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FROM EXALTED TO CAST DOWN. Lesson 2 for April 9, 2011.
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FROM EXALTED TO CAST DOWN Lesson 2 forApril9, 2011
“For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians, 1: 16-17) THECREATOR Every existing thing was created by God: Theuniverse. Theangels. Everything we don’t know or invisible for us. The inhabitable worlds, including Earth. The inhabitants of those worlds. Every living being was created by God. You were created by God. Besides, He sustains everything He created. Christ is the centre, the source, the sphere where creation started
THECREATION OF LUCIFER “Son of man, take up a lament concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "`You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty… You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones” (Ezekiel, 28: 12, 14)
“You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz and emerald, chrysolite, onyx and jasper, sapphire, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared” (Ezekiel, 28: 13) • Lucifer’s garments reflected his exalted position, his power and his influence
THEFALL OF LUCIFER “You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you… Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendour. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings” (Ezekiel, 28: 15, 17) The Bible doesn’t explain how evil arose; It just tells us what happened. Pride appeared in Lucifer because of his beauty, his position, his garments and his wisdom. However, that pride had no justification, since everything he was and everything he had came from God. Lucifer was no one and had nothing without God.
THEREBELLION IN HEAVEN “How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High."” (Isaiah, 14: 12-14) We find the inner motivations of Satan to rebel against God in Ezekiel and Isaiah explains where those motivations led him:Wanting to be like God. He spread his idea of “freedom” among the angels to reach his objective; he drew the third of the angels to his rebellion.
Jesus tried to convince Lucifer of his mistake and give him the opportunity to repent by every possible means. “Lucifer in heaven had sinned in the light of God’s glory. To him as to no other created being was given a revelation of God’s love. Understanding the character of God, knowing His goodness, Satan chose to follow his own selfish, independent will. This choice was final. There was no more that God could do to save him” E.G.W. (The Desire of ages, cp. 79, pg. 710)
THEEXPULSION “For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment” 2 Peter, 2: 4
When God saw the empty space in heaven, He created the human race to fill it. “God knew that such determined rebellion would not remain inactive. Satan would invent means to annoy the heavenly angels and show contempt for His authority. As he could not gain admission within the gates of heaven, he would wait just at the entrance, to taunt the angels and seek contention with them as they went in and out. He would seek to destroy the happiness of Adam and Eve. He would endeavor to incite them to rebellion, knowing that this would cause grief in heaven” E.G.W. (The story of Redemption, cp. 3, pg. 27)
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter, 5: 8) After inciting Adam and Eve to sin, Satan keeps tempting the human race. Our only hope and strength is in Jesus who defeated our enemy at the cross; He gives us victory if we claim it with faith and obedience. Don’t kid ourselves by clothing in Satan’s pride robe, butaccept the robe of perfection that Christ offers.