How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. – Isaiah 14:12
The prophet Isaiah saw the same picture Jesus described when He said, “I saw Satan falling from heaven as a flash of lightning!” (Luke 10:18). Because of Satan’s pride and arrogance, he was cast out of heaven. He rebelliously and boldly asserted himself with five “I wills”:
“I will ascend to heaven and [I will] set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and [I will] be like the Most High” (Isaiah 14:13-14, bold added).
How unthinkable it is for any creature to consider exalting himself above God! There in the veiled and shadowy reality of eternity past, God judged Satan’s rebellion, and he was thrust like lightning from heaven!
Only what is submitted to God can remain with God. May we never be found with pride, exalting ourselves above God. He alone will be exalted in heaven. “Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth” (Psalm 57:11).
