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The Truth About Angels
before the heavenly courts as originating, not with Satan, but with the
angels. So the deceiver would show that the angels thought as he did....
That which Satan had instilled into the minds of the angels—a word
here and a word there—opened the way for a long list of suppositions.
In his artful way he drew expressions of doubt from them. Then, when
he was interviewed, he accused those whom he had educated. He laid
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all the disaffection on the ones he had led.—
The Review and Herald,
September 7, 1897
.
He [Lucifer] began to insinuate doubts concerning the laws that
governed heavenly beings, intimating that though laws might be nec-
essary for the inhabitants of the worlds, angels, being more exalted,
needed no such restraint, for their own wisdom was sufficient guide.—
Patriarchs and Prophets, 37
.
Lucifer ... sought to abolish the law of God. He claimed that
the unfallen intelligences of holy heaven had no need of law, but
were capable of governing themselves and of preserving unspotted
integrity.—
The Signs of the Times, April 28, 1890
.
Even the loyal angels did not fully discern his [Satan’s] character.
This was why God did not at once destroy Satan. Had He done so,
the holy angels would not have perceived the justice and love of God.
A doubt of God’s goodness would have been as evil seed that would
yield the bitter fruit of sin and woe. Therefore the author of evil was
spared, fully to develop his character.—
Christ’s Object Lessons, 72
.
The Angels Debate the Issues
While some of the angels joined Satan in his rebellion, others
reasoned with him to dissuade him from his purposes, contending for
the honor and wisdom of God in giving authority to His Son. Satan
urged, for what reason was Christ endowed with unlimited power and
such high command above himself!—
Spiritual Gifts 3:37
.
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Satan refused to listen. And then he turned from the loyal and true
angels, denouncing them as slaves. These angels, true to God, stood
in amazement as they saw that Satan was successful in his efforts to
excite rebellion. He promised them a new and better government than
they then had, in which all would be freedom. Great numbers signified
their purpose to accept Satan as their leader and chief commander. As
he saw his advances were met with success, he flattered himself that