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Chapter 66—The Second Death
Satan seems paralyzed as he beholds the glory and majesty of
Christ. He who was once a covering cherub remembers whence he
has fallen. A shining seraph, “son of the morning”; how changed,
how degraded!
Satan sees that his voluntary rebellion has unfitted him for
heaven. He has trained his powers to war against God; the purity,
peace, and harmony of heaven would be to him supreme torture. His
accusations against the mercy and justice of God are now silenced.
The reproach which he has endeavored to cast upon Jehovah rests
wholly upon himself. And now Satan bows down and confesses the
justice of his sentence.
Every question of truth and error in the longstanding controversy
is made plain. God’s justice stands fully vindicated. Before the
whole world is clearly presented the great sacrifice made by the
Father and the Son in man’s behalf. The hour has come when Christ
occupies His rightful position, and is glorified above principalities
and powers and every name that is named.
Notwithstanding Satan has been constrained to acknowledge
God’s justice, and to bow to the supremacy of Christ, his character
remains unchanged. The spirit of rebellion, like a mighty torrent,
against bursts forth. Filled with frenzy, he determines not to yield the
great controversy. The time has come for a last desperate struggle
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against the King of heaven. He rushes into the midst of his subjects
and endeavors to inspire them with his own fury and arouse them to
instant battle. But of all the countless millions whom he has allured
into rebellion, there are none now to acknowledge his supremacy.
His power is at an end. The wicked are filled with the same hatred of
God that inspires Satan; but they see that their case is hopeless, that
they cannot prevail against Jehovah. Their rage is kindled against
Satan and those who have been his agents in deception. With the
fury of demons they turn upon them, and there follows a scene of
universal strife.
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