Why was Sin Permitted?
19
But a change came over this happy state. There was one who perverted
the freedom that God had granted to His creatures. Sin originated
with him who, next to Christ, had been most honored of God and
was highest in power and glory among the inhabitants of heaven.
Lucifer, “son of the morning,” was first of the covering cherubs, holy
and undefiled. He stood in the presence of the great Creator, and the
ceaseless beams of glory enshrouding the eternal God rested upon him.
“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.”
Ezekiel 28:12-15
.
Little by little Lucifer came to indulge the desire for self-exaltation.
The Scripture says, “Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty,
thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness.”
Ezekiel
28:17
. “Thou hast said in thine heart, ...I will exalt my throne above
the stars of God.... I will be like the Most High.”
Isaiah 14:13, 14
.
Though all his glory was from God, this mighty angel came to regard it
as pertaining to himself. Not content with his position, though honored
above the heavenly host, he ventured to covet homage due alone to
the Creator. Instead of seeking to make God supreme in the affections
and allegiance of all created beings, it was his endeavor to secure their
service and loyalty to himself. And coveting the glory with which the
infinite Father had invested His Son, this prince of angels aspired to
power that was the prerogative of Christ alone.
Now the perfect harmony of heaven was broken. Lucifer’s dis-
position to serve himself instead of his Creator aroused a feeling of
apprehension when observed by those who considered that the glory
[36]
of God should be supreme. In heavenly council the angels pleaded
with Lucifer. The Son of God presented before him the greatness, the
goodness, and the justice of the Creator, and the sacred, unchanging
nature of His law. God Himself had established the order of heaven;
and in departing from it, Lucifer would dishonor his Maker and bring
ruin upon himself. But the warning, given in infinite love and mercy,
only aroused a spirit of resistance. Lucifer allowed his jealousy of
Christ to prevail, and became the more determined.