Like The Most High – Part 1
Righteousness is holiness, likeness to God, and “God is love.” 1 John 4:16.’ His nature, His law, is love. It ever has been, it ever will be.2 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.3 Let not finite man attempt to interpret Him. Let none indulge in speculation regarding His nature. Here silence is eloquence.4
Look at the wonderful and beautiful things of nature.5 Nature testifies that One infinite in power, great in goodness, mercy and love, created the earth and filled it with life and gladness.6 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.7 Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord.8
God’s law is the transcript of His character.9 The law of God is as holy as He is holy, as perfect as He is perfect.10 The law of God is an expression of His nature; it is an embodiment of the great principle of love and hence is the foundation of His government in heaven and earth.11 Its two great principles are love to God and love to man.
Sin is an intruder, for whose presence no reason can be given. It is mysterious, unaccountable; to excuse it is to defend it.13 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.14 It is a sin to be sick; for all sickness is the result of transgression.15 Transgression of physical law is transgression of the moral law; for God is as truly the author of physical laws as He is the author of the moral law.16 God did not ordain that sin should exist, but He foresaw its existence, and made provision to meet the terrible emergency.17 But no provision had been made to save (angels) who should transgress His law.18
Sin originated in him who, next to Christ had been honoured of God and was highest in power and glory among the inhabitants in heaven.19 Lucifer, the covering cherub, desired to be first in heaven.20 For (he) hast said in (his) heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.21
From the very beginning of the great controversy in heaven it has been Satan’s purpose to overthrow the law of God.22 In attacking the law he aimed to overthrow the authority of its Author.23 When Satan rebelled against the law of Jehovah, the thought that there was a law came to the angels almost as an awakening to something unthought of.24
God’s government included not only the inhabitants of heaven, but all the worlds that He had created; and Satan thought that if he could carry the angels of heaven with him in rebellion, he could carry also the other worlds.25 He knew that he was honoured by the angels.26 Therefore he misrepresented God, attributing to Him the desire for self-exaltation. With his own evil characteristics he sought to invest the loving Creator.27 His high position, in such close connection with the divine administration, gave greater force to his representation…28 He had determined to claim the honour which should have been given him, and take command of all who would become his followers; and he promised those who would enter his ranks a new and better government, under which all would enjoy freedom. 29
And there was war in heaven: Michael and His angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.30 Not a taint of rebellion was left in heaven. All was again peaceful and harmonious as before.31 All is harmony, peace, and love in heaven. No discord, no strife, no censuring, no unloving words, no clouded brows, no jars there; and no one will be introduced there who possesses any of these elements so destructive to peace and happiness.32 All is health, happiness, and joy.33
AMEN.
1 MB 18
2 PP 33
3 Hebrews 13:8
4 8T 279
5 SC9
6 8T 256
7 Psalm 116:5
8 Psalm 107:43
9 COL 305
10 MB 54
11 SC 60
12 GC 463
13 GC 493
14 1 John 3:4
15 HR Aug 1866
16 COL 347
17 DA 22
18 1 SP 22
19 PP 35
20 DA 22
21 Isa.14:13,14
22 GS 582
23 PP 69
24 MB 104
25 GC 497
26 1 SP 18
27 DA 21,22
28 GC 497
29 PP 40
30 Rev.12:7,8
31 1 SP 23
32 1 T 706
33 2 T 81