Lucifer: A Character Study
Note this is not biblical Lucifer, though they share many traits. This is based on the character from the television series, Supernatural. However, be forewarned, I will incorporate bits and pieces from biblical works to enhance the character, though he is already quite developed. I enjoy a bit of religious accuracy, however and, while I believe Supernatural did a fine job, there are other elements I'd like to incorporate. I have used a picture of what Lucifer's face/eyes were more likely to look like in both the icon and the actual post.
I was a son. A brother, like you, a younger brother, and I had an older brother who I loved. Idolized, in fact. And one day I went to him, and I begged him to stand with me. And Michael... Michael turned on me. Called me a freak, a monster. And then he beat me down, all because I was different. Because I had a mind of my own. Tell me something Sam, any of this sound familiar? Anyway, you'll have to excuse me, midnight is calling, and I have a ritual to finish. Don't go anywhere. Not that you could if you would.
-Lucifer, to Sam
HISTORY
Isaiah 14:12-15, "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! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit."
Lucifer, also known as the morning star, was the second oldest Angel. He is only second to Michael. He was also said to be God's favorite. He was the "bringer of light." Lit the skies after the night fell. Lucifer was cast out of Heaven by Michael when he refused to bow down to humanity, who were God's greatest creations. He believed they were sinful, prideful, faulted, and destructive of themselves and God's plans for them. His earth. They chose to turn on him in their time with their wars and false religion and, in Lucifer's opinion, that made them less than holy. He led a rebellion against his Father, refusing to bow down to humanity, and took a third of the angels with him. Lucifer, angered and bitter, decided to make it his business to corrupt and destroy every human being. He believed them to be the scum of the earth. Cockroaches. After this, he was forcibly locked in a cage in the lowest level of Hell. He was freed after the death Lilith. Lucifer made it his personal mission to bring about the apocalypse and destroy humanity in a way they were similarly already destroying themselves. He used a man named Nick as a vessel, but he knew his true vessel was Samuel Winchester and he would stop at nothing to convince Sam that it was what was best for the world. Eventually, Sam agreed. Lucifer (in Sam's body) met Michael for a final battle at Stull Cemetary (which is said to be the Field of Armageddon in this case). Lucifer decides he no longer wants to fight his brother, he simply wants his brother to see things his way. Michael refuses, claiming that they had to finish it. However, just before the battle got too bad, Sam's memories and love for Dean overthrew the power Lucifer had over him and he forced himself, Adam, and Michael into the cage.
PERSONALITY
Lucifer is entirely asexual. Though he will use any means to get what he wants, he is repulsed by humanity and is not interested in pursuing any kind of relationship - especially sexual - with a human. He doesn't have those needs, as he is an Angel. Lucifer is sarcastic, manipulative, intelligent, wise, corrupt from his years in the pit of torment and despair, and downright evil. He has great charisma and can entice most to do pretty much anything, thus leading them down the road of destruction. He is prideful and egostical, believing that humans are maggots and he doesn't understand why his Father requires him to bow down to the scum, which is how he ended up in his predicament. His greatest failure was defying his Father when he refused to bow down to humanity - again, said to be God's greatest accomplishment. His years in hell has made him hateful of all things. All he wants is to return to Heaven but he knows that, after all he's done, no matter how much he repents, he can never return. Lucifer has become God's archenemy. He also still believes in the cause he fell for. He is capable of terrible things beyond the realm of belief, but he can also be compassionate, believe it or not. But that is love for his family, a love he despises. He may be hateful but, above all, he is still an Angel. He feels betrayed by his brother, Michael, and all the other angels who allowed it to happen. Betrayed by his father, betrayed by the world. This has led to much negativity and sorrow for the creature who is full of contempt. He is truly convinced that his Father will recognize he was right, as he watches humanity destroy themselves. The humans that don't follow his plan, the humans who fight wars when there was meant to be peace. This had never happened prior and Lucifer knows there is a great war coming, though he'd rather it didn't.
