16
Confrontation
that if God pardoned sinful man whom He had created, He would also
pardon him and his angels and receive them into His favor. But he was
[21]
disappointed.
The divine Son of God saw that no arm but His own could save
fallen man, and He determined to help man. He left the fallen angels to
perish in their rebellion, but stretched forth His hand to rescue perishing
man. The angels who were rebellious were dealt with according to the
light and experience they had abundantly enjoyed in heaven. Satan,
the chief of the fallen angels, once had an exalted position in heaven.
He was next in honor to Christ. The knowledge which he, as well
as the angels who fell with him, had of the character of God, of His
goodness, His mercy, wisdom, and excellent glory, made their guilt
unpardonable.
There was no possible hope for the redemption of those who had
witnessed and enjoyed the inexpressible glory of heaven, and had seen
the terrible majesty of God, and, in presence of all this glory, had
rebelled against Him. There were no new and wonderful exhibitions
of God’s exalted power that could impress them so deeply as those
they had already experienced. If they could rebel in the very presence
of glory inexpressible, they could not be placed in a more favorable
condition to be proved. There was no reserve force of power, nor were
there any greater heights and depths of infinite glory to overpower
their jealous doubts and rebellious murmuring. Their guilt and their
punishment must be in proportion to their exalted privileges in the
heavenly courts.