Revelation 12:9
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
The great dragon is Satan himself, also called the Devil, that old serpent and the arch-deceiver, who deceives the whole world and was cast out of heaven to this earth with his angels. There was a real war in heaven in which Michael, who is Christ, and the loyal angels fought Satan and the angels who joined his rebellion, overcame them, and cast them out, restoring peace to heaven. The rebellion arose from Lucifer's pride and ambition to exalt himself to be equal with God and to take Christ's place, in opposition to God's government and unchangeable law. He won angels by secret deception, flattery and misrepresentation, and by the same deceptive agency he seduced humanity and still seduces the whole world. Cast to earth he continues heaven's rebellion here with great wrath because his time is short, yet he is a vanquished foe overcome by Christ's life, death and resurrection and by the blood of the Lamb.
Names and Fallen Identity
The great dragon is Satan himself, called the Devil and that old serpent and the adversary, the prince of darkness and the arch-deceiver who deceives the whole world and was cast out into the earth with his angels. He is destroyer and accuser and liar and tormenter and murderer, ruler of darkness and of this world, leader of rebellion who crucified Christ, a malignant subtle enemy and a real personal adversary whose existence cannot be doubted. He hides his identity and activity so that people mistake him for a friend doing good or an angel from heaven, follow their worst impulses while believing God leads them, disbelieve God and transgress His law, and make independence itself a snare. He disguises himself as an angel of light, uses human knowledge and mind to corrupt God's work, makes Christ's works seem merely human, works in churches to unsettle faith in present truth, and brought in idolatry through false conceptions of God.
The dragon represents Satan primarily and pagan Rome secondarily, because Satan used Rome as his chief agent to attempt to destroy Christ at His birth and to war against Christ and His people in the first centuries. Satan works on earth through human agents rather than appearing in person, and governments he controls become his representatives. When paganism gave way to the papacy he continued his work through it under another symbol, the dragon's giving the beast its power and seat and authority showing the papacy was his instrument. The later lamb-like two-horned beast with dragon speech and deceptive miracles is also his persecuting agent at the close of time, professing lamb character and alliance with heaven while revealing a dragon heart by persecution of commandment-keepers. Dragon means a persecuting power shown by its speech, the United States will develop into such a persecuting power through laws and decrees, and the same dragon inspires all opposition through the Herodian spirit, pagan Rome, the papal bull against the Waldenses whose call to crush and kill was the dragon's roar, and present governments, while opposing men are merely his agents and his assault cannot finally overthrow God's work.
That old serpent in Eden is Satan using the serpent as his medium to separate humans from God and bring earth under his rule. The serpent itself did not speak but Eve was deceived into thinking it did, for Satan entered into the serpent and took position in the tree of knowledge, then a beautiful winged creature bright like burnished gold when flying, going not on the ground but flying from place to place and eating fruit like man. He concealed his purpose, sought to lead the first pair into disobedience and ruin, used lies and subtle reasoning to lead Eve to distrust God's command, and exploited her added words Neither shall ye touch it to argue that since touching brought no harm eating would bring none.
Before his fall he was the highest most exalted created angel, the covering cherub next to Christ, next in honor to God's Son, mild and happy, perfect in form, noble and majestic in bearing, high and broad in forehead showing powerful intellect, with a special brighter more beautiful light beaming in his countenance and around him, greatly honored and entrusted, perfect from creation until iniquity was found in him. He was a very intellectual being in high position, yet Jesus had pre-eminence as one with the Father before angels were created, and Satan envied Christ, gradually assumed command belonging to Christ alone, worked underhandedly to supersede God and Christ, and determined to be more highly exalted until there was war. His trusted character drew large numbers to his side, he deceived angels to fight with him, was overcome and thrust down to this world with them, and then there was peace in heaven, beginning the enmity between truth and falsehood continued on earth through men departed from the faith. On earth he pursued his plans but God restrained him and remains Ruler, while Christ limits him to test the faithful and reveal the true-hearted until rebels are separated at the closing third angel's message.
Expulsion did not destroy his powers, for though fallen and become lowest of creatures he remains a mighty subtle intelligent enemy of undiminished skill and growing skillfulness, retaining heavenly intelligence, beautiful language and noble appearance. Though fallen he retains great intellectual power which he uses to misrepresent God, promote rebellion against Christ, delude multitudes, control appetite and strengthen passions, and greatly deface God's image in humanity, bringing sin and death and increased transgression. His expression shows malice and deceit and cunning, his self-exaltation and contempt for God's unchangeable law caused his expulsion, and fallen angels with him watch around people in cities and congregations to gather them by deception and turn obedient minds into wrong channels, met only by walking humbly with God in prayer without self-exaltation. He originated sin and dissension in heaven and is the source and author of rebellion, envy, jealousy, deception, strife and every sin, the grand prototype of all transgressors, arousing rebellion by seeking his own will instead of God's until heaven required harmony and peace through their casting out unto final destruction. He would not acknowledge sin was sin but claimed it righteousness, his lie that doctrine makes no difference still leads men to misinterpret the Word and call sin righteousness, while the law plainly specifies sin and righteousness; his rebellion opposing God's law brought sin into existence, and sin as transgression of the law is without excuse unto condemnation.
War and Expulsion in Heaven
There was a real war in heaven in which Michael, who is Christ the Son of God, and the loyal angels fought Satan and the angels who joined his rebellion, overcame and defeated them, drove and cast them out of heaven to this earth, and peace and harmony were restored. All heaven was in commotion and the angels were astir, marshaled in companies with a commanding angel at their head, some sympathizing with Satan in striving to reform the government of God and to look into His unsearchable wisdom in exalting Jesus with unlimited power and command, while others strongly contended for the honor and wisdom of God in giving authority to His Son. Satan wished to conquer the Son of God and those submissive to His will, but the good and true angels prevailed, and the expulsion ended the rebellion in heaven where all acknowledged God's justice and judgment were manifested. The rebellion began with contempt for God's law and the claim that angels should be free to follow their own will, and its defeat proved disloyalty's consequence.
Nearly one half of the angels sided with Satan, and he pointed to his sympathizers and challenged whether they would all be expelled also. Those who held that a third were involved teach that a third of the angels joined the rebellion, believed Satan was wronged, followed him including many in high positions, fell with him and were shut out with him. Christ's victory over the fallen chief in the wilderness confirms that the fallen foe was vanquished. Those who sympathized with him in his rebellion were expelled with him, and his self-justification, misrepresentations and accusations that gained sympathy in heaven continue since as the course of accusing others and hiding own wrongs.
All the angels were summoned to appear before the Father to have their cases decided, and God answered that to His Son alone He would reveal His secret purposes and required all the family in heaven, even Satan, to yield Him implicit unquestioned obedience. Satan openly declared dissatisfaction that Christ was preferred before him, stood up proudly and urged that he should be equal with God and be taken into conference with the Father to understand His purposes, and declared he was prepared to resist the authority of Christ and defend his place in heaven by force of might, strength against strength. It was decided that Satan should be expelled from heaven and that all the angels who joined with him in rebellion should be turned out with him.
God did not at once suppress the rebellion by force or cast them out, but permitted it to develop and allowed time so sides could clarify, the disloyal be exposed, the loyal saved from ruin, and the whole host see God's justice and the true nature of the usurper by means consistent with truth and righteousness, since rebellion against the unchangeable law was incurable. He carefully concealed real sentiments and purposes, working through flattery, deceit, bewildering sophistry and cloak of falsehood with apparent innocence, presenting scientific problems and sowing seed that would bear fruit of rebellion, then reporting the result of his own seed-sowing as sentiments held by them. This work could not be dealt with until the results of artful suggestions had fully developed, until disaffection ripened into active revolt and every angel could choose. Satan had misrepresented God and challenged His authority, yet was given repeated opportunities to repent and return to obedience, and was expelled only after he persisted in rebellion.
Satan was given repeated opportunities to repent and return, including Christ working in the heavenly courts to convince him of his terrible error until he and his sympathizers stood in open rebellion against God Himself claiming right to a position above Christ as covering cherub, and messages given to those rebels in heaven, but they were not reformed by them. He refused, persisted, worked with traitorous zeal after warning to bring strange ministry, lead souls into false paths, make souls sick with doubts and work upon minds to utter falsehood, and with his followers became lost beyond redemption with heaven closed against them. Lucifer would not repent, and though repentance could have brought them back the fallen angels retain great intelligence and knowledge though they lost connection with God and power of discernment. Their later repentance did not restore them to God's favor, for sin, hatred, envy and jealousy remained, and they would receive final punishment.
After expulsion Satan was stripped of honor, supremacy and part he had taken in the government of heaven, shut out so the gates would never again open to admit them, his bliss marred and countenance gloomy and despairing, with strife, discord and bitter recrimination before unknown breaking out among them. He who had led the heavenly choir and raised the first note of praise will no more unite in heavenly song nor bow in reverence and holy awe, no more be swayed by the mild rule of Jesus nor have spirit stirred by love, peace and joy His presence inspired to be returned in cheerful obedience. After expulsion he does not remain inactive but waits just at the entrance to taunt angels and seek contention as they go in and out and to show contempt for God's authority. He keenly perceives what he has lost from having often stood in the courts as chorister, because his principles were not received there.
The angels who fell were created sinless and equal in nature, power and glory to the faithful angels, were on probation under a test, failed to endure it and fell before Adam was created in the image of God and placed upon probation. War broke out because angels came to claim the highest place above the only begotten Son and to crowd out Christ, and when that place was not given they would not repent and accept the rule of God, so they were cast out into the earth. God cast out the angels about His throne whom He loved with their rebel leader because they kept not their first estate of loyalty, since God cannot endure sin, holiness is the foundation of His throne, sin is its opposite and crucified the Son. Sin cannot be cherished by anyone who is to enter heaven, because it would give Satan a foothold there again, and therefore sinners must reform, overcome secret faults, and be saints on earth to be saints in heaven.
Expulsion shows sin opposed to God's holiness, proved disloyalty's consequence, and made the rebellion a perpetual lesson and safeguard to the universe, with the working out of Satan's rule and its effects upon both men and angels showing what must be the fruit of setting aside divine authority. It testifies that with the existence of God's government and His law is bound up the well-being of all creatures He has made, a perpetual testimony to the nature and terrible results of sin to prevent holy intelligences from being deceived as to transgression and save them from committing sin and suffering punishment. Man is graciously given probation to try whether he will prove loyal and true to those same laws.
Satan was not immediately destroyed because only service of love is acceptable to God and allegiance must rest on conviction of His justice and benevolence, and the inhabitants of heaven and of other worlds were unprepared to comprehend the nature and consequences of sin and could not then have seen the justice of God in destroying him. Had he been immediately blotted out, some would have served from fear rather than love, doubt of God's goodness would have remained as evil seed yielding bitter fruit, influence of the deceiver would not have been fully destroyed and spirit of rebellion would not have been utterly eradicated. His character was not fully discerned even by loyal angels, so the author of evil was spared to fully develop character, and through long ages God bore anguish beholding evil and gave the infinite gift of Calvary rather than leave any deceived, because tares could not be plucked up without danger of uprooting precious grain. For the good of the entire universe through ceaseless ages he must more fully develop principles, so charges against divine government might be seen in true light and justice and mercy of God and immutability of His law might be forever beyond all question, allowing principles and consequences to become clear so allegiance rests on love and conviction rather than fear.
Cast out, Satan abated no enmity, revenge, hatred or defiance but remained an apostate foe resentful that Christ was preferred before him, with malice losing nothing of its malignity through thousands of years gaining experience in devising methods to keep the race in Adam's deception and keep them from believing God's words. Before expulsion he blamed God and Jesus for his own defection, claiming if they had not resisted his plans he would not have done as he did, and by so representing his case drew many from allegiance. Cast into the earth with his angels he carries on the same work now, opposing Christ when on earth to hinder redemption through powers ruling hearts, placing traditions, maxims and falsehoods in religion's framework, subverting clearest prophecies, and today deceiving wrongdoers so warnings, reproofs and corrections are evaded as unjust and reforms prevented. In the wilderness he offered Christ the kingdoms of the world for worship and supremacy, continuing rebellion.
The first expulsion is distinct from final future destruction, for Christ's victory at the cross makes redemption certain and secures heaven against accusations, so followers can regard him as conquered foe. The prophecy in Revelation 12 to 18 is being fulfilled now as the last message of warning all are to hear, including the very last call in chapter 18, the great dragon being the instigator of the great rebellion against heaven. Afterward the beast and false prophet are taken and cast into the lake of fire, and the same dragon is bound and cast into the bottomless pit for a thousand years, followed by resurrection of the wicked and final destruction of Satan and all the wicked and final triumph and reign of Christ on this earth.
Causes and Course of Rebellion
The rebellion arose from Lucifer's ambition to exalt himself, his envy of Christ's honor and authority, and his insistence on a position above Christ, coveting the honor belonging to the Son, desiring equality with God and to be first in power and in the councils of heaven. Though second to Christ in power and glory and standing next to Him as covering cherub, he became jealous when creation gave no pleasure, dissatisfied at purposes unrevealed to him, and unwilling to submit to Christ as Heaven's great commander. When he could not obtain what he coveted he diffused discontent by concealment and deceptive insinuation, planting his own ideas as if they were the angels' and claiming Christ had taken his place, until nearly half sided with him and war broke out and he was cast out with his sympathizers.
