Satan Described in Ezekiel

The clearest description of Satan, the devil or the dragon is found in Ezekiel chapter 28. Ezekiel was given remarkable visions by the Lord. It is through Ezekiel that we are given the description of the Millennial Temple and Kingdom (chapters 40-47). In chapter 8 Ezekiel, who was taken to Babylon before the destruction of the Temple, describes sitting in his house in Babylon and being snatched up by the Holy Spirit and taken to Jerusalem to see what was going on there. This is the very same process the Holy Spirit will use when the Church is “snatched up” at the call of the Lord Jesus.

Chapter 28 is ostensibly about Tyre, an enemy of Judah. Verses 1 through 5 speak of the prince of Tyre, and verse 2 points out that this prince is a man and not God. However, beginning in Ezekiel 28:11, the Lord gave the prophet a word about the king of Tyre. This is an entirely separate and different being.

This being is described as being full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. He had been in Eden, the garden of God. We know him as Satan, which means the adversary. His raiment was precious stones. Satan, a created being, was an anointed guardian. He had walked on the holy mountain of God and in the midst of the “stones of fire.” Because of the “fiery stones” I believe this Eden and “holy mountain of God” were in Heaven, the spiritual realm.

The Lord said that Satan was the “anointed cherub that covereth.” (verse 14) The word “covereth” is cakak in Hebrew, and means “protector.” Many Bible scholars believe that Satan was one of the guardian living creatures around the throne of God. (Ezekiel 1:5, Revelation 4:6) Satan would have been the fifth guardian, which may explain why the number five so frequently applies to him. Picture the symbol of Satan worship, the pentagram, a five-pointed star. Also, the Fifth Seal of Revelation 6:9 is about the victims of Satan, Christian martyrs. The Fifth Trumpet is about demonic beings from the abyss (Revelation 9:1) and the Fifth Vial or Bowl is poured on the throne of Satan’s representative, the Beast (Revelation 16:10).

And then we find that Satan was perfect in his ways from the time he was created until iniquity was found in him. His “heart was lifted up,” he was proud because of his beauty. (Ezekiel 28:17) Pride is a sin. We must all watch out for that sin.

Satan rebelled against the Lord. In Isaiah 14:12-15 are recorded five statements made by Satan. They conclude with “I will be like the most High.” Satan seeks to usurp the Most High God. This explains why Satan hates mankind. We are made in the image of God. Satan hates God, and we are in the image of God, so he hates us. Satan, which means the accuser or the slanderer, is also described as the devil.

Satan is a powerful spiritual being. But he is a created being and cannot surpass the power of our Heavenly Father. His end is described in Ezekiel 28:17; “I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.” Praise the Lord for His great might and power. And praise His name for His mercy and grace toward us.

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