REBELLION IN HEAVEN Sabbath, September 2, 2017 Memory Text: "Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." Matthew 4:10 THE ORDER ESTABLISHED IN HEAVEN 1. Is there a hierarchy order on Heaven? I Corinthians 11: 3 last part "The great Creator assembled the heavenly host, that He might in the presence of all the angels confer special honor upon His Son. The Son was seated on the throne with the Father, and the heavenly throng of holy angels was gathered around them. The Father then made known that it was ordained by Himself that Christ, His Son, should be equal with Himself; so that wherever was the presence of His Son, it was as His own presence. The word of the Son was to be obeyed as readily as the word of the Father. His Son He had invested with authority to command the heavenly host... "But Christ was acknowledged sovereign of heaven, His power and authority to be the same as that of God Himself." The Story of Redemption, pages 13-14 2. Who receives adoration from eternity, with the Father? Hebrews 1: 8, 6 Can a created being be worshipped, such as an angel? Revelation 22: 8-9 3. Who followed in the hierarchy to the Son, in heaven, before the existence of sin? Ezekiel 28:14 "Satan was once an honored angel in heaven, next to Christ." Early Writings, page 145 3 REFORMISTAS.ORG
"Lucifer in heaven, before his rebellion, was a high and exalted angel, next in honor to God's dear Son. His countenance, like those of the other angels, was mild and expressive of happiness." The Story of Redemption, page 13 WARNING AGAINST GREED 4. What feeling was developed in Lucifer? Isaiah 14: 13-14; Ezekiel 28:17 "His Son He had invested with authority to command the heavenly host. Especially was His Son to work in union with Himself in the anticipated creation of the earth and every living thing that should exist upon the earth... "Lucifer was envious and jealous of Jesus Christ. Yet when all the angels bowed to Jesus to acknowledge His supremacy and high authority and rightful rule, he bowed with them; but his heart was filled with envy and hatred." The Story of Redemption, pages 13-14 "Little by little Lucifer came to indulge the desire for selfexaltation. The Scripture says, Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness. Ezekiel 28:17. Thou hast said in thine heart,...i will exalt my throne above the stars of God... I will be like the Most High. Isaiah 14:13, 14. Though all his glory was from God, this mighty angel came to regard it as pertaining to himself. Not content with his position, though honored above the heavenly host, he ventured to covet homage due alone to the Creator. Instead of seeking to make God supreme in the affections and allegiance of all created beings, it was his endeavor to secure their service and loyalty to himself. And coveting the glory with which the infinite Father had invested His Son, this prince of angels aspired to power that was the prerogative of Christ alone." Patriarchs and Prophets, page 35 5. What work was done in favour of Lucifer? II Peter 3: 9 LECCIONES BÍBLICAS PARA LA ESCUELA SABÁTICA 4
Again and again he was offered pardon on condition of repentance and submission. Such efforts as only infinite love and wisdom could devise were made to convince him of his error. The Great Controversy page 496 The heavenly councils pleaded with Lucifer. The Son of God presented before him the greatness, the goodness, and the justice of the Creator, and the sacred, unchanging nature of His law. God Himself had established the order of heaven; and in departing from it, Lucifer would dishonor his Maker, and bring ruin upon himself. The Great Controversy pages 494-495 Angels that were loyal and true sought to reconcile this mighty, rebellious angel to the will of his Creator. They justified the act of God in conferring honor upon Christ, and with forcible reasoning sought to convince Lucifer that no less honor was his now than before the Father had proclaimed the honor which He had conferred upon His Son. They clearly set forth that Christ was the Son of God, existing with Him before the angels were created; and that He had ever stood at the right hand of God, and His mild, loving authority had not heretofore been questioned; and that He had given no commands but what it was joy for the heavenly host to execute. They urged that Christ's receiving special honor from the Father, in the presence of the angels, did not detract from the honor that Lucifer had heretofore received. Story of Redemption, page 15 6. Did Lucifer repent of his sin? II Corinthians 7:10 "Lucifer refused to listen. And then he turned from the loyal and true angels, denouncing them as slaves. These angels, true to God, stood in amazement as they saw that Lucifer was successful in his effort to incite rebellion. " The Story of Redemption, page 16 "But the warning, given in infinite love and mercy, only aroused a spirit of resistance. Lucifer allowed jealousy of Christ to 5 REFORMISTAS.ORG
prevail, and he became the more determined." The Great Controversy page 495 WINNING THE SYMPATHY OF OTHERS 7. How many angels did Lucifer confuse at first? "Then Satan exultingly pointed to his sympathizers, comprising nearly one half of all the angels, and exclaimed, These are with me! Will you expel these also, and make such a void in heaven? He then declared that he was prepared to resist the authority of Christ and to defend his place in heaven by force of might, strength against strength." The Story of Redemption, page 18 8. Finally, how many joined in their struggle? Revelation 12: 4 "When Satan became disaffected in heaven, he did not lay his complaint before God and Christ; but he went among the angels who thought him perfect and represented that God had done him injustice in preferring Christ to himself. The result of this misrepresentation was that through their sympathy with him one third of the angels lost their innocence, their high estate, and their happy home." Testimony Treasures, Vol. 2, page 103 DISRUPTING THE HOLY LAW OF GOD 9. What has always been the feeling of Lucifer, about the holy Law of God? John 8:44 "He began to insinuate doubts concerning the laws that governed heavenly beings, intimating that though laws might be necessary for the inhabitants of the worlds, angels, being more exalted, needed no such restraint, for their own wisdom was a sufficient guide." Patriarchs and Prophets, page 37 LECCIONES BÍBLICAS PARA LA ESCUELA SABÁTICA 6
