Considering the Contradiction

         Since the Scriptures do not reveal the total number of rebellious angels, it seems reasonable to conclude that the majority of God’s angels remained faithful and refused to participate in Satan’s conspiracy. Later, we will see how the angels that did fall sought to boost their number.
            Ezekiel 28 explains that although Lucifer was “cast as a profane thing out of the mountain of God,” it was still his intention to “ascend back into Heaven, exalt his throne above the stars of God, and become like [usurp] the Most High.” By definition, there can only be one Most High. Therefore, this evil conspiracy calls for a coup of the highest order.
            It is sobering to consider the choice of the rebellious angels to join Lucifer’s conspiracy. Unlike us, they had seen God. They beheld His glory first hand. They had been in His presence and were acquainted with His majesty. Yet in spite of all this, they decided to turn away and shun God’s glory.
            To think that such a blatant betrayal did not affect God would be naïve. How it must glorify God, then, when men and woman who have never seen Him, and yet believe in His goodness, worship Him sight unseen, by faith alone.
            Remember, prior to Lucifer, sin had never been seen before. Could it be that its ramifications were not readily apparent? Could any of the angels have anticipated the horrors, the misery, and the sufferings that such a seemingly insignificant seed of pride would one day produce?
            God’s expulsion of such a beautiful and majestic being from the Mountain of God may have seemed extremely harsh. Perhaps it raised suspicions concerning His true character. Why would a loving and merciful God react so unmercifully toward one of His own cherubs? Was God really as righteous as He claimed to be?
            The awfulness of Lucifer’s sin would become extremely apparent in the visible sufferings of the human race brought about by his temptation and subsequent fall of Adam and Eve. No angel would dare question the righteous judgment to expel Lucifer from the Mount after that. In addition, the manifold mercies of God would be demonstrated in His love for the human race in sending Jesus to pay the penalty for our sin. After that, no angel would dare question His mercy and grace ever again.
            The Chronos Lesson: Psalm 91 explains that those who abide in God have angelic protection. Hebrews 1:14 adds that the angels are “ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation.”
            The Bible also teaches that God is love and that love is the greatest of all things. In 1 Cor. 13, we are told that even though we may understand all mysteries and have all knowledge, we are nothing if we do not have love (vs. 2). Verse 5 says that those who love are not self-seeking, but rather find their highest form of fulfillment by serving others. Is this what God had in mind for His angels?
            Was He giving them the opportunity to experience love on its highest level, even though it meant serving those who had been created a little lower than them (Ps. 8:5-6)? It is one thing to serve Someone great; it is another thing to serve those who are not so great. And yet, to serve them is to serve Him.
            We know from the creation mandate given to mankind that we were created for a purpose. We know part of that intentional purpose was to be God’s representative on the earth. Now we can see why our assignment included subduing something. We were also created in response to this angelic rebellion.
            I’ve been asked several times when teaching the chronos message, particularly the restoration of all things and the eternal righteousness that follows in the Perfect Day, how we can be so sure that there will never be another angelic rebellion. Now, perhaps, you can see the answer. The heavenly angels have seen the horrific consequences of such a prideful conspiracy. Now add to this our own dual testimony of our earthly struggles and the lawlessness we endured compared to God’s great loving-kindness and tender mercies. This, too, is a part of our heavenly calling.