Why Was Sin Permitted?
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urged him and his followers to seek the presence of God without delay
and confess the error of questioning His wisdom and authority.
Many were disposed to repent of their disaffection and seek to be
again received into favor with the Father and His Son. But Lucifer
now declared that the angels who had united with him had gone too
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far to return; God would not forgive. For himself, he was determined
never again to acknowledge the authority of Christ. The only course
remaining was to assert their liberty and gain by force the rights which
had not been accorded them.
Satan Cast Out of Heaven
God permitted Satan to carry forward his work until the spirit of
disaffection ripened into active revolt. It was necessary for his plans to
be fully developed, that their true nature might be seen by all. God’s
government included not only the inhabitants of heaven, but all the
world that He had created; and Lucifer concluded that if he could carry
the angels with him in rebellion, he could carry the worlds also. All his
acts were so clothed with mystery that it was difficult to disclose the
true nature of his work. Even the loyal angels could not fully discern
his character or see to what his work was leading. Everything simple
he shrouded in mystery, and by artful perversion cast doubt upon the
plainest statements of God. And his high position gave greater force
to his representations.
Why God Did Not Destroy Satan
God could employ only such means as were consistent with truth
and righteousness. Satan could use what God could not—flattery and
deceit. It was therefore necessary to demonstrate before the inhabitants
of heaven and all the world that God’s government is just, His law
perfect. Satan had made it appear that he himself was seeking to
promote the good of the universe. The true character of the usurper
must be understood by all. He must have time to manifest himself by
his wicked works.
All evil he declared to be the result of the divine administration.
It was his own object to improve upon the statutes of God. Therefore
God permitted him to demonstrate the nature of his claims, to show