Do you believe there really was a rebellion in heaven?

You are correct in that there is no Scripture that specifically states, "Angels were created with free will," but it does not imply that God wanted a rebellion. The fact that the angels rebelled against God is a better indication that angels were created with free will. If God was really petty and looking for an ego boost (which He is not and does not need) it would have made more sense then if ALL the angels rebelled against Him.

As for God creating angels to be His moral opposite that is incorrect: How can we account for the angels that stayed with God and did not fall with Lucifer?

God actually greatly favored Lucifer and considered him to be the "model of perfection." -Ezekiel 28:12-15

Yes, the rebellion in heaven was a real rebellion. God didn't create evil. Evil occurs from a lack of holiness and it starts with that one prideful seed. God doesn't have to prove anything to anyone so the notion that he set this whole thing up is idle.

Angels (not the fallen angels, a.k.a demons) are held in such high esteem that even we humans are considered less than them (Hebrews 2:7) though we are to be like them (unable to die and holy) one day, see Luke 20:36.

Peace! :)

Of course angels have free will. God doesn't force His love on anyone. I don't understand what you mean when you say, "Biblically, only mankind was given free will." Where does it says this? If there was war in heaven and Satan rebelled, then He obviously made the choice. If you are going to believe that God is devious, then you really can't trust anything you read in the Bible, can you?

I do believe there was an actual rebellion. Lucifer was beautiful and filled with pride. I think although He was made to serve God, that pride gave him the way to break from what he had been created for and try and set himself up as God.

Ezekiel 28:14 You were anointed t as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones.

verse15 You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you.

good question!

best thing I can tell you is to look in the Bible.

Jude 1:6- And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home-these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.

the word "abandoned" here says a lot. it means that those angels CHOSE to rebel against God, and were locked in Tartarus for it (for reference to that, see 2 Peter).

Revelation 12:7-and there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. (8) But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. (9) The great dragon was hurled down-that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

feel free to email if you have more questions about these verses :)

If the Bible says there was a rebellion in Heaven, then there was a rebellion in Heaven. The fact that we cannot, with finite human understanding, comprehend how it happened does not in any way negate its existence.

Once we're in Heaven, and have a better understanding, it really will all make sense. Do the best you can with the sense God has given you, however much it is, and trust Him that He really does know what He's doing.

Once of my favorite saying is "Has it ever occurred to you that nothing ever occurs to God?" I really like that, because it reminds me of what omniscient really means.

And Lucifer means light bringer. Go figure.

As an agnostic, I think going speculating too much about the nature of heaven, God, and angels (and the devil) isn't really time well spent.

Check out Michaelangelo's Moses, and many statues that came after that one. The text could have been translated as 'light' or 'horns' coming out of Moses' head when he came down from the mount. Guess which one they went with, first.

Revisionists. Bah.

I want horned Moses back!

I don't find any evidence that angels do not have the option to choose (free will). If you know of a passage the provides this information (that they have no free will), please edit your question and provide it as additional information.

There are a lot of problems with believing in a war in heaven. First, when did it take place? If Satan was cast down and became the serpent who tempted Eve (beguiled her), then who were those who fought in heaven? Was it us in a pre-mortal existence? Was it someone else? And why tell us about it if it didn't have something to do with us?

So we face Satan and his minions. Where he came from is unimportant, other than to know that he is there?

As to the war in heaven? I await your citation.

Thanks.

answer Yes, of course I believe there was a rebellion in heaven. Also that angels were given a choice to serve or not to serve.... God wants no service, unless its willing service. Now the line is drawn of whom they serve, the 1/3 which fell continually serve against God. And i have casted them/deamons out of some people too.... I know I was there when it happened.

Job and Isaiah wouldnt lie they were men of integrity, like the New testament writers who were willing to die rather than deny the truth or lie.

DAvid in Jesus amaZing grace

If heaven is a sinless perfect place then how can a rebellion have taken place? Major contradiction to a perfect sinless heaven even if you cast Satan and bad angels out of a heaven when evil took place.

Major contradiction in religious thoughts and writings. This is obviously men made up invention story of angels turning to evil ways.

The problem is most humans unable to understand why sin cannot take place in heaven if heaven is real. They do believe in heaven as a perfect place but still believe evil took place in heaven. Bottomline is the human mind somehow is funny and flawed. Not very logical beings at all.

Humans have a major mind problem.

There are several issues with Bible inconsistencies that I do not understand.....thanks catholic school. I believe in Jesus and I believe he died for the world's sins and believing in Him will save me from hell. I just trust that God is perfect and whatever plan he came up with works for Him and that should be good enough for me! There are, however, several "what were you thinking??" questions. Like in I believe it is Leviticusu or Numbers....one of the "rules" books...one rule is that if a woman is raped and the rapist is known...then he must marry her. HUH?? Old covenant vs. new covenant stuff as well. I think...back to your original question about God wanting to look better? He is God and he wants to be glorified.