shrouded in mystery , and by artful perversion cast doubt upon the plainest statements of Jehovah . His high position , in such close connection with the divine administration , gave greater force to his representations , and many were induced to unite with him in rebellion against Heaven ' s authority .
God in His wisdom permitted Satan to carry forward his work , until the spirit of disaffection ripened into active revolt . It was necessary for his plans to be fully developed , that their true nature and tendency might be seen by all . Lucifer , as the anointed cherub , had been highly exalted ; 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 Satan thought that if he could carry the angels of heaven with him in rebellion , he could carry also the other 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 , and by disguising himself in a cloak of falsehood he had gained an advantage . Even the loyal angels could not fully discern his character or see to what his work was leading .
Satan had been so highly honoured , and 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 , sin would not appear the evil thing it was . Heretofore it had had no place in the universe of God , and holy beings had no conception of its nature and malignity . They could not discern the terrible consequences that would result from setting aside the divine law . Satan had , at first , concealed his work under a specious profession of loyalty to God . He claimed to be seeking to promote the honour of God , the stability of His government , and the good of all the inhabitants of heaven . While instilling discontent into the minds of the angels under him , he had artfully made it appear that he was seeking to remove dissatisfaction . When he urged that changes be made in the order and laws of God ' s government , it was under the pretense that these were necessary in order to preserve harmony in heaven .
In His dealing with sin , God could employ only righteousness and truth . Satan could use what God could not-- flattery and deceit . He had sought to falsify the word of God and had misrepresented His plan of government before the angels , claiming that God was not just in laying laws and rules upon the inhabitants of heaven ; that in requiring submission and obedience from His creatures , He was seeking merely the exaltation of Himself . Therefore it must be demonstrated before the inhabitants of heaven , as well as of all the worlds , that God ' s government was 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 law and 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 it was necessary that
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