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Equal With the Father, January 4
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the
form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.
Philippians 2:5, 6
.
Lucifer in heaven, before his rebellion, was a high and exalted angel, next in
honor to God’s dear Son. His countenance, like those of the other angels, was mild
and expressive of happiness. His forehead was high and broad, showing a powerful
intellect. His form was perfect; his bearing noble and majestic. A special light
beamed in his countenance and shone around him brighter and more beautiful than
around the other angels; yet Christ, God’s dear Son, had the preeminence over all
the angelic host. He was one with the Father before the angels were created. Lucifer
was envious of Christ, and gradually assumed command which devolved on Christ
alone.
The great Creator assembled the heavenly host, that He might in the presence of
all the angels confer special honor upon His Son. The Son was seated on the throne
with the Father, and the heavenly throng of holy angels was gathered around them.
The Father then made known that it was ordained by Himself that Christ, His Son,
should be equal with Himself; so that wherever was the presence of His Son, it was
as His own presence. The word of the Son was to be obeyed as readily as the word
of the Father. His Son He had invested with authority to command the heavenly host.
Especially was His Son to work in union with Himself in the anticipated creation
of the earth and every living thing that should exist upon the earth. His Son would
carry out His will and His purposes but would do nothing of Himself alone. The
Father’s will would be fulfilled in Him.
Lucifer was envious and jealous of Jesus Christ. Yet when all the angels bowed
to Jesus to acknowledge His supremacy and high authority and rightful rule, he
bowed with them; but his heart was filled with envy and hatred....
Angels that were loyal and true sought to reconcile this mighty, rebellious angel
to the will of his Creator. They justified the act of God in conferring honor upon
Christ, and with forcible reasoning sought to convince Lucifer that no less honor was
his now than before the Father had proclaimed the honor which He had conferred
upon His Son. They clearly set forth that Christ was the Son of God, existing with
Him before the angels were created; and that He had ever stood at the right hand of
God, and His mild, loving authority had not heretofore been questioned; and that
He had given no commands but what it was joy for the heavenly host to execute.
They urged that Christ’s receiving special honor from the Father, in the presence of
the angels, did not detract from the honor that Lucifer had heretofore received. The
angels wept. They anxiously sought to move him to renounce his wicked design and
yield submission to their Creator; for all had heretofore been peace and harmony....
Lucifer refused to listen (
The Story of Redemption, 13-16
).
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