His fall came from pride, ambition and self-exaltation in being unsatisfied with a most exalted position, determining to have his own way instead of God's, concluding he could work better than God and Christ, and striving first for Christ's place next to God and then to be God and ruler. He snatched at power, sought supremacy and rulership in heaven, claimed infallibility, won many angels to fight with him, and was banished with the angels he had deceived, beginning the enmity between truth and falsehood continued on earth. These evils remain rooted in fallen human nature, producing envy and strife if not removed, and warn that those presuming to do good by their own power and take glory due to God face like ruin.
Lucifer next to Christ wanted His place and supremacy over Christ, introduced selfish, envious lusting for supremacy and self-seeking into heaven, and for that lost his glorious position and was exiled to this world. His ruin followed his self-exaltation, and selfishness thus cast out of the heavenly courts will never enter again. The same spirit of jealousy, envy and determination to be first still works in human hearts and must be cast out by submission to God, resistance of the devil, humbling of self, and cherishing the meek spirit of Christ, while denial of a personal Devil leaves men unwarned.
The rebellion was opposition to God's government and law, rooted in contempt for law and the claim that angels should be free to follow their own will, that law unfairly restricted angelic freedom, that man could not keep it, and the demand that it be changed or abolished. Satan warred against the law from ambition and unwillingness to submit to the Son, and rebellion against that government is the highest crime. Its defeat, when the Son and loyal angels prevailed and expelled the rebels, restored peace and proved the law remains perfect, unalterable and eternal as God Himself, with time given only to reveal false principles rather than suppress them by force.
His rebellion disputed God's authority, complained of His government, sought to overthrow heaven's order, demanded change or abolition of law as evidence of love, sought a flaw to argue change, set his own will and judgment above God's, treated God as fallible, and induced angels to make his word and commands equal with Jehovah's. He misconstrued and wrested God's words by accusing, fraud and a crooked serpent-like course opposite God's straightforward truth, facing submission or open rebellion and choosing rebellion until he became his own dupe believing his own lies. Having deceived thousands including high angels to question law and government, he was cast to earth claiming dominion, where fallen angels and fallen men, having no enmity between them, unite under his generalship to make void the law, and only a portion returns to loyalty while those on his side perish root and branch.
Expulsion proves God's law cannot be changed, for law is a transcript of God's unchangeable character not altered in a jot to save the rebellion, so no change was made then and there. Adam was not pardoned and kept in Eden and Christ was not retained to avoid sacrifice, but transgression brought death, loss of Eden, probation for posterity, and Christ as substitute and surety, showing the law binds every human being. Abolishing the law would make sin meaningless and remove need for gospel and Saviour, yet cast to earth he deceives men that it is abolished, supporting claims that commandments including the seventh-day Sabbath no longer bind, disguising himself and mixing truth with error to captivate and carry the world, after the same course as the papal attempt to adjust law to human ideas.
Before rebellion angels served without thought of law as law, ministering not for wages, position or self-pleasure but from love with will, taste and inclination identical with God's, so obedience was delight not drudgery, until rebellion awakened the thought there was a law. Satan undertook to make void God's law and sought to reform it to suit himself while grasping the highest place, and was at last thrust out for it. Anyone choosing another path than obedience to all Christ's commandments is in no better condition than the fallen angels, and those refusing light will have no open door, for to admit them would allow a second rebellion.
War began when creation of this world entered heaven's councils, when Lucifer the covering cherub requested to be made prince to govern the prospective world but was refused. Jesus Christ was to rule the earthly kingdom under God with heaven's law as standard for human intelligences, Lucifer became jealous of Christ, jealousy worked into rebellion carrying many holy angels, while Jesus stood true resisting every sophistry and proving every angel might have stood.
Satan opposed God's appointment of Christ as heaven's chief ruler though he had stood next to Christ who was one with the Father in heaven's government, would not accept Jesus as Head and God as Father, sought the supremacy given to Christ, and after failing to dethrone God and take the Most High's place was overcome and cast out. Since then he has waged war against God and works to persuade men that God is arbitrary and harsh.
Satan blamed Christ and God for his defection, claimed God's law unfairly restricted freedom, portrayed God as severe, claimed rebellion justified, and by misrepresentation and lies drew many from allegiance. To the very close he justified himself, avowed contempt for law, denounced statutes as restriction of liberty, declared purpose to abolish law, and with his host threw blame wholly upon Christ, declaring they would never have rebelled if unreproved. Expulsion protected others, for otherwise the host would remain in continual danger, yet cast out he abated no enmity or revenge and now works through willing agencies to make wrongdoers feel unjustly dealt with, taint others and oppose reform.
The dragon is Lucifer the Devil cast out with angels who joined his war because he wanted Christ's place, beginning in desire for supremacy as a warning against setting oneself up to rule others. He was the highest created being and covering cherub, first in rebellion, and those knowingly rebelling and promoting disobedience cannot enter heaven lest there be a second rebellion, just as rebel angels were cast out. To obtain future glory the will must be subjected to Christ rather than following Satan in leading others to disobey Jehovah's mandates.
Satan was the first rebel and leader of all rebellion against laws framed by God Himself afterward written with His finger as the ten commandments, the first great apostate and traitor against Omnipotence, and humanity's rebellion followed that first rebellion with nearly all proving disloyal. All rebellion against God is thus due to satanic influence, allying opposers with him to captivate senses, mislead understanding, bewitch as with Adam and Eve, hinder messengers and block God's work under garments of light. His influence even stirred earthly rebellion and defense of slavery as grave sin.
The inexplicable transaction when Satan became apostate abiding not in truth, though once reigning on a kingly throne in surpassing loveliness, swerving from the only Potentate, losing first love and connection with God and becoming a kingdom to himself against God planting rebellion's standard, cannot be explained. Where sin sprang from in beautiful exalted angels who would not obey heaven's laws is impossible to tell, and his own act compelled separation of disloyal from loyal and expulsion. Those same fallen angels are now on earth working unseen in every city and listening in congregations to bring temptation.
Deception of Angels and Humanity
Satan won angels by concealment and deception, using insinuations, flattery, bewildering sophistry, falsehood and criticism, claiming to be hampered by law, claiming Father and Son were enemies and he was benefactor, promising a new freer government with himself as leader, planting his ideas as if theirs and misstating Christ's words until many were almost imperceptibly turned. He was once the highest most exalted angel, the covering cherub second to Christ in power and glory, yet coveted the honor belonging to the Son and wanted equality with God, and because his character was trusted as unquestionable his disaffection drew large numbers. After leaving the Father's presence dissatisfied and filled with envy against Jesus, he concealed real purposes and assembled the host as one aggrieved because God had preferred Jesus to the neglect of himself. All heaven was in commotion with angels marshaled in companies under commanding angels, some sympathizing with Satan in striving to reform God's government and look into unsearchable wisdom, others contending for God's honor in giving authority to His Son, until summoned before the Father it was decided he and his joiners should be expelled, then battle was fought and the good prevailed.
After leaving the immediate presence he diffused discontent with mysterious secrecy under appearance of reverence, insinuating doubts concerning laws governing heavenly beings and claiming that though laws might be necessary for inhabitants of worlds, exalted angels needed no restraint because their own wisdom was sufficient guide and it was no more possible for them than for God to err. He represented the exaltation of the Son as equal with the Father as injustice to himself, claimed he also was entitled to reverence, promised great good and freedom to the entire host if he attained his true exalted position, and charged that even former liberty was at an end because an absolute ruler had been appointed to whom all must yield servile honor and obey. These subtle deceptions through his wiles were fast obtaining in the heavenly courts and blinded many, though there had been no change in Christ's position or authority from the beginning. His casting out began with secret deception wanting Christ's place in order to take God's place, seeking to undermine confidence in God's government by adroitly presenting suggestions and leaving insinuations to develop. Less-cautious angels began to communicate them as new theories, while he presented originated doubts as opinions of many that should be considered, planted ideas then led angels to voice them as their own and reported his seed-sowing as their sentiments, winning a few at a time without compromising himself and ensnaring the unsuspecting.
He decoyed by ingenious misrepresentation, mourning to arouse sympathy, perverting, misconstruing and wresting God's words, accusing, fraud and crooked ways with identity concealed, moving in a crooked wriggly twisting serpent-like course opposite God's straightforward course of truth and justice, corrupting heaven's family to utter disloyal sentiments and drawing thousands including high ones. He faced submission or open rebellion and took rebellion, turning every merciful warning into pressure and restriction until become his own dupe believing his own lies with darkness as light, yet God allowed him to go on until revealed in true character as accuser, deceiver, liar and murderer unmasked at Christ's death, when only Christ's sacrifice could destroy his works. Many angels deceived by him fought with him and trusted his wisdom, and were shut out with him, warning against trusting princes or sanctioning any exalted course that weakens faith, for responsible positions have great power to lead many astray. His way is guile in lips and practice, mixing most dangerous falsehoods with truth to captivate and ruin, disguising as an angel of light covering transgression with robes of righteousness and apparently pure garments, keeping himself and his work disguised and not openly professing war against God and His law. By this means he carries the world with him, calculating that as he induced angels he could induce men to join rebellion as working agents and allies united under his generalship on making void Jehovah's law, with fallen angels and fallen men in desperate companionship leagued against good in the same apostasy with no enmity between them.
He used false science, false assertions and subtle scientific theories with apparent innocence, presenting scientific problems to deceive and sowing seed that would bear rebellion, working so innocently that when his sown seed took root he drew expressions of disaffection from angels and reported them as their sentiments, a work that could not be dealt with until fully developed. He fell not as degraded-looking but as most lovely, for loveliness did not make him as the only-begotten Son, and wanting highest place he insinuated change would soon take place, winning acceptance by hypnotic sophistry before casting out. The same deceptive science by which he deceived Adam and Eve still deceives the whole world, with sophistries now accepted by ministers, physicians and members drawing into falsehood and underhand dealing, and the same counterfeiting of truth with deceptive theories presented as safe doctrines continues today in churches. His power in heaven was criticism and misrepresentation making good and right appear evil, pressing misrepresentations against Christ and His law so decidedly and seductively that a large number came to view it as he did. That same seductive element appears when believers discern defects, pick flaws, ridicule fellow workers and present manners and words unfavorably, and his work remains faultfinding and accusing, seeking advantage to weaken moral power then discourage until under discouragement they criticize as he did, so no advantage must be given.
He began in heaven by murmuring and pitying himself over what did not suit him or give due consideration, sowing unbelief, discord, disloyalty and disaffection he could not keep but told to others to lead them to murmur and complain. Supposing his own wisdom supreme he worked by self-exaltation, complaining, criticizing and accusing, sowing doubt, creating alienation and strife, deceiving minds to see falsely and placing matters most deceivingly. Cast to earth with evil angels he still carries the same work, confederating with men claiming faith and using them proportionate to light to bring severe trials against faithful workers, communicating bitter root in confused untruthful statements until many are defiled, with special business to stir selfish unconsecrated minds against those in trust to report mistakes and bring unjust false charges to discourage and destroy servants. Lucifer's dissatisfaction with what God had not revealed led him to disregard what had been revealed about assigned work, and he stirred angels under his command to share discontent and fall with him. That casting out patterns his present effort to make people speculate about unrevealed matters and disregard direct commands.
The same deceptive agency that seduced angels now seduces the whole world with power increased a hundred-fold by exercise and experience, using subtle varied gradual devices, worldly entanglements, error, superstition, poisonous sophistries, human agents, departed teachers, unconverted members and even human reasoning, seeking if possible to deceive commandment-keepers. Fallen angels are now in this world present among hearers making it more corrupt with little time left, making practical godliness tenfold harder because cities are possessed by his agencies, retaining beautiful language to deceive learned men making them think they are heavenly while presenting temptations and falsehoods about God and brethren. By deceptive seducing statements he won confidence of many angels causing great war where Michael fought his deceived followers, and the same working upon human minds today requires wide-awake guarding of the flock, for giving place to doubts, distrust and cruel jealousies prepares for complete deception, sympathy with wrong, and bitter rising against reproof. His falsehoods led first parents astray and were accepted in heavenly courts, and the same methods continue to mislead, working through those resisting correction to make reproof ineffective.
A central deception misrepresents God by transferring his own cruelty and malice to the Creator, making God seem arbitrary and harsh, tempting distrust since Adam, perplexing, widening heaven-earth distance, seeking to wear out patience, extinguish love and bring condemnation. Since failing to dethrone God and take the Most High's place he has worked to persuade people God is arbitrary in dealings, tempted distrust of love and doubt of wisdom, and placed himself between people and the Father claiming God's attributes while drawing worship to himself through human agents and crooked practices. The conflict continues on earth as darkness versus light to perplex and lead to distrust as in Eden, reaching final crisis where evil powers unite to deceive and ruin, with many retaining form without power and realizing too late angels war against departure from faith. That controversy Christ's life and death settled by revealing hatred of sin strong as death and love to the sinner stronger. By the method used on angels he declares God withholds higher education that would make men as gods, working minds he can influence through ministers and medical workers with popular religion impregnating the satanic idea of developing into gods until no place for God or Christ. As long as men consent to listen this weaves seductive theories poisoning like deadly viper and deadening sensibilities like hypnotism laying shameful infirmity on Christ through His people, so loyal subjects must refuse to listen from the first sound.
