the universe through all coming
ages, a perpetual testimony to the nature and terrible results of sin. The
working out of Satan's rule, its effects upon both men and angels, would
show what must be the fruit of setting aside the divine authority. It
would testify that with the existence of God's government and His law is
bound up the well-being of all the creatures He has made. Thus the history
of this terrible experiment of rebellion was to be a perpetual safeguard
to all holy intelligences, to prevent them from being deceived as to the
nature of transgression, to save them from committing sin and suffering
its punishment.

To the very close of the controversy in heaven, the great usurper
continued to justify himself. When it was announced that with all his
sympathizers he must be expelled from the abodes of bliss, then the rebel
leader boldly avowed his contempt for the Creator's law. He reiterated his
claim that angels needed no control, but should be left to follow their
own will, which would ever guide them right. He denounced the divine
statutes as a restriction of their liberty, and declared that it was his
purpose to secure the abolition of law; that, freed from this restraint,
the hosts of heaven might enter upon a more exalted, more glorious state
of existence.

With one accord, Satan and his host threw the blame of their rebellion
wholly upon Christ, declaring that if they had not been reproved, they
would never have rebelled. Thus stubborn and defiant in their disloyalty,
seeking vainly to overthrow the government of God, yet blasphemously
claiming to be themselves the innocent victims of oppressive power, the
arch-rebel and all his sympathizers were at last banished from heaven.

The same spirit that prompted rebellion in heaven, still inspires
rebellion on earth. Satan has continued with men the same policy which he
pursued with the angels. His spirit now reigns in the children of
disobedience. Like him they seek to break down the restraints of the law
of God, and promise men liberty through transgression of its precepts.
Reproof of sin still arouses the spirit of hatred and resistance. When
God's messages of warning are brought home to the conscience, Satan leads
men to justify themselves, and to seek the sympathy of others in their
course of sin. Instead of correcting their errors, they excite indignation
against the reprover, as if he were the sole cause of difficulty. From the
days of righteous Abel