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Scripture text—Luke 10:18

And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning

fall from heaven.

What a great reminder that our Lord is eternal as the Holy Trinity. Theologians disagree about the time of Lucifer’s rebellion and his casting out of Heaven. Some believe it was before Adam and Eve and some a time afterward. Nonetheless, Jesus Christ was certainly present in Heaven at the time.

It is important to know that Jesus was not only born as a child in Bethlehem in a manger to atone for our sins with his death some thirty-three years later, but that he could only do that because he was sinless and perfect. He was God incarnate. What a sacrifice he made for us. He came to live on this planet with his creatures for a time and was exposed to the same situations that are common to all people, yet he remained true to his mission to redeem us and overcome Satan for good.

When Christ uttered “It is finished” (John 19:30b), he meant that his death conquered Death. His mission was accomplished. Happy is any person that believes this truth.

Since Lucifer (renamed Satan) was cast like lightning from Heaven, he has been making use of his time accusing God’s saints and hoping to gain a populace to join him in Hell.

Consider Job 2:1–2, “Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.” Peter similarly said in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

Those of us who are Christians are indwelt with the Holy Spirit. Satan is limited in what he can do to us, yet he works hard to make us grieve the Spirit within us. Unbelievers have no such protection and are wide open to Satan’s influence. Until the very end of time, we will have to contend with the prideful angel of former splendor (Isa 14:12–15). The spirit world is real. It is necessary to wear the whole armor of God to stand against the wiles of the devil. The enemy is exposed and the tools God supplies for protection are told us in Ephesians 6:12–18:

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

Often people want to make themselves into more than they are, which is created beings. It is too late for the rebellious angels. They cannot be redeemed. Humans are special in that sense. The commonly used phrase pride cometh before a fall is Biblically based (Prov 16:18). Satan fell fast. At the final judgment, Satan will be cast into Hell for good (Rev 20). A third of angels and the wide road of humans will have to join him. Ask Jesus to rescue you from that terrible fate.

Our God is eternal as God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ—the Word), and God the Holy Ghost (1 John 5:7). Jesus is in Heaven now and was in the beginning.