His warfare includes spirits impersonating the dead and power to impersonate angels of light and even Christ, with spiritualistic mediums, false visions, dreams, prophecies, lying wonders and unguarded claims, so teachers must cling to the Word and guard openings to deception. After being cast out he has continued heaven's warfare on earth for nearly six thousand years still now under new disguise of pretended visits and messages from the dead spreading error and undermining Scripture, using claims that unbelievers like Thomas Paine are in heaven to suggest salvation regardless of belief in God or Bible while discrediting Bible and making Christ merely human, drawing attention to supposed miracles surpassing Christ's until the seven last plagues reveal the trap. Evil angels seduced and deceived in heaven now carry spiritualistic education to human minds, taking minds captive with pantheistic theories about life and God's relation to things presented as highest value. Because seduction is the same, churches must be guarded and no discussion entered with holders, for evil angels can take captive a speaker's mind to promote false theories as they deceived human minds through spiritualistic teaching.
He deceives through the serpent's voice into apostasy with lies about God, persuading with flattery to do what God forbade, exploiting added words about touching to argue eating would not harm, and after thousands of years tempting has lost none of his tact or experience. Sin originated with him as prince of evil become apostate without reasonable cause, and cast with angels he deceives the whole world misrepresenting character and tearing down holy law, throwing hellish shadow to eclipse lovely untainted character, taking world captive chaining as slaves, winning others through obeyers, trampling commands with every knowing transgressor, and conspiring with evil angels and wicked men to destroy souls. The old serpent's deadly sting felt by all who ever lived is sin with fatal effects removable only by God's provision in giving His Son. As bitten Israelites lived by looking in faith upon the uplifted serpent, the sinner stung by Satan may look to Christ lifted on the cross and live receiving pardon through atoning sacrifice, for unlike the lifeless symbol Christ has power and virtue in Himself to heal the repenting sinner, a healing life-giving message giving hope, courage, faith, pardon and life to those bitten and bidden to look to the Saviour on the shameful tree.
The old serpent leaves his track when impure association between men and women is called high holy affinity of spirit, a spiritual harmony, which is spiritual wickedness in high places against which vigorous warfare must be waged with no quarter given. His sting is death ruining body and his influence fatal upon soul. He puts fascination over the wrong course so a person imagines enjoyment in it, but that enjoyment is dearly bought and discovered too late only a gilded shadow filled with woe while actual happiness is far away. To stay under fascination is to go back step by step into darkness, separate from God, and choose present pleasure at expense of eternal life selling soul cheap until cut short by judgments. He fills attention with falsehood and commercialism as delusive power, zealously promoting it after allowing supremacy to control him and being expelled as once most glorious angel, so those rejecting given light and departing faith follow this fallen angel and need loyalty to Prince Emmanuel to avoid ensnarement. His ingenious deceptions captivate toward ruin with commercialism turning even former ministers and religious leaders from light, while Christ in human nature lived among people and met Satan's schemes throughout human life to counter them and win deceived souls back, for Christ alone can defeat, uncover plans, and teach discernment and escape from invented corruption.
He leads the world to discard the genuine Sabbath for a spurious sabbath, claiming resurrection moved Sabbath from seventh to first, attacking it because it points to God as Creator and Sovereign, seeking by undermining its sacredness and promoting another day to replace God's authority with his own. Cast out because principles not received in heaven, he vowed to use knowledge and powers to war against God by taking created beings under his standard and making his devising appear truth, meeting people with specious temptations and often in person with pleasing address, though knowing Scriptures will be fulfilled and countless host will encircle the throne. From beginning to end his constant purpose has been to exalt false sabbath in place of Jehovah's genuine Sabbath, now more intent than ever, with direct reference to fourth commandment so civil enactments compelling Sunday observance belong to his work, and that same counterworking continues expending effort and means from place to place even among heathen nations opposing conscientious observers. Against that counterwork duty is to observe the Word as true higher education, for faithful witnesses have kept commandments amid error and persecution while he draws to his cause those treating human errors and traditions as commands and reverencing Sunday places them on deceiver's side.
Continuing Conflict on Earth
Cast to earth, Satan established his own kingdom there and planted the standard of rebellion around which his sympathizers rallied, continuing on earth the same rebellion begun in heaven with his confederacy of fallen angels and fallen people allied against heaven. That confederacy is his church of children of sin and disobedience, working with great power in and through living agencies to cast off divine law, confuse good and evil, and exalt treason and apostasy as truth and loyalty until the end. Having chosen selfishness against God, he works after coming to earth to corrupt humanity and replace heaven's principles with his own, using the same deception that led angels to rebel to tempt Adam and Eve.
After overcoming Adam and Eve he claimed the earth and the world and Eden as his kingdom because they had chosen him as ruler, counted the fallen race as his rightful subjects, and claimed sinners could not be forgiven. Those were proud claims rather than rightful ownership, for Christ pledged to stand where Adam stood and by sacrifice provided restoration to God and the Eden home and rescue of the world from his grasp. Through him sin entered the world and death by sin when Adam listened to his misrepresentations and fell, with love replaced by selfishness, powers perverted, throne usurped, and woe following. His envy first led him to tempt the first parents, and the first death resulted from his principles.
After expulsion he sought retirement to mature his plans, then fortified himself to defy God and His Son by securing the fall of Adam and Eve through disobedience, claiming he alone had wisdom sufficient and deciding cunning and deceit would do what force could not. Looking on the beautiful home prepared for the happy holy pair, his envy and jealousy were excited and he laid plans to cause their fall, working in the dark and concealing his purpose because they had been warned against him as a dangerous foe and would have repulsed him openly in his real character. Seeing their happiness as a vision of bliss forever lost, he was moved to incite disobedience to bring guilt and penalty upon them, change love to distrust and praise to reproach, plunge them into his own misery, dishonor God and grieve heaven.
The history of the fallen foe was opened to Adam and Eve by heavenly messengers as warning that the high estate of angels was kept only by obedience, that they likewise as moral agents must obey or lose their estate unto hopeless despair and death, and that while obedient Satan could have no power over them with every angel to help them. They were charged to follow closely the directions God had given and not to separate from each other in work lest they meet him, for He who spared not exalted angels would not spare them, since God's law is as sacred as Himself and requires implicit obedience in heaven and on earth. Though created free from taint of evil with no predisposition to sin and warned of his rebellion, they fell by listening to presentations differing from God's words, Eve first distrusting and disobeying and Adam through love disobeying with her. God limited his access to them to the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Having turned from loyalty, misrepresented Christ and led angels into revolt, and after persistent refusal to repent and submit been banished with his sympathizers in vindication of God's justice and honor, he turned to human beings to lead them to accept his falsehoods. He deceived the first pair by opposing God's words and insinuating His perfect law needed change, bringing sin into the world, and has continued to make falsehood appear true especially by claiming God's law is abolished or altered. Since the casting down there have been two warring parties through all history to the present, one on Satan's side and one on Christ's and God's side, with the world divided between true and false. Wicked angels and fallen men are leagued against holy angels and believers, with no natural enmity between fallen angels and men because both are evil in the same apostasy opposing the law and tearing down the moral standard, united by his generalship to make void the law of Jehovah while only a portion returns to loyalty.
On earth he continues as deceiver and accuser of the brethren day and night, well skilled by long practice in faultfinding and educating every man he can use to unite with him, so many are deceived and move blindfolded into paths of his opening. His demon power has become the central power of the earth with his throne in the midst of the world where God's throne should have been seen, patronized by a church conformed to the world and living in transgression of the holy law. Cast out, he has come down to this earth with great wrath because his time is short and with great power, so believers live in an enemy's country where with worldly entanglements, error, superstition, carefully concealed masterly snares and unnumbered deceptions he strives to win Christ's followers away and take souls captive. Overcoming therefore requires being watchful, constantly on guard, keeping close to Christ in self-denial and sacrifice and avoiding even inconsistent moves, for only the watchful overcome and are happy while the careless are taken unawares and fall an easy prey. At times he deceives through smooth words and fair speeches that would deceive the very elect, at other times attacks openly as a roaring lion, with influence grown by practice working through those resisting correction and sympathizing with wrong.
Knowing his usurped authority will soon be forever at an end, his last opportunity for world control is now, so he makes most decided efforts to destroy earth's inhabitants and perils thicken about the remnant before the Lord comes with power and great glory. He suggests specious reasonings to believers to betray sacred trusts unless they stand as faithful sentinels, and every soul not fully surrendered and divinely kept will ally with him against heaven and join battle against the Ruler of the universe. Before Christ comes he will move mightily from beneath to delude the world while the Lord moves from above to prepare a people to stand in the day of wrath, still playing the game of life for every soul to perish with him and intending another battle with all not on the Lord's side to take earthly and heavenly kingdoms. His object in this warfare between righteousness and sin is to dethrone Christ, defeating God's purpose for humanity by making the law appear unjust and impossible, deceiving to transgress and become hostile, and seeking rebellion so widespread God would withdraw mercy and destroy humanity to vindicate his claims before unfallen worlds.
He continues warfare by deceiving to break the law either by rejecting it altogether or by rejecting one command, either way producing contempt for the whole, obscuring it with tradition and prejudice. In 1844 when God turned His people to the sanctuary and the first angel's message, he opposed the work because it would spread the binding claims of the law, gather people to the Lord and end his rule, fearing the sins of those accepting Christ would be laid upon him. He demonstrated his principles in the antediluvian world and worked them out in Sodom and Gomorrah, and after the earth was repeopled men threw off restraint, united with the apostate in hostility, transmitted disloyalty to posterity to make void God's law, and in all time have confederated with satanic agencies for that purpose. When the Noachian inhabitants separated from God they fell under his jurisdiction, were imbued with his attributes and worked out his rebellion, with fear of God almost extinct, men sold to wickedness oppressing dissenters, bringing physical suffering from spiritual oppression and control of conscience by human enactments beginning before the Flood.
Fallen angels cast to earth are on earth today working unseen in every city and even present listening in congregations, bringing temptations and trials to provoke God and striving continually to turn obedient minds into wrong channels. They did not lose the intelligence they had in heaven but kept it, using beautiful sentiments from the heavenly courts and presenting things in wonderful light so people mistake deception for desired truth in a work appearing genuine, which cannot touch souls walking humbly with God by faith. Those walking in obedience will be watched over, guarded, strengthened and caused to ride upon high places. Remaining highly educated and intelligent, they weave precious beautiful intelligent sentences into writings and publications filling the world, leading people to excuse them as Christian and to pick out sentences of the Bible and put something else in their place, and they must be met not by changing the Word but by the very Word with intelligence able to meet the powers of darkness.
Their expulsion made this world the sole theater of the struggle between right and wrong, involving all humanity in recovery from sin, reconciliation with God and salvation. He has been at war with God's government since first rebelling, and success in Eden emboldened him proudly to boast to heavenly angels that when Christ should appear taking man's nature He would be weaker and be overcome by his power. He cited appetite's victories as proof he could thwart salvation: Adam and Eve fell by appetite, the old world by lustful appetite and corrupt passions, Israel by gratification of appetite, nearly all who left Egypt dying in the wilderness so the Son with Moses and Joshua could not lead them to Canaan, even meek Moses tempted to take God's glory, and David and Solomon though favored induced by lust to incur displeasure. According to that arrangement he beset Christ with manifold temptations.
Defeat by Christ Victory
Christ came to meet the fallen adversary face to face, to defeat him and to open a way of escape from his power, entering into covenant to vindicate every specification of God's character as expressed in holy law and to refute the lie that the law could not be kept by giving Himself as a sacrifice for sin, revealing to the universe that the law is as unchangeable and eternal as God Himself. His life and death exposed the deceiver who had led angels into opposition by portraying God as severe and justifying rebellion by lies and crooked means, breaking his power and freeing people from evil, and throughout the controversy He continues to oppose those schemes, rescue souls from his grasp, and stand appointed as judge of every soul.
Satan is a vanquished foe, the old serpent and devil cast out with his angels after gaining control of the race through sin and claiming obedience to God's law is impossible, yet whenever a soul by faith in the Lamb renounces sin and vindicates the law by a holy life his wrath is kindled because he cannot compel submission, so he instigates cruelty and murder as when Cain, moved by the wicked one, slew obedient Abel. Every martyr dies a conqueror, overcoming him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of testimony, loving not life unto death, and the conflict now divides into two parties, one overcoming by the Lamb's blood and testimony while fallen angels of great intelligence but lost discernment oppose God. Though powerful, he was cast out by Christ the mighty Saviour, whose greater power and love Christians are to magnify rather than dwelling on Satan's power, trusting God's promise of strength and protection in the struggle with evil.
Christ overcame Satan in heaven, vanquished and expelled him, then died to redeem fallen humanity, yet that victory did not end the conflict, for standing for truth remains combat not merely with men but with Satan and his angels determined to keep darkness in the field. He is the one with whom there was war in heaven, the exalted angel next to Christ who wanted Christ's place, sought to change God's government, worked in secrecy with falsehood for truth, originated sin through jealousy, and after being overcome met that same defeated adversary again in the wilderness of temptation. Therefore opponents of truth must not trust in skill in argument, self-sufficiency, sarcasm, wordplay, or unfair advantage, but must come with heart-searching, prayer, firm trust, humility, and the meek spirit of Jesus, following Christ who, though He had expelled Satan, brought no railing accusation but said the Lord rebuke thee.
