Why was Sin Permitted?
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he was greatly loved by the heavenly beings, and his influence over
them was strong. God’s government included not only the inhabitants
of heaven, but of all the worlds that He had created; and Lucifer had
concluded that if he could carry the angels of heaven with him in
rebellion, he could carry also all the 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. By disguising himself in
a cloak of falsehood, he had gained an advantage. 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, it could not be made to
appear the evil thing it was; his disaffection would not be seen to be
rebellion. Even the loyal angels could not fully discern his character
or see to what his work was leading.
Lucifer had at first so conducted his temptations that he himself
stood uncommitted. The angels whom he could not bring fully to his
side, he accused of indifference to the interests of heavenly beings.
The very work which he himself was doing, he charged upon the loyal
angels. It was his policy to perplex with subtle arguments concerning
the purposes of God. Everything that was simple he shrouded in mys-
tery, and by artful perversion cast doubt upon the plainest statements of
Jehovah. And his high position, so closely connected with the divine
government, gave greater force to his representations.
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God could employ only such means as were consistent with truth
and righteousness. Satan could use what God could not—flattery and
deceit. He had sought to falsify the word of God and had misrep-
resented His plan of government, claiming that God was not just in
imposing laws upon the angels; that in requiring submission and obe-
dience from His creatures, He was seeking merely the exaltation of
Himself. It was therefore necessary to demonstrate before the inhabi-
tants of heaven, and of all the worlds, that God’s government is just,
His law perfect. Satan had made it appear that he himself was seeking
to promote the good of the universe. The true character of the usurper
and his real object must be understood by all. He must have time to
manifest himself by his wicked works.
The discord which his own course had caused in heaven, Satan
charged upon the government of God. All evil he declared to be
the result of the divine administration. He claimed that it was his
own object to improve upon the statutes of Jehovah. Therefore God