Chapter 2 - Errant Reasoning

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The heavens and earth have not always existed in their present form. “In the beginning,” before the angelic beings, God created the original, eternal heavens and earth to exist within His kingdom (realm of authority). (Genesis 1:1) Rather than “formless and void,” they were perfectly formed, accommodative of eternal life and subject to the divine rule of life. (Genesis 1:2; Colossians 1:13; cf., Revelation 21:22-27; 22:5)

The original, eternal earth was created as a habitat for angelic beings. Arranged in a specific hierarchy, they mediated God's authority on earth. (Romans 8:38; 1 Corinthians 15:24; Ephesians 1:21; 3:10; Colossians 1:16; 2:15; cf. Ephesians 6:12)

High Priest of the Original Earth

Satan was the highest ranking angelic being assigned to the original, eternal earth. He was described as having “the seal of perfection” and being “full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.” (Ezekiel 28:12; cf. 28:17) Therefore, he was quite possibly the most extraordinary of God’s angelic beings assigned to the original earth.

Satan served God in distinguished fashion. His splendid attire revealed his role on the original earth. Similar to the Jewish high priest, he had a breastplate adorned with precious stones. (Ezekiel 28:13; cf., Exodus 28:17)

Besides his priestly covering, Satan was decorated with what the Bible refers to as “settings and sockets.” (Ezekiel 28:13) They were indicative of either the receptacles that held his adorning stones or, as distinguished by other English translations of the Bible, musical instruments. The Hebrew for “settings and sockets” has been translated as “tabrets and pipes” (KJV) and “timbrels and pipes” (NKJV) (tambourines and flutes). The context does not conclusively promote one interpretation over the other.

If Satan’s “settings and sockets” referred to receptacles for adorning stones, the relevance is not entirely clear. It would appear to be an unnecessary embellishment. However, if “settings and sockets” referred to musical instruments, then Satan was equipped by God to worship Him with song.

Satan was the highest ranking angelic being assigned to the original, eternal earth. He had an anointed position at the throne of God, priestly attire, and musical instruments by which to worship God. It is probable then that he served God on the original earth in the role of high priest.

As the high priest, Satan would have been allowed intimate access to God. Indeed, the Bible reveals that he had the elevated privilege of enjoying God in both “Eden, the garden of God” and on the “holy mountain of God.” (Ezekiel 28:13, 14) They were specific locations in the kingdom of God where Satan was permitted access to God.

“Eden, the garden of God” was not the same Eden known to Adam and Eve. It was the archetypal Eden on the original, eternal earth. Like the subsequent Eden known to Adam and Eve, the original Eden was also associated with the intimate presence of God on earth with His created beings. (cf. Genesis 2:8, 10, 15; Isaiah 51:3; Ezekiel 36:35) Thus, it was a place that allowed for fellowship between Satan and his King. Though presently unavailable, Eden will again exist in the future as a place of intimate fellowship between God and His created beings on earth. (Isaiah 51:3; cf. Revelation 21:1-22:5)

In contrast to Eden, the “mountain of God” refers to the throne of God in heaven and, by implication, His authoritative rule over the earth. (Exodus 3:1; 4:27; 18:5; 24:13; 1 Kings 19:8; Psalm 68:15; Ezekiel 28:14, 16) Satan, the high priest of God on the original, eternal earth, was allowed privileged access to the throne or “mountain of God.” His role was described as the “anointed cherub who covers.” (Ezekiel 28:14) Covering or guarding the throne of God, Satan protected the attributes of the divine nature.

Like Eden, the “mountain of God” is not presently available on earth. However, it will again be accessible in the future. (Isaiah 2:2-3; 65:17-25; 66:20)

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Self-Deception and Rebellion

Despite his privileged position and proximity to God, Satan’s heart became “lifted up” or prideful. (Ezekiel 28:17) As a result, he proclaimed: “I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, and I will sit on the mount of assembly in the recesses of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” (Isaiah 14:13-14) Regardless of his position of unparalleled privilege, Satan believed he could attain even greater importance and influence in the kingdom of God.