Christ knew him from the beginning as a liar capable of any deception for influencing angels against the Supreme Ruler and His Son, and would have no controversy with him, recognizing him through disguise and refusing to descend to prove divinity or answer challenge, remaining faithful to the Father. He has warred without losing skill for thousands of years with increasing craft to deceive and allure, so fallen man cannot overcome him by human strength alone, but those who follow Christ's example and hold no converse with him are spared many defeats. In the wilderness He overcame aided by ministering angels, commanding the defeated adversary to depart when homage sought in heaven was again demanded, and what he failed to gain from Christ he accomplishes with fallen man by deception and counterfeit miracles.
The rebel angels were uprooted from universal affection when Christ cried It is finished, for before the cross even angels doubted Satan's real character because of his worldwide deception, but the cross revealed the contrast between God who moves straightforward and cannot lie and Satan crooked as a serpent, and all heaven rejoiced at the resurrection of the Conqueror with power to bind the strong man and spoil his goods. There was a second fall at the cross, when the priests' taunt to come down tore away disguise and fastened upon Satan himself the evil he sought to fasten on Christ, laying open once-hidden principles so angelic sympathy went wholly to Christ and he stood revealed as accuser, thief, and murderer who instigated the killing not only of innocents but of incarnate God, would have kept Him in the tomb, and in saving Barabbas and murdering the innocent showed he would save the wicked and murder the innocent if he ruled a nation. Having pleaded that every sin must be punished and that remission denies truth and justice, he will be judged by his own standard and meet the judgment he said God should exercise.
That victory on the cross secures heaven against accusation, makes redemption certain, and marks Satan conquered, and the same casting out continues on earth as through the gospel he is dispossessed from hearts and minds, losing hold through faith in the preached Word until his kingdom totters and falls before sanctified truth, while the omnipotent Spirit defends every contrite soul so none claiming protection in penitence comes under his power. Christ as first great Conqueror stands at the head of the work, keeping His eyes on the exulting foe who can go no farther than permitted, allowing him power for a time to reveal the truehearted, prove the faithful, and develop and separate the spurious from the pure until rebels are purged at the closing of the third angel's message. Satan hated Christ for His place with God and hated Him more when dethroned and as the pledged Redeemer of sinners, opposing Him at every step through darkness ruling hearts, causing falsehoods to be accepted, placing human traditions and maxims in religion, subverting prophecy, shadowing truth, and inspiring priests, rulers, and mob to kill Him. Yet God permitted His Son to come to the world Satan claimed as dominion as a helpless Babe subject to human weakness, to meet life's peril in common with humanity and fight the battle as every child of humanity must, at risk of failure and eternal loss.
The assailing foe, first corrupted then ejected, relentlessly attacked even Christ's purity and holiness on earth's battlefield, and Christ's humiliation in taking human nature to be tempted as man is tempted was deeply and keenly felt, yet He kept allegiance to God and was not reckoned with transgressors. His ongoing work of tempting continues to the present, but Christ provides divine power to overcome, coming to conquer the powerful enemy who claims dominion so that through divine grace humanity may also gain victory.
Prophecy Judgment and Faithful Living
Revelation 12 portrays the last great conflict between the obedient and the disobedient, with only two parties on earth, those under Christ's bloodstained banner bearing the sign of obedience in Exodus 31:12-18 and those under rebellion's black banner, and those who follow Satan carrying the world with him will not stand under Christ's banner.
In the great closing work evil powers unite in desperate struggle to carry out deceptive plans through inhabitants who receive not truth, drawing ministers, physicians, lawmakers and thousands more, some in mere form of godliness, working with evil people to deceive world and churches without love of truth, the conflict growing more intense to its height when darkness works with skill, requiring Christ the Captain of the Lord's host, the mighty Angel over sea and land with supreme authority, to come to save.
Satan began the conflict claiming to support God's government while secretly seeking its overthrow and accusing loyal angels of his own work, and the same strategy brands law-honoring people as lawbreakers blamed for calamity, as Rome charged the faithful martyrs, to be repeated in the final conflict against the obedient.
The loyal angels fought for supremacy against Satan and triumphed on God's side, the same who shouted for joy at creation and over sinless inhabitants, witnessed the fall and expulsion from Eden, and now visit earth in necessity, oversee stewards, minister to co-workers, and work invisibly with visible agencies and redeemed humanity to save perishing sinners, bind wounds sin made, and restore God's moral image.
Against him Michael leads the Lord's host and God protects His people, for Satan cast to earth with his angels deceives the whole world by devices to ruin man and make him a transgressor, coming with great power in worldly entanglements, error and superstition to take souls captive, yet a heavenly host works for men, Christ limits Satan to test the truehearted until rebels are separated at the closing third angel's message, the gospel casts him from minds until his kingdom totters, and safety is leaning on the divine arm not human power, partaking divine nature, walking humbly in prayer, answering with Scripture as Christ did, holding Christ's hand and standing faithful true as steel, choosing Christ as leader unto victory and eternal death to the other choice.
The verse warns knowledge in his hands destroys, for he was highly intellectual and many superior intellects are now led captive, many angels trusting his wisdom were shut out, millions on earth are deceived by seductive wiles now pressed because time is short, heaven can be lost by taking his side, his rebellion works in churches with determined efforts, and safety is sanctified knowledge and connection with Christ, partaking divine nature, holding Jesus by faith, relying on divine not human power, warning all nations without delay and never sanctioning exalted persons who weaken faith.
Its application is seen since his fall in infusing envy, ambition and discontent as in Korah, Dathan and Abiram who rejected God's appointees while thinking themselves righteous and counting reprovers as actuated by Satan, in continuing rebellion and apostasy as the Christian world accepts his theories departing precepts like Israel, in publishing offices where he walks in light urging false principles and cheapness to destroy sacred principles, and in leading those exalting own judgment blindly little by little into his snare, while Jesus watched sin's bewitching unfolding from the beginning through wilderness victory with ministering angels.
To insist views are never to be given up patterns Lucifer who wove place and influence into experience, refused harmony with Christ, pressed equality until God would not concede and he rebelled and was lost, then led men to doubt God's word and view just and terrible Majesty as severe and unforgiving, drawing them to join rebellion bringing night of woe, and holding opinions unchangeable or refusing correction follows his stubborn resistance.
The same spirit of deception, selfishness and rivalry moves those using positions to deny justice while thinking they serve God, cheating in crooked dealing and sharp advantage-taking which cannot enter heaven, going to law with brethren, misrepresenting, caricaturing and ridiculing ministers and unsettling confidence, proving loyalty to the enemy of righteousness rather than God, offending God and perverting His way, and unrepented excluding from the redeemed, with taking brethren to law aligning with the enemy, fueled by disloyalty to law bringing contention and underhand selfish plotting under his control.
The dragon spirit works when false charges and invented lies are brought against workers, such as a threatened lawsuit never intended, when divine testimony is called human and suspicion, criticism and evil surmising spread without foundation placing on the dragon's side in his mire doing deception by disguised words received as truth endangering others, when testimonies are opposed which is the devil's work, and when pride, arrogancy, betrayal of trust and opposition to faithful testimony appear among professed truth-holders claiming Sabbathkeepers all wrong with new light never from the divine altar.
Satan's rebellion spread by expressed thoughts and influence set in motion, beginning false sympathy which has existed ever since, shielding unworthy character from discipline, blunting straight testimony and pleasing him, which must die so the church has only those earnestly striving to be right with opportunity to develop character and no privilege for refusers.
The science he teaches to captivate associating minds includes mesmerism and hypnotism, which are not to be studied, tampered with or practiced but resisted, and practicing deception and defending falsehood means standing with the arch-deceiver whose followers with lies and hidden schemes cannot deceive God who records and judges by works.
He casts a spell and hypnotism over minds through scientific spiritualistic philosophy, controlling people who understand not the controlling spirit revealed in public exhibition of self, stinging hearts so they live to criticize prepared for unbelief, even strong precious men turned from the present message asleep at post like foolish virgins.
He deceives through smooth words that would deceive the elect and at times openly as a roaring lion, through delusions and false theories drawing from important truths endangering the elect, through doubts about Scripture that ensnare when entertained, reasoned with and spread, and through delay in sharing truth letting him lead once-open minds into error less willing to examine fairly.
He leads men to deny Christ's divinity the only source of life, belittles His work, blinds lest gospel light shine weakening Christianity, works on pride tempting to independent judgment cutting dependence on guidance, strength and protection then binding the independent as slaves to his chariot in overmastering deception, with only those made free by Christ truly free, and rejecting messengers is rejecting Christ turning to fable unto ruin by stubborn unwillingness sowing unwelcome harvest.
He seeks to keep God's light from His people and overcome the faithful, working with determined agencies counseling together to bring deceiving influence on every mind to keep the gospel from proclamation and from cities, calling ministers who see this to go into the cities.
He still plays the game of life for every soul to perish with him and intends another battle with all not on the Lord's side to take earthly and heavenly kingdoms, deceiving to secure money objectionably, most successfully by liquor, tobacco, opium, laudanum and kindred drugs destroying God's moral image, inflaming the face, reducing families below brutes through life-destroying traffic legalized by national laws.
The author of sin deceiving the whole world applies when restraint is removed and mercy nears its end with deceptive powers taking the world captive, yet God does not abandon benevolent, open-hearted, hospitable people even when failing to love neighbor as self and make wrongs right under clear light, but comes directly to show error so they retrace steps, redeem the past, rise higher and live unspotted by avarice.
He has designs on the United States to bring enterprises making men forget God, so worldliness and covetousness which is idolatry prevail till law in all bearings is made void, declaring man bound if God is first and last and best, working deception in wonderful representations on every side, against which safety is feet firmly on truth in Christ the rock.
His fall over law remains the great test dividing loyal and transgressors, for law was heaven's great controversy and ever since, enmity ever exists between Christ and Satan as instigator of every injustice inspiring hurt to God's children by bruising their bodies, without divine interference men would league to dethrone God, and those belittling God's word and casting contempt on law place themselves under darkness against Christ manifested to destroy the devil's works by honoring law.
Those refusing obedience in probationary time take his side making God's Word of none effect, could not safely enter lest there be a second rebellion opposing government as he did, and at judgment have no excuse for choosing the rebel's side; heaven once held one sinner whose war ended in overcoming, heaven will not keep sin, and no sinner enters New Jerusalem without a life measuring with Christ's, sanctified with harps tuned.
Warfare and traits like robbery, adultery, evil speaking and false dealing cannot enter heaven for admission would bring another warfare; in love God gave law to make them known and lead away, giving opportunity to form character after His fit for heaven, with commandment-keepers having right to the tree of life through the gates.
Expulsion because disaffection broke peace, happiness and harmony teaches heaven cannot remain happy with rebellion, justice at entrance demands holiness so defective character cannot pass gates mercy opened to the obedient, opening gates irrespective of character would produce worse rebellion, change of place does not change character, and redeemed happiness results from Christlike character formed in this life having first been saints on earth.
No confident unsanctified disposition or contentious spirit with extremes in spirit, language, words and actions can be received, for admitting unconverted character would soon bring warfare and second rebellion; the Bible is the guidebook, and thorough conversion by the Spirit subdues traits changing soul, mind, speech, action and face so associates know it.
His disaffection after happy unity of heaven's royal family samples what humanity would have been had Adam remained true, his fall brought suffering driving Adam from Paradise, yet rebellion begun before race was created will not be found again, none redeemed with sinless angels will ever begin it, and God prepares a loyal obedient people to live with angels without rebellion again.
His exalting himself unto expulsion warns human self-exaltation faces sure ruin, self-seeking opposition continued on earth when Adam accepted his principle breaking from the center making him world's ruling power setting his throne where God's should be receiving homage, and trusting own merits and denying a personal Devil leaves people unwarned and unready.
Because his presence would keep angels in constant danger, expulsion teaches separating a disobedient student may protect others though only for very grave fault, and schools must separate one inciting disobedience loving wrong knowledge lest others be exposed, for he works through every open agency seeking converts with pretended homage tainting the unchristlike.
The same pattern continues where those in wrong find sympathizers when reproved, where demands ministers submit to leaders with rebellion on refusal hinder preaching which God disapproves, where consolidation under one control is sought in publishing at Battle Creek and medical work binding by agreements forbidden as confederacies, and where fallen angels unite with unruly members causing confusion near the close.
The first rebellion's subtle entrancing theories are repeated on a small scale when men work subtly under trust to deceive a church, professing Spirit and sanctification while declaring doctrines valueless, working secretly house to house refusing confrontation, accusing brethren and opposing present truth with deep plots contrary to the Word.
As enemy he worked on angels to disloyalty and after casting carries the same work on human minds young and mature, linking with responsible men to fill them with evil devisings without Spirit counterworking God changing leaders, diverting from special light to uninspired jots, flaw-picking and correcting littles wasting golden moments, magnifying objections misrepresenting truth confusing believers, requiring clear discernment not to follow blindly, still blinding so error unseen, warning rejected and others gathered contrary to testimony imperiling cause.
