Satan was not thrown out of heaven until after this earth was created. Jesus remarked, “I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.” (Luke 10:18) Similarly, John’s revelation records that Satan “which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” (Revelation 12:9) From this we know that Satan was not cast out until after the creation of this earth had prepared a place into which Satan could be cast.
Several of the astronauts who walked on the moon during the Apollo project reported having deeply spiritual experiences when they left the earth. One of them became a full-time minister.
C.S. Lewis wrote a science fiction trilogy in which the first volume titled “Out of the Silent Planet
“Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea: for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” (Revelation 12:12)
I often wondered exactly when Satan had to make his exit.
I think *if* or because he took part in the Creation, that’s where his ego helped get the best of him, and why he later found himself in the Garden- claiming it to be “his kingdom”.
It’s like the guy doesn’t accept HF’s Will, doesn’t know HF’s mind, but figures out parts it out later and then tries to thwart man’s progression w different techniques.
However, man can check Satan every time, if he is in constant tune w Divine revelation and inspiration from Heaven when he lives his life accordingly.
It will never stop Satan’s attempts, but we can be fortified against his techniques and methods -and read them a mile a way.
Great insights in both of these! Thanks. “Out of the Silent Planet” and that whole trilogy is one of my most favorite things that C.S. Lewis ever wrote.
Why does Satan appear in the Garden to Adam and Eve as a snake? The serpent is a symbol of Christ in both the Old Testament w/ Moses, and the Book of Mormon referring to the same. And then there’s all the references to Christ as the “feathered serpent”, Quezacotl, etc. Was Satan trying to imitate Christ? We are also told to be “wise as serpents”. I’m sure there’s more to all this than I’m seeing. Can you add more insights for us please.
I’ve written about this subject in Come, Let Us Adore Him.
Almost all false teachings originating from Satan turn him into God, and God into him. The great metaphysical god of Christianity, Judaism and Islam is bodiless, spirit, non-corporeal, etc. This is Satan.
He imitates, he destroys, he burdens and enslaves. God creates, originates and liberates. Those who are deceived by Satan bind others, put burdens upon them, enslave them. Those who follow God preach liberty and open the chains binding mankind.
I believe that C.S.Lewis probably had a NDE himself, as his writings describe things that I’ve heard no other person describe except those who’ve actually seen it in an NDE. He describes “singing waters” and many colors not visible in our spectrum, etc. His having an NDE doesn’t have to be the case, but it certainly makes lots of his insights make sense. And he lived at a time when talking about NDE’s was unacceptable. (See “The Great Divorce” by C.S. Lewis.)