03/07/2015
THE MISSIONARY NATURE OF GOD
God's mission was established in eternity. His mission was to redeem and to save any inhabitant of the universe if they should turn from Him. The first to depart was Lucifer. He who knew the love of God more fully than any other created being rebelled.
When Lucifer first chose his course of sin, God did not give him up. God still loved him with His everlasting love. We observe the missionary nature of God at work as He set into operation the plan of salvation to save Lucifer. Notice:
God in His great mercy bore long with Lucifer. He was not immediately degraded from his exalted station when he first indulged the spirit of discontent, nor even when he began to present his false claims before the loyal angels. Long was he retained in heaven. Again and again he was offered pardon on condition of repentance and submission. Such efforts as only infinite love and wisdom could devise were made to convince him of his error…. [A]s his dissatisfaction was proved to be without cause, Lucifer was convinced that he was in the wrong, that the divine claims were just, and that he ought to acknowledge them as such before all heaven. The Great Controversy, pp. 495-496.
Loyal Angels Influenced Lucifer Through Song
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. Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 36.
Unknown to Lucifer there was a plan of redemption. This plan was the agreement between Father and Son that in the event that if anyone should sin, Jesus would step in to save that person or persons. As Savior He was foreordained to be the sacrificial Lamb who volunteered to take sin upon Himself (1 Pet 1:18-20; John 1:29). When sin entered the angelic host Jesus was their Redeemer. Lucifer refused to submit and to repent. His was a voluntary and persistent rebellion. Rather than accept God's pardon he justified himself.
Lucifer indulged in murmuring against God. Next he began to envy Christ. Then came his accusations, his rebellion and his deceptions to gain the sympathy and support of holy heavenly angels. God would have granted Lucifer forgiveness but he stubbornly persisted in his self- generated tendencies.
AS WE PREPARE FOR THE SABBATH, MAY WE TAKE INTO COGNIZANCE THE EFFECTUAL MISSIONARY NATURE OF OUR MAKER. HAPPY BLESSED SABBATH IN ADVANCE.
