Origen, one of the Church Fathers, believed that the following verses primarily refer to Lucifer. In today’s YouTube video, Rudy Ross and Bruce Kirby agree with Origen, acknowledging the spirit influencing the attitude and actions of the King of Tyre.
Like the evil one, the King of Tyre was abundantly blessed by the Creator.
You were the signet of perfection,
full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
You were in Eden, the garden of God;
every precious stone was your covering,
carnelian, chrysolite, and moonstone,
beryl, onyx, and jasper,
sapphire, turquoise, and emerald;
and worked in gold were your settings
and your engravings.
On the day that you were created
they were prepared. (Ezekiel 28.12-13)
Both the King of Tyre and Lucifer viewed their perfection, wisdom, and beauty as personal accomplishments rather than gifts from God.
The stones in the king’s garments resemble those found in the breastplate of the high priest who served in the temple.
It is easy to understand why church history has associated this oracle against the King of Tyre with Lucifer. The passage is filled with imagery of privilege and power.
You were a cherub;
I placed you on the holy mountain of God;
you walked among the stones of fire.
You were blameless in your ways
from the day that you were created,
until iniquity was found in you. (Ezekiel 28.14-15)
Iniquity refers to a distorted will within the inner self. When angelic or human beings twist God’s gifts into sources of pride and a desire for power, they act in opposition to God’s revealed will.
Pride drives both humans and demons to assume they can act in ways that are reserved for God alone. The Sixth Commandment states, “You shall not kill.” Since God is the giver of all life, only He has the authority to take it.
When prideful humans or evil spirits overstep their limits and take lives, they will inevitably face God’s judgment.
In the abundance of your trade
you were filled with violence, and you sinned,
so I cast you as a profane thing from the mountain of God,
and I drove you out, O guardian cherub,
from among the stones of fire.
Your heart was proud because of your beauty;
you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor.
I cast you to the ground;
I exposed you before kings,
to feast their eyes on you. (Ezekiel 28.16-17)
The King of Tyre serves as an earthly illustration of a spiritual reality. Anyone who distorts God’s gifts into privileges and uses them to oppress others with pride will ultimately face a dreadful end.
By the multitude of your iniquities,
in the unrighteousness of your trade,
you profaned your sanctuaries.
So I brought out fire from within you;
it consumed you,
and I turned you to ashes on the earth
in the sight of all who saw you.
All who know you among the peoples
are appalled at you;
you have come to a dreadful end
and shall be no more forever. (Ezekiel 28.18-19)
God’s Justice
War is a powerful example of how prideful and entitled leaders inflict harm on their own citizens as well as those of other nations.
Today, I read about massive missile strikes by Russia targeting their Ukrainian neighbors. I also learned about how the United Arab Emirates has hired South American mercenaries from Colombia to carry out their objectives in Sudan. These are among the greatest injustices in the world today.
Rulers who believe they have the right to take the lives of innocent people in other nations exhibit the same attitude as the King of Tyre and the devil himself.
On a smaller scale, daily reports of shootings in Kansas City highlight individuals who believe they have the right to take another person’s life. Though they may not realize it, their actions reflect attitudes and behaviors aligned with Satan.
These are extreme examples of the spirit of pride and entitlement. As we study today, let’s examine our own hearts to ensure that our attitudes and actions do not reflect those of the evil one.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 