The Bible gives us visions of Heaven’s beauty prior to sin – prior to man’s sin, Lucifer’s rebellion, and evil’s entrance into God’s initial work of perfection.
The Scripture does not give us a full description of Heaven’s condition prior to Lucifer’s fall, but it leaves us with enough pieces to understand Heaven was a realm of divine order, worship, and glory surrounding God.
The Order and Glory of Heaven
Before Lucifer’s rebellion, Heaven was a scene of total order and divine harmony. God’s throne was established in righteousness and in justice (Psalm 89:14), surrounded by angelic hosts who waited on Him continually in worship and obedience.
Heavenly worship scenes are painted in Revelation 4 and Isaiah 6 that likely depict Heaven’s original atmosphere. The prophet Isaiah writes:
- On it stood the seraphim; there were six wings to each one… And one cried to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!’
— Isaiah 6:2-3 (NKJV)
Heaven was a realm of God’s glory, radiant with His presence. The angel hosts were in their assigned places, fulfilling God’s will without rebellion and strife. Everything contributed to God’s perfect plan in harmony.
Lucifer’s Original Position in Heaven
Lucifer, before his fall, was in a high and noble position in Heaven. He wasn’t created an evil being; instead, the Bible suggests he was one of the most handsome and noble of all angels. Ezekiel gives a poetic description of his original state:
You were the seal of perfection, having beauty and full of wisdom… You were the anointed cherub who covers; I planted you… You were perfect in ways until the day you were created, until iniquity was found in you.”
— Ezekiel 28:12-15 (NKJV)
The fact that Lucifer is the “anointed cherub who covers” implies that he performed a certain function in near proximity to God’s throne, perhaps something to do with worship, beauty, and holiness. Some scholars believe that he could have been the head worship leader in Heaven.
The Atmosphere of Worship and Unity
Prior to the rebellion, Heaven was unified and unbroken worship. Revelation 5:11-12 speaks of multitudes of angels singing God’s praises with one voice. This vision occurs after Christ’s ascension, but it is a repeat of Heaven’s heavenly worship pattern:
“Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne. saying with a loud voice: ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!’”
— Revelation 5:11-12 (NKJV)
This picture likely reflects the atmosphere before Lucifer introduced division – a place where all of creation honored God in unity.
The Beginning of Pride and Rebellion
Lucifer’s fall marks the first occurrence of sin entering creation – not on earth, but in Heaven itself. Isaiah describes Lucifer’s corruption from within:
“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!. For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God… I will be like the Most High.'”
— Isaiah 14:12-14 (NKJV)
This pride, this desire to occupy God’s throne, broke the harmony of Heaven. Lucifer was cast out and along with him a third of the angels who had followed him (Revelation 12:4, 9). But before there was rebellion, Heaven knew only peace, obedience, and glory.
Conclusion: A Picture of Perfect Holiness
Heaven before the rebellion of Lucifer was a realm of unimaginable beauty, perfection, and harmony founded on the glory of God. It was sinless, prideless, and disobedienceless. Lucifer’s rebellion was more than a fall of an individual – it was the first in Heaven’s perfect peace.
Although Heaven today remains God’s and His angels’ home, we are told by Scripture that the original glory of Heaven will ultimately be regained.
The Revelation speaks of a new Heaven and a new Earth in which righteousness dwells (Revelation 21:1). Until then, we hold to the promise that God, Who previously cast rebellion from His presence, will eventually make all things new.
