Fallen angels are mentioned in the following places in the Bible:
- Isaiah 14:12-15 – This passage is often interpreted as referring to the fall of Lucifer, symbolically described as the morning star being cast down to the earth.
- Ezekiel 28:12-17 – Although primarily directed at the king of Tyre, this passage is also interpreted by some as an allegory for the fall of Satan, detailing the pride and downfall of a once-cherubic guardian.
- Revelation 12:7-9 – This text describes a war in heaven in which Michael and his angels fight against the dragon (identified as Satan) and his angels, resulting in the dragon’s defeat and his being thrown down to the earth along with his fallen angels.
- 2 Peter 2:4 – This verse mentions that God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment.
- Jude 1:6 – This verse speaks of angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling, for which they are kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.
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.
Isaiah 14:12-15
Ezekiel 28:12-17
Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. 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: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. 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 cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.
Ezekiel 28:12-17
Revelation 12:7-9
And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.
Revelation 12:7-9
2 Peter 2:4
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
Jude 1:6
And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
Jude 1:6
What meaning do fallen angels have in the Bible?
In the Bible, fallen angels are those celestial beings who sinned against God and, as a result, lost their exalted position in heaven. Their story serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of rebellion against God’s sovereignty and the danger of pride and disobedience. It’s a subject that touches on the justice and mercy of God, showing us that no one, not even angels, is beyond the reach of God’s law.
The tale of these angels begins with their original high status. These were angels created by God, endowed with beauty and wisdom. However, they chose to turn away from their Creator. The story of their fall is scattered throughout scripture, but it’s always linked to a pivotal issue: they rejected the authority of God. The idea of angels falling because of their own choices warns us of the peril in turning away from the path God has set.
For example, in Isaiah 14:12-15, Lucifer, one of the most prominent fallen angels, is described metaphorically as a morning star cast down to earth. His ambition to ascend above his given station, to elevate his throne above God’s stars, shows the root of many sins: pride. This passage, though poetic, is a stark depiction of how aspirations against God can lead to downfall.
Ezekiel 28:12-17 elaborates on this theme, where the king of Tyre is portrayed with characteristics often associated with Satan. Originally adorned with every precious stone and perfect in beauty, the pride stemming from his splendor leads to corruption. Although this passage directly addresses the king, it resonates with the broader theme of how pride can corrupt one’s wisdom and bring about a fall from grace.
The narrative reaches a dramatic climax in Revelation 12:7-9, where a literal battle in heaven is described. Michael and his angels combat the dragon—identified as Satan—and his followers. Satan’s defeat and subsequent expulsion from heaven emphasize that rebellion against God leads to defeat and judgment.
2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 1:6 offer a glimpse into the consequences for these rebellious angels. They are not merely expelled; they are also bound in chains of darkness, held for the day of judgment. This image of chains and darkness communicates the severity of their disobedience and the certainty of divine justice.
These passages collectively underscore a central biblical warning: rebellion against God’s order brings profound consequences. The fallen angels, once holders of divine position, now serve as a sobering example of the fate awaiting those who would challenge the authority of the Almighty. Their story is not just ancient history—it’s a present-day reminder of the need for humility and obedience in our relationship with God.