The spirit first bringing discord works through jealousy, ambition, pride and disloyalty blinding accepters to distinguish sacred from common and accusing God's appointees, now working everywhere among churches producing differences and strife for supremacy.
Discord beginning from dissatisfaction spreading by sympathizer sprang in Miriam finding a sympathizer, and confidence must never be placed in human greatness as angels looking to Lucifer lost sense of Christ and God, so false sentiments must be met without such trust.
He seduced angels and talked with Eve and still blinds minds so error unseen, warning rejected and others gathered contrary to testimony, and this deception warns people can be misled by satanic falsehood while believing guided by truth and righteousness.
The devil as old serpent works through infidelity, false philosophy and science falsely so called to insinuate unbelief in youth, close Paradise, undermine religion, bewilder senses and leave his trail so the Word loses value, and through reform-claiming agents hiding sin beneath holiness corrupting body and soul with deadly influence.
The tempter ensnares by suggesting doubts where listening and reasoning instead of rejecting leads to unbelief harming cause, and the deceiver fills minds toward ruin revealed in inward guilt, wealth by robbery of man and God, selfish use of means, avarice, sensuality and revenge, while men cherish his attributes as god imbued with his spirit.
The fallen angel remains a leader competing with Christ for hearts, and following him means leaving first love for hard critical faultfinding striving for first place making hearts sore in sentimental false religion, requiring coming down in repentance, confessing, doing first works and having Christ dwell by faith rooted in love unto fullness.
He swerved through envy drawing sympathizers, and because no soul alienated can remain they were thrust out giving no excuse for sin which if excusable would not be sin, while humans left free to choose decide destiny with discerning minds and all divine power to keep character pure for future life.
Determined warfare without stopping since rebellion between good and evil calls for hardest warfare against self with complete subjection of appetites, denial of lusts harming brain and nerve, so body is healthful for stronger faith, clearer perception and purification from defilement.
His history warns what disobedience brings, for Lucifer next to Christ, covering cherub with highest gifts, seeking equality brought irretrievable ruin, teaching need to hide in Christ source of wisdom and power, subdue appetites by grace, behold the cross as guarantee, and battle the lie.
Once happy he rejoiced with angels that causing man's fall could pull down the Son, telling them when Jesus took man's nature he could overpower Him and hinder salvation, besetting Christ accordingly, and now bears kingly form with noble features yet debased, large frame with loose flesh, receding forehead, anxious malicious countenance, cunning penetrating eyes, sitting in thought with sly smile growing horrible fastening victims.
Cast out he came knowing God's purpose determined to make humans disloyal, succeeding till no hope appeared and thinking full control, but God laid help on One mighty, the Son as substitute pledging to ransom, restore purity and defeat the foe, claiming dominion yet conquered so through grace humanity may gain victory.
His apostasy light in Patriarchs and Prophets, Daniel and the Revelation, and Great Controversy should be widely circulated now as never before reaching minds opening blind eyes, and the first apostasy where warnings were disregarded leaves no excuse for heeding seducing spirits amid abundant light by clinging to sophistries away from truth.
Even when messengers standing manfully for truth fall under temptation dishonoring God that does not prove the message untrue, because the Bible is true, though he impresses minds stirring passions deceiving to the wrong side step by step till in bitterness they believe right seeing no other course.
He is the great rebel whose fury mirrors those rejecting law and resisting light as Jews' murderous hatred resembled his expulsion fury, whose opposition excited by spiritual Christianity through disobedient children turns strength and venom against Christians as they approach the model becoming pure reproving sin, so Christians must follow peace yet never surrender truth or sacrifice principle to prevent discord, and every martyr overcoming by blood and testimony dies conqueror though Cain moved by him killed Abel vindicating law against his claim obedience impossible.
As rebel chief thwarting salvation since his fall leading those joining to share his fate, those refusing Christ range under his banner of darkness while Christ stands with the obedient, fallen angels joining law-refusing people in united opposition, with only a portion returning to loyalty, and in Eden deceiving he opened floodgates of woe.
Determined to counteract redemption, destroy God's image, unite humanity with himself and establish his kingdom by deception conforming men to himself in hatred, he will be opposed by those with Christ's mind pushing God's work and unfurling the third angel's message of commandments and faith of Jesus.
His enmity turned toward humanity seeking in Eden to ruin by temptation dishonoring God, concealing transgression's consequence while claiming the fruit brought him good mixing falsehood with apparent truth.
As deceiver of the whole world in closing scenes he works with evil people to deceive churches not receiving love of truth while conflict intensifies to skillful height, while Christ as mighty Angel has supreme authority confronting opposers, and his expulsion with falsifying rebellion repeated in history shows nature and consequences of rejecting authority.
He carries the world with him, and political sentiments contrary to truth, lack of sympathy for the oppressed colored race and opposition to pure republican principles is the same rebellion hindering advancement forfeiting approval unto separation, while disregarding law carries rebellion forward bringing cruelty facing judgment, dishonoring Creator.
He stirred the Rebellion and his influence led to supporting it and defending slavery which is grave sin, for rebellion against government is the highest crime from ambition unwilling to submit to Christ Heaven's commander, originating with exalted glorious dissatisfaction impugning justice alluring angels without excuse till envy paralyzed reason, showing contempt trampling every precept making him grand prototype, marshaled in companies, judged by casting out.
The seductive influence turning from God's counsel is part of the same experience begun in heavenly courts, and after casting out he carried forward on earth turning Adam from allegiance by falsehood, demonstrating principles antediluvian and in Sodom, then men throwing restraint united with the apostate transmitting disloyalty to make void law confederating with satanic agencies, still today questioning words with flattery through evil angels against commandments as alpha and omega of higher science exalting man.
He became disloyal and was cast out, afterward misrepresented God and they believed lies, then tempted Adam whose fall brought sin and death whose effects burden workers till earth's end when labors grow more trying.
As great apostate refusing loyalty and deceiving Adam bringing woe there are only two classes, his side and Christ's, every person must decide, disobedience testing whether man proves loyal during graciously given probation to same laws whose disloyalty expelled him.
As enemies he and angels wage war against defenders of truth, people spreading falsehoods becoming co-workers, opposing men merely his agents with his power in assault, yet God's work will triumph and Jesus is fortress so no fear.
As arch-deceiver he deludes from the true issue of eternal bearings and as accuser through one indiscreet stubborn man can do harm all could not counteract, so all must stay on God's ground, while his program calls for thorough repentance before too late and misrepresents God's work.
As great deceiver he leads professed believers including physicians astray to sacrifice principle excusing unrighteous action that ends justify means, bringing worldly methods and accusing brethren especially ministers as in Battle Creek, and his influence cannot deceive God who records and judges by works.
As great deceiver and apostate producing sin Christ came to counter theories living sinlessly, God denounces all sin from that apostate, no requirement is laid Christ has not obeyed, and people can overcome as Christ overcame by heaven's three great powers when asked.
As master deceiver filling attention delay in sharing truth lets him lead once-open minds into error less willing to examine fairly, and those trusting own righteousness setting own standard practice false religion pleasing him deceiving others unto reward with him misrepresenting Christ's righteousness.
As powerful malignant artful spirit deceiving church and state leading nations to obey him, and as author of deceptive powers taking the world captive, he diverts money and abilities into harmful channels and baseless ideas, opposing Sabbath truth calling to cling to Bible not yield to first day.
Lucifer cast out and ruined with followers because ambition ruled shows sin began as seed still working to control people, and those presenting his ideas instruct in the way that lost heavenly beings, for heaven has no place for that spirit creating rebellion when not made supreme, and any carrying it starting rebellion unless supreme likewise cannot be admitted but will be cut down.
He was cast out because he wanted Christ's place and could not have it, and Christ left the throne to meet him playing the game of life with souls and withstand his power.
Cast out ever since disobedience works to make truth of no effect, as originator of sin and alpha and omega of higher science exalting man where God should be, and after losing heaven continued seeking denied honor also from Jesus with ambition to be equal exalted above Christ.
He used Elder Grant to ridicule and misrepresent from enmity toward law, with disloyal Satan and people uniting to oppose law through abuse and scorn when unable to answer Scripture, and opposers of Reformation likewise blamed Luther portraying instigators as victims bringing reproach on God's work.
As instigator seeking earth's inhabitants in war to bring humanity under power and establish opposed kingdom, after failing to prevail claiming dominion yet God made clear He rules inhabitants and restrains Satan remaining Ruler limiting power, bearing long permitting working out so universe sees goodness contrast prepared gathering loyal, with nothing deficient giving cause, decrees vindicated, sin originated by first traitor perverting freedom inexplicably.
He first brought temptation into heaven to dethrone God and take the Most High's place, and failing constantly works against the church's peace on earth, blinding associates step by step, representing church authority harsh to free members from corrupting influences and God arbitrary, so using knowledge to blind others acts his part.
As tempter deceiving holy angels with agencies deceiving the world, as fallen foe able to deceive warned Adam and Eve with God limiting access to the tree obedience keeping safe, and as enemy working on minds creating disloyalty filling evil devisings without Spirit urging counterworking courses, he brought idolatry by false conceptions where Abraham's father lived and now unsettles present truth misleading many, requiring discernment not to follow blindly.
Opposing God through temptation toward destruction discouraging obedience, through subtle reasoning to transgress, and through hindering obedience fostering coldness, he is met by Christ providing divine power to overcome continuing from casting till present.
As deceiver whose character loyal angels did not fully discern, sparing him to fully develop lest doubt remain as evil seed requiring Calvary rather than leave deceived and tares uproot grain, teaches forbearance toward fellow men, and as leader with disobedient angels joining discordant elements he misrepresents heavenly matters while claiming understanding.
His expulsion after rebelling with joining angels began continuing pattern drawing others through blinding deception in which supporters help ruin selves and others, and submitting to his will makes people agents tempting others on forbidden paths breaking law.
His fall began with sophistry adroitly presenting ideas until angels grasped insinuations then openly communicated new theories undermining confidence to exalt himself chief commander, requiring continual guardedness lest error steal unawares, the same stealthy method continuing.
His deception in heaven continuing after fall through self-justification gaining one-third who were deceived has since led people to accuse others hiding own wrongs, and opposers of law and rejecters of light reflect his hatred as Jews' murderous hatred resembled his fury.
His manner causing mischief in Paradise supposing wisdom supreme is repeated, with special business to stir unconsecrated minds against those in trust to report mistakes and bring false charges to discourage servants, working by self-exaltation, complaining, criticizing, sowing doubt creating alienation deceiving to see falsely.
His rebellion with sympathizers who loved and followed him falling caused their fall, then carrying work to earth after tempting Eve to distrust questioning wisdom seeking plans she would not fall alone, so Adam through love disobeyed and fell with her in exultation.
His disaffection from unbroken divine current of spotless purity followed by humanity's creation and Adam's fall warns of the end with same principles still at work, while in probation he plays for every soul and Christ works for every soul, and laying hold by faith receiving merits restores God's image but refusing loses heaven, testing whether selfishness eradicated replaced by self-sacrifice else failing disqualified for trust above.
As rebel angel shut out becoming adversary gaining broad control including through appetite seeking to defeat Christ and keep kingdom, and since fall learning growing more artful covering deformity with religion, his power tenfold greater than apostles' days increasing until taken away as time closes with wrath strengthening.
As source of deception envying heavenly place then envying first parents bringing ruin, as deceiver leading rebellion expelled yet continuing by leading professed followers to reject unalterable law for human traditions especially Sabbath change claiming resurrection moved it to first day, and as fallen chief deceiving angels drawing a third unto expulsion with wilderness victory confirming vanquished, faithful kept commandments amid persecution.
As expelled deceiver continuing on earth with crafty wiles and sophistries flooding world unless kept by Christ, as one rebellion ending with large numbers turned out by most exalted next to Jesus by whom contaminated, and as war ending through envy yet sin has no excuse, he calls for leaning on divine arm partaking divine nature and a commandment-keeping people without second rebellion.
Once honored covering cherub becoming envious ambitious asserting equality obtaining sympathizers who fell and were expelled, once exalted next to Christ endowed with intellect beauty thinking equal leading astray, and through specious reasoning now leading men to cast aside commandments, requiring watching prayer diligent open colors for truth will prevail, his power discernible only by divine aid through knowledge of Christ.
Commencing war for preeminence working angels until deceived they agreed while loyal would not yield Christ's preeminence, with strange happenings especially in America since San Francisco's fire repeating works begun in that war.
Lucifer next to Christ wanting His place now on earth striving against God's people with powers of darkness to deceive unto destruction requires humbling, reconversion, putting away disunion and helping in unity to gain victory to eternal life.
Cast out for rebellion overcome by Christ links the serpent tempting humanity with the enemy whose claims Christ contests, and after being dethroned continued hatred opposing Christ throughout life inspiring priests, rulers and mob to kill Him.
His demand refused with war and expulsion turned to humans leading to accept falsehoods including law abolished, and his apostasy since which his malice kept race in Adam's deception shows when Jesus laid kingdom's foundation he opposed at every step through darkness ruling hearts placing traditions subverting prophecy with thousand resources seducing even professed to baseless errors.
