Part 2

He was a great musician, and doubtless led the music and singing of the hosts of angels in their morning and evening songs of praise to God. Verse 13 says, "The workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created."

The above text shows that he was "created" by the power of God. All the angels were created full grown, and not born as children. Hence this text is describing some heavenly being.

"Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so." Verse 14. Lucifer's position was by the throne of God, with his wings outstretched above it.

The ark built by Moses was a type of heavenly things. On the top of this ark were two cherubim with their wings covering the ark where the glory of God rested. See Exodus 25:20. This represents Lucifer's position as covering cherub, close to the throne of God in heaven.

Lucifer was "the anointed cherub." Anciently the prophets of the Lord anointed the kings to show that they were appointed of God to govern and command. Lucifer was, next to the Son of God, the anointed commander of the hosts of heavenly angels.

All his wisdom, beauty, power, and position were given him by God who had created him. The Creator fitted him for the work He wished him to do, and the place He desired him to occupy. Lucifer owed everything which he possessed to his Lord.

But, like some people who have riches and power, he become proud of his glory. He forgot that it was all the gift of God. The text says, "Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty." Eze. 28:17.

The Son of God was above him, and equal with His Father. Lucifer was second to Christ; but, considering his beauty and power, he decided that he ought to be equal with God.

The prophet Isaiah says of him, "Thou hast said in thine heart, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will be like the Most High." Chapter 14:13, 14.

But Jehovah could not permit this. The very thought of it by Lucifer was sin, for it was pride and the exaltation of self. Only the Son of God could be equal with the Father.

Then rebellion came into the heart of Lucifer. He went among the angels and told his story. They loved him as their leader, and many took sides with him.

The loyalty of all the angels was tested. Nearly one-half their number took sides with Lucifer. Then there was open rebellion in Heaven. Lucifer had a vast army at his command, and he felt strong enough to defy God.

But rebellion could not be allowed in Heaven. The rebel host must be disposed of in some way. God could destroy them at once, for if He could create them He could also destroy them.

But Lucifer had charged God with being partial and severe, and claimed that the laws of Jehovah were not needed in Heaven. So God allowed the rebellion to develop and do its work, that all the universe might see the awful results of sin, and the final fate of sinners. This will be an object lesson through all eternity.

Note.--The twenty-eighth chapter of Ezekiel tells of the overthrow of the prince of Tyrus, or the city of Tyre, which was a very strong, wealthy, proud, and wicked city on the Mediterranean Sea, near Palestine.

But by reading verses 12-15, it will be seen that this chapter has a double application, and that these verses refer more especially to some being standing at one time in a high position in heaven. It shows him to have been very wise, beautiful, and powerful, and near the presence of the Almighty God.

Such a description can apply only to Lucifer, now known as the devil, and Satan, described in the accompanying lesson. The Bible is full of object lessons; and kingdoms, men, and events are often taken to teach important lessons. Christ did much of His teaching by parables. He took things as He found them in the world to illustrate and make forcible great Gospel truths.

In this chapter the power and beauty, the pride and wickedness, and the final overthrow of Tyre were taken to represent the high position of Lucifer in heaven, his sin of pride and rebellion, and his final fall.

Satan, Prince of Darkness.

LUCIFER and his angels had become God's enemies, or rebels against His government. They could not be allowed to remain in Heaven.

The Son was appointed by the Father to take command of the true angels, and drive out the rebel host. Lucifer took command of the angels who had rebelled with him, and was determined to hold his place in Heaven.

Then "there was war in heaven: Michael [Christ] and His angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels." Revelation 12:7.

When Lucifer sinned and fell, his character and work were so changed that the beautiful name he had in Heaven was also changed. In Revelation 12:9, he is called "the dragon," "that old serpent," "the devil," and "Satan."

Of course Satan could not win in such a warfare. "He was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." Revelation 12:9.

In Isaiah 14:12, we read, "How art thou fallen from Heaven, O Lucifer, Son of the Morning! how art thou cut down to the ground."

Christ refers to this when He said to His disciples, "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from Heaven." Luke 10:18.

When Satan knew that he had lost Heaven forever, his heart was filled with anger and hatred for all that was good. His history since then shows that from that time his motto was, "Evil, be thou my good."

Revenge filled his heart in which the love of God once abode, and all his wonderful powers were turned against God and His work. Every artful device of evil angels has been used since then to lead men to follow them in sin and rebellion against God.

