Again, it is stated that Satan was perfect in all his ways from the day he was created.  It is important to notice both that he was created, and that he was created perfect.  Since he was created, he is not self-existent, and never can be free from his dependence upon the Creator.  He may vainly propose to become independent, and even be permitted for a time to act under that delusion; but that would only delay the inevitable judgment that awaits him.  He was created perfect, or was a perfect fulfilment of the Creator’s intention.  Satan was a free moral agent; capable of choosing evil, but not obliged to do so.  That he chose evil must ever be his own condemnation; for the Creator had surrounded him with sufficient motives to choose the good.

The crime of Satan is partly revealed in verse sixteen and this is followed by an exact description of his final judgment as it is predicted in the book of Revelation.

The important teaching of this passage is of Satan’s first position and power—­a power and wisdom sufficient to guard the throne of God from every possible enemy, and a glory and beauty that would become the highest officer in the Court of Heaven.  By this revelation his present position and power may be estimated.

The revelation next in importance is that of his crime; this is clearly set forth in Isa. 14:12-20.  Before reading this passage it should be noticed that the prophet’s vision of Satan, here recorded, is from the time of his final judgment, and the prophet is looking backward over Satan’s whole career.  Much that is still future is, therefore, referred to as though it were past.  The passage is as follows: 

“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!  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:  I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.  Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.  They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; that made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?  All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house.  But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcass trodden under feet.”