Origin of Evil
415
to misrepresentation of the words and acts of the Creator. It was his
policy to perplex the angels with subtle arguments concerning the
purposes of God. Everything that was simple he shrouded in mystery,
and by artful perversion cast doubt upon the plainest statements of
Jehovah. His high position, in such close connection with the divine
administration, gave greater force to his representations, and many
were induced to unite with him in rebellion against Heaven’s authority.
God in His wisdom permitted Satan to carry forward his work,
until the spirit of disaffection ripened into active revolt. It was nec-
essary for his plans to be fully developed, that their true nature and
tendency might be seen by all. Lucifer, as the anointed cherub, had
been highly exalted; he was greatly loved by the heavenly beings,
and his influence over them was strong. God’s government included
not only the inhabitants of heaven, but of all the worlds that He had
created; and Satan thought that if he could carry the angels of heaven
with him in rebellion, he could carry also the other worlds. He had
artfully presented his side of the question, employing sophistry and
fraud to secure his objects. His power to deceive was very great, and by
disguising himself in a cloak of falsehood he had gained an advantage.
Even the loyal angels could not fully discern his character or see to
what his work was leading.
Satan had been so highly honored, and all his acts were so clothed
with mystery, that it was difficult to disclose to the angels the true
nature of his work. Until fully developed, sin would not appear the evil
thing it was. Heretofore it had had no place in the universe of God, and
holy beings had no conception of its nature and malignity. They could
not discern the terrible consequences that would result from setting
aside the divine law. Satan had, at first, concealed his work under a
specious profession of loyalty to God. He claimed to be seeking to
promote the honor of God, the stability of His government, and the
good of all the inhabitants of heaven. While instilling discontent into
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the minds of the angels under him, he had artfully made it appear that
he was seeking to remove dissatisfaction. When he urged that changes
be made in the order and laws of God’s government, it was under the
pretense that these were necessary in order to preserve harmony in
heaven.
In His dealing with sin, God could employ only righteousness and
truth. Satan could use what God could not—flattery and deceit. He