Many people consider the Fall in the Garden of Eden to be the “original sin.” While Adam and Eve’s disobedience to God may be the original sin of mankind, the Bible tells us about another instance of sin that most likely occurred beforehand. In chapter 14 of the book of Isaiah, we’re given a very clear picture of the true original sin—the pride of Lucifer, a.k.a. Satan or the adversary, wanting to be like God. 

“How you are fallen from heaven,
O Lucifer, son of the morning!
How you are cut down to the ground,
You who weakened the nations!
For you have said in your heart:
‘I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
On the farthest sides of the north;
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High.’
Isaiah 14:12-14

Let’s look at each of the five “I will” statements of Satan in these verses and discover how these things that Satan sinfully desired for himself actually belong to Jesus and to those who put their faith in Him.

1. I will ascend into heaven

Satan wanted to ascend into heaven, yet in Isaiah 14:12, we see that the opposite is actually what happened. He was already in heaven as an anointed cherub (Ezekiel 28:14-16) and because of his sin, he fell from heaven. Jesus told His disciples that He saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven (Luke 10:18). The book of Revelation also describes Satan being fully cast out of heaven (Revelation 12:9).

Satan did not ascend into heaven, but Jesus did. 

So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. Mark 16:19

Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. Luke 24:51

Not only did Jesus ascend into heaven, but He promised that one day He’d return to take believers to be with Him there.

I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:2b-3

2. I will exalt my throne above the stars of God

Satan wanted his throne to be exalted above the stars of God. The “stars” could mean the literal stars above the earth or “stars” could mean angels (Job 38:7, Revelation 1:20). Either way, Satan wanted to exalt his throne high above everything else. The Bible speaks about Satan’s throne and it isn’t above the stars. In His letter to the church of Pergamos, Jesus says, “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is” (Revelation 2:13a). In a later chapter of Revelation, Satan gives his throne to the beast (Revelation 13:2).

Satan’s temporary throne is here on earth, not above the stars. One day, his throne will cease to exist entirely (Revelation 20:10). The throne of Jesus is eternal and in heaven. In fact, the earth which is currently Satan’s throne, is a footstool to Jesus.

Thus says the Lord, “Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool.” Isaiah 66:1a

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.” Matthew 25:31

But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.” Hebrews 1:8

In His amazing love and mercy, Jesus promises believers that we will be granted the privilege to sit on His throne with Him.

To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. Revelation 3:21

 

3. I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north

Satan wanted to sit over the divine congregation on the holy mountain of God (Psalm 48:1-2). Satan had been on the holy mountain of God (Ezekiel 28:14). In the Bible, we read that Satan still has access to the divine congregation and the presence of God (Job 1:6-12, 2:1-7, Zechariah 3:1-2) and that he accuses believers before God day and night (Revelation 12:10). While Satan may still have access, he isn’t the one sitting as judge. God is Judge over the divine congregation.

God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods. Psalm 82:1

Jesus has also been given authority to judge.

For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. John 5:26-27

Believers are not to judge (Matthew 7:1-2, Luke 6:37, Romans 2:1-3, James 4:11-12). We will, however, sit with God, Jesus, and the congregation on the holy mountain of the New Jerusalem.

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant. Hebrews 12:22-24a

4. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds 

Satan wanted to ascend above the clouds. Earlier, we learned that Satan did not ascend into heaven. Well, he didn’t ascend above the clouds either. Throughout the Bible, clouds often represent God’s presence (Exodus 13:21, 16:10, 19:19, 40:34, Leviticus 16:2, Numbers 16:22, 1 Kings 8:10-11, Matthew 17:5, Mark 9:7, Luke 9:34-35). Therefore, Satan really wanted to ascend above God. But God is the One who is above the clouds.

The Lord has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet. Nahum 1:3b

After His resurrection and spending time with His disciples, Jesus ascended into heaven, above the clouds.

Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven. Acts 1:9,11b

One day, Jesus will come in the clouds and believers will meet Him in the clouds to always be with Him.

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.  1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

5. I will be like the Most High

Now we get to the “I will” statement that sums up everything. Satan wanted to be like the Most High. Satan is a created being. God, the Creator of everything including Satan, is the only One who can claim the title of Most High.

The Lord thundered from heaven, and the Most High uttered His voice. 2 Samuel 22:14

For the Lord Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth. Psalm 47:2

Jesus is also God and therefore, He is the Most High.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

I and My Father are one. John 10:30

As for mankind, we are created beings just like Satan is a created being. Isn’t it interesting that what Satan wanted most yet couldn’t have, is the very thing he used to tempt Eve in the Garden of Eden leading to mankind’s original sin? 

Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5

The sad part is that Adam and Eve were, in a way, already like the Most High as they had been made in His image.

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:27

Satan could never and will never be like God. Since he can’t get what he wants, he doesn’t want anyone else to get it either. But as believers, we’re given a beautiful promise that when Jesus returns, we shall be changed to be like Him.

Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 1 John 3:2

And one last piece of good news, there’s another promise given to believers about what will happen to Satan.

And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. Romans 16:20

To learn more about how to live in modern-day Babylon (Satan's playground), of this earth, join us at our first Rooted Conference in Phoenix, AZ. Click to learn more info. 

Related resources

Free resources:

Podcast episode 94 - The Spirit of Fear + Finding True Freedom in Christ with Mitch Griffin

Blog post by Amy (@eyesontheright4.0) - Pride Comes Before the Fall

Exclusive resources in The Rooted Truth Collective:

Podcast episode - Know Your Enemy Part 4 - Lucifer