Introduction: Many story plots feature a powerful and
abusive person who victimizes others. The story goes into
detail about those being abused, but then the plot turns.
The abuser loses power and the abused take over. Is there a
story like that in the Bible? How about the Book of Esther?
I think this is a type of “revenge plot.” Bible prophecy
follows that same story line. Satan serves in the throne
room of heaven, he rebels against God, widens the rebellion
to planet earth, and then tortures those in the rebellion.
However, some on earth reject Satan, and join with the God
who voluntarily left the throne room to save planet earth.
The revenge is complete when Satan is destroyed and those on
planet earth join with those in the throne room of heaven to
praise God. Let’s turn to the Bible to prove this story
plot!
I. Satan in Heaven
A. Read Ezekiel 28:12-14. Who does this describe?
(While it refers to the “King of Tyre,” no human
was both in Eden and an “appointed guardian
cherub” on the “holy mountain of God.” This seems
to refer to Satan when he served in heaven.)
1. What was special about Satan? (He was perfect
in beauty and full of wisdom. He was in the
middle of the “stones of fire.” He was a
guardian.)
2. Why make any reference to the King of Tyre? Is
this simply intended to be confusing and we
need to be diligent students? (Read
Matthew 16:21-23. The story of Peter tells us that
Satan can inspire our words. I believe there
was a King of Tyre and that his actions
reflected the inspiration of Satan. For that
reason these details apply to Satan.)
B. Read Ezekiel 28:15-16. What happened to Satan? (He
became unrighteous and profane. He sinned and
became violent. He was tossed out of heaven and no
longer lived among the stones of fire.)
1. What do you think are the stones of fire?
(Verse 13 speaks of precious stones of the
kind we know today. My guess is that the
stones of fire are like nothing we have ever
seen. They are precious, beautiful, and
reflect the power of God. They are of
extraordinary beauty.)
C. Read Ezekiel 28:17. What caused the fall of Satan?
(Pride over his beauty and a desire for splendor.)
D. Read Isaiah 14:12-14. Who does this describe?
(Once again, a human could not fall from heaven. A
human is unlikely to think that he could go to
heaven and conquer God. This is another reference
to Satan.)
E. Go back and read Isaiah 14:3-6. Who does this
describe? (It says the “King of Babylon.” But this
is like the reference to Tyre. We are looking at
the inspiration behind the evil king, we are
reading about Satan.)
F. Look again at Isaiah 14:14 and then read
Genesis 3:4-5. What similarity do you find between the
temptation that caused Satan to fall and the
temptation that caused Eve to fall? (They both
wanted to be like God.)
1. This appears to be the most dangerous
temptation. Does it exist today? Is it a
problem in your life? (I think this temptation
is a problem for anyone who puts human opinion
over God’s opinion.)
a. How many people do you know who think the
Bible is outdated, or has been eclipsed
by modern ideas and understandings?
II. Power of Sacrifice
A. Read Isaiah 6:1-4. Who is calling out? (The
Seraphim angels are proclaiming glory to God.)
1. Why would the foundations tremble at the word
of the angels? (Read Revelation 15:8. The
message is that God is surrounded by energy
and power. If you read a scientific
discussion of the amount of power it would
take to declare the world into existence, you
know that God has limitless energy. I just
listened to a discussion of physics in which
the expert said that we have the theory for
doing extraordinary things, we just do not
have the means. He mentioned one theory which
required several times the power of our sun.)
2. Notice that verse 4 tells us that this angelic
praise shook the foundations. Any chance that
your praise shakes anything?
B. Read Isaiah 6:5. Why is Isaiah so discouraged?
C. Read Isaiah 6:6-7. How is a “burning coal” on the
lips an answer to discouragement? Why not lip
balm? Why not a gentle word? (A burning coal
represents the power of God. God’s power can take
away our guilt.)
1. Wait a minute. Verse seven refers to the
atonement of Jesus for our sins. Isn’t a
comparison to a burning coal very odd?
a. From where did this burning coal come?
(From the altar. One example of the power
of God is His willingness to give up
Himself for us.)
b. Do you think this is a power that Satan
can understand? (Recall that it was pride
that was his downfall.)
D. Read Isaiah 6:8. What caused the complete reversal
of Isaiah’s attitude? (His guilt was taken away.
He has an understanding of the power of God.)
E. Read Isaiah 6:9-10. Would this encourage you?
(This is most discouraging. Isaiah wants to go
bring a message for God, and God says the people
will not turn to Him.)
F. Read Isaiah 6:11-12. Look at Isaiah’s question. Is
this how you would respond? Or, would you say, “So
what else can I do for you, God, that will be
successful?” (Isaiah is optimistic that this is a
temporary condition.)
1. What will cause the people to turn to God?
Isaiah’s words? (No. It is calamity.)
2. Let’s fit this into the storyline discussed in
the introduction. Where does this fit? (This
is the abuse of the people. They gave their
allegiance to Satan, and destruction
followed.)
III. Power of Power
A. Read Genesis 3:22 24 and Revelation 12:7-9. What
do you think Satan concluded about Adam and Eve
being driven from Eden? (This is physical power
being exerted against Adam and Eve. Physical power
was exerted against Satan and his fallen angels.
My guess is that Satan would have complained had
Adam and Eve not been driven out.)
1. What kind of power is the Cherubim using to
protect the Tree of Life? (It is a flaming
sword. It takes lots of energy to make a sword
flame. Adam and Eve know that they are
defeated.)
2. What does this story tell us about the secret
to eternal life? (Read Revelation 22:1-2. We
live eternally by continuing to eat from the
tree of life.)
B. Read Revelation 22:3-4. How is the storyline
moving forward? (Evil is removed from heaven and
Eden. But humans will come back and have access
again to the tree of life. Why? Because Jesus’
name is “on their foreheads.” They have made their
choice for Jesus.)
IV. The Return
A. Read Revelation 21:1-3. How are things turned
around for planet earth? (We have a new heaven and
a new planet earth. God now dwells with His people
on the earth. God is with those who have chosen
Him.)
B. Read Revelation 21:4. What is gone from earth?
(All reasons for sadness. All death. All the bad
things that came from us choosing Satan have
“passed away.”)
C. Revelation 21:1 tells us that the sea was also
gone. What do you think about that? (The sea often
represents danger for humans. Proof of this is
that although the sea covers most of the surface
of our planet, humans occupy very little of the
sea versus the land.)
D. Look again at Isaiah 14:14 and then read again
Genesis 3:4-5. How did that work out? (Our
storyline ends with those who desire to usurp the
power of God end up failing. But God shows true
power by giving up Himself so that we might live
with Him forever.)
E. Friend, will you choose to give your life to God?
Why not do that right now?
V. Next week: In the Psalms: Part 1.
Copr. 2025, Bruce N. Cameron, J.D. Scripture quotations are
from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard
Version ), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing
ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All
rights reserved. Suggested answers are found within
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link: http://www.GoBible.org. Pray for the guidance of the
Holy Spirit as you study.
