What many in the comments don't seem to understand is that he's not saying Satan never fell in the first place, he's analyzing the passages that people commonly refer to when discussing his fall. He's doing what many people won't by analyzing the literary structure used and contextualizing the words with the culture and popular beliefs at the time, as well as the rest of the Bible.

Anyone who can say "Robin Hood Men in Tights" without laughing on camera is a true, trained professional...I tip my hat good sir! Also, I really enjoy watching your explanations on Biblical interpretation.

I like when he says “this is one interpretation.” Normally, that is very condescending, but he does not make it sound that way at all.

A true scholar gives his opinion and offers a counterargument, an expertise not owned by most people who attempt to explain complex texts. Kudos to this brother. I have watched this video a number of times, but I still find it educative every day.

"The land was full of idolatry and social injustice." Sounds like all of human history.

This needs to be made clear that the bible warns us against leaning onto our own understanding when interpreting the bible. I’m glad to see that many people in the comment section have been quick to point out the verses in Revelations that refer to Satan’s fall from heaven. When you study the bible you must compare scripture with scripture. Revelations provides further insight to the fall of Satan however not one of these are mentioned in this explanation which should be a concern. The bible warns us against false teaching and unless you actually pick up your bible and study it for yourself under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and prayer. 1 Peter 5:8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. We should not leave ourselves open to have the bible interpreted to us by men who are in the eyes of society's intellectual voices of authority (deception comes in many forms). The bible teaches that only by prayer and the guidance from the Holy Spirit (in our studies on our own or with others) we will have an understanding of the word of God. The bible was given to all men to understand. Yes some people may have a better insight on a particular topic and God can lead us to this. But with all things concerning the scriptures, it is important for us to compare scriptures with scriptures to get a context of what God is saying to us. Some verses are plain and straight forward to understand and some require further study for insight. Many people have rightfully pointed out in the comments that in Luke Jesus said he saw Satan fall from heaven. Luke 10:18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Revelation 12:7-9 Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8 But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 9 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. The verses found in revelations identifies this dragon or serpent of old as the same serpent that deceived man in the garden of Eden found in Genesis, an even deeper lesson is how Satan twists Gods word in order to play out his deception. Jesus warns again about people twisting the word of God (the bible). The verses below are from Genesis 3 and I would advise we all take time to read the whole chapter for ourselves. Genesis 3: 4-5 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Isaiah 14:12 How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! This is Satan he is referring to. Satan is the author of sin, it started with his rebellion in heaven against the law of God, and he has brought that same rebellion to man. But Jesus Christ will bring a finial end to the lies and the deceptions of Satan when he comes again. James 1:16 don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 2 Timothy 3:13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. Job 12:16 To him belong strength and insight; both deceived and the deceiver are his. Please read the bible for yourselves with careful study with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Like I said don’t take the words of others as gospel.

Jesus said, he saw the evil one cast out of heaven, and that he fell to the earth and hit the ground like lightening. That is written in the Bible, and it is a description. I believe every word.

This professor is brilliant! A real biblical scholar! I like how he presents the text and then gives more than one interpretation. He does put forth what he believes it means but does not act like "it's my way or the highway". Many things in the Old Testament have various interpretations.

Yeshua said Himself (Luke 10:18) I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning...

I wish I had a tenth of the dedication and scholarship of Dr. Peter Gentry. As a son of two Greek parents who spoke and studied Greek until my senior year at Bronx HS of Science (lucky strike elective) I can attest that being intimately familiar with a language, i.e. Hebrew, truly matters to interpretation. In Greek "Logos" is translated as "the Word" in the beginning of Genesis but is used even in Modern conversational Greek as "the Reason" for something/a situation or occurrence! There's a big clue there I think.

This man is one of the few that understand with the wisdom of God the true spirit of God. Finally not a false teacher! I have yet to find anyone with this type of Wisdom in the world.

I really celebrate that I "accidentally" discovered this excellent discussion! Dr. Gentry makes SO much sense!

"And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven." Luke 10:18 Sounds a lot like "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!" Isaiah 14:12

Thank you for interacting with the specific arguments laid out by Dr. Michael Heiser on this topic and for sharing your honest evaluation of them. This sort of scholarly and respectful interaction between highly qualified Old Testament and Semitic studies scholars reflects well upon the reputation and integrity of Southern Baptist Seminary and their faculty.