It is well for man to know the strength of the foe he has to meet. Satan and his angels have on earth the same wisdom which they had in Heaven before their fall. To this is added six thousand years of experience in their awful work.

In Heaven Satan's influence was so great that he was able to deceive and lead into rebellion nearly half the angels. His power to deceive man is very great.

With such power and influence at his command, we can never overcome the devil in our own strength. When we let go our hold upon God we go onto the enemy's ground, and are "taken captive by him at his will." 2 Timothy 2:26.

But Christ has twice conquered this foe,--once in the great battle in heaven when Satan was cast out, and again as a man on earth when He met all his temptations and came off victorious.

Hence Satan is to Christ a conquered foe. If we trust our Lord fully He will give us strength in every hour of need, and thus we may become "more than conquerors through Him that loved us." Romans 8:37.

Paul calls Satan "The prince of the power of the air." Ephesians 2:2. He it is who causes the terrible cyclones, the tidal waves, and other awful disasters. Only the restraining hand of God prevents him from bringing destruction to the world more awful than it has yet known.

In Hebrews 2:14, we learn that the devil has "the power of death." This is so because sin brought death, and Satan is the author of sin. He claims all who die as his. Only the power of God can bring them from "the land of the enemy" at the resurrection.

But some glad day sin and death and Satan will be destroyed. Paul declared that Christ, by His death, opened the way by which He "might _destroy_ him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." Hebrews 2:14.

The Lord says through the prophet Ezekiel, "I will bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall _devour_ thee, and I will bring thee to _ashes_.... Thou shalt be a terror, and _never shalt thou be any more_." Ezekiel 28:18, 19.

Then, with the stain of sin entirely removed, God will have a clean universe, as free from sin as it was before rebellion entered heaven.

The First Dominion.

IN six days the Creator formed the earth and fitted it up as the home of mankind. When finished it was very beautiful with trees, flowers, and fruits.

Before man was created, God also made the birds, fishes, and all the dumb animals and creeping things. The world was then ready for its master,--man.

"And God said, Let us make man in Our image, after Our likeness.... So God created man in His own image." Genesis 1:26, 27.

Man was the last and most perfect work of the great creation week. He was in the "image of God." He looked like his Creator.

Some, at least, of the wisdom of God was given to him. He could talk, and think, and reason. As we study God's Word, and learn about Him, He helps us and teaches us. Thus we grow more like Him, and He gives us more of His wisdom.

After creating man, God made for him a beautiful garden which was to be the home of Adam and Eve. This was a sample of what their children were to make of the rest of the world.

This home was called the "Garden of Eden." It was very beautiful, for "out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food." Genesis 2:9.

"God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed." This shows what is the best kind of food for man to eat. "And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat." Genesis 1:29, 30. This was a perfect diet. The Lord did not intend that His creatures should be killed and eaten for food.

A beautiful "river went out of Eden to water the garden." The tree of life was also there. This tree had wonderful power. It would preserve life, and so long as one should eat of it he would never die.

"And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it." Genesis 2: 15. Man was not to live in idleness, but must care for the beautiful home which God had prepared for him.

After all was completed the Lord gave to man the earth and all that was in it. David said, "The earth hath He given to the children of men." Psalms 115:16.

Man was also to be ruler of all that was on the earth. For the Lord said, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and _subdue_ it; and _have dominion_ over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." Genesis 1:28.

Even the beasts loved man and delighted to obey him. There was no fear in that wonderful home. All was love, and happiness, and peace.

Christ and the beautiful angels from Heaven often visited the happy pair in Eden.

These heavenly visitors taught them about God and His love, and gave them such instruction as would help them to take proper care of their earthly home.

Before Satan could reach them with his temptations, angels were sent from Heaven to warn them of his fall, and of his desire to bring ruin upon then, as he had already done upon the angels who sinned with him. In this the loving, tender care of God for His creatures was manifested.

God is love. He did not wish sin to enter the world; yet He made man free so that he could choose wrong doing if he preferred it to God's way, after knowing of the dreadful results of sin.

The Dominion Lost.

THE love and obedience of every intelligent being must be tested. Tests make character. If we obey God's laws and walk in His ways, we become in character like God and sinless angels.

We must have a good character before we are fit to enjoy the beautiful home Christ is preparing for those who are faithful. God will give us a good character, and help us to obey, if we ask Him.

