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Consequences of Rebellion
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They told them that Satan purposed to do them harm, and it was
necessary for them to be guarded, for they might come in contact
with the fallen foe; but he could not harm them while they yielded
obedience to God’s command, for, if necessary, every angel from
heaven would come to their help rather than that he should in any
way do them harm. But if they disobeyed the command of God, then
Satan would have power to ever annoy, perplex, and trouble them. If
they remained steadfast against the first insinuations of Satan, they
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were as secure as the heavenly angels. But if they yielded to the
tempter, He who spared not the exalted angels would not spare them.
They must suffer the penalty of their transgression, for the law of
God was as sacred as Himself, and He required implicit obedience
from all in heaven and on earth.
The angels cautioned Eve not to separate from her husband in
her employment, for she might be brought in contact with this fallen
foe. If separated from each other they would be in greater danger
than if both were together. The angels charged them to closely
follow the instructions God had given them in reference to the tree
of knowledge, for in perfect obedience they were safe, and this fallen
foe could then have no power to deceive them. God would not permit
Satan to follow the holy pair with continual temptations. He could
have access to them only at the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Adam and Eve assured the angels that they should never
transgress the express command of God, for it was their highest
pleasure to do His will. The angels united with Adam and Eve in
holy strains of harmonious music, and as their songs pealed forth
from blissful Eden, Satan heard the sound of their strains of joyful
adoration to the Father and Son. And as Satan heard it his envy,
hatred, and malignity increased, and he expressed his anxiety to
his followers to incite them (Adam and Eve) to disobedience and
at once bring down the wrath of God upon them and change their
songs of praise to hatred and curses to their Maker.
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