The question “What was the name of the star that fell from heaven?” refers to a passage in the Bible where Jesus says “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” (Luke 10:18). This passage is often interpreted as referring to Satan’s original rebellion and fall from grace before the creation of mankind. The name “Lucifer,” meaning “morning star” or “shining one,” is sometimes associated with Satan prior to his fall. So the name of the star that fell from heaven was Lucifer.
The Fall of Lucifer
The story of Lucifer’s fall comes mainly from extra-biblical sources and traditions, as the Bible itself does not give many details. Isaiah 14:12 contains a prophetic passage that seems to describe the king of Babylon, but has traditionally been interpreted as applying to Lucifer: “How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!” This metaphor led to the widespread idea that Lucifer was originally an angel of high rank who rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven as a result. His sin is widely understood to have been pride and desire to usurp God’s authority.
Lucifer’s Identity
Lucifer is not directly named as such in the Bible, but the Latin name Lucifer means “light-bearer” and corresponds to the Hebrew name Heylel. These names reference his original exalted status as a radiant servant of God prior to his rebellion and fall. The description of the king of Babylon’s hubris and desire to “make myself like the Most High” (Isaiah 14:14) was applied to Lucifer and his aspirations. Lucifer has thus become known as a fallen angelic being, identified with Satan or the devil himself. However, opinions vary on whether Lucifer and Satan are separate beings, different names for the same entity, or if Lucifer’s fall is allegorical rather than literal.
Lucifer’s Fall from Grace
While details are scarce in canonical scripture, extra-biblical texts elaborate on Lucifer’s transition from a high-ranking cherub angel in God’s presence to the enemy of good known as Satan. His root sin is considered to be pride and ambition to take God’s place. The book of Ezekiel describes a cherub in the Garden of Eden who was perfect and blameless until wickedness and violence was found in him (Ezekiel 28:12-15). This is commonly linked to Lucifer’s rebellion, though he is not directly named. Revelation 12:7-9 also describes a war in heaven led by a dragon (identified as Satan) who was defeated and thrown down to earth with his angels.
Motivations for His Rebellion
What would cause an exalted angelic being like Lucifer to rebel against God? Traditional explanations include:
- Envy and pride – He considered himself superior to other angels
- Resentment – He did not want to be subordinate to God’s authority
- Vanity – He aspired to usurp God’s glory and exalt himself
His corrupted wisdom and desire for independence from God led him to organize a heavenly revolt, resulting in his defeat and fall.
Cast Out of Heaven
Revelation 12:7-9 depicts a war in heaven led by Michael the archangel against Satan and his rebellious followers. “But they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down – that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.” This scene is considered part of Lucifer’s fall from divine favor and banishment from heaven along with the angels (now demons) who joined his rebellion.
Lucifer as the Serpent in Eden
In Genesis 3, a serpent tempts Eve to eat the forbidden fruit and incites the first human disobedience of God. Many see this as Satan acting through the serpent to cause the fall of mankind. The cunning serpent of Eden who is cursed by God is thus equated to the fallen angel Lucifer. However, Genesis does not directly state this connection, as the serpent is only described as “more crafty than any of the wild animals” (Genesis 3:1). Linking the tempting serpent to Satan or Lucifer is mainly an extrapolation based on other scriptural passages.
Parallels Between the Serpent and Lucifer
There are several thematic parallels between the Genesis serpent and Lucifer’s rebellious actions that have led many to equate the two figures:
- Usurping divine authority
- False promises and clever lies
- Inciting rebellion against God’s decrees
- Causing a fall from purity and grace
- Punishment of demotion and divine curse
The cunning words and trickery of the serpent fit Satan’s role as “the father of lies” (John 8:44), supporting the link between the two.
Serpent Symbolism
The serpent was a complex symbol in ancient Near Eastern culture, representing fertility, health, chaos, and warnings. After the fall in Genesis 3, the serpent took on more negative associations with temptation, deception, evil, and the demonic. Connecting the Edenic serpent with Lucifer reflects this shift toward identifying the serpent as a symbol of evil incarnate beginning with the first human transgression.
Other Names and Titles
Lucifer has acquired many names and titles that highlight different aspects of his identity and actions. Here are some major ones:
Satan
Satan means “adversary” or “accuser” in Hebrew. He acts as an accuser of man before God (Zechariah 3:1, Revelation 12:10). Satan provokes David to take a census of Israel in 1 Chronicles 21:1 and tempts Jesus during his fast in the wilderness in Matthew 4:1-11. Many equate Lucifer with Satan as the embodiment of evil and the enemy of God, though some argue they began as separate angelic beings.
Devil
The word devil derives from the Greek “diabolos,” meaning “slanderer” or “accuser.” The devil is one of the primary opponents of God in the Abrahamic faiths. He leads humanity into sin and error. After the fall as described in Genesis 3, Lucifer bears this name as the enemy of God and deceiver of humanity.
Beelzebub
Beelzebub was originally the name of a Canaanite god, similar to the Philistine god Baal-zebub, but it later became synonymous with the devil. In the New Testament, the Pharisees accuse Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub (Luke 11:15). The name is associated with Lucifer as “prince of demons” and the lord of the flies.
Prince of Darkness
As an immaterial spirit rebelling against the light of God, Lucifer represents the opposite of illumination, truth, and clarity. Ephesians 6:12 refers to the struggle against “the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Thus the fallen Lucifer is known as the Prince of Darkness, ruler of evil spirits and blindness.
