Lucifer, the most perfect being God could create by fiat (Ezekiel 28:12, 15), was blessed with the responsibility of being a covering cherub right at God's throne (see Ezekiel 28:14)!
Lucifer's service was so exemplary that he was uniquely promoted with a throne overseeing one-third of his fellow spirits on earth (Revelation 12:4). He became the only angelic spirit mentioned in the Bible to be honored in such a way!
"For you (the devil) have said in your heart, 'I will ascend into the heavens, I will exalt MY THRONE above (all) the stars of God (the angels) . . . '" (Isaiah 14:13, HBFV).
* It's Not Enough *
Lucifer's new job, although it took him away from God's throne, gave him the freedom and opportunity to develop and deepen his righteous character even more. Over time, however, he began to believe his beauty and wisdom made him far superior to everyone else (Ezekiel 28:17).
As vanity began to warp his mind and turn him into the devil (Ezekiel 28:15 - 18), Lucifer remembered witnessing firsthand the obedience and worship God received. After deciding that all he had was not enough, his vanity drove him to lust after the one thing he now firmly believed he deserved but did not have.
* Lusting to be Deity *
Lucifer's perverted thinking not only destroyed whatever righteous character he possessed it also rendered his mind unrepairable. Turning himself into Satan the devil, he now sought to overthrow God and force the universe to worship and obey him alone!
"I (the devil) will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High." (Isaiah 14:14, HBFV).
His attempt, however, to overthrow God with his new army of deceived angels failed miserably (Luke 10:18, Revelation 12:4). Although punished by being mostly constrained to the earth (Job 1:7, 2:2), he continued his never-ending pursuit of being worshiped.
* How Bad Does He Want It? *
The devil's greatest temptation of Jesus offered all he had if only Christ worshiped him (Matthew 4:8 - 9). In the near future he will a second time lead a failed attempt to storm heaven and depose God (Revelation 12:7 - 12). He will then take advantage of a brief window of time (42 months, Revelation 12:12, 13:4 - 5) to deceive, unhindered, the entire world to worship him.
"And he (the End Time Beast) was given power to make war against the saints, and to overcome them; and he was given authority over every tribe and language and nation. And all who dwell on the earth will worship him . . . " (Revelation 13:7 - 8, HBFV).
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