As a Jew, I feel as if I could gain so much from a conversation with this man. He seems to have a much more comprehensive and historically based understanding of the Torah. Beyond religious boundaries lies the one true realization, there is one God. Most High and Mighty. All will fall under his Judgement.

Many have closed off their knowledge of Biblical studies by completely ignoring the impact of fairly recent archaeological finds that early church writers had no access to, yet many of us now have access to the discoveries from places like Ras Shamra, Ebla, the Dead Sea, etc. The illumination of Biblical understanding marches on. Great lecture Dr. Gentry! Thanks for doing the hard work of taking the Bible seriously.

You make sense and very well spoken in explaining difficult teachings. Thank you for your work

Thank you for your research and for providing a balanced perspective. You’ve raised multiple pertinent issues to consider. Now I am inspired to prayerfully study further.

Watched it twice. Great information, and video. Thank you for uploading.

I always wondered why ppl thought those passages were interpreted as the history of Satan's fall. I read it myself and couldn't figure that out

Thank you so much for answering my questions with the literary teachings from the bible and the interpretations of the bible. I'm hooked on his once again. And have found my way once again.with that being said..thanks to you.

I am not a Theist, but I still love this man's videos. He is a great teacher, well versed in his subject matter.

Wow this was profound! Thank you for sharing. I appreciate your scholarship.

This guy REALLY knows his stuff!

I have been trying to explain something like this to my friend for years and he thinks I’m possessed . I’ll let him watch this. Thanks a lot

This is really helping me now that we are going threw quarantine. Keeps me on my toes studying my Bible and my Sunday school lessons.😇

This Brother is teaching!!! Love it!!

Wonderful OT interpretation and discussion, thanks!

It seems plausible that passage can have a multi-layered meaning and could refer to both. But, I agree it makes no doctrinal difference.

What a well thought out take. Kudos

I can't find fault in your words, so I am accepting a clarity to uncertainty that I will apply to my understanding because of yours . I certainly appreciate that

Awesome lesson. Love it. Thank you Dr Peter.

Michael Heiser’s scholarly difference on Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 is far more persuasive and convincing. Moreover Heiser is not “cut off from” historical literature and archeological discovery. Therefore when he suggests that the reason some church fathers interpreted both chapters to refer to the fall of an angelic being is “because they were cut off” from modern scholarship, he is subtly suggesting that modern scholars who disagree with him may be as ignorant as the church fathers. When he does specifically mention Heiser’s views he oddly enough says Hesier tries to interpret both chapters in the light of ANE religious culture, BUT he interprets them in light of the background of the Old Testament. However his explanation on Isaiah 14 relies ENTIRELY on a Canaanite/Ugarit myth-not the Old Testament! Very perplexing to charge Heiser with an overemphasis extra-biblical date that he then picks up wholesale to undercut Heiser’s view on Isaiah 14. He then goes on to say that Heiser doesn’t believe Adam is in view in Ezekiel 28 “because Heiser doesn’t think Adam can be called a cherub” (as in one of the cherubim). And yet shortly after when he describes the nature of a cherub he concedes they are ANGELIC BEINGS! (Yep- and this is exactly why Heiser says Adam can’t be the cherub of Ezekiel 28!)

I have been a Person who loves God for the last 40 years of my life. More so over the last 10 years as I learn more from the old testament. I use to study mainly the new testament. But then I fell in love with the old testament and my love for God is in full bloom. Thank you, Jesus, my lord. I just want to say thank you and I really enjoy your lessons from the Bible. James in Texas. Keep up the good work of God.

Thank you Dr. Gentry for this video.

Wow. You watch the news and you start to think that all American Christianity has lost touch with the truth of the Bible. But that was remarkably refreshing both in his position and how he arrived at it.

The Professor is correct in saying that "Lucifer" was just a Latin term and not a name. He makes a mistake however in how he approaches the Church Fathers and their interpretation. One of the Achilles heel of modern people is that they imagine themselves so much more knowledgeable and beyond their predecessors. Academia is infested with this sort of thought. Now I think he's not altogether wrong, but instead of reading it to be necessarily one way and not realizing there are multiple meanings that are behind these verses. Not either/or but both/and. The individuals mentioned were reminiscent of the downfall of Satan. Hence the double meaning in these verses of Holy Scripture.