Resultant Scheme

Coveting the glory of the King, Satan devised a scheme by which he would challenge Him for His throne. He believed that it would reveal God as vulnerable and thus susceptible to deposition.

It is conceivable that Satan presumed God could not express the attributes of His nature concurrently in an unbiased manner. More specifically, it is probable that he questioned whether God could demonstrate love and mercy together with justice.

Satan likely believed the attributes of God mentioned above to be contradictory to one another. Therefore, he presupposed that if God were to forgive his rebellious scheme lovingly and mercifully, it would necessitate that He compromise justice. Conversely, if God were to punish justly, it would require Him to compromise love and mercy. Misunderstanding the nature of God, Satan was confident that God would choose love and mercy over justice.

Satan believed that the divine neglect of justice would be legally indefensible. Therefore, he could rightfully accuse God of lawlessness.

God proved unrighteous; His nature would be legally compromised. As a result, His kingdom would be subject to a hostile takeover and thus, co-rule by Satan.

Understanding the potential advantage of co-conspirators, Satan persuaded many angels to join him in his rebellion against God. (cf., 12:3-4) By the “abundance” of his unrighteous “trade” (trafficking or conspiring), he convinced about one-third of the angels that his plan would succeed. They rejected their privilege of citizenship in the kingdom of God and followed his lead. (Ezekiel 28:16, 18; Matthew 25:41; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6; Revelation 12:3-4)

The scheme, perpetrated by Satan and a vast number of angelic beings, was no minor incident. To the contrary, it constituted a severe affront to the nature of God and a legal challenge to His sovereign rule.

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Errant Reasoning

Satan’s scheme was the product of errant reasoning. It was characterized by several errors concerning God and His attributes. Two of the more significant included his failure to 1) distinguish between the nature and will of God; 2) recognize the oneness or unity of God.

Despite his privileged position in the kingdom and intimate, experiential knowledge of God, Satan failed to distinguish between the divine nature and the divine will. The Bible clarifies that love, mercy, and justice are merely acts of the divine will. Rather than divine choices, they are attributes of divine life (zoe). (Ephesians 2:4; 1 John 4:8; 16) Therefore, love, mercy, justice, and every other attribute of the divine nature are not just something God does. Instead, they are an inherent part of Him, the intrinsic realization of His nature, an essential expression of His personhood. Thus, God does not merely choose to exercise love, mercy, or justice. He is love, mercy, and justice.

Satan not only failed to distinguish between the divine nature and will but also failed to recognize the oneness or unity of divine life (zoe). The Bible clarifies that God is one. (Deuteronomy 4:35; 39; 6:4; 1 Kings 8:60; Isaiah 43:10; 45:5-6; Mark 12:29-32; John 17:3; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6; Galatians 4:8-9; Ephesians 4:6; 1 Timothy 1:17; 2:5; James 2:19) By nature, He is one unified, indivisible being. Therefore, all the attributes of His life (zoe), including love, mercy, and justice, are expressed concurrently, without individual bias. As a result, every act of God reflects the attributes of His nature, including but not limited to love, mercy, and justice.

God answered Satan’s rebellious challenge in the only manner possible, in perfect accord with the attributes of His nature. As a result, the devil and his angels experienced His judgment and were sentenced to separation from King and kingdom in “eternal fire.” (Matthew 25:41)

From a finite viewpoint, separation from God in eternal fire does not appear loving, merciful, or possibly even just. However, by nature, God is selfless love, unfailing mercy, and absolute justice. Therefore, all His judgments, including separation in eternal fire, are characterized by selfless love, unfailing mercy, and absolute justice.

Selfless Love

Every judgment of God is loving. However, some of His judgments are more complicated to understand than others.

The love of God is radically different from the selfish, fallen love commonly known to mankind. It is vastly superior.

The love of God is righteous and therefore, perfectly selfless. It seeks only the highest good of others. According to the Apostle Paul, the love of God is patient, kind, not jealous, does not brag, is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly, does not seek its own, is not provoked, and does not take into account a wrong suffered. (1 Corinthians 13:4-5) In addition, it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, and never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:6-8) Ever seeking the highest good of His creatures, the amazing love of God is utterly selfless.

