Temple Baptist Church - 8-31-2025
Isaiah 14:12-16; Ezekiel 28:11-19
A. Hamartiology is derived from two words in Greek: hamartía, Greek: ἁμαρτία – to miss the mark, and logos, which means “word”— the study of sin. These messages will contain a lot of information. If you want my messages in their entirety, send me your email address at pastorjohnston@gmail.com and I will gladly add you to my sermon list.
1. The word “hamartia” (more accurately hamartía, Greek: ἁμαρτία) is a fundamental term in the New Testament. It is the most common Greek word translated into English as “sin” in the King James Bible.
2. In the Theological sense, it means to miss the mark, to fail, or to err concerning God’s laws and standards. Sin is found in the rebellion of mankind against God, whether by omission (not doing what is right) or commission (doing that which we know is wrong).
B. Today, I want to look at the Origin of sin and its results. When sermonizing sin, we must find its beginning and work from there.
1. I do not want to spend a lot of time on Angelology, but to understand the origin of sin, we must look a Lucifer.
1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
2. Sin did not originate on earth. It originated in heaven; therefore, we must look into Angelology to a degree in order to understand sin’s origin and originator.
C. The Person of Lucifer. Lucifer – “light bearer” – “son of the morning” – a created being referred to as “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.”
1. As to the time of Lucifer’s creation, we are not sure, but I believe that it was around the time of creation, as the Bible says, “In the beginning God created!” This expresses the thought that there was nothing created before creation. We do know that Lucifer’s sin took place after creation because he walked in Eden, the garden of God, before his sin.
Ezekiel 28:13a Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God
2. Lucifer was created as a Cherubim. Cherubims are different from angels in general, as they were specifically designed for a specific work. They are the defenders of the holiness of God.
D. The importance and work of angels.
1. There are different types of heavenly creatures mentioned in the Bible. I will start at the bottom. I will be general in my terms.
a). Angels in general. They are servants of God who do multiple things. 1) Angels were created to glorify God 2) Angels serve God’s people 3) Angels execute God’s commands 4) Angels deliver God’s messages 5) Angels protect believers 6) Angels accompanied Christ in His earthly ministry 7) Angels will participate in the final judgment. 8) Angels are never the center of attention but always point back to the greatness of God.
b) Seraphim (to burn or be on fire) are mentioned only twice in Isiah but are the Living Creatures found in other places in the Bible – 1) Seraphim dwell in God’s immediate presence 2) Saraphim proclaim and magnify His holiness 3) Saraphim model reverence and humility before God 4) Seraphim serve in God’s work of cleansing and preparing His messengers 5) Seraphim assist in the unfolding of God’s will in heaven and earth.
c) Cherubim - 1) Cherubim guard the holiness of God 2) Cherubim bear the throne and glory of God 3) Cherubim symbolize God’s presence in worship 4) Cherubim reflect God’s attributes of God in creation 5) Cherubim exalt the holiness and sovereignty of the God.
d) Three Special Angels:
1a) Michael the Archangel protects God’s people, especially Israel 2)Michael will lead angelic armies in battle against Satan 3) Michael is the leader among the angels 4) Michael will deliver Israel in the end-time.
2a) Gabriel the Messenger - 1) Gabriel delivers God’s word as His messenger 2) Gabriel interprets prophecy and give understanding 3) Gabriel announced God’s plan of salvation in Christ 4) Gabriel represents God’s presence as His envoy 5) Gabriel brings good news of hope and redemption.
3a) Lucifer (The Cherubim) – “Light Bearer” – “The Anointed Cherub that Covereth” “The Defender of the Holiness of God!”
1b) Cherubims protected the Tree of Life after Adam’s fall. Genesis 3:24 – After Adam and Eve sinned, God placed cherubim at the east of the Garden of Eden, with a flaming sword, to guard the way to the tree of life.
2b) Cherubims protected the Mercy Seat where God spoke to man. Exodus 25:18–22 – God commanded two golden cherubim to be placed upon the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant. God said: “there I will meet with thee…from between the two cherubims.”
3b) Lucifer had a special task to perform as he walked in Eden, the Garden of God. The only thing in Eden that needed to be protected was the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil!