The highest covering cherub seeking supremacy unto expulsion, and most exalted next to Christ seducing many through specious science, show those knowingly promoting disobedience cannot enter as rebel angels were cast, requiring watching and open colors.
Carrying from heaven those accepting his words instead of God's repeats when teachers voice his words carrying deceived to shame and ruin, for obedience is life and disobedience death, and followers repeat pattern promoting falsehood oppressing loyal.
Expelled after failing to prevail with no lessened revenge blaming God and Christ claiming if not resisted he would not have done so finding sympathizers, he continues opposing Christ hindering redemption, deceiving wrongdoers to evade warnings as unjust and preventing reforms.
Beautiful exalted angels sinning and cast out for disobeying heaven's laws show sin's origin untellable, and those fallen now on earth work unseen in every city listening in congregations to bring temptations provoking God.
A glorious angel expelled through desire for supremacy come to ensnare means those turning from faith rejecting light follow the fallen angel, and those submitting become agents tempting others into forbidden paths.
Once most glorious expelled after supremacy controlled him come zealously promoting commercialism means rejecting light follows him needing loyalty to Emmanuel to avoid ensnarement, filling world with commercialism leading even religious leaders from light.
The close of heaven's controversy announced expulsion while to the close he justified himself avowing contempt for law denouncing statutes restricting liberty declaring to abolish law and blaming rebellion wholly on Christ declaring if not reproved they would never have rebelled.
The apostate leading rebellion deceiving his party falling and drawing many hosts unto expulsion, and cast out after rebelling whose hatred is reflected in opposers, show determined opposition mirrors his fury.
Expelled as no longer worthy for influencing angels against Ruler and Son enlisting sympathy proves capability of any deception, and for four thousand years has warred without losing skill so fallen man cannot overcome by human strength, Christ holding no controversy as liar from beginning.
Expelled after rebellion since seeking to draw from Christ applies as continuing struggle between Christ's and Satan's forces in which each person serves one side under either banner of prince of darkness or Prince of God dividing world in two.
Cast out after failing to take the Most High's place since works to persuade God arbitrary and harsh, and to listeners represents church authority harsh to free members from corrupting influences.
Expelled after conflict with Son and loyal angels but not at once by force allowed sides to clarify so justice evident since rebellion against unchangeable law incurable, and not immediately destroyed allows charges fully exposed so all see sin's nature, God's justice and mercy and law's goodness as lasting safeguard.
At war since first rebelling emboldened by tempting Adam boasted Christ in humanity would be weaker citing appetite's victories over Adam, old world, Israel, Moses, David and Solomon, besetting Christ with manifold temptations accordingly to thwart salvation.
His fall from spotless purity followed by creation and Adam's fall with same principles since warns of end, while probation tests character and unless evil selfishness eradicated replaced by self-sacrifice man fails disqualified for trust above, laying hold restoring image refusing losing heaven.
Cast out for transgression since works to defeat purpose making law unjust impossible, and cast out with followers but not destroyed allows rebellion exposed so all see consequences making history universal safeguard.
The deceiver whose false teachings accepted in heaven and deception of first humans repeats now in misleading ministers and physicians, and the tempter as old serpent works suggesting doubts ensnaring when entertained rather than rejected, beginning claiming support secretly seeking overthrow accusing loyal repeats branding law-honoring as lawbreakers blamed for calamity as Rome martyred faithful in final conflict.
Falling and sympathizers falling beginning with him establishes pattern those in wrong find sympathizers when reproved, and expulsion credited by fallen angels to Christ whom they hate for purity.
Deceiving through serpent's voice beguiling with lies about God into apostasy, and since fall learning growing artful covering with religion tenfold greater than apostles increasing until taken, show danger as great today as in Christ's days blinding lest gospel shine weakening power, with enemy coming with power delusions endangering elect.
The enemy coming down with power to deceive through delusions endangering elect, and as subtle disguising as light using knowledge to corrupt and make Christ's works seem human, require clinging to Word guarding false visions.
Expelled continuing war whose deception persuaded many heavenly beings works among people to keep from obeying truth, and exalting himself unto expulsion warns human self-exaltation faces ruin.
The dragon as Devil deceiver cast with angels reflects in people opposing believers while claiming loyalty, showing loyalty to God's enemy instead, and opposing men are merely his agents yet God's work triumphs with Jesus as fortress so no fear, calling to magnify Jesus' greater power not Satan's.
Though powerful cast out by mighty Saviour proves Christ greater calling to magnify Jesus' power and love and trust promise of strength, and because of cross believers regard him conquered accepting victory as their own with Spirit defending every contrite soul so none claiming protection comes under his power.
Cast out because of sin which cannot be cherished by entrants lest foothold return, and with joining angels whose repentance did not restore since sin remained leaves final punishment for hatred, envy and jealousy.
With enmity toward humanity seeking in Eden to ruin by temptation dishonoring God, and turning from loyalty misrepresenting Christ then banished after persistent refusal vindicating justice, show persistent refusal ends in banishment.
Pride cherished causing banishment rooted in human nature producing envy if unremoved, and with angels unable ever to regain admission yet waiting taunting contending turning to earth destroying happiness inciting hoping share mercy or unite under wrath and by tree of life gain equality so God could not expel, show ambition's peril.
Before rebellion high next to Son mild happy with powerful intellect yet Jesus pre-eminent with oneness before angels existed, while he envied and assumed command belonging to Christ alone.
His rebellion seeking highest equal above Christ losing place with siding angels cast out, and deceiving world with fallen angels seduced likewise deceiving through spiritualistic teaching, warn against satanic falsehood believed as truth while thinking guided righteously.
As source first in heaven working by misrepresentation repeats as opposers of Reformation blamed Luther portraying instigators innocent, and as originator when man aspired as God alienated man erecting revolt's ensign in insane effort for own empire authoring envy, jealousy, deception, strife and every sin.
His war includes leading to discard Sabbath meeting with specious temptations often in person with pleasing address though knowing Scriptures fulfilled and countless host will encircle throne, keenly perceiving lost chorister place vowing to take created beings under his standard making devising appear truth.
He led angels to fall and still teaches false statements dividing ministers requiring decided position and rest apart, and as tempter deceiving holy angels with agencies deceiving world shows skill in disguise seen as angel of light in wilderness.
He brought idolatry through false conceptions where Abraham's father lived and now works in churches unsettling present truth misleading many, and declares man fettered if God first with only safety feet on truth in Christ the rock against jealous surmising disaffection.
After casting he established kingdom continuing turning from loyalty using mind influence to draw corrupting alliances placing interests under one control, and demonstrated principles antediluvian and in Sodom transmitting disloyalty to make void law confederating with satanic agencies in all time.
As enemy working on angels after casting he carries same on humans linking with men filling evil devisings without Spirit urging counterworking courses requiring clear discernment not to follow blindly.
The great deceiver bringing sin and suffering warns against false theories while holding Word protects, and cast for disobedience having been Lucifer seeking equality brought irretrievable ruin requiring hiding in Christ subduing appetites beholding cross battling lie.
Proved disloyal to kingdom laws expelled with disloyal angels while man graciously given probation to prove loyal to same laws.
His rebellion because coveted place cherished envy spreading suggestions leading to great rebellion beginning woe, and devil as old serpent full of strength against Christians approaching Christlike purity reproving sin shows opposition excited by spirituality through disobedient children never to surrender truth for peace.
Who deceives world works through agencies counseling to keep gospel from proclamation calling ministers into cities, and seduced angels and talked with Eve still blinding so warning rejected imperiling cause gathering contrary to testimony.
And sympathizers turning from allegiance while he establishes kingdom destroying image leading to share hatred, and Lucifer as apostate first rebel with entrancing falsehoods claiming inspiration uniting in accusation cast with joiners repeats when men plot secretly opposing truth carrying church away with false Spirit claims.
He persuaded with flattery after thousands of years losing no tact throwing shadow eclipsing lovely character taking captive chaining as slaves winning others trampling commands with evil angels conspiring to destroy souls, misrepresenting character tearing law standard unexplainably apostate.
Disloyal after happy unity samples what humanity would have been had Adam remained true, and as deceiver once exalted whose ambition refusing correction led to expulsion warns against claiming infallibility taking world captive.
He is a real being prince of world general of vast rebellion logical philosophical powerful intellect sharpened by practice, not doubtful hideous figure, and in final crisis will deceive to ruin those not seeking to understand methods.
He hated Christ for position and more when dethroned and as pledged Redeemer claimed dominion yet God permitted Son as Babe subject to weakness fighting as humanity at risk of failure meeting common peril.
As fallen foe able to deceive warned Adam with obedience keeping safe limiting access to tree, and as deceiver cast with angels after finding sympathizers continues turning from God's work.
As tempter archdeceiver ensnaring suggesting doubts where reasoning leads to unbelief harming cause, and as fallen once happy telling angels causing fall could pull down Son when taking man's nature to hinder plan with noble appearance remaining yet debased.
As fallen whose self-degradation debased good developed evil while noble appearance remains, and as now bearing kingly form large frame flesh hanging forehead receding countenance anxious malicious eyes cunning sitting in thought with sly smile growing horrible fastening victim, shows ensnaring character using deceit.
Cast with angels marking conquered foe with cross securing victory claimable through Spirit protecting followers, and as deceiver working through agents making sin attractive transforming into light with enticers serving him disguising sin.
As apostate refusing obedience later deceiving Eden bringing woe means those not choosing Christ under his banner while Christ with obedient, and old serpent deceiver leading astray through reform-claiming agents hiding sin warns spiritual claims corrupt body and soul with deadly tracks.
As first deceiver deceiving whole world taking captive reveals inward guilt including wealth by robbery using God's means for selfishness while men cherish his attributes as god imbued with his spirit in avarice, sensuality and revenge.
First in rebellion cast because rebellious cannot enter since work to lead disobeying mandates while future glory requires will subjected to Christ instead of following rebellion secured by sacrifice.
Cast ever since disobedience works making truth no effect as alpha of higher science exalting man, and carries today same Eden work questioning words with flattery working against commandments through evil angels.
As enemy rebelling with rank on earth disliking reproof refusing correction becoming accuser claiming misused reveals wheat or tares, humble obedient or self-willed walking sparks of own kindling, with persisting bringing loss of soul like Saul, moving always-had-own-way minds treating counsel as restraint into his ranks.
He originated evil instead of repenting accused angels, and his work faultfinding seeking to weaken and discourage so under discouragement they criticize as he did, so believers must give no advantage ending accusing today.
As old serpent fascinating wrong course imagining enjoyment dearly bought as gilded shadow leading step by step into darkness selling soul cheap until judgments cut short, separating from God choosing present pleasure over eternal life.
As great deceiver opposed to Lamb means rejecting messengers rejects Christ turning to fable unto ruin, for stubborn refusal sows unwelcome harvest changing wrong unwilling.
Lucifer as Satan deceiver cast with angels shows angels trusting his greatness lost sense of Christ warning never trust human greatness, and spirit bringing discord through jealousy blinds accepters accusing God's appointees failing sacred from common.
As arch-deceiver means practicing deception stands with him defending falsehood, and as fallen filling world with commercialism leading religious leaders from light shows work.
Before expulsion he knew God by acquaintance since constant effort misrepresents character misleading by Christless religion of penances or pageantries, and as great deceiver apostate producing sin Christ countered living sinlessly with heaven's powers available to overcome when asked denouncing all sin no requirement unobeyed by Christ.
Cast still plays for every soul to perish intending another battle with all not on Lord's side to take earthly and heavenly kingdoms, deceiving to secure money most successfully by intoxicants and drugs destroying image ruining families through legalized traffic.
Before Christ comes he moves mightily from beneath to delude while Lord moves from above preparing people to stand in wrath as thrilling events before coming.
He lost place because creating rebellion when not made supreme, heaven has no place for that spirit, and any carrying it starting rebellion unless supreme likewise cannot be admitted but cut down.
And angels cast after rebellion show receiving unsanctified contentious spirit would bring another warfare, and dragon as Satan with side opposed shows claiming testimony human and spreading suspicion places on dragon's side doing deception by disguised invented lies endangering others.
And angels as rival leaders deceiving world show many once correct beguiled changing leaders from Christ, with leaders refusing Christ under evil angels becoming strangers with unsanctified acts eclipsing holiness under spell needing chastisement.
As apostate refusing obedience now leading darkness with those not choosing Christ under banner, in Eden deceiving opening floodgates, and as fallen working against goodness with fallen angels joining law-refusing people in united opposition.
A large number cast for rebellion still strive turning obedient minds wrong, but obedient walkers will be guarded strengthened riding high places watched over from evil.
As enemy deceiving by spell controlling while ununderstood revealed in public self-exhibition, and as great deceiver those trusting own righteousness setting own standard practice false religion pleasing him deceiving others receiving reward with him misrepresenting Christ.
The old serpent turns strength against Christians as they approach model becoming pure reproving sin, yet true brotherhood never maintained compromising principle and efforts preventing discord must not surrender truth, opposition excited by spiritual Christianity through disobedient children.
As great deceiver old serpent deceiving by spell through spiritualistic philosophy means associates have hearts stung living to criticize prepared for unbelief, even strong precious ones under spell turned from message asleep like foolish virgins.
