How, why, and when did Satan fall from heaven?

Answer

Satan’s fall from heaven is symbolically described in Isaiah 14:12–14 and Ezekiel 28:12–18. While these two passages specifically refer to the kings of Babylon and Tyre, they are also believed to allude to the spiritual power behind those kings, namely, Satan. These passages explain why Satan fell, but they do not specify when the fall occurred. Jesus, the eternal Son of God, witnessed Satan’s fall, and He mentions it in Luke 10:18: “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” We know that the angels were created before the earth (Job 38:4-7). Satan fell before tempting Adam and Eve in the Garden (Genesis 3:1-14). Therefore, Satan’s fall must have occurred between the creation of the angels and his temptation of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Scripture does not specify whether Satan’s fall happened hours, days, or years before he tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden.

The book of Job informs us that, at least during Job’s time, Satan still had access to heaven and the throne of God. “One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. The LORD said to Satan, ’Where have you come from?’ Satan answered the LORD, ‘From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it’” (Job 1:6-7). Apparently, during that time, Satan was freely moving between heaven and earth, speaking directly to God and giving an account of his activities. Whether God has since restricted this access is a topic of debate. Some argue that Satan’s access to heaven was terminated.

Some believe Satan’s expulsion from heaven occurred at the death of Christ. Others believe Satan’s access to heaven will be terminated during the end-times war in heaven (Revelation 12:7-12).

Why did Satan fall from heaven? Satan fell due to pride. He aspired to be God, not a servant of God. Note the numerous “I will…” declarations in Isaiah 14:12-15. Ezekiel 28:12-15 portrays Satan as an incredibly beautiful angel. Satan was likely the most exalted of all angels, the anointed cherub, the most beautiful of God’s creations, yet he was dissatisfied with his position. Instead, Satan coveted to be God, essentially aiming to “dethrone God” and seize control of the universe. Satan desired to be God, and remarkably, that desire is what Satan enticed Adam and Eve with in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-5).

How did Satan fall from heaven? Due to Satan’s transgression, God expelled him from heaven (Isaiah 14:15;Ezekiel 28:16-17). Heaven is not a dwelling for the wicked one. Satan fell from heaven because he was cast out.