〉 The Wicked Acknowledge God’s Justice, December 3
The Wicked Acknowledge God’s Justice, December 3
“We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” Romans 14:10, 11. (Mar 345.1)
As if entranced, the wicked have looked upon the coronation of the Son of God. They see in His hands the tables of the divine law, the statutes which they have despised and transgressed. They witness the outburst of wonder, rapture, and adoration from the saved; and as the wave of melody sweeps over the multitudes without the city, all with one voice exclaim, “Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints” (Revelation 15:3); and, falling prostrate, they worship the Prince of life. (Mar 345.2)
Satan seems paralyzed as he beholds the glory and majesty of Christ. He who was once “a covering cherub”(Ezekiel 28:14) remembers whence he has fallen. A shining seraph, “son of the morning;”(Isaiah 14:12) how changed, how degraded! From the council where once he was honored, he is forever excluded. He sees another now standing near to the Father, veiling His glory. He has seen the crown placed upon the head of Christ by an angel of lofty stature and majestic presence, and he knows that the exalted position of this angel might have been his. (Mar 345.3)
Memory recalls the home of his innocence and purity.... As Satan looks upon his kingdom, the fruit of his toil, he sees only failure and ruin.... (Mar 345.4)
The time has now come when the rebellion is to be finally defeated and the history and character of Satan disclosed. In his last great effort to dethrone Christ, destroy His people, and take possession of the City of God, the archdeceiver has been fully unmasked. Those who have united with him see the total failure of his cause.... He is the object of universal abhorrence. (Mar 345.5)
Satan sees that his voluntary rebellion has unfitted him for heaven. He has trained his powers to war against God; the purity, peace, and harmony of heaven would be to him supreme torture. His accusations against the mercy and justice of God are now silenced. The reproach which he has endeavored to cast upon Jehovah rests wholly upon himself. And now Satan bows down and confesses the justice of his sentence. (Mar 345.6)