NOTE: God had given just one law with only one commandment. The law of Eden was open and fair. Their life revolved around fruit trees, but God said there was one fruit tree that they were not to touch. It was simple and straightforward. But there was a death penalty for breaking this law. The serpent, Satan was actually saying to Eve, God is telling you lies, he cannot be trusted. He was also bringing down the law of God and denying the penalty. This is rebellion. To challenge the laws of a country and the ultimate penalty is to set up yourself as an alternative ruler.
Q14 Had Satan had this ambition concerning God at any time?
For thou hast said in thin 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. Isaiah 14:12,13.
NOTE: For Satan, being like the Most High, was to have full authority over God’s creation, and to be the law maker.
Q15 When he was created by God, Satan had been a beautiful angel of light in heaven. He was known as Lucifer. He had been one of the angels closest to God in his responsibilities. He was perfect in beauty and full of wisdom. He was perfect in all his ways. But what was the change that took place?
Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created till iniquity was found in thee. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness. Ezekiel 28: 15,17.
NOTE: Tantalisingly this is as much as the Bible tells us about how it all began. We would all like to know more, but the focus of the Bible is to look at our situation on earth now and offer us a way back. Lucifer had the choice to serve God or turn from God. He too had freewill. He used it to rebel against God. The Bible refers to ‘the mystery of iniquity’. It is something, that however hard we try, we cannot get any deeper into discovering what could have happened in a perfect setting to a perfect being. All we know is that he rebelled and was eventually cast out of heaven, taking a third of the angels of heaven with him.
Q16 Where does the Bible say that he was found after being cast out of heaven?
Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God. Ezekiel 28:13.
Q17 What is sin?
Sin is the transgression of the law. 1 John 3:4
Q18 How does Gods describe the penalty for sin?
The wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23
NOTE: This is what began in Eden about 6000 years ago.
Q19 Is sin is an action of choice or is it something we are born with as human beings? What does the Bible say?
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