From the Bible we have some concrete verses that testify about the rebellion in Heaven and about Lucifer’s fall, and the reason for his apostasy. But we also have some details indirectly explained in the events of certain rebellions in Israel’s history. These rebellions typologically portray the first great rebellion in Heaven, and they reveal to us the main points of the rebellion, so that the picture becomes clearer for us.
Lucifer’s Rebellion
12 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!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Satan or Lucifer, that is, the Light-bearer, was cast down to earth because in his heart he wanted to be like the Most High, and that in the Bible is always God the Father. He wanted to sit on the mount of the congregation in the far north. The mount of the congregation in the far north is described in the Bible as an image of Zion and the Heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the Great King (Psalm 48:2, Hebrews 12:22). As Lucifer, Satan did not sit on that mount of the congregation in the far north. On the mount of the congregation sat the Father and His Son on the throne. Lucifer wanted to sit on God’s throne in the heights, above the stars of God, which are the heavenly angels.
12b …Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.
13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.
14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.
16 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.
17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.
18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.
19 All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.
Lucifer was appointed by the Father to be the covering cherub. He was on the holy mountain of God, but he did not sit on the throne. When he desired to sit on the mount of the congregation in the far north, then iniquity appeared in his heart. Here we see a description of what Satan’s sin was. He wanted to be equal to God, like the Most High. Until then he had been perfect in his ways. Satan’s heart was lifted up because of his beauty. We also see that at one point Lucifer was filled with violence. In his heart he wanted to forcibly overthrow Christ, physically, and take His position of equality with the Father. We will see this further in our study. In Revelation 12 we see that war arose in Heaven and that Lucifer fought with his angels against Christ and His angels. We see that Satan led one third of the angels with him in his rebellion and fall.
The casting out of Satan from Heaven, or from the Mountain of God, happened before Jesus’s life on Earth. By man’s fall into sin, Satan gained Adam’s authority over the Earth, and became the prince of this world. With this he had renewed access to the heavenly courts as the representative of this world. We see this in Job, in the first and second chapters.
In Israel’s history there are various rebellions that reflect certain details of Lucifer’s rebellion that happened in Heaven. They typologically show us what happened in Heaven. Since the same spirit incited these rebellions, in principle we see a reflection of the rebellion that was in Heaven. It was always about the structure or order of rule, and the struggle for the highest authority.
The first of these is Absalom’s rebellion. Absalom was David’s son. First we read this event, in 2 Samuel 15.
Absalom’s rebellion
25 But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.
1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
2 And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.
3 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
4 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!
5 And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.
6 And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
7 And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron.
8 For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.
9 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.
10 But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.
11 And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.
12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
13 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.
Absalom knew that Solomon was the legitimate, God-chosen heir to David’s throne. This is a picture of how Christ sits at the right hand of the Father, on the Father’s throne. Despite this, in his heart he desired to be the one who would have the highest authority. To achieve this, he knew there was only one way. He needed to win the hearts of the Israelites for himself, so that the Israelites themselves would desire him as their king (here his beauty also had a convincing influence). This is a picture of Lucifer, and his desire and rebellion. Although it was known in Israel that Solomon was the heir to the throne, Absalom concealed this fact. He would win the hearts of the Israelites by sitting before the city gates and listening to everyone who had any dispute, hearing their case and saying “Oh that I were made judge in the land,” then they would all receive their justice. He did this secretly behind the backs of King David and Solomon. Thus Absalom stole the hearts of the Israelites. After he left the king’s presence, in Hebron through deception, Absalom proclaimed himself ruler. It was a strong conspiracy, because the people increasingly sided with Absalom. In the end, Absalom was driven out of the city and, after conflict, died.
In this event we have a picture of Lucifer’s rebellion in Heaven. Every picture is a shadow of reality and is not in all details an exact description of the reality that will happen in the future or happened in the past. In Israel’s rebellions we see some main pattern matching features of the rebellion in Heaven.