I like this guy. Lots to learn.Thanks. Love Study of Writings and Interpretations

I am a Hebrew speaker reader and writer. However I was a lot better, and more fluent 20 years ago when I did a study on those two chapters in the original language. I agree wholeheartedly on what the Pastor here has said, reading it from a Middle Eastern - Hebraic point of view. Absolutely. I really LOVE his tie!❤

I find Heiser’s interpretation more convincing. Regarding Isa 14:13 when did Adam ever say “I will ascend to heaven, above the stars of God, I will set my throne on high”. When did he ever express this level of pride? Is this just an oracle against an earthly king? When was the king of Babylon ever called the Day Star, son of dawn? Was he fallen “from heaven”? It’s hard for me to not see the parallels to Satan.

So. Much. To think. About. 🤯 finding it very interesting!

I love it when ppl pay attention to the grammar of the text.

This man has such Truth. Please write books. It is simplified easily for my mine to understand. Books would be a gift for generations to come.

A friend and I had been wondering about the proper pronunciation of Ba’al a couple weeks back. This expert in Biblical languages pronounced it BOTH ways in the span of 10 seconds... 😂

Very great video. Thank you, sir! God bless!

AMAZING AND VERY INFORMATIVE

The reference to men in tights got my like, thanks for the great content!

Thanks for taking time to explain the whole in detail.

I have said for many years that these passages do not apply to satan. It is nice to see a video that shares the same conviction.

Great knowledge, great neck tie.

Allegory is a slippery slope for biblical interpretation. Once you start down that road, the sword starts to lose its edge.

Its a tough one, I am far from qualified to exposite these scripture references but I can honestly say I have struggled with the Satan description theory since it was pointed out to me. I've never wanted to give Satan so much glory as to prove or disprove what I was taught via Baptist theology. Thank you for this honest point of view. Jesus said in Luke 10:18 that He saw Satan fall like lightning, and in Rev 12:1-17 another brief description of events (v11 we overcome him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony, an important bit of info). So in the end, faith & focuss must remain on Christ lest we sink in the sea as Peter did. YaHWeH bless you my brethren.

Where can I get a tie like that...? I need it for sure.

Very diligent commentary by a brilliant scholar, very discussion

This is the kind of explanation I like.

I love the tie 😊 Which text?

Also I’d like to add that I’m a subscriber and LOVE your videos. All your videos have been a spiritual blessing and has helped me in my spiritual education. I’ve learned lots from your biblical teaching.

Very pleasant to listen to.

Excellent! Thank you!

Luke 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

“O Saul, it shall be A Face like my face that receives thee; a Man like to me, Thou shalt love and be loved by, forever: a Hand like this hand Shall throw open the gates of a new life to thee! See the Christ stand!”

Would be interesting to see a discussion with Michael Heiser on his points, both are very knowledgeable and have interesting points.

Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

The book of Ezekiel goes into detail about Lucifer being perfect in beauty. Every precious stone adored his body. Music like Instrument parts were a part of his body. This is not a description of a physical mortal man. There is so much confusion and without the spirit of God one cannot completely understand the word of God regardless of one’s academic level. What this man says seems more of an opinion that clearly supports personal tastes.

Just kind of stumbled across this and really appreciate it. As much and as often as I've read the Ezekiel temple passages, it had never occurred to me that no height is mentioned. That, and the river as you explain here, make much more sense with that in mind, that it's an allegory of future worship. Can you give any links or sources that would help flesh out the rest of the meaning of the temple? Also, I appreciate your humility. I am a big fan of Dr. Heiser and think he has done the body of Christ a great service in trying to get us to think more like the people to which the Bible was written and to reach out beyond whatever "systems" we have grown up in and around. But...none of us is perfect or has all the knowledge of the truth. Perhaps some of the more obscure and challenging passages were placed there to keep us humble. We've all seen cults arise just because some mortal has claimed to have all the answers. Thank you for this message! God bless!

Thank you Dr Gentry

Very enlightening!

Thank you so much for an alternative view against my modest ignorance. Love to all.

This guy is brilliant, great scholar. However, in this particular presentation, I’m going to still hold on to the Isaiah And Ezekiel passages as descriptions of Lucifer. Agree to disagree.

wow that was eye opening thank you so much God bless

Very helpful and accurate, I think, interpretation of the two passages that seem to refer to Satan's fall. I recently published a video on KZfaq (How Satan works/Delivered from HIV AIDS) in which I reference these the two scriptures and I was worried I may have misunderstood. At least I called the individuals being talked about in the respective passages - typologies. Thank you for the relief your presentation has brought. Your humility is striking. I noticed your admission about the difficulties that these passages pose to serious interpreters of scriptures. God bless you richly.

