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The Truth About Angels
The First Inklings of Evil
There was a time when Satan was in harmony with God, and it was
his joy to execute the divine commands. His heart was filled with love
and joy in serving his Creator, until he began to think that his wisdom
was not derived from God, but was inherent in himself, and that he
was as worthy as was God to receive honor and power.—
The Signs of
the Times, September 18, 1893
.
Though God had created Lucifer noble and beautiful, and had ex-
alted him to high honor among the angelic host, yet He had not placed
him beyond the possibility of evil. It was in Satan’s power, did he
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choose to do so, to pervert these gifts. He might have remained in favor
with God, beloved and honored by all the angelic throng, presiding in
his exalted position with generous, unselfish care, exercising his noble
powers to bless others and to glorify his Maker. But, little by little,
he began to seek his own honor, and to employ his powers to attract
attention and win praise to himself. He also gradually led the angels
over whom he ruled to do him service, instead of devoting all their
powers to the service of their Creator.—
The Spirit of Prophecy 4:317
.
Little by little, Lucifer came to indulge the desire for self-
exaltation.... Though all his glory was from God, this mighty angel
came to regard it as pertaining to himself.—
Patriarchs and Prophets,
35
.
God Sets Forth Christ’s True Position
Before the great contest should open, all were to have a clear
presentation of His [God’s] will, whose wisdom and goodness were
the spring of all their joy.
The King of the universe summoned the heavenly host before Him,
that in their presence He might set forth the true position of His Son,
and show the relation He sustained to all created beings.... Before
the assembled inhabitants of heaven the King declared that none but
Christ, the Only Begotten of God, could fully enter into His purposes,
and to Him it was committed to execute the mighty counsels of His
will.—
Patriarchs and Prophets, 36
.
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
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