20
Patriarchs and Prophets
To dispute the supremacy of the Son of God, thus impeaching the
wisdom and love of the Creator, had become the purpose of this prince
of angels. To this object he was about to bend the energies of that
master mind, which, next to Christ’s, was first among the hosts of God.
But He who would have the will of all His creatures free, left none
unguarded to the bewildering sophistry by which rebellion would seek
to justify itself. Before the great contest should open, all were to have
a clear presentation of His will, whose wisdom and goodness were the
spring of all their joy.
The King of the universe summoned the heavenly hosts before
Him, that in their presence He might set forth the true position of His
Son and show the relation He sustained to all created beings. The Son
of God shared the Father’s throne, and the glory of the eternal, self-
existent One encircled both. About the throne gathered the holy angels,
a vast, unnumbered throng—“ten thousand times ten thousand, and
thousands of thousands” (
Revelation 5:11
.), the most exalted angels, as
ministers and subjects, rejoicing in the light that fell upon them from
the presence of the Deity. Before the assembled inhabitants of heaven
the King declared that none but Christ, the Only Begotten of God,
could fully enter into His purposes, and to Him it was committed to
execute the mighty counsels of His will. The Son of God had wrought
the Father’s will in the creation of all the hosts of heaven; and to
Him, as well as to God, their homage and allegiance were due. Christ
was still to exercise divine power, in the creation of the earth and its
inhabitants. But in all this He would not seek power or exaltation for
Himself contrary to God’s plan, but would exalt the Father’s glory and
execute His purposes of beneficence and love.
The angels joyfully acknowledged the supremacy of Christ, and
prostrating themselves before Him, poured out their love and adora-
tion. Lucifer bowed with them, but in his heart there was a strange,
[37]
fierce conflict. Truth, justice, and loyalty were struggling against envy
and jealousy. The influence of the holy angels seemed for a time
to carry him with them. As songs of praise ascended in melodious
strains, swelled by thousands of glad voices, the spirit of evil seemed
vanquished; unutterable love thrilled his entire being; his soul went
out, in harmony with the sinless worshippers, in love to the Father and
the Son. But again he was filled with pride in his own glory. His desire
for supremacy returned, and envy of Christ was once more indulged.