Lucifer was an “anointed cherub” (Ezequiel 28:14) who held the highest position among the angels. His name, which means Light Bearer, infers that he was exceedingly beautiful. He was the son of the morning or God’s morning star. Just like man and all the other angels, Lucifer was created with a free will. Unfortunately, and after some unspecified time, he chose to rebel (sin) against his Creator. His sin? Pride, greedy ambition, and lust for power. For this reason, he was cast out of heaven and thrown to earth. He is now referred to as Satan, which means Adversary or Challenger  (Luke 10:18).  As the ruler and lord of the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12), he relentlessly wages war against God by tempting man to do as he did. Consequently, everything he uses to draw and keep people away from God is by nature sinful and dark. However, his limited power does allow him to “masquerade” himself as an angel of light to deceive as many as he can, including believers. This means that “sometimes he will put on a disguise (as it were), and makes it look like he actually stands for good instead of evil. When the devil offered to feed Jesus by turning rocks into bread, he was masquerading as one who wanted to do good–or as an angel of light (see Matthew 4:1-11).” [1]

Satan is now the opposite of everything he was in heaven. The Bible declares that he is a murderer and a liar (John 8:44), a deceiver (Revelation 12:9), an oppressor (Acts 10:38), and an accuser (Revelation 12:10). He is also known as the prince of the powers of the air (Ephesians 2:2). And while he may very well be, as Martin Luther described him, the Prince of Darkness, he is no match for Jesus, the Lord of the Light!

This three-part devotion was inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic high-fantasy novel, The Lord of the Rings, which was later made into a cinematic trilogy.

The story is centered on The Ring of Power forged by the Dark Lord Sauron, an evil reincarnated deity who possesses great supernatural powers and whose ultimate goal is to conquer and rule all of Middle-earth. Sauron typifies Satan whose power and influence have made of him a deity among millions. Satan’s pre-Adamic ambition continues to be the reason why he still battles to rule the nations and take as many souls captive with him into eternal darkness as possible. 

In my next devotion (Part 2), we will continue to explore the powers of both light and darkness and their influence upon the world. In the meantime, stand firm in your faith. Satan will continue to do battle against God’s people and will even dress up as an angel of light in order to deceive them. So be alert, pray continuously, dig into Scriptures, and resist the devil. Rest assure that the light of Christ within you will expose his dark and evil schemes and will always cause him to flee!

PRAYER: Precious Savior, you are the Lord of ALL things. You have defeated sin and darkness and have granted me that same power through your Holy Spirit. I stand firm in the faith that has granted me salvation by your grace and I ask that you strengthen me as I face life’s many spiritual battles. I praise you Oh, King of kings! May my life reflect that praise in everything I say and do. I pray this in your holy name, Amen. 

SCRIPTURES
“You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones.” -Ezekiel 28:14

“He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” -Luke 10:18

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” -Ephesians 6:12

“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” -John 8:44

“And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.” -Revelation 12:9 (ESV)

“And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” -Acts 10:38 (NLT)

“And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.” -Revelation 12:10 (ESV)

“Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:” -Ephesians 2:2 (KJV)

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” -James 4:7

-ALL SCRIPTURE IS QUOTED FROM THE NIV EXCEPT WHERE SPECIFIED.

1. Billygraham.org