Q. When was Satan THROWN OUT of heaven? The Jehovahs Witnesses believe the devil was thrown out in 1914 A.D. when World War I started. Is this TRUE? Why would God keep the devil in heaven AFTER he deceived Adam, Eve and so many others? (Submitted by: J. W.) A. The devil clearly was tossed out of heaven LONG BEFORE 1914 A.D. One key text proving this is Luke 10, where Jesus said: "And He (Jesus) said to them, 'I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.'" (Luke 10:18, NKJV and emphasis throughout) Satan was on the earth when he initially revolted against God. Notice what God stated was Lucifer's (the devil or Satan's) plans in Isaiah 14: "For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven. I will exalt my throne above the stars of God. I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds. I will be like the Most High.'" (Isaiah 14:13-14) So although Lucifer had been the covering cherub, right over God Himself on His throne (see Ezekiel 28:14), he then was transferred to the earth while still obedient. While ruling on the earth he (and one third of the other angels, Revelation 12:4) decided to rebel against God. When he got to heaven to attack it he and the angels that followed him were cast back down to the earth, as Jesus had seen. It does appear, however, that the devil will once again try to rise up from the earth to attack heaven, only to get cast down yet again. Notice Revelation 12:7-9, which is set near the time of the end of the world (and not when the devil initially revolted): "And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. "So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." (Revelation 12:7-9)
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