Who is lucifer?

Lucifer is a name commonly used for Satan before his fall.

The name comes from Isaiah 14:12 in the KJV: “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!” The immediate context speaks about the king of Babylon, but many Christians also see the passage as reflecting the pride and fall of Satan behind that earthly power.

Ezekiel 28:12–17 gives a similar picture. It addresses the king of Tyre, yet describes someone as being “in Eden,” “the anointed cherub,” and perfect until iniquity was found in him. This is often understood as pointing beyond the human ruler to Satan’s original position and fall.

Lucifer was not created evil. He was created as a glorious angelic being, but pride grew in him. Isaiah 14:13–14 describes his ambition: “I will ascend into heaven… I will be like the most High.”

Revelation 12:7–9 describes the result: Satan and his angels were cast out of heaven. Jesus also said, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven” (Luke 10:18).

So, in short, Lucifer refers to the exalted angel who rebelled against God, became Satan, and is now the adversary and deceiver described throughout Scripture.