Quiz: On God, the Creator and Provider

Satan and the demons were cast out of heaven due to their opposition to God. One of the finest among the once-radiant angels, Lucifer (the Morning Star), grew proud of his perfections. This pride became the driving force behind his apostasy from God. He subsequently led astray a multitude of other luminous angels. While Genesis, in its account of creation, remains silent regarding the fall of these spirits, the Book of Isaiah contains a passage that the Church Fathers universally applied to this event. In this text, the prophet addresses his proclamation ostensibly to the King of Babylon, yet simultaneously—and more profoundly—to the one who stands behind that king: the devil. Here is the passage: “Your pomp has been brought down to Sheol, along with the noise of your harps. Maggots are spread out beneath you, and worms cover you. How you have fallen from heaven, O Morning Star [Lucifer], son of the dawn!” (Is. 14:11-12). This passage substantiates the patristic consensus that the devil’s fall resulted from pride.