Was Satan an angel?
A creature, never a rival god
The question matters because of what it rules out. Scripture never presents evil as a second eternal power standing opposite God; it presents a being who was made, and who fell.
J. N. DarbySatan is a fallen creature, and he does not possess either omniscience or omnipotence — John 8:44, and probably, Ezekiel 28:17, where many Christians believe that Satan is represented under the figure of the king of Tyre, and I think they are right. However that may be, John 8:44 is a distinct testimony. But Satan has a whole multitude of demons under his authority, so much so that in the poor man of Gadara there was a legion: he is the prince of the demons.
The chief passage — and how carefully it is held
Most of the detail about Satan's original state is drawn from Ezekiel 28, where a lament over the king of Tyre uses language far larger than any human ruler. Writers hold this with differing degrees of certainty. Some say plainly that the fall of Satan is meant; others mark it as an inference rather than a stated fact.
Morrish Bible DictionaryThe origin of Satan is not definitely stated, but if Ezekiel 28:12-19 refers to him, under the title of the king of Tyre (as was believed very early in the church, and may be correct), he is described as the anointed cherub that "covers"... He was perfect in his ways from the day he was created, until iniquity was found in him.
Others read it with no hesitation, and give a reason from Satan's own conduct rather than from the prophecy alone:
J. N. DarbySo Ezekiel 28, from verse 11, is commonly, and I have no doubt justly, applied to the fall of Satan. It is not the same as the prince of Tyre, who is judged historically at the beginning of the chapter... Under the figure of the king of Tyre, but under figure, we see something that goes far beyond the idea of a mere king of Tyre, and I have no doubt it is Satan. The prince of Tyre who was there was conquered by Nebuchadnezzar. On the other hand, I see no foundation for the king of Tyre representing Adam. Satan "was a murderer, and did not stand in the truth," so he is a fallen being.
What "anointed cherub" describes
The title is not decorative. Read alongside the rest of the description, each phrase points to a post held near God's throne. (The ESV renders the phrase "anointed guardian cherub.")
William Kelly"You are the anointed cherub that covers" shows that he was charged with carrying out God's judgments, and that intelligently — the anointed cherub. "You were on the holy mountain of God," the seat or symbol of His holy authority. He had walked "in the midst of the stones of fire," representing, it would seem, how familiar he had been with the display of God's moral glory, before which evil is consumed and disappears. And yet, perfect as he had been, his heart became lifted up because of his beauty, and iniquity was found in him. Such, alas, is the creature — such fully was Satan.
Higher than Michael
One writer draws a practical conclusion from the rank: it explains why even the archangel Michael refused to insult him.
F. B. HoleWe do well, I am sure, to recognise that the spiritual forces arrayed against us are very great. Realizing this, we shall never speak lightly or slightingly of the devil. The archangel Michael himself would not do that, and he is clearly the greatest of the heavenly dignities. I suppose the reason was that the devil, though now a fallen ruler, was in his original condition one step higher than Michael himself.
The cause of the fall: self-admiration
The turn was not an outside attack but an inward shift of interest.
The Christian's FriendTo have one's own self as the object of the heart, to become enamoured of one's own beauty, is the certain forerunner of apostasy; and in the case of the bright and exalted creature before us, the fall was terrible, and the consequences, which still continue, are even more terrible. For what is all the opposition of the enemy but work founded on an independent position outside the truth? He did not stand in the truth.
Still working in angelic disguise — and not alone
His fall did not strip him of ability; it redirected it. He borrows the appearance of what he once was.
Raymond K. CampbellSatan often works in this character, through his workers; as an angel of light, pretending to have the light of God, quoting the Scriptures, but corrupting the Word of God and handling it deceitfully (2 Cor. 2:17; 4:2), with the purpose of deceiving and perverting the truth of God.
Others caution that Scripture says less about his followers than we might wish:
J. N. DarbyYour second question assumes two falls of angels, which Scripture does not speak of, though it may well be true. Satan is spoken of as fallen; he "did not stand in the truth" — but of his angels we have no account, though we must suppose they are fallen, though not the same as those kept in chains of darkness.
Summary
- Created. He is a made being, not eternal and not God's equal — without omniscience or omnipotence.
- Crowned. Ezekiel 28 describes him as the anointed cherub, set by God on the holy mountain, perfect until iniquity was found in him.
- Corrupted. His fall came from within: a heart lifted up over its own beauty, taking a position outside the truth.
- Commanding. Fallen, he still leads demons and copies his old rank, appearing as an angel of light.
- Condemned. He ends in the lake of fire — the chief offender there, never its king.