Satan is the originator of sin. And his sin caused all the suffering, pain, and death that we have in the world today. God created all angels perfect with the freedom of choice. But the highest angel of heaven, named Lucifer, chose to rebel against God. He was filled with pride because of his beauty and desired to be worshiped (Ezekiel 28:13-17, Isaiah 14:12-14). He turned himself into Satan, the enemy, and persuaded a third of the other angels to join in his rebellion through his lies: “His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven” (Revelation 12:4, Isaiah 9:15, John 8:44).
Revelation 12 states, “And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought” (Vs. 7). The dragon is the devil (Vs. 9), and Michael is Christ. The Bible says, “Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil [and his evil angels] have come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time” (v. 12).
Sadly, when Adam and Eve listened to Satan instead of God, the devil became the ruler of our planet and used this earth as the headquarters of his rebellion and sin against God. Paul says: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).
At the end of time, God will destroy Satan, his evil angels, and their followers. “Then He [God] will say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41).
Why didn’t God destroy these evil angels when they first committed sin? It is because His character is at stake. The devil has accused God of evil charges. If the Lord simply destroys all who speak against Him, it would lead all of His creatures to obey Him out of fear instead of serving Him out of love. But trust is the basis of true love. The Bible says, “God is love” (1 John 4:8) and “there is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear” (v. 18). Love should be the only motive for a relationship with God. So, God permitted Lucifer and his angels to demonstrate their character to the universe before He destroys them.
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In His service,
BibleAsk Team
