WHO IS LUCIFER?

*[[Isa 14:12]] KJV* How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

One key rule in Bible study is Contextual reading. We must understand that scripture was not originally written in chapters and verses. Translators, however, later introduced chapters and verses for easy referencing. Hence it is important not to look at verses in isolation but in the context of the chapter and, in some cases, that particular book must be taken into consideration as a whole.

However, when a verse is taken out of its context, it can be misinterpreted to mean something the author never intended. One typical example is our opening verse. This verse has been taken out of its context to propagate the idea of an angel who rebelled in heaven and was later cast onto the Earth. While many have argued that Lucifer is a fallen angel, i want to help you see the verse in its right context and you'll know who Lucifer truly is.

To grasp the whole story, we need to go to the thirteenth chapter of Isaiah where it all began. It opens with the subject of the prophecy - Babylon...
*[[Isa 13:1]] BBE* The word of the Lord about Babylon which Isaiah, the son of Amoz, saw.

In this chapter Babylon is referred to as as the glorious kingdom at that time...*[[Isa 13:19]] BBE* And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beautiful town which is the pride of the Chaldaeans,...

It was rightly so because Babylon was the super power of the time. Babylon had conquered and subdued the nations and made them his subjects. He killed the kings of the nations and took their people captives. At the time of writing, Israel was in captivity in Babylon. That was when they sang this Psalm... *[[Psa 137:1]] BBE* By the rivers of Babylon we were seated, weeping at the memory of Zion,

It's against this backdrop that Isaiah received a message concerning the destruction of Babylon by the Medes and the subsequent liberation of Israel.
*[[Isa 13:17]] KJ2000* Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, who shall not regard silver; and as for gold, they shall not delight in it.
*[[Isa 14:1]] KJ2000* For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cling to the house of Jacob.

When this prophecy is fulfilled, Israel is supposed to taunt Babylon and his king with a song or poem because of how great the fall of Babylon was going to be. (Isaiah 14:4). Here, Babylon is called the golden city because he levied heavy taxes on the nations hence it was enriched by extorting from his subjects.

So great was the oppression of the nations that they feared to speak out against Babylon. But this fall was going to cause the oppressed nations burst into singing and even the trees - cedars of Lebanon - were going to rejoice because the king of Babylon would no more cut them for construction. (14:7-8)

In verse 9, the King James translation says "Hell from beneath... ". But that is an inaccurate translation of the Hebrew word 'Sheol'. It's supposed to be translated as 'grave'. So cruel was the king of Babylon to the living that it's said that the grave even rejoiced to have him. That the grave even woke up the kings of the nations who had been killed by the king of Babylon so they could also mock him. He so exalted himself as though he was immortal. Hence worms were going to feed on his remains to prove that he was mortal and powerless like all the kings he had killed. (14:9-11)

In his majesty, the king of Babylon is called Lucifer which simply means 'a light bringer'. Of course, he was the light that all the kings and princes of the world looked up to and aspired to be. He lived above all men. A lifestyle that many could only dream of. Hence he was seen to be in 'Heaven' - a height he was going to fall from (14:12).

When in verse 13, the king of Babylon said he was going to set his throne above the stars of God, we need to understand that he was referring to Israel. For Israel was made up of 12 tribes which were descendants of the 12 sons of Jacob. The sons of Jacob are seen as the stars of God. Just as Joseph saw in his dream...
*[[Gen 37:9]] KJV* And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.

But ruling over Israel was not sufficient for this king. He mocked their God by presenting himself as the 'great king' who is enthroned above their place of worship - Zion.  For the mountain of congregation that the king spoke of was Zion which was situated on the side of the north as David said in Psalms... *[[Psa 48:2]] KJV* Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

His disgrace, even in death, is depicted by the fact that he was not going to have a proper burial as a contrast to the kings of the nations who had glory even in death with their decorated tombs as proof. (14:18-20)

In order to ensure that the mindset or cruelty of this king ended with him, none of his sons or relative would live to succeed him. They would be slaughtered. Every one of them (14:21-22).

I believe by now you should be convinced that Lucifer is not a spirit being but a human being.

"But brother Afriyie, who exactly is this Lucifer?". I'm glad you asked. The king of Babylon referred to as Lucifer was the son of King Nebuchadnezzar called Belshazzar.

Daniel who was also among the captives in Babylon tells us how Belshazzar mocked the God of Israel by presenting himself as God when he and his lords, wives and concubine drank from the vessels that his father had taken from the temple at Jerusalem.

*[[Dan 5:2]] KJV* Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein. That was when the writing appeared on the wall.

Just as Isaiah prophesied, Belshazzar was slain and was the last of the lineage of Nebuchadnezzar who ruled Babylon because the Medes took over Babylon...

*[[Dan 5:30-31/KJV]]* 30. In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. 31. And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.

Beloved, it's high time we started studying the scriptures for ourselves and not just accept any teaching just because it is coming from our favourite pastor or author. You are a king and it is the glory of kings to search into matters. If we don't study now, we might realize rather too late that we have lived with a lie all our lives. This teaching of Lucifer being an adversary we need to contend with in spiritual warfare has held many in bondage. But the truth is what will bring liberation. Selah!!!

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