Jesus said he saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven (Luke 10:18). I think this described a story of the fall of Satan.

Eschatology Matters! When your understanding of the end times is wrong, it effects all other doctrines - to one degree or another.

Great video btw!

You’re balanced, my brother. Very good

Buenos días. Este video se puede encontrar doblado al español o subtitulado? Quedo atento a sus comentarios. Gracia y paz.

Some consecrated thinking I have journeyed through... Speaking to the King of Tyre in Ezekiel 28 does describes Satan... Read it: Ezekiel 28:14-19 (NASB) "You were the anointed cherub who covers, And I placed you there. You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked in the midst of the stones of fire. "You were blameless in your ways From the day you were created Until unrighteousness was found in you. "By the abundance of your trade You were internally filled with violence, And you sinned; Therefore I have cast you as profane From the mountain of God. And I have destroyed you, O covering cherub, From the midst of the stones of fire.."Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I put you before kings, That they may see you. "By the multitude of your iniquities, In the unrighteousness of your trade You profaned your sanctuaries. Therefore I have brought fire from the midst of you; It has consumed you, And I have turned you to ashes on the earth In the eyes of all who see you. "All who know you among the peoples Are appalled at you; You have become terrified And you will cease to be forever."’" Was a guard “cherob” on the Mount of God magnifying His glory... but it wasn’t good enough for him, he wanted to be like God, he sinned and was cast to the ground, aka earth, he wanted in all ways to be like God but unfortunately that is and proves to impossible for him. Look at the similarities we face, it’s eerily similar as unrepentant sinful non-believers. Earth is satan’s prison, God created a handful of dust to do what God created Satan to and our reward for living for Christ as a repentant believer is the very thing Satan was covered in. Our warning is when we think we can take Satan on he will crush us by the sovereign will of the Father. In the end all our rewards goes through fire... When gold, precious stones and Jewels goes through fire it is purified to magnify brighter. When wood hay and stubble goes through fire it is consumed and no longer exists. If I see you on the streets of glory and all I see is you I haven’t seen much but if you are covered in gold, silver and previous stones... “greater is He that is in me.” I see the Glory of God reflecting off you. My simple Holy Spirit directed consecrated “non-formal” educated mind with interlinear tools. I don’t know about you, if someone replaced me that was made out of the lowest forms of materials under foot, I’d probably be upset to! Jesus is LORD! “His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie...” (1 John 2:27, NASB) I pray this encourages someone!!!

Outstanding teaching on this subject. I like his humbleness yet he is highly educated in scripture and has a great ability to convey differing opinions including his own.

This is a good explanation and I apriciate the engagment with Heiser thanks for the hard work here. I lean towards your view but in all these things charity

Thank you very much brother. I‘m very blessed by your answer an the whole channel. Very interesting and found. What about the scripture in the one of the 4 gospels, where Jesus himself says, that he saw the devil falling like a flash to earth.

I never thought I would hear reference made to Robin Hood: Men in Tights in one of these videos, but I'm glad I did! Haha

Wow very cool thanks for the great work.

I just found this like, I like how he speaks

Recently I heard a famous Pastor (late) giving an account of his encounter with satan. He claimed and taught that satan was created by God as satan, in the beginning. Now, the pastor's son and other church leaders continue with this understanding and spread his teaching around the world. However, I could not take it and I had to refute his this ONE teaching.

That’s the most amazing beard I’ve ever seen

Thank you for explanation 💯 SURE

I would love to meet you. I have been so internally drawn to the historical meanings and translations of the Bible for my spirituality. It has been on my mind for a few years.

Dr. Gentry, thank you for the thoughtful explanation to the Isaiah and Ezekiel passages. I completely agree with you on the Isaiah passage. I also agree with you on the Ezekiel passage in terms of the Adamic figure for this young up start-up king. However, I do wonder if that is true in addition to Ezekiel also referring to Satan. Here is my logic: some ancient cultures outside of Christianity have accounts of a flood narrative just as we do as Christians. Is it possible that some cultures in the OT not only had passed down story’s about the flood but also about the fall of Satan? I am driving at the fact that Ezekiel could have been speaking metaphorically while referring to the ancient shared narrative of Satan given that the story could have been passed down in ancient tyre just like the flood in other cultures. Has this potential link been teased out completely with archaeological support? What I’m saying is this: did the story of this young up-start God have it’s origins in the more ancient story of the fall Satan then become bastardized by the word of mouthing passing down method by this pagan culture, but with the common shared roots being referenced by Ezekiel?