Lucifer knew that Christ was the legitimate Heir, the only one who is equal with God. Despite this, in his heart he desired to be equal with God, and for Christ to be subject to him, just as Absalom wanted this for Solomon. To achieve this, he knew there was only one way. He needed to win the hearts of the angels for himself, so that the angels themselves would desire him as their ruler. Although the angels knew the order in Heaven, that only God’s Son is equal with God and sits on the Father’s throne, Lucifer concealed this fact. He would win the hearts of the angels by offering a different rule that would give them a more exalted right than what they currently possessed. He did this secretly behind the backs of God and His Son. Thus Lucifer stole the hearts of the angels. After he left God’s presence, he raised a rebellion against God’s order and authority. He won many to his side who agreed with his rebellion. But in the end, they were all cast out of Heaven, after physical conflict.
Adonijah’s Rebellion
The second rebellion that gives us additional details is Adonijah’s rebellion. Adonijah was also one of David’s sons. At one point he too became proud and desired to become king and rule on the throne, unlawfully instead of Solomon. Solomon was the one who was the legitimate heir to the throne. We read in 1 Kings chapter 1:
5 Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.
6 And his father had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? and he also was a very goodly man; and his mother bare him after Absalom.
7 And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him.
8 But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.
9 And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by En-rogel, and called all his brethren the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah the king’s servants:
10 But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.
11 Wherefore Nathan spake unto Bath-sheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth it not?
12 Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon.
13 Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign?
14 Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and confirm thy words.
15 And Bath-sheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king.
16 And Bath-sheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou?
17 And she said unto him, My lord, thou swarest by the LORD thy God unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne.
18 And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and now, my lord the king, thou knowest it not:
19 And he hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called.
20 And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.
21 Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders.
22 And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in.
23 And they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.
24 And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne?
25 For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king’s sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah.
26 But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called.
27 Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not shewed it unto thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?
28 Then king David answered and said, Call me Bath-sheba. And she came into the king’s presence, and stood before the king.
29 And the king sware, and said, As the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress,
30 Even as I sware unto thee by the LORD God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day.
31 Then Bath-sheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever.
32 And king David said, Call me Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the king.
33 The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon:
34 And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon.
35 Then ye shall come up after him, that he may come and sit upon my throne; for he shall be king in my stead: and I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah.
36 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said, Amen: the LORD God of my lord the king say so too.
37 As the LORD hath been with my lord the king, even so be he with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord king David.
38 So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David’s mule, and brought him to Gihon.
39 And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon.
40 And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them.
Adonijah knew that Solomon was the legitimate, God-chosen heir to David’s throne. This is a picture of Christ, who sits on the Father’s throne, at the right hand of the Father. Despite this, in his heart he desired to be king. To achieve this, he knew there was only one way. He needed to win the hearts of the Israelites for himself, convince them that he was suitable to be their ruler (here his beauty also had a convincing influence), so that the Israelites themselves would desire him as their king. Although it was known in Israel that Solomon was the heir to the throne, Adonijah concealed this fact through his actions. He would subtly win Israel’s favor by presenting himself in his magnificence. The success of the rebellion depended on the consent of important and influential people in Israel. With the consent of influential and respected people, he wanted to create a false image that he was the one who was the legitimate heir to the kingdom, and thus everyone should accept him as king of Israel, instead of Solomon. Many influential people sided with Adonijah and said publicly “God save king Adonijah.” This matter was presented to the king by certain faithful people in David’s kingdom. Then King David decided to publicly announce again that Solomon was his legitimate heir, although this was already known from before, and he did this by placing him on his throne, publicly with great honors and celebration before all Jerusalem. Thus Adonijah’s rebellion was suppressed, because David again clearly and unambiguously declared that Solomon was his heir.
As in other pictures, the description of the events of Adonijah’s rebellion pattern match Lucifer’s rebellion in Heaven in some important features.
