"Archangel Michael Flinging the Rebel Angels into the Abyss" by Luca Giordano (1632-1705)

Cast Down To Earth God has always, and will always, possess mind and power superior to His creation. Using His superior power God brought other spirit composed beings into existence. These spirit beings, called angels, were each created with free moral agency. They had minds with which to reason and make choices. Among the spirit beings brought into existence were three mighty archangels, Michael, Gabriel and Lucifer. Some time after the creation of the angelic realm God created the physical universe. Lucifer, as one of God's mightiest spiritual creations, was given great position and authority. But, after an unreveled amount of time, Lucifer grew vain and dissatisfied with what God had given him. He wanted more. Through smooth lies and crafty deceit he planted the bitter seeds of discontent that grew, until a third of the angels were convinced that they should join Lucifer in rebelling against the very God that had given them life. Together they mounted an attack on God's heavenly throne. War raged in the universe. When the great battle was over Lucifer, now called Satan, and his angels, now classified as demons, were cast back down to the earth. An earth that had been created perfect was now in a state of waste and confusion. God is not the author of confusion, so, after Satan was defeated the Creator, working through the Word, moved to repair, or make right again, the earth.