What about the Book of Revelation decription of the war in heaven and the fall of satan?..........

I like Heiser’s perspective. Thanks for the video.

Satan is not God's enemy . He is a servant to God . He is our Adversary, to try and test us . When we think we've got it all together, look out a test is coming . It's all very necessary and good for us that God has called.

I actually support the notion that these scriptures in Isiah and Ezekiel are acting as "similies" to apply to two different beings, simultaneously. For those who aren't sure, a simile is a form of writing in which comparisons to two separate entities are made, simultaneously, using the same statements and imagery. The Canaanite religion, scripturally speaking, is most likely based off of the true God and Hebrew religion at the time, yet obviously being a twisted and fallen form of it. We can safely assume this because the Canaanites came from Canaan. Canaan was the son of Ham, and Ham was the son of Noah... Later in Genesis, we see the downfall of the Canaanites being foreshadowed in 'The Curse of Ham'. That being stated, I personally believe that the Canaanite religion was very very loosely based on their fundamentals, but then falling way off the wayside. Their pantheon was most likely based on Lucifer and the fallen angels (who attempted to become God in the same way). I think Lucifer was the form of Athtar to the Canaanites. It's interesting how a embodied persona of Athtar actually involved lightning. Later, in the book of Luke, it is written that Satan fell from heaven "like lightning". That's a striking similarity here. Additionally, Athtar was known for trying to usurp Baal's throne but failed and was cast down... Another striking similarity, right?! A being who appeared with lightning characteristics falls from heaven like lightning, just like the scripture directly says about Satan. There's clear distinction between divine attributions being made, and mortal attributions being made. This is particularly clear in Ezekiel. Though ancient middle eastern Kings did often try to deify themselves, no prophet of God ever acknowledged it in and way. We see this shown in Daniel where he and his companions would rather burn in the furnace than acknowledge the Babylonian King's false deification. What's even more supportive is that Isaiah is giving a direct spoken word from God himself when it is written down, "you shall say", or "you shall take up this taunt" (God taking to Isaiah and Ezekiel)... God certainly would not affirm or even entertain the idea of a mortals false deification. Yet, apodictic statements like "you were the signet of perfection", are divine attributions being spoken to in affirmative past-tense... I don't think the Lord would've told Ezekiel to use such strong wording in application to a mortal alone, especially when the Lord God denies the attempted self deification of the prince of Tyre, just before the lamentation to the king of Tyre that included divine attributions being spoken to, in actual recognition. The distinctions are intentional. All of this supports the idea that a simile is being used. I think the scriptures are acting to condemn these false Kings, who were acting with the spirit of Antichrist (the Spirit of Lucifer), who are following in his footsteps and are therefore being cast down in the same way that Lucifer was. God is speaking to both the mortal Kings, as well as to the Spirit of Lucifer who is behind them; telling us a true story of the past and the present at the same time.

Thank you for this video.. my approach too this very subject has been humbled and enriched.. it’s a toss up for me but nevertheless this was very educating and beautifully presented and explained.. really enjoyed this. God bless

Wow well put

It’s very interesting to challenge the narrative in any subject, but in scripture, it excels them all. Thank you so much for you insights on this scripture from Isaiah. I’ve often questioned myself whether this Lucifer mentioned was really Satan or the King Of Tyre. Thanks again,I’m subscribed

Never studied much on who the devil is and why we believe what we do. This gave me a lot to consider and a reason for further study.

Thank you very much for your contribution to this discussion Dr. Gentry. It's good to hear the other side to these things, especially in the respectful tone that you demonstrated. I had never heard that interpretation of the meaning of the wheels in Ezekiel's "visions of God," I.e. that it means the presence of God was leaving the temple and the people until the new covenant. It actually makes a lot of sense. Again, thank you for sharing!

Very fascinating and enlightening. He explains from a more historical based perspective rather than a symbology perspective.

Vicarius Filii Dei (Latin: Vicar or Representative of the Son of God) is a phrase first used in the forged medieval Donation of Constantine to refer to Saint Peter, a leader of the Early Christian Church and regarded as the first Pope by the Catholic Church.

"Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place 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." - Rev 12 Am I missing something, Dr. Gentry? Are you??