Testament passages-- <

Isaiah 14:12-15 > and < Ezekiel 28:11-19 >-- furnish a picture of Satan's original condition and the reasons for his loss of that position.

These passages were addressed originally to the kings of Babylon and Tyre. But in their long-range implications, many scholars believe they refer to Satan himself. They tell of an exalted angelic being, one of God's creatures, who became proud and ambitious. He was determined to take over the throne of God for himself. But God removed him from his position of great dignity and honor. Building upon this foundation, sketches the further stages in Satan's work of evil. In his fall from God's favor, Satan persuaded one third of the angels to join him in his rebellion .

Throughout the Old Testament period he sought to destroy the messianic line. When the Messiah became a man, Satan tried to eliminate Him . During the future period of tribulation before the Messiah's second coming, Satan will be cast out of the heavenly sphere . Then he will direct his animosity toward the Messiah's people . notes the final phases of Satan's work. He will be bound for a thousand years and then finally cast into the lake of fire .

Characteristics. As a result of his original status and authority, Satan has great power and dignity. So great is his strength that Michael the archangel viewed him as a foe too powerful to oppose . Satan's influence in worldly affairs is also clearly revealed < John 12:31 >. His various titles reflect his control of the world system: "the ruler of this world" < John 12:31 >,; "the god of this age" <2 Cor. 4:4>,; and "the prince of the power of the air" .

The Bible declares, "The whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one" < 1 John 5:19 >. Satan exercises his evil power through demons . An outburst of demonic activity occurred when Jesus came to earth the first time because of the Savior's attack against Satan's kingdom Acts 10:38 >. Another such outburst is expected just before the second coming of Christ, because this will bring about the downfall of Satan and his angels . Satan also has high intelligence. Through it he deceived Adam and Eve and took over their rule of the world for himself . His cleverness enables him to carry out his deceptive work almost at will. Yet Satan's attributes, impressive as they are, are not limitless. His power is subject to God's restrictions < Job 1:12; Luke 4:6 ; 2 Thes. 2:7-8>.

The reins of God on his activities are illustrated by Satan's request to God for permission to afflict Job <Job 1:7 -12 >. Satan is permitted to afflict God's people < Luke 13:16 ; 1 Thes. 2:18; Heb. 2:14>. But he is never permitted to win an ultimate victory over them < John 14:30-31; 16:33>.

A part of Satan's continuing ambition to replace God is his passionate yearning to have others worship him . Since God has frustrated this desire and put down Satan's rebellion, he has become God's exact opposite. He is "the wicked one" , while God is "the Holy One" . Satan's nature is malicious. His efforts in opposing God, His people, and His truth are tireless < Job 1:7; 2:2; Matt. 13:28>.

He is always opposed to man's best interests <1 Chr. 21:1; Zech. 3:1-2>. Through his role in introducing sin into the human family , Satan has gained the power of death-- a power which Christ has broken through His crucifixion and resurrection . Methods. Of the various methods used by Satan in carrying out his evil work, none is more characteristic than TEMPTATION .

Satan leads people into sin by various means. Sometimes he does it by direct suggestion, as in the case of Judas Iscariot < John 13:2,27>, sometimes through his agents who disguise themselves as messengers of God <2 Thes. 2:9; 1 John 4:1>, and sometimes through a person's own weaknesses <1 Cor. 7:5>. He tempted Christ directly, trying to lead Him into compromise by promising Him worldly authority and power < Luke 4:5-8 >. Along with his work of tempting mankind, Satan also delights in deception <1 Tim. 3:6-7; 2 Tim. 2:26>. His lying nature stands in bold contrast to the truth for which Christ stands < John 8:32 ,44>. The great falsehood which he uses so frequently is that good can be attained by doing wrong. This lie is apparent in practically all his temptations .

As the great deceiver, Satan is an expert at falsifying truth <2 Cor. 11:13-15>. Satan's methods are designed ultimately to silence the gospel. He seeks to stop the spread of God's Word . When the gospel is preached, Satan tries to blind people's understanding so they cannot grasp the meaning of the message <2 Cor. 4:3-4; 2 Thess 2:9-10 >. At times he opposes the work of God by violent means < John 13:2 ,27; 1 Pet. 5:8; Rev. 12:13-17>. He brings disorder into the physical world by afflicting human beings. Sometimes God allows him to afflict His people for purposes of correction <1 Tim. 1:20>. Defeat. Satan is destined to fail in his continuing rebellion against God. His final defeat is predicted in the New Testament < Luke 10:18; John 12:31; Rev. 12:9; 20:10>. The death of Christ on the cross is the basis for Satan's final defeat . This event was the grand climax to a sinless life during which Jesus triumphed over the enemy repeatedly Luke 4:1-13 >.

The final victory will come when Jesus returns and Satan is cast into the lake of fire . Strength for a Christian's victory over sin has also been provided through the death of Christ. We have assurance that "the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet" . But such personal victory depends on our will to offer resistance to Satan's temptations . To help Christians win this battle against Satan, God has provided the power of Christ's blood , the continuing prayer of Christ in heaven for believers , the leading of the Holy Spirit, and various weapons for spiritual warfare.

Reality. Some people have trouble admitting the existence of such an enemy as Satan. But his presence and activity are necessary to explain the problems of evil and suffering. The Bible makes it plain that Satan exists and that his main work is to oppose the rule of God in the affairs of man. Many wonder why God would allow Satan, this great embodiment of evil, to exist in His creation.

No completely satisfying answer to this question has been found. Perhaps He allows it to show that evil and wrongdoing do not provide the key to the ultimate meaning of life which man so desperately desires. (from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary) (Copyright (C) 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

Right here I am going to take the time to list nearly all the scriptural references on Satan, the devil and the dragon. Throughout this study of Bible Prophecy, we will refer to them continuously. Examine these references for they reveal the true character and evil purpose of Satan, the adversary of God.

SATAN:

1 Chronicles 21:1

And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.

Job 1:6-7

6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.

7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

Psalm 109:6

Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.

Zechariah 3:1-2

1 And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.

2 And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?

St. Matthew 4:10

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

St. Matthew 12:26

And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?

St. Matthew 16:23

But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

St. Mark 4:15

And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

St. Luke 10:18

And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

St. Luke 13:16

And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day

St. Luke 22:31

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

Acts 5:3

But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

Acts 26:18

18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Romans 16:20

20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

1 Corinthians 5:5

To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

1 Corinthians 7:5

Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

2 Corinthians 2:11

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

2 Corinthians 11:14-15

14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

2 Corinthians 12:77

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

1 Thessalonians 2:18

Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

2 Thessalonians 2:9

Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

1 Timothy 5:15

For some are already turned aside after Satan.

Revelation 2:9

I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

Revelation 2:13

I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

Revelation 3:9-10

9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Revelation 12:7-13

7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.

Revelation 20:2-3

2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

Revelation 20:1-15

1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

THE DEVIL: THE GREAT DECEIVER

St. John 8:44

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Hebrews 2:14

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.

1 Peter 5:8

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

1 John 3:8

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Jude 1:9

Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

Isaiah 27:1

In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.

Revelation 13:2-8

2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Revelation 16:13-14

13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.