From Exalted to Cast Down

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LESSON 2

*April 2 - 8

From Exalted to Cast Down

SABBATH AFTERNOON

Read for This Week's Study:

John 1:1–3; Col. 1:16, 17; Ezek. 28:12–19; Deut. 8:1–18; Isa. 14:12–14; 2 Cor. 11:14.

Memory Text:

“Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee” (Ezekiel 28:15).

Today’s memory text has to be one of the most profound in all revelation. Two crucial words stand out: perfect and iniquity, with the latter (iniquity) encapsulated by the former (perfect). What this means is that contained in the idea of being perfect, of having perfection—even in heaven!—is the potential for iniquity. How could iniquity be found in a being created “perfect” unless “perfection” allowed for it? Iniquity could not arise in a being created perfect unless being “perfect” included the possibility of it, which it obviously did. What this text shows is that, in God’s universe, the concept of “perfect” includes freedom, moral freedom, the ability to choose right and wrong. How could it not, and humans still be moral and free? A company might be able to program software that blocks employees from accessing Internet pornography or gambling or other immoral sites, yet no one would call the software itself “moral” or “free.” What we have, then, is a being, Lucifer, so highly exalted that even his garments, his covering, are given special notice in Scripture, yet he abuses the freedom given him and falls away from the Lord. What can we learn from his tragic mistake?

*Study this week's lesson to prepare for Sabbath, April 9.