Lucifer knew that Christ was the legitimate Heir, the only one who is equal with God. Despite this, in his heart he desired to be equal with God, and for Christ to be subject to him. To achieve this, he knew there was only one way. He needed to win the hearts of the angels for himself, so that the angels themselves would desire him as their ruler. Although the angels knew the order in Heaven, that only God’s Son is equal with God, the One who sits on His throne, Lucifer concealed this fact. He would subtly win the angels’ favor by presenting himself in his greatness, power and glory, which he had because God had created him as such. The success of his rebellion depended on the consent of high-ranking angels, as well as the greatest possible number of angels. With the consent of high-ranking angels he wanted to create a false image among the angels that he was the one who should be equal with God, instead of Christ. Many angels publicly and openly sided with Lucifer, saying that it was right for Lucifer to be placed on the Throne. This matter was presented to God by some faithful angels. Then God made a great assembly of angels where in the presence of all the inhabitants of Heaven He declared that Christ is His only begotten Son, the Only One who can sit with Him on His throne, and who is equal to Him, and that His Son should be obeyed equally as Himself. Thus Satan’s rebellion was suppressed, and all Heaven gave glory to God and His Son.
Korah’s Rebellion
The last rebellion we will study, and which depicts Lucifer’s rebellion in Heaven, is Korah’s rebellion. We read in Numbers chapter 16:
1 Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:
2 And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:
3 And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?
4 And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face:
5 And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.
6 This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company;
7 And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.
8 And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi:
9 Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?
10 And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also?
11 For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the LORD: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?
12 And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up:
13 Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us?
14 Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.
15 And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.
16 And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the LORD, thou, and they, and Aaron, to morrow:
17 And take every man his censer, and put incense in them, and bring ye before the LORD every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers; thou also, and Aaron, each of you his censer.
18 And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron.
19 And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation.
Several influential people in Israel, headed by Korah, a Levite, together with a large group of princes of the assembly, notable men, rebelled against Moses and Aaron. They were not satisfied with their subordinate position before Moses and Aaron, who was the high priest, a picture of Christ. Moses was also a picture of Christ, in a special way. Although they all knew well that Aaron was the one whom God had appointed for the people to approach God through him, they considered themselves equally holy and worthy of the same position. They thought they had been wronged by Aaron being placed over them, and that they did not need someone who would be above them. They said “all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?” Then Moses announced a great assembly with God, when God would show Aaron’s true position, in contrast to theirs, in the presence of the entire community. Then Moses said to Korah: “Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi: Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them? And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also? For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the LORD: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?” This was a picture of Lucifer, the position that Korah and other rebellious Levites had, because he stood in God’s immediate presence, before all the angels, in holy service to God. But Aaron is a picture of Christ, who alone has direct access to God. Then the next day they all gathered at God’s Tabernacle, before the Lord, so that the Lord would show whom He had chosen to approach Him. Then God declared that it was Aaron, and the rebellious and all who stood with them, He removed from the community.
In certain segments this event reflects some details of the rebellion in Heaven.
The rebellious angels, of high positions, headed by Lucifer, rebelled against Christ. They were not satisfied with their position, and they wanted Christ’s position, of the One who approaches God for them and conveys the Father’s will to them. They were not satisfied with their subordinate position before Christ. Although they all knew well that the Son of God was the one whom God had appointed to convey all of God’s intentions through Him, they considered themselves equally holy and worthy, that they did not need such a Master. They thought they had been wronged by Christ being placed over them, and that they did not need someone who would be above them. In this way they fought against God’s government and order in Heaven, which God had established. Faithful angels debated with the rebellious angels, as Moses spoke with Korah and his company, and with powerful arguments and reasoning convinced them that they had a high position of honor in God’s courts with which they should be satisfied. Why were they now rebelling against the Son’s authority, seeking freedom from Christ’s commandment. Then God again called an assembly, where in the presence of all the angels He showed the true position of His Son, in contrast to theirs. God again declared that He was the one who had established the order in Heaven, and that all were obligated to acknowledge the authority of His Son. He decided to draw a line, so that each individual angel’s case would be decided. Then the rebellious and all who stood with them, He removed from the Heavenly community.
With this we have seen where in the Bible, through typological pictures, the rebellion in Heaven is described. We have also seen this in previous studies in the Spirit of Prophecy.