I was teaching a Bible Study on how to study the Bible and we started in Genesis 1. After a week of homework we gathered back together to discuss what we found in the text.
As we were going through the text one of the students stated, "I just want to know when satan fell". As we looked at Scripture a flood of information started filling my head. It was things I've never heard before so I wanted to carefully examine Scripture to be sure it was sound. Does it meet my four tests of theology? Does align with God's character? Does it align with Scriptures character? Is there Scripture to support it? Is there any solid Scripture to refute the belief?
I believe the following has passed.
We have two dogs. One dog is young still and we're working with her but the other is extremely well trained. I trained her myself and we have an amazing bond.
We were at a home of an old friend and were getting ready to leave. The door to the car was open and our older dog was standing on the ground looking straight into the car. She did not get in, she just stood there and stared into the car. My friend made a comment about it and I snapped my fingers and she jumped in. He was amazed by her obedience and I bragged on how good and obedient she is.
What's this story got to do with the subject? You'll find out shortly.
When studying Scripture always pay attention to lists. In a list of things, take notice in things that are repeated and noticeable things that may be missing. The list we are going to look at is in Genesis one.
Genesis chapter one is a list of days. When asked what is repeated each day, most people will say "God said" was repeated and just as many will say, "it was good" was repeated. The fact is… "it was good" was not repeated each day. On day two God did not say "it was good". He didn't say it was bad but He also did not say "it was good". When you see things like this there is a wealth of knowledge there. Finding that gold is the key.
"Then God said, 'Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.' 7 Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so. 8 And God called the firmament Heaven. So the evening and the morning were the second day." Genesis 1:6-8
On day two God separated waters with the firmament. There's waters above and waters below. The firmament is where the sun, moon, and stars are - space (Genesis 1:14). This means there's waters below the firmament (earth) and waters above the firmament (?).
This one major likely hood of what those waters are, why there was a separation, and why God did not say "it was good".
We are told there are waters in heaven. It appears that God, knowing man will fall, quarantined Heaven from Earth. It was a necessary things, one that was not bad but to have to quarantine His creation from Heaven didn't seem good either.
By a careful look at Scripture we would be correct to assume that satan fell from God's graces before God created the earth. Peter says:
"He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you 21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God." 1 Peter 1:20-21
So, before the foundation of the world, before the world was created, before Genesis 1:1, there was sacrifice set aside. This would mean this all knowing God knew His creation would fall if He put the three aspects together: man, the tree, the tempter.
If God knew man would fall then why would He do this to begin with?
Earlier, I told you about my two dogs and the one that is extremely obedient. If you're a dog lover you may have been impressed by the story. The fact is, I told you the story but you don't know if it's true. I wouldn't lie to you but unless you see me in action with this dog you have no idea if her character is as I say it is.
With the fall of satan comes a judgment from God. God will destroy satan forever (Revelation 20:7-9).
The fall of satan was that he said he deserved God's glory. It appears that God's response was, "You don't and I'll destroy you but first I'll show all the universe that I'm just in my judgment upon you". As we read through Scripture we see God like to show His glory to all, as He should. This character of God is not just bound to Earth, it's His character.
How can God prove He deserves the glory and satan don't? How can He prove He's just in destroying satan? How can glory be proven in a perfect Kingdom?
How about creating a planet with man created with God's character (in my image) and putting a means for him to fall along with a tempter. When they fall, God have His Son set aside to take the punishment of these people. He'll prove His glory through His love for them, His sacrifice, His long-suffering, His generosity to them despite their rebellion. Satan will prove he does not deserve glory because he'll only want them to die; and that will prove God is just in destroying satanic.
This whole story then sums up why we are told God created His people, those who follow Him, for His glory (Isaiah 43:5) and Christ died on the cross for the Glory of God's name (John 12:27). I believe it's this reason that satan tempted, and caused man to fall, with the very sin he's accused with - you can be like God (Genesis 3:5); and it why and how he accuses us before God.
If we were created to prove God's glory… how are we doing? Are we living a life that is glorifying God, or by which we glorify the things of this world?