How did Satan and other angels sin if heaven is sinless?

Answer

The Bible teaches that Satan was created in perfection and given a prominent position in heaven (Ezekiel 28:11-15). He was “full of wisdom and perfect in beauty” (verse 12). God appointed him the highest-ranking angel. From his place of great privilege, Satan led possibly one third of heaven’s angels in a rebellion against God (Ezekiel 28:16-17; Revelation 12:4). God expelled him from heaven, casting him down to the earth (Ezekiel 28:16-18).

The sin that caused Satan to fall from heaven was pride «Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. », (1 Timothy 3:6). Isaiah describes how it happened: “How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.’ Instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead, down to its lowest depths” (Isaiah 14:12-15; NLT).

Demonstrating the epitome of arrogance and self-importance, Satan wanted to be like God. He used his high position for personal gain and self-promotion «By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cheru

b, from the midst of the stones of fire. », (Ezekiel 28:16). Instead of submitting to God, Satan rebelled. He refused to worship and obey His Creator. He desired to be his own god. His sin was particularly offensive because it was a monumental abuse of privilege and power. It also had a sweeping effect on other angels «And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, », (Revelation 12:7), on people «wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: », (Ephesians 2:2), and on all nations of the world «and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. », (Revelation 20:3).

Satan’s “I will” statements provide a clue as to how he and other angels could sin in heaven, even though heaven is a sinless place. God had given Satan a choice, a free will, and he exerted it. He said, “I will ascend. . . . I will preside. . . . I will climb.” God gave both angels and humans free will. They were presented with a choice: to obey God or not. Satan was created in perfection, and Adam and Eve were created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27;Genesis 5:1-3;9:6;James 3:9) and placed in a perfect paradise (Genesis 2:5-25). Humans, like the angels, were given a choice to obey God (Genesis 2:15-16), but they chose to disobey (Genesis 3:1-24). Their sin resulted in the fall of humankind, leading to Adam and Eve being expelled from paradise. Satan and other angels also exercised their free will, and those who rebelled were expelled from heaven. God did not predispose the angels to rebel or force them to obey. The angels who sinned did so knowingly and freely and, therefore, deserve God’s eternal wrath.

God has graciously provided a way for humans to repent from sin and receive forgiveness (Acts 2:38;Acts 3:19;Luke 24:47), but Scripture does not offer such an opportunity for Satan and the fallen angels. The choice to rebel against God or remain faithful to Him seems to have been an eternal decision for angels. Christian theology suggests that some angels—“the elect angels”—are those who remained loyal to God «I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. », (1 Timothy 5:21). Other angels used their free will to rebel and sin against God «For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; », (2 Peter 2:4). The Bible also suggests that it is no longer possible for more angels to sin. It is as if all angels underwent a type of probationary trial, and those who remained faithful are now qualified to remain in their original state of perfect holiness. The elect angels sSuccessfully passed the test of faithfulness and are confirmed in holiness forever. The angels who failed and fell became “unclean spirits” or “demons” (Mark 1:23; Luke 8:2; Luke 11:24) and are now eternally confirmed in their evil, rebellious state.

In God’s eyes, all sin is grievous. All sin impacts others. But the consequences are even more far-reaching for those who sin in high places. Satan and the angels had experienced God in all His heavenly glory. Those who sinned did so of their own volition and in full knowledge of their crime. Such heinous insurrection is unforgivable.

Satan’s sin cost him his place in heaven. His example is a powerful reminder of the dangers of pride and rebellion. We have a choice to love God and obey Him. When we don’t, our decisions can have a profoundly detrimental influence on ourselves and those around us.