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From Heaven With Love
Satan saw that his disguise was torn away. He had revealed
himself as a murderer. By shedding the blood of the Son of God, he
had uprooted himself from the sympathies of the heavenly beings.
Henceforth he could no longer await the angels as they came from
the heavenly courts, and before them accuse Christ’s brethren of
being clothed with the defilement of sin. The last link of sympathy
between Satan and the heavenly world was broken.
Yet the angels did not even then understand all that was involved
in the great controversy. The principles at stake were to be more
fully revealed. Man as well as angels must see the contrast between
the Prince of light and the prince of darkness. He must choose whom
he will serve.
In the opening of the great controversy, Satan had declared that
the law of God could not be obeyed, that justice was inconsistent with
mercy, and that, should the law be broken, it would be impossible
for the sinner to be pardoned. If God should remit the punishment
of sin, urged Satan, He would not be a God of justice. When men
broke the law of God, Satan declared it was proved that the law
could not be obeyed; man could not be forgiven. Because he, after
his rebellion, had been banished from heaven, Satan claimed that the
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human race must be forever shut out from God’s favor. God could
not be just, he urged, and yet show mercy to the sinner.
But man was in a different position from that of Satan. Lucifer
had sinned in the light of God’s glory. Understanding the character
of God, Satan chose to follow his own selfish will. There was no
more that God could do to save him. But man was deceived, his
mind darkened by Satan’s sophistry. The height and depth of the
love of God he did not know. By beholding His character he might
be drawn back to God.
How Justice Is Blended With Mercy
Through Jesus, God’s mercy was manifested to men; but mercy
does not set aside justice. The law could not be changed, but God
sacrificed Himself in Christ for man’s redemption. “God was in
Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself.”
2 Corinthians 5:19
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The law requires a righteous life, a perfect character, and this
man has not to give. But Christ, as man, lived a holy life and