Now, my thoughts on this passage, from the perspective of a person trained in literary and textual analysis rather than theology: I have heard that Isaiah 14:12-15 describes the fall of Satan from heaven. However, this interpretation seems flawed to me for the following reasons:
First, the passage as a whole is not a discussion of angelic rebellion, but rather, a taunt against the king of Babylon. Earlier in the chapter, Isaiah writes that God will have compassion on Israel; the nation will "take their captors captive and will rule over their oppressors" (v. 2). That's when the people will say to the king of Babylon, "How the oppressor has ceased, And how fury has ceased!" (v. 4). This is obviously directed against a temporal ruler, not an angelic being.
Significantly, the rhetorical construction of the first section parallels that of section two, in vs. 12:
How you have fallen from heaven,
O star of the morning, son of the dawn!"
Although "star of the morning" is sometimes interpreted as a reference to Lucifer, the parallel structure of the passage ("How the oppressor has ceased" and "How you have fallen") suggests that both refer to the same individual. Same structure, same person; different structure, different person.
(Journal, Jan. 13, 2012)
Isaiah 14:12-15. New American Standard Bible. Web. 16 Feb. 2012. <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa.%2014:12-15&version=NASB>.
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