By Archie England, NOBTS
Question: How did the devil fall when he started out in heaven?
NOBTS Professor Archie England responds: Ezekial 28:11-18 is the closest explanation that the OT gives as to how a once holy cherub fell: Coupled with Revelation 12:3-17, we can guess that with the fall of Satan, a third of the angelic host was cast with him.
So, the short answer to your question is, “pride.” Satan wanted to be “God.” By tempting God’s creation to violate God’s ordinances, Satan believed God would destroy that very creation – and He did!
What Satan did not foresee was the great love of God for His creation and, hence, the incarnation: Godhead humbling itself to do for creation what was otherwise unobtainable.
Once Satan realized the redemptive plan of God he spared no cost to do away with God’s people or God’s Messiah: Jesus the Christ. At the cross, when Jesus died, Satan perhaps rejoiced at his victory at snuffing out the life of the “life-giver.” Evidently, he couldn’t see three days beyond to the resurrection. All Hell moaned as all creation rejoiced at the resurrection of God’s only Son – creation’s only hope!
Until sentient beings (angels and humans) made wrong choices, there was no evil in the created order. The potential for evil existed, certainly; as did the potential for good. As we say, “choices have consequences.”
However, in God’s economy – once polluted, always polluted. A created being is unable to resort to the pre-condition of purity once wrongdoing has begun. That’s what I describe as our “fallen nature.” It’s not that we’re as bad as possible but that we can never again return (on our own) to that original “pure” condition. So, I view Ezek 28 as describing how Satan’s pride lead him to a wrong choice. Hence, he fell.
Now, being fallen, Satan lured Eve into her wrong choice; and she boldly gave the forbidden fruit to Adam so that he, too, would choose the wrong!
What the Book of Revelation describes as the new Heaven and earth is what I consider to be the restoration of creation back to what God intended – that is, no more sin. However, Satan, the fallen angels, and a hell-full of lost souls will continue to exist.
That means that there will be “evil” in eternity; but, it will not be an active force! Evil has been defeated by Christ and the end of this age will lead into an age of true blessing.
If that’s not clear enough, try this: Eternity will bear the scar of what evil accomplished but it will only be a dim memory as compared to the blessed and glorious accomplishments of our God!
In eternity, the redeemed will only speak of Him who gave His all for His creation. Those languishing in Hell will be bringing glory to God, too, because their fate demonstrates the power and justice of the all-knowing, loving God. No active evil will survive God’s holy purging of the heavens and earth.