Chapter 1—Why Was Sin Permitted
Where do evil and suffering come from? Is God responsible? If not,
why doesn’t He at least stop it? Will it ever come to an end? What has
God done to solve the problem, and what does that say about His
character?
The law of love being the foundation of the government of God,
the happiness of all created beings depended upon their perfect accord
with its great principles of righteousness. God desires from all His
creatures the service of love—homage that springs from an intelligent
appreciation of His character. He takes no pleasure in a forced alle-
giance, and to all He grants freedom of will, that they may render Him
voluntary service.
But there was one that chose to pervert this freedom. Sin originated
with him who, next to Christ, had been most honored of God and who
stood highest in power and glory among the inhabitants of heaven.
Before his fall, Lucifer was first of the covering cherubs, holy and
undefiled. “Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of
wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of
God; every precious stone was thy covering.... Thou art the anointed
cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy
mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the
stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou
wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.”
Ezekiel 28:12-15
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Creation Reflected God’s Glory
Lucifer might have remained in favor with God, beloved and hon-
ored by all the angelic host, exercising his noble powers to bless others
and to glorify his Maker. But, says the prophet, “Thine heart was lifted
up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason
of thy brightness.”
Verse 17
. Little by little, Lucifer came to indulge
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The Great Controversy, 493-503.
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