Chapter 29—Satan’s Hatred of God’s Law
The first effort of Satan to overthrow God’s law—undertaken
among the sinless inhabitants of heaven—seemed for a time to be
crowned with success. A vast number of the angels were seduced. But
Satan’s apparent triumph resulted in defeat and loss, separation from
God, and banishment from heaven.
When the conflict was renewed on earth, Satan again won a seem-
ing advantage. By transgression, man became his captive. Now the
way seemed open for Satan to establish an independent kingdom and
to defy the authority of God and His Son. But the plan of salvation
made it possible for man again to be brought into harmony with God.
Again Satan was defeated, and again he resorted to deception in
the hope of converting defeat into victory. He now represented God
as unjust in having permitted man to transgress His law. “Why,” said
the tempter, “when God knew what would be the result, did He permit
man to be placed on trial and bring in misery and death?” The children
of Adam gave ear to the tempter and murmured against the only Being
who could save them from the destructive power of Satan.
Thousands today are echoing the same rebellious complaint against
God. They do not see that to deprive man of freedom of choice would
make him a mere automaton. Like the inhabitants of all other worlds,
he must be subject to the test of obedience; but he is never brought
into such a position that yielding to evil becomes a matter of necessity.
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No temptation or trial is permitted which he is unable to resist.
As men increased, almost the whole world joined the ranks of
rebellion. Once more Satan seemed to have gained the victory, but the
earth was cleansed by the Flood from its moral pollution.
Why God Chose Israel
Says the prophet, “Let favor be showed to the wicked, yet will
he not learn righteousness: ... and will not behold the majesty of the
Lord.”
Isaiah 26:10
. Thus it was after the Flood. The inhabitants of
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