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Chapter 3—Consequences of Rebellion
In the midst of the garden, near the tree of life, stood the tree of
knowledge of good and evil. This tree was especially designed of
God to be the pledge of their obedience, faith, and love to Him. Of
this tree the Lord commanded our first parents not to eat, neither to
touch it, lest they die. He told them that they might freely eat of all
the trees in the garden except one, but if they ate of that tree they
should surely die.
When Adam and Eve were placed in the beautiful garden they
had everything for their happiness which they could desire. But God
chose, in His all-wise arrangements, to test their loyalty before they
could be rendered eternally secure. They were to have His favor,
and He was to converse with them and they with Him. Yet He did
not place evil out of their reach. Satan was permitted to tempt them.
If they endured the trial they were to be in perpetual favor with God
and the heavenly angels.
Satan stood in amazement at his new condition. His happiness
was gone. He looked upon the angels who, with him, were once so
happy, but who had been expelled from heaven with him. Before
their fall not a shade of discontent had marred their perfect bliss. Now
all seemed changed. Countenances which had reflected the image of
their Maker were gloomy and despairing. Strife, discord, and bitter
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recrimination were among them. Previous to their rebellion these
things had been unknown in heaven. Satan now beheld the terrible
results of his rebellion. He shuddered, and feared to face the future
and to contemplate the end of these things.
The hour for joyful, happy songs of praise to God and His dear
Son had come. Satan had led the heavenly choir. He had raised the
first note; then all the angelic host had united with him, and glorious
strains of music had resounded through heaven in honor of God and
His dear Son. But now, instead of strains of sweetest music, discord
and angry words fall upon the ear of the great rebel leader. Where
is he? Is it not all a horrible dream? Is he shut out of heaven? Are
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