E. Lucifer (“light-bearer”) was created as a perfect, exalted cherub before his rebellion.
Ezekiel 28:11-19 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, (12) Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, 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.
1. “Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.” (v. 12)
2. “Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God…” (v. 13)
3. “Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth…” (v. 14)
4. “Thou wast perfect in thy ways… till iniquity was found in thee.” (v. 15)
1. The Sin of Lucifer.
Ezekiel 28:15-16a 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:
a. Isaiah 14 lists the “I wills” of Lucifer.
Isaiah 14:12-16 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.
1) “I will ascend into heaven.”
2) “I will exalt my throne above the stars of God.”
3) “I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation.”
4) “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds.”
4) “I will be like the most High.”
b. His sin was pride and a desire to usurp God’s throne (1 Timothy 3:6 warns against “the condemnation of the devil”).
1 Timothy 3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
This verse does not mean that the devil condemns, it is saying that the same pride that we have is what condemns us just as it did Lucifer! Pride elevates the self above God and, therefore, causes us to place ourselves in the place of God. Therefore equal with God.
2. The De-Elevation of Lucifer.
Ezekiel 28:16b-19 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.”
a. These verses are both present tense practically and future tense in their prophecy.
b. By practical, the Bible speaks of Satan now. Satan means adversary or accuser—Devil – the supreme spirit of evil. Though he does not hold his previous position as the “anointed Cherub that covereth,” he still has access to the throne of God as the accuser of the brethren, as well as access to the earth.
Job 1:6-7 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. (7) And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
Satan is given many titles in the Bible describing his character and work:
Satan – “adversary” (Job 1:6; Zechariah 3:1).
Lucifer – “light-bearer” before his fall (Isaiah 14:12).
Devil – “slanderer” (Matthew 4:1).
Serpent – deceiver in Eden (Genesis 3:1; Revelation 12:9).
Dragon – symbol of destructive power (Revelation 12:3, 9).
Prince of this world (John 12:31).
God of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4).
Prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2).
Accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10).
Tempter (Matthew 4:3).
Wicked one (Matthew 13:19).
Angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14 – he disguises himself).
c. By prophetic, the Bible speaks of a future time when Satan will be “cast … to the ground … will lay thee before kings … will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee … and never shalt thou be any more.”
1) Cast down. Revelation 12:7-12 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, (8) And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. (9) And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. (10) And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. (11) And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (12) Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
2) Laid before kings. Cast into the bottomless pit. Revelation 20:1-3 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. (2) And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, (3) And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
3) Destroyed forever. Finally cast into the lake of fire forever. Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
3. The Hatred of Lucifer.
a. Satan hates God.
1) He opposes God’s plan (Isaiah 14:13–14).
2) He counterfeits God’s works (2 Thessalonians 2:9).
b. Satan hates Christ.
1) Tempted Christ in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1–11).
2) Entered Judas to betray Him (Luke 22:3).
c. Satan hates Believers.
1) Accuses (Revelation 12:10).
2) Tempts (1 Thessalonians 3:5).
3) Deceives (2 Corinthians 11:3).
4) Devours (1 Peter 5:8).
5) Sows tares (Matthew 13:39).
6) Hinders the work of God’s servants (1 Thessalonians 2:18).
d. Satan hates the World
1) Blinds the minds of the lost (2 Corinthians 4:4).
2) Works in the children of disobedience (Ephesians 2:2).
3) Controls kingdoms of this world (Luke 4:5–7).
4. The Serpent. Not to surmise a little but I believe that this must have happened.
a. The very thing that Lucifer was to protect because the object of his attack on all that God loved.
b. As we know that Lucifer walked in Eden, the Garden of God, he must have personally picked the serpent to do his dirty work. The body was a serpent, but the voice was one of Satan!
c. “Yea, hath God said?” The temptation of Eve, the deception of Eve, led to the sin of Adam, which led to Romans 5:12!
Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Conclusion: Lucifer – Satan – the Devil – is the epitome of sin incarnate as he used his time in God’s Garden of Eden to influence the serpent to entice Eve!
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