“How you are fallen from heaven, O 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.’ Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.
Isaiah 14:12-15 NKJV
This passage does not refer to Satan. Lucifer is hêylêl, a Hebrew word which translates directly to "Morning Star". The entire Chap 13 and 14 talks about fall of Assyria, typified as the "Kings of Babylon", likely because of the influence of the Babylonian culture of the day, Assyrian Kings (Sargon II and Sennacherib) likened themselves like "Kings of Babylon". Pretty much like the Roman empire who adopts Greek culture and religion due to its deep infiltration into popular culture of that time. So Babylon really referred to the Assyrian Kings who dominates the world during Isaiah's time.
Although this verses does not refer to Satan, its principals actually applies. The lesson to be abstracted here is that the King of Babylon, just like Satan (Luke 10:18, Rev 12:8-9), has fallen because of pride. Just like Satan, human leaders can fall into the very same temptation of thinking he has control over his destiny, thus resulting in rebellion and turmoil. Ultimately, it is this same characteristic in both wicked men and demons which will lead them to destruction by the one Holy God.
No comments:
Post a Comment