Origin of Evil
411
injustice toward him, he resorted 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 necessary
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 influ-
ence 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 dis-
guising 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.