Concordant with the selfless love of God, created beings, both angelic and human, abide in one of two places. They either exist in a state of union with God or separation from Him.

Relative to the selflessness of God, He does not obligate angelic or human beings to exist in a state of union with Him. Instead, He selflessly allows them the freedom of choice.

The angelic beings, originally created in a state of holiness, are lovingly provided with the freedom to choose whether they are willing to maintain their status of shared life with God. In contrast, human beings, born in an unholy state, have the freedom to choose whether they are willing to accept His invitation to join Him in a union of shared life. For both angelic and human beings, union with God is a privileged, cooperative choice consistent with the selfless love of God.

If angelic or human beings freely choose not to cooperate with God, He remains loving and selfless. Consequently, He allows them to experience the desire of their heart, separation from His presence.

Evidenced by their rebelliousness, the devil and his angels made a conscious choice to reject God. Therefore, He selflessly put their interest above His own and allowed them to experience the judgment of separation. It was in perfect harmony with His selfless love.

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Unfailing Mercy

All of God’s judgments are merciful. By nature, God is “the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort;” “rich in mercy” and “full of compassion and… merciful.” (2 Corinthians 1:3; Ephesians 2:4; James 5:11) “His compassions (mercies) never fail.” (Lamentations 3:22) According to God’s mercy, He punished the devil and his angels in a manner that was infinitely commensurate with their crime. It did not exceed what they deserved.

Absolute Justice

All of God’s judgments are just. By nature, He is righteous or morally and ethically perfect. Therefore, God cannot dismiss unrighteousness within the realm of His authority. It is an affront to His righteous nature and sovereign rule.

All unrighteousness is subject to the perfectly righteous judgment of God. There is no partiality or prejudice with His judgment. On the contrary, relative to His nature, it is absolutely just.

The judgment of the devil and his angels did not originate from the mind of a cold-hearted, biased judge. Instead, reflective of the divine nature, it was characterized by selfless love, unfailing mercy, and absolute justice. As a result, the judgment of the devil and his angels served their highest good, it was infinitely commensurate with their crime, and completely impartial.

Darkness, Death, and Destruction

God is the source of both eternal life (zoe) and eternal light. “…. the Father has life (zoe) in Himself.” (John 5:26a; cf., John 3:16; 17:3; 1 John 1:2; 5:11) “God is light.” (1 John 1:5) “In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.” (John 1:4a)

Relative to their judgment, the devil and his angels were separated from God. As a result, their source of light and life was tragically altered. Separated from the eternal God, the devil and his angels were banished to a darkened existence outside of His kingdom where they suffered degeneration of life (cf. “outer darkness” - Matthew 8:12; 22:13; 25:30).

The angelic rebellion not only caused darkness and death but destruction. It resulted in the destruction of the original, eternal earth.

Designed and created by God, the original, eternal earth was perfectly suited for its purpose. Isaiah informs, “He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited.” (Isaiah 45:18)

The angelic rebellion, however, caused the original, eternal earth to become “formless and void.” (Genesis 1:2) In other words, it became characterized by waste, ruin, and emptiness.

In addition, the earth became darkened. “… darkness was over the surface of the deep.” (Genesis 1:2) Darkness in the Bible commonly represents divine judgment.

Concordant with the judgment of God, it is possible to translate Genesis 1:1-2, “Before all else, God created the heavens and the earth. But the earth came to be ruined and despoiled – darkness lay upon the face of the abyss while God's Spirit brooded over the surface of its waters”.1

The rebellion of the devil and his angels resulted in death, darkness, and destruction. Not only were Satan and one-third of the angels banished from the light and life of kingdom citizenship to a state of darkness and death, but the original, eternal earth became uninhabitable.

Suspension

The divine judgment and sentencing of the devil and his angels was immediate. (cf. John 16:11) Nevertheless, God temporarily suspended their sentence. (Isaiah 24:21-22; Matthew 8:29; Romans 16:20; Revelation 20:10) Congruent with eternal plan, it provided Him with the opportunity to vindicate His nature and silence any lasting presumption of vulnerability.

© 2023 James Hiatt

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