Satan Cast from Heaven

Q: Where in the Scriptures can we find the account of when Lucifer was cast out of Heaven?

A: Jesus said (Luke 10:18), “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven,” when the large band of disciples returned with their accounts of the demons’ submitting. It seems that this is anticipation of what would happen as a result of his death, resurrection, and ascension (Revelation 12), where the “lady” (Mary/the Church) bears the Child (Christ) who then ascends and precipitates Satan’s being finally driven out from heaven.

A new commentary on Revelation by Dr. Louis Brighton argues rather convincingly that until this time, Satan had the same access to the heavenly presence of God as he did at the time of Job, but that since that time, and because of the atoning sacrifice of Christ, he can no longer accuse (which is what “Satan” means) the saints of any guilt before God.

Scripture quoted from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version™, © 2001 by Crossway Bibles.

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Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and coauthor of the book What Do Lutherans Believe.