Lesson 2 for April 9, 2011

Every existing thing was created by God: The universe. The angels. 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. “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) Besides, He sustains everything He created. Christ is the centre, the source, the sphere where creation started

“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

“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.

“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) Jesus tried to convince Lucifer of his mistake and give him the opportunity to repent by every possible means.

“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

“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) When God saw the empty space in heaven, He created the human race to fill it.

Don’t kid ourselves by clothing in Satan’s pride robe, but accept the robe of perfection that Christ offers. 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. “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter, 5: 8)