10. Which are two satanic lies heard today from religious leaders? II Corinthians 11: 13-15 "Satan represents God's law of love as a law of selfishness. He declares that it is impossible for us to obey its precepts. The fall of our first parents, with all the woe that has resulted, he charges upon the Creator, leading men to look upon God as the author of sin, and suffering, and death." Desire of the Ages, page 24 "The sins of the popular churches are whitewashed over. Many of the members indulge in the grossest vices and are steeped in iniquity. Babylon is fallen and has become the cage of every foul and hateful bird! The most revolting sins of the age find shelter beneath the cloak of Christianity. Many proclaim the law of God abolished, and surely their lives are in keeping with their faith. If there is no law, then there is no transgression, and therefore no sin; for sin is the transgression of the law." Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, page 13 "Many who teach that the law of God is not binding upon man, urge that it is impossible for him to obey its precepts. But if this were true, why did Adam suffer the penalty of transgression? The sin of our first parents brought guilt and sorrow upon the world, and had it not been for the goodness and mercy of God, would have plunged the race into hopeless despair. Let none deceive themselves. The wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23." Patriarchs and Prophets, page 61 11. Is that accusation true? I John 2: 3-4 "Since Jesus came to dwell with us, we know that God is acquainted with our trials, and sympathizes with our griefs. Every son and daughter of Adam may understand that our Creator is the friend of sinners. For in every doctrine of grace, every promise of joy, every deed of love, every divine attraction presented in the Saviour's life on earth, we see God with us. 7 REFORMISTAS.ORG
"Satan represents God's law of love as a law of selfishness. He declares that it is impossible for us to obey its precepts. The fall of our first parents, with all the woe that has resulted, he charges upon the Creator, leading men to look upon God as the author of sin, and suffering, and death. Jesus was to unveil this deception. As one of us He was to give an example of obedience. For this He took upon Himself our nature, and passed through our experiences. In all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren. Hebrews 2:17. If we had to bear anything which Jesus did not endure, then upon this point Satan would represent the power of God as insufficient for us. Therefore Jesus was in all points tempted like as we are. Hebrews 4:15. He endured every trial to which we are subject. And He exercised in His own behalf no power that is not freely offered to us. As man, He met temptation, and overcame in the strength given Him from God. He says, I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is within My heart. Psalm 40:8. As He went about doing good, and healing all who were afflicted by Satan, He made plain to men the character of God's law and the nature of His service. His life testifies that it is possible for us also to obey the law of God. By His humanity, Christ touched humanity; by His divinity, He lays hold upon the throne of God. As the Son of man, He gave us an example of obedience; as the Son of God, He gives us power to obey. " Desire of the Ages, page 24 A BATTLE IN HEAVEN 12. What event took place in Heaven? Revelation 12: 7-8 "Then there was war in heaven. The Son of God, the Prince of heaven, and His loyal angels engaged in conflict with the archrebel and those who united with him. The Son of God and true, loyal angels prevailed; and Satan and his sympathizers were expelled from heaven. All the heavenly host acknowledged and adored the God of justice. Not a taint of LECCIONES BÍBLICAS PARA LA ESCUELA SABÁTICA 8
rebellion was left in heaven." The Story of Redemption, page 19 13. Where were Satan and his angels cast down? Revelation 12: 9 "After Satan and those who fell with him were shut out of heaven, and he realized that he had forever lost all its purity and glory, he repented, and wished to be reinstated in heaven. He was willing to take his proper place, or any position that might be assigned him. But no; heaven must not be placed in jeopardy. All heaven might be marred should he be taken back; for sin originated with him, and the seeds of rebellion were within him. Both he and his followers wept, and implored to be taken back into the favor of God. But their sin their hatred, their envy and jealousy had been so great that God could not blot it out. It must remain to receive its final punishment." Early writings, page 146 THE FRUITS OF REBELLION 14. Why did not God immediately destroy Satan? Psalm 19: 9 9 Even when it was decided that he could no longer remain in heaven, Infinite Wisdom did not destroy Satan. Since the service of love can alone be acceptable to God, the allegiance of His creatures must rest upon a conviction of His justice and benevolence. The inhabitants of heaven and of other worlds, being unprepared to comprehend the nature or consequences of sin, could not then have seen the justice and mercy of God in the destruction of Satan. Had he been immediately blotted from existence, they would have served God from fear rather than from love. The influence of the deceiver would not have been fully destroyed, nor would the spirit of rebellion have been utterly eradicated. Evil must be permitted to come to maturity. REFORMISTAS.ORG
For the good of the entire universe through ceaseless ages, Satan must more fully develop his principles, that his charges against the divine government might be seen in their true light by all created beings, that the justice and mercy of God and the immutability of His law might forever be placed beyond all question." The Great Controversy, pages 498-499 LECCIONES BÍBLICAS PARA LA ESCUELA SABÁTICA 10