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Why Was Sin Permitted?
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filled the heavens, the spirit of evil seemed overcome. Unutterable
love thrilled his entire being and his soul went out in harmony with
the sinless worshipers in love to the Father and the Son. But again
his desire to be supreme returned, and once more he indulged his
envy of Christ. The high honors given Lucifer did not make him
more grateful to his Creator. He gloried in his brightness and wanted
to be equal with God. Angels delighted to carry out his commands,
and he was clothed with more glory than them all. Yet the Son of
God was exalted above him. “Why,” questioned this mighty angel,
“should Christ have the supremacy?”
Lucifer went out to spread the spirit of discontent among the
angels. For a time he hid his real purpose under an appearance of
reverence for God. Subtly he planted doubts concerning the laws
that governed heavenly beings, suggesting that angels needed no
such rules, for their own wisdom was a sufficient guide. All their
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thoughts were holy; it was no more possible for them to do wrong
than for God Himself to err. The exaltation of the Son of God as
equal with the Father was made to appear as an injustice to Lucifer.
If this prince of angels could only attain to his true, exalted position,
great good would come to the entire host of heaven, for it was his
purpose to secure freedom for all. Subtle deceptions through the
wicked schemes of Lucifer were quickly growing in the heavenly
courts.
The true position of the Son of God had been the same from the
beginning. However, many of the angels were blinded by Lucifer’s
deceptions. He so artfully instilled into their minds his own distrust
and discontent that they did not recognize what he was doing. Lucifer
had presented the purposes of God in a false light to excite dissent
and dissatisfaction. While he claimed to be perfectly loyal to God,
he urged that changes were necessary for the stability of the divine
government. While secretly stirring up conflict and rebellion, he
made it appear that his only purpose was to promote loyalty and to
preserve harmony and peace.
Though there was no open rebellion, divided feelings gradually
grew up among the angels. Some agreed with Lucifer’s subtle
criticisms and suggestions. They were discontented and unhappy,
dissatisfied with God’s purpose in exalting Christ. But angels who
were loyal defended the wisdom and justice of the divine decree.