LORE FROM THE BIBLE
-Lucifer is described as being covered in worms (v. 11) and mocked by men (v. 16) because he no longer has any power after his casting out of heaven (vs. 5-8); so there is no justification for thinking that Lucifer is now on earth leading believers astray. (source)
-Lucifer is the Prince of all rebellion, "the sum of all moral impurities." We do not see him with our eyes, yet feel him within our souls. Every rebellious act is praised and encouraged by Lucifer. He is the personification or rebellion.
-Lucifer attempted to gain control over Heaven and was, thus, cast out by GOD not Michael. By rebelling against his Father's laws, he rebelled against his Father directly. During his independence, he attempted to gain control over Heaven, determined to overrule even his Father. He brought about chaos and destruction in the Heavens and the third of his brothers - fellow Angels - descended with him to Sheol, the lowest depths of the pit where he would be for eternal torment for his wrongdoings, facing the full wrath of his Father (the wrath we will face if we do not turn to Him and follow His word).
How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: "I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God [angels]; I will also sit [rule] on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north [God's government]; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High." Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit. (Isaiah 14:12-15)
-In the Lord's eyes, pride is a fault and nothing good can come of it. Lucifer is the embodiment of pride. "Pride comes only by contention." Lucifer fought amongst the other Angels due to this pride and he fell from grace because of it.
-Lucifer was one of the chief Angels, his name meaning the "Light-Bringer" or "Day Star." Ezekiel calls him "the anointed cherub who covers." This meaning that his wings covered God's throne in Heaven. Lucifer is said to be a creation of God - the most beautiful, wise, and perfect OF his creations. This brought upon his pride and vanity. He wanted power, authority, and control. He didn't want to be like the ruler of Heaven (God), he wanted to be the ruler of Heaven.
-Lucifer is not a snake, a serpent, or anything other humans tend to propagandize. He was a "powerful, supremely intelligent, beautiful free-moral agent-an angelic one. But because he could not control his thoughts in making comparisons and evaluations, his intellect, authority, and his beauty led him to feel superior to others, to misuse them and circumstances solely for his benefit." (quote source)
And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day,
-Jude 1:16
By this, he doesn't mean they were inherently good or bad or whether or not they were making the wrong decisions (though they were), he meant that they were "not content with where God had placed them."
-Lucifer has many handles he is referred to as in the bible. A few of which being, the dragon (though he is not), the serpent (though he merely took the form in the garden of evil, his typical physique is not that of a serpent either), the adversary, Satan, the Devil, Prince of demons (though he is passive towards them - neither caring for them nor hating), author of all evil, father of lies, prince of this world, a demon (able to take human form), god of this world, Belial, power of darkness, roaring lion, Angel of the Abyss (Abaddon), and accuser of our brethren. He will answer to any of these, though some more begrudgingly than others.
-Lucifer is a created being - a former archangel, thus being inferior to God.
-He can be in only one place at one time, whereas God is everywhere.
-He has limits to his knowledge and power being as he can not perform any acts that his Father does not approve of.
-He is the ruler of the earth. (John 12:31, Ephesians 6:12 and 2 Corinthians 4:4)
-He can adopt a human form, control their every thought and action.
-His very existence is to feared, as he is a dangerous entity, a "roaring lion seeking whom he may devour."
-He has an army of demons. (from "daimon" meaning "intelligent" [trufax] in Greek) who assist him in his every action.
-He is the master of deception.
-Lucifer was given all his traits by his Father other than his iniquity, which he developed solely.
-He was the Angel of Music.
-Satan was lifted up because of his beauty, he corrupted the wisdom by reason of his brightness (This is in Ezekiel 28:17)
-Again, Satan is perceived as a horned, red devil, but that is actually closer to "Pan" of Greek Mythology. Lucifer was a "being of perfect beauty." He was covered in every type of precious stone, with pendants and jewels of gold.
Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold
-Ezekiel 28:13
He was an expression of God's own beauty and power. His very nature changed when he sinned (which is also true of man), and his appearance may have as well, but the bible does not say.
-Lucifer did not fall before Day 6. Up until the Garden of Eden, he was without sin.
