It seems at least somewhat likely that 'Descent' presents Glenn Danzig's interpretation of the biblical tale of the casting out of the angel Lucifer ('morning star', Satan) from heaven. According to the bible and contrary to popular belief and common knowledge, when Lucifer was first banished, he was only cast out of god's immediate presence. Thus he was confined to the outskirts (or bowels, perhaps) of heaven, before being subsequently exiled to earth. The reference to the 'beginning of an endless end' seems to tie the fate of Lucifer to that of man in the endless suffering of earthly existence. This underscores an allegorical element of the story of Lucifer, bespeaking the ambivalent nature of mankind and the 'evil' inherent (alongside 'good') in humanity. This kinship with the devil is something Danzig himself relates to, no doubt, as is widely apparent in his other writing (am I demon? I need to know!). The meaning of certain lines remains unclear, but the line "casted out and beaten down in vain" is of especial interest, quite possibly referring to the quiet havoc wreaked upon the earth in the form of Satan's (the prince of earth's) influence. This may also make a subtle reference to the sin of 'vanity' for which Lucifer was judged.
It seems at least somewhat likely that 'Descent' presents Glenn Danzig's interpretation of the biblical tale of the casting out of the angel Lucifer ('morning star', Satan) from heaven. According to the bible and contrary to popular belief and common knowledge, when Lucifer was first banished, he was only cast out of god's immediate presence. Thus he was confined to the outskirts (or bowels, perhaps) of heaven, before being subsequently exiled to earth. The reference to the 'beginning of an endless end' seems to tie the fate of Lucifer to that of man in the endless suffering of earthly existence. This underscores an allegorical element of the story of Lucifer, bespeaking the ambivalent nature of mankind and the 'evil' inherent (alongside 'good') in humanity. This kinship with the devil is something Danzig himself relates to, no doubt, as is widely apparent in his other writing (am I demon? I need to know!). The meaning of certain lines remains unclear, but the line "casted out and beaten down in vain" is of especial interest, quite possibly referring to the quiet havoc wreaked upon the earth in the form of Satan's (the prince of earth's) influence. This may also make a subtle reference to the sin of 'vanity' for which Lucifer was judged.