Chapter 3 — THE RESULTS OF REBELLION

The tree of knowledge of good and evil stood close to the tree of life in the middle of the Garden of Eden. God had a special reason for putting the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the garden. This tree would serve as a test of Adam and Eve's trust and love for God and would show if they were willing to obey Him. The Lord commanded Adam and Eve not to touch or eat the fruit of the tree. If they disobeyed they would die. They could eat all they wanted of the fruit from other trees in the garden, but eating of the fruit from that one tree would result in death.SRme 1.37

Adam and Eve had everything they needed in the beautiful garden to make them happy. God is all-wise. He knows what is best. So God tested Adam and Eve's loyalty before letting them live eternally.SRme 1.38

God loved Adam and Eve. He talked with them and they talked with Him. But God did not make it impossible for them to disobey Him. Satan was permitted to tempt them. If they passed the test and continued to trust God, they would always be God's special children. The heavenly angels would always be their friends.SRme 1.39

Satan was surprised at his new condition of life. His happiness was gone. Satan looked at the angels who had been thrown out of heaven with him. In heaven these angels had been happy. Now they were not happy. In heaven their faces reflected the glory of God. Now their faces looked sad and discouraged. They began fighting among themselves, blaming each other and Satan for what had happened. When they lived in heaven they had never experienced these wicked feelings. Satan saw the terrible results of his rebellion all around him. He was shocked and feared what would happen in the future. He did not want to think about the final results.SRme 1.40

In heaven the hour for joyful, happy songs of praise to God and His dear Son had come. Satan had been the leader of the heavenly choir. He would always sing the first note; then all the other angels would join him in singing. Heaven had been filled with glorious music. The angels sang to the honor of God and His dear Son.SRme 1.41

But now Satan could not hear heaven's sweet music. Instead, he heard angry words and arguments everywhere. Satan wondered, "Where am I? Is this a terrible dream? Am I shut out of heaven? Will the gates of heaven be closed to me forever?" Satan knew that worship was being held in heaven. Bright and holy angels were bowing before the Father. Satan would never again join in heavenly singing. Never again would he bow in reverence before the eternal God. If Satan could once again be a pure, true, and loyal angel, he would be glad to give up his claim of authority. But he was lost! Because of his terrible rebellion he could never be saved!SRme 1.42

But there was something worse. Satan was responsible for leading other angels to rebel against God. They were just as lost as he was. Before their rebellion these angels would never have thought of doubting God or refusing to obey Him. But Satan had put these evil thoughts into their minds. He had told them that they would have greater happiness and freedom without God's law. Satan knew that he had deceived the angels who had rebelled. He was not happy about being responsible for leading the angels to be lost.SRme 1.43

The evil angels were angry. The angels became rebellious because they were disappointed. Instead of having greater happiness, they were suffering the sad results of not obeying God's laws. Never again would these unhappy angels be guided by the kind rule of Jesus Christ. Never again would they feel the deep, true love, peace, and joy that they had felt when they were with Jesus. Never again would they be able to love, honor, and obey Jesus.SRme 1.44