Why Was Sin Permitted?
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seemed for a time to carry him with them. As songs of praise ascended,
the spirit of evil seemed vanquished; unutterable love thrilled his entire
being; his soul went out in harmony with the sinless worshipers in
love to the Father and the Son. But again his desire for supremacy
returned, and envy of Christ was once more indulged. The high honors
conferred upon Lucifer called forth no gratitude to his Creator. He
gloried in his brightness and aspired to be equal with God. Angels
delighted to execute his commands, and he was clothed with glory
above them all. Yet the Son of God was exalted above him. “Why,”
questioned this mighty angel, “should Christ have the supremacy?”
Lucifer went forth to diffuse the spirit of discontent among the
angels. For a time he concealed his real purpose under an appearance
of reverence for God. He insinuated doubts concerning the laws that
governed heavenly beings, intimating that angels needed no such re-
straint, for their own wisdom was a sufficient guide. All their thoughts
were holy; it was no more possible for them than for God Himself to
err. The exaltation of the Son of God as equal with the Father was
represented as an injustice to Lucifer. If this prince of angels could
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but attain to his true, exalted position, great good would accrue to the
entire host of heaven, for it was his object to secure freedom for all.
Subtle deceptions through the wiles of Lucifer were fast obtaining in
the heavenly courts.
The true position of the Son of God had been the same from the
beginning. Many of the angels were, however, blinded by Lucifer’s de-
ceptions. He so artfully instilled into their minds his own distrust and
discontent that his agency was not discerned. Lucifer had presented
the purposes of God in a false light to excite dissent and dissatisfac-
tion. While claiming for himself perfect loyalty to God, he urged that
changes were necessary for the stability of the divine government.
While secretly fomenting discord and rebellion, he caused it to appear
as his sole purpose to promote loyalty, and to preserve harmony and
peace.
While there was no open outbreak, division of feeling impercepti-
bly grew up among the angels. Some looked with favor upon Lucifer’s
insinuations. They were discontented and unhappy, dissatisfied with
God’s purpose in exalting Christ. But angels who were loyal main-
tained the wisdom and justice of the divine decree. Christ was the Son
of God, one with Him before the angels were called into existence. He