Origin of Evil
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his cruel accusations against Him whose life was one of unexampled
goodness, all sprang from deep-seated revenge. The pent-up fires of
envy and malice, hatred and revenge, burst forth on Calvary against
the Son of God, while all heaven gazed upon the scene in silent horror.
When the great sacrifice had been consummated, Christ ascended
on high, refusing the adoration of angels until He had presented the
request: “I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with
Me where I am.”
John 17:24
. Then with inexpressible love and power
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came forth the answer from the Father’s throne: “Let all the angels of
God worship Him.”
Hebrews 1:6
. Not a stain rested upon Jesus. His
humiliation ended, His sacrifice completed, there was given unto Him
a name that is above every name.
Now the guilt of Satan stood forth without excuse. He had revealed
his true character as a liar and a murderer. It was seen that the very
same spirit with which he ruled the children of men, who were under
his power, he would have manifested had he been permitted to control
the inhabitants of heaven. He had claimed that the transgression of
God’s law would bring liberty and exaltation; but it was seen to result
in bondage and degradation.
Satan’s lying charges against the divine character and government
appeared in their true light. He had accused God of seeking merely
the exaltation of Himself in requiring submission and obedience from
His creatures, and had declared that, while the Creator exacted self-
denial from all others, He Himself practiced no self-denial and made
no sacrifice. Now it was seen that for the salvation of a fallen and
sinful race, the Ruler of the universe had made the greatest sacrifice
which love could make; for “God was in Christ, reconciling the world
unto Himself.”
2 Corinthians 5:19
. It was seen, also, that while Lucifer
had opened the door for the entrance of sin by his desire for honor and
supremacy, Christ had, in order to destroy sin, humbled Himself and
become obedient unto death.
God had manifested His abhorrence of the principles of rebellion.
All heaven saw His justice revealed, both in the condemnation of Satan
and in the redemption of man. Lucifer had declared that if the law
of God was changeless, and its penalty could not be remitted, every
transgressor must be forever debarred from the Creator’s favor. He had
claimed that the sinful race were placed beyond redemption and were
therefore his rightful prey. But the death of Christ was an argument in