The leader cast to earth still active as another teacher in place of Spirit now spoiling medical missionary work corrupting with heresy as with Adam, and rebellion led by fallen foe cast with angels still active prompting plans imperiling cause as in Kellogg with those deceived.
As great apostate rebelling leading many expelled continues deceiving by lies clouding standard making commandments imperfect rigorous burdensome, and as seducer of heavenly agencies takes control of men leaving appointed work divorcing from ministry to follow ambition of own choosing.
Old serpent as Satan actively controlling minds securing world marking with stamp, and rebellion carried under lie with Adam's disobedience opening woe yet believers may become sons laboring so restoration through truth brings wandering back adapted to minds.
As great rebel beginning warfare after casting continued nearly six thousand years still now under disguise of dead visits spreading error undermining Scripture, and beginning before race created with none redeemed ever inclined to begin again with sinless angels.
Heavenly apostasy led by him with influence still active assures led forces will conquer, and rebellion begun will not be found again as God prepares loyal obedient people to live with angels.
Devil as old serpent working through agents as through Grant ridiculing from enmity toward law unites disloyal to oppose law by abuse when unable to answer Scripture, and rebelling causing angels fall means enmity ever between Christ and Satan inspiring hurt so without interference men would league to dethrone God bruising His people.
As arch-deceiver instigating plans leading from God clouding judgment, and expelled otherwise host in danger as deceiver working through every open agency seeking converts continuing homage working on unchristlike to taint others patterns separating inciter loving wrong knowledge.
Once beautiful swerved through envy drawing sympathizers, because alienated cannot remain thrust out giving no excuse, while purpose leaves humans free choosing destiny with power to keep pure discerning good from evil Christlike.
Expelled thereafter directed against law obscuring with tradition opposing sanctuary message in 1844 fearing sins laid on him lest law gather people ending rule, and expelled because disaffection broke peace with justice demanding holiness so defective cannot pass gates opened to obedient lest worse rebellion break harmony, character unchanged requiring saints on earth first.
Working in heaven with discord for supremacy now works everywhere among churches producing differences, and his disaffection casting for deception still acts impressing mind stirring passions deceiving to wrong side leading long false journey until bitter believing right even when messengers fall proving not message untrue for Bible true.
His expulsion with angels who accepted theology against plain Thus saith Lord now leads world same way blindfolding by sophistry rejecting Word following falsehood, and his apostasy light should circulate now reaching minds opening blind eyes in books needed as never before.
He sought supremacy created war expelled and same power unites with false powers professing lamb alliance but dragon heart by persecution in winding up, and his introduction of self-seeking cast out never to enter again with selfishness never returning.
His rebellion with angels failing to keep law cast out now seeks justification demonstrating humans can no more keep law than he could, molding minds with insinuations to gain vindication, and as rebel continues putting insinuations seeking to show people cannot keep law as he could not.
As Lucifer not degraded in appearance most lovely, and wicked men likewise not degraded, he fell because loveliness did not make him as only-begotten Son so wanting highest insinuated change soon in courts.
As father of lies by hypnotic sophistry winning acceptance among angels before casting still deceives world by same science as Adam with sophistries accepted by ministers physicians members drawing into underhand dealing and spies' work in falsehood.
As deceiver of whole world in closing works with evil to deceive churches not receiving truth while conflict intensifies to skillful height under mighty Angel's supreme confrontation, and his expulsion with rebellion falsifying word repeated in history showing nature and consequences of rejecting authority on men and angels.
As great deceiver ingenious captivating toward ruin with commercialism while Christ met schemes to win back with Christ alone able to defeat uncover plans teaching escape from corruption, and deceives with danger as great today as liar from beginning blinding lest gospel shine weakening power denying divinity binding independent as slaves with only free in Christ truly free.
As fallen Lucifer cast insisting own way over Christ applied shaping people controlling speech requiring power Christ gives to resist, and cast after refusing submit compared to rejecting reproof with devices disrupting confusing work appearing as God's authority.
As arch-deceiver great rebel deceiving whole world now deluding from true issue and as accuser able through one stubborn man to do harm all could not counteract requires staying on God's ground not stepping onto his.
Once loyal exalted abiding not in truth developing supremacy stirring by underhand placing thoughts winning few then presenting deceived as originators calling investigation gathering many without compromising ensnaring unsuspecting.
Same deceiver seeks power through inventions as blessing working in churches bringing error bewildering leading accepting Ye shall be as gods to act under guidance thinking great thing filling with zeal to deceive elect if possible.
His deceptive efforts grew subtler after expulsion more determined, each rejected evidence strengthens resistance while each resisted ray contributes hopeless future for him and followers against government.
Lucifer's ambition leading to ruin loss of beings same spirit can lead others including disregarding commands as he stirred discontent under command, and though knowing result decided to bitter end some today prepare by doubts distrust jealousy toward reproof going same ground unwittingly, with dissatisfaction over unrevealed purposes, power increased hundredfold by exercise, black banner of transgression over world.
His rebellion contempt trampling every precept making grand prototype, rebellion highest crime against commander's authority, and heavenly rebellion driven by lie spreading to humanity contrasted with truth restoring through faith bringing woe by disobedience.
Fallen angels became evil spirits opposing God working against innocence for harm through ages, and once highest trusted drawing large numbers shows sin originated with him through hidden jealousy inexplicably allowed developing underhand to supersede, created sinless equal yet fell, led as instigator.
Under influence fallen angels expressed opposed ideas corrupting family, and evil angels can likewise influence till judgment will lost pursuing self-willed course like first rebellion leading to evil.
His expulsion did not destroy powers remaining mighty growing skillful subtle against government, and cast with great power working through countless artifices unexpected attacks requiring watchfulness lest taken captive.
Once honored covering cherub envious ambitious asserting equality obtaining sympathizers falling expelled, and once exalted close endowed with intellect beauty thinking equal leading astray cast with sympathizers, setting kingdom to allure world captivating by falsehoods needing divine aid through knowledge of Christ.
As fallen chief deceiving angels drawing third and Christ's wilderness victory confirms vanquished, and as deceiver continuing leading professed to reject unalterable law for traditions especially Sabbath change while faithful kept commandments amid persecution.
One rebellion ending large numbers turned with most exalted next to Jesus by whom contaminated seeks commandment-keeping people without second rebellion, and war ending with disaffected expelled through envy yet sin no excuse people should not follow principles causing expulsion.
Heaven once held one sinner whose war ended followers overcome meaning heaven will not keep sin and no sinner enters New Jerusalem without life measuring with Christ sanctified with harps tuned.
The great apostate carrying those accepting his words instead of God's follows when teachers voice his words carrying to shame, obedience life disobedience death, and cast after rebelling when could not obtain Christ's position restrained by God ruling inhabitants.
Cast after rebelling hatred reflected in opposers as Jews' murderous hatred resembled fury, and expelled no longer worthy influencing angels proving any deception capable with four thousand years war so man cannot overcome alone holding no controversy.
Rebelling with sympathizers loving following falling causing fall carrying to earth tempting Eve to distrust seeking plans she not fall alone Adam through love disobeyed fell.
His fall over law great controversy ever since remaining test dividing loyal transgressors, and commencing war for preeminence working until deceived agreed while loyal would not yield preeminence with strange happenings since San Francisco fire repeating war.
Lucifer next to Christ wanting place now striving requires humbling reconversion unity to gain victory, and heaven holding one sinner ending overcome means no sin kept requiring measuring life.
Cast for rebellion overcome links serpent tempting with enemy Christ contests, and his demand refused war expulsion turned to humans accepting falsehoods including law abolished.
Highest covering seeking supremacy leading unto expulsion those knowingly promoting disobedience cannot enter as rebels cast, and carrying those accepting words repeats when teachers voice words carrying to ruin.
Beautiful angels sinning cast for disobeying with origin untellable now working unseen in cities listening to bring temptations, and glorious angel expelled through supremacy come to ensnare so turning from faith follows fallen.
Close of controversy announced expulsion while he justified avowing contempt denouncing statutes declaring abolish blaming Christ if not reproved never rebelled, and cast after rebelling beginning pattern drawing through blinding in which supporters help ruin selves and others.
Apostate leading falling drawing many unto expulsion, and cast after rebelling hatred reflected in opposers, show persistent opposition with defiance.
Expelled after rebellion seeking to draw from Christ applies as struggle each serves one side, and cast after failing to dethrone since works persuading God arbitrary harsh.
With angels expelled after conflict but not at once allowed sides clarify so justice evident incurable, and at war emboldened by Adam boasting Christ weaker citing appetite victories besetting manifold.
Disaffection from purity followed by creation and fall warns end while probation plays for souls Christ works, laying hold restores image refusing loses heaven receiving moral image by merits.
Rebel shut out becoming adversary gaining control including appetite to defeat Christ keeping kingdom, and cast for transgression since working making law unjust impossible to defeat purpose.
Deceiver false teachings accepted in heaven repeats in ministers, tempter suggesting doubts ensnaring when entertained, and beginning claiming support secretly seeking overthrow accusing loyal repeats branding law-honoring as lawbreakers blamed for calamity.
Opposing through temptation discouraging obedience, falling with sympathizers establishing pattern finding sympathizers when reproved, and expulsion credited to Christ hated for purity.
Deceiving through serpent beguiling with lies, since fall learning artful covering with religion tenfold greater than apostles increasing until taken, and enemy coming with power delusions endangering elect drawing from important truths.
Subtle disguising as light using knowledge corrupting making miracles human, leader crucifying drawing to side where envy fills world, and expelled continuing war persuading many heavenly to join works keeping from truth.
Not stripped allowing charges exposed so all see nature consequences justice mercy law goodness lasting safeguard, exalting unto expulsion human exaltation sure ruin, and instigator seeking inhabitants under power establishing opposed kingdom drawing to war.
Dragon as Devil reflected in opposing believers claiming loyalty showing loyalty to enemy, though powerful cast by mighty Saviour proving greater calling magnify Jesus focusing power and love with promise of strength.
Source envying place then envying parents bringing ruin, cast because sin cannot be cherished lest foothold, and joining angels repentance not restoring since sin remained unto final punishment.
Enmity toward humanity seeking Eden ruin, old serpent sting healable only through Christ as Israelites lived looking to bronze so sinners looking to Christ live with power in Himself, and pride causing banishment rooted producing envy and strife.
Unable ever admission yet waiting taunting contending turning to earth destroying happiness inciting hoping share mercy or unite under wrath possess Eden by tree gain equality so God could not expel, and turning misrepresenting leading revolt after refusal banished vindicating justice and honor.
Rebel uprooted when finished completing sacrifice before cross angels doubted due deception but cross exposed truthful God versus crooked serpent rejoicing at resurrection Conqueror binding strong man despoiling goods.
Proving cannot endure sin holiness foundation, cast after disloyalty deceiving with false claims believed so sin through Adam bringing death burdening workers till end, and before rebellion high next to Son mild happy powerful intellect yet Jesus pre-eminent oneness before angels while he envied assuming command.
Rebellion seeking highest equal above losing with siding cast, deceiving world with seduced fallen likewise deceiving through spiritualism, and as source first working by misrepresentation as opposers blamed Luther portraying innocent.
Dissatisfaction with unrevealed leading disregard assigned work stirring fall patterns making speculate disregard commands, and great dragon cast as Satan Devil old serpent adversary darkness father rebellion arch-deceiver deceiving world misrepresenting cruelty to distrust, seeking discontent, working through agents subtly even to deceive God's people claiming attributes between Father and people with one-third sympathizing wronged foundation.
Defeated war expelled continuing rebellion, before fall intellectual exalted next Christ covering light-bearer wonderful power honored entrusted aspiring ruler against God, and fall from pride determining own way concluding better striving for place then to be God snatching supremacy claiming infallibility infusing envy into Korah and men, restrained yet Ruler.
Dispute complaining seeking overthrow demanding change seeking flaw setting will above treating fallible inducing to change law making word equal, and expulsion proves law transcript unchangeable not changed jot proving binding with pope following course abolishing making sin meaningless removing gospel, vainly seeking flaw deceived thousands.
By misrepresentation mourning perverting accusing fraud secretly concealed decoyed won corrupted drawing large thousands high shut out while permitted develop so universe see covering judgment not God's unsafe unmasked at death, deceiving to fight, warning trust in princes, underhand selfish control, decoying by spirit at war with Restorer causing first death with two parties no enmity with lawbreakers compelling man-made laws.
Way guile crooked serpent opposite straightforward mixing truth error dangerous mingled captivating disguising as light covering transgression seeking disguise not wished known, and cast claiming dominion established rival obscuring erasing image stamping planting throne between worshipers turning talents so Satan worshiped claiming attributes misrepresenting God as Satanic, inducing change law uniting diverse under generalship to make void law with only portion returning to perish root and branch otherwise, distracting with falsehood victory ungained in heaven.
Overcoming claimed earth because chose ruler considered subjects claimed unforgivable while parents told warned free approached masked safe had avoided, working principles caused first death while Christ pledged stand where Adam stood enduring temptations providing restoration rescue from grasp, originating sin warred continuing perplexing distrust, highest light-bearer not recognizing gift aspiring Most High spreading revolt defacing image.
