The Creator of the universe is a good and righteous God, and in Him, there is no evil at all. During the creation of the earth, at the end of each creative day, God declared everything He made to be good.  And at the end of the sixth day, He affirmed that they were incredibly good. This means at creation, there was nothing evil in what God Almighty created. But looking at our world today, you will notice the much evil that is ever-present and evil seems to be winning. How did evil enter the world, and why is the human race suffering? These questions and many more will be answered in this study.

Study Questions

  1. Why is the study of the Holy scriptures relevant regarding the origin of evil?
  2. Who was Lucifer?
  3. How does the scripture describe the appearance and character of Lucifer?
  4. What were Lucifer’s role and position in heaven?
  5. What was Lucifer’s role on earth before the creation of man?
  6. What was the beginning of Lucifer’s fall, and what was his sin?
  7. What effects did Lucifer’s sin have on his character?
  8. What did Lucifer purpose to do after the corruption of his nature?
  9. Was Lucifer alone involved in the act of rebellion against his Creator?
  10. What did God do to Lucifer and his deceived angels for their sins/rebellion?
  11. What names do the scripture called Lucifer after his fall?
  12. What other names do the scriptures use to describe Satan?

Questions and comments

  1. Why is the study of the Holy scriptures relevant regarding the origin of evil?

Comment

The importance of the Word of God cannot be overemphasized relating to spiritual knowledge. It is the source of sound teachings (doctrine), and without it, the human race will never have an idea why there is so much trouble and pain in the world, why human nature is wild and anti-God, and why the Government of this world is not working. It is only the Holy scripture that correctly explains how evil enter the world the Creator declared to very good at the beginning and the plan He put in place to bring the human race back to their original glorious purpose, peace, and blessing. To understand the origin of evil, it is crucial to begin with the character connected to it – Lucifer

  1. Who was Lucifer?

Read Ezekiel 28: 14-15

Comment

Lucifer was one of the archangels created by God. The scripture referred to him as ‘the anointed cherub who covers.’ He was a created being who had access or close to the throne room of God.

Scriptural references

Ezekiel 28: 14

“You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you.”

  1. How does the scripture describe the appearance and character of Lucifer?

Read Ezekiel 28:12-13, 15

Comment

From Ezekiel 28:12-13, 15

  1. Lucifer was a seal or epitome of perfection
  2. He was full of wisdom
  3. He was perfect in beauty.
  4. He was covered with precious stones.
  5. He was excellent in character (blameless, without sin)
  6. He was full of light (referred to as the morning star, bright star, son of morning), Isaiah 14:12

Scriptural references

Ezekiel 28:12-13, “Son of man, take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre, and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “You were the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, Beryl, onyx, and jasper, Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created.”

Ezekiel 28:15, “You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you.”

Ezekiel 28:15 NIV, “You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you.”

Ezekiel 28:15 GNB, “Your conduct was perfect from the day you were created until you began to do evil.”

Ezekiel 28:15 ICB, “Your life was right and good. This was from the day you were created, until evil was found in you.”

  1. What were Lucifer’s role and position in heaven?

Read Ezekiel 28:13, Job 38:4-7

Comment

Lucifer’s role has something to do with the worship of God His Creator and leading the heavenly angels in the worship and praise of God. Lucifer had musical instruments as part of his body makeup.

Scriptural references

Ezekiel 28:13, “You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, Beryl, onyx, and jasper, Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes Was prepared for you on the day you were created.”

Yechezkel (Ezekiel) 28:13 OJB, “Thou hast been in Eden, Gan Elohim; every even yekarah (precious stone) was thy covering, the ruby, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the turquoise, and the emerald, and zahav; the workmanship of thy hand drums and of thy wind instruments was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.”

Ezekiel 28:13 WMB, “You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, emerald, chrysolite, onyx, jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and beryl. Gold work of tambourines and of pipes was in you. They were prepared in the day that you were created.”

Ezekiel 28:13 JUB, “Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering: the sardius, topaz, diamond, turquoise, onyx, and beryl, the sapphire, ruby, and emerald, and gold; the works of thy tambourines and of thy pipes were prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.”

Job 38:4-7 NKJV, “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”

  1. What was Lucifer’s role on earth before the creation of man?

Read Ezekiel 28:14

Comment

He was the one in charge of guarding the earth. The scripture says he was on the earth (Eden) before Adam and Eve were created.

Scriptural references

Ezekiel 28:14, “You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones.”

Ezekiel 28:14 NIV, “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.”

Yechezk’el (Ezekiel) 28:14 CJB, “You were a keruv, protecting a large region; I placed you on God’s holy mountain. You walked back and forth among stones of fire.”

Ezekiel 28:14 CEB, “You, a winged creature, were installed as a guardian. I placed you in God’s holy mountain where you walked among the stones of fire.”

Ezekiel 28:13, “You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, Beryl, onyx, and jasper, Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes Was prepared for you on the day you were created.”

  1. What was the beginning of Lucifer’s fall, and what was his sin?

Read Ezekiel 28:15-18

Comment

The beginning of Lucifer’s fall was when he allowed iniquity in his heart. Other bible translations rendered iniquity as sin, wickedness, perversity, evil, perverseness, unrighteousness. The sin of Lucifer was pride. He allowed pride to enter his heart because of his beauty and wisdom. He was full of himself.

Scriptural references

Ezekiel 28:15, “You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you.”

Ezekiel 28:17-18, “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, That they might gaze at you. “You defiled your sanctuaries By the multitude of your iniquities, By the iniquity of your trading; Therefore I brought fire from your midst; It devoured you, And I turned you to ashes upon the earth In the sight of all who saw you.”

