When was Satan cast out of heaven?

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Question: When was Satan cast out of heaven?

Answer: Some believe God cast Satan out of heaven in 1914 when World War I started. This is, however, not true. The devil clearly left heaven long before 1914 A.D. One key text proving this is the one you refer to in your question, 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'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)

Lucifer's position of a covering cherub, right over the throne of the universe, was also confirmed by our Creator:

"'You were the anointed cherub who covers. I established you. You were on the holy mountain of God. You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you. . . .' ' (Ezekiel 28:14-15)

While still obedient, God put him on the earth with certain responsibilities. While on the planet he (and one third of the other angels) decided to rebel against God:

"And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. His tail drew a third of the stars (stars are symbolic of angels) of heaven and threw them to the earth . . . " (Revelation 12:3-4)

God tossed Satan out of heaven when he and his angels arrived to attack it, as Jesus witnessed.

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)

The Creator will yet again hurl Satan to the earth, but this has not happened yet! The year 1914 was too long ago for this second attack on heaven by this head demon and his evil angels. This attack will occur during the Great Tribulation just before the Second Coming of Christ. If some teach this event happened in a particular year they are WRONG. Jesus did not return secretly or otherwise in 1914 or in any other year for that matter.

On a final note, many believe that the angels and the devil are not capable of dying because they are spirit beings and immortal. However, angels (especially fallen ones) know they CAN be put out of existence as the following reply from a demon to Jesus states:

"Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, saying, 'Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? DID YOU COME TO DESTROY US? I know who You are - the Holy One of God!' But Jesus rebuked him, saying, 'Be quiet, and come out of him!' " (Mark 1:23-25)

From the above exchange we learn:

• Evil spirits know that their destruction is possible.

• Some evil spirits know they are going to die for their rebellion.

• Jesus has the power to destroy evil spirits.

I highly suggest reading our article Will the Devil live forever? to study this fascinating topic about when was Satan cast out of heaven.