1. GOD’S LAW IN QUESTION Sunday August 27

a. How do the Scriptures depict the character and destiny of Lucifer? Ezekiel 28:6, 9. Why did Satan resent God’s law? “Under the symbol of the king of Tyrus, the Scriptures give us a description of the character and destiny of the first great rebel against the law of God. He who knows the end from the beginning, had His laws and commandments before the world was created, and Satan chose to question His claims before the angels of heaven, because the law set forth the Omnipotent as the only true and living God, and forbade the worship of any other being.”–The Signs of the Times, September 24, 1894. b. Why have the deceptions of Satan always been so alluring? Ezekiel 28:11–14. What counsel and warning is given us concerning Ezekiel 28? “I ask our people to study the twenty-eighth chapter of Ezekiel. The representation here made, while it refers primarily to Lucifer, the fallen angel, has yet a broader significance. Not one being, but a general movement, is described, and one that we shall witness. A faithful study of this chapter should lead those who are seeking for truth to walk in all the light that God has given to His people, lest they be deceived by the deceptions of these last days.”–The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 4, p. 1162.

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2. AN ATTITUDE PROBLEM Monday August 28

a. How does Inspiration summarize the steps of Satan’s rebellion? Ezekiel 28:15. “Little by little Satan came to indulge the desire for self-exaltation. . . . Though all his glory was from God, this mighty angel came to regard it as pertaining to himself. Not content with his position, though honored above the heavenly host, he ventured to covet homage due alone to the Creator. Instead of seeking to make God supreme in the affections and allegiance of all created beings, it was his endeavor to secure their service and loyalty to himself.”–The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 4, p. 1162. b. Why was Satan’s behavior displeasing to God? Ezekiel 28: 16–18 (first part). What attitude are we urged to cultivate? “[Ezekiel 28:16, 18 quoted.] In this place ‘traffick’ is the emblem of corrupt administration. It denotes the bringing of self-seeking into spiritual offices. Nothing in spiritual service is acceptable to God except the purposes and works that are for the good of the universe. To do good to others will redound to the glory of God.”–The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 4, p. 1163.

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3. WAR IN HEAVEN AND EARTH Tuesday August 29

a. How did God deal with Satan? Revelation 12:7–9. “God could have destroyed Satan and his sympathizers as easily as one can cast a pebble to the earth; but He did not do this. Rebellion was not to be overcome by force. Compelling power is found only under Satan’s government. The Lord’s principles are not of this order. His authority rests upon goodness, mercy, and love; and the presentation of these principles is the means to be used. God’s government is moral, and truth and love are to be the prevailing power.”–The Desire of Ages, p. 759. b. What is prophesied about Satan’s influence in the last days? 2 Thessalonians 2:7–9; 1 Peter 5:8. “[2 Thessalonians 2:7, 8; Ezekiel 28:2, 6–10 quoted.] The time is fast approaching when this scripture will be fulfilled. The world and the professedly Protestant churches are in this our day taking sides with the man of sin. . . . The great issue that is coming will be on the seventh-day Sabbath.”–The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 4, p. 1163.“Satan has originated fables with which to deceive. He commenced in heaven to war against the foundation of God’s government, and since his fall he has carried on his rebellion against the law of God, and has brought the mass of professed Christians to trample under their feet the fourth commandment, which brings to view the living God. He has torn down the original Sabbath of the Decalogue, and substituted in its place one of the laboring days of the week.“The great original lie which he told to Eve in Eden, ‘Ye shall not surely die,’ was the first sermon ever preached on the immortality of the soul. That sermon was crowned with success, and terrible results followed. He has brought minds to receive that sermon as truth, and ministers preach it, sing it, and pray it.“No literal devil, and probation after the coming of Christ, are fast becoming popular fables.”–Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 342.

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4. PRIDE VS. HUMILITY Wednesday August 30

a. What did Satan declare? Isaiah 14:12–14. How can we overcome the tendency toward pride and ambition? James 4:6, 7, 10. “Christians should regard it as a religious duty to repress a spirit of envy or emulation. They should rejoice in the superior reputation or prosperity of their brethren, even when their own character or achievements seem to be cast in the shade. It was the pride and ambition cherished in the heart of Satan that banished him from heaven. These evils are deeply rooted in our fallen nature, and if not removed they will overshadow every good and noble quality and bring forth envy and strife as their baleful fruits.“We should seek for true goodness rather than greatness. Those who possess the mind of Christ will have humble views of themselves. They will labor for the purity and prosperity of the church, and be ready to sacrifice their own interests and desires rather than to cause dissension among their brethren.”–Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 242, 243. b. What struggle is before us? Ephesians 6:11–13. “Satan’s aim had been to reproduce his own character in human beings. No sooner was man created than Satan resolved to efface in him the image of God, and to place his stamp where God’s should be. And he has succeeded in instilling into the heart of man the spirit of envy, of hatred, of ambition. In this world he has set up a kingdom of darkness, of which he, the leader in guilt, is prince. He desired to usurp the throne of God. Failing in this, he has worked in darkness, in crookedness, in deception, to usurp his place in the hearts of men. He has set up his throne between God and man, to appropriate the adoration that belongs to God alone.”–The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 6, p. 1119.

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5. THE END OF REBELLION Thursday August 31

a. What will be the end of Satan? Ezekiel 28:18 (last part), 19; Revelation 20:10; Malachi 4:1–3. “Satan’s rebellion was to be a lesson to the universe through all coming ages, a perpetual testimony to the nature and terrible results of sin. The working out of Satan’s rule, its effects upon both men and angels, would show what must be the fruit of setting aside the divine authority. It would testify that with the existence of God’s government and His law is bound up the well-being of all the creatures He has made. Thus the history of this terrible experiment of rebellion was to be a perpetual safeguard to all holy intelligences, to prevent them from being deceived as to the nature of transgression, to save them from committing sin, and suffering its punishment.”–The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 4, p. 1162. b. In what sense will the universe be safe after the destruction of Satan? Nahum 1:9. “The whole universe will have become witnesses to the nature and results of sin. And its utter extermination, which in the beginning would have brought fear to angels and dishonor to God, will now vindicate His love and establish His honor before the universe of beings who delight to do His will, and in whose heart is His law. Never will evil again be manifest. . . . [Nahum 1:9 quoted.] The law of God, which Satan has reproached as the yoke of bondage, will be honored as the law of liberty. A tested and proved creation will never again be turned from allegiance to Him whose character has been fully manifested before them as fathomless love and infinite wisdom.”–The Great Controversy, p. 504.“The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is love.”–Ibid., p. 678.

REVIEW AND THOUGHT QUESTIONS Friday September 1

1. Why should Ezekiel 28 be of special interest to us today? 2. What thoughts in Satan’s early stages must we be sure to avoid? 3. How will this rebellion reach its culmination in the last days? 4. Of what subtle temptations should we be aware? 5. How does history reveal the justice and mercy of God?