Ezekiel 28:11–19 was given as a lament upon the king of Tyre but it is certainly not limited to him. The description exceeds a local king and does not answer the problems created if we only consider the local application. The following statements seem particularly difficult to apply to any literal “King of Tyre.”
- “You were in Eden, the garden of God” (v. 13).
- “You were the anointed cherub who covers … You were on the holy mountain of God” (v. 14).
- “You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you” (v. 15).
- “By the abundance of your trading you became filled with violence within, and you sinned; therefore I cast you as a profane thing out of the mountain of God; and I destroyed you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the fiery stones” (v. 16).
These references can only point to Satan who was in Eden as the anointed cherub on the holy mountain of God among the fiery stones, who was created perfect till iniquity was found in him.
As Ezekiel beheld the character and actions of the literal king of Tyre in vision, inspiration revealed to him the unseen and the prophet was able to see the powerful angel that was controlling the literal king of Tyre. The prince of Tyre had perfectly followed the example of his true leader, Satan.
In a similar way, Isaiah was allowed to see Satan as the power beyond the literal king of Babylon. “you will take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say… How you are fallen from heaven, 0 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” (Isaiah 14:4-14).
This passage provides us with a history of the origin, initial position, and downfall of the angel who later became known as the devil and Satan. The New Testament references to this being are in total harmony with these ancient prophecies (Luke 4:5, 6; 10:18; John 8:44; 1 John 3:8; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6; Revelation 12:7–9; etc.).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
