3: Consequences of Rebellion
In the midst of the garden, near the tree of life, stood the tree of
knowledge of good and evil. This tree was especially designed of God
to be the pledge of their obedience, faith, and love to Him. Of this tree the
Lord commanded our first parents not to eat, neither to touch it, lest they
die. He told them that they might freely eat of all the trees in the garden
except one, but if they ate of that tree they should surely die.
When Adam and Eve were placed in the beautiful garden they had
everything for their happiness which they could desire. But God chose,
in His all-wise arrangements, to test their loyalty before they could be
rendered eternally secure. They were to have His favor, and He was to
converse with them and they with Him. Yet He did not place evil out of
their reach. Satan was permitted to tempt them. If they endured the trial
they were to be in perpetual favor with God and the heavenly angels.
Satan stood in amazement at his new condition. His happiness was
gone. He looked upon the angels who, with him, were once so happy, but
who had been expelled from heaven with him. Before their fall not a shade
of discontent had marred their perfect bliss. Now all seemed changed.
Countenances which had reflected the image of their Maker were gloomy
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and despairing. Strife, discord, and bitter recrimination were among them.
Previous to their rebellion these things had been unknown in heaven.
Satan now beheld the terrible results of his rebellion. He shuddered, and
feared to face the future and to contemplate the end of these things.
The hour for joyful, happy songs of praise to God and His dear Son
had come. Satan had led the heavenly choir. He had raised the first note;
then all the angelic host had united with him, and glorious strains of music
had resounded through heaven in honor of God and His dear Son. But
now, instead of strains of sweetest music, discord and angry words fall
upon the ear of the great rebel leader. Where is he? Is it not all a horrible
dream? Is he shut out of heaven? Are the gates of heaven never more
to open to admit him? The hour of worship draws nigh, when bright and
holy angels bow before the Father. No more will he unite in heavenly
song. No more will he bow in reverence and holy awe before the presence
of the eternal God.
Could he be again as he was when he was pure, true, and loyal,
gladly would he yield up the claims of his authority. But he was lost!
beyond redemption, for his presumptuous rebellion! And this was not
all; he had led others to rebellion and to the same lost condition with
himself—angels, who had never thought to question the will of Heaven
or refuse obedience to the law of God till he had put it into their minds,
presenting before them that they might enjoy a greater good, a higher
and more glorious liberty. This had been the sophistry whereby he had
deceived them. A responsibility now rests upon him from which he would
fain be released.
These spirits had become turbulent with disappointed hopes. Instead
of greater good, they were
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experiencing the sad results of disobedience and disregard of law. Never
more would these unhappy beings be swayed by the mild rule of Jesus
Christ. Never more would their spirits be stirred by the deep, earnest
love, peace, and joy which His presence had ever inspired in them, to be
returned to Him in cheerful obedience and reverential honor.
Satan Seeks Reinstatement
Satan trembled as he viewed his work. He was alone in meditation
upon the past, the present, and his future plans. His mighty frame shook
as with a tempest. An angel from heaven was passing. He called him and
entreated an interview with Christ. This was granted him. He then related
to the Son of God that he repented of his rebellion and wished again
the favor of God. He was willing to take the place God had previously
assigned him, and be under His wise command. Christ wept at Satan’s
woe but told him, as the mind of God, that he could never be received
into heaven. Heaven must not be placed in jeopardy. All heaven would be
marred should he be received back, for sin and rebellion originated with
him. The seeds of rebellion were still within him. He had, in his rebellion,
no occasion for his course, and he had hopelessly ruined not only himself
but the host of angels also, who would then have been happy in heaven
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had he remained steadfast. The law of God could condemn but could not
pardon.
He repented not of his rebellion because he saw the goodness of God
which he had abused. It was not possible that his love for God had so
increased since his fall that it would lead to cheerful submission and happy
obedience to His law which had been despis
