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Consequences of Rebellion
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subjects of God’s wrath, like themselves. Their transgression would
place them, also, in a state of rebellion, and they could unite with
Adam and Eve, take possession of Eden, and hold it as their home.
And if they could gain access to the tree of life in the midst of the
garden, their strength would, they thought, be equal to that of the
holy angels, and even God Himself could not expel them.
Satan held a consultation with his evil angels. They did not all
readily unite to engage in this hazardous and terrible work. He told
them that he would not entrust any one of them to accomplish this
work, for he thought that he alone had wisdom sufficient to carry
forward so important an enterprise. He wished them to consider the
matter while he should leave them and seek retirement, to mature
his plans. He sought to impress upon them that this was their last
and only hope. If they failed here, all prospect of regaining and
controlling heaven, or any part of God’s creation, was hopeless.
Satan went alone to mature plans that would most surely secure
the fall of Adam and Eve. He had fears that his purposes might be
defeated. And again, even if he should be successful in leading Adam
and Eve to disobey the commandment of God, and thus become
transgressors of His law, and no good come to himself, his own case
would not be improved; his guilt would only be increased.
He shuddered at the thought of plunging the holy, happy pair into
the misery and remorse he was himself enduring. He seemed in a
state of indecision: at one time firm and determined, then hesitating
and wavering. His angels were seeking him, their leader, to acquaint
him with their decision. They would unite with Satan in his plans,
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and with him bear the responsibility and share the consequences.
Satan cast off his feelings of despair and weakness, and, as their
leader, fortified himself to brave out the matter and do all in his
power to defy the authority of God and His Son. He acquainted
them with his plans. If he should come boldly upon Adam and Eve
and make complaints of God’s own Son, they would not listen to him
for a moment but would be prepared for such an attack. Should he
seek to intimidate them because of his power, so recently an angel
in high authority, he could accomplish nothing. He decided that
cunning and deceit would do what might, or force, could not.