Sunday
September 30
1. THE FOUNDING PRINCIPLE OF THE UNIVERSE
a. What is to be the supreme focus of all created beings—and why? 1 Peter 1:24, 25.
b. How does this involve Jesus Christ? Ephesians 3:8, 9; John 1:1–3.
“The Sovereign of the universe was not alone in His work of beneficence. He had an associate—a coworker who could appreciate His purposes, and could share His joy in giving happiness to created beings.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 34.
c. What have the pure, loyal angels long understood? Psalm 89:14–16.
“The law of love being the foundation of the government of God, the happiness of all intelligent beings depends upon their perfect accord with its great principles of righteousness. . . .
“It was the joy of the heavenly host to fulfill the purpose of their Creator. They delighted in reflecting His glory and showing forth His praise. And while love to God was supreme, love for one another was confiding and unselfish. There was no note of discord to mar the celestial harmonies.”—Ibid., pp. 34, 35.
Monday
October 1
2. THE SLIME OF SELFISHNESS’ ORIGIN
a. With what strange feelings did the heavenly choir leader—a beautiful angel—begin to indulge himself, and what was the result? Ezekiel 28:13, 17; Isaiah 14:13, 14.
“Little by little Lucifer came to indulge the desire for self-exaltation. . . . Though all his glory was from God, this mighty angel came to regard it as pertaining to himself. Not content with his position, though honored above the heavenly host, he ventured to covet homage due alone to the Creator. Instead of seeking to make God supreme in the affections and allegiance of all created beings, it was his endeavor to secure their service and loyalty to himself. And coveting the glory with which the infinite Father had invested His Son, this prince of angels aspired to power that was the prerogative of Christ alone.
“Now the perfect harmony of heaven was broken. Lucifer’s disposition to serve himself instead of his Creator aroused a feeling of apprehension when observed by those who considered that the glory of God should be supreme.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 35, 36.
b. Describe the way Lucifer was supposedly worshipping his Creator, and what was he actually doing in reality? Matthew 15:8.
“The angels joyfully acknowledged the supremacy of Christ, and prostrating themselves before Him, poured out their love and adoration. Lucifer bowed with them, but in his heart there was a strange, fierce conflict. Truth, justice, and loyalty were struggling against envy and jealousy. The influence of the holy angels seemed for a time to carry him with them. As songs of praise ascended in melodious strains, swelled by thousands of glad voices, the spirit of evil seemed vanquished; unutterable love thrilled his entire being; his soul went out, in harmony with the sinless worshippers, in love to the Father and the Son. But again he was filled with pride in his own glory. His desire for supremacy returned, and envy of Christ was once more indulged. The high honors conferred upon Lucifer were not appreciated as God’s special gift, and therefore called forth no gratitude to his Creator. He gloried in his brightness and exaltation and aspired to be equal with God.”—Ibid., pp. 36, 37.
Tuesday
October 2
3. THE CRISIS IN HEAVEN
a. What warning should we heed by observing the deceitful tactics that Lucifer began to carry out in heaven? Proverbs 24:1, 2.
“Taking advantage of the loving, loyal trust reposed in him by the holy beings under his command, [Lucifer] had so artfully instilled into their minds his own distrust and discontent that his agency was not discerned. Lucifer had presented the purposes of God in a false light—misconstruing and distorting them to excite dissent and dissatisfaction. He cunningly drew his hearers on to give utterance to their feelings; then these expressions were repeated by him when it would serve his purpose, as evidence that the angels were not fully in harmony with the government of God. While claiming for himself perfect loyalty to God, he urged that changes in the order and laws of heaven were necessary for the stability of the divine government. Thus while working to excite opposition to the law of God and to instill his own discontent into the minds of the angels under him, he was ostensibly seeking to remove dissatisfaction and to reconcile disaffected angels to the order of heaven. While secretly fomenting discord and rebellion, he with consummate craft caused it to appear as his sole purpose to promote loyalty and to preserve harmony and peace. . . .
“Although [some angels] had heretofore been in perfect harmony with the order which God had established, they were now discontented and unhappy because they could not penetrate His unsearchable counsels; they were dissatisfied with His purpose in exalting Christ. These stood ready to second Lucifer’s demand for equal authority with the Son of God.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 38.
b. After pleading with Lucifer—who eventually stirred up an open campaign against the beneficent Creator and His law of love—what action was Heaven constrained to take, and why? Revelation 12:7–9.
