Mental Health: A Cause to Live For (part 2 of 4)
I believe Lucifer (Satan) thought he was more worthy to be God than God was! I agree with those who teach that Ezekiel, attributing superhuman characteristics to the “king of Tyre,” was actually describing Lucifer. 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 when misused. When an individual has both, he becomes expo¬nen¬tially more vulnerable to pride. Such was the case with Lucifer; it proved to be his downfall (Ezekiel 28:17). He apparently convinced many angels that he was more worthy to be God than God is (Revelation 12:7-9). He became ambitious for personal gain and power and initiated a hostile takeover of heaven (Revelation 12:7).
Like man, God gave the angels a freedom of choice. God didn't cause Lucifer and his angels to become rogues, but their rebellion certainly didn't shock Him. God is omniscient.
I believe Lucifer used seductive skills with the angels similar to those he used with Eve convincing 1/3 of them to support his takeover attempt; he accused God of being unworthy of their homage! Imagine him asking how they can be certain there is not someone more glorious who is actually moreworthy of their praise, planting doubts about how much better off they would be if he were God, accusing God of restraining them from developing into all that they could be; that if he were god, he'd guarantee fairness and rewards to those who supported him.
The Bible says, “And [Satan's] tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven, and threw them to the earth” (Revelation 12:4). These “stars of heaven” were rebellious angels who became demons. Jesus said concerning them, “...the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels'” (Matthew 25:41). Hell was “prepared for” rebellious Lucifer and his angel-demons, not people. People must chooseto live eternally with these demonic beings by stepping over the broken body of Jesus Christ.
God quickly extinguished Lucifer's rebellion. “... [the devil] was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him” (Revelation 12:9). Among the billions of planets, God threw them to Earth. God then created two humans on earth. Can you imagine heaven's remaining 2/3 of the angels thinking: Don't put them on Earth! Satan will eat them alive! God, however, wasn't shocked that Adam and Eve fell. He would ultimately pour out His agape love and grace upon unworthy mankind through Jesus. “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Worthy of all praise is the Living God, 24/7!
By faith, we can submit to God's authority, worship and freely praise Him, proving Satan is wrong! This is a cause worth living for, worth dying for; a cause that yields mental health.