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The Story of Redemption
himself but the host of angels also, who would then have been happy
in heaven had he remained steadfast. The law of God could condemn
but could not pardon.
He repented not of his rebellion because he saw the goodness of
God which he had abused. It was not possible that his love for God
had so increased since his fall that it would lead to cheerful submis-
sion and happy obedience to His law which had been despised. The
wretchedness he realized in losing the sweet light of heaven, and the
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sense of guilt which forced itself upon him, and the disappointment
he experienced himself in not finding his expectation realized, were
the cause of his grief. To be commander out of heaven was vastly
different from being thus honored in heaven. The loss he had sus-
tained of all the privileges of heaven seemed too much to be borne.
He wished to regain these.
This great change of position had not increased his love for God,
nor for His wise and just law. When Satan became fully convinced
that there was no possibility of his being reinstated in the favor
of God, he manifested his malice with increased hatred and fiery
vehemence.
God knew that such determined rebellion would not remain in-
active. Satan would invent means to annoy the heavenly angels and
show contempt for His authority. As he could not gain admission
within the gates of heaven, he would wait just at the entrance, to
taunt the angels and seek contention with them as they went in and
out. He would seek to destroy the happiness of Adam and Eve. He
would endeavor to incite them to rebellion, knowing that this would
cause grief in heaven.
The Plot Against the Human Family
His followers were seeking him, and he aroused himself and,
assuming a look of defiance, informed them of his plans to wrest
from God the noble Adam and his companion Eve. If he could
in any way beguile them to disobedience, God would make some
provision whereby they might be pardoned, and then himself and all
the fallen angels would be in a fair way to share with them of God’s
mercy. If this should fail, they could unite with Adam and Eve, for
when once they should transgress the law of God they would be
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