BIBLICAL QUOTES ABOUT LUCIFER
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
-John 8:44
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
-Ephesians 6:11-18
And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world-he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.
-Revelation 12:9-10
and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
-Revelation 20:10
"Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."
John 8:44
I was a son. A brother, like you, a younger brother, and I had an older brother who I loved. Idolized, in fact. And one day I went to him, and I begged him to stand with me. And Michael... Michael turned on me. Called me a freak, a monster. And then he beat me down, all because I was different. Because I had a mind of my own. Tell me something Sam, any of this sound familiar? Anyway, you'll have to excuse me, midnight is calling, and I have a ritual to finish. Don't go anywhere. Not that you could if you would.
-Lucifer, to Sam
HISTORY
Isaiah 14:12-15, "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! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit."
Lucifer, also known as the morning star, was the second oldest Angel. He is only second to Michael. He was also said to be God's favorite. He was the "bringer of light." Lit the skies after the night fell. Lucifer was cast out of Heaven by Michael when he refused to bow down to humanity, who were God's greatest creations. He believed they were sinful, prideful, faulted, and destructive of themselves and God's plans for them. His earth. They chose to turn on him in their time with their wars and false religion and, in Lucifer's opinion, that made them less than holy. He led a rebellion against his Father, refusing to bow down to humanity, and took a third of the angels with him. Lucifer, angered and bitter, decided to make it his business to corrupt and destroy every human being. He believed them to be the scum of the earth. Cockroaches. After this, he was forcibly locked in a cage in the lowest level of Hell. He was freed after the death Lilith. Lucifer made it his personal mission to bring about the apocalypse and destroy humanity in a way they were similarly already destroying themselves. He used a man named Nick as a vessel, but he knew his true vessel was Samuel Winchester and he would stop at nothing to convince Sam that it was what was best for the world. Eventually, Sam agreed. Lucifer (in Sam's body) met Michael for a final battle at Stull Cemetary (which is said to be the Field of Armageddon in this case). Lucifer decides he no longer wants to fight his brother, he simply wants his brother to see things his way. Michael refuses, claiming that they had to finish it. However, just before the battle got too bad, Sam's memories and love for Dean overthrew the power Lucifer had over him and he forced himself, Adam, and Michael into the cage.
PERSONALITY
Lucifer is entirely asexual. Though he will use any means to get what he wants, he is repulsed by humanity and is not interested in pursuing any kind of relationship - especially sexual - with a human. He doesn't have those needs, as he is an Angel. Lucifer is sarcastic, manipulative, intelligent, wise, corrupt from his years in the pit of torment and despair, and downright evil. He has great charisma and can entice most to do pretty much anything, thus leading them down the road of destruction. He is prideful and egostical, believing that humans are maggots and he doesn't understand why his Father requires him to bow down to the scum, which is how he ended up in his predicament. His greatest failure was defying his Father when he refused to bow down to humanity - again, said to be God's greatest accomplishment. His years in hell has made him hateful of all things. All he wants is to return to Heaven but he knows that, after all he's done, no matter how much he repents, he can never return. Lucifer has become God's archenemy. He also still believes in the cause he fell for. He is capable of terrible things beyond the realm of belief, but he can also be compassionate, believe it or not. But that is love for his family, a love he despises. He may be hateful but, above all, he is still an Angel. He feels betrayed by his brother, Michael, and all the other angels who allowed it to happen. Betrayed by his father, betrayed by the world. This has led to much negativity and sorrow for the creature who is full of contempt. He is truly convinced that his Father will recognize he was right, as he watches humanity destroy themselves. The humans that don't follow his plan, the humans who fight wars when there was meant to be peace. This had never happened prior and Lucifer knows there is a great war coming, though he'd rather it didn't.
LORE FROM THE BIBLE
-Lucifer is described as being covered in worms (v. 11) and mocked by men (v. 16) because he no longer has any power after his casting out of heaven (vs. 5-8); so there is no justification for thinking that Lucifer is now on earth leading believers astray. (source)
-Lucifer is the Prince of all rebellion, "the sum of all moral impurities." We do not see him with our eyes, yet feel him within our souls. Every rebellious act is praised and encouraged by Lucifer. He is the personification or rebellion.
