The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 498

who remained true to God. And to sustain his charge of God’s injustice
toward him, he resorted to misrepresentation of the words and acts
of the Creator. It was his policy to perplex the angels with subtle
arguments concerning the purposes of God. Everything that was simple
he 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 honored, 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
honor of God, the stability of His government, and the good of all the
inhabitants of

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