Lucifer vs Satan
Lucifer and Satan are two different Bible characters that show some differences between them. Interestingly, they are considered one and the same by some of the Bible believers. Lucifer is an angel created by the God in the heaven. On the other hand, Satan is the name given to a devil. This is the main difference between Lucifer and Satan. If this is so, then why do people consider Lucifer and Satan as the same being? It is actually very interesting to see. In this article, we will discuss the reason and also will see how Lucifer and Satan are different from one another.
Who is Lucifer?
Lucifer is, in fact, believed to be the perfect angel ever created by the God. It is very important to know that, as long as Lucifer occupied the heavens, he remained Lucifer. According to Bible belief, Lucifer is the first entity to have committed sin. As Lucifer was an angel, you cannot consider Lucifer as opposite of God. This is because of the fact that he was created by the God, after all. At the most, he can be compared to Michael the Archangel. In fact, the name of Lucifer was mentioned only once in the King James Version or the KJV of the Bible. It is interesting to note that Lucifer meant ‘to shine’ in the Hebrew language. He was equated to the parable of Babylon as he wanted to show an element of divinity in him and thus, wanted to rule over people. At the end, he would experience a total collapse of his kingdom. He met with a miserable death and was eaten away by worms.
Who is Satan?
Satan is known as an accuser, a tempter, and a deceiver. The meaning of Satan is ‘adversary’ or ‘the one who opposes.’ Let’s first see how Satan came into being. Once Lucifer, the best angel, was cast from the heavens, it took the name of Satan. Bible says that the Satan is a former angelic being that fell from heaven due to sin. The reason he was cast from the heavens is that he was puffed with great pride, and this kind of egoism was considered as his greatest sin. As a result of his pride, he was banished. It is generally believed that Satan has occupied the Spirit world for over 6000 years. One of the important observations with regard to Satan is that he is not at all visible to the human beings. However, there is a staunch belief that he will make himself visible to the human being one day as Beast. He would also proclaim himself as God. Satan can be called as a close opposite of God. This is due to his opposing nature towards divinity. People believe Satan comes in different forms. Though in what form is not exactly clear. In the Bible, the name Satan is sometimes used in order to symbolize all evil in general. Satan can be a spirit that occupied the dark Spirit world that is situated between heaven and earth.
What is the difference between Lucifer and Satan?
• Lucifer is an angel created by the God in the heaven. On the other hand, Satan is the name given to a devil. This is the main difference between Lucifer and Satan.
• When Lucifer occupied the heavens he remained Lucifer, but once he was cast from the heavens he took the name of Satan. This is the important difference between the two words. Hence, it is true that Satan is an alternate entity of Lucifer. Thus, they are both different too. They are different because they are two different existences of the same being. As Lucifer he was good as he was an angel. As Satan, he is very evil, as he is all evil combined.
• You cannot put Lucifer as the opposite of God because at the time he held that name, Lucifer was good as an angel can be. However, you can definitely say that Satan is opposite to God because that is after Lucifer fell from heaven and became an evil being. This is another important difference between the two words.
As you can see, the reason why people say Lucifer and Satan are one and the same is because Lucifer and Satan are two different existences of the same being. Of course, that is true. At the same time, we can argue that they are two different characters as they show different characteristics during the two phases of the life as an angel and as the devil.
Images Courtesy:
- Lucifer by Luc Viatour (CC BY-SA 3.0)
- Satan as depicted in the Ninth Circle of Hell in Dante Alighieri’s Inferno, illustrated by Gustave Doré via Wikicommons (Public Domain)
Anubis says
I think article is wrong, According to christian mythology. god created everything, he also created Lucifer who later becomes Satan, So evil exist because of god and Satan is not the opposite of god, then he would be a god himself. According to christian mythology there is clear evidence that proves their god can also be cruel and wicked.
Devilified says
so there’s nothing wrong in the article?