“[Lucifer] persistently defended his own course, and fully committed himself to the great controversy against his Maker. Thus it was that Lucifer, ‘the light bearer,’ the sharer of God’s glory, the attendant of His throne, by transgression became Satan, ‘the adversary’ of God and holy beings and the destroyer of those whom Heaven had committed to his guidance and guardianship.”—Ibid., p. 40.
Wednesday
October 3
4. WORSHIP IN EDEN AND THE CRISIS ON EARTH
a. Describe the original condition of God’s creation. Genesis 1:31. What reveals His great love for the special creatures made in His own image? Genesis 3:9.
“Adam was surrounded with everything his heart could wish. Every want was supplied. There were no sin and no signs of decay in glorious Eden. Angels of God conversed freely and lovingly with the holy pair. The happy songsters caroled forth their free, joyous songs of praise to their Creator. The peaceful beasts in happy innocence played about Adam and Eve, obedient to their word. Adam was in the perfection of manhood, the noblest of the Creator’s work.
“Not a shadow interposed between them and their Creator. They knew God as their beneficent Father, and in all things their will was conformed to the will of God. And God’s character was reflected in the character of Adam.”—The Adventist Home, pp. 26, 27.
b. How did God’s creation become marred? Genesis 3:1–7. Describe the first spiritual symptoms that resulted, sadly reminiscent of the attitude of Lucifer. Genesis 3:12, 13.
“[Lucifer] misrepresented God, attributing to Him the desire for self-exaltation. With his own evil characteristics he sought to invest the loving Creator. Thus he deceived angels. Thus he deceived men. He led them to doubt the word of God and to distrust His goodness.”—Reflecting Christ, p. 23.
“Adam could neither deny nor excuse his sin; but instead of manifesting penitence, he endeavored to cast the blame upon his wife, and thus upon God Himself. . . .
“When the woman was asked, ‘What is this that thou hast done?’ she answered, “The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.’ ‘Why didst Thou create the serpent? Why didst Thou suffer him to enter Eden?’—these were the questions implied in her excuse for her sin. Thus, like Adam, she charged God with the responsibility of their fall. The spirit of self-justification originated in the father of lies; it was indulged by our first parents as soon as they yielded to the influence of Satan, and has been exhibited by all the sons and daughters of Adam. Instead of humbly confessing their sins, they try to shield themselves by casting the blame upon others, upon circumstances, or upon God—making even His blessings an occasion of murmuring against Him.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 57, 58.
Thursday
October 4
5. THE REAL PICTURE UNVEILED
a. What legacy has Lucifer brought to our race—and what must we always keep in mind in order to escape His snares? Psalm 58:1–3; Jeremiah 17:9.
“Sin originated in self-seeking. Lucifer, the covering cherub, desired to be first in heaven. He sought to gain control of heavenly beings, to draw them away from their Creator, and to win their homage to himself.”—Reflecting Christ, p. 23.
“To dispute the supremacy of the Son of God, thus impeaching the wisdom and love of the Creator, had become the purpose of this prince of angels. To this object he was about to bend the energies of that master mind, which, next to Christ’s, was first among the hosts of God.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 36.
“The plan of salvation, making manifest the justice and love of God, provides an eternal safeguard against defection in unfallen worlds, as well as among those who shall be redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Our only hope is perfect trust in the blood of Him who can save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him.”—Our High Calling, p. 45.
b. What will the whole universe ultimately understand about God? Romans 3:3, 4; Revelation 4:11.
“The history of sin will stand to all eternity as a witness that with the existence of God’s law is bound up the happiness of all the beings He has created. With all the facts of the great controversy in view, the whole universe, both loyal and rebellious, with one accord declare: ‘Just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints’ (Revelation 15:3).”—The Great Controversy, p. 671.
Friday
October 5
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Why is it important that we understand who Christ really is?
2. What kind of wrong feelings and desires did trigger Lucifer’s rebellion?
3. Trace the steps of Lucifer’s downfall. How can we avoid such steps?
4. Show the contrast in the character of our first parents before and after sin.
5. Explain the great contrast between Christ’s character and Satan’s.