Deceives whole world devices wiles subtleties compassing ruin making like transgressor betraying neglect drawing ranks subtle varied gradual entanglements teachings sophistries through agents departed unconverted reasoning seeking deceive people distract turning keeping light overcoming faithful keepers, misrepresenting cruelty, spreading discontent, working through men, claiming attributes, pressing wiles requiring warning, fatal departure seeking gods broken only at Calvary purchase.
Central misrepresent transferring cruelty making arbitrary tempting distrust perplexing widening distance wearing patience extinguishing love bringing condemnation controversy settled revealing hatred strong as death love stronger, and by method declaring withholds higher education working minds through ministers popular religion impregnating developing gods no place for God poisoning deadening laying infirmity so refuse first sound, defeated yet struggling to final crisis form without power, originating sin continuing perplexing.
Warfare deceiving through dead impersonation power impersonate light even Christ so teachers cling Word guard false visions, and same spirit selfishness rivalry moves using positions denying justice carrying unjust cheating justifying law misrepresenting caricaturing unsettling confidence accusing proves loyalty unrepented excludes, working through unconverted fostering doubt, underhand selfish control, gradually taking control in publishing, spell-holding.
Casting opens continuing controversy Prince versus darkness truth falsehood light darkness two powers parties wicked leagued against holy true no natural enmity both evil same apostasy opposing tearing standard united under generalship make void law while true church warfare fiercer toward final crisis many form without power until triumph ended broken destroyed perish while only portion returns, beginning Christ versus prince, reaching crisis uniting, continuing till broken, two powers deciding sides, decoying with spirit causing death.
God restrains remains Ruler limits bears permits work out so universe unfallen see goodness contrast prepared gather loyal, nothing deficient gave cause no withdrawal decrees vindicated not responsible sin originated first traitor perverting freedom inexplicable, allowing develop saving from apostasy, mourning revealing accuser unmasked at death.
Originated sin would not acknowledge claimed righteous continues lie doctrine no difference leading put explanation misinterpret call sin righteousness while law specifies, and not stripped for four thousand years warred skill both good fallen present watching gathering working mind opposite contending as God deems till rebels separated at third message, continuing perplexing, exalted next to Christ stirring, bringing sin opposing law, selfish rivalry no place.
The heavenly conflict he began is nearing final decision with everyone choosing for or against heaven's government, calling God's people to expose his falsehoods and urge obedience to God's law and following Christ who kept His Father's commandments, bearing on eternal destiny against misleading destroying power.
Prophecy Judgment and Faithful Living
The casting out exposes the deceiver whose rebellious spirit began in heaven and still works on earth to invert moral judgment, making people call sin righteousness and righteousness sin, turning blame and sympathy against defenders of truth while his own agents are praised as victims. The one cast out had once been exalted next to Christ, and his banishment after conflict with Christ fully vindicated God's character before heaven and the unfallen worlds who witnessed the conflict through to its closing scenes, including Christ's agony in Gethsemane under the guilt of the world. The deceiver in Eden is Satan himself, that old serpent who entered into the serpent and took it as his form when it was a beautiful winged creature bright like burnished gold, flying through the air from place to place and eating fruit, in which Satan took his position in the tree of knowledge and began leisurely eating its fruit. His bite has wounded humanity, and the deadly sting of sin felt by all who have ever lived brings fatal effects removable only by God's provision in giving His Son, for as bitten Israelites lived by looking in faith upon the serpent lifted in the wilderness, so the sinner stung by Satan may look to the Saviour uplifted on the shameful tree and live, receiving pardon through faith in the atoning sacrifice, since unlike the lifeless symbol Christ has power and virtue in Himself to heal the repenting sinner, a looking that gives hope, courage, faith, pardon and life.
Expulsion from heaven did not destroy his powers, for he remains a mighty and subtle enemy directing his strength against God's government and growing increasingly skillful in tempting people. Having come down to earth with great power, he works through countless deceptions, artifices and unexpected attacks to take people captive, so Christians must remain constantly watchful. The rebellion was against the authority of Jesus Christ, carried on by gathering angels while concealing his real purpose, claiming God had wronged him and urging rejection of Christ's rule, resenting Christ's exaltation without being able to know God's purposes. He had been an honored angel in heaven, a covering cherub standing next to Christ in majesty and glory, exalted for beauty and endowed with powerful intellect, beauty and personal charm, but became ambitious for the more exalted honors bestowed on the Son who was one with the Infinite God, grew envious of Christ, asserted he should be exalted equal in honor with Christ and even equal with God, and represented that his position demanded honor he had not received. Wanting Christ's place and, when refused, becoming jealous and the originator of sin, he wished to change God's government and fix his own seal to the rules of the kingdom, began warfare against Christ, worked in secrecy as a deceiving character telling falsehood for truth, obtained sympathizers and led astray many angels who fell with him from their high and holy estate and were expelled with him never again to occupy it, and the same defeated adversary met by Christ in heaven was met again by Christ in the wilderness of temptation. After being cast out he set up a kingdom of his own to allure the world to his apostate banner, preparing temptations and snares to deceive human minds by falsehoods and misrepresentations that make error appear as truth and have captivated the world, a power, pretension and false theory discernible and resistible only with divine aid through individual experience in receiving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
God cast out of heaven even the angels who stood about His throne and whom He loved, with their rebel leader, because they kept not their first estate of loyalty, since He cannot endure the presence of sin, His soul hates it, holiness is the foundation of His throne and sin is its opposite, and sin crucified the Son of God, so sinners in the ministry who do not agonize to enter the strait gate must see sin's hatefulness, reform in life and character and overcome secret faults, for to be saints in heaven they must first be saints on earth. The fallen chief deceived even heavenly angels and drew a third of heaven into rebellion, and Christ's victory over him in the wilderness confirms the fallen foe was vanquished. His deception continues on earth by leading people, including professed followers of Christ, to reject God's unalterable law and treat human errors and traditions as God's commands, applied especially to changing the fourth commandment by claiming Christ's resurrection moved the Sabbath from the seventh day to the first, drawing them to his cause, while faithful witnesses have continued to keep God's commandments amid error and persecution. The war ended with Satan and the angels sharing his disaffection expelled, his envy and jealousy leading to rebellion, yet sin has no justifying reason or excuse and people should not follow the principles that brought his expulsion.
That war began when creation of this world entered heaven's councils, when Lucifer the covering cherub requested to be made prince to govern the world in prospect and it was not granted, since Jesus Christ was to rule the earthly kingdom under God with heaven's law as the standard for human intelligences, and Lucifer's jealousy worked into rebellion carrying many holy angels with him, while Jesus stood true to principle and resisted every line of Lucifer's sophistry and that of his sympathizers, thus proving every angel might have stood. In the heavenly courts he blamed Jesus Christ and God for his defection and by misrepresentation drew many from allegiance, but he did not prevail and was expelled with his angels to earth, for without expulsion the angelic host would have remained in continual danger. Cast out, he has abated none of his enmity and revenge, and as the great deceiver of the whole world he now works through every willing human agency, deceiving wrongdoers into feeling unjustly dealt with, tainting and corrupting others and opposing reform, just as expelling a corrupting student from school protects the others. Once an exalted angel, he by strong deceptive powers led many to join him and with his sympathizers was cast out never to regain his holy position, yet he still works with untiring energy against God's government through humans uniting with him, including unworthy church members who bring wrong principles, counsel out of harmony with the Word, separate friends by unkind criticism and act sharp and cruel under his control. Having been the most exalted angel next to Christ, he seduced many angels through specious science and reasoning, and that same influence now leads men to cast aside God's commandments, so those warned must watch unto prayer, make diligent work for eternity and display true colors, for truth will prevail and bear away the victory.
Warnings for Faithful Living
Revelation 12:9 warns that the rebellion that cast Satan out of heaven was prompted by pride and ambition against God's government and order, and since his fall his object has been to infuse that same spirit of envy, discontent, and ambition for position and honor into human minds. This is seen on a narrower stage in Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, whom he worked upon to arouse desire for self-exaltation and to excite envy, distrust, and rebellion, so that in rejecting God's appointed men they rejected God as leader and blasphemed Him while deluded into thinking themselves righteous and regarding faithful reprovers as actuated by Satan. The same exiled rebel continues on earth what he failed to accomplish in heaven, winning marked success as the Christian world accepts his theories and departs from the Lord's precepts as ancient Israel did. His selfish pre-fall spirit that caused war in heaven now fills many workers, coming gradually and almost imperceptibly to take control, even walking through every room of the publishing office urging false principles and cheapness to destroy sacred, elevating truth, while he exercises power over those who exalt their own judgment, leading them blindly little by little into conformity with himself until snared. Sin had a bewitching evil power that led heavenly angels to sympathize and join him, and Jesus watched that history and unfolding from the beginning, passing through those terrible heavenly scenes with all consequences before Him.
The casting out began with secret deception, for Satan wanted Christ's place in order to take God's place and adroitly undermined confidence in God's government by suggestions and insinuations left to develop, which less-cautious angels received and communicated as new theories while he presented his own originated doubts as opinions of many to be considered. That same deceptive guile now captivates human beings, so that deceptive influences are received as from heaven and many are ensnared before they are seen to be from the enemy of all righteousness, making it perplexing to distinguish genuine from spurious. Messages were given to those first rebels in heaven but did not reform them, and the power of seduction revealed there has continued ever since as a schooling in deception, fraud, and all unrighteousness.
After being cast out his enmity found a new field in plotting the ruin of the race, for seeing the happiness and peace of Adam and Eve in Eden as a vision of bliss forever lost to him, he was moved by envy to incite disobedience. His aim was to bring guilt and penalty upon them, to change their love to distrust and their praise to reproach against their Maker. He sought to plunge them into the same misery he endured, to cast dishonor upon God, and to cause grief in heaven.
His manner that caused mischief in the Paradise of God is repeated, working through those who suppose their own wisdom supreme and stirring selfish, unconsecrated minds. He works by self-exaltation, complaining, criticizing and accusing, sowing disaffection and doubt, creating alienation and strife, and deceiving minds to see matters falsely. His special business is to stir such minds against those in trust, putting into their hearts to report mistakes and errors and to bring unjust false charges against God's servants in order to discourage and destroy them.
The verse identifies Satan as leader of the fallen angels, and he with those disobedient angels joins discordant elements, misrepresenting important heavenly matters while claiming to understand and to be able to act on them. Those cast out with him had been led until they had no mind or will of their own, uttering sentiments directly opposite loyalty so that heaven's family became corrupted. The same happens on earth when evil angels are permitted to work human minds, leading them until they have no mind or will of their own.
The verse is connected with Lucifer's first departure from truth, when holding an exalted position he became proud, would accept no one above himself, and sought a place above Christ who is God's only-begotten Son united with God. The highest angel rebelled because he could not have the highest place, causing war and then being cast to earth with his sympathizers. They are now actively gathering forces and working with all power to divert minds and grasp souls, having lost none of their heavenly education and knowledge but remaining highly educated and intelligent, weaving precious beautiful sentences into writings that fill the world so people excuse them as Christian, picking out Bible sentences and putting something else in their place, to be met not by changing the Word but by the very Word with intelligence able to meet darkness.
Lucifer stands as the great apostate and first rebel whose heavenly work was subtle deception under false claim of holy inspiration while spreading falsehoods, plotting secretly without open dealing, and accusing the brethren. Those uniting with him repeat that rebellion on a small scale, deceiving churches from house to house and place to place, refusing honest confrontation, and serving God's enemy in deception and accusation. Such secret plotting and false inspiration mark the continuation of the heavenly pattern on earth.
The expelled angels are still at work on human minds, including minds in the church, diverting them from special light for the time toward uninspired jots and tittles and toward picking flaws and correcting little things in books as if a great work. That devising pleases the devil because it magnifies supposed objectionable features and disagreements, misrepresents truth to outsiders, confuses believers and unbelievers, and wastes golden moments that should zealously bring the great message before the people. What began as heavenly diversion continues as ecclesiastical distraction.
The verse identifies Satan as the rebel cast with his angels and as the world's deceiver who continues rebellion by putting evil insinuations into human minds. He seeks to justify himself by showing that people cannot keep God's law, just as he and his angels failed to keep it in heaven. Once one of the covering cherubs, he refused to yield his will to God and was cast out after his rebellion spread until he took one-third of the heavenly family, warning against following self-will into apostasy.
The verse identifies him as a once beautiful exalted fallen angel whose jealousy of Christ and refusal of a place beneath God led him to seek the highest place next to God, to make Christ second to himself, until craving for supremacy extinguished his glory. His revolt raised false godless principles of placing his own intellect above God's wisdom instead of honoring God by service, and those principles were carried to earth. When the Noachian world separated from God it fell under his jurisdiction, was imbued with his attributes, and worked out his rebellion in human life until fear of God was almost extinct, men sold themselves to wickedness and oppressed all who did not meet their measure, bringing physical suffering from spiritual oppression and control of conscience by human enactments beginning before the Flood.
The verse shows the part he acted before casting out, blinding the mind and judgment of his associates and wandering step by step from God while working deceptive plans. As archdeceiver he still instigates such plans, and anyone using knowledge to blind others acts the same part he acted in heaven. His self-exaltation and claim to a higher position than Christ led him to despise God's law and to be expelled.