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From Here to Forever
and undefiled. “Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum,
full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the
garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering. ... Thou art
the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast
upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in
the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from
the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. ...
Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted
thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness.” “Thou hast set thine heart
as the heart of God.” “Thou hast said, ... I will exalt my throne above
the stars of God. I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation.
... I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the
most High.”
Ezekiel 28:12-17
;
28:6
;
Isaiah 14:13, 14
.
Coveting the honor which the Father had bestowed upon His Son,
this prince of angels aspired to power which it was the prerogative
of Christ alone to wield. A note of discord now marred the celestial
harmonies. The exaltation of self awakened forebodings of evil in
minds to whom God’s glory was supreme. The heavenly councils
pleaded with Lucifer. The Son of God presented before him the
goodness and justice of the Creator and the sacred nature of His law.
In departing from it, Lucifer would dishonor his Maker and bring
ruin on himself. But the warning only aroused resistance. Lucifer
allowed jealousy of Christ to prevail.
Pride nourished the desire for supremacy. The high honors con-
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ferred on Lucifer called forth no gratitude to the Creator. He aspired
to be equal with God. Yet the Son of God was the acknowledged
Sovereign of heaven, one in power and authority with the Father. In
all the counsels of God, Christ was a participant, but Lucifer was
not permitted to enter into the divine purposes. “Why,” questioned
this mighty angel, “should Christ have the supremacy? Why is He
thus honored above Lucifer?”
Discontent Among the Angels
Leaving his place in the presence of God, Lucifer went forth
to diffuse discontent among the angels. With mysterious secrecy,
concealing his real purpose under an appearance of reverence for
God, he endeavored to excite dissatisfaction concerning the laws that