Jeremy says
Lucifer claimed to be God not the creator! “Lucifer and Satan are two different existences of the same being. “
Justin says
According to the bible, Lucifer chose to become satan the day he rebelled against the creator. (Ezekiel 28:12-17)
m, says
thats not true
thechurchoftolerance says
Ezekiel 26-28 are all about the kingdom of Tyre. At this point, Ezekiel has been talking about Tyre for two whole chapters, describing their commercialism, trade in precious stones, trying to build tall towers that reach the heavens, the city’s beauty, and their excessive pride. Thinking that Ezekiel uses two whole chapters of descriptions about Tyre, and suddenly he’s talking about Lucifer, makes zero sense. Tyre wasn’t even the first city prophesied to fall by Ezekiel. Ammon, Moab, and Seir were warned in earlier chapters, and no one ever thinks THOSE are also descriptions of Lucifer. If you are still not convinced, read Ezekiel 26-27 and see the parallels to 28:12-17. It’s very clear, demons have nothing to do with any of this. This is the sort of ignorance that happens when church leaders are so desperate to make a point, they randomly take bits of the Bible out of context and teach falsely to their flock. Read the WHOLE Bible, not snippets. Have a blessed day.
Red Eagle says
I Agree, Even further Lucifer does not exist. Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 deals with two kings, Nebuchadnezzar and the king of Tyre. Both kings exalted themselves to be God. Isaiah 14:12, Ezk. 28:2. In Isaiah 14:4 says “Thou shall take up this proverb against the king of Babylon,” In verse 12 God mockingly says to king Nebuchadnezzar, How art thou fallen from heaven O Lucifer (brightness) the kings imagination of his own brightness, remember, “I will be like the most high.” Verse 14. How art thou cut to the ground, this speaking of Daniel 4:23 in which the tree in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream that reached to heaven was cut down by the watcher’s command and later declaring he would be a beast eating the grass. Verse 13 says,”I will ascend into heaven and exalt my throne. I thought Lucifer descended from heaven and I have read nowhere that Lucifer had a throne! Verse 16, again talking about the king,”Is this the man? Is Lucifer a man or a fallen angel, He can’t be both. The same is said about the king of Tyre in Ezk:2. “Because thou has said, I am God, Yet thou art but a man! The Hebrew bible, the Tanakh, does not mention the word Lucifer. It just speaks of O shining one with a footnote added: A character in some lost myth! The word Lucifer was but a footnote by Jerome that was put in the Latin Vulgate. Then why Luciferians? “We shall be like gods, declaring their own Brightness!” sound familiar, the same as quoted by the serpent in the garden. As for the word Satan, there were many Satan’s in the bible. Anyone that was an enemy or adversary of God. That’s why Jesus said to Peter, “Get thee behind me Satan.” He was talking directly to Peter because he spoke words that were against Jesus.
Dr David Michael Ward says
Lucifer comes out of the mistranslation of Isaiah 14:12 Oh how you have fallen from Heaven , shinning one, son of the dawn? Lux Ferro is the translation of Morning Star and the KJV people translated it as Lucferro or Lucifer. This was a Babylonian king not the devil. If you had a degree in Theology you would know the truth rather than the lies of the KJV’s mistranslation. Jesus called him Satan that devil of old.
Push Now says
I glad to see everyone has sort God in prayer and fasting to answer the question. 😀
Scott says
Lucifer was an angel of the lord who held sway in GODS kingdom ( HEAVEN ) .
He would not bow and worship GODS creation ( man ) . That was the beginning of the fall out between Lucifer & GOD . //////
Satan is a different entity all together.
In the book of JOB , it reads / The angels gathered and presented themselves before
GOD , and so did Satan ./ 2 different beings
GOD said to Satan , Have you considered my servant Job , he is just and upright in all that he does / Satan replied/ its because you have put a hedge around the man and blessed all of his work , but if you take away from Job all thease things / Satan said that Job would curse your name . So it goes in the book of Job .
Satan told GOD , when asked where he has been , Satan replies – here and there and back and fourth in the world . This tells the reader that Satan is free to come and go / and he seems to act as the prosecuting attorney against humans , hence his name
Satan = ACCUSER / Now , while all of this is happening / Lucifer is still kicked out of heaven and cast to where ever GOD has cast him . THIS IS WHY LUCIFER AND SATAN ARE NOT THE SAME BEING . /////
please give me you opinions and feedback .
Im seeking intelligent discussions on anything related to GOD / the Bible.
Thank you ….Scott