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necessary a statement of the true position of the Son of God； but this had
been the same from the beginning。 Many of the angels were； however； blinded
by Lucifer's deceptions。
Taking advantage of the loving； loyal trust reposed in him by the holy
beings under his command； he had so artfully instilled into their minds his
own distrust and discontent that his agency was not discerned。 Lucifer had
presented the purposes of God in a false lightmisconstruing and distorting
them to excite dissent and dissatisfaction。 He cunningly drew his hearers on
to give utterance to their feelings； then these expressions were repeated by
him when it would serve his purpose； as evidence that the angels were not
fully in harmony with the government of God。 While claiming for himself
perfect loyalty to God； he urged that changes in the order and laws of
heaven were necessary for the stability of the divine government。 Thus while
working to excite opposition to the law of God and to instill his own
discontent into the minds of the angels under him； he was ostensibly seeking
to remove dissatisfaction and to reconcile disaffected angels to the order
of heaven。 While secretly fomenting discord and rebellion； he with
consummate craft caused it to appear as his sole purpose to promote loyalty
and to preserve harmony and peace。
The spirit of dissatisfaction thus kindled was doing its baleful work。 While
there was no open outbreak； division of feeling imperceptibly grew up among
the angels。 There were some who looked with favor upon Lucifer's
insinuations against the government of God。 Although they had heretofore
been in perfect harmony with the order which God had established； they were
now discontented and unhappy because they could not penetrate His
unsearchable counsels； they were dissatisfied with His purpose in exalting
Christ。 These stood ready to second Lucifer's demand for equal authority
with the Son of God。 But angels who were loyal and true maintained the
wisdom and justice of he divine decree and endeavored to reconcile this
disaffected being to the will of God。 Christ was the Son of God； He had been
one with Him before the angels were called into existence。 He had ever stood
at the right hand of the Father； His supremacy； so full of blessing to all
who came under its benignant control； had not heretofore
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been questioned。 The harmony of heaven had never been interrupted； wherefore
should there now be discord？ The loyal angels could see only terrible
consequences from this dissension； and with earnest entreaty they counseled
the disaffected ones to renounce their purpose and prove themselves loyal to
God by fidelity to His government。
In great mercy； according to His divine character； God bore long with
Lucifer。 The spirit of discontent and disaffection had never before been
known in heaven。 It was a new element； strange； mysterious； unaccountable。
Lucifer himself had not at first been acquainted with the real nature of his
feelings； for a time he had feared to express the workings and imaginings of
his mind； yet he did not dismiss them。 He did not see whither he was
drifting。 But such efforts as infinite love and wisdom only could devise；
were made to convince him of his error。 His disaffection was proved to be
without cause； and he was made to see what would be the result of persisting
in revolt。 Lucifer was convinced that he was in the wrong。 He saw that 〃the
Lord is righteous in all His ways； and holy in all His works〃 （Psalm
145：17）； that the divine statutes are just； and that he ought to acknowledge
them as such before all heaven。 Had he done this； he might have saved
himself and many angels。 He had not at that time fully cast off his
allegiance to God。 Though he had left his position as covering cherub； yet
if he had been willing to return to God； acknowledging the Creator's wisdom；
and satisfied to fill the place appointed him in God's great plan； he would
have been reinstated in his office。 The time had come for a final decision；
he must fully yield to the divine sovereignty or place himself in open
rebellion。 He nearly reached the decision to return； but pride forbade him。
It was too great a sacrifice for one who had been so highly honored to
confess that he had been in error； that his imaginings were false； and to
yield to the authority which he had been working to prove unjust。
A compassionate Creator； in yearning pity for Lucifer and his followers； was
seeking to draw them back from the abyss of ruin into which they were about
to plunge。 But His mercy was misinterpreted。 Lucifer pointed to the
long…suffering of God as an evidence of his own superiority； an indication
that the King of the universe would yet accede to his terms。 If the angels
would stand firmly with him； he declared； they could yet gain all that
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they desired。 He persistently defended his own course； and fully committed
himself to the great controversy against his Maker。 Thus it was that
Lucifer； 〃the light bearer；〃 the sharer of God's glory； the attendant of His
throne； by transgression became Satan； 〃the adversary〃 of God and holy
beings and the destroyer of those whom Heaven had committed to his guidance
and guardianship。
Rejecting with disdain the arguments and entreaties of the loyal angels； he
denounced them as deluded slaves。 The preference shown to Christ he declared
an act of injustice both to himself and to all the heavenly host； and
announced that he would no longer submit to this invasion of his rights and
theirs。 He would never again acknowledge the supremacy of Christ。 He had
determined to claim the honor which should have been given him； and take
command of all who would become his followers； and he promised those would
enter his ranks a new and better government； under which all would enjoy
freedom。 Great numbers of the angels signified their purpose to accept him
as their leader。 Flattered by the favor with which his advances were
received； he hoped to win all the angels to his side； to become equal with
God Himself； and to be obeyed by the entire host of heaven。
Still the loyal angels urged him and his sympathizers to submit to God； and
they set before them the inevitable result should they refuse： He who had
created them could overthrow their power and signally punish their
rebellious daring。 No angel could successfully oppose the law of God； which
was as sacred as Himself。 They warned all to close their ears against
Lucifer's deceptive reasoning； and urged him and his followers to seek the
presence of God without delay and confess the error of questioning His
wisdom and authority。
Many were disposed to heed this counsel； to repent of their disaffection；
and seek to be again received into favor with the Father and His Son。 But
Lucifer had another deception ready。 The mighty revolter now declared that
the angels who had united with him had gone too far to return； that he was
acquainted with the divine law； and knew that God would not forgive。 He
declared that all who should submit to the authority of Heaven would be
stripped of their honor； degraded from the