WAR IN HEAVEN

All heaven was troubled and confused. Satan was guilty of the highest crime when he rebelled against the government of God. Satan had been fighting against the law of God because he wanted greater honor and power for himself. He did not want to bow in worship to Jesus nor accept the authority of God's Son, who was heaven's highest commander.SRme 1.16

The angels in heaven were divided into groups with a leading angel in command of each group. Every one of the angels was called to be judged by the Father. The case of each was to be decided. Satan was not ashamed to tell everyone that He did not want Jesus to have more power and honor than himself. Satan stood proudly and urged that he should be equal with God. He wanted to join the Father and the Son when they talked about plans. He thought he should be allowed to understand all of God's plans.SRme 1.17

God told Satan that He would explain His plans and secrets only to Jesus. He said that everyone in heaven, including Satan, must obey Jesus without question. God said that Satan could not be trusted to stay in heaven any longer. Satan proudly pointed to the angels who had joined his rebellion. Almost half the angels had followed Satan. He said to God, "These are with me! Are you going to force them to leave heaven with me? Are you going to make heaven that empty?" Satan boasted that he was ready to fight against the authority of Jesus. He (Satan) would put his might against Jesus' might, his (Satan's) strength against Jesus' strength.SRme 1.18

The good angels were sad when they heard Satan's proud, boasting words. God announced that Satan and the rebellious angels could not stay in heaven anymore. They had been happy in heaven only because they obeyed the law that God had given to be a blessing to them. There was no way to save those who refused to obey the law of God.SRme 1.19

Satan became bold in his rebellion. He boasted that he hated the Creator's law and would not let the law control him. Satan said that angels did not need God's law. If they were left free to do what they wanted to do, they would always do what was right. God's law limited their freedom. Satan said that his reason for rebelling was to destroy God's law. He thought that the angels would have a better life without the law.SRme 1.20

God did not agree with Satan's arguments. God had made His laws equal to Himself. The angels could be happy only if they obeyed all of God's laws. Each angel had been given a special work to do. There had always been perfect order and harmony in heaven until Satan rebelled.SRme 1.21

Then there was war in heaven between Jesus, the Son of God, and Satan. Jesus and the faithful angels fought against Satan and the rebellious angels. The Son of God and the angels who were true to Him won. Satan and the angels who followed him were thrown out of heaven. Then the angels who were left in heaven praised and worshiped God for His justice. The rebellion in heaven was finished. There was peace and harmony the same as before the rebellion. But the faithful angels were sad because angels who had been their friends were now gone. The good angels missed the fallen angels.SRme 1.22

The Father and the Son talked together about finishing their plans to create the earth and the people and creatures who would live on earth. God would test the people He would place on earth to see if they would be faithful to God. If human beings passed the test they would be forever safe from Satan and would live forever. They would become equal with the angels. Human beings would become very special to God and would be able to talk with the angels. But God would not force people to obey His laws. God created them with the power to choose to obey.SRme 1.23