Origin of Evil
29
accused of indifference to the interests of heavenly beings. The very
work which he himself was doing, he charged upon the loyal angels.
It was his policy to perplex with subtle arguments concerning the
purposes of God. Everything that was simple he shrouded in mystery,
and by artful perversion cast doubt upon the plainest statements of
Jehovah. And his high position, so closely connected with the divine
government, gave greater force to his representations.—
Patriarchs and
Prophets, 41
.
The very first effort of Satan to overthrow God’s law—undertaken
among the sinless inhabitants of heaven—seemed for a time to be
crowned with success. A vast number of the angels were seduced.—
Patriarchs and Prophets, 331
.
God’s government included not only the inhabitants of heaven but
of all the created worlds; and Satan thought that if he could carry the
intelligences of heaven with him in rebellion, he could also carry with
him the other worlds.—
The Review and Herald, March 9, 1886
.
Here, for a time, Satan had the advantage; and he exulted in his
arrogated superiority, in this one respect, to the angels of heaven, and
even to God himself.... [Lucifer] had disguised himself in a cloak of
falsehood, and for a time it was impossible to tear off the covering, so
[37]
that the hideous deformity of his character could be seen. He must be
left to reveal himself in his cruel, artful, wicked works.—
The Spirit of
Prophecy 4:319
.
Lucifer Is Given Time to Develop His Principles
God in His wisdom did not immediately thrust Satan out of heaven.
This act would not have changed his principles, and would only have
strengthened his rebellion, for it would have created sympathy for him
as one unjustly dealt with; and he would have carried a much larger
number with him. He must be displaced, and have time to more fully
develop his principles.—
The Review and Herald, March 9, 1886
.
Satan complained of the supposed defects in the management of
heavenly things, and sought to fill the minds of the angels with his
disaffection. Because he was not supreme, he sowed seeds of doubt
and unbelief. Because he was not as God, he strove to instill into the
minds of the angels his own envy and dissatisfaction. Thus the seeds
of alienation were planted, afterward to be drawn out and presented