A new upcoming television series on the Fox Network looks to re-interpret Lucifer as a bored but supernatural antihero living in Los Angeles. But is this show merely entertainment … or is it a dangerous delusion?
Scheduled to premiere in 2016, Lucifer is described as a “loose adaptation” of a comic book character created by popular English scribe Neil Gaiman. The TV series will focus on Lucifer, “who is bored and unhappy as the Lord of Hell and resigns his throne and abandons his kingdom for the beauty of Los Angeles, where he gets his kicks helping the LAPD punish criminals.” [1] He becomes a consultant to the police department and also runs his own nightclub called Lux.
If you’re a curious bystander wondering what the truth is behind this fallen angel, don’t waste your time watching this program. Besides one tiny grain of truth—that the former light bearer in heaven is now evil—the distortions are rampant. If you would really like to know more about the work of this dark being, open your Bible instead.
Lucifer was the name of an angel created by God. He was once an “anointed cherub” (Ezekiel 28:14) who stood next to the throne of God (Psalm 99:1). But his heart eventually became corrupted (Ezekiel 28:17). The Bible describes what happened: “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!” (Isaiah 14:12).
Lucifer, which means “light bearer,” was cast out of heaven with a third of the angels (Revelation 12:9). He lost his position and became Satan, which means “enemy.” The devil, also called the “dragon,” lives to tempt and destroy the people of this world. He would never abandon his effort to maintain control of his dominion of the earth to dabble in the fast lane of LA.
The TV show, of course, twists the truth. It presents a being named Lucifer who gave up his position in heaven and lost his title to that name. He is now Satan and the devil, our enemy. The series depicts a being that is immortal and cannot be destroyed. The Bible tells us he was created and therefore has no natural immortality. What will ultimately happen to this evil angel? “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:10) which is the “second”—and final—death (v. 14). Satan is not in charge of punishment and judgment. The devil does not wonder if there’s hope for his own soul. There is no sympathy in his heart for the fallen, for he is the one who leads people to destruction.
The true character of Satan is hidden in this TV series, properly labeled within the fictional genres of drama, crime, and horror. The Bible truth shows that he deceives and persecutes (Revelation 12:9, 13), he falsely accuses and murders (Revelation 12:10; John 8:44), he works miracles and lies (Revelation 16:13, 14; John 8:44); and he brings disease and death (Job 2:7).
Don’t bother with Hollywood’s dark lies. Lucifer is no longer a bearer of light. His “nightclub” is not the Lux (which means light), but is rather a den of darkness. If you want to find truth, look to heaven’s answer—Jesus Christ, the true “light of the world.”
Learn more about the fall of Lucifer and the work of Satan in a Bible study you can review by clicking here. Let us know what you think in the comments below!