One third of the angelic host followed Lucifer in his rebellion.
Revelation 12:4, using symbolic language, depicts the dragon's tail drawing 'the third part of the stars of heaven.' Les Feldick interprets the dragon as Satan and the stars as angels, concluding that a third of the angels joined his rebellion before Genesis 1:2. This event is tied to Satan's original fall and the angels who 'left their first estate.'
Revelation 12:4 — This verse directly states that the dragon's tail drew the third part of the stars, which Les identifies as the angels who followed Satan.
Revelation 12:4 uses symbolic language: 'And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth.' The dragon in Scripture represents Satan (Revelation 12:9), and the stars are often used to represent angels (e.g., Job 38:7). This verse indicates that a third of the angelic host were swept along with the dragon in his rebellion and were cast to the earth. Jude 6 describes angels who 'kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation,' and are now 'reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.' This aligns with the angelic rebellion and its consequences. Additionally, Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 record the pride and fall of Lucifer, who said, 'I will be like the most High.'
Les Feldick teaches that Lucifer, an angel created by God and given dominion over an angelic kingdom on the original earth (Genesis 1:1), became dissatisfied and lusted to take God's place. In his rebellion, he enticed the angelic subjects under him to follow him, and 'evidently a third of the angelic host followed him.' Les connects this to Revelation 12:4, where the dragon's tail (symbolic of his enticing speech) draws the third part of the stars/angels, casting them to the earth. He also references Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14 as background for Satan's fall. Additionally, Les teaches that these fallen angels are the ones referred to in Jude as those who 'left their first estate,' and they are currently bound in everlasting chains. He also notes that Satan and his angels still have access to heaven until the midpoint of the tribulation, when Michael and his angels will cast them out (Revelation 12:7-9).
In Revelation 12:4, the dragon's tail draws the third part of the stars. Les interprets the tail as symbolic of Satan's enticing speech that persuaded the angels to join his rebellion. He explains that this event reverts back to Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14, when Lucifer said, 'I will be like the Most High.'
According to Les, the angels who followed Satan are the ones described in Jude as those who 'left their first estate.' They are currently bound in everlasting chains, awaiting judgment. Les also clarifies that Satan and his angels still have access to heaven until the midpoint of the tribulation, when they will be cast out to the earth.
Les takes Revelation 12:7-9 literally, teaching that at the midpoint of the tribulation there will be a war in heaven. Michael and his angels will fight against the dragon and his angels, and Satan will be defeated and cast out of heaven. This is a future event that will end Satan's access to heaven.
Lucifer's Original Rebellion
Les explains that Lucifer, ruling over an angelic kingdom, was not content and lusted to take God's place, enticing his angelic subjects to join his rebellion.
Context of Revelation's Judgments
Les provides background on Satan's cohorts and the trumpets, but this clip does not directly address the number of angels.
The Third Part of the Stars
Les identifies the third part of the stars in Revelation 12:4 as the third of the angelic host that followed Satan in his rebellion, linking them to the angels in Jude who left their first estate.
Satan's Rebellion Before Genesis
Les teaches that at the time of Satan's rebellion before Genesis 1-2, he evidently took a third of the angelic host with him.
Satan's Angels in Heavenly Warfare
Les explains that Revelation 12:7-9 describes a future war where Michael and his angels fight against Satan and his angels, showing that Satan has angels under his command.
Satan's Access to Heaven
Les notes that Satan and his angels currently have access into heaven and will be cast out only at the midpoint of the tribulation.
Tribulation War in Heaven
Les reiterates that at the midpoint of the tribulation, Satan and his angels will be defeated and cast out of heaven.
What Happens When Satan Is Cast Out of Heaven?
And the third part of the moon saw the third part of the stars, and the third part of them, and so on and so forth. And the day shone not for a third part, and the light likewise. And I beheld and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabitants of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three, which are yet to sou…
Revelation 12:4: And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
This verse directly reveals the proportion of angels who followed Satan in the original rebellion.
Revelation 12:9: 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.
This confirms that the dragon is Satan and that he has angels who are cast out with him.
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.
This describes the fallen angels who left their proper abode, consistent with the angels who followed Satan.
Isaiah 14:13-14: 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.
These verses record Lucifer's pride and ambition to be like God, which Les cites as background to the rebellion.
Ezekiel 28:17: 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.
This verse similarly describes the fall of the King of Tyrus, which Les applies to Lucifer's rebellion.
The Bible does not give a specific number but uses a fraction: 'the third part' (Revelation 12:4). Les Feldick and most interpreters take this as one-third of the angelic host.
Les teaches that it happened in the interval between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2, before the creation of the present earth and mankind. This is when Lucifer, ruling over an angelic kingdom, rebelled and led a third of the angels.
According to Les, at the midpoint of the tribulation, Michael and his angels will fight Satan and his angels, and they will be cast out of heaven to the earth. Satan's demons currently have access to heaven but will lose that access.
Watch the Teaching: What Happened Between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2? (The Genesis Gap Explained)