Understanding the Judgment

Satan's Character Not Discerned

"I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven." Luke 10:18.

"The scenes of the past and the future were presented to the mind of Jesus. He beheld Lucifer as he was first cast out from the heavenly places. He looked forward to the scenes of His own agony, when before all the worlds the character of the deceiver would be unveiled." The Desire of Ages, p. 490. (Emphasis supplied)

From the time of Satan's rebellion in heaven, the problem was not so much a misunderstanding of God's character, as it was of Satan's character.

"Not until the death of Christ was the character of Satan clearly revealed to the angels or to the unfallen worlds. The archapostate had so clothed himself with deception that even holy beings had not understood his principles. They had not clearly seen the nature of his rebellion." The Desire of Ages, p. 758.

"Satan is a deceiver. When he sinned in heaven, even the loyal angels did not fully discern his character. This was why God did not at once destroy Satan. Had He done so, the holy angels would not have perceived the justice and love of God. A doubt of God's goodness would have been as evil seed that would yield the bitter fruit of sin and woe. Therefore the author of evil was spared, fully to develop his character. Through long ages God has borne the anguish of beholding the work of evil, He has given the infinite Gift of Calvary, rather than leave any to be deceived by the misrepresentations of the wicked one." Christ's Object Lessons, p. 72. (Emphasis supplied)

If God had acted differently, His own character would have been misunderstood. But rather than leaving any to be deceived, God gave His Son to die for us. It was not God's, but Satan's character that was not perceived by the angels. Nor is it discerned by those who follow him today.

More on the Great Controversy

Last week I posted two entries on the subject of the great controversy. Today I'd like to recommend an article by Jack Blanco that was published eight years ago in the Adventist Review on this subject. I'm always encouraged to find other writers who see it as I do. Here's the link:

The (Abbreviated) Great Controversy

The Great Controversy in the Gospel of Mark

Mark's account of the life of Jesus presents the great controversy as the clash of two kingdoms. Throughout the book the kingdom of God (Mark 1:14, 15) and the authority of Christ (Mark 1:22, 27) are emphasized. To Mark, Jesus faces one conflict after another and meets each confrontation successfully. More than once is the Sabbath a point of contention, because it is the sign of Christ's authority. Mark describes the development of Christ's kingdom, the appointment of leadership, and the parables Jesus told as to the nature of His kingdom. From the book's opening assertion (1:1) to the final acknowledgment by His executioner (15:39), Jesus' authority as the Son of God is declared. The preaching of the gospel of the kingdom, initiated by Jesus in chapter one, is commissioned to all His disciples in chapter 16. View the detailed outline

The Great Controversy Issue

The plan of salvation is set in the context of the great controversy between Christ and Satan. The gospel must address the fundamental issues in that conflict, whatever they happen to be. So if, as many suppose, the great controversy is fundamentally a dispute over the character of God, then the plan of redemption is merely a campaign to convince people that God is love. In that model, the judgment gets turned upside down, so that instead of us being judged, God is the one who is on trial. This is all just as Satan would have it. Introducing pseudo issues is part of his strategy.

In a political campaign, contending candidates often resort to attacking their opponent’s character. But multi-billion dollar political races are not held merely to evaluate the characters of those who enter. The politicians’ real object is to win the election and take the office.

The real great controversy issues are that Satan has rebelled against God’s government, he disputes Christ’s authority, and he wants to win the allegiance of all created beings to himself.  Read more . . .