If we refuse to let God help us do right, we are out of harmony, or at war with Him and Heaven. We then come into harmony, or union, with Satan and his angels, and when sin is destroyed we must perish with it.

Sin makes people unhappy, and God hates it because He loves everybody. Happiness can be found only in obedience, or doing right.

Before sin reached Eden, Adam and Eve knew nothing of evil. So their only test was in regard to one special tree planted in the garden. It was called the "tree of knowledge of good and evil."

God said of the fruit of this tree, "Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die." Genesis 3:3. If they kept away from this tree they would never know evil. At that tree was the only place where Satan could meet them to tempt them.

One day the curiosity of Eve led her to come near the forbidden tree. By so doing she placed herself where Satan could tempt her, and he was there to meet her as he always meets us when we go in the way of temptation.

Satan did not come in his own form, but in the shape of a beautiful Serpent. Eve would have known him in his real person, for angels had told the first pair about the rebellion of Satan and his angels. Satan never comes to us as he really is. He comes as a deceiver, just as he came to Eve in the garden.

The serpent told Eve that the forbidden fruit was good, and began to eat some of it. Probably he told her that it gave him power to talk. Eve looked at it and thought about it. The more she looked at it the more she wanted some of it.

But she told the serpent that the Lord had forbidden them to eat of it, for if they did they should "surely die."

But the serpent said, "Ye shall not surely die." "See, I am eating of it and it does me no harm. In fact, I feel better all the time I am eating of this fruit."

"For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." Genesis 3:5.

The devil's statement was partly true and partly a lie. And in all his work he will mix enough truth with his lies to deceive those who do not know him and his ways well enough to see the difference.

It is true that the fruit of that tree would make those wise who ate of it. It would make them wise in the knowledge of evil, and the Lord did not want them to know anything of evil. Such knowledge brings death.

But Satan lied when he said, "Ye shall not surely die," and he knew it. He has been telling this lie ever since. The Lord has said, "The soul that sinneth it shall die."

Eve believed the devil instead of God. She ate of the fruit and gave to Adam, and he ate of it.

The first result of their sin was shame. They saw that they were naked. Then they made themselves aprons of fig leaves, and hid themselves so that none should see them. Sin always brings shame.

But they could not hide from God. He called them and asked what they had been doing.

Then they began to make excuses and to blame others, just as we often do when it is found out that we have done wrong; but they could not deceive their Creator. He told them they should have a life of toil and trouble, and would finally die. Then they were driven from their beautiful garden home.

After that the earth was to be the battle ground between good and evil, between Satan and the Gospel. The Garden of Eden contained so many of the beautiful things of God that it was too sacred to become such a battle ground. Sin must not mar it. So man was driven from it to build for himself, as best he could, a new home which he must keep in order by hard work.

The earth was cursed with weeds and thistles; but this was not a real evil to fallen man; for while sin is in the world even hard work is a blessing because it helps to keep people out of mischief. It has been truly said that Satan always finds work for idle hands to do.

By disobeying God and obeying Satan man became the servant of sin and Satan. Paul says, "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey?" Romans 6:16.

By obeying Satan man lost his dominion of the earth, and it passed into the hands of Satan. Thus he became "the god of this world."

The Promised Redeemer.

WHEN one person is owned by another person, and has to work for him, he is called a slave, or a bond-servant, because he is in bondage, and not free to do what would be best for himself.

So it is with one who lets himself be controlled by the evil instead of by the good. The word devil is like the word evil, and means the same. To do evil is to do as the devil wishes us to do. Put _d_ before _evil_, and you will see where evil comes from.

A slave can not get free from a cruel master. He has no money to buy his own freedom, and no power to get away. If he tries to escape, he is followed and caught, and brought back again to work for his hateful owner.

Adam and Eve really sold themselves to Satan--the evil, the devil--by doing as he wanted them to do. They traded their happiness for the knowledge of wrong which he promised them, and which he gave them.

Thus he became their owner, or master, instead of God who had made them, and to whom they really belonged.

Now they could not get free, and as the wages, or end of sin, is death, they must serve Satan all their lives and then die, without any hope of another life beyond this one.

God and Christ and the angels all pitied man in this sad condition, and Christ offered to leave Heaven and come to this earth and give His life for man's life.

Only in this way could He buy back, or redeem man (meaning everybody), so that all who want to be free from the service of Satan and sin can escape death, which is "the wages of sin."

Sometimes a rich man buys a slave from his cruel master, so that the poor man can be free and happy. So Jesus did for us.

