Satan Was Never Lucifer

Question
Where does the Bible speak of the fall of the perfect angel Lucifer, who becomes or is Satan?
Answer
Actually, the Bible doesn't mention this. Some theologians have thought that Isaiah 14 relates the story of the fall of Lucifer, but it does not. The chapter is really about the human king of Babylon, and it uses metaphoric language that calls the king "the morning star" (Isa. 14:12), which is the planet Venus. Lucifer is Latin for "morning star" (as in the Latin Vulgate at Isa. 14:12). Because of the misinterpretation of Isaiah 14, lucifer came to be associated with Satan, and to be used as his name. The Bible itself does not teach anything specific about Satan's fall, nor does it ever call him "Lucifer." It does call Jesus the "morning star" (Rev. 22:16), and in 2 Peter 1:19 the Latin Vulgate speaks of lucifer arising in the hearts of believers.

Answer by Ra McLaughlin

Ra McLaughlin is Vice President of Finance and Administration at Third Millennium Ministries.