Why the Angels Still Praise Him

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When God created the angels, He created Lucifer as a cut above the rest. He's described before he fell as having the “seal of perfection,” being “perfect in beauty” and “full of wisdom” (Ezekiel 28:12). Either stunning beauty or astounding wisdom can become curses if misused. When someone has both, he becomes exponentially more vulnerable to pride.

Such was the case with Lucifer (a.k.a Satan), and it proved to be his downfall (Ezekiel 28:17). He convinced many angels that he was more worthy to be god than God is (Revelation 12:7-9). He was ambitious for personal gain and power, so he initiated a hostile takeover of heaven (Revelation 12:7). Lucifer used the same seductive skills with us that he used with Eve to convince many of us angels to support him.

Imagine how Lucifer might have deceived the pre-fallen angels. He could have pointed out their lack of self-actualization that they were being prevented from developing into all that we could be; that they deserved to be placed in positions commensurate with their nobility; that God was limiting them with unfair labor practices, restricting them; that if he, Lucifer, were god, he would change things. He guaranteed fairness and rewards to all who supported him. After all, we had only to look at his beauty and listen to his wisdom to recognize his superiority and leadership ability.

One-third of my angel friends believed Lucifer. Had we been humans you would have seen banners proclaiming: “Lucifer Rules!” Finally the True God had enough. He banished the rebellious angels to earth. “And [Satan's] tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven, and threw them to the earth” (Revelation 12:4). Jesus said concerning their future, “Then [I] will also say ... ’Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels'” (Matthew 25:41). Hell was “prepared for” rebellious Lucifer and his angels-who-have-become-demons, not people. Humans must trample over the broken body of Jesus Christ to dwell eternally with rebellious demons. What a horrible, unnecessary waste of the grace of God, who passionately loves sinner-humans (Rom. 5:8)!

Of course, God quickly extinguished Lucifer's rebellion. He could whip Satan blindfolded! So, Satan was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him (Revelation 12:9). Notice that with gazillions of planets to target, God threw them to a tiny speck of dirt called “Earth.” Then, according to His Master plan, God created two humans to propagate the same Earth with millions of objects of His affection. But, look where God placed Adam and Eve...on that same planet! As God was placing Adam and Eve on Earth, we angels remaining in heaven thought: Oh, no! Don't put them on Earth! Satan will eat 'em alive!

But, the all-knowing God was not shocked that Adam and Eve were no match for Satan's deception and fell into sin. God was simply working His divine plan whereby He would ultimately pour out His sacrificial, unmerited love and grace in the Person of Jesus Christ upon unworthy, unmeritorious mankind. If that act does not prove His infinite worthiness to be praised, adored, and served as the God that He is, what else could (see John 15:13)?

Knowing all of this to be true, the remaining two-thirds of the original angels, urge you by faith alone, to enthusiastically submit to His loving authority, worship Him, and praise Him as The True God.

Bill GillhamDr. Bill Gillham