The angels who fell with Lucifer (also known as Satan) are often referred to as the fallen angels or demons in Christian theology. The story of their fall is not explicitly detailed in a single passage of the Bible but is derived from various scriptures, particularly in the books of Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Revelation.
Lucifer and the Fall
Lucifer, once a high-ranking archangel, is believed to have fallen due to pride and a desire to overthrow God. This rebellion led to him and a group of angels being cast out of Heaven. The key passages that discuss this event are:
- Isaiah 14:12-15 – This passage is often associated with Lucifer’s fall, though it originally referred to the king of Babylon. However, many Christian traditions interpret it as a symbolic description of Satan’s pride and fall:
- “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!” (Isaiah 14:12)
- Ezekiel 28:12-19 – This passage describes a once-beautiful and powerful being, often interpreted as Lucifer, who was cast down because of arrogance:
- “You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God…” (Ezekiel 28:12)
- Revelation 12:7-9 – This passage explicitly mentions the rebellion in Heaven and the war between Michael and his angels and Satan and his fallen angels:
- “And there was war 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.” (Revelation 12:7-8)
The Fallen Angels
The angels who followed Lucifer in his rebellion are often referred to as fallen angels or demons. While the Bible doesn’t give specific names for these angels (except for Lucifer), Christian tradition, particularly from extra-biblical sources like The Book of Enoch, suggests that there were several key figures:
- Azazel – A fallen angel who is often mentioned in the Book of Enoch. Azazel is associated with teaching forbidden knowledge to humans and leading them into sin.
- Belial – Another prominent fallen angel, often associated with lawlessness and evil.
- Beelzebub – Often considered one of the highest-ranking fallen angels or demons, sometimes depicted as a chief of demons alongside Satan.
- Leviathan – A demonic figure mentioned in both the Bible and various traditions, sometimes thought of as one of the fallen angels or a great demon.
These angels, according to tradition, were cast out of Heaven for their rebellion and now reside in hell, working against God’s purposes. The total number of fallen angels is unclear, but it is often said that a third of the angels fell with Lucifer (based on Revelation 12:4), meaning a significant portion of the heavenly host.
Conclusion
The angels who fell with Lucifer are the fallen angels or demons who followed him in his rebellion against God. While the Bible doesn’t name all of them, figures like Azazel, Belial, and Beelzebub have been associated with this rebellion in Christian tradition. These fallen angels represent evil and chaos, opposing God’s divine plan and working against humanity.