Morning Star
“Morning star” refers to the planet Venus as it appears brightly before dawn. The Latin name Lucifer literally means “light bearer.” This has ironic implications after his fall, as his gift of light was corrupted. Jesus calls himself the “bright Morning Star” in Revelation 22:16, reclaiming the name.
| Name | Meaning | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Lucifer | Morning Star | His identity before the fall |
| Satan | Adversary, opponent | His role as enemy of God |
| Devil | Slanderer, accuser | His deceitful nature |
| Beelzebub | Lord of the Flies | Ruler of demons |
| Prince of Darkness | Evil ruler | Contrast to God’s light |
Lucifer’s Role After the Fall
Lucifer’s rebellion did not end his existence, but rather changed his nature and role in the cosmic drama. Some key aspects after his fall:
Deception and Destruction
No longer a servant of God, the fallen Lucifer directs his energies toward deceiving and corrupting humans. 1 Peter 5:8 describes him as “a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” He distorts truth and promotes rebellion, seeking the destruction of mankind.
Opponent of Christ
Satan tries to undermine Jesus’ ministry at key moments, from his temptation in the desert to influencing Judas’ betrayal. Satan continues to oppose the advance of Christ’s kingdom on earth. The promise that the serpent’s head will be crushed (Genesis 3:15) is fulfilled in Christ’s redemptive work.
Accuser of Christians
Even after Christ’s victory on the cross, Satan still accuses believers before God and tests their faith. Revelation 12:10 says “the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.” Christians are called to resist his accusations.
Ruler of Demons
The fallen angels who rebelled with Lucifer are now known as demons that seek to oppress humanity and oppose God’s purposes. Lucifer rules over these evil spirits as the Prince of Demons or Lord of the Flies. He is served by his subordinates in perverting truth and justice.
Sower of Chaos
While unable to directly overpower God, Lucifer’s ongoing influence on earth still succeeds in fomenting chaos, conflict, and destruction. Jesus says “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10), a fitting description of Satan’s desire to corrupt all of creation.
Final Defeat
The book of Revelation prophesies Satan’s ultimate defeat when he is bound for a thousand years and finally thrown into the lake of fire at the final judgment (Revelation 20). This foretold end of evil vindicates God’s authority and justice.
Lucifer in Culture and Art
The story of Lucifer’s rebellion against heaven and fall from grace has inspired many cultural and artistic interpretations:
In Literature
– John Milton’s epic Paradise Lost (1667) gives a detailed account of Lucifer’s fall and temptation of Eve. Lucifer is a complex, nuanced character.
– Dante’s Inferno (1321) portrays Lucifer frozen in ice at the bottom-most level of hell, weeping tears that form a lake.
– William Blake equates Lucifer with the Gottfried von Frankenstein titular character in his poem “Lucifer” (c.1820).
In Music
– “Lucifer” by Jay-Z (2010) uses Lucifer as a metaphor for overcoming struggle and achieving fame.
– “Lucifer’s Angel” by The Rasmus (2012) tells the story of Lucifer’s fall.
– Black Sabbath, Megadeth, Depeche Mode and other metal/rock bands reference Lucifer in songs.
In Film & TV
– The film Angel Heart (1987) features Robert De Niro as Louis Cyphre (say it out loud), a mysterious figure representating Lucifer.
– The TV series Supernatural depicts Lucifer (played by Mark Pellegrino) as trapped in a cage in hell after combatting the archangel Michael.
– The TV show Lucifer (2016-2021) presents Lucifer Morningstar (Tom Ellis) as voluntarily leaving hell to run a nightclub in LA and assist police investigations.
In Art
– Hieronymus Bosch depicts Lucifer in grotesque detail in his panels The Fall of the Rebel Angels (1490s) and The Last Judgment (1515-1520s).
– Gustave Doré illustrated an edition of Paradise Lost containing dramatic engravings of Lucifer and scenes from Milton’s version of biblical events.
– Mikhail Vrubel’s Demon Seated (1890) captures the melancholic defiance of the fallen angel.
Theological Analysis
The figure of Lucifer raises several important theological considerations:
Free Will
If God created Lucifer blameless, then his fall was an exercise of free will gone wrong. This emphasizes the ramifications of free will within a theistic universe. Lucifer’s story underscores the value of humility and obedience to God.
The Problem of Evil
If God is omnipotent, why does he allow evil forces like Lucifer to act against divine will? This highlights the philosophical problem of how evil can exist under a good and all-powerful God. The rebellion of Lucifer is a catalyst for the wider problem of evil in creation.
Redemption Theology
Can a fallen angel like Lucifer eventually be redeemed? Does God desire redemption for all creatures? While orthodox theology has firmly condemned Lucifer, some thinkers like Origen held out hope for eventual reconciliation between God and Satan.
Dualism
Positioning God in eternal conflict with Lucifer/Satan borders on cosmic dualism, although orthodox theology maintains God’s ultimate supremacy. The stark polarity between the forces of good and evil represented by God and the devil has, however, influenced history via Manichaeism and other dualistic strands.
Angelology
The exalted origins and dramatic fall of Lucifer have greatly shaped the study of angels, demonology, and spiritual powers. Destiny, rebellion, and the malleability of angelic/demonic natures are key issues.
Conclusion
The enigmatic biblical figure of Lucifer has developed into a powerful personification of humanity’s cosmic struggle against evil, deception, and false pride. As “the morning star” cast down from the heavens, Lucifer embodies both preternatural glory forfeited and the perversion of created talents against divine purposes. His story provides a mirror reflecting the dangers of ambition unchecked by wisdom and humility before God. For many, Lucifer’s rebellion and fall exemplify the height from which we may fall when we neglect our Creator and succumb to selfish desires. The ascent of the bright morning star through the dawn skies reminds us of beauty corrupted through disobedience, a luminous angelic being diminished into a wandering enemy of truth. Yet evil does not have the final word. Scripture promises everlasting radiance to those who love righteousness and find hope in the redemptive victory already accomplished on their behalf.