-Lucifer attempted to gain control over Heaven and was, thus, cast out by GOD not Michael. By rebelling against his Father's laws, he rebelled against his Father directly. During his independence, he attempted to gain control over Heaven, determined to overrule even his Father. He brought about chaos and destruction in the Heavens and the third of his brothers - fellow Angels - descended with him to Sheol, the lowest depths of the pit where he would be for eternal torment for his wrongdoings, facing the full wrath of his Father (the wrath we will face if we do not turn to Him and follow His word).
How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: "I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God [angels]; I will also sit [rule] on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north [God's government]; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High." Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit. (Isaiah 14:12-15)
-In the Lord's eyes, pride is a fault and nothing good can come of it. Lucifer is the embodiment of pride. "Pride comes only by contention." Lucifer fought amongst the other Angels due to this pride and he fell from grace because of it.
-Lucifer was one of the chief Angels, his name meaning the "Light-Bringer" or "Day Star." Ezekiel calls him "the anointed cherub who covers." This meaning that his wings covered God's throne in Heaven. Lucifer is said to be a creation of God - the most beautiful, wise, and perfect OF his creations. This brought upon his pride and vanity. He wanted power, authority, and control. He didn't want to be like the ruler of Heaven (God), he wanted to be the ruler of Heaven.
-Lucifer is not a snake, a serpent, or anything other humans tend to propagandize. He was a "powerful, supremely intelligent, beautiful free-moral agent-an angelic one. But because he could not control his thoughts in making comparisons and evaluations, his intellect, authority, and his beauty led him to feel superior to others, to misuse them and circumstances solely for his benefit." (quote source)
And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day,
-Jude 1:16
By this, he doesn't mean they were inherently good or bad or whether or not they were making the wrong decisions (though they were), he meant that they were "not content with where God had placed them."
-Lucifer has many handles he is referred to as in the bible. A few of which being, the dragon (though he is not), the serpent (though he merely took the form in the garden of evil, his typical physique is not that of a serpent either), the adversary, Satan, the Devil, Prince of demons (though he is passive towards them - neither caring for them nor hating), author of all evil, father of lies, prince of this world, a demon (able to take human form), god of this world, Belial, power of darkness, roaring lion, Angel of the Abyss (Abaddon), and accuser of our brethren. He will answer to any of these, though some more begrudgingly than others.
-Lucifer is a created being - a former archangel, thus being inferior to God.
-He can be in only one place at one time, whereas God is everywhere.
-He has limits to his knowledge and power being as he can not perform any acts that his Father does not approve of.
-He is the ruler of the earth. (John 12:31, Ephesians 6:12 and 2 Corinthians 4:4)
-He can adopt a human form, control their every thought and action.
-His very existence is to feared, as he is a dangerous entity, a "roaring lion seeking whom he may devour."
-He has an army of demons. (from "daimon" meaning "intelligent" [trufax] in Greek) who assist him in his every action.
-He is the master of deception.
-Lucifer was given all his traits by his Father other than his iniquity, which he developed solely.
-He was the Angel of Music.
-Satan was lifted up because of his beauty, he corrupted the wisdom by reason of his brightness (This is in Ezekiel 28:17)
-Again, Satan is perceived as a horned, red devil, but that is actually closer to "Pan" of Greek Mythology. Lucifer was a "being of perfect beauty." He was covered in every type of precious stone, with pendants and jewels of gold.
Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold
-Ezekiel 28:13
He was an expression of God's own beauty and power. His very nature changed when he sinned (which is also true of man), and his appearance may have as well, but the bible does not say.
-Lucifer did not fall before Day 6. Up until the Garden of Eden, he was without sin.
BIBLICAL QUOTES ABOUT LUCIFER
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
-John 8:44
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
-Ephesians 6:11-18
And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world-he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.
-Revelation 12:9-10
and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
-Revelation 20:10
"Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."
John 8:44