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Spiritual Gifts. Volume 1
Then he repented and wished to be reinstated again in heaven. He was
willing to take his proper place, or any place that might be assigned
him. But no, heaven must not be placed in jeopardy. All heaven
might be marred should he be taken back; for sin originated with
him, and the seeds of rebellion were within him. Satan had obtained
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followers, those who sympathized with him in his rebellion. He and
his followers repented, wept and implored to be taken back into the
favor of God. But no, their sin, their hate, their envy and jealousy, had
been so great that God could not blot it out. It must remain to receive
its final punishment.
When Satan became fully conscious that there was no possibility
of his being brought again into favor with God, then his malice and
hatred began to be manifest. He consulted with his angels, and a plan
was laid to still work against God’s government. When Adam and Eve
were placed in the beautiful garden, Satan was laying plans to destroy
them. A consultation was held with his evil angels. In no way could
this happy couple be deprived of their happiness if they obeyed God.
Satan could not exercise his power upon them unless they should first
disobey God, and forfeit his favor. They must devise some plan to
lead them to disobedience that they might incur God’s frown, and be
brought under the more direct influence of Satan and his angels. It
was decided that Satan should assume another form, and manifest an
interest for man. He must insinuate against God’s truthfulness, create
doubt whether God did mean as he said, next, excite their curiosity,
and lead them to pry into the unsearchable plans of God, which Satan
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had been guilty of, and reason as to the cause of his restrictions in
regard to the tree of knowledge.
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