We get free from Satan by thanking God for this plan to save us, and asking Him, for Christ's sake, to forgive our sins and help us to live a good life, away from our old master, the evil.

This is what the word Redemption means. It is buying back something that has been sold into bondage. Jesus bought us back after we had sold ourselves to Satan.

"Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price," "the precious blood [the life] of Christ." 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20; 1 Peter 1:18, 19.

This "good news," or Gospel of Salvation, was told to Adam and Eve as well as to the shepherds on the plains of Bethlehem hundreds of years afterward, so that all could have a chance to obey God by being made free from the power of Satan.

The First Brothers.

CAIN and Abel were the first brothers who ever lived on the earth. Cain, the elder brother, was a farmer. Abel was a shepherd, and cared for his father's sheep.

The Bible does not tell us about them when they were boys, but when they were grown it says they both brought offerings to the Lord. Abel brought a lamb as his offering, but Cain brought the fruits of the ground.

The Lord had told them to bring a lamb for an offering, because it would cause them to think of Christ, for He was "the Lamb of God" who was to die for the sins of the world.

Before Jesus came to die, men showed their faith in Him by bringing a lamb for their sins. God accepted the offerings of all who were sorry for their sins, and forgave them. This was the Gospel in the Old Testament. Christ was the "Lamb slain from the beginning of the world," because, before the world began the plan was laid that He should die for man if he sinned.

Abel had faith in God. His heart was filled with love because a way had been made by which sinners could return to God, receive pardon, and finally be taken to a new Eden home.

Abel brought a lamb from his flock, and offered it to God for his sins. Looking at the lamb of his sacrifice he saw Christ, the dying Lamb, on the mountain of Calvary. His faith was "counted to him for righteousness," meaning that God called him good. His sins were forgiven. God was pleased with the offering brought by Abel, and so He sent down fire from heaven and burned up the sacrifice; but not so with Cain's fruit.

Then the heart of Cain was like the heart of Satan,--filled with hatred and rebellion against God. He could see the beautiful Garden of Eden which had been the home of his parents, but he could not enter it. An angel with a flaming sword guarded the gateway.

In his heart he charged God with cruelty in shutting them out of the garden, and dooming mankind to a life of labor and sorrow. He did not accept with gratitude the wonderful sacrifice made by the Son of God to redeem the world.

He preferred to talk of what he called the cruelty of the Creator in punishing the race. Instead of offering in sacrifice a lamb, which only could represent the sacrifice of Christ, he brought the fruits of the ground. He thought as sometimes people do now, that what we have to offer is good enough, even if it is not just what the Lord calls for.

In Cain's offering there was nothing to point to the offering of Christ. There was no blood showing that death follows sin, and that Christ was to bear it for us. It was in every way contrary to God's plan, and so it showed no faith. There was therefore no Gospel in it, and no salvation. The Lord did not accept Cain's offering, and there was no answering fire.

As Cain saw the difference, he charged God with partiality, and then began to hate his brother, as all wicked people hate the good. The next act was to kill his brother, which was the result of his hatred.

Then the Lord spoke to Cain and asked him, "Where is thy brother Abel?" Cain tried to cover up his sin by lying about it, as some people try to get out of trouble now. He said, "I know not; Am I my brother's keeper?"

But the Lord knew all about it, for Cain could not hide his sin from the Lord any more than we can hide ours. The Lord sent him forth as a wanderer in the earth, and a hateful look marked his face as long as he lived. Faces show character.

Destroyed by a Flood.

BEFORE the flood men lived to be nearly a thousand years old. They were much larger and stronger than they are now. Living so long they became very wise and very rich.

For many years there were those who believed in God and obeyed Him. But in time most of the people forgot Him and became very wicked.

"And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.... And the earth was filled with violence." Genesis 6:5, 11.

So the Lord said He would bring a flood of waters on the earth to drown all the wicked people.

But Noah and his family were faithful to God. So He told Noah to build a great boat, called the ark. It was so large that it would hold all his family, and some of all kinds of animals and birds. It also had room to hold food for them for many days.

The world was warned in regard to the flood, for Noah was one hundred and twenty years building the ark. Part of this time he preached, telling the people of the coming flood, and part of the time he worked on the ark.

But the people were too busy and too wicked to heed the preaching of Noah. They only laughed at him for wasting his time and money building such a great boat so far from water deep enough to float it.