tokens of love which surrounded them.
They recognized the order and harmony of creation, which spoke
of wisdom and knowledge that were infinite. Some new beauty
and additional glory of their Eden home they were continually
discovering, which filled their hearts with deeper love, and
brought from their lips expressions of gratitude and reverence to
their Creator.
*****
Chapter III. - The Temptation and
Fall.
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 he 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.
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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 and
despairing. Strife, discord, and bitter recrimination, were among
them. Previous to their rebellion these things had been unknown
in Heaven. Satan now beholds 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 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 was he? Was it not all a horrible dream?
Was he shut out of Heaven? Were the gates of Heaven never more
to open and 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
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never thought to question the will of Heaven, or refuse obedience
to the law of God till he had 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 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 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 not only hopelessly ruined himself, but the
host of angels also, who
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would then have been happy in Heaven 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
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despised. The wretchedness he realized in losing the sweet light
of Heaven, and the sense of guilt which forced itself upon him,
and the disappointment he experienced himself in not finding
his expectations realized, were the cause of his grief. To be
commander out of Heaven, was vastly different from being thus
honored in Heaven. The loss he had sustained of all the privileges
of Heaven seemed too much to be borne. He wished to regain
these.
This great ch