  1. What effects did Lucifer’s sin have on his character?

Read Ezekiel 28:17-18

Comment

From Ezekiel 28:17-18

  1. His wisdom was corrupted
  2. His body (sanctuaries, beauty) defiled
  3. He became violent
  4. He started the trade of Spreading the message of hatred and rebellion against God, and one-third of the angels in heaven believed and followed him. Spreading hate and rebellion is the principal trade of Lucifer.

Scriptural references

Ezekiel 28:17-18, “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, That they might gaze at you. “You defiled your sanctuaries By the multitude of your iniquities, By the iniquity of your trading; Therefore I brought fire from your midst; It devoured you, And I turned you to ashes upon the earth In the sight of all who saw you.”

  1. What did Lucifer purpose to do after the corruption of his character?

Read Isaiah 14:12-15

Comment

From Isaiah 14:12-15

  1. Lucifer wanted to Ascend to heaven (overthrow God)
  2. Raise his throne above the stars of God (take over God’s throne)
  3. Sit enthroned on the mount of assembly (sits on God’s throne)
  4. Ascend above the tops of the clouds (be above God and everyone)
  5. Make himself like God (wants to be worshipped)

Scriptural references

Isaiah 14: 12-14, “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.’

  1. Was Lucifer alone involved in the act of rebellion against his Creator?

Read Revelation 12:3-4, Revelation 12:7-8

Comment

Lucifer was not alone in his act of rebellion; he deceived one-third of the Angels (stars) in heaven to rebel against God. The deceived angels became Lucifer’s angel because their allegiance shifted from God to Lucifer. Lucifer used these angels to wage war against God, and they failed.

Scriptural references

Revelation 12:3-4, “And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born.”

Revelation 12:7-8, “And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.”

  1. What did God do to Lucifer and his deceived angels for their rebellion?

Read Ezekiel 28:16-19, Isaiah 14:12,15, Revelation 12:7-9

Comment

  1. God humiliated him by removing from his position and expelled him from His mountain (Heaven)

Ezekiel 28:16, “By the abundance of your trading You became filled with violence within, And you sinned; Therefore I cast you as a profane thing Out of the mountain of God; And I destroyed you, O covering cherub, From the midst of the fiery stones.”

  1. God stripped him of his beauty by making fire come from within him and consume his beauty to ashes.

Ezekiel 28:17, “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, That they might gaze at you.”

Ezekiel 28:18. “You defiled your sanctuaries By the multitude of your iniquities, By the iniquity of your trading; Therefore I brought fire from your midst; It devoured you, And I turned you to ashes upon the earth In the sight of all who saw you.”

  1. He was cast to earth with his angels and was made a public spectacle before kings.

Ezekiel 28:17, “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, That they might gaze at you.”

Ezekiel 28:18. “You defiled your sanctuaries By the multitude of your iniquities, By the iniquity of your trading; Therefore I brought fire from your midst; It devoured you, And I turned you to ashes upon the earth In the sight of all who saw you.”

Revelation 12: 7-9, And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought,  but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Isaiah 14:12,15, “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! Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit.

  1. On earth, God restrained the activities of the fallen angels to a pit (Tartarus) until the time they will be judged for their rebellion.

Jude 1:6, And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day;”

2 Peter 2:4, “For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment;”

  1. Surprisingly, Satan’s movements were not restricted. He became a vagabond and a wanderer, but still has limited access to God to accuse believers. And can still deceive and cause rebellion.

Job 1:6-7, “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. And the LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So, Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”

Job 2:1-2, “Again, there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. And the LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”

Job 2:7, “So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.”

1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

  1. What names do the scripture called Lucifer after his rebellion/fall?

Read Revelation 12:9

Comment

From Revelation 12:9

  1. The great dragon
  2. That serpent of old
  3. The Devil
  4. Satan

Scriptural references

Revelation 12:9, “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

  1. What other names do the scriptures use to describe Satan?

Comment

Other names the scriptures use to describe Satan are the following

  1. A Liar, John8:44
  2. A murderer, John 8:44
  3. A Deceiver, Revelation 12:9
  4. An Accuser of the God’s people, Revelation 12:10
  5. The tempter, Matthew 4:3, 1 Thessalonians 3:5
  6. A Thieve, John10:10
  7. An Adversary, 1 Peter 5:8

Scriptural references

John 8:44, “You are of your father the Devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”

Revelation 12:9, “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

Revelation 12:10, “Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.”

Matthew 4:3, “Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”

1 Thessalonians 3:5, “For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.”

John 10:10, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

Conclusions

Lucifer was one of the archangels created by God. He was perfect in his ways from the day he was created until iniquity was found in him. Lucifer began to sin when he allowed pride to enter his heart because of his beauty and wisdom. Pride brought corruption in his heart, and he lost his beauty and role in heaven. Because of his corrupt and evil heart, Lucifer deceived one-third of the angels in heaven and led them to rebel against God.

Lucifer wanted the throne of God and be like Him, so he led a war to overthrow Him but lost the battle. Michael, another archangel, defeated him. He was then banished to the earth he once protects. The presence of Satan, who is the embodiment of evil, with his fallen angels forms darkness on earth, but God put them under subjection by His Holy Spirit moving upon the surface of the waters (earth).

Before the creation of man, Lucifer was already on the earth as the darkness that covered the deep (Genesis 1:2) and was able to roam the earth. After the fall of Lucifer, he became Satan, the Devil. He is also called the great dragon, that serpent of old.