The law of love being the foundation of the government of God , the happiness of all created beings depended upon their perfect accord with its great principles of righteousness . God desires from all His creatures the service of love--homage that springs from an intelligent appreciation of His character . He takes no pleasure in a forced allegiance , and to all He grants freedom of will , that they may render Him voluntary service .
But there was one that chose to pervert this freedom . Sin originated with him who , next to Christ , had been most honored of God and who stood highest in power and glory among the inhabitants of heaven . Before his fall , Lucifer was first of the covering cherubs , holy and undefiled . " Thus saith the Lord God ; Thou sealest up the sum , full of wisdom , and perfect in beauty . Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God ; every precious stone was thy covering . . . . Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth ; and I have set thee so : thou wast upon the holy mountain of God ; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire . Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created , till iniquity was found in thee ." Ezekiel 28:12-15 .
Lucifer might have remained in favor with God , beloved and honored by all the angelic host , exercising his noble powers to bless others and to glorify his Maker . But , says the prophet , " Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty , thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness ." Verse 17 . Little by little , Lucifer came to indulge a desire for selfexaltation . " Thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God ." " Thou hast said , . . . I will exalt my throne above the stars of God : I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation .... I will ascend above the heights of the clouds ; I will be like the Most High ." Verse 6 ; Isaiah 14:13 , 14 . Instead of seeking to make God supreme in the affections and allegiance of His creatures , it was Lucifer ' s endeavor to win their service and homage to himself . And coveting the honor which the infinite Father had bestowed upon His Son , this prince of angels aspired to power which it was the prerogative of Christ alone to wield .
All heaven had rejoiced to reflect the Creator ' s glory and to show forth His praise . And while God was thus honored , all had been peace and gladness . But a note of discord now marred the celestial harmonies . The service and exaltation of self , contrary to the Creator ' s plan , awakened forebodings of evil in minds to whom God ' s glory was supreme . The heavenly councils pleaded with Lucifer . The Son of God presented before him the greatness , the goodness , and the justice of the Creator , and the sacred , unchanging nature of His law . God Himself had established the order of heaven ; and in departing from it , Lucifer would dishonor his Maker , and bring ruin upon himself . But the warning , given in infinite love and mercy ,
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